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METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION PHOTO
Processed meats increase health risks

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

For many, Labor Day weekend signals the beginning of a regular ritual of making school lunches or, for those of us who work from an office, our own lunches. Sandwiches are typical fare, because they travel well and are easy to handle.

Unfortunately, common sandwich ingredients, including processed meats, are increasingly implicated as potential causes of diseases, including several cancers, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Processed meats are those that have been cured, salted, fermented or smoked. Turkey and roast beef were often in my lunch box when I was growing up. The prevailing thought at the time was that deli meats made without artificial nitrates, nitrites and preservatives were healthy. Unfortunately, more recent studies show otherwise.

According to a study in the European Journal of Epidemiology, high processed meat intake was positively associated with risk of breast, colorectal, colon, rectal, and lung cancers (1).

Increased stroke risk

In a large, prospective cohort study, results showed a 23 percent increased risk of stroke in men who consumed the most processed meats (2). Deli meats, including low-fat turkey, ham and bologna, considered healthy by some, were implicated. The 40,291 Swedish participants were followed for about ten years.

The increased risk could be attributed potentially to higher sodium content in processed meats. Another mechanism could be nitrates and nitrites. Interestingly, participants were mostly healthy, except for the processed meats. Thus, processed meats could interfere with the benefits of a heart-healthy diet, according to the authors.

Increased cancer risk

In the large prospective Multiethnic Cohort Study, there was a 68 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer in participants who consumed the highest amounts of processed meats compared to the lowest (3). Participants were followed for seven years. The authors believe that carcinogenic substances in meat preparation, not necessarily fat or saturated fat, were the reason for increased risk. Pancreatic cancer is deadly, since most patients don’t have symptoms; therefore, it’s not discovered until its very late stages.

Processed meats also increase the risk of colorectal cancer. In a meta-analysis, there was an increased risk of 14 percent per every 100 grams, or 3.5 ounces (approximately one serving) of processed meat per day (4). Two slices of deli meat are equal to one serving. A deli’s turkey sandwich often includes about five servings of processed meat in one meal. 

In the EPIC trial, a prospective study with more than 420,000 participants, processed meats increased the risk of colorectal cancer by 35 percent (5). The absolute risk of developing colorectal cancer was 71 percent over ten years for those who were age 50.

Other cancers implicated in processed meats include lung, liver and esophageal cancers, with increased risks ranging from 20-60 percent according to the NIH AARP Diet and Health study (6). A separate analysis of the EPIC trial showed that there was a greater than two times increased risk of esophageal cancer with processed meats (7).

Type 2 Diabetes risk

In one of the most prestigious and largest meta-analyses involving the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study and the Nurses’ Health Study I and II, results demonstrated a 32 percent increased risk of type 2 diabetes in participants who had a one-serving increase of processed meat consumption per day (8). This data was highly statistically significant and involved over four million years of cumulative follow-up. Interestingly, the authors estimate that replacing processed meat with one serving of nuts, low-fat dairy and whole grains would reduce risk substantially.

Other lunchbox options

Consider making bowls that include greens, grilled vegetables, healthy grains and beans. These can be prepared in a batch and distributed among lunch-sized containers that can be grabbed from the refrigerator when preparing lunches. If you want to include meat, add small cubes of unprocessed meat you’ve prepared yourself, which can lower your sodium and nitrate consumption.

References:

(1) Eur J Epidemiol. 2021 Sep;36(9):937-951. (2) Am J Clinical Nut. 2011;94 (2):417-421. (3) J Natl Cancer Inst 2005;97 (19): 1458-1465. (4) PLoS One. 2011;6 (6):e20456. (5) J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005 Jun 15;97 (12):906-16. (6) PLoS Med. 2007 Dec;4 (12):e325. (7) J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006 Mar 1;98 (5):345-54. (8) Am J Clinical Nutrition 2011;94 (4): 1088-1096.

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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American Oystercatcher. Photo by Craig Turner
Ruddy Turnstone. Photo by Craig Turner
Red Knot. Photo by Craig Turner
Semipalmated Plover. Photo by Craig Turner
Greater Yellowlegs. Photo by Craig Turner
A flock of shorebirds. Photo by Craig Turner

By John L. Turner

John Turner

On a warm morning in early August, my wife Georgia and I climbed aboard a pontoon boat stationed along a canal in Freeport between two seafood restaurants, joining two dozen kindred spirits excited to explore the marsh islands dotting Middle Bay. While there were several purposes for the trip — getting to know other individuals committed to conservation through involvement in numerous downstate Audubon chapters being a prime one — once the boat began moving birds became the central focus. We were all interested in seeing what birds might be around as “fall” migration gets under way for a variety of coastal bird species. 

The first highlight was several Black-crowned Night-herons perched on large wooden pilings followed by a family of Killdeer standing around on some earthen mounds in a forgotten lot at the corner of the canal and bay. Killdeer derive their name from their ringing call which sounds like their name — kill-deer! kill-deer! killdeer! Killdeer are a species of shorebirds but typically aren’t found along the shore. Rather they are birds of open places like athletic fields and large gravel patches, vulnerable places that sometimes get them and their chicks in trouble.     

Speaking of shorebirds, this was the group I was most hoping to see. Even though we’re on a boat in mid-summer, many species of shorebirds have embarked on their southbound “fall” sojourns, some heading south from breeding grounds situated north of the Arctic Circle. And where might they be heading? Well, some species like Red Knots eventually make their way to Tierra Del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. Many others select other latitudes in South America and Central America while still others choose the southeastern United States or islands in the Caribbean. 

As all these migratory journeys illustrate, shore bird species —plovers, sandpipers and the larger ones like godwits — are indeed globetrotters of the Western Hemisphere.  Nearly two dozen shorebird species are known to undertake non-stop flights of 3,000 miles or more — that’s roughly the distance from New York to Seattle. The fuel? Subcutaneous fat stored under the skin. Take that you ultramarathoners out there! Long Island is one of the many “migratory motels” these highly mobile species depend upon during migration, a key stage in completing their annual life cycles. 

We soon saw a small flock of shorebirds sitting amidst a few common terns along a small pond in the marsh — a single Whimbrel and half a dozen Black-bellied Plovers. In full breeding plumage the latter species is one of the most striking birds in North America — jet black on the breast, belly, lower flanks and cheeks with a white cap on its head and upper neck (please don’t hesitate to pause your reading of this article to check out the image on the Internet). The back is speckled in a salt-and-pepper pattern. 

