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Artificial Intelligence. Pixabay photo

By Michael E. Russell

Michael E. Russell

Two weeks ago I had the scary experience of watching 60 Minutes on CBS. The majority of the telecast pertained to A.I. (artificial intelligence). Scott Pelley of CBS interviewed Google CEO Sandar Pichai. His initial quote was that A.I. “will be as good or as evil as human nature allows.” The revolution, he continued, “is coming faster than one can imagine.”

I realize that my articles should pertain to investing, however, this 60 Minutes segment made me question where we as a society are headed.

Google and Microsoft are investing billions of dollars into A.I. using microchips built by companies such as Nvidia. What CEO Sundar has been doing since 2019 is leading both Google and its parent company Alphabet, valued at $1.3 trillion. Worldwide, Google runs 90% of internet searches and 70% of smartphones. It is presently in a race with Microsoft for A.I. dominance. 

Two months ago Microsoft unveiled its new chatbot. Google responded by releasing its own version named Bard. As the segment continued, we were introduced to Bard by Google Vice President Sissie Hsiao. The first thing that hit me was that Bard does not scroll for answers on the internet like the Google search engine does.

What is confounding is that with microchips built by companies such as Nvidia, they are more than 100 thousand times faster than the human brain. In my case, maybe 250 thousand times faster! 

Bard was asked to summarize the New Testament as a test. It accomplished this in 5 seconds. Using Latin, it took 4 seconds.  I need to sum this up. In 10 years A.I. will impact all aspects of our lives. The revolution in artificial intelligence is in the middle of a raging debate that has people on one side hoping it will save humanity, while others are predicting doom. I believe that we will be having many more conversations in the near future.

Okay folks, where is the economy today?  Well, apparently inflation is still a major factor in our everyday life. The Fed will probably increase rates for a 10th time in less than 2 years.

Having been employed by various Wall Street firms over the past 4 decades, I have learned that high priced analysts have the ability to foresee market direction no better than my grandchildren.

Looking back to May 2011, our savvy elected officials increased our debt-ceiling which led to the first ever downgrade of U.S. debt from its top triple A rating from S&P. This caused a very quick 19% decline in the S&P index.  Sound familiar?

It appears that the only time Capitol Hill tries to solve the debt ceiling impasse is when their own portfolio is affected.

This market rally has been led by chatbot affiliated companies. These stocks have added $1.4 trillion in stock market value this year. Keep in mind that just 6 companies were responsible for almost 60% of S&P gains.  These are the 6 leaders: Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platform, Salesforce and of course, Nvidia.

In the meantime, the Administration states that inflation has been reined in.  What stores are they shopping in? Here is the data release from Washington. Year over Year changes March 2022-March 2023:

• Food and non-alcoholic beverages up 8.1%

• Bread and cereal products up 10.8%

• Meat and seafood up 4.3%

• Electricity up 15.7%

When 1 pound of hot dogs rises from $3.25 to $7.50, that is not 8.1%. When Froot Loops go from $1.89 to $5.14 we are in trouble. The bureaucrats in D.C. make up numbers worse than George Santos.

On a positive note, the flowers are starting to bloom, the grass is starting to grow and we live in a special place. Of historic significance, we happen to be home to the second oldest active Episcopal Church in the United States. This year Caroline Church in Setauket will be celebrating its 300th anniversary. Congratulations.

Michael E. Russell retired after 40 years working for various Wall Street firms. All recommendations being made here are not guaranteed and may incur a loss of principal. The opinions and investment recommendations expressed in the column are the author’s own. TBR News Media does not endorse any specific investment advice and urges investors to consult with their financial advisor. 

MAKING BEAUTIFUL MUSIC The Whitman String Quartet (clockwise from left, Manaka Matsumoto, Dr. Joenne Dumitrascu, Dr. Stephen Gorgone and Wei-An Hung) present a free concert at All Souls Church in Stony Brook on May 6.
Thursday May 4

SCCC Spring Concert

Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Department of Music, 533 College Road, Selden invites the community to a free spring concert in the Shea Theatre, Islip Arts Building at 7 p.m. featuring orchestra, guitar ensemble, Suffolk Singers and college choir. No tickets required.

Friday May 5

First Friday at the Heckscher

Celebrate First Friday at The Heckscher Museum of Art from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Explore the exhibitions including the Museum’s annual high school juried exhibition Long Island’s Best during extended viewing hours and enjoy a special performance by Huntington High School student musicians at 7 p.m. Free admission. Questions? Call 631-380-3230.

Vanderbilt Evening Birdwatch

Join the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport for an Evening Birdwatch and Architecture Tour with the Museum’s director of curatorial affairs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Participants will enjoy the unique opportunity to view the Vanderbilt estate at dusk, when the grounds are closed but the birds are active. Bring binoculars. Walks will also be held on April 7 and 21, and May 5 and 19. Tickets are $12, free for members. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

SCCC Spring Concert

Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Department of Music, 533 College Road, Selden invites the community to a free spring concert in the Shea Theatre of the Islip Arts Building at 7 p.m. featuring a contemporary music ensemble, jazz ensemble and symphonic band. No tickets required.

Saturday May 6

Outdoor Thrift Garage Sale

Rescheduled from April 29. Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown hosts an Outdoor Thrift Garage Sale fundraiser from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. around the double garage in the Sweetbriar parking lot. Featuring household items, bric-a-brac, antiques, collectibles and other treasures! Money goes back into the wildlife center. Call 631-979-6344.

Tree Fest in Setauket

Join the Four Harbors Audubon Society for its 2nd annual Tree Fest on the grounds of the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Educational activities, face painting, live animal presentations, native plant sale and more. Rain date is May 7.  Free. For more info, visit www.4has.org.

Tag, Bake and Plant Sale

Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook hosts a Tag, Bake and Plant Sale fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop for gently used items and crafts from local vendors, pick up a baked item for dessert and choose a plant for your garden. Call 631-751-0574.

Spring Festival at the Hatchery 

Rescheduled from April 29. Join Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor for a Spring Festival fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy music, games, kid’s fishing, food, environmental exhibitors and live animal encounters. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. Call 516-631-692-6768 for more information.

I Love My Park Day

Drop by Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown for I Love My Park Day from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Meet at Nature Museum. The project is placing wood chips on the walking trails. Bring work gloves and wear long pants and socks. Call 631-265-1054.

Civil War Encampment

Farmingville Historical Society invites the community to a Civil War Encampment at the Bald Hill School House, 507 Horseblock Road, Farmingville from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with soldiers from the 9th Virginia Infantry, Co. C; 30th Virginia Infantry Co. B; and 67th NY Co. K. See how life was during the Civil War at the one-room school house with drills and musket firing, period food demonstrations and much more. Free. Visit www.farmingvillehistoricalsociety.org.

Fiber Days at Benner’s Farm

Join Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket for Fiber Days today and May 7 from noon to 4 p.m. Watch the sheep being sheared for the summer on Saturday only and enjoy demonstrations on how to clean and card the freshly sheared fleeces, how to spin those fibers into yarn, how to knit and weave the yarn to make clothing. Walk around the farm to meet the many farm animals and take part in a Baby Animal Circle. Garden plants will be available for sale. $10 adults, $8 children and seniors. Call 631-689-8172.

Little Shelter Anniversary Party

Rescheduled from April 29. Join Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center, 33 Warner Road, Huntington in celebrating its 96th anniversary with a sweet-treat extravaganza and Garden Party at 3 p.m. Held rain or shine. Call 631-368-8770.

Whitman String Quartet in concert

All Souls Church, 61 Main St. Stony Brook continues its Saturdays at Six concert series with a performance by the Whitman String Quartet, doctoral music students and graduates from Stony Brook University, at 6 p.m. Program will include works by Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Piazzolla, and Borodin. Free. Please bring a can of food to be donated to a local food pantry. Call 631-655-7798.

Huntington Men’s Chorus concert

St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church, 29 Clay Pitts Road Greenlawn hosts a concert by the Huntington Mens Chorus at 7 p.m. Conducted by Henry McDonagh III, the program will include a tribute to Frank Sinatra. Tickets are $18 adults, $16 seniors and students in advance at www.huntingtonmenschorus.org/$20 at the door. 

Sunday May 7

Fiber Days at Benner’s Farm

See May 6 listing.

Car Show & Swap Meet

The “Long Island Cars” Car Show & Swap Meet returns to the LICH Amphitheater at Bald Hill, 1 Ski Run Lane in Farmingville form 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hundreds of classic and collectible automobiles including street rods, muscle cars, antiques, exotics and imports will be on display along with a vendor swap meet, cars for sale, food and more. Admission is $10 per person, children under 12 years of age are free. Free parking. Call 631-567-5898 or visit www.LongIslandCars.com.

Spring Village Craft Fair

Rescheduled from April 30. Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown hosts a Spring Village Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with over 100 vendors featuring crafts, home décor, jewelry and more with festival food and live music. Free admission. Call 631-846-1459.

