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Increasing fiber consumption is crucial

By David Dunaief

Dr. David Dunaief

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 6.7 percent of U.S. adults over the age of 19 have coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease (1). Annually in the U.S., there are 805,000 heart attacks. Of these, 200,000 occur in those who’ve already had a first heart attack.

Among the biggest contributors to heart disease risk are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. In addition, if you have diabetes or are overweight or obese, your risk increases significantly. In addition, lifestyle factors contribute to your risk; poor diet, lack of physical activity and high alcohol consumption are among the most significant contributors.

This is where we can dramatically reduce the occurrence of CAD. Evidence continues to highlight lifestyle changes, including diet, as the most important factors in preventing heart disease. Key changes that pack a wallop include the consumption of chocolate, legumes, nuts, fiber and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

Chocolate – really?

Preliminary evidence shows that two pieces of chocolate a week may decrease the risk of a heart attack by 37 percent, compared to those who consume less (2). The benefit may be attributed to micronutrients referred to as flavanols. 

However, the authors warned against the idea that more is better. High fat and sugar content and chocolate’s caloric density may have detrimental effects when consumed at much higher levels. There is a fine line between potential benefit and harm. 

I usually recommend that patients have one to two squares — about one-fifth to two-fifths of an ounce — of high-cocoa-content dark chocolate daily. Aim for chocolate labeled with 80 percent cocoa content.

Alternatively, you can get the benefits without the fat and sugar by adding unsweetened, non-Dutched cocoa powder to a fruit and vegetable smoothie.

Who says prevention has to be painful?

Will increasing dietary fiber help?

We can significantly reduce our risk of heart disease if we increase our consumption of fiber to reach recommended levels. Good sources of fiber are fruits and vegetables eaten with edible skin or peel, beans and lentils, and whole grains.

Fiber has a dose-response relationship to reducing risk. In other words, the more fiber you eat, the greater your risk reduction. In a meta-analysis of 10 studies, results showed that for every 10-gram increase in fiber, there was a corresponding 14 percent reduction in the risk of a cardiovascular event and a 27 percent reduction in the risk of heart disease mortality (3). The authors analyzed data that included over 90,000 men and 200,000 women.

According to a 2021 analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2013 to 2018, only 5 percent of men and 9 percent of women get the recommended daily amount of fiber (4). The average American consumes about 16 grams per day of fiber (5).

So, how much is “enough”? The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends 14 grams of fiber for each 1,000 calories consumed, or roughly 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men (6).

Legumes have an outsized effect

In a prospective (forward-looking) cohort study, the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, legumes reduced the risk of coronary heart disease by a significant 22 percent (7). Those who consumed four or more servings per week saw this effect when compared to those who consumed less than one serving per week. The legumes used in this study included beans, peas and peanuts. There were over 9,500 men and women involved, and the study spanned 19 years of follow-up.

I recommend that patients consume at least one to two servings a day. Imagine the impact that could have, compared to the modest four servings per week used to reach statistical significance in this study.

Focus on healthy nuts

In a study with over 45,000 men, there were significant reductions in CAD with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Both plant-based and seafood-based omega-3s showed these effects (8). Good sources of omega-3s from plant-based sources include nuts, such as walnuts, and ground flaxseed. Of course, be cautious about consuming too many nuts, since they’re also calorically dense.

Your ultimate goal should be to become “heart attack proof,” a term used by Dr. Sanjay Gupta and reinforced by Dr. Dean Ornish. While even modest dietary changes can significantly reduce your risk, the more significant the lifestyle changes you make, the closer you will come to achieving this goal.

References:

(1) cdc.gov. (2) BMJ 2011; 343:d4488. (3) Arch Intern Med. 2004 Feb 23;164(4):370-376. (4) nutrition.org (5) NHANES 2009-2010 Data Brief No. 12. Sep 2014. (6) eatright.org. (7) Arch Intern Med. 2001 Nov 26;161(21):2573-2578. (8) Circulation. 2005 Jan 18;111(2):157-164.

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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KING OF THE MONSTERS Cinema Arts Center celebrates the birth of a Kaiju Legend with a special screening of the 1954 classic ‘Godzilla’ on Nov. 4. Image courtesy of CAC
Thursday Nov. 2

Watercolor Workshop

Join the Huntington Historical Society for an Intermediate Watercolor Workshop at the Conklin Barn, 2 High Street, Huntington from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Artist Linda Salta will lead the class in a colorful fun pet portrait in watercolor. Come to class with watercolor paper 140 pd pad, brushes and watercolor paint of your choice. Fee is $35, $30 members. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Vanderbilt Lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents a lecture titled ‘Immigrants and the Evolution of the American Landscape’ at 7 p.m. Guest speaker Wambui Ippolito, an award-winning landscape designer and author, will discuss the contributions immigrants have made to the American landscape. $10 per person, free for members. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Friday Nov. 3

First Friday at the Heckscher

Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington continues its First Friday series tonight during extended viewing hours from 5  to 8:30 p.m. Explore the exhibitions and enjoy a special performances by the Kenn Morr Band beginning at 7 p.m. Free admission. 631-380-3230.

Chinese Auction Fundraiser

Centereach Fire Department, 9 South Washington Ave., Centereach will host a Chinese Auction Fundraiser for Sachem Community Youth Services with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Calling begins at 7:45 p.m. Over 175 new prizes.  $10 admission per person includes 1 sheet of 25 tickets and coffee and cake.  Please no one under 8 years of age.  For more information, call 631-585-1811.

Military Bridge Night

Union United Methodist Church, 1018 Pulaski Rd., East Northport will host an evening of Military Bridge at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Get a table of 4 together or come by yourself. Practice hands will be played. No experience needed. $15 per person. For reservations or more information, call 631-368–7911.

Game Night in St. James

Celebrate St. James hosts an adult Game Night at the Calderone Theatre, 176 2nd St., St. James from 7 to 9 p.m. Enjoy board games, card games, light refreshments and a coffee bar by Cafe Zelaia. $10 donation. For tickets, visit www.celebratestjames.org. 631-984-0201

Evan + Zane in concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road Stony Brook welcomes Evan + Zane to the Recital Hall at 8 p.m. The star studded duo of actor/singer Evan Rachel Wood and guitarist/singer-songwriter Zane Carney make a great team, taking deep dives into music that you will know and love. Tickets range from $33 to $60. To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com

Alex Voz heads to Theatre Three

Mentalist and magician Alex Voz takes the stage at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson at 8 p.m. Hailed as the BEST NYC magic show, don’t miss this ‘extra-ordinary’ night of MAGIC! Tickets are $59. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Saturday Nov. 4

Christmas Craft Fair

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. 11.  631-840-7823

Scandinavian Bazaar

Loyal Lodge #252 Sons of Norway will host a Scandinavian Bazaar at St. James Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 230 Second Ave., St. James from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland will be represented with Scandinavian decorative and household items, baked goods, food, and authentic Scandinavian raffle items. Lunch and snacks will also be available. 631-862-8017

Holiday Craft Fair

Wading River School, 1900 Wading River Manor Road, Wading River hosts a Holiday Craft Fair on Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get your holiday shopping done all in one place! Family fun event will include local vendors of various crafts and food items, plus raffles, snacks for purchase and photos with Santa! 631-680-9881

Holiday Craft Fair

Time to start your holiday shopping! The Mother’s Guild at St. Anthony’s High School, 275 Wolf Hill Road, Melville host their annual craft fair with over 200 unique vendors and food from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 631-271-2020

‘Us and Floyd’ in concert

Join “Us and Floyd” in concert at the Vanderbilt Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport for a dazzling combination of live music and laser lights. The band will perform live and in sync with two of the planetarium’s stunning Pink Floyd laser light shows: The Wall Laser Show, featuring hits from Dark Side of the Moon at 7 p.m. and Dark Side of the Moon Laser Show, featuring hits from The Wall at 9 p.m. Tickets in advance are $30 adults, $25 children under 15 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org, $35 adults, $30 children under 15 at the door. 

An Evening of Comedy

The Long Island Comedy Festival returns to Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson tonight at 8 p.m. with stand-ups Paul Anthony, Megan Hanley, Jack Adam, Rob Falcone and Mick Thomas. Tickets are $59. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Sunday Nov. 5

Bald Hill Car Show

Long Island Cars” will present the “Best Cars on Long Island” Car Show & Swap Meet at the Catholic Health Ampitheater at Bald Hill, 1 Ski Run Lane in Farmingville from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classic and collectible automobiles including street rods, muscle cars, antiques, exotics and imports compete in this judged event with impressive trophies awarded in over fifty classes from stock to modified. The event will also feature a swap meet, live music by The Fugitives plus food and refreshments. Rain date is Nov. 12.  Admission is $10, under 12 years are free; free parking. 631-567-5898, www.LongIslandCars.com.

Masterwork Conversations

North Shore Public Library, 250 Route 25A, Shoreham presents Masterwork Conversations: “Art as Antidote To AI” from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Pianists Vlada Yaneva and Matthew Harrison celebrate the musical art of composers Stravinsky, Mozart, Beethoven, and others. The creativity and compositions of these masters of sound transcend time with creativity that will never be found in the mashups of AI. No registration required. Open to all. For more information, call 631-929-4488 x 230.

Monday Nov. 6

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 $10 per person, $7 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7610.

Tuesday Nov. 7

University Orchestra Concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will host a concert by the University Orchestra on the Main Stage at 7:30 p.m. Conducted by Susan Deaver, the program includes works by Britten, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Coleridge-Taylor and Borodinwith featured soloist Eeva-Liina Luukkanen on violin, the winner of the 2023 Stony Brook University Undergraduate Concerto Competition. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 seniors and students To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit  www.stallercenter.com.

Wednesday Nov. 8

No events listed for this day.