In comparison, the Whimbrel (once called the Hudsonian curlew), is a modest, understated bird with a back that contains flecking that’s medium brown in color, a lighter brown neck and a handsome crown with two prominent brown crown stripes and two more brown stripes running through the eyes. More prominent still is the long decurved bill, perfectly suited from pulling fiddler crabs from their burrows. The decurved bill gives rise to the generic part of its scientific name (Numenius phaeopus). Numenius means “of the new moon” a reference of the similarity to the crescent shaped bill to the crescent moon that forms right after the new moon. 

Moving south into the bay we slowly worked along the edge of an island and were rewarded by other shorebird species — some ‘peeps’ like Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers and a few Sanderlings. A pair of Greater Yellowlegs, living up to their name with long, bright yellow legs, stood nearby and in the marsh a few Willets were feeding, a larger shorebird species that nests on Long Island. They were soon joined by a few American Oystercatchers, highly distinctive and large shorebirds with long bright red bills that are also local nesting birds.  

We continued on and two more species were soon tallied — Semipalmated Plovers and the harlequin looking Ruddy Turnstone (another fine time to pause to look up the species on the Internet). This turnstone species, another shorebird with some populations breeding above the Arctic Circle, has a ruddy-colored back and tail with black barring, a white belly, bright orange legs, and a distinctive black and white facial pattern with two white spots between the eyes and the base of the bill. While this bold pattern makes the bird stand out while sitting on a rock, dock, or on the sand at a marsh’s edge, it helps the bird blend in while sitting on eggs in its vegetated tundra habitat in the Far North. Ruddy Turnstones get their name from the aforementioned ruddy back and their habit of flicking over shells and stones while foraging for food on the beach. This unique foraging behavior allows them to find food items other shorebirds cannot find.    

Semipalmated Plovers are a handsome shorebird species. A uniform chocolate brown back and top of head with a clean white belly and throat separated by a bold black bar, adults in breeding plumage have an orange and black bill and orange legs. Their name is derived from the fact their feet are partially webbed but not entirely webbed like the foot of a duck. They’re similar in appearance and shape to Piping Plovers, a small shorebird that nests on beaches around Long Island. In fact, one birder has noted that a Semipalmated Plover looks like a sandy colored Piping Plover after being submerged in water and its plumage darkens.

Along the East Coast shorebirds were once actively hunted for sport and to a lesser extent for food and such was the case on Long Island. There are many written accounts of hunting trips to mud- and sand flats, marshes and the outer beach to gun for shorebirds, often using wooden decoys to draw them in. (There were a number of famous decoy makers on Long Island and some of their decoys can be purchased online). The hunting pressure was so intense and relentless and so many birds killed that many shorebird species declined precipitously. 

One species, the Eskimo Curlew, closely related to the Whimbrel, is feared to be extinct from persistent hunting for the table, as the bird was considered quite delectable, containing lots of fat, a fact that led to their colloquial name of ‘doughbirds’. The last known flock of Eskimo Curlews was seen in Barbados in 1963. It was a common shorebird that passed through Long Island during fall migration. Today, almost all shorebird species are legally protected from hunting. One exception is the most ‘unshorebirdlike’ of all shorebirds — the American Woodcock, a forest dwelling shorebird that is still actively hunted.    

Today, shorebirds face threats of a different nature. Habitat loss, as shorelines are hardened or developed, reduces the availability of feeding habitat, compromising the quality of their ‘motel’ experience, and climate disruption adds a huge layer of concern that is hard to measure in how it might affect the welfare of these iconic species. But there are many individuals and organizations working to safeguard shorebirds — from ending shorebird hunting in the Caribbean to artisanal salt farmers in Honduras working to protect habitat for black-necked stilts (we get a few that pass through Long Island every year) to the creation of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) that identifies and protects sites critical as stopover habitat for shorebirds.   

For most of us, shorebirds’ lives are invisible, their existence dependent on remote and wild landscapes often in places so very distant from us that our paths rarely cross. When they do it’s a momentary gift — maybe it’s a scurrying flock of sanderlings retreating from the foam of a crashing ocean wave or the piercing tew! tew! tew! of a greater yellowlegs you’ve flushed from a shore edge while kayaking or watching the broken wing act of an adult piping plover trying to distract you away from its nest or young. As the boat experience illustrates, we are in the season of gift giving. 

A resident of Setauket, author John L. Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.

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Naomi Ackie in a scene from 'Blink Twice.' Photo courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

After nearly twenty years of high-profile performances (including multiple franchises), actor Zoë Kravitz makes a first-rate directorial debut with Blink Twice. 

Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie; below, Ackie in a scene from the film.
Photo by Carlos Somonte, Amazon MGM Studios

Kravitz collaborated on the screenplay with E.T. Feigenbaum, a writer from her 2020 Hulu series, High Fidelity. They have created an interesting, edgy, slightly over-long film that nods to The Most Dangerous Game and, more recently, The Hunt. Blink Twice focuses on intertwining issues of memory and power, but the foremost thread is the abuse of women—specifically by rich, white men. While in this context taken to the extreme, the film makes the point no less honest and valuable. 

The opening image of Frida (Naomi Ackie) scrolling through her phone while sitting on the commode perfectly presents her dead-end life. “I need a f— vacation,” she says. This prescient statement provides layers of pay-off.

She and her best friend, Jess (Arrested Development’s Alia Shawkat, in a grounded performance), cater-wait at tech billionaire Slater King’s (Channing Tatum) pretentious high-end gala. After a “meet cute”—that is anything but—King invites the pair to his island. Arriving by private jet, the entourage of King and his buddies and a gathering of young, attractive women land in paradise for days of eating, drinking, bathing, and drugs. Literally, there is “a tsunami of champagne.” 

Stripped of any outside world connection (including the ubiquitous cell phones), continual and unchecked hedonism ensues. The unbridled existence is emphasized by the women’s apparel, diaphanous white dresses provided by their host; these further King’s bacchanalian environment. For nearly forty minutes, Kravitz presents endless days of relaxation, meals of detailed extremes, and nights of excess. 

While the view of no one wanting the trip to end, Frida’s reality begins to jar. The new refrain is that “something is wrong with this place.” This, coupled with the idea that the ability to forget is a gift, spurs the latter half of the film. Indigenous serpents, mysterious perfume, and the shadowy natives serving the guests become increasingly important. The turning point is Jess being bitten by one of the snakes. The film kicks into high gear, building to terrible revelations in the final twenty minutes. The violence is appropriately brutal and relentless and cannot be unseen.

