There is a story in the Jewish tradition that tells of the Israelites reaction upon leaving Egypt. Upon crossing the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea) to freedom, and upon seeing Pharaoh’s soldiers and horses drowning, the Israelites broke out in joyful songs of praise to God.
In a sense, such a reaction is understandable. After all, we read in the book of Exodus that the Israelites had been subjected to forced labor by the Egyptians for four hundred and thirty years. Their lives had been made miserable by their taskmasters, and little hope remained for their redemption. So of course they would be ecstatic with this sudden turn of events. Who could blame them? The parable could have ended there, but it doesn’t.
We read further that while the Israelites were celebrating, God chastised them, saying, “My children are drowning, and you sing praises?!”
Could such a message be any stronger or more meaningful? Could it contain a better reminder for us over three thousand years later, at this holy day season for so many, and a time of rebirth and renewal?
We are not so different from our ancestors millennia ago. We, too, rejoice in our achievements and successes, often disregarding their consequences and affect on others. We often delight — perhaps openly, perhaps secretly — in the failure of our “enemies,” choosing to separate ourselves from them, rather than to build bridges of understanding and tolerance. Or, at least, we do not show any signs of support. We seem to forget that these people are God’s children. We may forget that we are as well.
Passover, for Jews, is indeed a time of great rejoicing, a time to celebrate freedom and rebirth. Yet it is also a time for remembrance, a remembrance of the cost of such freedom for all involved; a reminder of the growing pains we have experienced.
At the seder, the festive meal of Passover, the story of the Exodus from Egypt is told with great ceremony and joy. And yet, during that time, we also reflect. Salt water is used to remember the tears of the Israelites during their time of bondage. Bitter herbs represent the physical and emotional pain experienced. And cups of wine, symbols of sweetness and joy, have ten drops removed before drinking, in order to lessen our joy when recalling the ten plagues upon Egypt. In modern times, drops are also removed for different “plagues,” such as war, disease, prejudice, pollution and crime.
If we are truly to understand the message of this festival for all people, we must broaden our perspective to look not only at our own good fortune, but also at the fortunes of others to whom we have a responsibility as human beings. We must reflect on our history — where we’ve come from — in order truly to appreciate where we are now. At the seder each year, Jews are reminded that in every generation, each person should look at oneself as if he or she personally had come out of Egypt. We are to see ourselves as experiencing the miracle of redemption; of safely crossing the Sea to dry land.
Now it is time to go a step further. Rather than relying on God’s miracles, and then using them to escape from one another, let us create our own miracle — the miracle of building bridges to cross the raging seas of mistrust and prejudice that divide us. Many of God’s children are still drowning, overwhelmed by the waters that engulf their lives. Only by working together can we save them. And only then will we have fully experienced redemption.
Wishing all who celebrate a joyous, meaningful and renewing holy day season.
Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky is a rabbi at Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook.
(Culinary.net) When celebrating with family, there is nearly nothing better than passing a light and sweet dessert around the table. These Simple Macaroons are crisp, dipped in decedent chocolate and a completely scrumptious option for celebrating Passover.
Simple to make and easy to eat, this sweet dessert is a crowd favorite. With a fresh kick of lemon zest and crunch of shredded coconut, they are a bite-sized, delicious way to end your meal.
They take little to no time to make, only baking 10-12 minutes for a tray full of tasty dessert bites ready to devour.
With sweet honey and vanilla, the flavors come together to create something sweet but not overpowering. It’s a small, crumbly bite that’s perfect for sharing during Passover.
Find more sweet treat recipes for any holiday at Culinary.net.
Gene Sprouse was headed to a pre-concert lecture at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts on March 26 around 7 p.m. when he snapped this colorful photo with his iPhone 13. He writes, ‘The sun was low and a shower just passed, and this is what I got!
In 1997 I sent Leah Dunaief several essays that I called Life Lines and I asked her if she thought these might be of interest to the readers of her new newspaper, the Village Times.
About a month later she replied and said she retrieved my packet from her pile of correspondence and liked my essays and thus began a 25 year association and more than 400 columns of Life Lines as her newspaper chain grew in number across the North Shore of Long Island.
My aim was to inform my readers of the importance of science in our lives. I am a professor, now retired, who taught in Canada (Queen’s University), UCLA, and Stony Brook University as well as holding visiting professorships over the years in San Diego State University, the University of Utah, the University of Minnesota, and Tugaloo Collegein Mississippi.