Thursday Nov. 9

Book signing at The Atelier

The Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield Suite 9, St. James will host a book signing for artist Anthony Davis from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Davis will sign copies of his debut novel, Painted Implications, during the opening reception for the Atelier Invitational — A Juried Show for GuestArtists. 631-250-9009

Talks Over Tea

Join the Huntington Historical Society at the Conklin Barn, 2 High St., Huntington  from 2 to 4 p.m. for Talks Over Tea: Preserving the Huntington Historical Society Collection with Curator and Collections Manager, Emily Werner.  A selection of objects from the Society’s collection that have not been exhibited recently will be on display for attendees to view up close. Cost is $15 per person, $10 members. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

An Evening of Jazz

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook hosts a CD Release Concert with Marty Isenberg from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Featuring Isenberg on bass, Sami Stevens on vocals, Sean Nowell on saxophone, Ric Becker on trombone, Marta Sanchez on piano, Alicyn Yaffee on guitar, and Rodrigo Recabarren on drums. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 chilren at www.thejazzloft.org.

Theater

‘Beautiful’

Main stage theater continues at the John W. Engeman Theater with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical now extended to Nov. 5. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing success with Tapestry, the show takes you back to where it all began–and takes you on the ride of a lifetime. Featuring such unforgettable classics as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” and many more. This Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning show is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘The Play That Goes Wrong’

The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College present The Play That Goes Wrong at the Shea Theatre, Islip Arts Building, Suffolk County Community College, Ammerman Campus, 533 College Road, Selden on Nov. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. An unconscious leading lady, a corpse who can’t play dead, a ruffled detective, and a word-mangling butler (among others) must battle against technical gaffes, forgotten lines, and sabotaging scenery in a quest to arrive all in one piece at the final curtain call. General admission tickets are $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. For tickets, call 631-451-4163.

‘Elf The Musical’

The Community Playhouse of Northport kicks off the holiday season with a main stage production of Elf the Musical at the Brosnan Theater, 158 Laurel Avenue, Northport on Nov. 9, 11, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 12 and 19 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. The Sunday performances will include a meet the cast (Santa and company!) at 1:30 pm. To order visit www.communityplayhousenorthport.org.

‘A Christmas Carol’

“I will honor Christmas in my heart…” Celebrate the season with A Christmas Carol at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from Nov. 11 to Dec. 30. Follow the miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey that teaches him the true meaning of Christmas — past, present, and future. Join them for the  38th annual production of the immortal classic in all of its thrills, music, joy, and spirit. Please note: No children under 5 are permitted. All seats are $25 in November. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children in December. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23. Three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told — plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. A madcap romp through the holiday season! Tickets are $32 adults, $30 seniors, $28 students. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

Film

‘Godzilla’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntingon presents a special screening of Godzilla (1954) on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. A remarkably humane and melancholy drama, the film was made in Japan at a time when the country was reeling from nuclear attack and H-bomb testing in the Pacific. Its rampaging radioactive beast, the poignant embodiment of an entire population’s fears, became a beloved international icon of destruction, spawning almost thirty sequels. Tickets are $15, $10 members. www.cinemaartscentre.org

‘Maestra’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues with a screening of Maestra at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. The documentary follows several women from around the world as they compete in the only all-women competition for conductors. Followed by a Q&A with guest speaker Maggie Contreras, Director via Zoom and Mélisse Brunet, conductor and subject in the film in-person. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash only) or at www.portjeffersondocumentaryseries.com

Class Reunions

•Save the date! 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, 2024. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected].

 

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Getting an annual eye exam is crucial

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

If you have diabetes, you are at high risk of vascular complications that can be life-altering. Among these are macrovascular complications, like coronary artery disease and stroke, and microvascular effects, such as diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy.

Here, we will talk about diabetic retinopathy (DR), the number one cause of blindness among U.S. adults, ages 20 to 74 years old (1). Diabetic retinopathy is when the blood vessels that feed the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye are damaged, and it can progress to blurred vision and blindness.

As of 2019, only about 60 percent of people with diabetes had a recommended annual screening for DR (2). Why does this matter? Because the earlier you catch it, the more likely you will be able to prevent or limit permanent vision loss.

Over time, DR can lead to diabetic macular edema (DME). Its signature is swelling caused by fluid accumulating in the macula (3). An oval spot in the central portion of the retina, the macula is sensitive to light. When fluid builds up from leaking blood vessels, it can cause significant vision loss.

Those with the longest duration of diabetes have the greatest risk of DME. Unfortunately, many patients are diagnosed with DME after it has already caused vision loss. If not treated early, patients can experience permanent damage (2).

In a cross-sectional study using NHANES data, among patients with DME, only 45 percent were told by a physician that diabetes had affected their eyes (4). Approximately 46 percent of patients reported that they had not been to a diabetic nurse educator, nutritionist or dietician in more than a year — or never.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of vision loss don’t necessarily occur until the latter stages of the disorder, often after it’s too late to reverse the damage.

What are treatment options for Diabetic Macular Edema?

While DME has traditionally been treated with lasers, injections of anti-VEGF medications may be more effective. These eye injections work by inhibiting overproduction of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which contributes to DR and DME (5). The results from a randomized controlled trial showed that eye injections with ranibizumab (Lucentis) in conjunction with laser treatments, whether laser treatments were given promptly or delayed for at least 24 weeks, were equally effective in treating DME (6). Other anti-VEGF drugs include aflibercept (Eylea) and bevacizumab (Avastin).

Do diabetes treatments reduce risk of Diabetic Macular Edema?

You would think that using medications to treat type 2 diabetes would prevent DME from occurring as well. However, in the THIN trial, a retrospective study, a class of diabetes drugs, thiazolidinediones, which includes Avandia and Actos, actually increased the occurrence of DME compared to those who did not use these oral medications (7). Those receiving these drugs had a 1.3 percent incidence of DME at year one, whereas those who did not had a 0.2 percent incidence. This incidence was persistent through the 10 years of follow-up. Note that DME is not the only side effect of these drugs. There are important FDA warnings for other significant issues.

To make matters worse, those who received both thiazolidinediones and insulin had an even greater incidence of DME. There were 103,000 diabetes patients reviewed in this trial. It was unclear whether the drugs, because they were second-line treatments, or the severity of the diabetes itself may have caused these findings.

This contradicts a previous ACCORD eye sub-study, a cross-sectional analysis, which did not show an association between thiazolidinediones and DME (8). This study involved review of 3,473 participants who had photographs taken of the fundus (the back of the eye).

What does this ultimately mean? Both studies had weaknesses. It was not clear how long the patients had been using the thiazolidinediones in either study or whether their sugars were controlled and to what degree. The researchers were also unable to control for all other possible confounding factors (9). There are additional studies underway to clarify these results.

Can glucose control and diet improve outcomes?

The risk of progression of diabetic retinopathy was significantly lower with intensive blood sugar controls using medications, one of the few positive highlights of the ACCORD trial (10). Unfortunately, medication-induced intensive blood sugar control also resulted in increased mortality and no significant change in cardiovascular events. However, an inference can be made: a nutrient-dense, plant-based diet that intensively controls blood sugar is likely to decrease the risk of diabetic retinopathy and further vision complications (11, 12).

If you have diabetes, the best way to avoid diabetic retinopathy and DME is to maintain good control of your sugars. Also, it is imperative that you have a yearly eye exam by an ophthalmologist, so that diabetic retinopathy is detected as early as possible, before permanent vision loss occurs. If you are taking the oral diabetes class thiazolidinediones, this is especially important.

References:

(1) cdc.gov. (2) www.aao.org/ppp. (3) www.uptodate.com. (4) JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014;132:168-173. (5) Community Eye Health. 2014; 27(87): 44–46. (6) ASRS. Presented 2014 Aug. 11. (7) Arch Intern Med. 2012;172:1005-1011. (8) Arch Ophthalmol. 2010 March;128:312-318. (9) Arch Intern Med. 2012;172:1011-1013. (10) www.nei.nih.gov. (11) OJPM. 2012;2:364-371. (12) Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;89:1588S-1596S.

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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By Kevin Redding

“There’s nothing like stories on a windy night when folks have found a warm place in a cold world.”

— Stephen King, “The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole”

As the air gets chilly, and the season drifts from spooky toward snowy, there’s no better way to spend the long stretch of time indoors than slipping into comfy clothes, pouring yourself a hot drink, and curling up with a good book. We asked eight local librarians about their favorite novels and new recommendations to ensure you’ll be enthralled, entertained, and enriched in the coming months.

 

Lorena Doherty

 

Lorena Doherty

North Shore Public Library, Shoreham

What is your favorite book and why?

That’s a hard one because you have a favorite book in every period of your life. One of my favorites is an international book called “The Murmur of Bees” by Sofia Segovia and translated by Simon Bruni. It’s a book about love, family saga, history, healing, bees, Valencia oranges, a special boy, and really the ties that bind us as human beings. It was charming, delicious, and had a huge impact on me because of her ability to weave this brilliant story as a window into her culture. And the translation into English was done very well. Simon Bruni did not lose its essence or lyricism.

What is a new book that you would recommend and why?

“Flags of the Bayou,” a standalone historical fiction book by James Lee Burke. This is his 42nd book. What I love about him is that he writes from the landscape in which he lives, which is New Iberia, Louisiana. If you are new to this book and you’ve never read him, it is I think the best book he’s ever written and I felt that two-thirds of the way through. This is a work of historical fiction that is centered in the timeline of events near the end of the Civil Area in the area of New Iberia, the Bayou Teche, and the Mississippi River, where the North is waging and winning battle against the Confederates. It’s a unique window into the culture of plantations, social castes, freed men and women, those who live in servitude. There’s abolitionists and mixed cultures in that area. And in the midst of all the cruelty and chaos of the war, it’s also a love story. The characters are so fleshed out and the reader is carried away with the nuances of changing allegiances and how they choose to live with the possibility of their own deaths. He grounds you in there and there’s a huge level of the spiritual connection to the greater world. And if you love language and appreciate a writer who writes prose, he’s the kind of writer where I find myself going back and reading a sentence over and over again, like “Wow!” It’s a damn good read.

Jeff Walden

Jeff Walden

Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, Setauket

What is your favorite book and why?