While the plot has been explored in various incarnations, Kravitz shows great skill, imbuing every scene with low-boiling tension. Even the brightest sunlight and the clearest swimming pool project an atmosphere of dread. She employs often-trod tropes—a creaking door, a stack of hidden Polaroids, a particularly sharp knife—but nothing seems gratuitous. Even the omnipresent red gift bags project a menace.

Naomi Ackie in a scene from ‘Blink Twice.’ Photo courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

Ackie beautifully arcs Frida from uncomfortably passive to a resourceful and righteous warrior. She is matched by the extraordinary Arida Arjona, as Sarah, a C-list celebrity from a “babes-as-survivors” reality show. The adversarial relationship underlies the point that society pits women against women. When the situation shifts, so does their dynamic; together, they own the film’s final stretch. Tatum (in seemingly Brad Pitt mode) is appropriately slimy, if a bit obvious, as the mogul. However, his take on forgiveness provides a brief but pointedly disturbing monologue; he is also effective in King’s flashes of doubt. 

The supporting cast, including Simon Rex, Liz Cabel, Levon Hawke, Trew Mullen, and Haley Joel Osment, serve their functions and play the few notes provided with ease and abandonment. Christian Slater turns in a familiar performance. Likewise, Kyle MacLachlan’s cameo as King’s therapist harkens to much of the actor’s earlier work. However, Geena Davis, as put-upon assistant Stacy, has one of the most memorable and alarming moments in the entire film. 

Blink Twice’s original title directly referenced the #MeToo movement, but presenters balked, and Kravitz changed the title to the more benign moniker. While initially resisting, she eventually embraced the reality that “we’re not there yet. And I think that’s something I have the responsibility as a filmmaker to listen to.”

While the film would have benefited from judicious cuts to the one-hundred-and-fifty-minute running time, Adam Newport-Berra’s exceptional camera work and Kravitz’s smart, taught direction build to a thrilling climax. She slyly introduces gallows humor when the story turns darkest, and her resolution borders on brilliant. 

While Blink Twice is not perfect, it is strong, riveting, and significant. It also heralds Kravitz as a significant new filmmaker who earns the titles of up-and-coming and accomplished.  

Rated R, the film is now playing in local theaters.

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Jay Ungar and Molly Mason will headline this year's festival.

By Melissa Arnold

As summer begins to wind down, September ushers in what could be considered the best of the season: Mellower weather, cooler nights, and still plenty of time for outdoor fun.

Benner’s Farm in East Setauket is an ideal spot for celebrating all things Americana when the Fiddle and Folk Festival returns on Sunday, Sept. 8.

Historical records show that the 15-acre property has functioned as a working family farm as far back as 1751, if not earlier. Seven families have called it home since then, with schoolteachers Bob and Jean Benner purchasing the property in 1974.

The concert line-up will include Eastbound Freight Bluegrass — John Brisotti on mandolin; Dave Thompson on guitar; Bill DeTurk on banjo; Bill Ayasse on fiddle and Bruce Barry on bass — who will be joined by two former members, singer Gene Yellin and fiddler Bill Christopherson.

Today, Benner’s Farm provides a much-needed respite from the frenetic pace of life on the North Shore. Visitors can enjoy the grounds and say hello to the sheep and goats, chickens and ducks, and Tippy the cow. 

The Fiddle and Folk Festival was held for many years at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook. When those festivals were discontinued, Bob Benner found that he really missed attending.

“We’ve always had a love for music on the farm, whether that’s contra dancing or welcoming musicians to come and play,” Benner said. 

At the Long Island Museum, a William Sidney Mount painting of a fiddler at a barn dance (“Dance of the Haymakers”) captured Benner’s imagination. And with a little encouragement from the late Gerry Riemer of WUSB Radio in Stony Brook, Benner made plans to reboot the festival on the farm.

In the years since then, the Long Island Traditional Music Association, Homestead Arts and the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council have helped Benner connect with a wide variety of folk, bluegrass, blues and roots musicians.

“The folk community might be smaller than others, but they are global and well-connected to each other,” said Amy Tuttle, the arts council’s program director. “I’ve gotten to know many performers simply through word of mouth from other musicians. They are all creative spirits that are excited to get to know new people, including their audiences.”  

This year’s festival has four performance spaces situated around the farm, each with its own unique vibe. The heart of the action is on the Back Porch, a gorgeous hillside where headliners and larger groups will perform.

Headlining this year’s festival are Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, a married duo best known for their expressive roots tunes. Ungar’s Grammy Award-winning song “Ashokan Farewell” gained notoriety as the theme for the acclaimed Ken Burns documentary The Civil War.

The Sugar Maple Barn will host fiddle and banjo duo Brian Chabza and Bill Ayasse, plus the anticipated “Pick of the Crop” competition, where hopeful performers can step up to the mic. Impress the judges and you could be invited to play on the Back Porch. Keep your ears open for last year’s contest winners, Toby Tobias and Suzanne Ernst, as they make their Big Porch debuts.

If you have musical talent but don’t want to compete,  the open mic “stage”— actually a 100-year-old Model T truck — awaits. And if you’re looking to jam with a group or sing along in the audience, head to the Shady Grove, an acoustic spot featuring the Eastern Long Island Old Time Jam. Beginners and seasoned performers alike are encouraged to pull up a chair and play.

Emceed by Bob Westcott, the lineup will also include The Roger Street Friedman Band, Claudia Jacob’s Say Hey Crew, and Eastbound Freight, among others.

Hot dogs, hamburgers and other picnic fare will be available for purchase. Kids can explore activities just for them, or take the whole family on a nature walk.

The festival is a fun opportunity to get some fresh air and explore new types of music you might not hear all the time, Tuttle said.

“The Fiddle and Folk Festival celebrates Americana in a number of forms, from very traditional old time sounds to contemporary songwriters putting their own spin on traditional instruments, or even Americana interpreted by people from other parts of the world. It’s all different, depending on how the artist approaches the music. You’re not going to be listening to six hours of the same thing,” she explained. “The performers care so deeply about the community and come out to intermingle and talk to people. There’s no ‘wall’ between the audience and the performers.”

As the day draws to a close and the sun begins to set, Benner said there’s nothing like listening to the music play on as the sun filters through the trees, filling the Back Porch area with amber light.

“It’s such a treat for me to do this every year, right here in my own backyard,” he said. 

The 12th Annual Fiddle & Folk Festival will be held at Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket on Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets in advance are $22 adults, $18 seniors and $10 for children; tickets at the door are $25 adults, $22 seniors and $12 for children. Bring seating. For more information or to purchase advance tickets, visit fiddleandfolk.com or call 631 689-8172.