I have also taught twice on Semester at Sea a floating campus that sales eastward or westward around the world for a semester with 500 students. I have taught also in programs for a federal program to raise science literacy in former USSR republics, including Samara —on the Volga River, and Tbilisi in former Soviet Georgia. I have mentored 6 students through their PhDs in my laboratories and have published 15 books on genetics, the history of genetics, the eugenics controversy, and science and society conflicts. I love to teach and have taught thousands of students at UCLA and Stony Brook University in a course titled Biology 101-102 Biology – A Humanities Approach.
I argued that a knowledge of science and its history and its application to society is important in showing how science has greatly reduced infant mortality, greatly increased life expectancy, eliminated most communicable disease, and restored health to millions of people through its applications to our food industries, pharmaceutical industries, and public health programs.
It gives us greater control over our lives and allows a person like me to live more than 90 years. I will be celebrating my 91st birthday in July and I am grateful that I have lived an examined life, avoided alcohol and other harmful agents in my life and have insights into how life works that are worth sharing.
I read widely, love the arts and humanities, consider science to be part of the liberal arts education we should extend past K-12 to college level programs that make us informed citizens in a democracy and parents able to make informed decisions about their children’s well-being rather than relying on political ideologies or religious traditions first introduced two or three thousand years ago as guides for how to protect ourselves and our families.
Science allowed me to understand how life works. I can follow it from atoms to molecules, macromolecules, cell organelles, cells, tissues, and organs. From there I can extend it to the population, the diversity of life on earth, and the importance of human stewardship of that life by informed ways using the earth’s bounty, protecting it from pollution, avoiding erosion, preventing desert formation, and preventing discharges of carbon dioxide from the fuels we use that lead to climate change that can flood our coastal cities and bring chaotic weather patterns around the world.
I thank Leah Dunaief and her son Daniel for the many articles on science that inform North Shore readers of what is going on in our universities, research institute, and industries on Long Island. I thank you readers who have written to me, stopped me when I shopped in the local stores, or offered different points of view to which I would respond.
I have lived an examined life, selected, as an Epicurean, from the best minds and writing of Western civilization. I am grateful for the gift of life to have lived this long. But now in my 90s I lack the energy I had ten years ago and have decided to use the time remaining in my life to work on my unpublished manuscripts and get them published or place them to print-on-demand programs on the internet. I much appreciate you, my reader, for the pleasure of having this opportunity,
Artist Keith Lewis in his studio. Photo from Reboli Center
During the month of April, the Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook will showcase the art of jeweler Keith Lewis.
Lewis was not like your average six year old. At that age, he began collecting corn silk from the family garden and bits of broken glass. He imagined them to be like gold and diamonds. Growing up in Europe and Asia, he continued to be enthralled by jewelry, so much so that at 12 years old, he learned to cut gems in South Korea at a lapidary shop and to cast and construct jewelry shortly afterwards.
Heart Earrings by Keith Lewis
Lewis studied art at several universities and graduated with a Masters of Fine Arts in Goldsmithing from SUNY New Paltz in New York. Shortly after graduation, he participated in his first craft show and hasn’t stopped. In fact, Lewis has had the opportunity to show his work in nearly every major craft exhibition in the United States. His Mica Pod earrings were chosen to be the logo for the 2010 Smithsonian Craft2Wear exhibition.
According to Lewis, his process for creating jewelry entails incorporating, “the materials, textures and surprises found in nature. I am currently using amber Mica which I layer with 23K gold-leaf, carving volcanic stone and Anthracite, which I inset with natural pearls and precious stones.
Recycled earrings by Keith Lewis
“In addition,I create my copper finishes using a Japanese technique called Hiirodo where I heat the finished copper shape until brightly glowing, then plunge it into boiling water to achieve a plum red appearance. In what I call the ‘Raku’ version of this patina, variations in the surface coloration are created by pressing the white-hot copper onto wood, causing flames and smoke which change what would have been an even, plum red finish into more organic tan and dark brown colors. The diverse materials I work with require a combination of goldsmithing techniques to turn them into a piece of finished jewelry.”
“At the Reboli Center, we not only admire Keith’s beautiful designs and unique materials, but also that for more than 20 years he has been donating a portion of the sales for his ‘heart’ earrings to the Family of Woodstock. This organization provides shelter and services for victims of domestic violence. At shows, buyers of ‘heart’ earrings are given a SASE to send the full cost of the earrings directly to the shelter. He truly is a gem,” said Lois Reboli, founder and president of The Reboli Center.
