Welcome to the 14th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home!
Meow & Minion
Meet Meow & Minion
These two brothers were going door to door crying to get into people’s homes until a Good Samaritan brought them to the Smithtown Animal Shelter in December. Estimated to be approximately 7 months old, they are shy at first but incredibly sweet once they decide to trust you. Minion had a bad injury that led to the loss of his eye, but he is happy and healthy otherwise. These siblings are bonded and would like to be adopted together if possible. For more information or to set up a meet and greet, call 631-360-7575.
Nichie
Meet Nichie
This adorable and sweet girl is looking for love. She was brought to the Brookhaven Animal Shelter by an Animal Control Officer after being taken out of a bad situation. She arrived a bit shy and nervous, but she has so many friends now and has really come a long way with socialization. Currently she is available and actively looking for her soul-mate. Nichie is playful and energetic yet gentle and affectionate. She is a big girl, very strong, not a jumper, and loves attention and toys.
Nichie is continuing to work on her social skills, loves her dog bed, sits on command and is very treat motivated. She will do best with kids over the age of 16 as she can be hand shy and shows mild bone guarding. No cats please and she will require a meet and greet with a dog. Nichie is 62.6 pounds, three years young, up to date on vaccinations, micro-chipped and heartworm negative. If you would like to meet her, please visit www.Brookhavenny.gov/AnimalShelter and submit a matchmaker application or call 631-451-6955.
Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.
Meet Bonnie
Bonnie is a 2-year-old, female pittie mix currently up for adoption at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter. This sweetheart is gentle, good with kids ages 10 and up, and prefers to be the only pet in the home. She will give you so much love that you won’t need another four-legged friend. She is a snuggle bug and loves every person she meets! If you are interested in meeting Bonnie, please visit www.Brookhavenny.gov/AnimalShelter and submit a matchmaker application or call 631-451-6955.
Check out the next Paw Printsin the issue of March 9.
Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.
Obesity can reduce the benefits of supplementation
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
Here in the Northeast, it’s the time of year when colder temperatures mean we’re spending lots of time indoors. When we are outside, we cover most of our skin to protect us from the cold. This means we’re not getting a lot of sun. While this will make your dermatologist happy, it also means you’re probably not converting that sun exposure to vitamin D3.
There is no question that, if you have low levels of vitamin D, replacing it is important. Previous studies have shown that it may be effective in a wide swath of chronic diseases, both in prevention and as part of a treatment regimen. However, many questions remain.
Many of us receive food-sourced vitamin D from fortified packaged foods, where vitamin D has been added. This is because sun exposure — even under the best of circumstances — will not address all of our vitamin D needs. For example, in a study of Hawaiians, a subset of the study population who had more than 20 hours of sun exposure without sunscreen per week, some participants still had low vitamin D3 values (1).
We know vitamin D’s importance for bone health, but we have mixed data for other diseases, such as cardiovascular, autoimmune and skin diseases and cancer.
There is no consensus on the ideal blood level for vitamin D. For adults, the Institute of Medicine recommends between 20 and 50 ng/ml, and The Endocrine Society recommends at least 30 ng/ml.
Are there cardiovascular benefits to vitamin D?
Several observational studies have shown benefits of vitamin D supplements with cardiovascular disease. The Framingham Offspring Study showed that those patients with deficient levels were at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (3).
However, a small randomized controlled trial (RCT) called the cardioprotective effects of vitamin D into question (4). This study of postmenopausal women, using biomarkers such as endothelial function, inflammation or vascular stiffness, showed no difference between vitamin D treatment and placebo. The authors concluded there is no reason to give vitamin D for prevention of cardiovascular disease.
The vitamin D dose given to the treatment group was 2,500 IUs. Some of the weaknesses of the study were a very short duration and small study size.
How does vitamin Daffect mortality?
In a meta-analysis of a group of eight studies, vitamin D with calcium reduced the mortality rate in the elderly, whereas vitamin D alone did not (5). The difference between the groups was statistically important, but clinically small: nine percent reduction with vitamin D plus calcium and seven percent with vitamin D alone.
One of the weaknesses of this analysis was that vitamin D in two of the studies was given in large amounts of 300,000 to 500,000 IUs once a year, rather than taken daily. This has different effects.
Does obesity affect vitamin D absorption?
A recently published analysis of data from the VITAL trial, a large-scale vitamin D and Omega-3 trial, found that those with BMIs of less than 25 kg/m2 had significant health benefits from supplementation versus placebo (2). These included 24 percent lower cancer incidence, 42 percent lower cancer mortality, and 22 percent lower incidence of autoimmune disease. Those with higher BMIs showed none of these benefits.
Can vitamin D help you lose weight?
There is good news, but not great news, on the weight front. It appears that vitamin D plays a role in reducing the amount of weight gain in women 65 years and older whose blood levels are more than 30 ng/ml, compared to those below this level, in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (6).
This association held true at baseline and after 4.5 years of observation. If the women dropped below 30 ng/ml in this time period, they were more likely to gain more weight, and they gained less if they kept levels above the target. There were 4,659 participants in the study. Unfortunately, vitamin D did not show statistical significance with weight loss.
USPSTF recommendations and fracture risk
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against giving “healthy” postmenopausal women vitamin D, calcium or the combination of vitamin D 400 IUs plus calcium 1,000 mg to prevent fractures, and it found inadequate evidence of fracture prevention at higher levels (7). The supplement combination does not seem to reduce fractures, but does increase the risk of kidney stones. There is also not enough data to recommend for or against vitamin D with or without calcium for cancer prevention.
When should you supplement?
It is important to supplement to optimal levels, especially since most of us living in the Northeast have insufficient to deficient levels. While vitamin D may not be a cure-all, it might play an integral role with many disorders. But it is also important not to raise the levels too high. The range that I tell my patients is between 32 and 50 ng/ml, depending on their health circumstances.
References:
(1) J Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2007 Jun;92(6):2130-2135. (2) JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Published online Jan 2023. (3) Circulation. 2008 Jan 29;117(4):503-511. (4) PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e36617. (5) J Women’s Health (Larchmt). 2012 Jun 25. (6) J Clin Endocrinol Metabol. May 17, 2012 online. (7) JAMA. 2018;319(15):1592-1599.
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.
Celebrate Valentine's Day with a screening of 'Casablanca' at the Cinema Arts Centre.