Spring Craft & Vendor Fair

The Polish American Independent Club Ladies Auxiliary will host a Spring Craft & Vendor Fair at the Polish Hall, 35 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with over 30 vendors, Polish food, raffles and more. Something for everyone. Free admission. Questions? Call 516-383-3456.

Sheep to Shawl Festival

Join the Huntington Historical Society for its annual Sheep to Shawl Festival at the Dr. Daniel Kissam House, 434 Park Ave., Huntington from noon to 4 p.m. with live sheep shearing demonstrations, carding, spinning, weaving, knitting, food, games, music and crafts. Free admission. For more information, call 631-427-7045.

Muster Day at the Arsenal

Step back in history for a day in 1775 as the Huntington Militia hosts a Muster Day at the Arsenal and Village Green, 425 Park Ave., Huntington in conjunction with the Sheep to Shawl Festival from noon to 4:30 p.m.  Featuring a Men-at-Arms drill, firing of muskets, firing of canon, and cooking over an open campfire. The Arsenal will be open for tours on a schedule through the day. Free. Questions? Call 631-223-8017.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Stony Brook University’s Wang Center, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook presents its annual Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival from noon to 5 p.m. Welcome spring to Long Island with the blooming of sakura (cherry blossoms), the sounds of taiko drums, Koto plays, Japanese traditional dances, martial arts demonstrations, calligraphy workshops, ikebana flower arrangement, tea workshops, manga drawing, origami paper folding, kimono dress-ups, and cosplay for all ages. Held rain or shine. Admission of $30, $20 students/seniors, $10 children ages 6 to 12 includes all film viewings, workshops, and theater presentations. For tickets, visit www.thewangcenter.org/events.

Silver Chords concert

The Silver Chords presents a free concert, The Times They Are A-Changin’, A Journey Through the Changing World of Music and Culture, at the  Bates House, 1 Bates Road, Setauket at 2 p.m. The program features  Amazing Grace, The Music of MGM, This Land Is Your Land, Sumer Is Icumen In, Louder Than Words, and many more. With fabulous gift basket raffles/handicap accessible. Call 631-235-3593 for details.

Sip & Shop For a Cause 

The Gino Macchio Foundation hosts a Sip & Shop event at the Port Jefferson Moose Lodge, 37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road, Mount Sinai from 3 to 7 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of shopping with creative vendors, hors d’oeuvres, raffles, plus DJ & dancing. Tickets are $60 per person. Funds raised will support the foundation’s Recovery to Work Program and Oyster Project. To purchase tickets, visit www.ginomacchiofoundation.com. For more information, call 631-496-6179.

Dance Theatre of Harlem at SBU

One of the premier companies performing today, Dance Theatre of Harlem comes to Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Art’s Main Stage, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook to captivate the hearts and minds of audiences with their incredible performances at 7 p.m. Its signature company of 18 dancers performs a forward-thinking repertoire of traditional works and contemporary pieces. Tickets range from $42 to $75. To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.

Monday May 8

Rocky Point BOE Forum

The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a forum for Board of Education candidates in the Rocky Point School District at the Sound Beach firehouse, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach at 8 p.m.  Doors will open at 7 p.m. to give everyone the chance to submit questions. All are welcome. For more information, call 631-744-6952.

Tuesday May 9

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station welcomes licensed private investigator Don Longo for a presentation titled “Scam Alert: Don’t Be A Victim” at 11 a.m. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee among other refreshments will be served. $5 per person, $3 members. Call 631-928-3737 for more information.

Civil War presentation

The Bates House, 1 Bates Road, Setauket hosts a presentation by Cliff Eastman and Rob Walker on the equipment and uniforms of the Union soldiers during the Civil War along with the history of Company H of the 119th New York, organized in the Town of Hempstead at 7 p.m. Eastman and Walker are members of Company H, 119th New York Volunteers, “Willis Company,” based out of Old Bethpage Village Restoration. $10 per person. To register, visit www.frankmelvillepark.org.

An evening of Swing Dance

Swing Dance Long Island, a non-profit social dance club, holds weekly dances every Tuesday evening at the  Huntington Moose Lodge, 631 Pulaski Rd. Greenlawn with beginner swing lessons at 7:30 p.m. and dancing from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Singles and beginners are welcome.  No partner necessary. Admission is $15 on DJ night,  $20 on band night on the third Tuesday of the month. Call 516-521-1410.

Miller Place BOE Forum

The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a forum for Board of Education candidates in the Miller Place School District at the Sound Beach firehouse, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach at 8 p.m. Doors will open at 7 p.m. to give everyone the chance to submit questions. All are welcome. For more information, call 631-744-6952.

Wednesday May 10

No events listed for this day.

Thursday May 11

Lunch & Learn

Huntington Historical Society continues its Lunch & Learn series with a presentation by Bill Bleyer titled The True Story of the Culper Spy Ring at Matteo’s Restaurant, 300 Jericho Turnpike, Huntington from noon to 2 p.m. $55, $50 members includes a gourmet three-course meal, dessert and house wine. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org or call 631-427-7045.

Theater

Summer Shakespeare Festival

The Carriage House Players kick off the 34th annual Summer Shakespeare Festival in the mansion courtyard of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) on May 5, 12 13 and 26 at 8 p.m. and May 7, 14 and 21 at 7 p.m. Three Shakespeare enthusiasts attempt to do the impossible: Act their way through all of The Bard’s 37 plays in one night. They comedically stumble their way through in a hilarious race against the clock, and what they don’t remember, they simply make up on the spot! Tickets are $20, $15 children under 12. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

‘Pride@Prejudice’

Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson, presents the Long Island premiere of Pride @ Prejudice from April 7 through May 6. Watch Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy fall in love all over again — this time filtered through the world of the internet. Five actors play nearly two dozen roles in this hilarious and moving homage to Jane Austen’s most beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘The Sound of Music’

Up next for the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is The Sound of Music from May 18 to July 2. The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music has won the hearts of audiences worldwide. Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘Something Rotten!’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage productions with Something Rotten! from May 20 to June 24.  Living in the shadow of Renaissance rock star The Bard, two brothers set out to write the world’s first musical in this hilarious mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first-century Broadway. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being to thine own self be true—and all that jazz! Contains adult humor and situations. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Film

‘Soul of the Ocean’

Join the Four Harbors Audubon Society for movie night screening of Soul of the Ocean at the Smithtown Library, 1 North Country Road, Smithtown on May 5 at 6:30 p.m. The film explores the complexity of ocean ecosystems and highlights the critical role biodiversity plays in maintaining a healthy ocean. Free and open to all.  Reservations required by calling 631-766-3075 or 631-360-2480, ext. 232.

‘Harry Chapin’

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will hold a special film screening of the documentary Harry Chapin: When in Doubt, Do Something which celebrates the extraordinary life and activism of LIMEHOF inductee singer songwriter Harry Chapin from Huntington Bay on May 6 at 2 p.m. Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Please bring a non-perishable food donation for Long Island Cares. The screening is free with admission to the museum. To order, visit www.LIMEHOF.org.

Class Reunions

Save the date! Port Jefferson Class of 1964 will hold its 60th high school reunion at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 17, 2024. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected].

METRO photo

By Fr. Francis Pizzarelli

Father Frank Pizzarelli

What will it take for the country to push the pause button and then reset? We are a nation that is out of control. The pandemic has only underscored how out of control we are.

We are losing hundreds of young people every day due to fentanyl, heroin and suicide. The nation has declared that we have a national heroin epidemic but what is being done to address this tragic health concern that is killing more than 100,000 lives a year?

Yes, we are making Narcan more available but what about holistic residential treatment beds? There are no beds anywhere. Yes, a few for-profit programs have emerged in the midst of this crisis but what about the working class and working poor? How do they pay for evidence-based treatment for their children?

No one wants to challenge the insurance empire that is sentencing so many of our at- risk people to death. It is scandalous that an insurance gatekeeper with no training decides whether or not your son or daughter gets treatment! So many of these gatekeepers are clueless about addiction; our silence in this regard is deafening

How many more young people have to die before we say enough? If human life is such a priority, then challenge our paralyzed leadership to work together for systematic change in the treatment of substance use disorder and mental health.

Our social welfare system in Suffolk County needs to be overhauled department by department. Instead of empowering the broken and wounded to healing and change, our system is setting people up for failure. Your tax dollars are being wasted on a system that is inept and incapable of breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence among the people they are supposed to serve.

For more than 40 years in the trenches I have seen firsthand our destructive system at work I have seen countless homeless men set up for failure because we have no real transitional housing for them. We do not have enough case managers and social workers to assist them for so many of them are mentally ill and dependent.

The state is once again using fancy rhetoric to trick us with their new initiative to keep troubled youth at home. These troubled youth are young people between the ages of 12 and 17 who already have stolen cars, assaulted people and some are even in dangerous gangs. We have few to no mental health services in our local communities to support these young people and their families.

The few programs that do exist are being forced to close; soon we will have no help and no resources for families in need.