The Reboli Center is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook. Operating hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.Admission is free, and for more information, call 631-751-7707.
WHERE EAGLES FLY
The Huntington Jewish Center hosts a World Music concert titled Where Eagles Fly highlighting music from Armenia, Spain and Argentina with, from left, Yves Dhar, Solange Merdinian and Sami Merdinian on April 10 at 4 p.m.
Thursday April 7
Stony Brook Walking Tour
Join the Ward Melville Heritage Organization for a Secrets of Stony Brook Village walking tour at 11:50 a.m. and again at 3:50 p.m. Hear some newly uncovered stories while strolling through the historic village. $10 per person. Reservations required by call 751-2244.
HHS Lunch & Learn
Huntington Historical Society continues its Lunch & Learn series at Encore Luxury Living, 300 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho from noon to 2 p.m. Award-winning author and historian Kerriann Flanagan Brosky will discuss stories intertwined with ghost tales and local history from her latest book, Haunted Long Island Mysteries followed by a book signing. $50 per person includes a gourmet two-course meal. To RSVP, visit www.huntingthistoricalsociety.org.
Volunteer Fair
Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport will host a Volunteer Fair from 4 to 7 p.m. Come and speak with representatives from local organizations including the Northport Historical Society, Huntington Historical Society, Island Harvest Food Bank, RSVP Suffolk, Northport Arts Coalition, East Northport Chamber of Commerce, Lewis Oliver Farm Sanctuary and more. To register, call 261-6930.
Art reception
Join Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket for an opening art reception for its latest exhibit, Prolonged Perception by Doug Reina, from 6 to 8 p.m. The solo exhibit highlights the artist’s exploration of obscure, ordinary spaces of contemporary life that are often shielded from view. For more information, call 751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.
Thankful Thursdays
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will kick off the first of a series of Thankful Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the Reichert Planetarium. The evening will feature a family-friendly planetarium show titled Stars: The Powerhouse of the Universe narrated by actor Mark Hamill. After the show, astronomy educators will invite visitors to look through telescopes at the night sky – weather permitting. The event is free but registration is required by visiting www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
An evening of jazz
Join The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook for an evening of jazz with the 17-member Jazz Loft Big Band at 7 p.m. Led by Jazz Loft founder and trumpeter Tom Manuel, the band will perform jazz standards, original compositions and arrangements written by band members. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, children under 5 free. To order, call 751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.
Friday April 8
Birdwatching at the Vanderbilt
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will offer an early morning birdwatch and architecture tour with the Vanderbilt’s director of curatorial affairs at 8 a.m. Participants will enjoy the unique opportunity to view the Vanderbilt estate in the early dawn hours, when the grounds are still closed but the birds are active. Bring binoculars. $12 per person, members free, To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Fling Into Spring Carnival
Fling into spring and join Newton Shows for a three day carnival at Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mt. Sinai today from 6 to 9 p.m., April 9 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and April 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with rides, games, food vendors and a children’s magic and illusion show on April 9 and 10 at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Fun for the whole family! For advance tickets, visit www.newtonshows.com. For more information, call 509-0882.
Wintertide concert
The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Part Jefferson continues its Wintertide concert series with a concert by Rupert Wates, an award-winningsinger-songwriter from the UK, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. $5 donation at the door. Questions? Call 802-2160.
Saturday April 9
Fling Into Spring Carnival
See April 8 listing.
Train Station Cleanup
Bring your gloves, rakes and brooms to the Stony Brook Train Station’s annual cleanup from 9 to 11 a.m. Join the Three Village Civic Association, the Three Village Community Trust, Stony Brook University, Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn, Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich and others for this Earth Day event. For more informaton, email [email protected].
Fly-casting clinic
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown hosts a Trout Unlimited Fly-Casting Clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants learn the art of fly casting as well as fly-tying, conservation, and safety techniques. The clinic also offers participants, who must be 16 years and older, tips on equipment and tackle needs. Free but $8 vehicle use fee. To register, call 265-1054.
Putt & Pub Crawl
The Port Jefferson Rotary Club will host the 5th annual Putt and Pub Crawl throughout the Village of Port Jefferson today from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit nine locations including Billie’s, Barito, Wave Bar at Danfords, Gourmet Burger Bistro, Port Bistro & Pub, PJ Lobster House, Port Jeff Brewing Co., Ruvo, and Tommy’s Place. For more information and to register, visit www.portjeffrotary.org.