Yeah, it’s an old classic but it’s my favorite book and I just reread it recently again. It’s “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien. For me, it’s just a great adventure story. It’s got dragons, hobbits, dwarves and elves, treasure, adventure. It doesn’t get old, it never ages to me. It’s a book I can read and enjoy just as much the fifth time as I did the first time. Tolkien  was just a great storyteller and for that genre, he was really the first to create that whole other world that you can immerse yourself in very easily. It’s the ring, it’s Gollum, there’s just so many amazing parts to it. It’s just a fun story to read over and over again. I was just reading an original book review by C.S. Lewis [“The Chronicles of Narnia”], Tolkien’s contemporary, and even he predicted in 1937 that it was going to be a book that was going to be read over and over again. It came out to be, for me, true.

What is a new book that you would recommend and why?

I have one I’m reading right now, “The Armor of Light” by Ken Follett. It’s the fifth installment in his Kingbridge series. He’s another great storyteller with good, deep characters that you really get to know. It does mention some of the other books because it’s set in Kingsbridge, this fictional town in England over the course of hundreds of years…I think they’re up to the French Revolution in the late 1700s…but it has totally different characters. There’s creative license with it but he does incorporate a lot of historical facts about the time period in the books. And I think you can still read this new one if you haven’t read the other ones and it might interest you in going back and reading the other ones. It does help to have a little bit of the background but I think they can stand on their own.

Jenna Ely

Jenna Ely

Comsewogue Public Library, Port Jefferson Station

What is your favorite book and why?

One of my favorites is “True Believer” by Nicholas Sparks and it’s actually what made me want to become a librarian. I worked in a different industry before this and worked in television, and I would read this book just as a way to escape while on my commute. The main character in this book is a librarian and while I was reading it, I was like, “Oh my gosh, that sounds like a dream job. Why did I never think of becoming a librarian?” and then I ended up going to library school and pursuing this career. So that book was really monumental and influential for me in that way. And it’s Nicholas Sparks, so it’s a great love story.

And then if I had to pick my favorite book of all time, it would be “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman, who blows me away with all of his books. I’ve read all of them and he just continues to outdo himself. “Beartown” was the first book in a trilogy and in it you’re introduced to this hockey town and the obsession with sports and teams and the impact that it has on the community as a whole. And there’s a tragedy and the town has to choose sides. A lot of people’s hearts are broken, someone is killed, and it’s really dramatic. I feel like the winter is a really good time to dive into it. All the books in that series are so worth the read.

What is a new book that you would recommend and why?

So this is a new book that I think is just phenomenal. It’s called “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. It is actually her debut novel, so it was incredible that someone’s first novel really took off and was so astounding. I actually loved it so much that I wrote a mini review of it on Goodreads. I was so moved by it. The characters, the stories…it hooked me from the first page and I devoured it in like 48 hours. It was so good I couldn’t put it down. There’s so much heart in these characters and there’s so much love, you really root for them. They’re flawed and they might do something that aggravates you but almost like how your family or friends might do. Not a protagonist where you’re like “Oh my God I hate this person, why are they doing this?” but more like “I feel for you and want you to find happiness!” And one of the narrators is a giant Pacific red octopus, which is really cool and I felt like I got to learn so much.

Donna Brown

Donna Brown

Northport-East Northport Public Library, Northport and East Northport

What is your favorite book and why?

That’s a pretty easy one for me to answer. I am a Teen Librarian right now but I do read a lot of adult fiction, nonfiction, everything…I used to run the Adult Book Club, so I definitely have a broad range of reading. But for me, my favorite book of all time is “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton. The movie came out in 1983, I was 10 years old and my mom would not let me see it but I read the book and it changed my life and the way I think forever. It is, I think, one of the best books of all time. I think it transcends. It’s a story about teenagers struggling to fit in, fighting, and bad incidents…but at the end of the day, all of them are pretty good kids and that’s one of my favorite things about that book. I can hand it to a teenager or an adult now and I overwhelmingly get such a great response. Most people want to meet a celebrity or a professional athlete, but it’s my dream to meet S.E. Hinton!

What is a new book that you would recommend and why?

My most recent one, which I’d recommend to anyone who likes to read realistic fiction with a little bit of imagination in it, is “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” It’s one of the only books that has made me sob in recent years because of what a beautiful story it is. It is the story of an octopus and the octopus’ caregiver in a marina in the Pacific Northwest. It is such a beautiful story that teaches you about humanity and mankind and how much every single person has worth in this world and makes a contribution in some way or another, even though a lot of the time people don’t see that. I run a book group and it overwhelmingly touched the hearts and minds of every single person.

Anne McNulty

Anne McNulty

Port Jefferson Free Library, Port Jefferson

What is your favorite book and why?

My favorite book has been my favorite book since 2013 when it came out…it is “Ancillary Justice” by Ann Leckie. It’s a sci-fi space opera novel and it won the Hugo and the Nebula awards. It is absolutely amazing. It’s just one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. I’m a really big fan of sci-fi and space operas, so I really love the kind of alien worlds they can make with them, and Ann Leckie did such a great job building the worlds and societies in her book. And she also did interesting things with playing with pronouns. So, in her book, everyone uses she/her pronouns, even if they’re not technically women. It’s very, very interesting and I love it. I love Tolkien so much and have read all of his books.  

What is a new book that you would recommend and why?

So it is Halloween time and I do love horror as well. I’m actually in the middle of this book “Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology.” It’s an anthology of short stories, which is nice if you don’t have time to sit and  read a whole book. All the stories are written by Native American authors and it’s really good so far. It’s horror so it’s perfect for the season and the stories I’ve read so far have been really creepy. I also love all Stephen Graham Jones’ books, especially “My Heart is a Chainsaw,” one of my favorite horror books.

Jennifer Zwolak

Jennifer Zwolak

Comsewogue Public Library, Port Jefferson Station

What is your favorite book and why?

I would say my favorite book in recent years has been “The Maid” by Nita Prose. It’s been popular but it’s very interesting for anyone who likes murder mysteries but ones that aren’t too graphic. The main character has a very unique perspective, which I enjoyed a lot. I’m actually rereading “The Maid” right now because I enjoyed it so much. I would recommend cozy mysteries when you really want to get that fall-winter feeling. 

What is a new book that you would recommend and why?

I would recommend reading “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. It’s about a female scientist in the 1950s and all the struggles she goes through. Again, another unique perspective that gives a different type of person a voice. There’s a lot of science and a lot of feminism in it.

Erin Schaarschmidt

Erin Schaarschmidt

Port Jefferson Free Library, Port Jefferson

What is your favorite book and why?

“High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict’s Double Life” by Tiffany Jenkins, a nonfiction book about a woman who overcame a drug addiction. And she was married to a police officer so she had a double life. I love nonfiction and to read how she was able to hide from the police officer who she’s married to and all that was just amazing and then they all found out she was a drug addict and she went to rehab. And then something I read around this time every year is…I’m a huge Edgar Allan Poe fan so I always do his collected stories, like “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Cask of Amontillado.” I re-read them every year just because it’s the spooky time of year and it’s very nostalgic. 

What is a new book that you would recommend and why?

I just finished reading “The Daddy Diaries: The Year I Grew Up” by Andy Cohen. I really like nonfiction and it was a fun read about his family because you don’t usually hear about his kids and stuff like that.

Connor McCormack

Connor McCormack

Northport-East Northport Public Library, Northport and East Northport

What is your favorite book and why?

It’s like choosing your favorite kid, but probably “The Left Hand of Darkness” by Ursula K. Le Guin in terms of fiction. It’s really well written. Ursula Le Guin is one of the most prolific sci-fi writers from the 60s and 70s, and this one is considered her best work. It’s just really unique world-building and explores a lot about human condition, psychology, gender roles…just explores a lot of themes in a really well-done way. And for nonfiction, I read a lot of military history such as “The Guns of August” by Barbara W. Tuchman, and “Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland” by Patrick Radden Keefe. Those are probably my two favorite nonfiction books. 

What is a new book that you would recommend and why?

For a favorite one I’d say “Sea of Tranquility” by Emily St. John Mandel and then “Memory Police” by Yōko Ogawa. And then for nonfiction, there’s this book called “Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia” by Christina Thompson that I think I’ve recommended to everyone in my family at this point. It’s all about how the Polynesian culture spread across the Pacific Ocean — how they traveled between the islands, what their navigation methods were, the myths that they told, just like a whole view of their culture, and how it spread. 

A special thanks to all of the librarians who took part in this article.
Happy reading!

— Photos by Heidi Sutton

 

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FEEL THE EARTH MOVE Only a few more chances to see ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport. The show closes on Nov. 5. Photo courtesy of The Engeman Theater
Thursday Oct. 26

Stony Brook Walking Tour

Join the Ward Melville Heritage Organization for a Spooky Walking Tour throughout Stony Brook Village today and Oct. 27. Titled Hidden Beneath the Floorboards, the tour leads you through a spooky walking tour of the history filled Grist Mill and Long Island’s beloved coastal village. Discover Ghost Ships, Spirit Photography, the Long Island Witch Trials, John Winthrop’s Alchemy, Star-Crossed Lovers, The ghostly apparition at the Country House Restaurant, and William Sidney Mount’s spirit filled paintings plus Women Mediums and the Suffrage Movement. Tours take place at 10:45 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. and start at the Grist Mill. Tickets are $15 per person. Reservations are required by calling 631-751-2244.

Carl Safina Book Signing – just added!

The Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook invites the community to a book signing event with author, educator and beloved community member, Carl Safina from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Safina will sign copies of his new book, ALFIE & ME: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe. Copies of the book will be available on site for purchase. 631-751-7707

Thankful Thursdays

Thankful Thursdays continues at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport at 7 p.m. with a free family-friendly planetarium show, Haunted Skies, at 7 p.m.  After the show, the observatory will be open to the public and an astronomy educator will invite you to look through a telescope at the night sky (weather permitting). Recommended for ages 8+. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Friday Oct. 27

Stony Brook Walking Tour

See Oct. 26 listing.

