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Studies have shown that adding blueberries to your diet can lower your blood pressure. Pixabay photo
Non-clinical readings may paint a more complete picture of your risks

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Nearly 120 million U.S. adults, just under half of the population, have hypertension (1). Of these, only 25 percent have successfully controlled their blood pressure to less than 130/80 mmHg, the high end of “normal” blood pressure.

For the remaining 75 percent, the risk of complications, including cardiovascular events and mortality, is significantly higher.

What increases our risk of developing hypertension? An observational study involving 2,763 participants showed that the top three influencers on the risk of developing high blood pressure were poor diet, modest obesity, and cigarette smoking, all of which are modifiable (2).

What increases your risk of complications?

Being significantly overweight or obese, smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, family history, age, increased sodium, depression, diabetes, low vitamin D, and too much alcohol all increase your risk (3).

The good news is that you can improve your risk profile (4).

What is the effect of gender?

One of the most concerning complications of hypertension is cardiovascular disease. A large observational study with a 31-year duration found that isolated systolic (top number) hypertension increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and death in both men and women between 18 and 49 years old, compared to those who had optimal blood pressure (5). These complications were not affected by onset age.

When the results were sorted by gender, women experienced the greatest effect, with a 55 percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease and 112 percent increased risk of heart disease death.

When  to measure your blood pressure

Most of us have our blood pressure measured when we’re at a doctor’s office. While measuring blood pressure in a clinic can be useful, a meta-analysis of nine studies showed that high blood pressure measured at nighttime was potentially a better predictor of myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) and strokes, compared to daytime and clinic readings (5).

For every 10 mmHg rise in nighttime systolic blood pressure, there was a corresponding 25 percent increase in cardiovascular events. The nighttime readings were achieved using 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM).

A factor that might increase the risk of nighttime cardiovascular events is masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH).  MUCH occurs in those who are well-controlled during clinic readings for blood pressure; however, out-of-clinic readings indicate their blood pressure is uncontrolled.

A study of 167 patients found that medication non-compliance was not a significant factor in those experiencing MUCH (6). Of the participants experiencing MUCH, 85.2 percent were fully adherent with their prescribed medications, a number similar to the group that did not experience MUCH.

Interestingly, in the Spanish Society of Hypertension ABPM Registry, MUCH was most often seen during nocturnal hours (7). The study’s authors suggest that ABPM may be a better way to monitor those with higher risk factors for MUCH, such as those whose pressure is borderline in the clinic and those who are smokers, obese or have diabetes.

A previous study of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension suggested that taking at least one antihypertensive medication at night may be more effective than taking them all in the morning (8). Those who took one or more of their blood pressure medications at night saw a two-third reduction in cardiovascular event risk.

Blueberries and blood pressure

Diet plays an important role in controlling high blood pressure. Lowering sodium is critically important, but adding berries may also be beneficial.

In a study of post-menopausal women with pre-hypertension or stage one hypertension, daily consumption of 22 grams of blueberry powder, the equivalent of one cup of fresh blueberries, reduced systolic blood pressure by a respectable 7 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 5 mmHg over two months (9).

This addition of a modest amount of fruit had a significant impact. Blueberries increase nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels relax and reduces blood pressure. While the study used blueberry powder, an equivalent amount of real fruit might lead to an even greater reduction.

High blood pressure and possible cardiovascular complications can be scary, but lifestyle modifications, such as making dietary changes and taking antihypertensive medications at night, can reduce your risks.

References:

(1) millionhearts.hhs.gov. (2) BMC Fam Pract 2015;16(26). (3) uptodate.com. (4) Diabetes Care 2011;34 Suppl 2:S308-312. (5) J Am Coll Cardiol 2015;65(4):327-335. (6) Hypertension. 2019 Sep;74(3):652-659. (7) Eur Heart J 2015;35(46):3304-3312. (8) J Am Soc Nephrol 2011 Dec;22(12):2313-2321. (9) J Acad Nutr Diet 2015;115(3):369-377.

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

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Magician TJ Tana joins Jim Vines and Mike Maione at Theatre Three’s Parlor of Mystery on March 13.
Thursday March 6

Community Blood Drive

Mather Hospital, 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson will hold a Spring Into Action & Give Blood Drive from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Conference Rooms A & B. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcomed if space permits. To register, visit donate.nybc.org.

Thankful Thursdays

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

Friday March 7 

Wines Around the World

Sip and savor your way around the globe at a new wine tasting event at the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Enjoy wines from Australia, Africa, Portugal, Chile, Long Island and more! ​Grab a whaler’s passport and follow in the wake of the ships of the Cold Spring Whaling Company, tasting wines inspired by the countries and cultures they encountered along the way. Explore historical artifacts and exciting tales at each port you visit. For ages 21 and older. $45 per person, $35 members. To register, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org/ 631-367-3418

WinterTide Concert 

The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson presents award-winning finger style guitarist and songwriter Rupert Wates in concert from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of its WinterTide series.  Free will donation. Sponsored by St. Charles Hospital and Greater Port Jeff-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council. 631-473-5220

Saturday March 8

Guided Beach Walk

Town of Brookhaven kicks off its Spring Nature Programs for 2025 with a See by the Sound guided beach walk at West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook at 10 a.m. and at the Cedar Beach Nature Center in Mount Sinai at 2 p.m. Come explore shells, gulls and other treasures on the shore. Free but registration required by emailing [email protected].

Needle-Felted Egg Workshop

Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead will hold a Needle-Felted Egg Workshop in the Hudson-Sydlowski House from 10 a.m. to noon. Led by fiber artist Michele Miroff, participants will learn to create a decorative needle-felted egg to take home. Fee is $40, $30 members. There is an additional $25 fee for the needle felting kit, payable in cash to the instructor on the day of the workshop.  To register, visit www.hallockville.org. 631-298-5292

Coffee with a Cop 

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to drop by from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to grab a beverage, have a snack, and chat with a 6th Precinct officer. No registration required. 631-928-1212

Superheroes of the Sky

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents Superheroes of the Sky from 11 a.m. to noon. Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds the Center’s birds of prey and learn about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing a bald eagle, turkey Vultures, owls, hawks and many more. Fee is $10 adults, $5 children. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org.

Second Saturdays Poetry Reading

All Souls Church in Stony Brook continues its Second Saturdays Poetry Reading via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Featured poet will be Geri Parisi Kaplan will be the featured poet. An open reading will follow the featured poet; all are welcome to read one of their own poems.  For more information, please call 631-655-7798.  Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/

Polar Plunge Fundraiser

Join the Smithtown Children’s Foundation for a Polar Plunge fundraiser at the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club, 552 Long Beach Road, Smithtown with registration at 1 p.m. and plunge at 2 p.m. with coffee, hot cocoa, bagels, donuts and raffles. $30 per person. To register, visit www.smithtownchildrensfoundation.com. For more information, call 516-521-7234.

Studio 268 Art Reception

The community is invited to an opening reception for an exhibit featuring the plein air paintings of Stony Brook artist James Engelbert at Studio 268, 268 Main St., Setauket from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibit runs through March 28. For more information, call 631-220-4529.