Second Saturdays Poetry Reading
All Souls Church in Stony Brook continues its Second Saturdays poetry series via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Suffolk County Poet Laureate Richard Bronson, the featured poet will be Carmen Bugan. An open-reading will follow; all are welcome to read one of their own poems. For more information, call 655-7798.Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/
Gallery North ArTalk
Join Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket for an ArTalk with artist Doug Reina at 6 p.m. Sit down with Reina and Gallery North’s Executive Director, Ned Puchner, for a discussion about Reina’s creative practice and the focus of his recent paintings. Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Call 751-2676 for more information.
Vanderbilt lecture
Best-selling author and historian Betsy Prioleau will speak about her latest book, Diamonds and Deadlines: A Tale of Greed, Deceit, and a Female Tycoon in the Gilded Age, the first major biography of the glamorous and scandalous Miriam Leslie – a titan of publishing and an unsung hero of women’s suffrage, at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport at 6 p.m. The event will be followed by a book signing. Tickets are $20, members free. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Saturdays at Six concert
All Souls Church, 61 Main Street, Stony Brook welcomes Romanian born violinist Joenne Dumitrascu in concert at 6 p.m. Titled “A Musical Trip Around The World,” the program will showcasing works written for solo violin from 18th-century’s most well-known composers of Europe’s royal courts to the rising voices of present-day artists reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic. Call 655-7798 for more information.
The Queen’s Cartoonists
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook welcomes The Queen’s Cartoonists to its Recital Hall at 7 p.m. See projected cartoon classics paired with a tour-de-force of the Swing Era’s zaniest and most creative music, written and or adapted for classic cartoons. Fun for the whole family! Tickets are $52 to $60. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.
Sunday April 10
Fling Into Spring Carnival
See April 8 listing.
Port Jeff Winter Farmers Market
The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market will be held every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson through April 25. This year’s vendors include Brownies N’ Stuff, Joann’s Desserts, Farm Fresh Potions, Mello Munch Awesome Granola, O Honey Bee Farm, Sweet Melissa Dip, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, Spilt Milk Macarons and many more. For more information, call 802-2160.
Open House & Tour
The St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James will hold an open house and tour of its facility from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along with a reception for its latest art exhibit celebrating music and musicians for Jazz Month from 1 to 2 p.m. All are welcome. For further details, call 984-0201 or visit www.celebratestjames.org.
Antiques Roadshow
Temple Beth El, 660 Park Ave., Huntington will host an Antiques Roadshow from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Do you wonder how much your family heirloom is worth? Do you own a special piece and want to know its value? Three antique/collectible experts will be on hand to give you a verbal appraisal on your items. $18 per item at the door (2 items max per person. Please no large items. For more information, call 421-5835, ext. 206.
Maritime History Walking Tour
Join the Three Village Historical Society for a maritime history walking tour titled Down the Ways, the Wooden Ship Eraat 2 p.m. Led by Historian Beverly C. Tyler, guests will learn about shipbuilders, ship captains, and families prominent in Setauket’s maritime history. The walking tour explores the Dyer’s Neck-East Setauket Historic Shipbuilding District where coast-wise and ocean-going ships were built and where these local families, lived, worked and died. You will see the carpenter shop where the construction planning took place and visit the area where completed ships wintered over and where the bones of these ships rest today. Tours leave from the Brookhaven Town Dock, 58 Shore Road, East Setauket. $20 per person. Walk-ins welcome, but reservations are strongly recommended by visiting www.tvhs.org. Walk-ins MUST pay in cash at the start of tour. For more information, call 751-3730.
Ridotto concert
The Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington will host a Ridotto concert, concerts “with a touch of Theatre”titled Where Eagles Fly at 4 p.m. The program will highlight music from Armenia, Spain and Argentina. Vibrant music by Komitas, Guastavino, DeFalla and others for Mezzo-soprano, Violin, Cello and Piano is performed by Solange Merdinian, voice, Sami Merdinian, violin, Yves Dhar, cello and Philip Fischer, piano. Tickets are $30 general admission, $25 seniors, $20 members, and $12 students. To order, call 385-0373 email or [email protected]
Monday April 11
Virtual Movie Trivia Night
Do you know a lot about movies? Well here’s your chance to prove it! Join the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington for a virtual Movie Trivia Night at 8 p.m. Hosted by Dan French, the winning team will get up to four CAC Gift Cards (1 per team member) and bragging rights. Tickets are $10 per team, $7 members. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org to register. Questions? Email [email protected].
