In honor of Earth Day 2023, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and PSEG Long Island, in partnership with the New York State Urban Forestry Council and the Arbor Day Foundation, will provide 225 customers in Suffolk County with a free tree through the Energy-Saving Trees program. The program showcases how planting the right trees in the right location can reduce utility bills and promote ongoing system reliability.
“It is always a pleasure to work alongside PSEG Long Island, they truly do incredible work in providing the community with valuable resources to help cut energy costs,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “In the spirit of Earth Day, this upcoming event will allow residents to choose a tree that will not only help reduce their energy bills but also support our air quality. Together we all can make a meaningful impact on the environment.”
“Strategically planting energy-saving trees helps save up to 20% on summer energy bills once the trees are fully grown, while also improving air quality and reducing storm water runoff for all residents across Long Island,” said David Lyons, PSEG Long Island’s Interim president and Chief Operating Officer.
The free energy-saving trees can be reserved at www.arborday.org/pseglongisland until all trees are claimed. The reserved trees will then be available for pick-up on Friday, April 21, at the H. Lee Dennison Building , 100 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All reserved trees will be held until noon, when they will become available on a first come, first served basis.
The Energy-Saving Trees online tool helps customers estimate the annual energy savings that will result from planting trees in the most strategic location near their homes or businesses. All customers that participate will receive one tree and are expected to care for and plant them in the location provided by the online tool, taking into account utility wires and obstructions. The types of trees offered include the following: red maple, white flowering dogwood, willow oak and scarlet oak.
PSEG Long Island will also be on site at the H. Lee Dennison Building on April 21 to share information about energy saving and financial assistance programs. In addition, they will distribute reusable shopping bags and free LED lightbulbs to save customers money and energy, and to support the environment. Information, shopping bags and lightbulbs are available to all customers. The Energy-Saving Trees must be reserved ahead of time at link above.
Even if you don’t use a salt shaker, you’re likely getting more sodium than the current guidelines. METRO photo
Eating whole foods can improve your odds of victory
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
We hear a lot about sodium and the importance of limiting your sodium intake. But what if you don’t have a health condition like hypertension? Should you still be concerned? The short answer is, “yes.” Most of us consume far too much sodium, as much at 3,400 mg per day, without even trying (1). Even if we don’t have hypertension, the impact of sodium on our health can be dramatic.
Sodium is everywhere, including in foods that don’t taste salty. Bread products are among the worst offenders. Other foods with substantial amounts of sodium include cold cuts and cured meats, cheeses, pizza, poultry, soups, pastas, sauces and, of course, snack foods. Processed foods and those prepared by restaurants are where much of our consumption occurs (2).
On the flip side, only about two percent of people get enough potassium from their diets (3). According to the National Institutes of Health, adequate intake of potassium is between 2600mg and 3400mg for adult women and men, respectively.
Why do we compare sodium and potassium intakes?
A high sodium-to-potassium ratio increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 46 percent, according to a study that looked at more than 12,000 Americans over almost 15 years (4). In addition, both may have significant impacts on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. To improve our overall health, we need to shift the sodium-to-potassium balance so that we consume more potassium and less sodium. And if you struggle with high blood pressure, this approach could help you win the battle.
Can sodium intake be too low?
Before we dive in too far, let’s address an “elephant in the room.” I’ve read several commentaries where experts warn that too-low sodium levels can be a problem. While this is true, it’s quite rare, unless you take medications or have a health condition that depletes sodium. We hide sodium everywhere, so even if you don’t use a salt shaker, you’re likely getting more sodium than the current guidelines.
Why lower your sodium consumption?
Two studies illustrate the benefits of reducing sodium in high blood pressure and normotensive (normal blood pressure) patients, ultimately preventing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke.
The first used the prestigious Cochrane review to demonstrate that blood pressure is reduced by a significant mean of −4.18 mm Hg systolic (top number) and −2.06 mm Hg diastolic (bottom number) involving both normotensive and hypertensive participants (5). When looking solely at hypertensive patients, the reduction was even greater, with a systolic blood pressure reduction of −5.39 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure reduction of −2.82 mm Hg.
This was a meta-analysis that evaluated data from 34 randomized clinical trials, totaling more than 3,200 participants. Salt reduction from 9-to-12 grams per day to 5-to-6 grams per day had a dramatic effect. The researchers believe that the more we reduce the salt intake, the greater the effect of reducing blood pressure. The authors recommend further reduction to 3 grams per day as a long-term target for the population and concluded that the effects on blood pressure will most likely result in a decrease in cardiovascular disease.
In the second study, a meta-analysis of 42 clinical trials, there was a similarly significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures (6). This study included both adults and children. Both demographics saw a reduction in blood pressure, though the effect was greater in adults. Interestingly, an increase in sodium caused a 24 percent increased risk of stroke incidence but, more importantly, a 63 percent increased risk of stroke mortality. The risk of mortality from heart disease was increased alongside an increase in sodium, as well, by 32 percent.
Is potassium consumption important?
In a meta-analysis involving 32 studies, results showed that as the amount of potassium was increased, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (7). When foods containing 3.5 to 4.7 grams of potassium were consumed, there was an impressive −7.16 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure with high blood pressure patients. Anything more than this amount of potassium did not have any additional benefit. Increased potassium intake also reduced the risk of stroke by 24 percent. This effect was important.