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EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE The Greenlawn Fireman's Fair kicks off with a parade along Broadway on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. File photo by Sara-Megan Walsh/TBR News Media
Thursday Aug. 29

Kitten Adoption Event

The League for Animal Protection of Huntington Grateful Paw Cat Shelter, 3 Verleye Ave., East Northport will hold a kitten adoption event at from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Come meet your purrfect purring partner! 631-757-4517

Greenlawn Fireman’s Fair

The Greenlawn Fire Department’s Fireman’s Fair, 23 Boulevard Ave., Greenlawn will return tonight (parade at 7 p.m. along Broadway), Aug. 30 and Aug. 31 from 7 to 11 p.m. and Sept. 1 from 5 to 11 p.m. New York State’s longest-running Fireman’s Fair, the event will feature lots of family fun, food and raffles with great prizes. Rain date are Sept. 2. For more information, call 631-261-9106.

An Evening of Jazz

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents a concert by the Interplay Jazz Orchestra at 7 p.m. The 17-piece orchestra performs original compositions and arrangements written by band members.

Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, free for children ages 5 and under. thejazzloft.org

Friday Aug. 30

Greenlawn Fireman’s Fair

See Aug. 29 listing.

Shinnecock Pow Wow

The Shinnecock Nation hosts the 78th annual Shinnecock Pow Wow at 1 West Church St., Southampton today at 3 p.m. and Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2 at 10 a.m. Featuring Native American dances, crafts, storytelling, vendors, native foods, demonstrations and drumming competitions. Admission is $20 adults, $10 seniors and children ages 6 to 12, children under 5 years old free. 631-283-6143

Musical Moments

Musical Moments in Kings Park returns to Russ Savatt Park, 14 Main St., Kings Park from 7:30 to 9 p.m. with a concert by the Eagle River Band, courtesy of the Kings Park Civic Association. Weather permitting. Bring seating. 516-509-7231

Happenings on Main Street

Northport Arts Coalition concludes its Happenings on Main Street, free concerts at the Northport Village Park Gazebo at the harbor Friday evenings at 7 p.m., with Godfrey Townsend. Bring seating. 631-261-1872

Alan Howarth at the CAC

Join legendary composer Alan Howarth, best known for his collaborations with John Carpenter, and his work on the Star Trek films, for a live concert of his iconic film music at the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington at 7 p.m. Featuring music from Escape From New York, Halloween II, III & IV, The Thing, Big Trouble In Little China, Christine, They Live, Prince Of Darkness, and more! Preceded by a Q&A. Tickets are $27, $20 members at cinemaartscentre.org.

The Edward Twins

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson welcomes back The Edward Twins tonight and Aug. 31 at 8 p.m. Remember all the wonderful Variety shows we all grew up on in the 70’s & 80’s? Now is your chance to see them live and re-created by Las Vegas’ number one impersonators of all time. Sonny & Cher, Billy Joel, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Tom Jones, and many many more. Tickets are $65. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit theatrethree.com. 

Saturday Aug. 31

Greenlawn Fireman’s Fair

See Aug. 29 listing.

Shinnecock Pow Wow

See Aug. 30 listing.

The Edward Twins

See Aug. 30 listing.

Lighthouse Music Fest

Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society presents its 15th annual Music Fest at the Huntington Harbor Lighthouse from 11 a.m. to dusk. Bands of all musical genres will perform on top of the lighthouse. There is no fee to attend and no registration necessary. Just drop anchor with and enjoy a day of  fun. Rain date is Sept. 1. 631-421-1985, www.lighthousemusicfest.org

Sherwood-Jayne House Tours

Preservation Long Island offers Saturday tours of the Sherwood-Jayne Farm House (c. 1730), 55 Old Post Road, Setauket through Oct. 5 at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Built around 1730, the Sherwood-Jayne Farm House survives today in its original 18th century agrarian landscape. It served as the home of the Jayne family, including William Jayne II, a prominent Loyalist during the Revolutionary War until it was sold in 1908 to New York attorney Howard Sherwood who used the house to showcase his collection of American and European antiques. This guided tour explores the first and second floors of the house. Tickets are $10 adults, free for ages 15 and under. To reserve your spot, visitpreservationlongisland.org/tours/.

Neighborhood Summer Shindig

Lewis Oliver Farm Sanctuary,  Burt Avenue Northport invites the community to a Neighborhood Summer Shindig from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy refreshing watermelon, lemonade and other goodies while listening to the sounds of Northport’s very own legendary musical duo, Steve & Sandy Edwards. Visit with Annabelle the cow, goats, sheep, alpacas, chickens, ducks, peafowl, and turkeys. 631-261-6320

Candlelight Vigil

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, the Northport Drug and Alcohol Task Force, The Village of Northport, Town Of Huntington Opioid and Addiction Task Force, CN Guidance and Counseling Services, the Town of Huntington and others will hold the 5th Annual Night of Remembrance “Together We Can” Candlelight Vigil for family and friends of those lost to drug and alcohol-related overdose at Northport Village Park, 63 Bayview Ave., Northport from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. All are invited to come honor and remember lost loved ones, and if you would like, bring a picture to place on the memorial wall the night of the vigil. 631-261-7502

Tribute to Elton John

Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown will present “Sir Elton — Featuring Lance Millard,” the quintessential homage to the incomparable Elton John, at 8 p.m. With over 25 years of dedication, Lance Millard embodies the spirit of Elton with unmatched precision and passion, enthralling audiences night after night. Tickets are $42 per person. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

Sunday Sept. 1

Greenlawn Fireman’s Fair

See Aug. 29 listing.

Shinnecock Pow Wow

See Aug. 30 listing.

Caumsett Hike

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington hosts a Late Summer Seasonal Stroll from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. In a series of short 1.5 mile seasonal strolls, witness summer’s subtle change as she withers and goes to seed. Dress for the possibility of long grass. Adults only. $4 per person. Reservations required by calling 631-423-1770.

Ronkonkoma Street Fair

Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Labor Day Weekend street fair on Hawkins Avenue between Portion and Wittridge roads from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring more than 200 vendors, live music, children’s rides, arts and crafts, giveaways and more. Free admission. 631-963-2796, www.ronkonkomachamber.com

The Mondays in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook  presents a concert by The Mondays from 3 to 4 p.m. The event is free with general admission ticket purchase. 631-689-5888, limusichalloffame.org. 

Monday Sept. 2

Shinnecock Pow Wow

See Aug. 30 listing.