Civic Association Meeting
The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a general meeting at the Sound Beach Firehouse, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. For more information call 744-6952.
Tuesday April 12
Indoor Gardening program
Join Celebrate St. James for a Little Green Indoor Gardening program at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Horticulturist Jean Dowling will lead you through an exploration of succulent plants and terrarium environments. Create your own mini-plant design to take home! A fun afternoon to tune up your green thumb for spring. Donation of $15, $10 seniors. To register, call 984-0201 or visit www.celebratestjames.org.
Garden Club Meeting
The Three Village Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket at 10 a.m. Following the regular business meeting, a program titled “Invasive Plants” will be presented by Sue Avery. New members welcome. Call 751-2743.
Wednesday April 13
Poetry at the library
Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station will host a live poetry reading from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Poet David Mills will read from his recent collection “Boneyarn,” the first book of poems about slavery in New York City. Registration is required, Call 928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org.
Audubon lecture
The Huntington Oyster Bay Audubon Society will present a virtual lecture titled Recent Discoveries About Bird Song via Zoom at 7 p.m. Dr. David Lahti, professor from Queens College, will share the latest revelations about bird songs, thanks to our modest house finch which was introduced here from California in the 1940s. In the last decade his laboratory has contributed to this bird’s research prominence with studies of house finch song in New York, California, and Hawaii. This research has resulted in various interesting discoveries that will be discussed in this lecture. To register, visit www.hobaudubon.org.
Emerson Quartet in concert
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook present the Emerson String Quartet in concert in the Recital Hall at 7 p.m. The program will include Haydn’s “Seven Last Words of Christ” and Beethoven’s Op. 132. Tickets range from $52 to $56. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.
Thursday April 14
Vanderbilt lecture
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will welcome Heather J. Lynchfor the inaugural lecture in museum’s “Ecology and Climate Change Lecture Series” titled Mapping Penguins, with Satellites, Drones, and Other Technologies at 7 p.m. Professor Lynch will share insights from her innovative research into the population dynamics of penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula due to climate change, tourism, and fishing. Tickets are $6 per person. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Theater
‘Steel Magnolias’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Steel Magnolias from April 9 to May 7. Come on down to Truvy’s Louisiana beauty shop where six strong women share their hopes and dreams. Beginning on the day of debutante Shelby’s wedding, the play traces this eccentric and lovable cast of characters as they support each other through life’s many challenges. Stop by for some great laughs and unforgettable friendship. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and older. To order, call 928-9100 or visit theatrethree.com.
CALOGERO’S TALE Critics are raving about the John W. Engeman’s production of ‘A Bronx Tale’! The show runs through May 8. Photo from Engeman Theater
‘A Bronx Tale’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents A Bronx Tale from March 24 to May 8. Based on Chazz Palminteri’s classic movie, this streetwise musical will take you to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s—where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. Featuring a doo-wop score, A Bronx Tale is a story about respect, loyalty, love, and above all else: family. Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’
Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Campus, 533 College Road, Selden presents Henry V by Shakespeare at the Shea Theatre, Islip Arts Building on April 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and April 24 at 2 p.m. Mature content. General admission is $14, students 16 years of age or younger $9.75, veterans and Suffolk students with current ID receive one free ticket. To order, call 451-4163.
‘Kinky Boots’
Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is Kinky Boots from May 19 to July 3. With songs by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein, this ‘dazzling, sassy and uplifting musical celebrates a joyous story, inspired by true life events, taking you from the factory floor of a men’s shoe factory to the glamorous catwalks of Milan! Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Mamma Mia!’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson closes its 2021-2022 with Mamma Mia! from May 21 to June 25. ABBA’s timeless hits tell the enchanting story! On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the Greek island paradise they last visited twenty years ago. Featuring such chart toppers as “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!,” and “Dancing Queen,” this is a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget. Contains adult themes and situations. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and older. To order, call 928-9100 or visit theatrethree.com.
Film
Italian Film Series
The Center for Italian Studies at Stony Brook University, Room E-4340, Melville Library, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will host a series of film screenings of Alice Rorwacher movies introduced and discussed by Graduate Fellow Antonio Fideleo including Corpo Celeste (2011) on April 11, LeMeraviglie (2014) on April 18, Lazzaro Felice (2018) on April 25 and Omelia Contadina (2020) on May 2. Films are in Italian with English subtitles. All screenings begin at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 632-7444.