The reduction in blood pressure was greater with increased potassium consumption than with sodium restriction, although this was not a head-to-head comparison. The good news is that potassium is easily attainable; it’s found in many whole foods and is richest in fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes.
The bottom line: decrease your sodium intake by almost half and increase potassium intake from foods. Lowering sodium intake may have far-reaching benefits, and it is certainly achievable. First, consume less and give yourself a brief period to adapt — it takes about six weeks to retrain your taste buds, once you cut your sodium. You can also improve your odds by increasing your dietary potassium intake, striking a better sodium-to-potassium balance.
References:
(1) Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2019 Mar. (2) www.cdc.gov. (3) www.nih.gov. (4) Arch Intern Med. 2011;171(13):1183-1191. (5) BMJ. 2013 Apr 3;346:f1325. (6) BMJ. 2013 Apr 3;346:f1326. (7) BMJ. 2013; 346:f1378.
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.
TRIBUTE TO THE QUEEN OF SOUL
CeCe Teneal celebrates the music and enduring legacy of Aretha Franklin at the John W. Engeman Theater on April 11.
Thursday April 6
Atelier lecture
The Atelier at Flowerfield in St. James will present an online lecture at 7 p.m. with artist Kirk Larsen who will tell you why you’ve “gotta” see his upcoming exhibition, “WOW!” You’ve Gotta See This”, which opens April 13. To register, go to https://theatelieratflowerfield.org/lectures or call 631-250-9009.
An Evening of Jazz
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents a concert by The Jazz Loft Big Band, a 26-piece Jazz Orchestra directed by Jazz Loft Director Tom Manuel, titled Stan Kenton’s Cuban Fire Suite tonight, April 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students, $25 children at www.thejazzloft.org. For more info call 631-751-1895.
Friday April 7
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.
Saturday April 8
Birding by the Beach
Town of Brookhaven presents a free environmental program, Birding by the Beach, at West Meadow Beach, Trustees Road, Stony Brook at 10 a.m. and again at the Cedar Beach Nature Center, Harbor Beach Road, Mt. Sinai at 2 p.m. Long Island is a popular stop over and nesting area for many avian species. Join the group in observing and identifying the birds that spend time on our coast. Please wear closed comfortable shoes, bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Registration is required by emailing [email protected].
Second Saturdays Poetry Reading
All Souls Church in Stony Brook continues its Second Saturdays Poetry Reading series via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Suffolk County Poet Laureate Richard Bronson, the featured poet will be Greg Alexander. An open-reading will follow;all are welcome to read one of their own poems.For more information, call 631-655-7798.Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/
Sunday April 9
Port Jefferson Farmers Market
The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market will be held at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 30. Featuring over 20 vendors. Call 473-4778.
Port Jefferson Easter Parade
The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce hosts the Port Jefferson Easter Parade in the Village of Port Jefferson at noon. Enjoy an old-fashioned “Easter Bonnet” walking parade from Theatre Three to the Port Jefferson Village Center (all are welcome to wear their Easter best and march) followed by an Easter Egg Hunt on Harborfront Park’s Great Lawn at 12:15 p.m. for children ages 2 to 8. Call 631-473-1414 for more info.
Monday April 10
Civic Association Meeting
The Sound Beach Firehouse, 152 Sound Beach Ave., Sound Beach will host a meeting by the Sound Beach Civic Association at 7:30 p.m.On the agenda is narcan training. Registration is required for anyone who wants a certificate of completion and an emergency resuscitation kit that includes nasal naloxone. Open to all. For more information call 631-744-6952.
Tuesday April 11
TV Garden Club Meeting
The Three Village Garden Club invites the community to attend its general membership meeting at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main Street, Setauket at 11 a.m. Guest speaker Kimberly Simmen of KMS Native Plants in Lake Grove will present a program titled “Insect Friends and Foes.” For further information, call 631-751-2743.
Stirring Up History
The Bates House, 1 Bates Road, Setauket presents Stirring Up History: The Timeline of Food with resident historic cook and educator Diane Schwindt from the Ketcham Inn museum at 7 p.m. From caveman to fast food and a lot in between…. explore moments in time that changed the course of food history. A display of authentic historic hearth ware will be discussed, concluding with food samples. A fun-filled evening of surprising facts that will leave you hungry for more! Tickets are $15 per person at www.frankmelvilllpark.org.
An evening of Swing Dance
Swing Dance Long Island, a non-profit social dance club, holds weekly dances every Tuesday evening at theHuntington 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.
Portrait of Aretha
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Events series with a concert titled Portrait of Aretha at 8 p.m. CeCe Teneal honors the legacy of the Queen of Soul with personalized interpretations of both popular and lesser-known songs from this 18-Grammy-Award-winning icon’s 50-year career, including “Chain of Fools,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Rock Steady,” and “Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do).” Tickets are $45 per person. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Wednesday April 12
Jam Session at the Jazz Loft
Join The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook for a Jam Session featuring The Jazz Loft Trio lead by Keenan Zach from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at 7 p.m., $5 after 8 p.m. To order, visit www.thejazzloft.org.
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 will host 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.