Artist in the Gallery

Visitors to the Building the Ballot Box exhibition at the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook will have the unique opportunity to meet Kelynn Z. Alder, an artist featured in the show, on the afternoon of International Women’s Day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Alder will be in the gallery to discuss her art and life and answer visitors’ questions about her. Included with museum admission. 631-751-0066

Dreams of Spain Duo in Concert

All Souls Church, 61 Main St, Stony Brook welcomes the Dreams of Spain Duo featuring Kate Amrine (trumpet) and Nilko Andreas (guitar) at 6 p.m. as part of its Saturdays at Six concert series. The program will feature classical music, Spanish compositions, Brazilian choro, and more. Free. Please bring a can of food to donate to help feed the hungry in our community. 631-655-7798

Sunday March 9

Huntington St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) invites the community to its 91st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Huntington at 2 p.m. Grand Marshal New York State Assemblyman Keith P. Brown will lead the procession down New York Avenue to Main Street before ending at The Church of St. Patrick. Long Island’s oldest and largest, the parade will feature dozens of pipe bands. For more information, visit www.huntingtonhibernian.com.

Maple Sugaring at Hoyt Farm

The annual, educational Maple Sugaring classes return to Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve, 200 New Highway, Commack from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event covers the history of maple sugaring, from its discovery by Native Americans to modern-day technique and includes a special interactive portion for younger participants to learn about tree anatomy, chlorophyll’s role in sap production, and photosynthesis in maple syrup creation. Tickets are $5 per person (cash only). Due to high demand, it is recommended that guests arrive by 1 p.m. to register. 631-543-7804.

Bob Morris Irish Band in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook  presents a concert by the Bob Morris Irish Band from 3 to 4 p.m. Expect plenty of jigs and reels along with many of your favorite sing along songs from old Erin. The event is free with general admission ticket purchase. 631-689-5888, www.limusichalloffame.org

Sunday Street Concert

The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook, in partnership with WUSB-FM and the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council, continues its Sunday Street Concert series with Celebrating Lou Reed and Paul Simon in the Carriage Museum’s Gillespie Room at 5 p.m. Featuring performances by Gene Casey; Caroline Doctorow; Andrew Fortier, Andie Juliette Fortier, and Cole Fortier; Bryan Gallo; Ray Lambiase; Russ Seeger; and Hank Stone. Tickets are $25 in advance at www.sundaystreet.org, $30 at the door (cash only)

Monday March 10

TVHS Lecture

Three Village Historical Society continues its lecture series at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket with A Step in Time: The History of Irish Dancing at 7 p.m.  Today, Irish dancing is a recognized art form performed around the world. But what are its origins? Join Dr. Tara Rider of Stony Brook University as she explores the history of Irish reels and jigs and more. Free will donation. To RSVP, visit www.tvhs.org. 631-751-3730

SHS Spring Lecture

Smithtown Historical Society continues their Spring Lecture series in the Frank Brush Barn, 211 East Main St., Smithtown with The Tallmadge Trail: Military Journey of Spymaster & Major Benjamin Tallmadge at 7 p.m. Historian Robert Von Bernewitz will discuss Tallmadge’s military journey during the American Revolution. No registration necessary. Free, donations appreciated. 631-265-6768

Sound Beach Civic Meeting

The Sound Beach Firehouse, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach will host a meeting by Sound Beach Civic Association at 7:30 p.m. On the agenda will be the first Out of This World Kids Day. Anyone interested in participating or want to know what the plans are as well volunteering is invited. 631-744-6952.

Astronomy Night

Join the Observatories at Avalon Nature Preserve in Stony Brook for a free live observing session, “Some Objects Near & Some Really Far,” from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (weather permitting). Pre-registration is not required. Parking is at the Avalon Barn on Shep Jones Lane. Please note that access is only available from Route 25A, North Country Road due to the Harbor Road closure. Questions? Call 631-689-0619.

Tuesday March 11

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to “Everything you wanted to know about Purim, but were afraid to ask” with Rabbi Aaron Benson at 11 a.m. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Community Conversation at the LIM

Against the backdrop of the Voices and Votes exhibition, the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook invites you to join a “Community Conversation” on the theme of Equal Rights for Women from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This particular conversation will be anchored in a speech from Shirley Chisholm, which she gave on the floor of Congress on May 21, 1969. This event is free; preregistration is preferred by visiting www.longislandmuseum.org.

Tony Bennett exhibit opening

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook will hold an opening reception for its latest exhibit, Tony: A Live Well Lived. from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring hors d’oeuvre and the Jazz Loft Trio presenting the Tony Bennett Song Book. Tickets are $25 at www.thejazzloft.org.

Wednesday March 12

Chair Exercise Class

Rose Caracappa Senior Center, 739 Route 25A, Mt. Sinai hosts a Beginners TheraBand Chair Exercise class from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Improve muscle strength and range of motion with a gentle beginners exercise class. Bands will be provided.  Free. To register, call  631-451-5312.

Thursday March 13

The Parlor of Mystery

Theatre Three, 412 Main St. Port Jefferson presents an evening of magic and wonder with The Parlor of Mystery at 8 p.m. This captivating show promises an unparalleled experience that combines mind-bending illusions, jaw-dropping magic, and side-splitting comedy. Featuring Jim Vines, TJ Tana and host Mike Maione. Tickets are $40. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Film

‘Shaking it Up’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series kicks off its spring season with Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main Street, Port Jefferson on March 6 at 7 p.m. The film explores the story of the eponymous woman who was witness to and involved in some of the most historically significant moments of the 20th century, as among her many roles, she was the first female executive assistant to a vice president for Lyndon B. Johnson and then press secretary for Lady Bird Johnson. A conversation with director Abby Ginzberg will follow. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash only) or in advance at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

‘American Graffiti’

As part of its Reel 1970s series, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will screen American Graffiti on March 6 at 7:30 p.m. An enduring classic, American Graffiti celebrates an America of the early 1960s, where teenagers cruise the streets in hot rods and rock and roll tops the music charts. A story of coming-of-age, it remains one of the most successful films in history.  Hosted by film historian Glenn Andreiev. Tickets are $16, $10 members. www.cinemaartscentre.org

‘It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’

Cinema Arts Center, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Best of the Big Screen series with It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World on March 11 at 7:30 p.m. This 1963 epic Hollywood comedy is an extravaganza of slapstick excess that lets loose an unparalleled cast of legends—including Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Spencer Tracy, and Jonathan Winters—in a hunt for buried treasure. With introduction by film historian Philip Harwood. Tickets are $16, $10 members. www.cinemartscentre.org.

‘Every Little Thing’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its spring season with Every Little Thing at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main Street, Port Jefferson on March 13 at 7 p.m. Filmmaker Sally Aiken profiles bird rehabilitator Terry Masear, who has devoted her life to saving and protecting hummingbirds in the Los Angeles area. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Terry Masear, Dr. Carl Safina, Patricia Paladines, and Dr. Maria Bowling. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash only) or in advance at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

Theater

‘Les Misérables’

Smithtown High School West,100 Central Road, Smithtown presents Les Misérables on March 6, 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. Join them for an unforgettable performance of this Broadway classic! Refreshments and raffles will be available for purchase during the event, Tickets are $15 at the door.

Festival of One Act Plays

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 26th annual Festival of One-Act Plays at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre on the Second Stage from March 8 to April 5. Featuring the world premieres of 7 one act plays. Tickets are $25. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Lobby Hero’

Suffolk County Community College, 533 College Road, Selden presents Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonerga in Theatre 119, Islip Arts Building on March 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15 at 7:30 p.m. and March 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. When Jeff, a luckless young security guard, is drawn into a local murder investigation, loyalties are strained to the breaking point. As Jeff’s tightly wound supervisor is called to bear witness against his troubled brother, and an attractive rookie cop finds she must stand up to her seasoned partner, truth becomes elusive and justice proves costly. No late comer seating. $15 general admission, $10 veterans and students 16 years of age or younger: Suffolk students with current ID: One FREE ticket. To order, call 631-451-4163 or visit sunysuffolk.edu/spotlight.