Thursday Feb. 9
Huntington History lecture
Huntington Historical Society continues its Lunch & Learn series with a virtual program at noon. Enjoy your own lunch from the comfort of your home while learning about the historic Sammis houses of West Neck in a presentation given by Robert Hughes, Town Historian and Toby Kissam, HHS Trustee. Presentation will last 45 minutes with time for commentary and Q&A from participants. Free. To register via Zoom, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
Lunch and Learn
Kehillath Shalom Synagogue of Cold Spring Harbor presents an online Lunch and Learn program titled Jewish Humor: Then and Now at 12:30 p.m.34% of American Jewish consider “having a good sense of humor” to be an essential aspect of their Jewish identity. In this new Lunch & Learn class, just in time for Adar!, the group will explore the history and evolution of Jewish humor and explore its components. Bring a joke or story. All are welcome. Contact [email protected] for Zoom information.
Love Notes in Scrimshaw
Join the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor at 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. for Love Notes in Scrimshaw. Take a peek into the world of historic love tokens as you explore romantic examples of carved whalebone from the 19th century. Uncover the secrets of coded images shared between romantic partners and design and carve your own scrimshaw art for someone special (or for yourself!) Adults only. $15 participant (includes admission), $10 members. Call 367-3418.
An Evening of Jazz
Mala Waldron, Mike Hall and Tom Manuel kick off the Loft’s Acoustic in the Living Room series at the Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook from 7 to 9:30 p.m. This jazz music series showcases small duos/trios in the Loft’s main performance room which will be set up to resemble an intimate living room, with spaced out seating. The concerts are conversational, engaging and intimate and a very special window into the heart and mind of the artists. Tickets are $40 per person at www.thejazzloft.org.
Friday Feb. 10
An evening of opera
St.Paul’s United Methodist Church,270Main St., Northport hosts an evening with Opera Night Long Island at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. $10 donation, students free. For more information, call 261-2387 or email [email protected].
Wintertide concert
The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson continuesitsWintertide concert series from 7 to 8 p.m with a performance by Chic Voorhis (Americana with a country twist) in the Sail Loft Room on the third floor. $5 donation at the door. Questions? Call 473-4778.
Grounds and Sounds Concert
Grounds and Sounds Cafe at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket presents award-winning singer/songwriter Rorie Kelly in concert at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 per person, available in advance at www.groundsandsounds.org and at the door. Light refreshments for sale. For further information, call 751-0297.
Saturday Feb. 11
Garden Club Meeting
The Shoreham-Wading River Garden Club invites the community to its meeting at the Wading River Congregational Church at 2057 North Country Road, Wading River at 10 a.m. Club president Judy Faraone will make a presentation titled “Learn to Love Bugs and Keystone Plants,” followed by a video titled “What’s the Rush?” by Doug Tallamy and favorite garden tools by garden club members will be on view. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Audubon Society exhibit
The Bates House, 1 Bates Road, Setauket hosts an exhibit by The Four Harbors Audubon Society titled Valentine to Whitman’s Paumanok Exhibition today and Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Twenty-four local photographers and artists are sharing their love for our beautiful Long Island’s wildlife and wilderness as captured by their individual talents. An Artists’s Reception will be held on Feb.12 from 1 to 4 p.m. All are welcome. Free. Questions? Call 689-7054.
All Souls Poetry Reading
The Second Saturdays poetry series will be returns to All Souls Church in Stony Brook via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Suffolk County Poet Laureate Richard Bronson, the featured poet will be Claude Mayers. An open-reading will follow; all are welcome to read one of their own poems. Call 655-7798. Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/
Here’s to the Ladies! concert
The perfect Valentine’s celebration will be at the Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook with a performance by the Jazz Loft All Stars titled“Here’s to the Ladies!” from 7 to 9 p.m. with complimentary champagne and chocolate. Tickets are $50 per person. Purchase your tickets at www.thejazzloft.org.
February Funny Fest
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 6th annual February Funny Fest on the MainStage at 8 p.m. Fancy a fun night out? This is the comedy show for you! Featuring a full line-up of top comedians direct from the Long Island Comedy Festival including Scott Schendlinger, Keith Anthony, Chris Roach, host David Weiss and more! Tickets are $45. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
FOR THE LOVE OF COMEDY Tim Krompier headlines the Lovers of Comedy Show at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center on Feb. 11.
Lovers of Comedy Show
Join the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown for a Lovers of Comedy Night, a night of laughs with Governor’s Comedy Club, at 8 p.m. Featuring Tim Krompier, Olga Namer, Debbie D Amore, and Rachel Williams. Tickets are $45 per person, $40 members includes open bar of beer and wine. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.
Sunday Feb. 12
Audubon Society exhibit
See Feb. 11 listing.
Port Jefferson Food Drive
See sidebar on right.
Super Bowl Sunday Pancake Breakfast – just added!
Halesite Firehouse, 1 New York Ave., Halesite will host its 15th annual Super Bowl Pancake Breakfast fundraiser from 9 a.m. to noon. with raffles, Super Bowl Snack Cooler and more. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 3-10 yrs, under age 3 free. Call 427-1910 for more information.
Living History with Abe Lincoln
Celebrate St. James continues its Living History series at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second Street, St James with a visit with President Abraham Lincoln presenter Garry Rissman at 1 p.m. followed by a Q&A. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are $25 adults, $20 members, $10 children ages 10 and up, children under age 10 are free. To register, visit www.celebratestjames.org or call 984-0201.
An Afternoon of Celtic Music – just added!
St. Anthony’s High School, 275 Wolf Hill Road, South Huntington will host An Afternoon of Celtic Music, a benefit for the St. Anthony’s Bagpipe Band, at 2 p.m. Featuring three bagpipe bands – Saint Anthony’s Celtic Friars Pipe Band, AOH Division 7 Roisin Dubh Irish Pipe Band, and the West Milford Highlanders- along with Irish Step Dancing. Basket raffles, 50/50 raffles, bake sale and complimentary Irish Soda Bread and tea served during intermission. Tickets are $20 at the door. Questions? Email [email protected].
Monday Feb. 13
Civic Association meeting
The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold its first in-person meeting of the year at the Sound Beach Fire Station, 252 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. Call 744-6952.