Theater
DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS? The Long Island premiere of Pride@Prejudice opens at Theatre Three this Friday night at 8 p.m. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three
‘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
‘Legacy’
Four Harbors Audubon Society presents a viewing of the documentary Legacy at the Smithtown Library, 1 North Country Road Smithtown on April 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Narrated by Sting, photographer and directorYann Arthus-Bertrand looks back on his life and fifty years of commitment to his photographic art and the planet’s plight. Free and open to all but reservations required by calling 631-766-3075 or 631-360-2480 ext. 232.
‘Lift’
The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues on April 10 at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson with Lift which shines a spotlight on the invisible story of homelessness in America through the eyes of a group of young homeless and home-insecure ballet dancers in New York City. The story centers around ballet dancer and mentor Steven Melendez, who was a seven-year-old boy living in a Bronx homeless shelter who had his life turned around when he was the recipient of the New York Theater Ballet (NYTB) Project LIFT’s generosity. Guest speakers will be Director David Petersen and Steven Melendez. Tickets are $10 at the door or at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.
New York Cat Film Festival
Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington hosts the 5th annual NY Cat Film Festival on April 10 at 7 p.m. This collection of short films from around the world educates, entertains, and help us explore the mystique of the fascinating felines who share our liveswith submissions from Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Iran, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, Poland, Spain, Taiwan and the UK. A portion of ticket sales benefit the Golden Paw Society, Inc. Tickets are $15, $10 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘Young Frankenstein’
The Cinema Arts Centre will screenthe comic gem Young Frankenstein on April 12 at 7 p.m. with an introduction by Glenn Andreiev. Part homage and part parody of Universal Pictures 1930s monster movies, Mel Brooks gives the old horror classic a riotous comic twist! Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick (Gene Wilder) inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor, and a leggy lab assistant, Inga, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestor as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather’s. Rated PG. Tickets are $15, $10 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.
UNDER THE SEA ART
Create an ocean-inspired origami scene at the Whaling Museum on April 13.
PROGRAMS
Superheroes of the Sky
Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents Superheroes of the Sky on April 8 from 11 a.m. to noon. Take part in a walking tour with Jim while he feeds the Center’s Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about bald eagles, turkey vultures, owls, hawks and many more. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 children at www.sweetbriarnc.org. Call 631-979-6344 for more info.
Fossil Finds
Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a family program, Fossil Finds, on April 8 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Take a journey through time and explore what kinds of plants and animals lived on Earth in the past. Learn about Earth’s natural history as you observe real fossils and simulate how they form. Explore how fossils are found, and how you can discover clues about the past by comparing them to life today. $4 per person. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure. Questions? call 631-269-4333.
Egg Drop Workshop
Hop on over to the Long Island Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson on Easter Sunday, April 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. or 3 to 5 p.m.for an “egg-cellent” adventure in engineering with Stony Brook University’s Biomedical Engineering Society! Kids will have a blast putting their engineering skills to the test as they design and build a structure to protect their eggs from a 10ft drop. The workshop is free with $5 paid admission to the Long Island Explorium but pre-registration is required by visiting www.longislandexplorium.org/events. Questions? Call 631-331-3277.
Books in the Barn
Smithtown Historical Society’s new Books in the Barn program for ages 3 to 5 with parent/caregiver continues on April 10, 17 and 24from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Meet at the newly refurbished Franklin O. Arthur Farm, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown to listen to stories about farms, barns and animals. Then visit with the chickens, bunnies, sheep, ponies and barn cats that call the farm home. Free. Open to all. To register, visit www.smithlib.org/children. For more information, call 631-360-2480, ext. 140.
Spring Break at the Hatchery
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor hosts several programs during spring break including Hatchery Tours (11 am.), Fish Feeding Demonstrations (at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) and Live Animal Encounters (2 p.m.) on April 10; Natural Art on April 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Bird Buffet on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Nature Detective on April 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. For more info, call 516-692-6768.
Teen Creators Comic Club
The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook hosts an 8-week after school Teen Creators Comic Club workshop for teens in middle and high school on Wednesdays April 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Students will learn about the art of creating comics by exploring overall concept, character development, setting, and storyline. Drawing skills will be developed, or started from scratch, as students work on backgrounds, faces and figures in motion and leave with their own comic creation. $90 per student. Register at www.longislandmuseum.org. For more information, call 631-751-0066 or visit www.longislandmuseum.org.
Ocean Origami
The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor presents an Ocean Origami drop-workshop for ages 7 and up on April 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. Did you know that in April of 1845, the Long Island whaleship Manhattan became the first American ship to enter Japan’s waters in over 200 years? Celebrate this anniversary and America’s enduring appreciation of Japanese artistry by creating an ocean-inspired origami scene. Admission fee + $10 participant; museum members $5. Call 631-367-3418 or visit www.cshfishhatchery.org.
FILM
‘The Prince of Egypt’
The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of The Prince of Egypt on April 9 at noon.The epic adventure tells the tale of two brothers — one born of royal blood, one an orphan with a secret past. As one becomes the ruler of a powerful empire and the other the chosen leader of his people, their final confrontation will forever change the world. Adapted from the story of Exodus. Rated G. Tickets are $12, $5 children 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
THEATER
‘Finding Nemo Jr.
The Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Finding Nemo Jr. on April 6, 7 and 8. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo Jr. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure. All seats are $25. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.
‘Seussical the Musical’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Seussical the Musical on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. through April 30 with a special sensory sensitive performance on April 15. “Oh the Thinks You Can Think!” Dive into the colorful world of Dr. Seuss as The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who sets off to save a speck of dust containing The Whos from destruction. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘The Adventures of Peter Rabbit’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off spring with The Adventures of Peter Rabbit from April 5 to 29 with a sensory sensitive performance on April 16 at 11 a.m. Join Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail, Mrs. Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny and the McGregors in this delightful adaption suggested by the characters created by Beatrix Potter, a Theatre Three tradition for spring break. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Every newspaper, every news channel, no matter what their politics are talking about the serious concerns around the mental health of the young people in our country.
The mental health of our youth is on the verge of becoming, if it has not already, a national health epidemic!
Social media is out of control. The pandemic has not helped this national crisis. Candidly, it has intensified it. So, what do we do? First, we need to destigmatize any kind of mental health and substance use disorders. We have to have the courage to act bravely to provide competent, cost-effective treatment services for mental health and addictive health.
Telehealth is a great resource but is already overbooked and is geared more to working with the middle/upper class. They have waiting lists that are endless. Private practice is overloaded as well. The clinics of yesteryear who are capable of reaching out to the underserved need to be resurrected and properly staffed.
Our local hospitals need additional funds to build on the excellent services that already exist but do not meet the epidemic need. Mental health must become a priority; too many young people are toying with suicide. Most don’t want to die they just want the pain and anguish to stop.
Too often that pain is intensified due to our social media platforms, which can be unbearable triggers for those who are already struggling with self-esteem and self-worth. We need to challenge our schools to be more effective in teaching better coping skills and also creating more safe places where students can go and talk without fear of judgment, shame, and guilt.
Most school districts should consider increasing their social work staff. If they don’t have any social workers on their staff, they should consider hiring competent social workers with plans to better serve our children who are at risk. We need more of a collaborative effort between mental health staff faculty, administrators and support staff. This kind of collaboration really does make a difference.
TJ was 16; he was shy to begin with. The pandemic made him even more self-conscious and shy. His only outlet was social media. When given the freedom to go out, he stayed in and spent his life on social media. He was a good student, a good young man at home. No one really knew how addicted he had become to social media. He had joined a growing number of invisible young people who are in so much pain and are so closed that they are falling between the cracks.
We need to stop talking and need to think outside the box. We need to demand funding that will allow us to create life-giving opportunities for all of our young people to build their self-worth, their self-confidence and their self-value so that they will know they really matter and can make a difference that counts!
Father Francis Pizzarelli, SMM, LCSW-R, ACSW, DCSW, is the director of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.
If you suffer from osteoarthritis, you know it can affect your quality of life and make it difficult to perform daily activities. Osteoarthritis (OA) most often affects the knees, hips and hands and can affect your mood, mobility, and sleep quality.
Common first-line medications that treat arthritis pain are acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Unfortunately, these medications have side effects, especially with long-term use. Also, while they might relieve your immediate symptoms of pain and inflammation, they don’t slow osteoarthritis’ progression.
Fortunately, there are approaches you can use to ease your pain without reaching for medications. Some can even help slow the progression of your OA or even reverse your symptoms.
What role does weight play?
Weight management is a crucial component of any OA pain management strategy. In a study involving 112 obese patients, those who lost weight reported easing of knee symptoms (1). Even more exciting, the study authors observed disease modification, with a reduction in the loss of cartilage volume around the medial tibia. Those who gained weight saw the opposite effect.
The relationship was almost one-to-one; for every one percent of weight lost, there was a 1.2 mm3 preservation of medial tibial cartilage volume, while the opposite occurred when participants gained weight. A reduction of tibial cartilage is often associated with the need for a knee replacement.
Does vitamin D help?
In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), vitamin D provided no OA symptom relief, nor any disease-modifying effects (2). This two-year study of almost 150 men and women raised blood levels of vitamin D on average to 36 ng/ml, which is considered respectable. Researchers used MRI and X-rays to track their results.
In another study of 769 participants, ages 50-80, researchers found that low vitamin D levels – below 25 nmol/l led to increased OA knee pain over the five-year study period and hip pain over 2.4 years (3). The researchers postulate that supplementing vitamin D might reduce pain in those who are deficient, but that it will likely have no effect on others.
How does dairy factor into OA?
With dairy, specifically milk, there is conflicting information. Some studies show benefits, while others show that it may contribute to the inflammation that makes osteoarthritis pain feel worse.
In the Osteoarthritis Initiative study, researchers looked specifically at joint space narrowing that occurs in those with affected knee joints (4). Results showed that low-fat (1 percent) and nonfat milk may slow the progression of osteoarthritis in women. Compared to those who did not drink milk, patients who did saw significantly less narrowing of knee joint space over a 48-month period.
The result curve was interesting, however. For those who drank from fewer than three glasses a week up to 10 glasses a week, the progression of joint space narrowing was slowed. However, for those who drank more than 10 glasses per week, there was less beneficial effect. There was no benefit seen in men or with the consumption of higher fat products, such as cheese or yogurt.