Tuesday Sept. 3

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a concert by vocalist Susan Capri who will entertain you with your favorite songs in the Social Hall at 11 a.m.  Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Avalon Astronomy Event
The Observatories at Avalon Nature Preserve, Shep Jones Lane, Stony Brook will be hosting a live observing session (weather permitting) titled An Evening with the Ringed Planet from 8:30 till 10:30pm. Using telescopes, they will be providing both digital and visual views of the 6th planet, Saturn, and a variety of deep space targets. Free. No registration necessary. 631-689-0619

Wednesday Sept. 4

NY Marketplace Enrollment

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station hosts a New York State of Health Marketplace Enrollment session from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Health & Welfare Council of Long Island’s certified Navigators will be available to help you apply for health insurance. No registration required. Open to all. For documentation requirements and other questions, call HWCLI at 516-505-4426.

Cruise Night at The Shoppes

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River hosts a Cruise Night Car Show every Wednesday through October from 5 to 9 p.m. Visit the Shoppes, enjoy a bite to eat and then check out the fine array of classic cars in the parking lot. 631-929-3500

Camera Club Meeting

The Paumanok Camera Club will hold its first meeting of the season at the Town of Brookhaven’s New Village Rec Center, 20 Wireless Rd, Centereach at 7:30 p.m. Open to all with an interest in photography; new members welcome. Share your work, improve your skills, meet new friends. PaumanokCameraClub.org

Thursday Sept. 5

Purple Party

In recognition of the Town of Brookhaven going purple for National Recovery Month, the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce will host a Purple Party at the Train Car, 1 Rose Ave., Port Jefferson Station at 7 p.m. Come help light the train car purple with snacks, guest speakers, Narcan training and more. Free. 631-821-1313, PJSTChamber.com

Theater

‘Legally Blonde The Musical’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Legally Blonde The Musical from July 11 to Sept 1. Elle Woods appears to have it all until her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend dumps her to attend Harvard. Determined to get him back, Elle charms her way into the prestigious law school. An award-winning musical based on the adored movie, the show follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Tickets range from $80 to  $95. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit engemantheater.com. 

‘King Lear’

The Carriage House Players at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in  Centerport closes their 35th annual Shakespeare in the Courtyard Festival with King Lear from Aug. 16 to Sept. 8. Performances are held on the Vanderbilt mansion courtyard stage on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children under age 12 at vanderbiltmuseum.org. 

‘Clue’

Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is 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.

‘Matilda’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 54th season with Roald Dahl’s Matilda from Sept. 14 to Oct. 20. Matilda is a courageous little girl with astonishing wit, a vivid imagination, and psychokinetic powers. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, the unique and unforgettable MATILDA is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl on an extraordinary journey! Tickets are $40 adults $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12, $25 Wednesday matinees. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’

Suffolk County Community College, 533 College Road, Selden presents The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, a hilarious, crazy fairy-tale extravaganza, on Oct. 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. in Theatre 119 in the Islip Arts Building. Two narrators attempt to recreate all 209 of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm in a wild, fast-paced extravaganza. To make it more difficult, they attempt to combine them into one gigantic fable using Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and other more obscure stories like Lean Lisa and The Devil’s Grandmother. General admission: is $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. SCCC students with current ID get one free ticket. To order, call 631-451-4163

‘Night of the Living Dead’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Night of the Living Dead form 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 blend of thrilling horror laced with touches of black humor envelops the audience in the action and unfolds into a shocking theatrical ending. *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.

‘She Kills Monsters’

The Minstrel Players, Houghton Hallm Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport returns in the fall with Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters on Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 20 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 or text 516-361-7232 or email [email protected].

Film

‘Happy Campers’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series kicks off its Fall 2024 season with a screening of Happy Campers at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 children. portjeffdocumentaryseries.com. See more on page B5.

Class Reunion

Port Jefferson High School Class of 1964 will hold its 60th reunion at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 17. Members of the Class of 1963 are invited to join them. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected].

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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Lance Millard as Sir Elton John

Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown will present “Sir Elton — Featuring Lance Millard,” the quintessential homage to the incomparable Elton John, on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m.With over 25 years of dedication, Lance Millard embodies the spirit of Elton with unmatched precision and passion, enthralling audiences night after night.

From the iconic costumes to the spot-on vocals, Lance’s portrayal is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the artistry of Elton John. Accompanied by a hand-selected ensemble of the region’s most talented musicians, “Sir Elton” delivers a spellbinding performance that ignites the stage and fills theaters with an electric atmosphere.

Elton’s legacy is nothing short of legendary, boasting a staggering array of accomplishments including over 50 Top 40 hits and sales of more than 300 million records worldwide. His impact on music and culture is indelible, drawing fans from every corner of the globe to revel in his timeless melodies.

Prepare to be captivated by “Sir Elton – Featuring Lance Millard,” a tribute spectacle that honors the legacy of a music icon while delivering an unforgettable live experience.

Tickets are $42 per person. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

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Scott Peterson is currently serving life in prison for the murder of his wife, Laci. Photo courtesy of Netflix

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

The facts are these:

On Christmas Eve 2002, 27-year-old Laci Peterson, eight months pregnant with her first child, disappeared from her home in Modesto, California. Her husband, Scott, claimed to have last seen her at 9:30 a.m. Originally, Scott announced he was golfing but later revealed that he had gone fishing at the Berkeley Marina. When he returned home that afternoon, he found their dog, McKenzie, still leashed in the backyard. After showering and washing his clothes, Scott contacted Laci’s mother to see if Laci was there. Both Scott and Laci’s stepfather reported Laci missing. While investigating, detectives found Laci’s keys, wallet, and sunglasses in her purse and closet.

Scott Peterson is currently serving life in prison for the murder of his wife, Laci.
Photo courtesy of Netflix

Immediately, a massive search was underway. Initially, Laci’s in-laws defended Scott, but as the investigation continued, the police became more suspicious. On Dec. 30, Amber Frey contacted the hotline, revealing that she had been dating Scott since November as she believed he was single. She recorded their conversations over the next month. On Jan. 24, 2003, the information went public.

On April 13, the fetus remains of Conner, Laci’s unborn child, was discovered in San Francisco Bay. The following day, the remains of a woman—later identified as Laci—washed up a mile away from where Conner’s remains were found. The area was just a few miles from where Scott had been fishing.

Police arrested Scott Peterson on April 18 in La Jolla, California. In addition to knives and credit cards (and his brother’s I.D.), Scott had fifteen thousand dollars in cash. He had grown a mustache and beard and dyed his hair.