Spooky Lantern Walking Tour

The Miller Place Mount Sinai Historical Society presents its annual Spooky Lantern Tour, a not-too-scary walking tour of the haunted history of Miller Place tonight and  Oct. 28 at 5:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. Walk the Miller Place Historic District with a guide from the MPMS Historical Society who will regale you with all the spooky stories surrounding this pre-Revolutionary War town. Bring a lantern or flashlight and wear comfortable shoes. For ages 10 and up. Tickets are $17 per person. www.mpmshistoricalsociety.eventbrite.com

Harbor Haunts

​Explore Cold Spring Harbor’s ghostly side with fascinating tales of mishaps and historic hauntings on Main Street, courtesy of the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor, tonight at 5:30 p.m. and Oct. 28 at 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Held rain or shine. Tickets are ​$15. 631-367-3418, www.cshwhalingmuseum.org

Tribute to John Denver

Ted Vigil returns to Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson for a tribute to John Denver on the Mainstage at 8 p.m. Enjoy all of Denver’s most popular songs including “Rocky Mountain High,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” and more! Tickets are $59. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Friday Night Face Off 

Friday Night Face Off, Long Island’s longest running Improv Comedy Show, 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. 28

Spooky Lantern Walking Tour

See Oct. 27 listing.

Harbor Haunts

See Oct. 27 listing.

Garage Sale fundraiser – just added!

Christ Lutheran Church 189 Burr Road, East Northport will hold a HUGE Congregational Garage Sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  …..many treasures, great prices!!!!!  All proceeds from this sale support our Youth Group and their community services projects.  For questions call the church office at 631-499-4655.

Miller Place Country Fair 

The Miller Place-Mount Sinai Historical Society will host its annual Country Fair on the grounds of the William Miller House, 75 North Country Road Miller Place today and Oct. 29from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This fun event will feature historic re-enactments, live music, historic walking tours, a traveling wilderness, museum, and more. $10 donation includes a tour of the historic William Miller House (c. 1720). Call 631-476-5742 or visit www.mpmshistoricalsociety.org.

Fall Festival at The Shoppes

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River, hosts a Fall Festival today and Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy a mix of seasonal festivities, from face painting to visiting Beyond Crafting Boutique for Daily workshops to create your own Halloween decorations, local craft vendors, scarecrow contest, bounce house, carousel and live music. www.eastwindlongisland.com

Fall Harvest Festival 

Join the Church on the Sound, 335 Oxhead Road, Stony Brook for its annual Fall Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lots of activities for the whole family! Free. Call 631-941-4100.

Author’s Roundtable

Temple Isaiah of Stony Brook invites the community to an Authors Roundtable at 1 p.m. The event features a panel of six published authors from the congregation who will speak about their books and answer questions. Rabbi Joshua Gray will be the moderator. Followed by a reception and book sale. Pre-registration required by calling 631-751-8518.

Old Burying Ground tour

Join the Huntington Historical Society for its final Old Burying Ground  walking tour of the season at 3 p.m. Established soon after the Town’s 1653 founding, Huntington’s earliest public burying ground features stunning folk art and beautiful epitaphs honoring Huntington’s residents and rich history. Tour begins at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St., Huntington .Tickets are $15 adults, $5 children. For reservations, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Night at the Races

Selden Fire Department, 44 Woodmere Blvd., Selden hosts a Night at the Races fundraiser with doors opening at 6 p.m. $10 donation per ticket includes complimentary beer, soda, and hot dogs. Complimentary chips and pretzels as well. Each ticket is redeemable for one free $1.00 play. There will also be raffles, 50/50 and door prizes. For tickets, call 631-732-1234.

Tribute to Tom Petty

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents American Treasure: A Tribute to Tom Petty in concert at 8 p.m. Enjoy a night of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers songs including “American Girl,” “I Won’t Back Down,” and “Free Fallin’” Tickets are $59. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Jessica Vosk in Concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road Stony Brook welcomes Jessica Vosk to the Recital Hall at 8 p.m. Don’t miss this celebrated singer and actress, known for stirring roles on Broadway (Wicked, The Bridges of Madison County, Finding Neverland) and on concert stages worldwide, including sold-out Carnegie Hall solo performances. Tickets range from $47 to $70. To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com

Sunday Oct. 29

Fall Festival at The Shoppes

See Oct. 28 listing.

Cars & Ghouls Car Show

The Fabulous 50s & 60s Car Club presents Cars & Ghouls, a judged car show, at the Mount Sinai Shopping Center, 5507 Nesconset Highway, Mt. Sinai from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 14 trophy classes awarded plus Best in Show and costume contest. $5 for spectators. 631-431-2665

Porsche Car Show

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will host a car show by Porsche Club of America on the Great Lawn from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors pay only museum admission of $10 adults, $9 students and seniors, $7 children 12 and under, which includes estate-grounds access. 631-371-1432

Fall Pumpkin Fest – This event has been canceled.

Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket hosts a dog-friendly Fall Pumpkin Fest at Hap’s Red Barn from noon to 4 p.m. The event will feature a pumpkin patch, kids crafts, face painting, apple cider and doughnuts, vendors, basket raffle, a dog costume contest and more. Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume. Free. 631-689-7054

Northport Walking Tour

Join the Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport for a Historic Main Street Walking Tour at 1:30 p.m. Join tour guide Dan Sheehan as he weaves the tale of Northport’s Historic Business District during this lively walking tour of Main Street. Travel back in time as you hear the stories of the people and landmarks that helped shape Northport, including Jack Kerouac, the Northport Oyster Barons, Rum Runners and the Trolley. All ages welcome. $7 per person. To register, visit www.northporthistorical.org.

Monday Oct. 30

No events listed for this day.

Tuesday Oct. 31

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to join them for “Old Jews Telling Jokes” in the Social Hall at 11 a.m.  Join them as 18 ordinary Jewish alter kockers from all walks of life try their hand at stand up Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

The Steve Martin Story

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Classic Comedian Collection series with The Steve Martin Story on the Second Stage at 12:30 p.m. Award-winning playwright Sal St. George will discuss the man who went from being The Jerk to being one of the most popular and respected names in show business. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are $25 adults, $22 seniors and veterans. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Comedy Night at the Engeman

Join the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport for a night of comedy starting at 8 p.m. Come have some laughs, enjoy some cocktails, and listen to some very funny comedians! $45 per person. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Wednesday Nov. 1

No events listed for this day.

Thursday Nov. 2

Watercolor Workshop

Join the Huntington Historical Society for an Intermediate Watercolor Workshop at the Conklin Barn, 2 High Street, Huntington from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Artist Linda Salta will lead the class in a colorful fun pet portrait in watercolor. Come to class with watercolor paper 140 pd pad, brushes and watercolor paint of your choice. Fee is $35, $30 members. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Vanderbilt Lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents a lecture titled ‘Immigrants and the Evolution of the American Landscape’ at 7 p.m. Guest speaker  Wambui Ippolito, an award-winning landscape designer and author, will discuss the contributions immigrants have made to the American landscape. $10 per person, free for members. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Film

‘Rolling Along’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues with a screening of Rolling Along at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. Written and performed by lifelong story teller, NBA star, and US Senator, Bill Bradley, Rolling Along is a film about triumph, failure and forgiveness. A story about all of us. Followed by a Q&A with guest speaker Bill Bradley. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash only) or at www.portjeffersondocumentaryseries.com.

Theater
‘(Mostly) True Things’
game wrapped in a storytelling show that features true stories and a game, this performance will have Jude Treder-Wolff, Gary Rosen, Gregory Cave and Dawn Shedrick tell true stories from their own lives on the theme TURNAROUND, but 3 of them include subtle little lies or inaccurate details. The audience gets to question the storytellers, then vote for the person they think told it with no lies. $20 per person. For tickets, visit www.mostlytruethingscom.

 

‘Motherhood Out Loud’

Township Theatre Group presents Motherhood Out Loud at Temple Beth El, 660 Park Ave., Huntington on Oct. 26 and 28 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. A lively collection of scenes and stories celebrating the joys and terrors of being a mother is presented as a staged reading.  In a series of heartwarming, moving and hilarious monologues and choral pieces, Motherhood Out Loud shatters traditional notions about parenthood, unveils its inherent comedy and celebrates the deeply personal truths that span and unite generations.   For everyone who has a mother, is a mother, knows or loves a mother, this play is for you. Tickets are $20 at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6146151 via credit card; cash/check only a door. 631-213-9832

‘Dear Liar’

Join Celebrate St. James for Dear Liar, a dramatic reading with Rick Forstman and Margo Goodman at the St. James Calderone Theatre, 176 Second St., St. James on Oct. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. Followed by a reception with light refreshments. Tickets are $20. To order, visit www.cekebratestjames.org.

‘Beautiful’

Main stage theater continues at the John W. Engeman Theater with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical now extended to Nov. 5. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing success with Tapestry, the show takes you back to where it all began–and takes you on the ride of a lifetime. Featuring such unforgettable classics as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” and many more. This Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning show is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget. Tickets start at $80. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘A Christmas Carol’

“I will honor Christmas in my heart…” Celebrate the season with A Christmas Carol at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from Nov. 11 to Dec. 30. Follow the miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey that teaches him the true meaning of Christmas — past, present, and future. Join them for the  38th annual production of the immortal classic in all of its thrills, music, joy, and spirit. Please note: No children under 5 are permitted. All seats are $25 in November. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children in December. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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Long-term PPI use increases serious risks. Stock photo

By David Dunaief, M.D,

Dr. David Dunaief

Reflux is common after a large meal. This is when stomach contents flow backward up the esophagus. It occurs because the valve between the stomach and the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter, relaxes for no apparent reason. Many incidences of reflux are normal, especially after a meal, and don’t require medical treatment (1).

However, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious disorder. It can have long-term health effects, including erosion or scarring of the esophagus, ulcers, and increased cancer risk. Researchers estimate it affects as much as 28 percent of the U.S. adult population (2). No wonder pharmaceutical firms line drug store shelves with over-the-counter and prescription solutions.