‘The Automat’
The Port Jefferson Documentary Spring Series continues on April 11 with a screening of “The Automat” at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson at 7 p.m. Chock-full of rich archival footage of old Philadelphia and NYC, this everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-automats film is a lighthearted trip through the history of Horn & Hardart’s iconic and innovative eateries. Led by the irrepressible Mel Brooks, the film also features an impressive roster of celebrities (Colin Powell, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Carl Reiner, to name a few) waxing nostalgic on their experiences at the nickel-driven restaurants and their dreamy lemon meringue pie. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Director Lisa Hurwitz moderated by Tom Needham, Host of The Sounds of Film at WUSB radio. Tickets are $10 per person at the door or at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.
Vendors Wanted
◆ Calling all makers, artisans and crafters! Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket welcomes vendors for its annual Easter Egg Hunts on April 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $50 per day or $80 both days for a 10’ by 10’ spot. Call 631-689-8172 or email [email protected] for further info
◆ Huntington Historical Society will hold its annual “Antiques in April” sale on the grounds of the Daniel Kissam House, 434 Park Ave., Huntington on April 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $100 registration fee for vendors. Visit www.huntingthistoricalsociety.org for an application or call 631-427-7045, ext. 401.
◆ The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor seeks antique vendors for its outdoor Spring Antique Sale on May 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For an application, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org. For more information, call 631-367-3418.
◆ Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, 178 Oxhead Road, Centereach seeks vendors for its Spring Craft Fair on May 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date May 22). $50 for a 10X10 spot. Food trucks also wanted. For more information, email Alex at [email protected].
◆ Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown seeks vendors for its Spring Farm Festival on May 15 from noon to 4 p.m. Call 631-265-6768 for more information.
◆ Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn is looking for craft vendors for its annual outdoor Friends of the Library Craft & Flea Market on May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. The non-refundable fee for a 10X10 space is $35. To apply, visit www.harborfieldslibrary.org/friends.
◆ East End Arts, 133 E. Main St., Riverhead will host the 26th annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival in Downtown Riverhead on May 29 from noon to 5 p.m. Craft/artisan vendors and food/beverage vendors may visit www.eastendarts.org for an application or call 631-727-0900.
Jared Leto as Dr. Michael Morbius in a scene from the film.
Photo courtesy of SONY Pictures
Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel
There are good superhero pictures. There are memorable vampire films. Some movies fall under guilty pleasures — entertainment for the sake of fun. Then there is Morbius which manages to get almost everything wrong.
Morbius, the Living Vampire, first appeared inMarvel Comics’ The Amazing Spider-Man (issue #101; October 1971). Due to a failed experiment intended to cure a rare blood disease, the former biochemist, Michael Morbius, was imbued with vampire-like abilities. While he became one of Spider-Man’s antagonists, he was also an adversary of Blade, the vampire hunter. (Originally, Morbius was to appear in Blade (1998) but was cut.)
Morbius follows a similar origin story. A prologue in a private clinic in Greece shows genius ten-year-old Michael Morbius (Charlie Shotwell) joined by the younger Lucien (Joseph Esson), whom he dubs Milo. The boys share the same blood illness that requires constant infusions. They form a deep and lasting connection.
Twenty-five years later, Michael (Jared Leto) is now a successful scientist who has just declined the Nobel Prize. He has now received funding to develop a treatment using vampire bats, and he creates a lab on a private vessel in international waters. Unfortunately, the remedy causes him to have vampiric characteristics, and he murders the entire crew.
He escapes the vessel and returns to New York. Endowed with new powers (strength, speed, reflexes, and super-hearing), he struggles with a bloodlust he staves off with the serum. However, the efficacy and duration become shorter. The now wealthy Milo (Matt Smith) discovers that Michael has found a cure but becomes furious when Michael refuses to share it. Incensed, Milo goes rogue. Meanwhile, FBI agents Simon Stroud (Tyrese Gibson) and Al Rodriguez (Al Madrigal) investigate Morbius’ victims.
While there is nothing original about the plot, in the right hands, the story is potentially engaging. However, Daniel Espinosa’s uninspired direction of Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama’s inept script make for an anemically leaden, mostly unwatchable hour and a half.
The dialogue is an insult to clichés. “You get to live, and I get to die,” says Milo. To which Michael responds, “It’s a cure. Forget me, brother.” Later, Morbius says, “Where is the brother I used to have?” Even better is his statement: “I’m starting to get hungry. You don’t want to see me when I’m hungry.” But the nadir is given to Rodriguez, who, looking at one of the victims, is forced to deliver with a straight face: “Those puncture wounds … do they look like fang marks to you?”