Emerson String Quartet concert
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road Stony Brook presents the award-winning Emerson String Quartet in concert in the Recital Hall at 7 p.m. Program will include Walker “Lyric”; Schubert Quartet in A Minor, D. 804 (“Rosamunde”); Webern 6 Bagatelles, op. 9; Shostakovich 12th Quartet, op. 133; Setzer, 1st violin in Walker and Schubert; and Drucker, 1st violin in Webern and Shostakovich. Tickets range from $52 to $60. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.
Tuesday Feb. 14
NSJC Social Club event
North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station will screen the documentary Food, Incorporated in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. The film reveals the surprising and shocking truths about what we eat, how it’s produced, and who we have become as a nation. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee among other refreshments will be served. $5 per person, $3 members. Call 928-3737 for more information.
America’s Sweethearts in concert
The John W. Engeman, 250 Main St., Northport celebrates Valentine’s Day with a concert by America’s Sweethearts at 8 p.m. These New York City-based ladies have performed across the USA at iconic spaces honoring our veterans (the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, the WASP Museum) as well as large theatres and intimate cabaret venues, getting crowds tapping their feet to hits like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” as they celebrate history through their crystal-clear harmony and colorful costumes. Tickets are $45 per person. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Wednesday Feb. 15
Quilting Workshop
Huntington Historical Society hosts a Quilting Workshop at the Conklin Barn, 2 High St., Huntington from 1 to 3 p.m. Join quilting instructor Lucie Blohm for a demonstration on the basic techniques, equipment, and materials required. Experienced and novice quilters are invited to bring their sewing machines and projects for encouragement and advice. Fabric will be provided to practice technique. Fee is $25, $20 members. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org or call 427-7045, ext. 401.
Whaling Museum reception
Join the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor for an opening reception for their latest exhibit, From Sea to Shining Sea: Whalers of the African Diaspora, at 6 p.m. Enjoy a special edition whaleboat chat, meet the guest curator, and partake in light refreshments while you explore the artwork, artifacts and text exploring and expounding on the role of African American mariners in whaling history. Call 367-3418.
Hard Luck Cafe concert
Connecticut-based folk singer-songwriters Tracy Walton and Sierra West will share the bill and swap songs during the Hard Luck Café concert at the Cinema Arts Centre’s Sky Room, 423 Park Ave., Huntington from 7 to 10 p.m. An open mic precedes the concert.Tickets are $20 at www.fmsh.org.
Thursday Feb. 16
Atelier webinar
Join the Atelier at Flowerfield in St. James for a free zoom lecture and demonstration titled “Is It Watercolor or Acrylic?” It’s Gouache! at 7 p.m. Learn the basics of how to use this versatile medium with instructor Beth Drucker. To register, visit www.theatelieratflowerfield.org.
Vanderbilt Lecture
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its lecture series with a presentation titled “A Lost Story of the Revolutionary War” at 7 p.m. Noted historian Benjamin Carp will explore the Great New York Fire of 1776. Carp’s book on the devastating fireis forthcoming from Yale University Press. Tickets are $10 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Film
‘The Good House’
Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a viewing of The Good House, starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline on Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. Open to all. Call 928-1212 to reserve your seat.
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman star in ‘Casablanca.’
‘Casablanca’
The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington invites all lovebirds and lonelyhearts to spend Valentine’s Day revisiting a classic, Casablanca, on Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. with an introduction by film historian Philip Harwood and complimentary sweets and flowers from Amy’s of Huntington. Tickets are $20, $15 members. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
Theater
‘Hello Dolly!’
The Stony Brook School’s Theatrical Arts Society,1 Chapman Parkway, Stony Brook presents Hello Dolly! on Feb. 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. A musical adaptation of The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder, Hello, Dolly!centers around the exuberant Dolly Levi, a matchmaker and self-professed expert in many things — particularly the art of meddling. First performed on Broadway in 1964, Hello, Dolly! is a fast paced, comedic romance that is bound to appeal to musical and theater lovers of all ages.Tickets are $10. To order, visit sbstickets.ticketleap.com.
‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St.. Northport presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from Jan. 19 to March 5. Con artist Lawrence Jameson is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the fruits of his deceptions–that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson, shows up. When the new guy’s lowbrow tactics impinge on his own work, Jameson resolves to get rid of him. Based on the uproarious movie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels boasts a jazzy-pop score by David Yazbek, who also wrote the music for The Full Monty. Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Bad Valentines …’
The Performing Arts Studio, 224 E. Main St., Port Jefferson presents (Mostly) True Things: “Bad Valentines and Worst Dates Ever” on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. Hosted by Jude Treder-Wolff, the evening will feature four storytellers: Ivy Eisenberg, Kelly Massaro, Jack Canfora, and Joey Novick. Tickets are $15 online at www.mostlytruethings.com or $20 at the door (cash only). The show is recommended for teens and adults. Call 928-6529.
Festival of One-Act Plays
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 24th annual Festival of One-Act Plays from February 25 through March 25 at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre, on the Second Stage. Selected from over 250 submissions world-wide, these seven cutting-edge premieres are guaranteed to entertain and engage. Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the plays will feature Steve Ayle, Tamralynn Dorsa, Antoine Jones, Brittany Lacey, Phyllis March, Evan Teich, Steven Uihlein, Sean Amato, Ava Andrejko, Angelo DiBiase, Samantha Fierro, Jason Furnari, Melissa Norman, Danielle Pafundi, and Tristan Prin. Please Note: Adult content and language. All tickets are $20. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Tape’
The Theatre at Suffolk County Community College, Ammerman campus, 533 College Road, Selden presents a production of Tape by Stephen Belber in Theatre 119 in the Islip Arts Building on March 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 7:30 p.m. and March 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. After 10 years apart, three disparate people come together to play out the unresolved drama of their final days in high school. Suspense builds as each character is provoked into revealing his or her true nature and motivation as they choose which cards to play and which cards to hold. Mature content. General admission is $14. For tickets, call 451-4163.
* All numbers are in (631) area code unless otherwise noted.
The Quartet 'Antiquity' from the Harbormen Chorus sing to two 'sweethearts.'
“Let me call you sweetheart…” The Harbormen Men’s Chorus is out in public again, singing and entertaining at various venues. This year quartets will be offering in-person and virtual singing Valentines. If an in-person presentation is acceptable, four elegant gentlemen can visit your home, office, school, restaurant or any other locale on Monday, Feb. 13 or Tuesday, Feb. 14 to sing two love songs and present a rose, chocolates and a personalized card to your sweetheart for $75. If preferred, you can request a link that delivers a digital version of the songs with a personalized introduction for only $35. Call 631-644-0129 with your preferred format and times.