Scott’s trial began on June 1, 2004, with jury deliberations beginning on Nov. 3. On Nov. 12, Scott was found guilty of first-degree murder for Laci’s death and second-degree murder for Conner’s death. On Dec. 13, the jury recommended the death sentence, which a judge enacted on March 16. After years of appeals and accusations of an unfair trial (2012 to 2015), the death sentence was overturned on Aug. 24, 2020. He was resentenced on Dec. 8, 2021, to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

On Dec. 20, 2023, Scott Peterson’s request for a new trial was denied, and in January 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project began its representation of Scott Peterson, claiming that he was innocent.

Since 2002, millions of words have covered the tragic death of Laci Peterson. Thousands of articles and hours of media coverage. The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story aired on USA Network in 2004. In 2005, CBS broadcast the movie Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution. 

The case featured on The E! True Hollywood Story, True Crime with Aphrodite Jones, Murder Made Me Famous, Crime Junkie Podcast, The Laci Peterson Story: A Dateline Investigation, Snapped, Truth and Lies: The Murder of Laci Peterson, How It Really Happened, 48 Hours, 20/20, etc. A&E produced a six-part series, The Murder of Laci Peterson (2017).

Netflix now presents American Murder: Laci Peterson. Directed by Skye Borgman (Girl in the Picture, Abducted in Plain Sight), the three-part documentary offers little new information. It mostly focuses on interviews intercut with archival footage and blurry, slow-motion B-roll recreations. 

Part 1: “What Do You Mean, Missing?” highlights the first six days and establishes the Petersons as the “perfect couple.” Part 2: “I Wasn’t a Mistress” follows Amber Frey, Scott’s girlfriend, as she aids the police by taping their conversations. Part 3: “Nothing Can Change the Truth” takes the story from arrest through trial and conviction.

There is no question that this is a heartbreaking story. Laci’s disappearance and murder was terrible in every respect. However, the point of revisiting the murder is to shed new light and a new perspective. For the most part, American Murder fails to do this. 

Throughout the two-and-a-half hours, the filmmakers fail to address why this particular case grabbed the country’s attention from the first moment. It acknowledges that Scott Peterson was tried on a great deal of circumstantial evidence (no DNA, no witnesses, no definitive weapon) but goes no further, emphasizing his disturbing behavior and questionable personality. It almost celebrates the mob mentality at the announcement of the verdict. It also never addresses the Innocence Project taking up his case, suggesting that Laci was murdered by the burglars of the neighbor’s house. In short, the documentary leans into ominous chords, peripatetic cuts, and eerie images.

For the most part, the interviews add little insight. The detectives revisit the same material and perspectives. Journalist Gloria Gomez speaks of the media frenzy but takes no responsibility for being part of that circus. There is an uncomfortable interview with two of the jurors that offers little perspective. 

The one powerful throughline is Laci’s mother, Sharon Rocha. While reliving this is painful, she maintains dignity and clarity. She divides her life between before Laci and after Laci and knows that this changed everybody’s lives. One of the last things she states is, “You don’t get over it; you just get through it.” Her interview is the most valuable part of the documentary.

On Aug. 20, Peacock presents Face to Face with Scott Peterson, featuring his first interview in decades. Undoubtedly, this will be a different perspective, emphasizing alternate theories. 

Stepping back from pure objectivity, Scott Peterson was a liar, a cheat, a narcissist, and most likely murdered his wife, Laci, a kind, gentle person. Like any victim of a violent crime, her story deserves and needs to be told—but always with integrity, sensitivity, and raw honesty. Unfortunately, American Murder does not rise to this standard.

The three-part documentary is currently streaming on Netflix.

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POWERHOUSE POP VOCAL TRIO Celebrating four decades of iconic Diva hits, DIVAS3 heads to the John W. Engeman Theater on Aug. 26. Photo courtesy of The John W. Engeman Theater
Ongoing

Huntington Summer Arts Festival

The 59th annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival returns to Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington from June 21 to Aug. 24, Wednesdays to Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. The 10-week festival will feature over 40 live performances including dance, theater and music. Bring seating. Held rain or shine. Free. For a list of scheduled performers, visit huntingtonarts.org. 631-271-8423

Thursday August 22

Family Fun Day

The Long Island Game Farm, 489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville and the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability presents its first annual Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The day’s events will include a celebration of the beloved capybaras with a “Happy Capy Day” theme, including games and challenges, a camel meet-and-greet, storytelling by Long Island authors, tortoise talk,  a concert by Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could, interactive sing-a- long with singer-songwriter Anne O’Rourke, face painting, scavenger hunt, family holiday photo station, and more. Tickets are $30 at the door. 631-878-6344

Historic Harbor Tours

The Northport Historical Society presents Historic Harbor Tours at 5 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. Get a new perspective on Northport when you spend a relaxing evening learning local history while cruising in the harbor on launches from Seymour’s Boatyard 63 Bayview Avenue, Northport. The 45-minute guided harbor tour will spotlight the rich waterfront history that has helped shape the community. Followed by drinks and light fare. Tickets are $75, $60 members. Rain date is Aug. 28. 631-757-9859, northporthistorical.org

Port Jefferson Greek Festival

Opa! Greek Church of the Assumption, 430 Sheep Pasture Road, Port Jefferson presents its annual Greek Festival tonight from 5 to 10 p.m., Aug. 23 from 5 to 11 p.m., Aug. 24 from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Aug. 25 from noon to 9 p.m. with vendors, authentic Greek delights, dancing, music, carnival rides, church tour and giant raffle. Fireworks on Aug. 23 and 24 at 9:15 p.m. (weather permitting), raffle drawing on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. $2 per person, free for children under 12. 631-473-0894, portjeffgreekfest.com.

Holbrook Carnival

Join the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce for its annual Carnival & Festival on the grounds of the Holbrook Country Club, 700 Patchogue-Holbrook Road, Holbrook tonight and Aug. 23 from 6 to 11 p.m., Aug. 24 from 2 to 11 p.m. and Aug. 25 from 2 to 9 p.m. Games, food, rides, craft vendors, entertainment. 631-471-2725

Harborside Concerts

Harborside concerts in the Village of Port Jefferson conclude with a special concert by The Movin’ Out Band on the Ferry Dock at 7 p.m.  Bring seating. 631-473-4724, portjeff.com

Friday August 23

Port Jefferson Greek Festival

See Aug. 22 listing.

Holbrook Carnival

See Aug. 22 listing.