‘Menopause the Musical’

It’s back! Menopause the Musical returns to the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown from March 15 to April 6. A hilarious celebration of women and The Change, this musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. See what more than 15 million women and fans worldwide have been laughing about for over 20 years. Tickets are $61.50, $56.50 seniors. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Ring of Fire’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage season with Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show from March 1 to March 30. From the heart of the songs of singer-songwriter Johnny Cash  comes a unique musical show about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, home and family. Ring of Fire captures America’s legendary Man in Black in an exhilarating, tuneful, foot-stomping celebration. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Waitress The Musical’

Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is Waitress The Musical from March 13 to April 27. Based on the 2007 movie, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop — until a baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s handsome new doctor offer her a tempting recipe for happiness. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Farmers Markets

Huntington Farmers Market

Spirit of Huntington Art Center, 2 Melville Road North, Huntington Station hosts the Long Island Winter Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Jan. 5 through April 27. 631-470-9620

Port Jefferson Farmers Market

The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market returns to the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Jan. 12 to the end of April. 631-802-2160

Vendors Wanted

◆ Sound Beach Civic Association seeks vendors for its “Out of This World” Kids Day on June 1 from 11 a.m.  to 3 p.m. on New York Avenue in Sound Beach—a free event celebrating children and their uniqueness. Craft/retail vendors, vendors providing only information or kids activities, food trucks, and non-profits should call 631-744-6952 or email [email protected].

◆ Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket seeks vendors for its popular  Easter Egg Hunts on April 19 and April 20. Fee is $55 for one day, $90 for two days for a 10’ by 10’ spot. For more information, call 631-689-8172 or email [email protected].

◆ Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket seeks full-season, seasonal, pop-up and food truck vendors for its 11th annual Three Village Farmers & Artisans Market on Fridays from May 2 to Oct. 24. Hours are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from May to September, and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in October. For an application and more information, visit www.tvhs.org or call 631-751-3730. 

◆ Port Jefferson Historical Society seeks Antique Dealers for the Antiques and Garden Weekend at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A East Broadway, Port Jefferson on May 3 and May 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information,, visit portjeffhistorical.org or email [email protected].

CALENDAR DEADLINE  is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

 

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Lou Reed and Paul Simon will be honored on March 9. Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

By Rita J. Egan

Music lovers will experience two distinctive sounds during the Sunday Street Concert on March 9 at The Long Island Museum.

Local singers Gene Casey; Caroline Doctorow; Andrew, Andie Juliette and Cole Fortier; Bryan Gallo; Ray Lambiase; Russ Seeger; and Hank Stone will come together to commemorate the music of two legends — Lou Reed and Paul Simon. Both are inductees in the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Andrew Fortier said he finds Simon and Reed to be polar opposites.

“I also think they’re both geniuses and brilliant and really that’s the fun discovery of it all,” he said.

Producer Charlie Backfish said during the concert, titled Lou Reed & Paul Simon: Two Songwriters from Long Island, the artists will each perform one song from Simon’s catalog and one of Reed’s songs. Simon, 83, and Reed, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 71, both have ties to Long Island.

Born in Brooklyn, Reed graduated from Freeport High School in 1959 while Simon graduated from Forest Hills High School in Queens in 1958. 

Reed played guitar and was a member of a doo-wop group in his younger days, while Simon, along with classmate Art Garfunkel, joined forces first as the group Tom and Jerry. The duo would go on to record simply as Simon and Garfunkel and recorded hits such as “I Am a Rock” and “Scarborough Fair” before Simon pursued a solo career. Reed also embarked on a solo path after being a member of the rock group Velvet Underground for five years.

The artistic paths of both accomplished singers and songwriters would cross in 1980 when Simon wrote and starred in One Trick Pony. Reed played a record executive in the same film.

Backfish said he chose the two artists for this show because of their ties to Long Island as well as their musical genres, which are “rather different, although they share some common roots.”

He added that the two, in addition to graduating from Long Island high schools and appearing in a movie together, both had an interest in Doo Wop. According to Backfish, their interests in the genre continued throughout their careers.

“Obviously not every recording, but there are elements of it in their music, and especially in their early years that kind of intrigued me,” he said.

Ray Lambiase, who chose Reed’s “Pale Blue Eyes” to perform, said as he was deciding on a song from the singer’s catalog, especially from Velvet Underground, “I was struck by how — as quirky as his recordings were — you can still pick up an acoustic guitar, and they still have the fundamental elements of a well-written song.”

Lambiase said finding a Simon song is as challenging as picking a Reed song. He added that many of Simon’s songs can be musically challenging.

“Paul Simon is such a terrific guitar player that a lot of his songs are difficult to play,” he said.

“There are some songs that are simpler than others, but he was a very sophisticated guitar player, and also his chord patterns were much more sophisticated than what we would think of as traditional folk singers.”

Lambiase will perform “Paranoia Blues” from Simon’s first solo album, which he feels will be a fun song compared to some of his more serious pieces.

“It might be a good idea to break things up and show that he had a humorous side, too,” the performer said.

Caroline Doctorow, who will sing Simon’s “The Dangling Conversation,” which she recorded on her “Dreaming in Vinyl” album, and Reed’s “Sunday Morning,” said it’s important for performers to try to sound different than the original artists.

“You want to add something to your interpretation,” Doctorow said, adding it can be “challenging in a really wonderful way.”

“I’m so happy that Charlie does these shows,” she said. “It’s a nice opportunity to just spread your wings a little bit in a way that you might not otherwise.

Andrew Fortier agreed that the concert series and Backfish’s WUSB-FM radio program “Sunday Street” take performers and listeners on a journey, introducing them to singers they may have never considered.

He added he feels the audience will enjoy hearing both artists’ music and that fans of one will find the other songwriter’s work fresh and new. Fortier and his children, Cole and Andie Juliette, were on a road trip listening to some of Simon’s and Reed’s work to look for songs that resonated with them.

“The truth of it is that it is really fun when you dive into an artist that you really aren’t that familiar with, because you really can dig deep, and you really get an appreciation for what they do,” Fortier said.

Andie Juliette Fortier added, “It’s always interesting. It gives you a chance to get to know each artist a little bit more and really explore parts of their catalog you maybe wouldn’t normally listen to.”

Singer/songwriters Lou Reed and Paul Simon, pictured here in their high school yearbooks, will be honored during the March 9 concert. Photos courtesy of Charlie Backfish

After listening to Simon’s and Reed’s work, Andrew Fortier decided to sing Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years” and Reed’s “Satellite of Love.” Andie Juliette Fortier will perform “Kathy’s Song” by Simon and “I’ll Be Your Mirror” by Reed. Cole Fortier has chosen Simon’s “Hearts and Bones” and “Going Down” by Reed.

The Fortiers are looking forward to hearing the other performers’ interpretations, too.

“There’s always surprises,” Andie Juliette Fortier said. “It’s always nice to hear how people interpret different songs and put their own style on it.

Lambiase said he enjoys the “insights from the different steps of the journey of their personal growth and journeys” when he performs an artist’s work at a Sunday Street concert.

“I think that’s a really big part of the show to humanize the artists by taking their songs and reducing them to their core essentials, and keeping some insight into their journey, because every musician, especially people with careers as long as Paul Simon and Lou Reed, there’s a beginning, a middle and the later part.”

Doctorow said older songs usually stir up a sense of nostalgia, and she hopes audience members will remember the music, and the songs will bring back memories while they connect with them in a new way.

“It’s like that Hugh Prestwood song — called ‘The Song Remembers When,’” she said. “You hear these songs from your youth, and you remember things that you might not normally remember. It just sort of washes over you, and in difficult times like we’re in now, the songs comfort people.”