There aren’t many drawbacks to having a high income — but being unable to invest in a Roth IRA might be one of them. Are there strategies that allow high-income earners to contribute to this valuable retirement account?
Before we delve into that question, let’s consider the rules. In 2023, you can contribute the full amount to a Roth IRA — $6,500, or $7,500 if you’re 50 or older — if your modified adjusted gross income is less than $138,000 (if you’re single) or $218,000 (if you’re married and filing jointly). If you earn more than these amounts, the amount you can contribute decreases until it’s phased out completely if your income exceeds $153,000 (single) or $228,000 (married, filing jointly).
A Roth IRA is attractive because its earnings and withdrawals are tax free, provided you’ve had the account at least five years and you don’t start taking money out until you’re 59½. Furthermore, when you own a Roth IRA, you’re not required to take withdrawals from it when you turn 72, as you would with a traditional IRA, so you’ll have more flexibility in your retirement income planning and your money will have the chance to potentially keep growing.
But given your income, how can you contribute to a Roth?
You may want to consider what’s known as a “backdoor Roth” strategy. Essentially, this involves contributing money to a new traditional IRA, or taking money from an existing one, and then converting the funds to a Roth IRA. But while this backdoor strategy sounds simple, it involves some serious considerations.
Specifically, you need to evaluate how much of your traditional IRA is in pretax or after-tax dollars. When you contribute pretax dollars to a traditional IRA, your contributions lower your annual taxable income. However, if your income is high enough to disqualify you from contributing directly to a Roth IRA, you may also earn too much to make deductible (pretax) contributions to a traditional IRA. Consequently, you might have contributed after-tax dollars to your traditional IRA, on top of the pretax ones you may have put in when your income was lower. (Earnings on after-tax contributions will be treated as pretax amounts.)
In any case, if you convert pretax assets from your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, the amount converted will be fully taxable in the year of the conversion. So, if you were to convert a large amount of these assets, you could face a hefty tax bill. And since you probably don’t want to take funds from the converted IRA itself to pay for the taxes, you’d need another source of funding, possibly from your savings and other investments.
Ultimately, then, a backdoor Roth IRA strategy may make the most sense if you have few or no pretax assets in any traditional IRA, including a SEP-IRA and a SIMPLE IRA. If you do have a sizable amount of pretax dollars in your IRA, and you’d still like to convert it to a Roth IRA, you could consider spreading the conversion over a period of years, potentially diluting your tax burden.
Consult with your tax advisor when considering a backdoor Roth strategy. But if it’s appropriate for your situation, it could play a role in your financial strategy, so give it some thought.
Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook. Member SIPC.
Even modest exercise may impact your health outcomes
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
Last week, I wrote about the challenges of relying on exercise for weight loss. That’s not to say that it’s not important to exercise. It has powerful effects in altering how our genes express themselves and can improve our outcomes with specific diseases, such as diabetes and a host of other health issues, including kidney stones, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease and breast, colorectal and endometrial cancers (1).
Despite all the positives, it’s sometime difficult to motivate yourself to exercise. However, there are some simple ways to motivate yourself during exercise. One study showed that those who repeated positive mantras to themselves during exercise were able to persist for longer periods (2).
Why is this so important now? Because we are too sedentary, and this is the time of the year when we are especially so. According to data from the 2015-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the Northeast had among the highest levels of physical inactivity by U.S. region, at 25.6 percent of the population (3).
Can exercise alter your fat genes?
Exercise may have a significant impact on how our genes express themselves.
In a study, results showed that thousands upon thousands of genes in fat cells were affected when participants exercised for six months (4). The study involved sedentary men and had them exercise twice a week at a one-hour spin class. According to the researchers, the genes impacted were those involved most likely in storing fat and in risk for subsequent diabetes and obesity development. These participants also improved other important health metrics, including their cholesterol, blood-pressure, fat percent and, later, their waist circumferences.
The effect identified on the fat cells is referred to as epigenetics, where lifestyle modifications ultimately lead to changes in gene expression, turning them on and off. This has been shown with dietary changes, but this is one of the first studies to show that exercise also has significant impacts on our genes. It took only six months to see these numerous gene changes with modest amounts of cardiovascular exercise.
Do you need more encouragement? Another study showed substantial gene changes in muscle cells after one workout on a stationary bike (5). Yet another introduced six weeks of endurance exercise to healthy, but sedentary, young men and identified an abundance of genetic changes to skeletal muscle with broad impacts on physical and cognitive health (6).
Which is better: exercise or drug therapy?
What if we could forgo medications for cardiovascular disease by exercising? One meta-analysis, which examined 57 studies that involved drugs and exercise, showed similar benefits between statins and exercise in mortality with secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (7). This means that, in patients who already have heart disease, both statins and exercise reduce the risk of mortality by similar amounts. The same study also showed benefits for those with pre-diabetes and the use of metformin vs. exercise. It didn’t matter which one was used, the drug or the lifestyle change.
While these results are exciting, don’t change your medication without consulting your physician.
How does exercise help with kidney stones?
Anyone who has tried to pass a kidney stone knows it can be an excruciating experience. Most of the treatment involves pain medication, fluids and waiting for the stone to pass. However, the best way to treat kidney stones is to prevent them.
In the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, exercise reduced the risk of kidney stones by as much as 31 percent (8). Even better, the intensity of the exercise did not change its beneficial effect. What mattered more was exercise quantity. One hour of jogging or three hours of walking got the top results; however, lesser amounts of exercise also saw substantial reductions. This study involved 84,000 postmenopausal women, the population most likely to suffer from kidney stones.
Is sexual activity really exercise?
We have heard that sex may be thought of as exercise, but is this myth or is there actual evidence? According to research, this may be true. In a study, researchers found that young, healthy couples exert 6 METs — metabolic energy, or the amount of oxygen consumed per kilogram per minute — during sexual activity (9).
How does this compare to other activities? We exert about 1 MET while sitting and 8.5 METs while jogging. In terms of energy utilized, sexual activity falls between walking and jogging, therefore, it can be qualified as moderate activity. Men and women burned almost half as many calories with sex as with jogging, burning a mean of 85 calories over about 25 minutes. Who says exercise isn’t fun?