We are blessed to have a dynamic commissioner of social services in Suffolk County in the person of Frances Pierre. She is a talented and gifted professional who is being shackled by a legislature that lack the vision and commitment to the most vulnerable and broken among us. Our commissioner needs to be free to do her job. We need to raise our voices in support of her!

Father Francis Pizzarelli, SMM, LCSW-R, ACSW, DCSW, is the director of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.

We still have a lot to learn with diabetes, but our understanding of how to manage lifestyle modifications, specifically diet, is becoming clearer. METRO photo
Soy puts less stress on the kidneys than animal protein

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

There are many myths about managing type 2 diabetes that circulate. Fortunately, our understanding of diabetes management is continually advancing, and some older guidance deserves to be retired. Let’s review a few common myths and the research that debunks them.

Should fruit be limited or avoided?

Fruit in any form, whether whole, juiced, or dried, has been long considered taboo for diabetes patients. This is only partly true.

Yes, fruit juice and dried fruit should be avoided, because they do raise or spike glucose (sugar) levels. This includes dates, raisins, and apple juice, which are often added to “no sugar” foods to sweeten them. The same does not hold true for whole fresh or frozen fruit. Studies have demonstrated that patients with diabetes don’t experience sugar level spikes, whether they limit whole fruits or consume an abundance (1). In a different study, whole fruit was shown to actually reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (2).

In yet another study, researchers looked at the impacts of different types of whole fruits on glucose levels. They found that berries reduced glucose levels the most, but even bananas and grapes reduced these levels (3). That’s right, bananas and grapes, two fruits people associate with spiking sugar levels and increasing carbohydrate load, actually lowered these levels. The only fruit tested that seemed to have a mildly negative impact on sugars was cantaloupe.

Whole fruit is not synonymous with sugar. One of the reasons for the beneficial effect is the fruits’ flavonoids, or plant micronutrients, but another is their fiber.

Do all carbohydrates raise your sugars?

Fiber is one type of carbohydrate that has distinct benefits. We know fiber is important for reducing risk for a host of diseases and for managing their outcomes. This is also true for type 2 diabetes. 

In the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and NHS II, two very large prospective observational studies, plant fiber was shown to help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (4). Researchers looked at lignans, a type of plant fiber, specifically examining the metabolites enterodiol and enterolactone. They found that patients with type 2 diabetes have substantially lower levels of these metabolites in their urine, compared to the control group without diabetes. There was a linear, or direct, relationship between the amount of metabolites and the reduction in risk for diabetes. So, the more they ate, and the more metabolites in their urine, the lower the risk. The authors encourage patients to eat more of a plant-based diet to get this benefit.

Foods with lignans include cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower; an assortment of fruits and whole grains; flaxseed; and sesame seeds (5). The researchers could not determine which plants contributed the greatest benefit. They wrote that they believe antioxidant activity drives this effect.

Should you avoid soy when you have diabetes?

In diabetes patients with nephropathy (kidney damage or disease), soy consumption showed kidney function improvements (6). There were significant reductions in urinary creatinine levels and proteinuria (protein in the urine), both signs that the kidneys are beginning to function better.

This was a small, randomized control trial over a four-year period with 41 participants. The control group’s diet consisted of 70 percent animal protein and 30 percent vegetable protein, while the treatment group’s diet consisted of 35 percent animal protein, 35 percent textured soy protein and 30 percent vegetable protein.

This is very important, since diabetes patients are 20 to 40 times more likely to develop nephropathy than those without diabetes (7). It appears that soy protein may put substantially less stress on the kidneys than animal protein. However, those who have hypothyroidism and low iodine levels should be cautious about soy consumption, since some studies suggest it might interfere with synthetic thyroid medications’ effectiveness (8).

Is bariatric surgery a good alternative to changing my diet?

Bariatric surgery has grown in prevalence for treating severely obese (BMI>35 kg/m²) and obese (BMI >30 kg/m²) diabetes patients. In a meta-analysis of 16 randomized control trials and observational studies, the procedure illustrated better results than conventional medicines over a 17-month follow-up period in treating HbA1C (three-month blood glucose measure), fasting blood glucose and weight loss (9). During this time period, 72 percent of those patients treated with bariatric surgery went into diabetes remission and had significant weight loss.

However, after 10 years without proper management involving lifestyle changes, only 36 percent remained in remission with diabetes, and a significant number regained weight. Thus, even with bariatric surgery, altering diet and exercise are critical to maintaining long-term benefits.

We still have a lot to learn with diabetes, but our understanding of how to manage lifestyle modifications, specifically diet, is becoming clearer. Emphasizing a plant-based diet focused on whole fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes can improve your outcomes. If you choose a medical approach, bariatric surgery is a viable option, but don’t forget that you need to make significant lifestyle changes to accompany the surgery in order to sustain its benefits.

References:

(1) Nutr J. 2013 Mar. 5;12:29. (2) Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Apr.;95:925-933. (3) BMJ online 2013 Aug. 29. (4) Diabetes Care. online 2014 Feb. 18. (5) Br J Nutr. 2005;93:393–402. (6) Diabetes Care. 2008;31:648-654. (7) N Engl J Med. 1993;328:1676–1685. (8) Thyroid. 2006 Mar;16(3):249-58. (9) Obes Surg. 2014;24:437-455.

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.

STAYING AFLOAT Come cheer on the teams at Stony Brook University’s 34th annual Roth Regatta on April 28. File photo by David Luces/TBR News Media
Thursday April 27

Comedy fundraiser at the LIM

Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook hosts a Laugh Till You Give! comedy fundraiser in the History Museum featuring comedy legend Bobby Collins at 6:30 p.m. $100 per ticket includes wine, beer, refreshments and appetizers. Proceeds support the LIM’s education programs and exhibitions. To order, visit www.longiwlandmuseum.org. For more info, call 631-751-0066, ext. 247.

Long Island Guitar Festival

The Long Island Guitar Festival continues tonight at the Setauket Presbyterian Church, 5 Caroline Ave., Setauket at 7:30 p.m. and runs through April 30.  Scheduled performers include Berta Rojas, Laura Snowden, João Luiz & Friends Quartets, Boyd Meets Girl, Harris Becker, James Erickson, Laura Lessard, Octavio Deluchi, Gabriele Leite, Eduardo Gutterres, Penelope Shvarts, The Hofstra University Chamber Choir and many more. Master Classes will be given by Laura Snowden and João Luiz and luthier Brian Itzkin will lead a discussion/Q&A on Guitar Building in Granada, Spain. For a full schedule of events and tickets, visit www.ligfest.net.

Friday April 28

Long Island Guitar Festival

See April 27 listing.

SBU Roth Regatta

Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook hosts its 34th annual Roth Regatta at Roth Pond at Roth Quad from 1 to 4:30 p.m. with a pregame opening at noon. A Stony Brook University tradition since 1989, the event showcases students in single, two and four-person homemade cardboard boats trying to sail across the campus’ 200-yard Roth Pond in a high-spirited and festive competition that marks the beginning of final exams.

An Evening of Jazz

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents jazz fusionist trombonist Ray Anderson in concert at 7 p.m. Anderson’s performance is part of the launching of the Jazz Loft’s new Institute for New Music, an affiliate of the Jazz Loft, which will serve as an “musical and artistic incubator” by providing time and space to new artists in a supportive setting. Anderson will be joined by Mark Helias on bass and Moshe Elmakias on piano. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students $15 children at www.thejazzloft.org.

Hawaiian/Polynesian Night

Join the Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum for a Hawaiian/Polynesian Night at the RJO School auditorium, 99 Old Dock Road, Kings Park at 7 p.m. Featuring dance performances by Island Inspiration NY  and Ohana Mokuloa. Free admission/donations appreciated. Visit www.kpheritagemuseum.net or call 631-269-3305 for more information.

Symphony Orchestra concert

The Northport Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of guest conductor Eric Mahl, will present a concert of classical music concert at Northport High School, 154 Laurel Hill Road, Northport at 8 p.m. Program will include Symphony No. 5 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikowsky, as well as compositions by Samuel Taylor-Coleridge and Ernest Chausson. Tickets are $10 at the door. Visit www.northportsymphony.org.

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. Call 631-928-9100 for further details.

Saturday April 29

Long Island Guitar Festival

See April 27 listing.

Outdoor Thrift Garage Sale – This event has been postponed to May 6.

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown hosts an Outdoor Thrift Garage Sale fundraiser from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. around the double garage in the Sweetbriar parking lot. Featuring household items, bric-a-brac, antiques, collectibles and other treasures! Money goes back into the wildlife center. Call 631-979-6344 for additional information.

Spring Festival at the Hatchery – This event has been postponed to May 6.

Join Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor for a Spring Festival fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date May 6) Enjoy music, games, kid’s fishing, food, environmental exhibitors and live animal encounters. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. Call 516-692-6768 for more information.