Sunday Street Concert Lou Reed & Paul Simon: Two Songwriters from Long Island is produced by Charlie Backfish and is a not-for-profit collaboration with WUSB-FM, The Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council and The Long Island Museum. 

The show takes place on Sunday, March 9 at 5 p.m. in The Gillespie Room at The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook. Advance sale tickets are $25, plus a service fee, through March 7. Tickets at the door are $30, cash only. For more information, visit www.sundaystreet.org. 

 

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Barn Owl. Pixabay photo

By John L. Turner

John Turner

I stepped out the back door into the clear and bracing evening air, under the inky black dome of the night sky pockmarked with the stars in the constellation of Orion and the luminous planetary dot of Venus to the southeast. Within a few seconds I hear a call: several deep hoots of a Great Horned Owl, repeated three more times in quick succession. It’s a sequence that one ornithologist characterizes as: “Who’s awake, me too!” While I couldn’t see it, I suspected the bird was hooting from a large white pine on the south side of the neighbor’s yard and its presence filled me with excitement as it always does when hearing or seeing an owl.   

Several species of owls, varying in abundance, seasonality, and habitat, can be found on Long Island; some  nest while a few don’t breed on Long Island but overwinter, while still others migrate through the island. In addition to the Great Horned Owl, they include the Screech Owl, the winter visiting Snowy and Short-eared Owls, and the uncommon Long-eared and Saw-whet Owls. Frequenting barns and other structures is the strikingly beautiful Barn Owl. A very rare winter visitor, having visited just a few times in the past century, is the stunning Great Grey Owl, associated with more northerly latitudes. Currently, ornithologists have documented 254 owl species globally. 

Snowy Owl. Pixabay photo

Perhaps the most coveted owl to lay your eyes on is the Snowy Owl, which possesses a  snowy white plumage in adult male birds. Adult females and immature birds of both sexes have black flaking. This species is an open country bird, preferring the windswept habitats of its breeding range — open dunes and heathland and, unlike most owl species, is active during the day.

The south shore barrier islands, including Jones Beach and Robert Moses State Parks, can be fruitful areas to look for this diurnal species. As for a search image, think a white paper bag situated atop a dune crest. Driving the stretch of Dune Road from Shinnecock Inlet west to Cupsogue County Park is also worthwhile.

Snowy Owls appear almost every winter in a still not fully understood response to prey abundance in the Arctic. It used to be thought the movement of the species southward was tightly correlated with a decrease in abundance of their prey, lemmings. The phenomenon is not that clear cut and scientists aren’t fully sure what drives their long and stressful southbound journeys. 

Short-eared Owl. Pixabay photo

The Short-eared Owl is another species associated with open country that’s active during the day.  Short-eared have an infinity for grasslands, meadows, and marshes. This species was once an uncommon breeding bird; it is now quite rare, if it still breeds here at all. The best bet to see this handsome species is as an overwintering bird probably at the former Grumman property in Calverton. The grassy margins of the formerly used runways support small mammals like mice and voles which the owl feeds on. Short-eared can also be occasionally viewed perched on telephone poles along Dune Road. 

Long-eared Owl. Pixabay photo

The closely related Long-eared Owl is uncommon on Long Island and if it breeds here at all it is in very low numbers. It is seen most often as an overwintering bird, typically perched in conifers or evergreens. One of my fonder memories involving this group of birds was seeing, many decades ago, several Long-eareds perched together in evergreen shrubs first found by fellow birders and friends Bob McGrath and Rich Gostic, on an estate property on the east side of the Nissequogue River. Based on the pellets and white wash it was clear the roost had been used for some time.  Unfortunately, the estate was developed in the 1980’s and the owl patch destroyed.

Barn Owl. Pixabay photo

In my youth I worked at the 133-acre Hoyt Farm Preserve in Commack. For many years a pair of Barn Owls nested in the old wooden tower that once provided water for the farm. A highlight for me and other staff was to periodically climb the metal rungs of the ladder to gain entry into the tower and band the young owls. During the banding process they would hiss loudly along with their parents, comically rocking their heads back and forth. Unfortunately, as the land around the preserve was developed, there apparently wasn’t enough habitat to sustain an ample prey base needed to sustain the pair of barn owls and their young, as they haven’t nested at the preserve in many decades. 

Northern Saw-Whet Owl. Pixabay photo

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is perhaps the least known of our native owl species. It is also the smallest, topping out at about eight inches from top of head to tail tip and tipping the scales at less than three ounces. (In contrast, the aforementioned Snowy Owl weighs about four pounds). The Saw-whet’s name derives from the fact its call sounds a bit like the sound made when whetting or sharpening a saw. This diminutive bird has a preference for tangles — vines and tightly growing pine branches — where it hides during the day. It has been recorded as breeding on Long Island although it is seen much more often during fall migration and as an overwintering bird. Want to see the definition of cuteness? Take a look at a photograph of a fledgling Saw-whet. Oh my!    

Both the Great Horned Owl and its diminutive cousin the Screech Owl are woodland birds. Both species have ‘horns’ which are really vertical feather tufts, as does the aforementioned Long-eared; they play no role in defense or hearing. 

Great Horned Owl. Pixabay photo

The Great Horned Owl is the earliest nesting bird and at the time this article appears adults will be incubating eggs, providing them with life-giving heat. Several years ago I was checking out a wooded Town of Brookhaven preserve in Holbrook when I saw what I thought was a white plastic bag partially hidden behind an oak tree. Coming around the tree I was startled to see not a bag but a wet Great Horned owl fledgling sitting amidst the damp leaves. I knew if there was one fledgling there were likely more and after some searching I found two other fledglings, one of which, perched on a fallen pine tree, was already growing into its adult plumage. An adult perched in a live upright pine tree nearby kept a steady eye on both me and her precocious babies. 

The Screech Owl is probably the most common and widespread owl species found here with breeding pairs likely inhabiting most  woodlots five to ten acres or larger. Like the Saw-whet, Screech Owls are cavity nesters, using holes excavated in trees by woodpeckers. Unlike almost all of the other eighteen North American owl species, the Screech owl is polymorphic, a fancy term meaning the species  has three color morphs or forms — a grey plumage form, a rufous colored one and a form intermediate (which I have never seen). Of the several dozen screech owls I’ve had the pleasure of seeing on Long Island, I’ve only seen the rufous morph although I’ve seen the grey form a few times in other places. 

Carl Safina with Alfie

The most well-known Screech Owl on Long Island undoubtedly is Alfie, made famous through Carl Safina’s wonderful book Alfie & Me, in which, in part, he describes the trials and tribulations of nursing a very sick Screech Owl fledgling back to health, assisting with her successful re-wilding, and watching her blossom into a devoted parent, raising, to date, 15 young in the woodlands in and adjacent to his Setauket residence. 

Screech owls are misnamed — rather, the ‘screech’ title belongs to the Barn Owl, which emits a haunting sounding hiss or screech when agitated or disturbed. Screech owl vocalizations, which I occasionally hear in my backyard and on the hikes around Long Island, aren’t screechy at all; indeed they are rather pleasant sounding — a two parted horse like whinny followed by a pulsing whistle. I encourage you to listen to a recording of its call. 

Barred Owl. Pixabay photo

A puzzle regarding the presence of owl species on Long Island is the dearth of Barred Owls. This species, well-known for its distinctive “Who-cooks-for-you?, Who-cooks-for-you-all?” call is very rarely heard or seen here. This is a bit surprising since the species is fairly common in areas north and west of the island such as southern Connecticut and northern and central New Jersey. Its scarcity might be due to the fact that it prefers large, extensive tracts of forested wetlands such as tupelo-red maple swamps and these areas on Long Island are rarely more than a couple dozen acres in size at most.    