I can’t stress the importance of exercise enough. It not only helps you feel better, it may also influence gene expression and, ultimately, affect your development and prevention of disease. In certain circumstances, it may be as powerful as medications. Therefore, make exercise a priority — part of the fabric of your life. It may already be impacting the fabric of your body: your genes.
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.
Only four more chances to see 'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
Thursday 2
Brookhaven is Back! event
Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition present a Brookhaven is Back! event at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville from 6 to 8 p.m. Representatives from Town of Brookhaven’s Planning, Zoning, Town Clerk and Fire Marshal’s office will be on hand to discuss their functions, how they can help your business and answer questions you may have about doing business in Brookhaven. Questions? Call 889-1190 or email [email protected].
A Victorian Valentine’s Day
Join the Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport for A Very Victorian Valentine’s Day program from 7 to 9 p.m. Hear the alluring history of Valentine’s Day, told through wine and chocolate! You’ll take a journey from the early beginnings of the holiday, all the way to modern times, while learning (and sampling) an array of wine and chocolate pairings. For ages 21 and up. Tickets are $60 per person. To register, visit www.northporthistorical.org.
An Evening of Jazz
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents the The Jazz Loft Big Band, a 17 piece big band directed by Jazz Loft Director Tom Manuel, in concert from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children. To order, visit www.thejazzloft.org. For further information, call 751-1895.
Friday 3
First Friday at the Heckscher
The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington continues its First Friday series tonight from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Explore the exhibitions during extended viewing hours and enjoy a special performances by Toby Tobias beginning at 7 p.m. Free. Call380-3230 for more info.
American Heritage Night
Join the Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum, 101 Church St., Kings Park for American Heritage Night at 7 p.m. Enjoy music by the Gold Coast Jazz Band and Robert Levey II. Admission is free. For more information, call 269-3305.
Wintertide concert
The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson kicks off the Wintertide concert series from 7 to 8 p.m with a performance by East End songwriter Robert Bruey in the Sail Loft Room on the third floor. $5 donation at the door. Questions? Call 473-4778.
Memphis Jookin’ heads to SBU
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook welcomes Memphis Jookin’: The Show featuring Lil Buck on the Main Stage at 8 p.m. Charles “Lil Buck” Riley is a movement artist who is known for being an ambassador for Memphis Jookin, a freestyle-based dance involving intricate footwork. Tickets range from $42 to $75. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.
Saturday 4
Long Island Private School Fair – just added!
Farmingdale State College: Campus Center, 2350 Route 110, Farmingdale will host the 2023 Long Island Private School Fair today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. showcasing the wide variety of private schools on Long Island. Participating schools include Bridges Academy, Fusion Academy, Harmony Heights, Holy Child Academy, Knox School, Lawrence Woodmere Academy, Long Island School for the Gifted, Long Island Whole Child Academy, Stony Brook School, Waldorf School of Garden City, Westbury Friends School, and Winston Prep School. Free.
Whale Boat 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, at noon and again at 1 p.m. These educator-led gallery talks around the whaleboat 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 367-3418.
Saturdays at Six concert
All Souls Church, 61 Main St., Stony Brook continues its Saturdays at Six concert series with a performance by Brazilian guitarist Octávio Deluchi.The program will feature a balance between well established and canonical pieces, with new works, with works recently premiered and composed.Selections will include works by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Sergio Assad, Astor Piazzolla, Vicente Paschoal, and Joaquin Rodrigo. The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Call 655-7798 for more information.
Sunday 5
Port Jefferson Farmers Market
The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market will be held at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will run every Sunday through April 30. Featuring over 20 vendors. Call 473-4778.
Huntington Farmers Market
The John J. Flanagan Center, 423 Park Ave., Huntington hosts the Huntington Winter Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through March with over 40 vendors plus guest vendors. Visit www.longislandfarmersmarkets.com.
Caumsett Hike
Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a four-mile moderately paced walk through the park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Adults only. $4 per person. Advance registration required by calling 423-1770.
Sunken Meadow Hike
Come celebrate Black History Month with a hike at Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Ten stations along this self-guided hike through the marsh and woodlands will each feature the achievements of a Black environmentalist who has made great contributions to the field of science. $4 per person. To register, please visit EventBrite.com or call 269-4333.
George Cintron & Danny Miranda in concert
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will host a concert by George Cintron & Danny Miranda from 3 to 4 p.m. Free with admission to the museum. For more information, call 689-5888 or visit www.limusichalloffame.org.
Ridotto concert
Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington hosts a Ridotto Concert: The Gloriosa Piano Trio at 4 p.m. with Eric Silberger, violin, Kevin Bate cello and Yoonie Han piano. Tickets are $35, $30 seniors, $25 members, $12 students. For reservations, call 385-0373, or email [email protected].
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Church, 38 Mayflower Ave., Smithtown invites the community to a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser in the Church Social Hall from 1 to 6 p.m.Enjoy spaghetti and meatballs, salad, dessert, coffee and tea. Tickets are $25 adults, $15 per child ages 11 and under. Cash bar (wine, beer, soda) and take out available. For reservations, please call Joanne at 332-1449.
Monday 6
Movie Trivia Night
Do you know a lot about movies? Join the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington for a Movie Trivia Night hosted by Dan French at 8 p.m. 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. Tickets are $10 per person. Visit www.cinemaartcentre.org to register.
Tuesday 7
NSJC Social Club event
North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station welcomes chiropractor Michael Horney of Port Jefferson Chiropractic who will talk about healthy living for seniors, including exercise, good eating habits, fall prevention, and the role of Vitamin B-12, in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee among other refreshments will be served. $5 per person, $3 members. Call 928-3737 for more information.
Tribute to James Taylor
The John W. Engeman, 250 Main St., Northport presents a concert titled How Sweet It Is! at 8 p.m. Steve Leslie performs the music of James Taylor and will have audiences singing along to such classics as “Carolina In My Mind,” “Shower the People,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Fire and Rain,” “Up On the Roof,” and many more. Tickets are $45 per person. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Wednesday 8
Winter Art Workshop
Huntington Historical Society hosts a found object wire wrapping workshop at the Conklin Barn, 2 High St., Huntington from 6 to 8 p.m. Taught by artist Jennifer Salta owner of Unmarked Industries, each student will select their own unique piece of sea lass, pottery or crystal and turn it into a beautiful necklace or window hanging using a wire wrapping technique. Each person will leave with a completed piece at the end of the night. All materials are included. $55 per person, $50 members. Register at www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
Thursday 9
Love Notes in Scrimshaw
Join the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor at 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. for Love Notes in Scrimshaw. Take a peek into the world of historic love tokens as you explore romantic examples of carved whalebone from the 19th century. Uncover the secrets of coded images shared between romantic partners and design and carve your own scrimshaw art for someone special (or for yourself!) Adults only. $15 participant (includes admission), $10 members. Call 367-3418.