Arbor Day Walk

Town of Brookhaven hosts an Arbor Day Walk at West Meadow Beach, Trustees Road, Stony Brook at 10 a.m. and again at Cedar Beach 240 Harbor Beach Road, Mount Sinai at 2 p.m. Come take a closer look at the trees that shape the landscape and support the ecosystem on these beautiful north shore peninsulas. Bring binoculars to better see the birds and animals that live in or visit these trees. Free but registration is required by emailing [email protected].

Middle Country Community Festival – This event has been postponed indefinitely.

Join the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce for a Community & Music Festival at the Centereach Turf Field, Elks Club Lodge parking lot and surrounding areas along Horseblock Road in Centereach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy musical entertainment featuring SouthBound and The Band Easy Street, craft and business vendor tables, food trucks, beer garden, children’s activities and much more. Held rain or shine. Admission for ages 12 and over is $5. For more information, call 631-681-8708.

Antiques and Garden Weekend 

Port Jefferson Historical Society presents the 15th annual Antiques and Garden Weekend at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson today and April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring  estate and antique Jewelry, quilts, folk art, furniture, vintage linens, artwork, depression glass, memorabilia, retro items, vintage garden items and Suwassett Garden Club Plant Boutique.  Admission is $6. For more information, visit www.portjeff-antiques-garden.net or call 631-473-2665.

Astronomy Day at the Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will celebrate Astronomy Day 2023, an international celebration of educational programs designed to engage audiences in the awe-inspiring fields of Earth and space science, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with crafts, science demos, planetarium shows, solar observing and more. Astronomy Day continues in the evening from 8 to 10 p.m. in the Rose Garden adjacent to the planetarium where visitors will have a chance to see close up views of the Moon and other celestial highlights in the nighttime sky. Daytime activities are free to all visitors who pay general admission. Evening observing is free. Visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org for more info.

Tea with a Spot of History

Three Village Historical Society continues its Tea with a Spot of History series with a presentation titled The Bald Eagle Comeback on Long Island with Patricia Paladines, co-president of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, at noon. RSVP at [email protected] or call 631-751-3730.

Spring Carnival Fundraiser

Smithtown Nursery School, 490 North Country Road, St. James invites the community to a Spring Carnival Fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. with games, face painting, cotton candy, raffle baskets, and a special animal presentation by Sweetbriar Nature Center at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 per child, children under 2 FREE. Call 631-584-6767 for further details.

Little Shelter Anniversary Celebration – This event has been postponed to May 6.

Join Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center, 33 Warner Road, Huntington in celebrating its 96t anniversary with a sweet-treat extravaganza and Garden Party at 3 p.m. Held rain or shine. Call 631-368-8770 for further info.

Night at the Races

Selden FD Dixon Engine Company 3, 44  Woodmere Place, Selden hosts a Night At The Races at 6 p.m. with the first race at 7 p.m. $10 donation gets you one free bet and chance to win a door prize. Complimentary beer, wine, soda and hot dogs. For more information, call 631-732-1234.

Chamber Choir Concert

The North Shore Chamber Choir presents a spring concert celebrating contemporary composers at the First Presbyterian Church, 107 South St., Port Jefferson at 7 p.m. Program will feature the world premiere of the choral work, “On Being Human,” by Brian Dozier Brown as well as original works by Chelsea Lowe, Ben Yee-Paulson and Voss. Selections from Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen and Gustav Holst. The concert will also feature the Long Island Brass Guild, accompanying the choir as it performs John Rutter’s “Gloria.” A reception will follow. Tickets are $20, available at the door. A second spring concert will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, 1488 North Country Road, Wading River on April 30 at 7 p.m. (free will donation). For more info, email [email protected]. 

Sunday April 30

Long Island Guitar Festival

See April 27 listing.

Antiques and Garden Weekend

See April 29 listing.

Chamber Choir Concert

See April 29 listing.

Caumsett Hike

Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a 6-mile hike through the Eastern section of the park from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. to observe the parks beauty. Adults only. $4 per person. Registration is required by calling 631-423–1770.

Spring Village Craft Fair – This event has been postponed to May 7.

Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown hosts a Spring Village Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with over 100 vendors featuring crafts, home décor, jewelry and more with festival food and live music. Free admission. Rain date is May 7. For more information, call 631-846-1459.

Silver Chords concert

The Silver Chords presents a free concert, The Times They Are A-Changin’, A Journey Through the Changing World of Music and Culture, at the  Moose Lodge, 631 Pulaski Road, Greenlawn at 2 p.m.  with fabulous gift basket raffles. Call 631-816-5813 for more details.

Classical Music Concert

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, E. Setauket will host a Le Petit Salon de Musique classical music concert featuring acclaimed pianist and Yamaha featured artist Alexandria Le at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 students with valid I.D., $10 for children ages 12 and under at the door or at www.lepetitsalon.org. Please call 631-751-0297 for group pricing (10 or more). 

Monday May 1

No events listed for this day.

Tuesday May 2

University Orchestra Concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook hosts a University Orchestra concert on the Main Stage at 7:30 p.m. Conducted by Susan Deaver, the program will include Turina Procession du Rocio, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 and Brahms Violin Concerto with featured soloist Elvina Liu. Tickets are $10 , $5 seniors and students. Call 631-632-2787 to order.

Wednesday May 3

Cinco De Mayo Paint & Sip Nite

Join the Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport for a Cinco De Mayo Paint & Sip Nite at 6 p.m. Society Director and local artist Caitlyn Shea leads you on a painting adventure using margarita glasses as your canvas! $50 per person includes paint supplies, smocks and Cinco de Mayo-themed beverages. For ages 21+ only. To register, visit www.northporthistorical.org. For more information, call 631-757-9859.

Thursday May 4

SCCC Spring Concert

Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Department of Music, 533 College Road, Selden invites the community to a free spring concert in the Shea Theatre of the Islip Arts Building at 7 p.m. featuring a contemporary music ensemble, jazz ensemble and symphonic band. No tickets required.

Theater

‘Pride@Prejudice’

Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson, presents the Long Island premiere of Pride @ Prejudice from April 7 through May 6. Watch Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy fall in love all over again — this time filtered through the world of the internet. Five actors play nearly two dozen roles in this hilarious and moving homage to Jane Austen’s most beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’

The swashbuckling musical adventure The Scarlet Pimpernel heads to the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport from March 16 to April 30. Percy Blakeney, a proper Englishman, takes on a sword fighting and dashing double identity as The Scarlet Pimpernel to save French citizens from the blood-hungry guillotine. His exploits soon become the talk of Paris, however, the fanatical Agent Chauvelin will stop at nothing to catch the Pimpernel and send him to the guillotine. Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

Film

‘Radioactive …’

Join the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington for a special screening of a new local documentary, Radioactive: The Women of Three Mile Island, on April 29 at 7 p.m. Compelling and significant, the film explores the worst commercial nuclear accident in U.S. history, and the grassroots movement to prevent the nuclear power industry from covering it up. A panel discussion, Q&A and reception with director Heidi Hutner, stars Beth Drazba, Paula Kinney, Linda Braasch, Joyce Corradi, Joanne Doroshow, and editor & producer Simeon Hutner will follow. Tickets are $19, $14 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘Singin’ in the Rain’

Celebrate St. James continues its Classic Movie Series at the Calderone Theatre, 176 Second St., St. James with a viewing of Singin’ in the Rain on April 30 at 1 p.m. followed by insights, commentary and discussion. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets are $25 per person, $20 seniors. To register, visit www.celebratestjames.org. Questions? Call 631-984-0201.

‘Kiss the Ground’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will screen the documentary Kiss the Ground on April 30 at 3 p.m. Presented as part of Huntington Interfaith Climate Week, Kiss the Ground is an inspiring and groundbreaking film that reveals the first viable solution to our climate crisis. Narrated by Woody Harrelson. Followed by a discussion with stewardship program advisor and teacher Don Smith via Zoom. Tickets are $8 at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘Names, Not Numbers’

Suffolk Y JCCC. 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack invites the community to the premiere screening of a student produced Holocaust documentary Names, Not Numbers at Stage 74 on April 30 at 4 p.m. Featuring inspiring stories of survival from Mrs. Pearl Friend Mrs. Irene Halegua and Mr. Meir Usherovitz. Tickets are $25 in advance at www.syjcc.org, $36 at the door, free for students under age 18. Questions? Call 631-462-9800.

Kidney health. METRO photo
Walking routinely can reduce your risk of dialysis

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Last week, I wrote that 37 million U.S. adults have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and that roughly 90 percent of them don’t know they have it (1).

This seems like a ridiculous number. How can this happen? It’s because CKD tends to be asymptomatic, initially. Only in the advanced stages do symptoms become evident, although there can be vague symptoms in moderate stages such as fatigue, malaise and loss of appetite. Those at highest risk for CKD include patients with diabetes, high blood pressure and those with first-degree relatives who have advanced disease. But those are only the ones at highest risk.

Why is CKD a concern?