Owls are well adapted to being “denizens of the dark.” They possess exceptional vision and hearing and have feathers that dampen or eliminate sound as they fly. Owls see quite well in the dark, an obvious necessity for a nocturnal lifestyle.

One reason is the size of their eyes. Great-horned Owls have large barrel-shaped eyes they cannot move, so to change its field of view an owl must turn its head. Another reason is due to the abundance of rod cells in their eyes which help them to detect light; they have about 50% more rods than we do. Lastly, owls have forward facing eyes enabling binocular vision, like us, which helps with depth perception, a key attribute when hunting prey that is small, mobile and fast. Their forward facing eyes is what imparts the ‘wise’ look unique to owls. 

Their hearing is remarkably acute as well due to the fact their ear openings are asymmetrically positioned on each side of the owl’s head. This allows for an owl to not only detect if a mouse is rustling to its left or right (the vertical plane) but whether it’s on the ground or in a bush a few feet off the ground (the horizontal plane). Experiments with Barn owls in totally dark situations proved this species can successfully capture prey using hearing alone.

Blakiston Fish Owl. Pixabay photo

The leading edge of an owl’s flight feathers is “fluted” which creates a soft edge that muffles sound, rather than a hard or straight edge like in a duck or seagull. This feature enables silent flight, a great advantage to a bird, gifting it the element of surprise. Interestingly, owl species like the Blakiston’s Fish Owl, the largest owl in the world, that feed on species that cannot detect the sound of an owl, like fish, lack the fluted edge. No need to evolve silent flight when your prey can’t hear you to begin with.

A good way to acquaint yourself with this remarkable and charismatic group of birds is to join a local Audubon chapter or Sweetbriar Nature Center on an organized nocturnal “owl prowl” or venture out to the Calverton Grasslands or Jones Beach to see one of the species active during the day. If you do and are lucky enough to hear or see an owl I bet you’ll be filled with excitement too!

A resident of Setauket, author John L. Turner is a naturalist, conservation co-chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, and Conservation Policy Advocate for the Seatuck Environmental Association.

 

 

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METRO photo
Many risk factors can be managed with lifestyle changes

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

February has been named American Heart Month by the American Heart Association, providing us with a reminder during the Valentine’s Day month to build heart-healthy habits.

Improved medicines, earlier treatment of risk factors, and an embrace of lifestyle modifications have helped reduce the prevalence of heart disease and remind us that it is ultimately preventable.

How do you reduce heart disease risk?

Major heart disease risk factors include obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes. Unfortunately, rates of obesity and diabetes are both still rising. For patients with type 2 diabetes, 70 percent die of cardiovascular causes (1).

A key contributor is the standard American diet, which is rich in saturated fat and calories (2). This drives atherosclerosis, fatty streaks in the arteries.

A high resting heart rate is another potential risk factor. In one study, healthy men and women had 18 and 10 percent increased risks of dying from a heart attack, respectively, for every increase of 10 beats per minute (bpm) over 80 (3). A normal resting heart rate is typically between 60 and 100 bpm, so a high-normal rate has increased risk.

When does medication help?

Cholesterol and blood pressure medications have reducing some heart disease risk. according to the American Society of Hypertension, compliance with taking blood pressure medications has increased over the last 10 years from 33 to 50 percent.

Statins have also played a role in primary prevention. They lower lipid levels, including total cholesterol and LDL — the “bad” cholesterol. In addition, they lower inflammation levels that contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. The Jupiter trial showed statins contributed to a 55 percent combined reduction in heart disease, stroke and mortality from cardiovascular disease in healthy patients, those with slightly elevated levels of inflammation and normal cholesterol profiles.

Statins do have side effects, though. They’ve been shown to increase the risk of diabetes in intensive dosing, compared to moderate dosing (4). Many who are on statins also suffer from myopathy (muscle pain and cramping).

I’m often approached by patients on statins with this complaint. Their goal is to reduce and ultimately discontinue statins by modifying their diet and exercise plans.

Lifestyle modification is a powerful ally.

Which lifestyle changes reduce heart disease risk the most?

METRO photo

The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging investigated 501 healthy men and their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The authors concluded that those who consumed five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily with <12 percent saturated fat reduced their risk of dying from heart disease by 76 percent, compared to those who did not meet these criteria (5). The authors theorized that eating more fruits and vegetables helped to displace saturated fats from the diet.

The Nurses’ Health Study shows that these results are also seen in women. Lifestyle modification reduced the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) (6). This is often the first manifestation of heart disease in women. The authors looked at four parameters of lifestyle modification, including a Mediterranean-type diet, exercise, smoking and body mass index. The decrease in SCD was dose-dependent, meaning the more factors incorporated, the greater the risk reduction. There was as much as a 92 percent decrease in SCD risk when all four parameters were followed.

In a cohort study of high-risk participants and those with heart disease, patients implemented extensive lifestyle modification: a plant-based, whole foods diet accompanied by exercise and stress management. Study results showed an improvement in biomarkers, as well as in cognitive function and overall quality of life over a very short period — three months from the start of the trial (7). Outside of this study environment, many of my own patients have experienced similar results.

How do you monitor your heart disease risk?

Physicians use cardiac biomarkers, including blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index, alongside inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein to monitor your risk. Ideally, if you need to use medications to treat risk factors for heart disease, you should strive for short-term intervention. For some, it may be best to use medication and lifestyle changes together; for patients who take an active role, lifestyle modifications may be sufficient.

By focusing on developing heart-healthy habits, you can improve the likelihood that you will be around for a long time.

References:

(1) Diabetes Care. 2010 Feb; 33(2):442-449. (2) Lancet. 2004;364(9438):93. (3) J Epidemiol Community Health. 2010 Feb;64(2):175-181. (4) JAMA. 2011;305(24):2556-2564. (5) J Nutr. March 1, 2005;135(3):556-561. (6) JAMA. 2011 Jul 6;306(1):62-69. (7) Am J Cardiol. 2011;108(4):498-507.

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

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'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc
'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc
'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc
'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
Join Dorothy and Toto for Theatre Three's 'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz' this weekend! Photo courtesy of Theatre Three Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc
'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc
'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc
The cast of 'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz.' Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

By Julianne Mosher 

Theatre Three’s latest children’s show has a lot of brains, heart and courage, but you certainly won’t want to go home. 

An original musical adapted from the stories of L. Frank Baum by Jeffrey Sanzel and Douglas J. Quattrock, Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz is a fun-filled tale of the timeless classic that will have families in the audience smiling from ear to ear. 

As the show opens, we meet Dorothy Gale (Cassidy Rose O’Brien), chief editor of her high school newspaper, the Baum Bugle. She brings her dog Toto (Tasha Poyfair) around, much to her teachers’ dismay, and unintentionally hurts her best friend, Judy Gumm’s (Sophia Del Carmen) feelings when she cuts her story from the latest edition. 

We meet her teachers, Mr. Green (Jason Furnari), the nasty Miss Ravine (Louisa Bikowski) and the sweet Miss Morgan (Julia Albino), along with her principal, Mr. Henry (Liam Marsigliano), who all warn Dorothy to get inside before a big storm comes by.

A tornado hits and when Dorothy awakes, her newspaper stand has fallen upon a witch wearing ruby red slippers. She’s greeted by Glinda (Albino), the Good Witch of the North, along with the people of Munchkinland (Del Carmen, Marsigliano and Furnari) who declare her a hero for killing the Wicked Witch of the East. Glinda tells Dorothy to take the ruby slippers because they hold magical powers and the evil Wicked Witch of the West (Bikowski) wants them for herself.