Lunch and Learn
Kehillath Shalom Synagogue of Cold Spring Harbor presents an online Lunch and Learn program titled Jewish Humor: Then and Now at 12:30 p.m.34% of American Jewish consider “having a good sense of humor” to be an essential aspect of their Jewish identity. In this new Lunch & Learn class, just in time for Adar!, the group will explore the history and evolution of Jewish humor and explore its components. Bring a joke or story. All are welcome. Contact [email protected] for Zoom information.
Theater
‘The Sweet Delilah Swim Club’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage season with The Sweet Delilah Swim Club from Jan. 14 to Feb. 4. This hilarious and touching show features five very different but deeply connected Southern women whose friendships began on their college swim team. Each summer they meet for a reunion at the same beach cottage in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Visiting them on four weekends over thirty-three years, we learn of their lives, loves, and losses. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Hello Dolly!’ – just added!
The Stony Brook School’s Theatrical Arts Society, 1 Chapman Parkway, Stony Brook presents ‘Hello Dolly!‘ on Feb. 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. A musical adaptation of The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder, Hello, Dolly! centers around the exuberant Dolly Levi, a matchmaker and self-professed expert in many things — particularly the art of meddling. First performed on Broadway in 1964, Hello, Dolly! is a fast paced, comedic romance that is bound to appeal to musical and theater lovers of all ages. Tickets are $10. To order, visit sbstickets.ticketleap.com.
‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St.. Northport presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from Jan. 19 to March 5. Con artist Lawrence Jameson is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the fruits of his deceptions–that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson, shows up. When the new guy’s lowbrow tactics impinge on his own work, Jameson resolves to get rid of him. Based on the uproarious movie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels boasts a jazzy-pop score by David Yazbek, who also wrote the music for The Full Monty. Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Festival of One-Act Plays
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 24th annual Festival of One-Act Plays from February 25 through March 25 at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre, on the Second Stage. Selected from over 250 submissions world-wide, these seven cutting-edge premieres are guaranteed to entertain and engage. Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the plays will feature Steve Ayle, Tamralynn Dorsa, Antoine Jones, Brittany Lacey, Phyllis March, Evan Teich, Steven Uihlein, Sean Amato, Ava Andrejko, Angelo DiBiase, Samantha Fierro, Jason Furnari, Melissa Norman, Danielle Pafundi, and Tristan Prin. Please Note: Adult content and language.All tickets are $20. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
* All numbers are in (631) area code unless otherwise noted.
Exercise is only one part of the weight loss equation
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
Exercise has benefits for a wide range of medical conditions, from insomnia, fatigue, depression and cognitive decline to chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. But will it help you lose weight?
While exercise equipment and gym membership ads emphasize this in January, exercise without dietary changes may not help many people lose weight, no matter what the intensity or the duration (1). If it does help, it may only modestly reduce fat mass and weight for the majority of people. However, it may be helpful with weight maintenance.
Ultimately, it may be more important to reconsider what you are eating than to succumb to the rationalization that you can eat with abandon and work it off later.
Does exercise help with weight loss?
The well-known weight-loss paradigm is that when more calories are burned than consumed, we will tip the scale in favor of weight loss. The greater the negative balance with exercise, the greater the loss. However, study results say otherwise. They show that in premenopausal women there was neither weight nor fat loss from exercise (2). This involved 81 women over a short duration, 12 weeks. All of the women were overweight to obese, although there was great variability in weight.
However, more than two-thirds of the women gained a mean of 1 kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, of fat mass by the end of the study. There were a few who gained 10 pounds of predominantly fat. A fair amount of variability was seen among the participants, ranging from significant weight loss to substantial weight gain. These women were told to exercise at the American College of Sports Medicine’s optimal level of intensity (3). This is to walk 30 minutes on a treadmill three times a week at 70 percent VO2max — maximum oxygen consumption during exercise. This is a moderately intense pace.
The good news is that the women were in better aerobic shape by the end of the study. Also, women who had lost weight at the four-week mark were more likely to continue to do so by the end of the study.
Other studies have shown modest weight loss. For instance, in a meta-analysis involving 14 randomized controlled trials, results showed that there was a disappointing amount of weight loss with exercise alone (4). In six months, patients lost a mean of 1.6 kilograms, or 3.5 pounds, and at 12 months, participants lost 1.7 kilograms, or about 3.75 pounds.
Does exercise help with weight maintenance?
Exercise may help with weight maintenance, according to observational studies. Premenopausal women who exercised at least 30 minutes a day were significantly less likely to regain lost weight (5). When exercise was added to diet, women were able to maintain 30 percent more weight loss than with diet alone after a year in a prospective study (6).
Does exercise help with disease?
As a simple example of exercise’s impact on disease, let’s look at chronic kidney disease (CKD), which affects approximately 15 percent of U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (7).
Trial results showed that walking regularly could reduce the risk of kidney replacement therapy and death in patients who have moderate to severe CKD, stages 3-5 (8). Yes, this includes stage 3, which most likely is asymptomatic. There was a 21 percent reduction in the risk of kidney replacement therapy and a 33 percent reduction in the risk of death when walkers were compared to non-walkers.
Walking had an impressive impact, and results were based on a dose-response curve. In other words, the more frequently patients walked during the week, the better the probability of preventing complications. Those who walked between one and two times per week had 17 and 19 percent reductions in death and kidney replacement therapy, respectively, while those who walked at least seven times per week saw 44 and 59 percent reductions in death and kidney replacement. These are substantial results. The authors concluded that the effectiveness of walking on CKD was independent of kidney function, age or other diseases.
As you can see, there are many benefits to exercise; however, food choices will have a greater impact on weight and body composition. The good news: exercise can help maintain weight loss and is extremely beneficial for preventing progression of chronic diseases, such as CKD.