However, the study was observational and had significant flaws. First, the 2100 patients were only asked about their milk intake at the study’s start. Second, patients were asked to recall their weekly milk consumption for the previous 12 months before the study began — a challenging task.
On the flip side, a study of almost 39,000 participants from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study found that increases in dairy consumption were associated with increased risk of total hip replacements for men with osteoarthritis (5).
Getting more specific, a published analysis of the Framingham Offspring Study found that those who consumed yogurt had statistically significant lower levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a marker for inflammation, than those who didn’t eat yogurt, but that this was not true with milk or cheese consumption (6).
Would I recommend consuming low-fat or nonfat milk or yogurt? Not necessarily, but I might not dissuade osteoarthritis patients from yogurt.
Does exercise help with OA pain?
Diet and exercise trumped the effects of diet or exercise alone in a well-designed study (7). In an 18-month study, patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who lost at least 10 percent of their body weight experienced significant improvements in function and a 50 percent reduction in pain, as well as reduction in inflammation. This was compared to those who lost a lower percent of their body weight.
Researchers used biomarker IL6 to measure inflammation. The diet and exercise group and the diet-only group lost significantly more weight than the exercise-only group, 23.3 pounds and 19.6 pounds versus 4 pounds. The diet portion consisted of a meal replacement shake for breakfast and lunch and then a vegetable-rich, low-fat dinner. Low-calorie meals replaced the shakes after six months. The exercise regimen included one hour of a combination of weight training and walking “with alacrity” three times a week.
To reduce pain and possibly improve your OA, focus on lifestyle modifications. The best effects shown are with weight loss and with a vegetable-rich diet. In terms of low-fat or nonfat milk, the results are controversial, at best. For yogurt, the results suggest it may be beneficial for osteoarthritis, but stay on the low end of consumption, since dairy can increase inflammation.
References:
(1) Ann Rheum Dis. 2015 Jun;74(6):1024-9. (2) JAMA. 2013;309:155-162. (3) Ann. Rheum. Dis. 2014;73:697–703. (4) Arthritis Care Res online. 2014 April 6. (5) J Rheumatol. 2017 Jul;44(7):1066-1070. (6) Nutrients. 2021 Feb 4;13(2):506. (7) JAMA. 2013;310:1263-1273.
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.
The Jewish celebration of Passover (April 5 to 13) is one of the religion’s most sacred and widely observed holidays and commemorates the Biblical story of the Israelites’ escape from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. The holiday also includes all kinds of ceremonial foods but if there is one ingredient Passover celebrants may find challenging to work with during the holiday, it could be unleavened bread.
Typically matzoh/matzah is substituted for other yeasted breads this time of year. One place matzoh really shines is in matzoh balls for use in soups or side dishes. A dumpling of sorts, matzoh balls are tasty and filling, and ideal for meals throughout Passover. Try this recipe for “Perfect Matzah Balls (Kneidlach)” courtesy of Chabad.org’s Kosher Cooking.
Potato latkes, on the other hand, are delicious at any time of the year, but for Passover they are made with with matzo meal, the flour of a crisp unleavened bread that’s allowed during the holiday. The matzo meal provides a nice substitute for the flour and serves as the binding, along with the eggs, for the latkes in this recipe from AllRecipes.com.
Perfect Matzah Balls (Kneidlach)
Perfect Matzah Balls (Kneidlach)
YIELD:Makes 8 matzah balls (Meat, Pareve)
INGREDIENTS:
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons oil or chicken fat
2 tablespoons soup stock or water
1⁄2 cup matzah meal
1 teaspoon salt
1 quart of salted water for cooking
DIRECTIONS:
Beat eggs slightly with fork. Add other ingredients, except matzah meal, and mix. Add matzah meal gradually until thick. Stir. Refrigerate for 20 minutes in covered bowl.
Wet hands and form into balls. Drop into bubbling chicken soup or into a large wide pot into which 1 quart of water seasoned with 1 tablespoon salt has been added and has come to a boil. Cook for 30 minutes.
Passover Potato Latkes
Passover Potato Latkes
YIELD:Makes 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
6 medium Russet potatoes (peeled and shredded)
2 medium onions (shredded)
2 tablespoons matzo meal (or more as necessary)
2 large eggs
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup vegetable oil
DIRECTIONS:
Place the potatoes and onion into a bowl, and stir in matzo, eggs, salt and pepper as needed to make the mixture hold together. Add more matzo meal if the mixture is too runny. With wet hands, scoop up about 1/3 cup of the mixture per patty, and form into flat round or oval shapes.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, and gently place the patties into the hot oil. Fry until the bottoms are golden brown and crisp, 5 to 8 minutes, then flip with a spatula and fry the other side until golden.
Drain on paper towels and serve hot with apple sauce.
From left, Northport Historical Society curator Terry Reid, co-owners of the Engeman Theater Kevin O'Neill and Richard Dolce, and Northport Historical Society Executive Director Caitlyn Shea last Thursday night. Photo from NHS
On March 23, Northport Historical Society board and staff members joined theatergoers at the John W. Engeman Theater as Curator Terry Reid and Executive Director Caitlyn Shea presented co-owners of the theater Kevin O’Neill and Richard Dolce with the Northport Icon Award which honors the people and businesses that helped shape the Village of Northport.