Even if The Batman’s noirish cinematography is not to your taste, there is a commitment to style. Here, Oliver Wood provides a murky atmosphere. The desaturation creates a dullness that reflects the film’s lack of energy. When Morbius isn’t drinking his artificial plasma from what looks like Sunny D pouches, there is action, but it feels pedestrian and predictable. The extended fights are not so much by the numbers as they are just numb. Worst of all, the visual effects are bizarre, bargain basement, and just plain annoying. However, it’s a good day to be a CGI bat.
Jared Leto is surprisingly bland in a role that calls for grand strokes. Even when declaring, “I brought this into the world — it’s up to me to take it out,” he lacks passion, running the gamut from A to … well, A. Michael is not so much a mad scientist as a mildly peeved one. He growls and snarls when transformed into the beast, but the ferocity is just above an irritated puppy.
Matt Smith, best known as the eleventh Dr. Who, has quirky fun with the antagonist, but the homoerotic connection between Michael and Milo is underdeveloped. While the writers hint around the edges (the Spartan reference “We are the few against the many” has multiple levels), they pull punches by introducing a pallid love interest for Michael with scientist Martine Bancroft (Adria Arjona, drastically underused). Poor Gibson and Madrigal have little screen time and even less to do. (Maybe they’ve been spared.)
The epilogue more than hints at a future crossover into the Spider-Verse. Michael Keaton appears in a cameo in the credits as Adrian Toomes, a.k.a. The Vulture. It speaks volumes that ninety seconds in the credits have generated more interest than the ninety minutes of film.
Sadly, Morbius is not a traditional vampire tale, so it cannot be vanquished by stake, sunlight, or holy water. Morbius says, “It’s not a curse. It’s a gift.” Sorry. You got that reversed.
Rated PG-13, Morbius is now playing in local theaters.
Most of us know we need to lower our sodium intake. Still, more than 90 percent of us consume far too much sodium (1). Even if we don’t have hypertension, the impact of sodium on our health can be dramatic.
Sodium is insidious; it’s in foods that don’t even taste salty. Bread products are among the primary offenders. Other foods with substantial amounts of sodium include cold cuts and cured meats, cheeses, pizza, poultry, soups, pastas, sauces and, of course, snack foods. Processed foods and those prepared by restaurants are where most of our consumption occurs (2).
On the flip side, only about two percent of people get enough potassium from their diets (3).
Why is it important to reduce sodium and increase potassium? A high sodium-to-potassium ratio increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 46 percent, according to the study, which looked at more than 12,000 Americans over almost 15 years (4). In addition, both may have significant impacts on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
To improve our overall health, we need to shift the sodium-to-potassium balance so that we consume more potassium and less sodium. And if you struggle with high blood pressure, this approach could help you win the battle. Let’s look at the evidence.
Why do we always harp on sodium?
Two studies illustrate the benefits of reducing sodium in high blood pressure and normotensive (normal blood pressure) patients, ultimately preventing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke.
The first used the prestigious Cochrane review to demonstrate that blood pressure is reduced by a significant mean of −4.18 mm Hg systolic (top number) and −2.06 mm Hg diastolic (bottom number) involving both normotensive and hypertensive participants (5). When looking solely at hypertensive patients, the reduction was even greater, with a systolic blood pressure reduction of −5.39 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure reduction of −2.82 mm Hg.
This was a meta-analysis (a group of studies) that evaluated data from 34 randomized clinical trials, totaling more than 3,200 participants. Salt reduction from 9 to 12 grams per day to 5 to 6 grams per day, determined using 24-hour urine tests, had a dramatic effect. The researchers believe there is a direct linear effect with salt reduction. In other words, the more we reduce the salt intake, the greater the effect of reducing blood pressure.
The authors recommend further reduction to 3 grams per day as a long-term target for the population and concluded that the effects on blood pressure will most likely result in a decrease in cardiovascular disease.
In the second study, a meta-analysis of 42 clinical trials, there was a similarly significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures (6). This study included both adults and children. Both demographics saw a reduction in blood pressure, though the effect was greater in adults. Interestingly, an increase in sodium caused a 24 percent increased risk of stroke incidence but, more importantly, a 63 percent increased risk of stroke mortality. The risk of mortality from heart disease was increased alongside an increase in sodium, as well, by 32 percent.
In an epidemiology modeling study, the researchers projected that either a gradual or instantaneous reduction in sodium would save lives (7). For instance, a modest 40 percent reduction over 10 years in sodium consumed could prevent 280,000 premature deaths. These are only projections, but in combination with the above studies, they may be telling.