Dorothy just wants to go home and in order to do that she must see the great and powerful Wizard of Oz in Emerald City. All she has to do is follow the yellow brick road which leads her down a trailway of surprises and adventure. 

On the first stop she meets the loveable Scarecrow (Katy Snair) who wants to ask the Wizard for a brain. The duo head further down the road and run into the stiff, yet emotional, Tinman (Steven Uihlein) who is looking for a heart. After some trials and tribulations, thanks to the evil witch watching their every move from her lair, they meet the soft Lion (Sean Amato) who wants courage (and to stop being such a scaredy cat!).

Do the four new friends make it to the Emerald City and does the Wizard make all their wishes come true? That’s for you to find out. 

Directed by Sanzel with musical direction from Quattrock, Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz features wonderful original songs and fantastic choreography from Sari Feldman. While the set is small, the theater does a great job of letting your imagination run free, along with the help of a trap door on stage where someone may or may not melt into.

But what truly stands out, alongside the professionalism, talent and commitment to character from the amazing cast, are the costumes designed by Jason Allyn. From Dorothy’s signature blue and white gingham dress; the scarecrow, tinman and lion’s costumes; all the way to the gowns of the elite Emerald City citizens, the outfits are stunning. 

So, buy your tickets now or the Wicked Witch will get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too! And don’t forget to stop by the lobby on your way out for a group photo with the cast.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz through March 29 with a sensory friendly performance on March 2 at 11 a.m. Children’s theater continues with The Adventures of Peter Rabbit from April 16 to May 10; and Snow White and the The Seven Dwarfs from May 29 to June 21. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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Photo courtesy of Councilman Neil Manzella's Facebok

By Heidi Sutton

2025 is starting out as a year of firsts. The first Wegmans on Long Island officially opened in Lake Grove on Feb. 26. Now the first Sprouts Farmers Market in New York Slate is heading to Centereach. The supermarket will occupy the former L.A. Fitness at 1934 Middle Country Road which closed its doors on Jan. 28. The shopping center also houses a Harbor Freight and an AutoZone.

Town of Brookhaven Councilman Neil Manzella made the announcement on Facebook on Feb. 22. 

“Through many discussions with the property owner, and their representatives, I am excited to finally announce that a Sprouts Farmers Market will be joining our community. Though personally unfamiliar with Sprouts, those who are have described it as a blend between Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. As with any business, the community will ultimately decide if it is a success or failure, but I, for one, am thrilled to see a new business come to the area,” he said.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the supermarket chain operates more than 415 stores in 23 states and has been expanding at a rapid pace. “… We are eager to expand into more communities. We are dedicated to expanding our banner with over 110 approved new stores in the pipeline over the next few years,” said CEO Jack Sinclair in a recent statement.

Specializing in natural, organic and gluten-free foods, the grocer touts a farmers market experience with an open layout featuring fresh produce at the center of the store along with meat, seafood, dairy, vitamins and wellness items. 

In addition to Amazon Fresh which opened in East Setauket last October and Wegmans which opened in Lake Grove on Feb. 26, Sprouts will be joining several other supermarkets planned for the area including an Aldi in the former King Kullen on Ronkonkoma Avenue in Ronkonkoma, an Aldi in the former Michael’s Crafts in Medford on Route 112, and a Trader Joe’s on Route 25A in Miller Place next to Walgreens.  Plans for an Amazon Fresh in Farmingville have been scrapped.

While there is no official opening date, Councilman Manzella said that a representative from Sprouts told him they expect to open in the fall of this year. Comments on the councilman’s Facebook page were mostly positive, with many familiar with the supermarket stating that it will be “a fantastic addition to the community.”

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THE FINAL CURTAIN Catch one of the last shows for ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport. The show closes on March 2. Photo courtesy of The John W. Engeman Theater
Thursday Feb. 27

SBU Presidential Lecture

Best-selling author, influential political commentator and esteemed professor Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. will headline Stony Brook University’s upcoming Presidential Lecture called “A Conversation with Eddie S. Glaude, PhD” at the Charles B. Wang Center Theater, 100 Nicolls Road Stony Brook on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. The event will include a Q&A, book signing, and reception to follow. Free. For more information, call 631-632-6310.

Game Night at the LIM

As a companion program to its Voices and Votes exhibition, the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook presents an American Experiments Game Night from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring a series of games developed by the Smithsonian Institution. Drop in to view the exhibition and participate in meaningful discussions about ideas that are critical to our democracy, all in a fun and engaging format. Adults and children are welcome to stop by and play! Free admission. 631-751-0066

An Evening of Comedy

The Long Island Comedy Festival heads to The Mill House Inn, 284 Mill Road, Yaphank for dinner and a show from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy a three-course meal followed by a comedy show with Paul Anthony, Maria Walsh and John Zeigler. $100 per person, cash only. Reservations required by calling 631-345-0361.

Native American Drumming

All Souls Rectory, 5 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook hosts an evening of Native American Drumming Medication from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. 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 631-655-7798 for more information.

Friday Feb. 28 

Next Chapter Book Talk

Award-winning author Kerriann Flanagan Brosky heads to  the Next Chapter book store, 204 New York Ave., Huntington at 7 p.m. Brosky will discuss her latest book, Padre Pio Daily Reflections, followed by a book signing. Books must be purchased at The Next Chapter in order to have them signed at the event. Questions? Call 631-482-5008.

WinterTide Concert 

The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson presents award-winning guitarist and entertainer Toby Walker in concert from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of its WinterTide series.  Free will donation. Sponsored by St. Charles Hospital and Greater Port Jeff-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council. 631-473-5220

Saturday March 1

Long Island Pet Expo

Suffolk County Community College, 1001 Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood presents the Long Island Pet Expo today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and March 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with fur flying entertainment, dog sporting competitions and educational programs designed for the whole family. The 100+ special exhibits will feature some of the hottest new products coming out often before they hit the retail shelves. Pets on leashes are always welcome, and several area rescue groups with adoptable pets will be on hand. Admission is $20 adults, $6 children ages 4-11, children ages 3 and under are free. For discount tickets and additional information, visit www.familypetshows.com.

Garden Club Workshop

The Shoreham-Wading River Garden Club invites the public to a free program at  Wading River Congregational Church, 2057 North Country Road, Wading River at 10:30 a.m.  Join art photographer Anthony Graziano for “Floral Focus: Easy Phone Photography for Garden Lovers.” Learn how to go beyond basic snapshots and unlock the artistic potential of your phone camera. Admission is free and all are welcome. 

Maple Sugaring Day

It’s back! Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket hosts its annual Maple Sugaring Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the maple sugaring process. Then stay for pancakes and hot cocoa (additional fee) and purchase some maple products to take home. Fee is $15 adults, $12 children and seniors. No registration required. For more information, call 631-689-8172.

Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The 15th annual Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at noon featuring  numerous bagpipe bands, floats and hundreds of marching community organizations. Led by Grand Marshal Susan Benjes, the parade steps off at the corner of Lou Avenue and Pulaski Road, continues down Main Street, turns onto Church Street, and ends down Old Dock Road at the William T. Rogers Middle School.

Atelier Art Show Reception

The Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Suites 6 & 9, St. James invites the community to the opening reception to its 4th annual Student Artists juried show from noon to 2 p.m.  The exhibit, which runs through March 27, features the work of Middle and High School student artists in all visual arts except photography and video. 631-250-9009

LIM Lecture

Enjoy an illuminating lecture titled “Marching Forward, Looking Back: New York and the Continued Fight for Equal Rights” by Ashley Hopkins-Benton, Senior Historian and Curator at the New York State Museum at the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook at 1 p.m.  Discover how New York has been an epicenter for movements like women’s suffrage, abolition, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental activism, moving us toward the nation’s founding promise of equality for all. Afterward, explore our two newest exhibitions about democracy in America and on Long Island: Voices and Votes and Building the Ballot Box. The lecture is ncluded with museum admission. www.longislandmuseum.org.