After a fire in April 1932 left Northport’s first movie house (located at 256 Main Street) in ashes, The Northport Theater opened its doors on the site at 248-250 Main Street on November 23, 1932. The new theater was outfitted with 754 seats and offered the “latest and most popular pictures on the cinema screen” at the time. Although it changed hands several times, the movie theater remained in operation until 1999.
On June 30, 2006, Huntington resident and entrepreneur Kevin O’Neill and his wife, Patti, purchased the Northport Theater. O’Neill then partnered with theater expert and attorney, Richard Dolce, who had been running the Broadhollow Theater Company, to convert the Northport Theater into a year-round professional live theater. In tribute to Patti’s brother, Chief Warrant Officer Four John William Engeman, who was killed in Iraq on May 14, 2006, they renamed the theater the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport.
The Northport Icon Award coincides with the Northport Historical Society’s current exhibit, Iconic Northport, which opened last summer.Other recipients include Tim Hess/The Shipwreck Diner, The Weber Family/Seymour’s Boatyard, The Great Cow Harbor 10K Race,The Northport Yacht Club and Vincent Terranova/Jones Drug Store.
SUNDAY STREET CONCERT The Kennedys return to the Long Island Museum for a concert on April 2. Photo by Michael Stahl
Thursday March 30
Avalon Astronomy Night
Avalon Nature Preserve hosts an Astronomy Night at its Skylab off Shep Jones Lane, Stony Brook from 8 to 10 p.m. Take part in a live observing session (weather permitting) focusing on Venus, Mars, the Moon and various deep sky objects. Free. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, call 631-689-0619.
Friday March 31
Wintertide concert
The Wintertide concert series concludes at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson with a concert by Coppers & Brass, Hallockville musicians performing springtime tunes, from 7 to 8 p.m in the Sail Loft Room on the third floor. $5 donation at the door. Questions? Call 631-473-4778.
Robert Hansen heads to T3
Psychic medium, author and lecturer Robert E. Hansen returns to Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson on Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m. Join Hansen as he takes you on a journey through the other side of the veil. Messages of love will be randomly demonstrated to the audience. Tickets are $35 per person. 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. Call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Saturday April 1
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.
Spring Craft & Gift Fair
Spring shopping time is here! Newfield High School, 145 Marshall Drive Selden hosts a Spring Craft & Gift Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with 100 vendors! The indoor event will benefit the Newfield High School Leaders Club. Free admission. For more info, call 631-846-1459.
Historic North Fork Tales
Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead presents Historic North Fork Tales: Food Sovereignty, Food Sustainability, and Cultural Sustainability from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Josephine Smith, noted educator from the Shinnecock Nation, will discuss food sustainability and food sovereignty along with Native American arts, crafts, and historic food preparation. This class will include a food demonstration. Tickets are $30, $20 members at www.hallockvillemuseum.org.
Whaleboat Chats
The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor hosts a Whale Boat Chat surrounding the star of the museum’s permanent collection, the 19th century whaleboat Daisy, today at 11:30 a.m. and again at 12:30p.m. as well as April 5 at 12:30 pm. These educator-led gallery talks will share the story of whaling on Long Island and in Cold Spring Harbor specifically. Visitors will learn that people have been hunting whales here on Long Island for thousands of years. Free with admission to the museum of $6 adults, $5 children and seniors. Call 631-367-3418.
All Souls Concert
All Souls Church, 61 Main Street, Stony Brook, hosts a Saturdays at Six concert featuringThe Voyageur Reed Quintet, a group of music graduate students from Stony Brook and Rutgers University, at 6 p.m. Their repertoire includes 21st century works with a strong emphasis on rhythmic patterns and grooves as well as arrangements of classical pieces. Free. Call 631-655-7798 for more information.
An Evening of Comedy
Theatre Three, 412 Main St.. Port Jefferson presents Chris Roach Live!, a special Comedy Show and TV Pilot premiere featuring comedians Chris Road and Chris Monty at 8 p.m. Don’t miss a night of laughter and fun with two of the top comedians plus the premiere screening of Chris Roach’s new TV pilot, Jiggle the Handle! Tickets are $45. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Sunday April 2
Intro to Wilderness Survival
Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for an Introduction to Wilderness Survival program from 9:45 a.m. to noon. In this hands-on program geared for the average adult, learn how to find food, start a fire, and build a shelter. Approximately 1 mile. For reasons of safety, no children under 18 years old of age will be permitted to attend. $4 per person. Reservations are required by calling 631-423–1770.
Port Jefferson Farmers Market
The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market will be held at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 30. Featuring over 20 vendors. Call 631-473-4778.
Toby Tobias Ensemble in concert
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will host a concert by the Toby Tobias Ensemble from 3 to 4 p.m. Free with admission to the museum. For more information, call 631-689-5888 or visit www.limusichalloffame.org.
Sunday Street Concert
The Kennedys return to the Long Island Museum for a WUSB Sunday Street concert in the Carriage Museum’s Gillespie Room at 5 p.m. You can expect the usual musical brilliance of an early evening with Pete and Maura as well as songs from a new studio album of original songs. Advance sale tickets are $25 at www.sundaystreet.org. Tickets at the door (if available) are $30 cash only.