Your kidneys function as efficient little blood filters. As I mentioned last week, they remove wastes, toxins and excess fluid from the body. In addition, they play roles in controlling blood pressure, producing red blood cells, maintaining bone health, and regulating natural chemicals in the blood.  

When they’re not operating at full capacity, the consequences can be heart disease, stroke, anemia, infection and depression, among others.

According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American College of Physicians, those who are at highest risk should be screened regularly, including patients with diabetes or hypertension (2)(3). 

Fortunately, there are several options available, ranging from preventing CKD with specific exercise to slowing the progression with lifestyle changes and medications.

Does basic exercise help?

The results of a study show that walking reduces the risk of death by 33 percent and the need for dialysis by 21 percent (4).

Those who walked more often saw greater results. So, the participants who walked one-to-two times a week had a 17 percent reduction in death and a 19 percent reduction in kidney replacement therapy, while those who walked at least seven times per week experienced a more impressive 59 percent reduction in death and a 44 percent reduction in the risk of dialysis. There were 6,363 participants with an average age of 70, who were followed for an average of 1.3 years.

How does protein intake affect CKD?

With CKD, more protein is not necessarily better, and it may even be harmful. In a meta-analysis of 17 Cochrane database studies of non-diabetic CKD patients who were not on dialysis, results showed that the risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease, including the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant, was reduced 36 percent in those who consumed a very low-protein diet, rather than a low-protein or a normal protein diet (5).

Should you limit sodium consumption?

Good news! In a study, results showed that a modest sodium reduction in our diet may be sufficient to help prevent proteinuria (protein in the urine) (6). Here, less than 2000 mg per day was shown to be beneficial, something all of us can achieve.

Are some high blood pressure medications better than others?

We routinely give certain medications, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, to patients who have diabetes to protect their kidneys. What about patients who do not have diabetes? ACEs and ARBs are two classes of anti-hypertensives — high blood pressure medications — that work on the kidney systems responsible for blood pressure and water balance (7). Results of a study show that these medications reduced the risk of death significantly in patients with moderate CKD. Most of the patients were considered hypertensive.

However, there was a high discontinuation rate among those taking the medications. If you include the discontinuations and regard them as failures, then all who participated showed a 19 percent reduction in risk of death, which was significant. However, if you exclude discontinuations, the results are much more robust with a 63 percent reduction. To get a more realistic picture, this result, including both participants and dropouts, is probably close to what will occur in clinical practice unless patients are highly motivated.

Should you take NSAIDs?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include ibuprofen and naproxen, have been associated with CKD progression and with kidney injury in those without CKD (1). NSAIDs can also interfere with the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors or ARBs. Talk to your doctor about your prescription NSAIDs and any other over-the-counter medications you are taking.

What should I remember here?

It’s critical to protect your kidneys, especially if you have hypertension, diabetes, or a family history of kidney disease. Fortunately, basic lifestyle modifications can help; lowering sodium modestly, walking frequently, and lowering your protein consumption may all be viable options. Talk to your physician about your medications — both prescription and over-the-counter — and about whether you need regular screening. High-risk patients with hypertension or diabetes should definitely be screened; however, those with vague symptoms of lethargy, aches and pains might benefit, as well.

References:

(1) cdc.gov. (2) uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org (3) aafp.org. (4) Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2014;9(7):1183-9. (5) Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;(10):CD001892. (6) Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2014;23(6):533-540. (7) J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;63(7):650-658.

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.

A RETURN ENGAGEMENT Sheléa returns to the Staller Center for the Arts in concert on April 22. Photo by Courtney Baron
Ongoing

Flip Circus heads to Lake Grove

The circus is coming to town! As part of its 2023 national tour, FL!P Circus will put down stakes at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove from April 14 to 24. Ringmaster Arthur Figueroa serves as host of this new circus adventure which will feature audience favorites Stiv and Roni Bello, Italy’s “siblings of silliness”; a trapeze act by Carolina Vazquez; and the Duo Vanegas on the rotating Wheel of Steel. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and  1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets start at $25 for children and $40 adults with senior/military/handicap discounts available. For tickets and additional information, visit www.FlipCircus.com. Tickets will also be available in person at the box office during each engagement. For more information, call 877-829-7839.

Thursday April 20

Gallery North reception

Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket hosts an opening reception for its latest exhibit,  Tell Me Something Back: Abstractions by Tom Brydelsky, a selection of recent works by Tom Brydelsky, from 6 to 8 p.m. The show is on view from April 13 to May 21 with an ArTalk on April 29 and a collage and painting workshop on May 7. Details can be found at www. gallerynorth.org. For more information, call 751-2676.

Tribute to Tina Turner

Cinema Art Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Rock Legends Live! series with a Tina Turner Celebration at 7:30 p.m. Join for an evening of rare and thrilling performance films of the musical legend who is often referred to as “The Queen of Rock and Roll.” Tickets are $15, $10 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

Friday April 21

Vanderbilt Evening Birdwatch

Join the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport for an Evening Birdwatch and Architecture Tour with the Museum’s director of curatorial affairs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Participants will enjoy the unique opportunity to view the Vanderbilt estate at dusk, when the grounds are closed but the birds are active. Sturdy hiking footwear is strongly suggested, and participants are asked to bring their own binoculars. Walks will also be held on April 7 and 21, and May 5 and 19. Tickets are $12, free for members. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Viking Auction

Sons of Norway, Loyal Lodge #25 hosts a Viking Auction at the St. James Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 230 Second Ave., St. James at 6:30 p.m. $10 admission includes 25 tickets, coffee, tea and cake. Second level, third level and 50/50 tickets available for purchase. Questions? Call 229-395-6390.

Saturday April 22

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Comsewogue HS Craft Fair

Comsewogue High School, 565 Bicycle Path, Port Jefferson Station hosts a Community Connections Craft Fair fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with over 50 vendors offering baked goods, hot food, candy, homemade crafts and more. Free admission. For more information, call 428-2530.

Health & Wellness Fest

The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce presents its 14th annual Health & Wellness Fest at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Get important information to meet your health and wellness needs. Over 50 health and wellness professionals will be participating including St. Charles, Mather Hospital–Northwell Health, and Stony Brook Medicine with a food court, music, rowing, electric bikes, painting and lots of free giveaways. Free admission. Call 473-1414 or visit www.portjeffhealth.com for more information.

Antiques in April

Huntington Historical Society presents its annual multi-vendor antiques & collectibles sale, Antiques in April, at the Kissam House, 434 Park Ave., Huntington today and April 23 from 10 am. to 4 p.m. Browse beautiful antiques from dealers all across Long Island along with furniture, books, and smalls from the Kissam barn. The Society’s Antiques and Collectibles Shop will also be open for fabulous finds. Free admission. Held rain or shine. Call 427-7045 for more information.

Spring Festival & Street Fair

Rocky Point Sound Beach Chamber presents its 2nd annual Spring Festival & Street Fair at 175 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date April 23). This free family-friendly event will celebrate the arrival of spring and will feature vendors, fun games and activities, and lots of great food. For more information, visit www.rpsbchamber.org.

A visit from Chief Joseph

Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson welcomes back Maasai Chief Joseph Ole Tipanko and his delegation from Kenya from noon to 4 p.m. Learn about Maasai daily life, traditions, family responsibilities and enjoy a traditional dance and song performance. Handmade jewelry and other art items will be for sale. Free. Call 835-1520 for further info.

Wet Paints exhibit reception

The Wet Paints Studio hosts an artists’ reception for its group exhibit at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson from 1 to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served. The exhibit is on view on the second floor of the Center through April 27. For more info, call 513-2675.

Premiere of ‘We Are Guardians’ 

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will premiere a new show, We Are Guardians: How Satellites Help Us To Save the Planet, at 3 p.m. Find out how, with the help of satellites and scientific study, we can understand the links between human activities and climate change, and what we can do to work together to improve the health of our shared home. Best suited for ages 8 and up. Tickets are $15 adults, $13 seniors and students, $13 children ages 12 and under. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Sheléa in concert

Back by popular demand! After bringing down the house in 2021, Sheléa returns to Stony Brook University’s Staller Center Recital Hall, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook at 8 p.m.  With a voice that stirs the soul and hands that glide effortlessly over the keys, Sheléa represents a return to true artistry that has garnered attention and adoration from legends throughout the music industry as she brings a contemporary edge to classics and a classic touch to contemporary pop standards. Tickets range from $42 to $58. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.

Sunday April 23

Antiques in April

See April 22 listing.

Car Show fundraiser

The Fabulous 50s & 60s Nostalgia Car Club presents its annual judged car show fundraiser at The Maples, 10 Ryerson Ave., Manorville from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with 50/50 raffles, vendors and more. Rain date April 30. Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities and Judy’s Run Stroke Awareness. For more information, call 463-4983.

Cars & Guitars fundraiser

Miller’s Ale House, 88 Veterans Highway, Commack hosts the 7th annual Hope for Warriors Cars & Guitars classic car show fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $15 car registration day of event, first 100 cars will receive gift bags. Free for spectators with live music. No rain date. Call 493-2370.