Happenings on Main Street

Northport Arts Coalition presents Happenings on Main Street, free concerts at the Northport Village Park Gazebo at the harbor Friday evenings at 7 p.m. through Aug. 30. Tonight’s performance will feature the Dead Ahead Band. Bring seating. 631-261-1872

Long Island Comedy Festival

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson hosts the Long Island Comedy Festival tonight at 8 p.m. Titled Moms’ Night Out, the evening will feature comedians Marla Schultz, Kendra Cunningham, Meghan Hanley and Maria Walsh. Tickets are $65. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit theatrethree.com. 

Friday Night Face Off – this event has been canceled

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 August 24

Port Jefferson Greek Festival

See Aug. 22 listing.

Holbrook Carnival

See Aug. 22 listing.

Birding by the Beach

Town of Brookhaven presents a family program, Birding by the Beach, at West Meadow Beach in East Setauket at 10 a.m. and at Cedar Beach in Mt. Sinai at 2 p.m. With their varied marine environments of shoreline, coastal trees and shrubs, and salt marsh grasses, these peninsulas provide year-round homes, breeding opportunities and migratory habitat for a number of bird species. Bring binoculars and wear comfortable shoes in a quest to observe many of our fine feathered friends. Free but registration required by emailing [email protected].

ELIQG Quilt Show

Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead hosts the Eastern Long Island Quilters’ Guild annual show, “Hopes and Dreams,” today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with quilt displays, vendors, exhibits, yard sale featuring fabrics and notions, and raffle baskets. $5 adults, free for children. 631-871-7261, eliqg.com

Art League Open House

Art League of Long Island, 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills kicks off its latest Instructors Exhibit with an open house and artists’ reception in the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will be treated to live demonstrations in specialized studios in a variety of mediums, which may include watercolor painting, oil painting, pottery, jewelry making, photography, and more. Free. 631-462-5400.

Farmingville Community Day

Join the Farmingville Residents Association for its annual Farmingville Community Day at Triangle Park, corner of Horseblock Road and Woodycrest Drive on Aug. 24 from 3 to 7 p.m. Enjoy food, entertainment, activities for kids, petting zoo, a bounce house, and more. Held rain or shine. Free. 631-260-7411, farmingvilleresidents.org

LIMEHOF Induction Ceremony

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF), 97 Main St., Stony Brook will induct legendary hip-hop artists Davy DMX (Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, The Fat Boys), DJ Hurricane (The Beastie Boys) and DJ Jazzy Jay (Def Jam) at 7:30 p.m. The event will include a concert by all three inductees and DJ Johnny Juice (Public Enemy). Hip Hop Legend and LIMEHOF inductee Kurtis Blow will also be making a special appearance to induct Davy DMX. This event is free with advanced online registration only at limusichalloffame.org.

Long Island Comedy Festival

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson closes out the 18th annual Long Island Comedy Festival tonight at 8 p.m. with  comedians Jack Cloonan, Joseph Anthony, Kevin Bartini, Tim Krompier and a special surprise guest. Tickets are $65. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit theatrethree.com.

Sunday August 25

Port Jefferson Greek Festival

See Aug. 22 listing.

Holbrook Carnival

See Aug. 22 listing.

ELIQG Quilt Show

See Aug. 24 listing.

Lions Club Car Show

The Fabulous 50s & 60s Car Club presents the Northport Centerport Lions Club’s 59th annual Robert J. Bohaty Classic Car Show at Heckscher Park’s Ball Field, 11 Prime Ave., Huntington from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5 admission for spectators. 631-241-3096

Nesconset Day

Join the Nesconset Chamber of Commerce for Nesconset Day along Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset Plaza and the Nesconset Gazebo from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The street fair will feature vendors, crafts, music, games, food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, free giveaways and much more. 631-672-5197, nesconsetchamber.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

Thai Fair

Vajiradhammapadip Temple, 110 Rustic Road, Centereach will host a Thai Fair from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a Thai music and dance show at 12:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free. For more information, call 631-471-8006.

Joe Piket & The Storm in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook  presents a concert by Joe Piket & The Storm from 3 to 4 p.m. The event is free with general admission ticket purchase. 631-689-5888, limusichalloffame.org. 

Wind Down Sundays

The popular summer concert series returns to Hap’s historic Red Barn at Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket with a performance by One Step Ahead at 5:30 p.m. Bring seating. 631-689-6146, frankmelvillepark.org

Hooch and the Bluesicians in Concert

Celebrate St. James continues its summer concert series at Celebrate Park, 369 Lake Ave., St. James with Hooch and the Bluesicians from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free. Bring seating. 631-984-0201

Monday August 26

DIVAS3 in Concert

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Event Series with a concert by DIVAS3 at 8 p.m. Three female singers with powerhouse voices sing the biggest hits of the greatest divas in music history. Spanning four decades of chart-topping hits, DIVAS3 covers the 1960s through the 1990s with music by Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Cher, Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, ABBA, and many more. Tickets are $45. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit engemantheater.com.

Tuesday August 27

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to meet Rev Marie D’Andrea, the Budapest Psychic who will impress you with her knowledge of the spiritual and psychic fields, in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Discover these amazing worlds and how they connect with each other. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Nature Photography Workshop

Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket concludes its free summer programs with a Nature Photography Workshop at 11 a.m. Do you like to take pictures of the many animals you see in the park and around Long Island? Expert photographer Joe Kelly will share his knowledge and some useful tips. Meet at Hap’s Red Barn. Bring seating. Free. No registration required. 631-689-6146

Concerts at The Gazebo 

Tuesday night concerts at The Gazebo, 127 Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset conclude tonight with Panic! (Dance Rock Tribute) at 7 p.m. Rain date is the next day. 631-672-5197, nesconsetchamber.org

Wednesday August 28

Cruise Night at The Shoppes

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River hosts a Cruise Night Car Show every Wednesday through October from 5 to 9 p.m. Visit the Shoppes, enjoy a bite to eat and then check out the fine array of classic cars in the parking lot. 631-929-3500

Port Jefferson Sunset Concert

Port Jefferson Arts Council continues its Sunset Concert series at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson with a performance by Gene Casey & The Lone Sharks from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Free. Bring seating. Held rain or shine. 631-473-5220

Summerfest Concert

The Northport Chamber of Commerce continues its Summerfest Concert series on Wednesday nights at the Robert Krueger Bandshell in Northport Village Park with The 90s Band from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Bring seating. 631-754-3905

Thursday August 29

An Evening of Jazz

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents a concert by the Interplay Jazz Orchestra at 7 p.m. The 17-piece orchestra performs original compositions and arrangements written by band members. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, free for children ages 5 and under. thejazzloft.org

Film

All Night Horror Marathon

Retro Picture Show hosts the 2024 All Night Horror-thon at the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington on Aug. 24 starting at 8 p.m. Line-up includes The Wraith, The Blob, Fright Night, Dolls, and Demons. Tickets are $60. To order in advance, visit cinemaartscentre.org.