Why is potassium important?
When we think of blood pressure, not enough attention is given to potassium. The typical American diet doesn’t contain enough of this mineral.
In a meta-analysis involving 32 studies, results showed that as the amount of potassium was increased, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (8). When foods containing 3.5 to 4.7 grams of potassium were consumed, there was an impressive −7.16 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure with high blood pressure patients. Anything more than this amount of potassium did not have any additional benefit. Increased potassium intake also reduced the risk of stroke by 24 percent. This effect was important.
The reduction in blood pressure was greater with increased potassium consumption than with sodium restriction, although this was not a head-to-head comparison. The good news is that potassium is easily attainable in the diet. Foods that are potassium-rich include bananas, almonds, raisins, sweet potato and green leafy vegetables such as Swiss chard.
The bottom line: decrease your sodium intake by almost half and increase potassium intake from foods. Lowering sodium intake may have far-reaching benefits, and it is certainly achievable. First, consume less and give yourself a brief period to adapt — it takes about six weeks to retrain your taste buds, once you cut your sodium. You can also improve your odds by increasing your dietary potassium intake, which also has a substantial beneficial effect, striking a better sodium-to-potassium balance.
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.
This week’s featured shelter pet is Bella, a 5 to 6-year-old female domestic shorthair up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.
Sweet Bella has a sad story. She was abandoned in a duct-taped garbage pail in a parking lot. To make matters worse, she was suffering from pyometra (an infection of the uterus). Terrified and distrusting, she took some time to warm up to us, but when she did the snuggles became very real. She is shy at first, so she would do best in a quiet home.
If you would like to meet Bella, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently 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.smithtownanimalshelter.com.
I must confess … I love bubbly; regardless if it’s in a Mimosa for breakfast, a glass of Prosecco for lunch, Champagne as an apéritif, during dinner, or even a glass of Asti after dinner!
Sparkling wines are superb pairing partners with a multitude of international foods, from appetizers to main courses and finishing with desserts. Although all wine-producing countries make some type of sparkling wines, the most common styles or designations are: Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demisec, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Vintage.
Some names of sparkling wines produced worldwide include Champagne, Crémant, Cava, Franciacorta, Asti, TrentoDoc, Prosecco, Sekt, and simply “sparkling wine.”
Dry sparkling wines pair with salty foods; fried and deep-fried foods; spicy hot foods; smoked foods; oily seafood such as anchovies, bluefish, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, and tuna; chives, garlic, ginger, leeks, onions, scallions, and shallots; citrus and citrus-like ingredients; and fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, sage, and tarragon.
— Sparkling wine is an excellent an apéritif because of its refreshing, appetite-stimulating effervescence.
— Sparkling wines add excitement to the meal when served throughout dinner.
— Many Asian foods can be paired with sparkling wines.
— Dry sparkling wines taste thin and unpleasant with sweet desserts
— Avoid serving dry sparkling wines with desserts featuring chocolate or lemon sauces.
— Avoid serving dry sparkling wines with salads featuring tart or acidic dressings.
— Avoid serving dry sparkling wines with tomato-based sauces, whose acid interacts with the high acid of the wine, causing a tart, sometimes biting taste in the mouth.
Recently tasted sparkling wines include:
NV Moser 51,151 “TrentoDoc” Brut, (DOC) Trento, Italy: 100% Chardonnay grapes. Straw-yellow with a fruity aroma of blueberries and raspberries. Medium-bodied, dry, and crispy tasting, with hints of apples and cherries.
NV Codorníu Cuvée Clásico “Cava Brut,” Spain:Blend of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-Lo grapes; a bouquet of green apples, lemon, and brioche. Dry, clean, and crispy in the mouth with a pleasing aftertaste of almonds.
NV Ca’ del Bosco “Cuvée Prestige,” Franciacorta (DOCG) Lombardy, Italy: A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Bianco grapes; crisp, delicate bouquet with hints of almonds, dried pears, and apples. Soft in the mouth with a crispy aftertaste.
NV Valdo Cuvée di Boj “Prosecco Brut,” (DOC) Veneto, Italy: Medium-bodied with a floral bouquet of stone fruits, apples, and citrus. Dry with hints of fennel and ginger.
NV Ruinart “Blanc de Blancs” (Champagne, France): Clean and crisp with flavors of green apple, pear, brioche, celery, and citrus.
Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR [email protected]
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