Open House brunch fundraiser

Celebrate St. James invites the community to a Sunday Brunch at the St. James Community and Cultural Center, 176 Second St., St. James hosted by NYS Senator Mario Mattera to save the historic Calderone Theatre from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Suggested minimum donation of $20 per person. For tickets, visit www.celebratestjames.org.

Jazz & Art at the LIM

The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook presents Cool Rhythms: Intersections of Jazz & Art at 2 p.m. The creative cross pollination between modern visual art and jazz music is a vital American story. Through artist talks and a jazz performance, the Museum will explore these crosscurrents between music and art with The National Jazz Museum in Harlem and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. This Smithsonian Affiliate program is inspired by two LIM exhibitions: Romare Bearden: Artist as Activist and Visionary and Creative Haven: Black Artists of Sag Harbor. Tickets are $10, free for members at www.longislandmuseum.org.

WLIR Radio Day at the LIMEHOF

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will present WLIR Radio Day at 3 p.m. Scheduled to appear is LIMEHoF Inductee Denis McNamara, Larry “the Duck” Dunn, Donna Donna and Max “the Mighty Maxximizer” Leinwand. Free with admission to the museum. For more information, call 689-5888 or visit www.limusichalloffame.org.

Fashion Show in Port Jeff

The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce & Fedora Lounge Boutique Hair Salon presents the Vogue in the Village Fashion show at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from 6 to 9 p.m. Local vendors will be showing clothing, jewelry, and so much fashion. Come early at 6 p.m. to check out vendors at the Market Place before the show at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 at the door. Questions? Call 473-1414. 

Monday April 24

No events listed for this day.

Tuesday April 25

An evening of Swing Dance

Swing Dance Long Island, a non-profit social dance club, holds weekly dances every Tuesday evening at the  Huntington Moose Lodge, 631 Pulaski Rd. Greenlawn with beginner swing lessons at 7:30 p.m. and dancing from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Singles and beginners are welcome.  No partner necessary. Admission is $15 on DJ night,  $20 on band night on the third Tuesday of the month. Call 516-521-1410.

A Band Called Honalee in concert

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Events series with a concert featuring A Band Called Honalee at 8 p.m. The modern-day folk trio is inspired by the music and legacy of Peter, Paul & Mary. Musically accomplished, interactive, and energetic, their shows allow audiences to experience this timeless music live onstage once again. Satisfying diehard Peter, Paul & Mary lovers as well as newcomers to this wonderful era of music, the band’s shows feature all of PPM’s beloved hits, including “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Blowing in the Wind,” and of course “Puff The Magic Dragon.” Tickets are $45 per person. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Wednesday April 26

Long Island Guitar Festival

Setauket Presbyterian Church, 5 Caroline Ave., Setauket kicks off the 31st annual Long Island Guitar Festival tonight at 7:30 p.m. and runs through April 30.  Scheduled performers include Berta Rojas, Laura Snowden, João Luiz & Friends Quartets, Boyd Meets Girl, Harris Becker, James Erickson, Laura Lessard, Octavio Deluchi, Gabriele Leite, Eduardo Gutterres, Penelope Shvarts, The Hofstra University Chamber Choir and many more. Master Classes will be given by Laura Snowden and João Luiz and luthier Brian Itzkin will lead a discussion/Q&A on Guitar Building in Granada, Spain. For a full schedule of events and tickets, visit www.ligfest.net.

Seed Saving Workshop

Huntington Historical Society presents a Seed Saving Workshop at the Conklin Barn, 2 High St., Huntington from 6 to 8 p.m. This class will introduce basic seed saving concepts and techniques, identifies what seeds can be easily saved, and how to plan your garden for optimal results. A hands-on component of the class will provide you with the opportunity to clean seeds for to take home. $15 per person, $10 members. Visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org or call 427-7045 to register.

Thursday April 27

Long Island Guitar Festival 

See April 26 listing.

Bobby Collins

Comedy fundraiser at the LIM

Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook hosts a Laugh Till You Give! comedy fundraiser in the History Museum featuring comedy legend Bobby Collins at 6:30 p.m. $100 per ticket includes wine, beer, refreshments and appetizers. Proceeds support the LIM’s education programs and exhibitions. To order, visit www.longiwlandmuseum.org. For more info, call 751-0066, ext. 247.

Theater

‘Pride@Prejudice’

Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson, presents the Long Island premiere of Pride @ Prejudice from April 7 through May 6. Watch Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy fall in love all over again — this time filtered through the world of the internet. Five actors play nearly two dozen roles in this hilarious and moving homage to Jane Austen’s most beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’

The swashbuckling musical adventure The Scarlet Pimpernel heads to the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport from March 16 to April 30. Percy Blakeney, a proper Englishman, takes on a sword fighting and dashing double identity as The Scarlet Pimpernel to save French citizens from the blood-hungry guillotine. His exploits soon become the talk of Paris, however, the fanatical Agent Chauvelin will stop at nothing to catch the Pimpernel and send him to the guillotine. For ticket info, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘The Comedy of Errors’

The Theatre at Suffolk County Community College, Ammerman campus, 533 College Road, Selden presents a production of The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare in the Shea Theatre in the Islip Arts Building on April 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and April 23 at 2 p.m. Mature content. General admission is $15. For tickets, call 451-4163. See review on page B15.

Film

‘In the Heart of the Sea’

Join Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for a screening of  In the Heart of the Sea starring Chris Hemsworth and Cillian Murphy on April 27 at 2 p.m. This film is part of the Long Island Reads Film Series. Open to all. Call 928-1212 to reserve your seat. 

Invest in your future on Earth Day. METRO photo

By Michael Christodoulou

Michael Christodoulou

It’s almost Earth Day, when people around the world focus on ways of protecting and preserving the environment. And the lessons from this occasion can be applied to other areas of life — such as investing.

Here are some themes to consider:

Sustainability – From an environmental perspective, sustainability encompasses a range of issues, such as using natural resources wisely. As an investor, you, too, need to protect your resources.

So, for example, to sustain a long-term investment strategy, you won’t want to dip into your retirement accounts, such as your IRA and 401(k), to pay for major home or car repairs or other unexpected, costly bills before retirement.

You can help prevent this by building an emergency fund containing several months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. And once you’re retired, you need to sustain your portfolio so it can help provide income for many years. For that to happen, you’ll need to maintain a withdrawal rate that doesn’t deplete your investments too soon.

Growth potential – Many people plant trees to celebrate Earth Day, with the hope that, as the trees grow, they’ll contribute to cleaner air. When you invest, you also need growth potential if you’re going to achieve your goals, including a comfortable retirement.

So, your portfolio will need a reasonable percentage of growth-oriented vehicles, such as stocks and stock-based mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Yet, you do need to be aware that these investments can lose value, especially during downturns in the financial markets. You can help reduce the impact of market turbulence on your holdings by also owning other types of investments, such as bonds, government securities and certificates of deposit (CDs).

While these investments can also lose value, they are typically less volatile than stocks and stock-based mutual funds and ETFs. The appropriate percentage of growth and fixed-income investments in your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon and long-term objectives.

Avoidance of “toxins” – At some Earth Day events, you can learn about positive behaviors such as disposing of toxic items safely. And in the investment world, you’ll also want to avoid toxic activities, such as chasing “hot” stocks that aren’t appropriate for your needs, or trading investments so frequently that you run up commissions and taxes or jumping out of the markets altogether when there’s a temporary decline.

Consolidation – Getting rid of clutter and unnecessary possessions is another lesson some people take away from Earth Day. All of us, when we look around our homes, could probably find many duplicate items — do we really need two blenders or three brooms or five staplers? When you invest, it’s also surprisingly easy to pick up “clutter” in the form of multiple accounts. You might have an IRA with one financial company and brokerage accounts with two or three others.

If you were to consolidate these accounts with one provider, you might reduce correspondence — even if it is online — and possibly even lower the fees you pay. But perhaps more important, by consolidating these accounts at one place, possibly with the guidance of a financial professional who knows your needs and goals, you may find it easier to follow a single, unified investment strategy.

Earth Day only happens once a year — but it may provide lessons for investors that can last a lifetime.

Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook. Member SIPC.

 

Vegetables and fruits.
Dietary changes can help control or reverse chronic kidney disease

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Your kidneys are workhorses; they perform an array of critical functions for you. Primarily, they filter waste and fluid from your body and maintain your blood’s health. They also help control your blood pressure, make red blood cells and vitamin D, and control your body’s acid levels.

When your kidney function degrades, it can lead to hypertension or cardiovascular problems and it may require dialysis or a kidney transplant in later stages. For the best outcomes, it’s critical to identify chronic kidney disease (CKD) early and adopt techniques to stop its advance. However, of the estimated 37 million U.S. adults who have CKD, as many as 9 in 10 are not aware they have it (1).