Theater

‘Legally Blonde The Musical’

Extended! The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Legally Blonde The Musical from July 11 to Sept 1. Elle Woods appears to have it all until her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend dumps her to attend Harvard. Determined to get him back, Elle charms her way into the prestigious law school. An award-winning musical based on the adored movie, the show follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Tickets range from $80 to  $95. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit engemantheater.com. 

‘King Lear’

The Carriage House Players at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in  Centerport closes their 35th annual Shakespeare in the Courtyard Festival with King Lear from Aug. 16 to Sept. 8. Performances are held on the Vanderbilt mansion courtyard stage on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children under age 12 at vanderbiltmuseum.org. 

‘Guys and Dolls’

Celebrate St. James presents a production of the musical Guys and Dolls at St. James Episcopal Church (Mills Hall), 490 North Country Road, St. James on Aug. 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. The show takes us from the bustle of Times Square to the dance clubs of Havana to the sewers of New York City as it demonstrates the great lengths to which a guy will go when he truly falls in love with a “doll.” Tickets, which include refreshments and dessert, are $35 adults, $30 seniors. To order, call 516-272-6597 or visit www.celebratestjames.org. 

Class Reunion

Port Jefferson High School Class of 1964 will hold its 60th reunion at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 17. Members of the Class of 1963 are invited to join them. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected]

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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METRO photo
Supplements may not have the same benefits

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

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

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

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

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

What effect does meat consumption have on cataracts?

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

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

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

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

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

Do antioxidants help prevent cataracts?

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

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

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

How effective is cataract surgery?

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

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

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

References:

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

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

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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in a scene from the film. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

Colleen Hoover’s romance novel It Ends with Us, released in 2016, drew inspiration from her complicated family history. By 2019, the book sold over a million copies and was translated into over twenty languages. In 2021, the novel and Hoover’s other works gained renewed popularity from the #BookTok on TikTok. In 2022, It Ends with Us reached number one on both The New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestsellers lists, with nearly three million in print. The sequel, It Starts with Us (2018), became Simon & Schuster’s most pre-ordered book ever. (In full disclosure, this reviewer has read neither.)

Blake Lively in a scene from the film. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment

Justin Baldoni (best known as Jane the Virgin’s Rafael Solana) directs his third film, following Five Feet Apart and Clouds. Christy Hall, the director/screenwriter of Daddio and co-creator of the Netflix series I Am Not Okay with This, penned the adaptation. 

The writer and humorist Dorothy Parker once wrote of how often people would say: “Well, you might like it.”

Lily Blossom Bloom (Blake Lively) reluctantly attends her father’s funeral, where she attempts to deliver a heartfelt eulogy. Unable to say anything positive, she flees the church and returns to Boston. Contemplating life out on a random roof (unexplained), Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) enters in a rage, kicking a chair. Anger management issues, perhaps? Warning signs? He reveals he is a neurosurgeon who just lost a patient. This claim is much more complicated, revealed later in the narrative.

The emotionally elusive Lily and the player Ryle meet cute(ish). “Love isn’t for me; lust is nice,” he confesses. They embark on a friendship that is quickly aborted when Ryle leaves for emergency surgery. Lily opens her dream flower shop and meets quirky Allysa (Jenny Slate), who hires herself to work for Lily. The “twist” is Ryle is Allysa’s brother. Lily and Ryle rekindle the friendship, which shifts to passion. A generic build-up results in an unintentionally sparkless kiss. Love follows, ending up with marriage. 

Through flashbacks, the filmmakers reveal Lily’s father (Kevin McKidd) abusing her mother (Amy Morton). Additionally, high school student Lily (Isabela Ferrer) falls in love with a homeless boy, Atlas (Alex Neustaedter). Thrown out by his mother, Atlas bided his time until he could enter the military. 

In the present, Lily and Ryle coincidentally dine at Root, the restaurant the adult Atlas (Brandon Sklenar) opened upon completing his service. A love triangle results in jealous and violent reactions from Ryle, eroding the already tenuous bond. 

While little new is on offer, It Ends with Us contains enough plot and potential dynamic to make for a passable film. Unfortunately, the characters are so oddly and unevenly drawn that it feels simultaneously repetitive and confusing, as if the story was told over a soundtrack of white noise. The leaden pace emphasizes the clumsy dialogue composed of sentence fragments: “Uh … uhm … okay, okay … sure … yeah … okay. Yes.” Lily describes herself as an unreliable narrator—an intriguing concept if it were true. However, she seems to be almost unimpeachably upfront. 

The entire film seems to be what-you-see-is-what-you-get, down to the predictable montages: “Let’s go have fun” (karaoke and bowling), dating, and cleaning up the shop. Everything plays excruciatingly by the numbers. 

It Ends with Us is a meditation and—appropriately—an indictment of abuse. Eventually, it gets to the point but still pulls its punches. Just as with its whitewashed portrait of Atlas’s homelessness, the approach is facile and softens what should be even sharper and more brutal. The idea that we hurt the ones we love hovers in the background. 

One moment rises above the rest. After Ryle and Atlas lock horns, the next scene teams with raw desperation and emotional confusion. After this, it’s back to business as usual. The story’s final resolution is fair, uncompromising, but unsurprising. 

Lively is a solid actor and always watchable, but the forced layers of faux mystery do not help. Between the incomplete sentences and the nervous laugh, the character is less than indelible. Baldoni tries to balance Ryle’s two sides, but neither is fully realized. Unfortunately for Sklenar, he is saddled with the least variety. Slate’s Allysa is no different from her career’s other oddballs. As Lily’s mother, Morton is capable but uncomfortable. These are strong actors, but the material fails to reach their level. One bright spot is Ferrer, who captures the essence of Lively’s grown-up Lily; it is rare for two actors to assume a role at different points in their lives and truly seem like one person. 

The above opinion will most likely end up in the minority. The film grossed seven million dollars in its Wednesday and Thursday previews and is well on its way to a possible forty million dollar opening weekend. As with the novel, the story will satisfy most viewers. Just not this one.

Rated PG-13, the film is playing in local theaters.

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