Rock ‘N’ Roll at the Vanderbilt
The popular Long Island band “History of Rock n Roll” will be performing in the Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium theater, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport at 6 p.m. The band takes the audience on a 90-minute, multi-media musical journey from the inception of Rock ‘n’ Roll from Elvis Presley and The Beatles to the sounds of Disco and Billy Joel with planetarium special effects for an unforgettable evening. Tickets online at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org are $30 adults, $25 members, $25 children 15 and under; at the door $35 adults, $25 members, $30 children 15 and under.
A Night of Trivia
In honor of the 370th anniversary of Huntington’s founding on April 2, 1653, the Whaling Museum of Cold Spring Harbor will hosta special Trivia Night about All Things Huntington at 7 p.m. Questions will be about local history, nature, stores, beaches, celebrities, streets, and more within the Town, from Cold Spring Harbor to Northport to Dix Hills. Prizes for top winners! $10 per participant. Visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org to register.
Monday April 3
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.
Tuesday April 4
An evening of Swing Dance
Swing Dance Long Island, a non-profit social dance club, holds weekly dances every Tuesday evening at theHuntington 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-DJ night,$20-band night on the third Tuesday of the month. Call 516-521-1410.
The Great American Jazz Songbook
John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Events series with a concert celebrating the Great American Jazz Songbook at 8 p.m. Join Ken Kresge, Eric Haft and Marcus McLaurine with special guest artist Jerry Weldon as they take you on a musical journey through the history of America’s greatest jazz songs. Music from Gershwin and Porter, to Broadway and beyond. Tickets are $45 per person. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Wednesday April 5
Whaleboat Chat
See April 1 listing.
Job Fair – just added!
South Huntington Public Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road Huntington Station will host a Job Fair by the Suffolk County One-Stop Employment Center in its Community Room on Wednesday April 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet representatives from Altice, NYS Solar, SightMD, Northwell Health, NY Community Bank, Cold Spring Harbor Labs, Maximum Security and many more. Bring multiple copies of your resume and dress for success! For more information, call 631-549-4411.
Lake Ronkonkoma Trivia Night – just added!
Back by popular demand, the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society, 328 Hawkins Ave., Lake Ronkonkoma hosts a Trivia Night at 7 p.m. How well do. you know the history of Lake Ronkonkoma? Coffee and cake will be served. Free. All are welcome. Call 631-467-3152.
Thursday April 6
An Evening of Jazz
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents a concert by The Jazz Loft Big Band, a 26-piece Jazz Orchestra directed by Jazz Loft Director Tom Manuel, titled Stan Kenton’s Cuban Fire Suite tonight, April 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students, $25 children at www.thejazzloft.org. For more info call 631-751-1895.
Theater
Pride@Prejudice. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three
‘Pride@Prejudice’
Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson, presents 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. With a rousing and passionate score by Frank Wildhorn,The Scarlet Pimpernel is a thrilling musical! 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
‘Concert for George’
The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington invites the community to celebrate the 80th birthday of George Harrison with a screening of Concert for George on April 3 at 7:30 p.m. featuring an exclusive introduction from Olivia and Dhani Harrison. On November 29, 2002, one year after the passing of George Harrison, Olivia Harrison and longtime friend Eric Clapton organized a performance tribute in his honor. Held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the momentous evening featured George’s songs, and music he loved, performed by a lineup that included Clapton, Joe Brown, Dhani Harrison, Jools Holland, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Monty Python, Tom Petty, Billy Preston, Ravi and Anoushka Shankar, Ringo Starr and many more. Tickets are $15, $10 members. To order, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘Autism Paints’
Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will screen the premiere of Autism Paints, a documentary by filmmaker David Stagnari about the formation of The Spirit of Huntington by Erich Preis.on April 2 at 2 p.m. Followed by a panel discussion and reception. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 seniors and students, $5 children 12 and under at www.cinemaartscentre.org.
Purple signs like this may become commonplace on Long Island in the near future. Photo by Grendelkhan/Wikimedia Commons
By John L. Turner
John Turner
Like all islands, Long Island is defined by water. Lapped on all sides — the Great South Bay on its southern flank, the thick finger of the Long Island Sound to the north, the bowl of the Peconic Bay filling between the forks, and one of the planet’s great oceans embracing all of this.
And beneath us, in the pore spaces between the sand that make up Long Island (Long Island is basically a million-acre leaky sandbox) is a prolific aquifer system made up of several trillion gallons of freshwater that we depend upon, made available by scores of public water supply wells, for drinking and making coffee, washing cars, showering and brushing teeth, and from which water oozes to fill our ponds and lakes and makes our rivers and streams run — a freshwater groundwater system made up of three aquifers like layers in a sandwich, all resting on a basement of bedrock.
It is OUR water supply — there are no other realistic possibilities to turn to: no ability to connect to New York City’s impressive surface water reservoirs and no river from New England that upwells into our sand under Long Island Sound (as one Long Island elected official once assured me, in explaining why we didn’t need to be concerned with the impacts of development). We are, hydrologically speaking, captains of our own fate.