By all means, exercise, but to lose weight, also focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods instead of calorie-dense foods that you may not be able to exercise away.
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 scene from 'The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse'. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Fisherman and His Wife'. Photo by Peter Lanscombe, Theatre Three Productinons, Inc.
A scene from 'The Lion and the Mouse that Returned the Favor'. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Henny Penny'. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'As Stubborn As A Mule'. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
As scene from 'The Tortoise and the Hare.' Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
'A scene from Henny Penny'.Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Bremen Town Musicians'.Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
The cast of 'The House That Jack Built'. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
By Heidi Sutton
Each time I go to review a children’s show at Theatre Three I am amazed at what I witness; from the performance of an original musical, to the audience reaction, to the lessons that are learned, to meeting the cast at the end of the show. Last Saturday’s production of The House That Jack Built was no exception.
Written by Jeffrey Sanzel and Douglas J. Quattrock, the play features seven stories inspired by the Brothers Grimm and Aesop’s Fables. It originally opened in 2007 but has been revamped with a brand new score and dazzling lighting design. The end result is pure entertainment.
Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, and starring Sean Amato, Samantha Fierro, Jason Furnari, Kaitlyn Jehle, Danielle Pafundi and Steven Uihlein, the show opens where six friends are hanging out in a beach cottage on a rainy day. Bored, they decide to have some fun and after reciting the timeless nursery rhyme, The House That Jack Built, they invite the audience to visit “some special places to see some special faces.” They proceed to act out The Lion and the Mouse That Returned a Favor, The Fisherman and His Wife, The Town Mouse and Country Mouse, Henny Penny, Stubborn as a Mule, The Tortoise and the Hare and The Bremen Town Musicians.
While all of the stories are wonderful, one of the best is The Fisherman and His Wife where the fisherman (Jason Furnari) catches a magical fish (played to the hilt by Steven Uihlein) who agrees to grant him a wish if he is released back into the ocean. After wishing for a beautiful home, his wife (Danielle Pafundi) gets greedy and sends the fisherman back to ask for a castle, to be king and then to become the Lord of the Sun and the Moon. But it all ends with one too many wishes.
The Town Mouseand the Country Mouse is almost too adorable for words. The Town Mouse (Steven Uihlein with a Brooklyn accent) visits his cousin (Samantha Fierro in a Southern accent) in the country but finds it very boring. Before leaving, he invites her to visit him in the city. Shortly after arriving, the Country Mouse is bombarded with sensory overload and dangers lurking at every turn. Oh, did I mention this story is acted out entirely in rhyme?
But the audience favorite hands down is the hilarious rendition of The Tortoise and the Hare. Bullied by the Hare (Sean Amato) “You have two speeds; slow and stop,” the Tortoise (Jason Furnari) challenges the Hare to a race. Sprinting through the theater, the Hare decides to take a nap in one of the seats. As much as they try, the audience cannot wake him and the tortoise, cheered on by the kids, meanders through the aisles and back on stage with a big grin to cross the finish line in slow motion. Great stuff.
The actors take turns narrating the stories while the remaining cast quickly changes costumes and act out the parts. A nice touch is the audience participation — helping to be waves in the ocean in A Fisherman and His Wife, and raising their index finger every time the actors say ‘I have an idea’ in The Bremen Town Musicians — which keep the young audience captivated at the edge of their seats.
Utilizing the mainstage set of The Sweet Delilah Swim Club, superb lighting design by Steven Uihlein, original rap songs arranged by Ryan Alvarado, expert piano accompaniment by Douglas J. Quattrock and the cute costumes by Jason Allyn tie everything together.
Funny, clever , brilliant and beautifully executed, The House That Jack Built is not to be missed. Your children are guaranteed to love it.
Theatre Three, 412 Main St. Port Jefferson presents The House That Jack Built through Feb. 4. Running time is one hour and 20 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. Children’s theater continues with Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz from Feb. 22 to March 18, The Adventures of Peter Rabbit from April 5 to 29 and the classic fairytale Cinderella from May 27 to June 17. All seats are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
ICE SCULPTURES GALORE
The Village of Port Jefferson hosts the 4th annual Ice Festival this weekend.
File photo by Julianne Mosher/TBR News Media
Thursday Jan. 26
Native American Drumming
All Souls Church Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook will hold a Native American Drumming session from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Native American Drumming Meditation is a spiritual healing practice that is thousands of years old. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Call 655-7798 for more information.
Friday Jan. 27
Sound Symphony concert
The Sound Symphony Orchestra with guest conductor Alex Wen will be performing its annual Family Concert at John F. Kennedy, Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station at 7 p.m. Program will include The Complete Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Video Games Live, Carmen Suite No. 1, and A Tribute to John Williams. Snow date is Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 , $15 seniors, $10 students at the door. Children 11 and under free. Visit www.soundsymphony.org for more information.
Northport Symphony concert
The Northport Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Richard Hyman, will present a concert of classical music at Northport High School, 154 Laurel Road, Northport at 8 p.m. The concert will feature Symphony No. 1 by Felix Mendelssohn and Symphony and No. 1 (Symphony in C) by Georges Bizet. Tickets are $10 at the door. Visit www.northportsymphony.org for more info.
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 ages16 and up, due to adult content. Tickets are $15 at the door – cash only. Call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Saturday Jan. 28
Port Jefferson Ice Festival
The Village of Port Jefferson presents its 4th annual Ice Festival today and Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will highlight the sculptures of renowned ice sculptor and Guinness Book of World Records holder Rich Daly of Ice Memories, Inc.Many businesses will have their own personalized ice sculptures in front on their own shops along with all the larger ones spaced strategically in village. The free event will also feature unique interactive photo opportunities, including a graffiti ice wall, horse and carriage rides, live music, corn hole ice games, and demonstrations of figure skating, as well as dance performances. Rain dates are Feb. 4 and 5. Questions? Call 473-1414.
Journey Tribute Concert
The Moose Lodge Event Center, 37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road, Mt. Sinai presents Almost Journey in concert at 8 p.m. Featuring the best of Journey plus songs by Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Toto, Kansas and Led Zeppelin. Tickets are $30 at the door. Call 928-4490 for more information.
Sunday Jan. 29
Port Jefferson Ice Festival
See Jan. 28 listing.
Port Jefferson Farmers Market
The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market kicks off today at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be held every Sunday through April 30. For more information, call 473-4778.