GERD risk factors range from lifestyle — obesity, smoking and diet — to medications, like calcium channel blockers and antihistamines. Other medical conditions, like hiatal hernia and pregnancy, also contribute (3). Dietary triggers, such as spicy, salty, or fried foods, peppermint, and chocolate, can also play a role.

One study showed that both smoking and salt consumption increased GERD risk significantly, with increases of 70 percent in people who smoked or who used table salt regularly (4). Let’s examine available treatments and ways to reduce your risk.

What medical options can help with GERD?

The most common and effective medications for treating GERD are H2 receptor blockers (e.g., Zantac and Tagamet), which partially block acid production, and proton pump inhibitors (e.g., Nexium and Prevacid), which almost completely block acid production (5). Both classes of medicines have two levels: over-the-counter and prescription strength. Let’s focus on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), for which just over 90 million prescriptions are written every year in the U.S. (6).

The most frequently prescribed PPIs include Prilosec (omeprazole) and Protonix (pantoprazole). Studies show they are effective with short-term use in treating Helicobacter pylori-induced peptic ulcers, GERD symptoms, and gastric ulcer prophylaxis associated with NSAID use (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) as well as upper gastrointestinal bleeds.

Most of the data in the package inserts is based on short-term studies lasting weeks, not years. The landmark study supporting long-term use approval was only one year. However, maintenance therapy usually continues over many years.

Concerns about long-term usage effects and overprescribing have led to calls among pharmacists to take an active role in educating patients about their risks – along with educating patients about the need to take them before eating for them to work (7).

What are PPI risks?

Side effects after years of use can include increased risk of bone fractures and calcium malabsorption; Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), a serious bacterial infection in the intestines; potential vitamin B12 deficiencies; and weight gain (8).

The FDA has amplified its warnings about the increased risk of C. difficile, which must be treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, it only responds to a few antibiotics, and that number is dwindling. Patients need to contact their physicians if they develop diarrhea when taking PPIs and the diarrhea doesn’t improve (9).

Suppressing stomach acid over long periods can also result in malabsorption issues. In a study where PPIs were associated with B12 malabsorption, it usually took at least three years’ duration to cause this effect. While B12 was not absorbed properly from food, PPIs did not affect B12 levels from supplementation (10). If you are taking a PPI chronically, have your B12 and methylmalonic acid (a metabolite of B12) levels checked and discuss supplementation with your physician.

Before you stop taking PPIs, consult your physician. Rebound hyperacidity can result from stopping abruptly.

What non-medical options can improve GERD?

A number of modifications can improve GERD, such as raising the head of the bed about six inches, not eating prior to bedtime and obesity treatment, to name a few (11). 

Fiber and exercise. The study that quantified the increased risks of smoking and salt also found that fiber and exercise both had the opposite effect, reducing GERD risk (4). An analysis by Journal Watch suggests that the fiber effect may be due to its ability to reduce nitric oxide production, a relaxant for the lower esophageal sphincter (12).

Manage weight. In one study, researchers showed that obesity increases pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter significantly (13). Intragastric (within the stomach) pressures were higher in both overweight and obese patients on inspiration and on expiration, compared to those with a “normal” body mass index.

Avoid late night eating. One of the most powerful modifications we can make to avoid GERD is among the simplest. A study showed a 700 percent increased risk of GERD for those who ate within three hours of bedtime, compared to those who ate four hours or more before bedtime (14).

While drugs have their place in the arsenal of options to treat GERD, lifestyle changes are the first, safest, and most effective approach in many instances. 

References:

(1) Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 1996;25(1):75. (2) Gut. 2014; 63(6):871-80. (3) niddk.nih.gov. (4) Gut 2004 Dec; 53:1730-1735. (5) Gastroenterology. 2008;135(4):1392. (6) Kane SP. Proton Pump Inhibitor, ClinCalc DrugStats Database, Version 2022.08. Updated August 24, 2022. Accessed October 11, 2022. (7) US Pharm. 2019:44(12):25-31. (8) World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(38):4794–4798. (9) FDA.gov. (10) Linus Pauling Institute; lpi.oregonstate.edu. (11) Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:965-971. (12) JWatch Gastro. Feb. 16, 2005. (13) Gastroenterology 2006 Mar; 130:639-649. (14) Am J Gastroenterol. 2005 Dec;100(12):2633-2636.

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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SPOOKY WHEELS Long Island Cars will present the Fall Harvest Car Show and Swap Meet on the scenic lawn of Flowerfield Fairgrounds in Saint James on Oct. 22.
Ongoing

Dark Night Halloween World

Long Island Community Hospital Amphitheater, 1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville hosts the 3rd annual Dark Night Halloween World, an outdoor extravaganza combining moderate scares with comedy that at the same time celebrates the nostalgia of vintage haunted trails through a post-modern twist on inspired characters from pop culture and horror movies of the 1990s, on multiple days through Oct. 31. Tickets are $35 per person, $50 VIP front of the line. www.DarkNightLI.com

Thursday 19

Garden Club Flower Show

Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn will host the Centerport Garden Club’s Small Standard Flower Show “Bewitched” to celebrate the season today from 2 to 8 p.m. and Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested donation is $5. 516-527-0517

Friday 20

Garden Club Flower Show

See Oct. 19 listing.

(Not So Scary) Halloween

The community is invited to join Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty in Stony Brook (1061 Route 25A) for a night of tricks, treats, and everything in-between from 5 to 7 p.m. Featuring costumes, arts & crafts, giveaways, raffles, (not so) scary stories, and so much more! Geared for children ages 10 and under. 631-689-6980

Spooky Lantern Walking Tour

The Miller Place Mount Sinai Historical Society presents its annual Spooky Lantern Tour, a not-too-scary walking tour of the haunted history of Miller Place, tonight, Oct. 21, 27 & 28 at 5:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. Walk the Miller Place Historic District with a guide from the MPMS Historical Society who will regale you with all the spooky stories surrounding this pre-Revolutionary War town. Bring a lantern or flashlight and wear comfortable shoes. For ages 10 and up. Tickets are $17 per person. www.mpmshistoricalsociety.eventbrite.com

Harbor Haunts

​Explore Cold Spring Harbor’s ghostly side with fascinating tales of mishaps and historic hauntings on Main Street, courtesy of the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor, tonight and Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m. and Oct. 21 and 28 at 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Held rain or shine. Tickets are ​$15. 631-367-3418, www.cshwhalingmuseum.org

Saturday 21

Spooky Lantern Walking Tour

See Oct. 20 listing.

Harbor Haunts

See Oct. 20 listing.

Sweetbriar Thrift Sale

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown will hold a Thrift Sale fundraiser in front of the red double garage doors in the parking lot from 9:30 to 3 p.m. Antiques, small treasures, knick knacks and more! 631-979-6344

Christmas in October Craft Fair – This event has been cancelled.

Rescheduled from Oct. 14. The annual Christmas in October Village Craft Fair will be held on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring over 100d craft vendors, live music, food trucks, pumpkins, mums, hot cider and donuts. Free admission. 631-846-1459

Harvest Fair

St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Main Street, Huntington invites the community to a Harvest Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring holiday boutiques, silent auction, baked goods, raffle baskets, white elephant, antiques and fabulous finds, casual and professional thrift shop, handcrafted items. 631-427-1752, stjohnshuntington.org

Oktober Harvest Fest 

The Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and the Port Jeff BID hosts a Oktober Harvest Fest today and Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Events will be held throughout the village with live music, children’s activities, costumed dog parade, pumpkin carving, horse and wagon rides, pie eating contest and much more. 631-473-1414 See more on page B3.

Fall Festival at The Shoppes – This event has been postponed to Oct. 28 & 29

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River, hosts a Fall Festival today and Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy a mix of seasonal festivities, from face painting to visiting Beyond Crafting Boutique for Daily workshops to create your own Halloween decorations, local craft vendors, scarecrow contest, bounce house, carousel and live music. www.eastwindlongisland.com

Blessing of the Animals

First Presbyterian Church of Port Jefferson, 107 South Street, Port Jefferson will hold a Blessing of the Animals during the Port Jefferson Harvest Fest from noon to 2 p.m.  Pastor Mark Applewhite will bless your pets on the front lawn. Please bring pets on leashes or in carriers. 631-473-0147

TVHS Spirits Tour

Ah, October. The perfect time of year to grab a light jacket, sip a hot drink, and go for a casual walk through a cemetery, right?! Join the Three Village Historical Society for its 29th annual Spirits Cemetery Tour tonight! Guests will be guided to 10 locations in two of Setauket’s historic cemeteries — Caroline Episcopal Church of Setauket and the Setauket Presbyterian Church Cemetery — to walk-in on conversations between local spirits from Chicken Hill. ​ Tours, which last 1 1/2 hours, leave from the Setauket Presbyterian Church, 5 Caroline Ave., Setauket every 15 minutes beginning at 5 p.m. with the last tour leaving at 7:30 p.m. Rain date is Oct. 28. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 631-751-3730, www.tvhs.org

Sip Make Play Workshop

Join Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket for a Sip Make Play event from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests will have all the supplies they need to create fun Halloween accessories! Have some well deserved fun and allow yourself to play with art materials! $45 includes all materials, snacks & drinks. Adults only please. To register, visit www.gallerynorth.org.

Owl Prowl at the Vanderbilt

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport hosts an Owl Prowl at 6 p.m. After a presentation on the owls of Long Island, biologist and ranger Eric Powers, co-founder of the Center for Environmental Education & Discovery (CEED), will lead a walk on the estate grounds, during which he will attempt to call in nearby owls. Flashlights are not permitted. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the hiking trail is uneven and it will be dark. $12 per person, members free. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Costumes & Cocktails Fundraiser

Join the Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook for a Halloween-themed presentation and cocktail party fundraiser with Victoria Wyeth from 7 to 9 p.m. Wyeth will share spooky, seasonal stories and a slide presentation of works of art inspired by the autumn by her famous grandfather, Andrew Wyeth, as well as her uncle, artist Jamie Wyeth. Costumes are optional. Tickets are $100. To order, visit www.rebolicenter.org. 631-751-7707

Ballet Hispanico at SBU

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road Stony Brook welcomes Ballet Hispanico to the Main Stage at 8 p.m. One of America’s cultural treasures and ambassadors of Latinx Dance for over 50 years, Ballet Hispánico is known for stunning dancers, daring routines by Latinx choreographers, and a fusion of Latin dance with classical and contemporary techniques, creating a new style of concert dance where theatricality and passion are at the core. Tickets range from $41 to $52. To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com

Sunday 22

Oktober Harvest Fest 

See Oct. 21 listing.