We may be captains but we haven’t been such good stewards of our groundwater supply as it is under stress like never before. More than two and one-half million Long Islanders live, work, and play above the water supply, and with gravity always at work, water, and whatever contaminants are dissolved in it, is always carried downward.
The Upper Glacial Aquifer, the aquifer closest to the surface, has been rendered unusable in many places due to contamination.In some areas this pollution has moved down into the thicker Magothy Aquifer below, the main source for drinking water today. And below the Magothy lies the Lloyd Aquifer, resting on a basement of bedrock, which has begun to feel the stresses ofover pumping and fingers of contamination.
Some freshwater lakes and ponds are suffering quality issues too, the victims of “HAB’s” — harmful algal blooms.
And in parts of Long Island we have a quantity problem, illustrated by lowered water table levels causing streams and ponds to shrink or dry out and allowing saltwater intrusion from salty water pushing in from sides of the groundwater supply. Hundreds of acres of wetlands have disappeared or been diminished by lowered water table levels, adversely affecting wetland dependent wildlife species.
Nor have we been the stewards of the shallow coastal waters surrounding us that we should be. Driven by excessive nitrogen from sewage treatment plants (STP’s), home cesspools and septic tanks, and hundreds of thousands of fertilized lawns, the island’s coastal ecosystems areshowing significant stress. This stress is illustrated by numerous algae blooms or colored “tides,” perhaps made most visible by the green sheets of Ulva or sea lettuce which blankets the bottom of much of our tidal creek and bays.
Some of these blooms involve algae species that are toxic to wildlife or are species that shellfish cannot eat to sustain themselves. Moreover, coastal waters containing excess nitrogen can weaken tidal marshes, a dangerous trend given their wildlife habitat, pollution control, and storm buffering value.
Photo by John Turner
The good news is that we have the means to address these problems and one of them involves water recycling or reuse. As the name suggests, water recycling involves the use of highly treated wastewater discharged from sewage treatment plants for some other worthwhile purpose. And the Riverhead Sewage Treatment Plant water reuse project serves as an excellent example.Here, during the warmer months (April to October), highly treated wastewater is diverted from discharge into the Peconic River/Bay and, instead, is pumped next door to Suffolk County Parks’ Indian Island Golf Course. The water, containing low levels of nitrogen, is used to irrigate the golf course, the nitrogen being taken up by the turf grass. The water is subject to UV disinfection which kills 99.9% of the viruses and bacteria that might remain in the wastewater from initial treatment.
What’s the benefits you might ask of this water reuse project? The engineering consultants to the project estimate it will divert more than one ton of ecosystem-changing nitrogen annually from entering coastal waters with the nitrogen serving as fertilizer for the golf course grass. And it gets better — approximately 63 million gallons of water which used to be pumped out of the aquifer can stay in the ground, reducing stress on the groundwater system.An added benefit is that it may also save taxpayer dollars due to decreased energy and fertilizer costs.
Given these dual quality and quantity benefits it is not surprising water recycling is commonplace in some states and in many other countries.California, Florida, and Arizona are among the leaders as are countries like Israel in the Middle East. (You may have seen evidence of water reuse projects while traveling in these or other states since the pipes conveying the water are painted purple — the universal color for water recycling. I saw them a few years ago while traveling through Clearwater, Florida north of St. Petersburg).
Today, more than 2.6 billion gallons of water are reused daily in the United States. And the potential on Long Island is great with several dozen golf courses being within two miles of a sewage treatment plant.
There are other reuse applications besides irrigation of golf courses though… irrigation of agricultural crops and municipal ballfields, industrial cooling, wetland restoration, washdown water at sewage plants, even potable reuse which is now happening in California. Anyone want a beer brewed using highly treated wastewater? There are half a dozen brands now available, in Canada, Germany, and California, if you so desire!
To better understand and quantify this potential, and to provide a framework for prioritizing potential projects, the Seatuck Environmental Association, with funding kindly provided by the Greentree Foundation, hired Cameron Engineering to help develop a Long Island Water Reuse Road Map or Blueprint. This road map lists nearly 100 projects in which an STP is coupled with a target of the reclaimed wastewater — most typically a golf course or agricultural operation — situated within a two mile radius. They are listed in priority fashion based on the amount of water potentially saved, amount of nitrogen potentially reduced, and estimated cost for improvements needed to implement.
Closerto home, what might be some potential water recycling projects? One that jumps out (ranked #10 in the prioritized matrix) is using treated wastewater generated from the sewage treatment plant located on the SUNY Stony Brook campus to irrigate St. George’s Golf Course situated in close proximity on the east side of Nicolls Road. A successful project here would keep hundreds of pounds of nitrogen from entering Port Jefferson Harbor (the effluent from the SUNY SBU STP is piped to the Port Jefferson plant first before discharge into the harbor) and keep an estimated 34 million gallons of water in the aquifer.
It is clear that with political support and adequate public funding, water reuse can significantly contribute to intelligent management of the water upon which we depend for drinking and water that we enjoy swimming in. As the LI Water Reuse Road Map has shown, water recycling, implemented comprehensively, can prevent tons of nitrogen from entering Long Island’s groundwater supply and adjacent coastal waters while keeping billions of gallons of freshwater in the ground. To borrow from an often used phrase: “That there’s a win-win situation” for all Long Islanders.
A resident of Setauket, John Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.
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