Sunday March 2

Long Island Pet Expo

See March 1 listing.

Caumsett Hike

Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington  for a 5-mile hike through the center section of the park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This moderately paced walk affords walkers the opportunity to relax, socialize, and enjoy the park’s beauty. $4 per person. Preregistration required by calling 631-423-1770.

Maple Sugaring Demonstration

Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Road, Yaphank hosts a Maple Sugaring tapping demonstrations at 10 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. Learn about the process of making syrup by helping drill and tap maple trees and hanging buckets to collect the sap. Enjoy a wagon ride on the  “Syrup Express” to visit the farm animals.  $15 per person ages 3 and up. To register, visit https://www.eventcreate.com/e/maplesugaring25. 631-852-4600

Maple Sugaring at Hoyt Farm

The annual, educational Maple Sugaring classes return to Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve, 200 New Highway, Commack today and March 9 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event covers the history of maple sugaring, from its discovery by Native Americans to modern-day technique and includes a special interactive portion for younger participants to learn about tree anatomy, chlorophyll’s role in sap production, and photosynthesis in maple syrup creation. Tickets are $5 per person (cash only). Due to high demand, it is recommended that guests arrive by 1 p.m. to register. 631-543-7804.

Bryan Gallo in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook  presents a concert by Bryan Gallo from 3 to 4 p.m. The Long Island based singer-songwriter is inspired by both the sounds of alternative country-rock and wistful pop music The event is free with general admission ticket purchase. 631-689-5888, www.limusichalloffame.org

Academy Awards Night Fundraiser

Join the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington for its annual Academy Awards Night celebration at 5:30 p.m. Share a lovely evening featuring raffles, Oscar Bingo, and good company, all to support the Cinema Arts Centre. Dinner will be catered by Butera’s Restaurant, followed by dessert provided by Buttercooky Bakery along with a Red Carpet for selfies, a ballot prediction contest and raffle prizes. Tickets are $100 per person, $75 members. www.cinemaartscentre.org.

Avalon Astronomy Night

The Observatories at Avalon Nature Preserve, 60 Shep Jones Lane, Stony Brook will be hosting a live observing session (weather permitting) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Using their telescopes, they will be providing both digital and visual views of interesting wintertime deep space objects along with the planets Venus, Jupiter and Mars. The event is free. Pre-registration is not required. **Access is only available from 25A / North Country due to the Harbor Road closure. 631-689-0619

Monday March 3

SHS Spring Lecture

Smithtown Historical Society kicks off their Spring Lecture series in the Frank Brush Barn, 211 East Main St., Smithtown with “The Battle of Long Island and the British Occupation” at 7 p.m. This lecture, given by historian Bill Bleyer, delves into the pivotal Battle of Long Island — the largest engagement of the American Revolution — where a significant defeat nearly led to the collapse of the Continental Army in 1776. No registration necessary. Free, donations appreciated. 631-265-6768

Bruce Vilanch

Bruce Vilanch heads to the CAC

As an exclusive post-Academy Awards treat, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington welcomes the one and only Bruce Vilanch — the two-time Emmy Award winning Comedy Writer for 25 Academy Award spectacles — at 7:30 p.m. After a screening of the hilarious and touching documentary about his life and career, Get Bruce!, Vilanch will help dissect the Oscar show of the night before and discuss his new, insider memoir, It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time. Tickets are $28 per person, $22 for members and includes the screening, interview with audience Q&A, and book signing. www.cinemaartscentre.org

CAC Movie Trivia Night

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 $11 per person, $7 members at cinemaartscentre.org. 

Tuesday March 4

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a concert featuring singer and entertainer Scotto at 11 a.m. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Wednesday March 5

Classic Film Lecture

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket for a Classic Film Lecture on The Wizard of Oz from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Discover how this classic movie was filmed and enjoy movie highlights, along with a memorabilia and book display. Hear about the “tricks of the trade” used by the filmmakers and learn how the movie was cast. Presented by Film Historian Lawrence Wolff. Open to all Suffolk County residents. Reserve your spot at emmaclark.org/programs.

LRHS Book Talk

Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society, 328 Hawkins Ave., Lake Ronkonkoma welcomes Michael R. Ebert author of “The Lake of Legends,” for a book talk at 7 p.m. Coffee and cake will be served. Free. No registration necessary. For more information, call 631-467-3152.

Thursday March 6

Thankful Thursdays

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Litte Neck Road, Centerport continues its Thankful Thursdays series with a free family-friendly planetarium show at 7 p.m. After the show, they will open the observatory to the public and an astronomy educator will invite you to look through a telescope at the night sky (weather permitting). Recommended for ages 8 and up. For complimentary tickets, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Film

‘Bike Vessel’ 

The Indie Lens Pop-Up series kicks off with a screening of Bike Vessel by Eric D. Seals at the First United Methodist Church 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. In this portrait of familial love, father Donnie Seals Sr. undergoes a transformation after several medical crises and, at age 70, embarks on a long-distance cycling trip with his son. A panel discussing the health, social and infrastructure issues raised by the film with a cardiologist, a representative from a safe transportation organization and a librarian from Port Jefferson Free Library will follow. Free but registration is required by visiting www.gpjac.org.

David Lynch Tribute

In memory of legendary director David Lynch, who passed away on Jan. 15 at the age of 78, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will be screening a selection of his most iconic films including Lost Highway on March 1 at 7 p.m, and A Straight Story on March 29 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $16, $10 members. To purchase in advance, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘Geraldine Ferraro: Paving the Way’

The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook and the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council present a screening of ‘Geraldine Ferraro: Paving the Way’ at the museum on March 4 at 7 p.m. Enjoy an inspiring film about Geraldine Ferraro’s historic Vice-Presidential nomination, and the first full profile of the trailblazing woman who helped change the face of American politics forever, followed by a talk from Donna Zaccaro, the daughter of Ferraro and the film’s director and producer. Admission is free; preregistration is preferred. Register Here

‘Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series kicks off its spring season at First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson with Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter on March 6 at 7 p.m.  The film explores the story of the eponymous woman who was witness to and involved in some of the most historically significant moments of the 20th century, as among her many roles, she was the first female executive assistant to a vice president for Lyndon B. Johnson and then press secretary for Lady Bird Johnson. A conversation with director Abby Ginzberg will follow. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash only) or at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

‘American Graffiti’

As part of its Reel 1970s series, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will screen American Graffiti on March 6 at 7:30 p.m. An enduring classic, American Graffiti celebrates an America of the early 1960s, where teenagers cruise the streets in hot rods and rock and roll tops the music charts. A story of coming-of-age, it remains one of the most successful films in history.  Hosted by film historian Glenn Andreiev. Tickets are $16, $10 members. www.cinemaartscentre.org

Theater

‘(mostly) True Things’

The Performing Arts Studio, 224 East Main St., Port Jefferson presents a (mostly) True Things Storytelling Show on March 1 at 7 p.m. Join them for a compelling evening of true stories – with a twist. Four creative people from the Long Island community will tell true, funny, heartfelt stories about an experience from their own life on the theme Lost and Found. But there is a game in the show as well. Some of the stories include subtle little lies. The audience gets to question the storytellers, then votes for the person they think told it completely straight. Featuring stories by Arthur Frischman, Liz Gannon Graydon, Cathy Salit, Pete Lotus Arevelo, and Jude Treder-Wolff. Tickets are $20 at www.eventbrite.com, $25 at the door (cash only).