Fall Festival at The Shoppes

See Oct. 21 listing.

Car Show and Swap Meet

Flowerfield Fairgrounds, Route 25A, St. James hosts a Fall Harvest 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. Vendors selling parts and accessories, plus a variety of cars for sale by owners. Admission is $10, under 12 years free. Rain date is Oct 29. 631-567-5898, www.longislandcars.com

Dog Days at the Farm

Calling all dog lovers! Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Road, Yaphank hosts Dog Days at the Farm from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet dog rescues, try out a variety of dog sports (agility, rally, scentwork, etc), learn about therapy dogs, canine good citizen, trick and farm dog certifications, play games, pick a pumpkin, costume contest, take a wagon ride and do barks and crafts. Fun for all! Dogs must be up to date on their rabies vaccination (proof required at entrance) and leashed Admission is $15 per person. Call 631-852-4600 for more information.

Sheriff’s Office Open House

In honor of New York State’s Sheriff’s Week, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. is encouraging the public to come out to the Sheriff’s Annual Open House and Family Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Yaphank Correctional Facility, 200 Glover Drive, Yaphank from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event features jail tours throughout the day for residents ages 12 and up, exciting demonstrations by the Sheriff’s Office departments including the Emergency Response Team and K9 unit, Sheriff’s Office vehicle displays, food trucks, music, and free activities all day long. Held rain or shine. www.suffolksheriff.com

Whitman String Quartet in concert

Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket presents a classical concert from 2 to 3 p.m. Joenne Dumitrascu and Stephen Gorgone of the Whitman String Quartet will present string solos and duos in the stunning, historic 1892 section of the library. The public is invited to stroll in, relax and listen to the music while taking in the gorgeous historic scenery. No registration necessary. 631-941-4080

RPHS Anniversary Tea

The Rocky Point Historical Society will hold a 25th anniversary Tea at the North Shore Beach Clubhouse, 55 Clubhouse Drive, Rocky Point at 3 p.m. Debra Scala Giokas, author of Ladies First: Common Threads will speak at the event. $35 per person includes program, sandwiches and cookies and raffle baskets. To order, call 631-744-1776 

Monday 23

SHS Fall Lecture

Join the Smithtown Historical Society for a Fall Lecture titled Long Island Railroad and Smithtown at the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown at 7 p.m. David D. Morrison, founder and past president of the Long Island Rail Road Historical Society, will share with the audience photographs, history and interesting anecdotes about the LIRR, especially relating to our area. Light refreshments to be served. Free. 631-265-6768

Tuesday 24

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to join them for a health lecture in the Social Hall at 11 a.m.  Roy Franks, personal trainer, member of the NSJC Men’s Club, and owner of “Fitness 4 You,” will discuss the perfect couple: Exercise and Nutrition. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Wednesday 25

Autumn Sip & Paint Party

Join  the Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 main St., Stony Brook for its annual Autumn Sip & Paint Party from 6:30 to  9 p.m. For this paint party, the subject matter will be Joseph Reboli’s Pumpkins. Linda Davison Matheus will instruct participants through recreating the beautiful still life by Reboli, one step at a time. Participants over the age of 21 will be offered their choice of white or red wine. No previous experience is required to attend, suitable for all levels.

$45 registration fee includes materials. Register by calling 631-751-7707 or by emailing [email protected].

Author Talk

Three Village Historical Society presents a special book talk and signing with Scott R. Ferrara titled A Discovery of Witches at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket at 7 p.m. Ferrara will speak about his book, Accused of Witchcraft in New York, presenting harrowing narratives of those who were accused of witchcraft, the feverish community dramas that resulted, and the lives of those who faced their community as an outsider. Free. To register, visit www.tvhs.org.

Thursday 26

Stony Brook Walking Tour

Join the Ward Melville Heritage Organization for a Spooky Walking Tour throughout Stony Brook Village today and Oct. 27. Titled Hidden Beneath the Floorboards, the tour leads you through a spooky walking tour of the history filled Grist Mill and Long Island’s beloved coastal village. Discover Ghost Ships, Spirit Photography, the Long Island Witch Trials, John Winthrop’s Alchemy, Star-Crossed Lovers, The ghostly apparition at the Country House Restaurant, and William Sidney Mount’s spirit filled paintings plus Women Mediums and the Suffrage Movement. Tours take place at 10:45 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. and start at the Grist Mill. Tickets are $15 per person. Reservations are required by calling 631-751-2244.

Film

‘Israel Swings for Gold’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues with a screening of Israel Swings for Gold at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. In 2021, Israel’s baseball team competed in the Olympics for the first time. With no media allowed in Tokyo’s Olympic Village, the players recorded their own experiences.Mostly newly minted Israelis, they log unexpected battles against anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. Followed by a Q&A with guest speaker Jeremy Newberger, Co-Director. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash only) or at www.portjeffersondocumentaryseries.com.

Theater

‘Motherhood Out Loud’

Township Theatre Group presents Motherhood Out Loud at Temple Beth El, 660 Park Ave., Huntington on Oct. 26 and 28 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. A lively collection of scenes and stories celebrating the joys and terrors of being a mother is presented as a staged reading.  In a series of heartwarming, moving and hilarious monologues and choral pieces, Motherhood Out Loud shatters traditional notions about parenthood, unveils its inherent comedy and celebrates the deeply personal truths that span and unite generations.   For everyone who has a mother, is a mother, knows or loves a mother, this play is for you. Tickets are $20 at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6146151 via credit card; cash/check only a door. 631-213-9832

‘The Prom’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 53rd season with The Prom from Sept. 16 to Oct. 21. As the lights dim on four fading Broadway stars, they wildly seek the spotlight. Courting the controversy surrounding a small-town Indiana prom, the quartet invades a community that wants to keep the party straight. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors, $20 students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Rent’ 

Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Jonathan Larson’s Rent from Sept. 16 to Oct. 22. Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, the groundbreaking musical follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians — Roger, Mimi, Tom, Angel, Maureen, Joanne, Benny and Mark — struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors, $28 students. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org. 

‘Beautiful’

Main stage theater continues at the John W. Engeman Theater with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical now extended to Nov. 5. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing success with Tapestry, the show takes you back to where it all began–and takes you on the ride of a lifetime. Featuring such unforgettable classics as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” and many more. This Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning show is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget. Tickets start at $80. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘An Inspector Calls’

Minstrel Players, Houghton Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport presents J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls from Oct. 14 to 22. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, call 516-361-7232 or email [email protected].

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'I have seen very good results when treating patients who have eczema with dietary changes.- Dr. David Dunaief METRO photo
New treatments are evolving

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

If you have eczema, you’re familiar with its symptoms, which can include rashes, itching, pain and redness. What may not be as clear are its causes and potential implications.

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory process, and it’s likely caused by a combination of genetics and lifestyle choices (1).

While there is no cure, some treatments can ease symptoms and reduce flare-ups. These range from over-the-counter creams and lotions, antihistamines for itchiness, prescription steroid creams, oral steroids, and injectable biologics. Some sufferers use phototherapy for severe cases, but there’s not a lot of research suggesting this is effective. Interestingly, diet may play an important role.

Two separate studies have shown an association between eczema and fracture risk, which we will investigate further.

How does diet affect eczema?

In a Japanese study involving over 700 pregnant women and their offspring, results showed that when the women ate either a diet high in green and yellow vegetables, beta carotene or citrus fruit there was a significant reduction in the risk of the child having eczema of 59 percent, 48 percent and 47 percent, respectively, when comparing highest to lowest consumption quartiles (2).

Elimination diets may also play a role. One study’s results showed when eggs were removed from the diet of those who were allergic, according to IgE testing, eczema improved significantly (3).

From an anecdotal perspective, I have seen very good results when treating patients who have eczema with dietary changes. My patient population includes many patients who suffer from some level of eczema. For example, a young adult had eczema mostly on his extremities. When we first met, these were angry, excoriated, erythematous and scratched lesions. However, after several months of a vegetable-rich diet, the patient’s skin improved significantly.

Do supplements help reduce eczema symptoms?

There are two well-known supplements for helping to reduce inflammation, evening primrose oil and borage oil. Are these supplements a good replacement for – or addition to – medications? The research is really mixed, leaning toward ineffective. There are also some important concerns about them.

In a meta-analysis of seven randomized controlled trials, evening primrose oil was no better than placebo in treating eczema (4).

The researchers also looked at eight studies of borage oil and found there was no difference from placebo in terms of symptom relief. While these supplements only had minor side effects in the study, they can interact with other medications. For example, evening primrose oil in combination with aspirin can cause clotting problems (5).

The upshot? Don’t expect supplements to provide significant help. If you do try them, be sure to consult with your physician first.

Are biologics a good alternative?

Injectable biologics are among the newest treatments and are generally recommended when other treatment options have failed (6). There are two currently approved by the FDA, dupilumab and tralokinumab.

In trials, these injectable drugs showed good results, improving outcomes for moderate to severe eczema sufferers when topical steroids alone were not effective. Like other monoclonal antibodies, they work by interfering with parts of your immune system. They suppress messengers of the white blood cells, called interleukins. This leaves a door open for side effects, like serious infections.

Does eczema affect bone health?

Several studies have examined the relationship between eczema and broken bones. One observational study of 34,500 patients showed that those with eczema had a 44 percent increased risk of injury causing limitation and a 67 percent risk of bone fracture and bone or joint injury for those 30 years and older (7).