One of the challenges with identifying early-stage CKD is that symptoms are not obvious and can be overlooked. Among them are high blood pressure, hand or feet swelling, urinary tract infections, and blood in your urine (2).

Fortunately, there are simple tests, such as a basic metabolic panel and a urinalysis, that will indicate whether you may have mild CKD. These indices for kidney function include an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine level and protein in the urine. eGFR is a calculation and, while the other two indices have varying ranges, depending on the laboratory used, a patient with an eGFR of 30 to 59 is considered to have mild disease. The eGFR and the kidney function are inversely related, meaning as eGFR declines, the severity of CKD increases.

What can be done to stem early-stage CKD, before complications occur? There are several studies that have looked at lifestyle modifications and their impacts on its prevention, treatment and reversal.

How do other medical issues affect your kidneys?

Among the greatest risks for your kidneys are uncontrolled diseases and medical disorders, such as diabetes and hypertension (1). If you have – or are at risk for – diabetes, be sure to control your blood sugar levels to limit kidney damage. Similarly, if you currently have hypertension, controlling it will put less stress on your kidneys. 

For these diseases, it’s crucial that you have your kidney function tested at least once a year.

In addition, obesity and smoking have been identified as risk factors and can be managed by making lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.

Can diet help protect your kidneys?

Fruits and vegetables may play a role in helping patients with CKD. In a one-year study with 77 patients, results showed that fruits and vegetables work as well as sodium bicarbonate in improving kidney function by reducing metabolic acidosis levels (3).

What is the significance of metabolic acidosis? It means that body fluids become acidic, and it is associated with CKD. The authors concluded that both sodium bicarbonate and a diet including fruits and vegetables were renoprotective, helping to protect the kidneys from further damage in patients with CKD. Alkali diets are primarily plant-based, although not necessarily vegetarian or vegan. Animal products tend to cause an acidic environment.

In the Nurses’ Health Study, results show that animal fat, red meat and sodium all negatively impact kidney function (4). The risk of protein in the urine, a potential indicator of CKD, increased by 72 percent in those participants who consumed the highest amounts of animal fat compared to the lowest, and by 51 percent in those who ate red meat at least twice a week. With higher amounts of sodium, there was a 52 percent increased risk of having lower levels of eGFR.

The most interesting part with sodium was that the difference between higher mean consumption and the lower mean consumption was not that large, 2.4 grams compared to 1.7 grams. In other words, a difference of approximately a quarter-teaspoon of sodium was responsible for the decrease in kidney function.

The National Kidney Foundation recommends diets that are higher in fruit and vegetable content and lower in animal protein, including the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and plant-based diets (5). 

In my practice, when CKD patients follow a vegetable-rich, nutrient-dense diet, there are substantial improvements in kidney functioning. For instance, for one patient, his baseline eGFR was 54. After one month of lifestyle modifications, his eGFR improved by 9 points to 63, which is a return to “normal” functioning of the kidney. Note that this is anecdotal, not a study.

What are our takeaways?

It is important to have your kidney function checked with mainstream tests. If the levels are low, you should address the issue through medications and lifestyle modifications to manage and reverse early-stage CKD. If you have common risk factors, such as diabetes, smoking, obesity or high blood pressure, or if you are over 60 years old, talk to your doctor about testing. 

Don’t wait until symptoms and complications occur. In my experience, it is much easier to treat and reverse a disease in its earlier stages, and CKD is no exception.

References:

(1) CDC.gov. (2) kidneyfund.org. (3) Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013;8:371-381. (4) Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010; 5:836-843. (5) kidney.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.

ART IN BLOOM Four garden clubs will participate in this year’s Art in Bloom event at the Hecksher Museum of Art in Huntington on April 15 and 16. Above, a North Suffolk Garden Club display from 2022. Photo courtesy of Heckscher Museum
Ongoing

Flip Circus heads to Lake Grove

The circus is coming to town! As part of its 2023 national tour, FL!P Circus will put down stakes at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove from April 14 to 24. Ringmaster Arthur Figueroa serves as host of this new circus adventure which will feature audience favorites Stiv and Roni Bello, Italy’s “siblings of silliness”; a trapeze act by Carolina Vazquez; and the Duo Vanegas on the rotating Wheel of Steel. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and  1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets start at $25 for children and $40 adults with senior/military/handicap discounts available. For tickets and additional information, visit www.FlipCircus.com. Tickets will also be available in person at the box office during each engagement. For more information, call 877-829-7839.

Thursday April 13

Atelier art reception

The Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield,  Suite #9, St. James hosts an opening reception for its’ latest exhibit, WOW! You’ve Got to See This!  by Kirk Larsen in Atelier Hall at 5:30 p.m. The exhibit runs through May 25. For more info, call 631-250-9009.

Vanderbilt Planetarium lecture

At 7 p.m. the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport welcomes Dr. David Munns, professor of history at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, for an evening lecture on the diverse technical systems needed to support life in space. Munns’s lecture will draw heavily from his 2021 book Far Beyond the Moon: A History of Life Support Systems in the Space Age. Tickets are $10, free for members, at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Avalon Astronomy event

The Observatories at Avalon Nature Preserve, Shep Jones Lane, Stony Brook will be hosting a live observing session (weather permitting) focusing on Venus, Mars, and various deep sky objects from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Outdoor event, dress for weather. Free. Call 631-689-0619 for more information.

Friday April 14

Fling Into Spring Carnival

Kick off Spring at the annual Fling into Spring Carnival at Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mt. Sinai tonight from 6 to 10:30 p.m., April 15 from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and April 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Come out for a weekend of fun featuring exciting rides for all ages by Newton Shows, plenty of mouth watering eats and treats, carnival games & prizes, children’s magic shows on Saturday and Sunday, and so much more! Admission to the carnival is free. Pay one Price ride wristbands, good for unlimited rides on the day of purchase, are $40 at the door, or $32 in advance at www.newtownshows.com.

Third Friday at the Reboli

The Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook hosts a free art history lecture with award-winning artist Kevin McEvoy from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. as part of its Third Friday series. Light refreshments will be served, no reservations are required to attend. Call 631-751-7707.

A Night of Opera

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 270 Main St., Northport hosts a concert by Opera Night Long Island at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an entertaining assortment of vocal excerpts from famous and beloved operas. Refreshments will be served. $10 donation, students free. Visit www.operanight.org.

Grounds and Sounds Concert

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket hosts a Grounds and Sounds concert  featuring James O’Malley with special guests The Mountain Maidens and 3 of Hearts at 8:45 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with an open mic at 8 p.m. Light refreshments for sale. Tickets are $15 per person, available in advance at www.groundsandsounds.org or at the door. Questions? Call 631-751-0297.

Saturday April 15

Fling Into Spring Carnival

See April 14 listing.

Birdwatch-Architecture Tours

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will offer an early morning Birdwatch and Architecture Tour with the Vanderbilt’s director of curatorial affairs at 8 a.m. Participants will enjoy the unique opportunity to view the Vanderbilt estate in the early dawn hours, when the grounds are still closed but the birds are active. Sturdy hiking footwear is strongly suggested. Participants are asked to bring their own binoculars. Tickets are $12 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Art in Bloom

The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington presents its 4th annual Art in Bloom today and April 16 from noon to 5 p.m. The event features 12 floral arrangements from the museum’s four garden club partners — Asharoken Garden Club, Dix Hills Garden Club, North Suffolk Garden Club (Stony Brook), and South Side Garden Club (Bay Shore), that draw inspiration from artworks on view in Viewfinders: Photographers Frame Nature and Raise the Roof: The Home in Art. Visit www.heckscher.org.

Sunday April 16

Fling Into Spring Carnival

See April 14 listing.

Art in Bloom

See April 15 listing.

Car Show & Swap Meet

Long Island Cars will present their “Super Swap Sunday” Car Show and Swap Meet at Flowerfield Fairgrounds off Route 25A in Saint James from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m..  with classic and collectible automobiles including show cars from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, one-of-a-kind custom cars, antiques, exotics, street rods, muscle cars and imports, live music by The Fugitives, fun fair food and more. Rain date is April 23. Admission is $10, children 12 and under are free. Call 631-567-5898 or visit www.LongIslandCars.com.

Caumsett Hike

Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Ave., Huntington for an adult hike, Nature on the Move, from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Enjoy a slow to moderate pace for 4 miles while you observe and discuss the fields and woods in Caumsett. $4 per person. Reservations are required by calling 631-423–1770.

St. Baldrick’s fundraiser

Join the Three Village Dads Foundation for a St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser to conquer children’s cancer at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3054, 8 Jones St., Setauket from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rockabilly Barbers East will be shaving the heads of the brave volunteers raising money, food, raffles, comedy, music and much more. $25 per person at the door. For more information, call 631-371-3239 or visit 3vdfoundation.org.