Huntington Farmers Market
The John J. Flanagan Center, 423 Park Ave., Huntington hosts the Huntington Winter Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through March with over 40 vendors plus guest vendors. Visit www.longislandfarmersmarkets.com.
Author Talk
Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead presents an Author Talk with Brad Kolodny from 2 to 4 p.m. Kolodny will discuss his latest book Historic North Fork Tales: The Jews of Long Island 1705-1918, which tells the story of how Jewish communities were established and developed east of New York City. Reading to culminate with a hands-on food preparation class. $30 per person. Visit www.hallockville.org.
A Band Called Sam in concert
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will host a concert by A Band Called Sam from 3 to 4 p.m. Free with admission to the museum. For more information, call 689-5888 or visit www.limusichalloffame.org.
Monday Jan. 30
Comedy Night at the Engeman
The John W. Engeman, 250 Main St., Northport will host a comedy night at 8 p.m. Join them for some laughs, enjoy some cocktails, and listen to some very funny comedians! Tickets are $45 per person. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Tuesday Jan. 31
NSJC Social Club event
North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station welcomes the Bretton Woods Players in concert in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Lucca grew up in Dix Hills and has performed as a soloist in numerous concerts around New York City. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee among other refreshments will be served. $5 per person, $3 members. Call 928-3737 for more information.
Wednesday Feb. 1
Pasta Dinner Fundraiser
Kings Park High School, 200 Route 25A, Kings Park hosts a Pasta Dinner Fundraiser to benefit the Kennedy family from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy a spaghetti dinner with bread, salad, dessert and raffles. $10 donation at the door. For more information, call 269-3721.
Thursday Feb. 2
Groundhog Day celebration
The Town of Brookhaven will host its annual Groundhog Day Celebration at the Holtsville Ecology Center, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville starting at 7 a.m. Come meet Holtsville Hal and find out what his shadow foretells. Then grab some hot chocolate and visit with more than 100 animals that call the Ecology Center home.Free. For more information, call 451-5330 for more information. See story on page B16.
A Victorian Valentine’s Day
Join the Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport for A Very Victorian Valentine’s Day program from 7 to 9 p.m. Hear the alluring history of Valentine’s Day, told through wine and chocolate! You’ll take a journey from the early beginnings of the holiday, all the way to modern times, while learning (and sampling) an array of wine and chocolate pairings. For ages 21 and up. Tickets are $60 per person. To register, visit wwwnorthporthistorical.org.
An Evening of Jazz
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents the The Jazz Loft Big Band, a 17 piece big band directed by Jazz Loft Director Tom Manuel, in concert from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children. To order, visit www.thejazzloft.org. For further information, call 751-1895.
Theater
‘The Sweet Delilah Swim Club’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage season with The Sweet Delilah Swim Club from Jan. 14 to Feb. 4. This hilarious and touching show features five very different but deeply connected Southern women whose friendships began on their college swim team. Each summer they meet for a reunion at the same beach cottage in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Visiting them on four weekends over thirty-three years, we learn of their lives, loves, and losses. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St.. Northport presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from Jan. 19 to March 5. Con artist Lawrence Jameson is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the fruits of his deceptions–that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson, shows up. When the new guy’s lowbrow tactics impinge on his own work, Jameson resolves to get rid of him. Based on the uproarious movie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels boasts a jazzy-pop score by David Yazbek, who also wrote the music for The Full Monty. Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Festival of One-Act Plays
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 24th annual Festival of One-Act Plays from February 25 through March 25 at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre, on the Second Stage. Selected from over 250 submissions world-wide, these seven cutting-edge premieres are guaranteed to entertain and engage. Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the plays will feature Steve Ayle, Tamralynn Dorsa, Antoine Jones, Brittany Lacey, Phyllis March, Evan Teich, Steven Uihlein, Sean Amato, Ava Andrejko, Angelo DiBiase, Samantha Fierro, Jason Furnari, Melissa Norman, Danielle Pafundi, and Tristan Prin. Please Note: Adult content and language. Parental discretion is advised. All tickets are $20. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Tape’
The Theatre at Suffolk County Community College, Ammerman campus, 533 College Road, Selden presents a production of Tape by Stephen Belber in Theatre 119 in the Islip Arts Building on March 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 7:30 p.m. and March 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. A three-character ensemble piece set within the confines of a tawdry motor lodge in Lansing, Michigan. After 10 years apart, three disparate people come together to play out the unresolved drama of their final days in high school. Intrigued, we watch as layers of denial are slowly peeled away. Suspense builds as each character is provoked into revealing his or her true nature and motivation. Mesmerized, we are drawn into their lives as they choose which cards to play and which cards to hold. *Mature Content* General admission is $14. For tickets call 451-4163.
Film
TURN TO THE RIGHT The Cinema Arts Centre presents a screening of ‘Raising Arizona’ on Jan. 27. Photo courtesy of CAC
‘Raising Arizona’
The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington presents a special screening of Raising Arizona (1987) on Jan. 27 at 9:30 p.m. An ex-con (Nicolas Cage) and an ex-cop (Holly Hunter) meet, marry and long for a child of their own. When it is discovered that Hi is unable to have children they decide to snatch a baby. They try to keep their crime a secret, while friends, co-workers and a bounty hunter look to use the child for their own purposes. Rated PG-13. Tickets are $15, $10 members. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘City Lights’
Celebrate St. James kicks off its Classic Movie Series with a screening of City Lights (1931) starring Charlie Chaplin and Virginia Cherrill at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 2nd. Ave., St. James on Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. Donation of $25, $20 seniors. For more information, call 984-0201 or visit www.celebratestjames.org.
‘Cinema Paradiso’
As part of its Classic Italian Cinema series, the Cinema Arts Cenre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington presents a screening of Cinema Paradiso on Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. Cinema Paradiso is the beautiful, enchanting story of a young boy’s lifelong love-affair with the movies. Set in an Italian village, Salvatore finds himself enchanted by the flickering images at the Cinema Paradiso. When the projectionist, Alfredo, agrees to reveal the mysteries of moviemaking, a deep friendship is born. The day comes for Salvatore to leave and pursue his dream of making movies of his own. Thirty years later he receives a message that beckons him back home to a secret and beautiful discovery that awaits him. In Italian with English subtitles. Rated PG. Tickets are $17, $12 members. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
* All numbers are in (631) area code unless otherwise noted.
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