‘Heartbreak Hotel’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Heartbreak Hotel from Jan. 16 to March 2. The tribute to Elvis takes a closer look at the musical icon whose impact shaped the history of rock and roll as well as popular culture following him from his early days to his rise to become “The King of Rock and Roll.” Featuring over 40 Elvis hits and iconic songs.  To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

Festival of One Act Plays

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 26th annual Festival of One-Act Plays at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre on the Second Stage from March 8 to April 5. Featuring the world premieres of 7 one act plays. Tickets are $25. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Menopause the Musical’

It’s back! Menopause the Musical returns to the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown from March 14 to April 6. A hilarious celebration of women and The Change, this musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. See what more than 15 million women and fans worldwide have been laughing about for over 20 years. Tickets are $61.50, $56.50 seniors. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Ring of Fire’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage season with Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show from March 1 to March 30. From the heart of the songs of singer-songwriter Johnny Cash  comes a unique musical show about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, home and family. Ring of Fire captures America’s legendary Man in Black in an exhilarating, tuneful, foot-stomping celebration. His life story is told through the songs he composed, recorded, and shared with the world. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Waitress The Musical’

Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is Waitress The Musical from March 13 to April 27. Based on the 2007 movie, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop — until a baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s handsome new doctor offer her a tempting recipe for happiness. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Farmers Markets

Huntington Farmers Market

Spirit of Huntington Art Center, 2 Melville Road North, Huntington Station hosts the Long Island Winter Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Jan. 5 through April 27. 631-470-9620

Port Jefferson Farmers Market

The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market returns to the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Jan. 12 to the end of April. 631-802-2160

Vendors Wanted

◆ Sound Beach Civic Association seeks vendors for its “Out of This World” Kids Day on June 1, from 11 a.m.  to 3 p.m. on New York Avenue in Sound Beach—a free event celebrating children and their uniqueness. Craft/retail vendors, vendors providing only information or kids activities, food trucks, and non-profits should call 631-744-6952 or email [email protected].

◆ Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket seeks vendors for its popular  Easter Egg Hunts on April 19 and April 20. Fee is $55 for one day, $90 for two days for a 10’ by 10’ spot. For more information, call 631-689-8172 or email [email protected]

CALENDAR DEADLINE  is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

 

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Oswald needs a home! Photo from Smithtown Animal Shelter
Oswald needs a home! Photo from Smithtown Animal Shelter

Update: The Smithtown Animal Shelter reported on Feb 28 that Oswald has been adopted! Happy life sweet boy!

Adopt Oswald!

This week’s shelter pet is Oswald, a healthy white and black domestic (male) rabbit that was brought to the Smithtown Animal Shelter as a stray. Sadly, Oswald and several other bunnies were found abandoned in cold winter temperatures. Despite this heartbreak, he has overcome his rough start with confidence and charm. His  captivating personality suits his majestic good looks.

This inquisitive and adventurous boy isn’t shy about expressing his likes and dislikes, and once he trusts you, he can be incredibly affectionate. Oswald is also litter trained, making him a wonderful companion for a loving home. He would thrive in a spacious environment where he can run, explore, and stretch his legs—small cages simply won’t do for this handsome fellow!

Let’s find Oswald the forever home he deserves, where he’ll be cherished as part of a caring family.

If you are interested in meeting Oswald, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in the shelter’s Meet and Greet room.

The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

Please note: The Smithtown Animal Shelter primarily accommodates dogs and cats, with the ability to assist only one exotic pet at a time.

 

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METRO photo
Acetaminophen and NSAIDS are not risk-free

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

What do you do when you have a headache or a sore knee? Most of us head to our medicine cabinet to grab one of the analgesics we keep on hand for such occasions.

Analgesics are, first and foremost, pain relievers, but they also help lower fever and reduce inflammation. The most common over the counter (OTC) medications include acetaminophen and a variety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.

Americans consume more than 30 billion doses of NSAIDs a year, including both OTC and prescription-strength (1). As for acetaminophen, one quarter of Americans take it weekly.  Because they’re so accessible and commonplace, many consider them low risk. Many patients don’t even include them in a list of current medications. I need to specifically ask about them.

They are not risk-free, though. According to a poll of regular OTC NSAID users, 60 percent were not aware that they can have dangerous side effects (2).

What are NSAID risks?

NSAIDs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are responsible for more than 70,000 hospitalizations and 7,600 deaths annually (3). 

They increase the risk of heart attacks, gastrointestinal bleeding, stroke, exacerbation of diverticular disease, chronic arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) and erectile dysfunction. In some instances, the cardiovascular effects can be fatal.

The FDA strengthened warning labels on non-aspirin NSAID labels 10 years ago, advising that those taking NSAIDs should immediately seek medical attention if they experienced chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, weakness in one part or side of their body, or slurred speech (4).

Five years ago, the FDA added a warning label to non-aspirin NSAIDs about the risks of fetal kidney damage and pregnancy complications beginning around week 20 of a pregnancy (4).

In a case control study using the UK Primary Care Database, chronic users of NSAIDs between ages 40 and 89 had a significantly increased risk of a serious arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation (5).

Interestingly, researchers defined “chronic users” as patients who took NSAIDs for more than 30 days. These users had a 57 percent increased risk of atrial fibrillation. A Danish study reinforces these results after the first month of use (6). This is not very long to have such a substantial risk. For patients who used NSAIDs longer than one year, the risk increased to 80 percent. 

NSAIDs also increase the risk of mortality in chronic users. Older patients who have heart disease or hypertension (high blood pressure) and are chronic NSAID users are at increased risk of death, according to an observational study (7). Compared to those who never or infrequently used them over about 2.5 years, chronic users had a greater than twofold increase in death due to cardiovascular causes. High blood pressure was not a factor in this study, since chronic users had lower blood pressure; however, I have seen that NSAID use can increase blood pressure with some of my patients.

What are acetaminophen risks?

The FDA announced in 2011 that acetaminophen consumption should not exceed 325 mg every four to six hours when used in a prescription combination pain reliever (4). The goal is to reduce and avoid severe injury to the liver, which can cause liver failure.

There is an intriguing paradox with acetaminophen: Hospitals typically dispense regular-strength 325-mg doses of the drug, whereas OTC doses frequently are found in “extra strength” 500-mg tablets, and often the suggested dose is two tablets, or 1 gram. At the FDA’s request, Tylenol lowered its recommended daily dosage for its extra strength version to no more than 3 grams a day.

One study that showed acute liver failure was due primarily to unintentional overdoses of acetaminophen (8). Accidental overdosing is more likely to occur when taking acetaminophen at the same time as a combination sinus, cough or cold remedy that also contains acetaminophen. OTC and prescription cold medications can contain acetaminophen.

If you already have liver damage or disease, consult your physician before taking any medication.

To protect yourself from potentially adverse events, you must be your own best advocate; read labels, and remember to tell your physician if you are taking any OTC medications.

If you are a chronic user of NSAIDs or acetaminophen because of underlying inflammation, you may find an anti-inflammatory diet and other lifestyle changes can be an effective alternative.

References:

(1) medscape.com. (2) J Rheumatol. 2005;32;2218-2224. (3) Annals of Internal Medicine, 1997;127:429-438. (4) fda.gov. (5) Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(16):1450-1455. (6) BMJ 2011;343:d3450. (7) Am J Med. 2011 Jul;124(7):614-620. (8) Am J Gastroenterol. 2007;102:2459-2463.

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

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