Spring Appreciation Day

Spring Appreciation Day returns to the Stony Brook Village Center, 97 Main St., Stony Brook with live music, a car show, a petting zoo and scavenger hunts with prizes from noon to 3 p.m. Featuring a petting zoo, Mustang and Shelby Club of Long Island car show, music by Brenda and Burke, scavenger hunts and more. The Stony Brook Grist Mill, 100 Harbor Road, Stony Brook will also be open for tours ($4 for adults, $2 for children, cash only) from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 631-751-2244.

Living History lecture

Celebrate St. James continues its Living History series at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James with a visit from Richard Smith, Mayor of Nissequogue and 10th generation descendant of Richard “Bull” Smith at 1 p.m. Explore what life was like in Smithtown during the time of the Revolutionary War and hear the real “bull” story. Tickets are $25, $20 members at www.celebratestjames.org. Call 631-984-0201 for more information.

Northport Walking Tour

Join the Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport for Parading Down Main Street, a lively and informative walking tour of Northport’s historic Main Street business district led by Dan Sheehan, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Tickets are $7 per person at www.northporthistorical.org.

LITMA Contradance

Long Island Traditional Music Association will host a Contradance at the Frank Brush Barn, 215 E. Main St., Smithtown at 2 p.m. with basic instruction at 1:45 p.m. With caller Bob Isaacs and live music by Torrent playing a lively mix of Irish, Scottish, French Canadian and traditional New England tunes. $15 general admission, $10 LITMA members, students half price, children under 16 free with paid adult. Call 631-369-7854 for further information.

The Como Brothers in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will host a concert by The Como Brothers from 3 to 4 p.m. Free with admission to the museum. For more information, call 631-689-5888 or visit www.limusichalloffame.org.

Ridotto concert

Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington hosts a Ridotto concert, Capriccio, at 4 p.m.  A program inspired by the Capriccios of Tiepolo and Goya. Natasha Farny, violoncello solo plays Capricci by Abaco, Bach’s Cello Suite No. 2, and music by Shaw. Kinga Augustyn, violin solo, in music by Biber and Capriccios by Grazyna Bacewicz. Francisco Roldan, guitar, plays Tarrega and Albeniz. Tickets are $35, $30 seniors, $25 members, $12 students. For reservations, call 631-385-0373, or email [email protected].

Monday April 17

TVHS lecture

Three Village Historical Society continues its lecture series at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket or via Zoom with Born in Brookhaven with Brookhaven Town Historian Barbara M. Russell at 7 p.m. Born in Brookhaven features people who were born in the Town of Brookhaven and are renown nationally or internationally for their contributions. Attendees will be able, at the conclusion, to suggest additional names for consideration. Suggested donation, free for members. To register, visit www.tvhs.org.

Tuesday April 18

Long Island Graveyards lecture

Frank Melville Memorial Park hosts a lecture at the Bates House, 1 Bates Road, Setauket titled Long Island Graveyards & Cemeteries at 7 p.m. Join Park Manager Robert von Bernewitz in learning about Setauket area gravesites, notable people buried on Long Island, different types of cemeteries, types of burial markers and more. Tickets are $10 per person at www.frankmelvillepark.org.

An evening of Swing Dance

Swing Dance Long Island, a non-profit social dance club, holds weekly dances every Tuesday evening at the  Huntington Moose Lodge, 631 Pulaski Rd. Greenlawn with beginner swing lessons at 7:30 p.m. and dancing from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Singles and beginners are welcome.  No partner necessary. Admission is $15 on DJ night,  $20 on band night on the third Tuesday of the month. Call 516-521-1410.

The Prodigals in concert

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Events series with a concert featuring The Prodigals at 8 p.m. The band combines original lyrics and melody with a genuine passion for the traditional music of Ireland and a funky energy that is pure New York. The roots of the music are unmistakably traditional Irish; the branches that shoot off delve into rock, worldbeat, jazz and punk, and the result has been called “the best Irish trad-rock band. Tickets are $45 per person. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Wednesday April 19

Garden Club program

Wading River Congregational Church, 2057 North Country Rd, Wading River will host a meeting by the Shoreham-Wading River Garden Club at 7 p.m. Club member Annika Shapiro will speak on the fascinating topic of medicinal plants. Admission is free, light refreshments will be served and all are welcome. For more information, call 631-987-3733.

Eco Printing workshop

Huntington Historical Society continues its adult workshop series at the Conklin Barn, 2 High St., Huntington with Eco Printing workshop from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Using natural sources of dye, make a scarf using an eco print of leaves and flowers. $55 per person, $50 members. Register at www.huntingtonhistorialsociety.org or call 631-427-7045.

MP-MS Historical Society seminar

Miller Place-Mount Sinai Historical Society presents a seminar titled Enrico Fermi: Voyage to a New World at the Rose Caracappa Center, 739 Route 25A, Mt. Sinai at 7 p.m. Presenter Edward A. Sierra will discuss the life and work of Nobel Prize winner physicist Enrico Fermi. Free and open to all. Call 631-476-5742.

Miller Place Homemakers Auction

Miller Place High School, 15 Memorial Drive, Miller Place hosts the Miller Place Homemakers annual auction at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Entrance fee is $5 and a food pantry item and includes a door prize ticket and 25 auction tickets. Raffle baskets, refreshments and 50/50 raffle also. Proceeds benefit community service projects. 

Thursday April 20

Gallery North reception

Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket hosts an opening reception for its latest exhibit,  Tell Me Something Back: Abstractions by Tom Brydelsky, a selection of recent works by Tom Brydelsky, from 6 to 8 p.m. The show is on view from April 13 to May 21 with an ArTalk on April 29 and a collage and painting workshop on May 7. Details can be found at www. gallerynorth.org.

Theater

‘Pride@Prejudice’

Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson, presents the Long Island premiere of Pride @ Prejudice from April 7 through May 6. Watch Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy fall in love all over again — this time filtered through the world of the internet. Modern voices interject and build on this classic love story in the form of blog posts, chat room discussions, quotes from film adaptations, and even letters from Ms. Austen herself to create a delightfully postmodern view of 19th century England. Five actors play nearly two dozen roles in this hilarious and moving homage to Jane Austen’s most beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit theatrethree.com.

‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’

The swashbuckling musical adventure The Scarlet Pimpernel heads to the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport from March 16 to April 30. Percy Blakeney, a proper Englishman, takes on a sword fighting and dashing double identity as The Scarlet Pimpernel to save French citizens from the blood-hungry guillotine. His exploits soon become the talk of Paris, however, the fanatical Agent Chauvelin will stop at nothing to catch the Pimpernel and send him to the guillotine. For ticket info, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘The Comedy of Errors’

The Theatre at Suffolk County Community College, Ammerman campus, 533 College Road, Selden presents a production of The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare in the Shea Theatre in the Islip Arts Building on April 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and April 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. Mature content. General admission is $15. For tickets, call 631-451-4163. 

‘(Mostly) True Things’

The Performing Arts Studio, 224 E. Main St, Port Jefferson presents (Mostly) True Stories With A Twist “A Rough Start,” a game wrapped in a storytelling show that features true stories, with a twist, on April 15 at 7 p.m. This show features 4 true stories but 3 of them include subtle little lies. In the second act, the audience questions the storytellers, then votes for the person they think told it straight. Winners get a tote bag, and the whole truth about each story is shared before the end of the evening. It is a combination of comedy, heart and community that is truly a unique experience. Hosted by Jude Treder-Wolff, performers will include Nina Lesiga and David Lawson. Tickets are $15 online at Eventbrite or $20 at the door (cash only). Visit www.mostlytruethings.com. 

Film

‘All is Lost’

Join Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for a screening of All is Lost starring Robert Redford as a man lost at sea on April 13 at 2 p.m. This film is part of the Long Island Reads Film Series. Open to all. Call 631-928-1212 to reserve your seat.

NY Dog Film Festival

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington hosts the 7th annual NY Dog Film Festival, a collection of short films celebrating the love between dogs, their people and the animal welfare groups that bring them together, on April 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, $10 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

Long Island Jewish Film Festival

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington hosts its first Long Island Jewish Film Festival from April 14 to 16. The three-day celebration of Jewish cinema and culture will feature documentaries, dramas and historical significant films curated by David Schwartz. For a full line-up, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘Bobi Wine: The People’s President’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues on April 17 with a screening of Bobi Wine: The People’s President at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station at 7 p.m. First-time co-directors Christopher Sharp and journalist Moses Bwayo tell the story of Bobi Wine, the musician-turned-politician leading the opposition to the 35-year regime in Uganda. Withstanding arrests, torture, and violence from the government, Bobi Wine and his wife Barbie risk their own lives and the lives of their children to lead their country towards freedom. Guest speakers via Zoom will be Co-Directors Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo. Tickets are $10 at the door or at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

On the Waterfront

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Best of the Big Screen series with On the Waterfront on April 18 at 7 p.m. with an introduction by Philip Harwood. Marlon Brando gives the performance of his career as the prizefighter-turned-longshoreman, Terry Malloy, in this masterpiece of urban poetry. Tickets are $15, $10 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.