If you have both fatigue or insomnia in combination with eczema, you are at higher risk for bone or joint injury than having one or the other alone. The researchers postulated that corticosteroids used in treatment could be one reason, in addition to chronic inflammation, which may also contribute to bone loss risk. 

Steroids may weaken bone, ligaments and tendons and may cause osteoporosis by decreasing bone mineral density.

A study of over 500,000 patients tested this theory and found that the association between major osteoporotic fractures and atopic eczema remained, even after adjusting for a range of histories with oral corticosteroids (8). Also, fracture rates were higher in those with severe atopic eczema.

For those who have eczema, it may be wise to have a DEXA (bone) scan.

Eczema exists on a spectrum from annoying to significantly affecting a patient’s quality of life. Supplements may not be the solution, at least not borage oil nor evening primrose oil. However, there may be promising medications for the hard to treat. It might be best to avoid long-term systemic steroids because of their long-term side effects. Diet adjustments appear to be very effective, at least at the anecdotal level.

References:

(1) Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 1985;117 (Suppl.):1-59. (2) Allergy. 2010 Jun 1;65(6):758-765. (3) J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;50(3):391-404. (4) Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;4:CD004416. (5) mayoclinic.org (9) Medscape.com. (6) JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(1):33-41. (7) J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Sep 24;S2213-2198(21)01018-7. (8) nationaleczema.org.

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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COMING OF AGE Port Jefferson Documentary Series presents a screening of ‘Between the Rains’ at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 16. Photo from PJDS
Thursday 12

Cirque Italia in Lake Grove

Cirque Italia opens under the white and blue big top tent at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove tonight at 7:30 and runs through Oct. 15. The show takes place weekdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. This high-octane show features master jugglers, low wire fanatics, dazzling contortion, wild trampoline antics, and even a wheel of death! Suitable for all ages. For tickets and more information, visit the box office on site or go to www.cirqueitalia.com. 

Friday 13

Cirque Italia in Lake Grove

See Oct. 12 listing.

Grounds and Sounds Concert

Grounds and Sounds Cafe at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 380 Nicolls Road, E. Setauket will host a concert featuring singer-songwriter Caroline Doctorow with musical guest Russ Seeger with doors open and sign-up for open mic at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person, available in advance at www.groundsandsounds.org or at the door. 631-751-0297.

Saturday 14

Cirque Italia in Lake Grove

See Oct. 12 listing.

Outdoor Country Auction 

Going once, going twice, sold! The Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson will hold its 35th annual outdoor Country Auction on the grounds of the Mather House Museum, 115 Prospect St., Port Jefferson at 9:30 a.m. with a preview at 9 a.m. Items this year include 1870s corner cupboard w/key, framed paintings and prints, hand blown  green glass bowl, trunks, clocks, art glass, linens, silk scarf collection,  baskets, fossils, quilts, garden items, antique iron French bulldog, 1940s  croquet set, children’s toys, lamps, vintage brass calculator, marble and brass desk set, and many more unique items. Free parking at school parking lot on High Street. Lunch available for purchase. Rain or shine. 631-473-2665, www.portjeffhistorical.org

Fall Bazaar

St. James Episcopal Church, 490 North Country Road, St. James will hold its annual Fall Bazaar from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with vendors, raffle baskets, bakery items, children’s games and crafts and more. 631-584-5560

Fall Family Festival

Sunshine Prevention Center, 468 Boyle Road, Selden will host its 1st annual Fall Family Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with vendor tables—crafts, business and agency exhibitors, fun activities, including bouncy houses, raffles and silent auction items—all in the name of “fun for a cause.” Rain date is Oct. 15. 631-476-3099 

Latin Heritage Festival

In celebration of Latin Heritage Month, the Art League of Long Island, 107 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills hosts the 2nd annual LatinX Heritage Festival from 10 am. to 5 p.m. Enjoy a gallery show featuring NY Latinx Artists, a panel talk with Latinx Leaders, multicultural vendor market and live entertainment. 631-462-5400

Christmas in October Craft Fair – This event has been moved to Oct. 21

The annual Christmas in October Village Craft Fair will be held on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring over 100d craft vendors, live music, food trucks, pumpkins, mums, hot cider and donuts. Free admission. Rain date is Oct. 21. 631-846-1459

Miller Place Country Fair – This event has been postponed to October 28 and 29

The Miller Place-Mount Sinai Historical Society will host its annual Country Fair on the grounds of the William Miller House, 75 North Country Road Miller Place today and Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This fun event will feature historic re-enactments , live music, historic walking tours, a traveling wilderness, museum, and more. $10 donation includes a tour of the historic William Miller House (c. 1720). Call 631-476-5742 or visit www.mpmshistoricalsociety.org.

St. Thomas Car Show & Fall Fair – This event has been canceled 

St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown presents its annual St. Tom’s Car Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will also feature a Fall Fair with vendors, basket raffles, food, pumpkin patch and music from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. 631-265-4520

Fall Harvest Festival – This event has been postponed to Oct 28

Join the Church on the Sound, 335 Oxhead Road, Stony Brook for its annual Fall Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lots of activities for the whole family! Free. Call 631-941-4100.

All Souls Poetry Reading

The Second Saturdays poetry series returns to All Souls Church in Stony Brook via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Featured poet will be Herb Wahlsteen followed by an open reading. All are welcome to read one of their own poems.  For more information, please call 631-655-7798.  Participants can access the program through the All Souls website.

Health and Wellness Fair – This event has been postponed to January 20, 2024

The Town of Brookhaven will sponsor a Health and Wellness Fair at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will feature representatives from the healthcare industry who will provide valuable information about health insurance, healthcare law and health services available to Brookhaven Town residents. Free. 631-451-TOWN

Vintage European Car Show

Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook hosts the 18th annual Vintage European Sports Car & Motorcycle Display on the front lawn from noon to 4 p.m. with music by The Barking Men and homemade baked goods, pies and mums for sale. Free admission. Rain date is Oct. 15. 516-639-4308

CommUniversity Day – This event has been moved indoors to the Wang Center

Rescheduled from Sept. 23. Enjoy a festival of fun and discovery for all ages at Stony Brook University’s annual CommUniversity Day at the Academic Mall from noon to 4 p.m. with health screenings, Teddy Bear Clinic, fun crafts, duck race, food court, community art projects, giveaways and much more. Free admission. Held rain or shine. www.stonybrook.edu/CommUniversity

Harvest Days on the Farm

Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, E. Setauket invites the community to its Harvest Days on the Farm weekend today and Oct. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. with hay rides, pumpkin picking, pumpkin painting, visits with the farm animals, live music, the Big Swing and children’s acitivities. $10 adults, $8 children and seniors. 631-689-8172

Tesla Expo 

Join the Tesla Science Center, 5 Randall Road, Shoreham for a Tesla Expo from 3 to 9 p.m. A celebration of Nikola Tesla’s life, works, and enduring legacy, the event will delve into the fascinating world of this remarkable innovator and inspire the future generations with exciting exhibits, performances, and presentations. The evening will be topped with a dramatic drone light show dedicated to Nikola Tesla and Wardenclyffe. For ticket information, visit www.teslasciencecenter.org.

Old Burying Ground tour

Join the Huntington Historical Society for an Old Burying Ground  walking tour at 4 p.m. Established soon after the Town’s 1653 founding, Huntington’s earliest public burying ground features stunning folk art and beautiful epitaphs honoring Huntington’s residents and rich history. Tour begins at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St., Huntington .Tickets are $15 adults, $5 children. For reservations, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Book signing with Dee Snider

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook welcomes Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider for a book signing event at 6 p.m. Snider will sign copies of his new book Frats. The book will be on sale at the event. Regular admission prices apply; meet Dee as part of your admission. Enjoy viewing the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame  exhibits throughout the day. 631-689-5888

A Night of Laughs

In partnership with Governor’s Comedy Clubs, the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St. Smithtown will present  a Godfathers of Italian Comedy Night at 8 p.m. Featuring stand-ups Elyse DeLucci, Joe Moffa, Debbie D’Amore and Tony Dabas. $45 per person includes two drinks. www.smithtownpac.org

Sunday 15

Cirque Italia in Lake Grove

See Oct. 12 listing.

Miller Place Country Fair

See Oct. 14 listing.

Harvest Days on the Farm

See Oct. 14 listing.

Oktoberfest 5k Run/Walk

Join the Stony Brook Rotary for its annual Oktoberfest 5k Run/Walk at The Bench Bar & Grill, 1095 Route 25A, Stony Brook at 10 a.m. Registration at 8:30 a.m. German beers, food, live music by Alternate Fred and fun for all ages to follow. To sign up, visit www.thebenchbar.com.

Still Cruisin’ Car Club Show

AMVETS Post 48, 660 Hawkins Ave., Lake Ronkonkoma hosts the Still Cruisin’ 1st annual Fall Car Show on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vintage car show benefitting the AMVETS with a slow drag, muffler rap, and more. Donations accepted. Rain date Oct. 22. 631-732-1231

Penn Fabricators Car Show

Penn Fabricators presents its annual judged Let the Good Times Roll car show at 30 Platinum Court in Medford from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Co-hosted by The Fabulous 50s & 60s, the event will feature vendors, raffles, and music. Rain date is Oct. 22. $20 per vehicle, $5 for spectators. 631-484-2807

Caumsett Hike

Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a Seashore Circular hike from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walk through fields and woods on your way to Caumsett’s seashore, aabout 4.5 miles, bring drinking water. Adult program. $4 per person. Advance reservations required by calling 631-423- 1770.

House Tour & Antique Car Show 

Step back in time with the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society as they present an Antique Car Show and a tour of the Fitz-Greene Hallock Homestead, 2869 Pond Road, Lake Ronkonkoma from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a 50/50 raffle and basket auction. $5 donation. 631-588-7599

Family Fun Fall Festival

Suffolk Y-JCCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack will hold their annual fall festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a petting zoo, inflatables, pumpkin picking and decorating, mini golf, climbing wall, arts and crafts, face painting and much more. $10 suggested donation. 631-462-9800

Huntington Apple Festival

The annual Apple Festival is back on the grounds of the Dr. Daniel Kissam House, 434 Park Ave., Huntington from noon to 4 p.m., courtesy of the Huntington Historical Society. Enjoy traditional games, seasonal crafts, live music, fall foods, house tours and historical demonstrations by costumed interpreters. The Museum Shop will also be open. Free admission. 631-427-7045

Fall Muster at the Arsenal

The Huntington Militia will present a Fall Muster at the Huntington Arsenal, 425 Park Avenue, Huntington during the Huntington Apple Festival from noon to 4 p.m. See history come to life as the militia recreates a typical 1775 militia muster at the Arsenal and Village Green. See musket and cannon firings, 18th century crafts, trades, music and cooking. Free. 631-223-8017

Irish Tea Auction and Raffle

The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 8/9 invites the community to their 12th annual Irish Tea Auction and Raffle at 2 p.m. at the AOH Division Hall, 80 Magnolia Drive, Selden. Please wear your prettiest hat and bring your favorite tea cup. $20 per person. For tickets, call 631-698-4940.

Fall Rummage Sale

Sisterhood of Temple Beth El, 660 Park Ave., Huntington will hold a Fall Rummage Sale today from 2 to 5 p.m. and Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Bag Day – Everything you can fit in one of supplied bags for $10) featuring clothing, linens/towels, jewelry, small household goods, tools, toys, art, and more. 631-421-5835 x200 | www.tbeli.org

Italian Heritage Lecture

As part of its Living History Series, Celebrate St. James will present a lecture on Italian Heritage with David Setteducati at the former Calderone Theater, 176 Second St., St. James from 2 to 4 p.m. Celebrate Italian heritage with a musical and visual journey. Tickets are $25, $20 members at www.celebratestjames.org. 631-984-0201

Ridotto Concert

Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington hosts a Ridotto concert titled Mozart and Brahms. The Ensemble of the Jeunes Virtuoses de New York performs Brahms’ magnificent Sextet Op. 18 and Mozart’s Quintet for Strings No.3 KV 515, in this season’s opening concert. Tickets are $35 adults $30 seniors, $25 members, $12 students. For reservations, call 631-385-0373 or email [email protected].

Sunday Street Concert

WUSB-FM’s Sunday Street concert series continues at the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook with The Songs of Jimmy Webb in the Carriage Museum’s Gillespie Room at 5 p.m. Featuring: Gene Casey, Caroline Doctorow, Andrew & Cole Fortier, Delaney Hafener, Claudia Jacobs, Brian Kachejian, Ray Lambiase, Pete Mancini, and Tom Moranvening. Tickets are $20 in advance at www.sundaystreet.org or $25 at the door (cash only).

Paranormal Tour at Sweetbriar

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown hosts a Paranormal Tour with a ghost hunt and owl encounter from 6 to 9 p.m. Demonstrations will include a quick introduction to our team followed by a rotation of stations learning different types of theories, how to use equipment, a paranormal investigation on the property, and a raffle. Cost $60 per person. Participation is limited to 13 and older. Register at www.sweetbriarncorg.

Monday 16

TVHS October Lecture 

Three Village Historical Society continues its lecture series at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket at 7 p.m. with Our Island’s Story: The Natural History of Long Island with Dr. Tara Rider. This talk will discuss the features that make Long Island’s geology distinctive and have shaped the peoples who have inhabited this island. From salt marshes and cranberry bogs to hardwood forests and the Hempstead Plains, our Island has been continuously being reshaped and the landscape influences our society today. Free and open to all. To register, visit www.tvhs.org/lecture-series. 631-751-3730

SHS Fall Lecture – just added!

Smithtown Historical Society continues its Fall Lecture series at the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St. Smithtown at 7 p.m. with  Long Island Graveyards and Cemeteries. Robert von Bernewitz, Smithtown native and graveyard expert, will present an overview of the types of burial sites… a look at burial markers from the early folk art stone cutters to present day laser etching and information about notable people buried on Long Island. He has visited and photographed over 350 sites on Long Island and will showcase local gravesites in our area. Light refreshments to be served. All lectures are free and open to the public! 631-265-6768.

Sound Beach Civic Meeting

The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a Meet the Candidates Night at the Sound Beach Firehouse, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach at 7:30 p.m. Invited are candidates for Suffolk County Executive, Town of Brookhaven Supervisor, and TOB Highway Superintendent. For more information call 631-744-6952.

Adele tribute concert

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Events series with an Absolute Adele Tribute at 8 p.m. Jennifer Cella delivers a stunningly accurate portrayal of the British songstress and pop icon, and only sings her songs but talks to the audience, explains the origins and backstories to the songs, just as Adele interacts with her audiences at her concerts. Tickets are $45. 631-261-2900, www.engemantheater.com.

Tuesday 17

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a concert by Joe DePiola featuring selections of cabaret music. in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Expect to dance. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Volunteer Fair

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station hosts a Volunteer Fair from 4 to 6 p.m. Drop in to meet representatives from different organizations who will discuss local volunteer opportunities for a variety of ages. No registration required 631-928-1212.

The Travel Presentation Club

The Travel Presentation Club will meet at Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket at 7 p.m. John Colatosti will make a presentation entitled “Travel around the world in 80 days.” All are welcome. Please contact [email protected] for further information.

Wednesday 18

Cruise Night at The Shoppes

Cruise Nights are back at The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River from 5 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Oct. 25. Check out the fine array of classic and coveted automobiles from car enthusiasts from across Long Island in The Shoppes parking lot. 631-929-3500

Gathering Time in Concert CAC

Fock-rock harmony trio Gathering Time is the featured act during the monthly Hard Luck Café concert series at the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington in the Cinema’s Sky Room from 7 to 10 p.m. Co-presented with the Folk Music Society, an open mic, for which sign-up is at 6:30 p.m., precedes the concert. Tickets are $20, $15 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

Thursday 19

Garden Club Flower Show

Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn will host the Centerport Garden Club’s Small Standard Flower Show “Bewitched” to celebrate the season today from 2 to 8 p.m. and Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested donation is $5. 516-527-0517

Film

‘Between the Rains’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues with a screening of Between the Rains at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. Documenting the Turkana-Ngaremara community as they contend with prolonged drought, this visually stunning coming-of-age story follows a young, orphaned man’s journey to adapt to radically changing climate conditions in Northern Kenya. Followed by a Q&A with guest speakers Andrew Harrison Brown via Zoom and Dr. Dino Martins, CEO of the Turkana Basin Institute in person. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash only) or at www.portjeffersondocumentaryseries.com.

Theater

‘The Prom’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 53rd season with The Prom from Sept. 16 to Oct. 21. As the lights dim on four fading Broadway stars, they wildly seek the spotlight. Courting the controversy surrounding a small-town Indiana prom, the quartet invades a community that wants to keep the party straight. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors, $20 students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Rent’ 

Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Jonathan Larson’s Rent from Sept. 16 to Oct. 22. Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, the groundbreaking musical follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians — Roger, Mimi, Tom, Angel, Maureen, Joanne, Benny and Mark — struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors, $28 students. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org. 

‘Beautiful’

Main stage theater continues at the John W. Engeman Theater with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical now extended to Nov. 5. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing success with Tapestry, the show takes you back to where it all began–and takes you on the ride of a lifetime. Featuring such unforgettable classics as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” and many more. This Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning show is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget. Tickets start at $80. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘Antigone Now: A Short Drama’

The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College present Antigone Now: A Short Drama by Melissa Cooper in Theatre 119, Islip Arts Building Suffolk County Community College, 533 College Road, Selden on Oct. 12, 13, 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. In the midst of a bombed-out city still feeling the aftershocks of war, the rebellious and intense Antigone defies her uncle to bury her disgraced brother. This contemporary response to the myth of Antigone brings powerful, modern prose to an ancient and universal story. *Mature Content  General admission: $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. For tickets call 631-451-4163.

‘An Inspector Calls’

Minstrel Players, Houghton Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport presents J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls from Oct. 14 to 22. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, call 516-361-7232 or email [email protected].

Class Reunions

•Save the date! 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, 2024. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected].

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Image from TOB

Check out some of the Town of Brookhaven’s upcoming fall programs at your local recreation centers.

Henrietta Acampora Recreation Center

39 Montauk Highway, Blue Point, NY 11715

(631) 451-6163

Yoga

This class includes standing postures, strengthening exercises on a mat, seated stretches and guided relaxation. Our practice supports strength, agility, flexibility, and balance, while reducing stress and having fun. Please bring a yoga mat, yoga blocks or a rolled towel.

Date: Mondays, October 23, November 20,27, December 4, 11,18

(Pre-register by Friday, October 20, 2023)

Time: 1pm – 2pm

Fee: $35.00 per 6-week session

 

New Village Recreation Center

20 Wireless Road, Centereach, NY 11720

(631) 451-5307

Zumba

This high-energy cardio aerobics class combines Latin and international beats with salsa, merengue, cha-cha, samba, hip-hop and belly dancing.

Date: Mondays, October 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27, December 4

Fridays, October 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, December 1

(Pre-register by Wednesday, October 18, 2023)

Time: Mondays 10:30am – 11:30am

Fridays 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Fee: $40.00 per 6-week session

 

Robert E. Reid, Sr. Recreation Center

Defense Hill Road & Route 25A, Shoreham, NY 11786  

(631) 451-5306

 Jump Bunch Jr. (ages 3-5)

Learn a new sport each week. Sports include soccer, football, lacrosse and volleyball. No equipment necessary. Just bring water.

Date: Fridays, October 20, 27, November 10, 17, December 1, 8

(Pre-register by Wednesday, October 18, 2023)

Time: 4pm – 5pm

Fee: $60.00 per 6-week session

 

Jump Bunch (ages 6-9)

Learn a new sport each week. Sports include soccer, football, lacrosse and volleyball. No equipment necessary. Just bring water.

Date: Fridays, October 20, 27, November 10, 17, December 1, 8

(Pre-register by Wednesday, October 18, 2023)

Time: 5:15pm – 6:15pm

Fee: $60.00 per 6-week session

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