The Long Island Music Hall of Fame (LIMHoF) it is now accepting applications for their 2022 Student Scholarship and “Educator of Note” programs.
This year, LIMHoF will award four $500 scholarships to graduating students. These scholarships will provide funding for eligible graduating high school students from Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens, or Kings (Brooklyn) Counties who have shown an interest in pursuing a career in music. To apply and to read the eligibility requirements, please download the scholarship application.
Student Scholarships Applications Due: Friday May 13th, 2022*
LIMHoF’s “Educator of Note” program recognizes music teachers and professors in public or private schools, as well as colleges or studios who have demonstrated a commitment to music education. The winner is honored with a grant to be used within the school or district where they teach (or taught). To nominate an individual for the “Educator of Note Award,” please download the “Educator of Note” application.
Educator of Note Award Applications Due: Friday September 30th, 2022*
*All applications must be postmarked by the application due date in order to be accepted.
Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music in all its forms. To date, the organization has inducted more than 100 musicians and music industry executives, and also offers education programs and scholarships to Long Island students, sponsors the Long Island Sound Award, and features traveling educational exhibits, including a state-of-the-art mobile museum. Visit their website at http://www.limusichalloffame.org/.
Concerning leftovers, there are two groups of people — those who love them and those who don’t. The former can stand in the shadows cast by the refrigerator light in the middle of the night and gnaw on a drumstick, grab a fork and twirl cold leftover spaghetti right out of the container, or hack off a slab of ham or roast beef, grab the jar of mayonnaise and a couple of slices of bread and cure their insomnia with a sandwich.
The latter are those like me, who with the best of intentions, carefully scrape every last morsel into a container, stash it in the fridge where it gets rotated to the back and ends up growing a bluish-green furry topping. However, I must concede that there are some leftovers that I think successfully lend themselves to recycling, particularly ham, chicken and pasta.
Leftover Chicken Egg Rolls
YIELD: Makes 16 egg rolls
INGREDIENTS:
Nonstick cooking spray
16 egg roll wrappers
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup grated cabbage
1/3 cup minced cubanelle pepper
1/3 cup chopped scallions
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups minced cooked chicken breasts/thighs
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon vegetable or peanut oil
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Freshly ground white pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Generously coat bottom and sides of a large skillet and a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; cover wrappers with a damp towel. In a large skillet, stir fry the carrots, cabbage, pepper, scallions, garlic and chicken until veggies begin to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes. In a small pot combine cornstarch, water, soy sauce, oil, brown sugar and white pepper until smooth; add to chicken veggie mixture; cook about 2 minutes, just until sauce is thickened. Place wrapper on flat surface; scoop 1/3 cup of mixture onto part of wrapper closest to you; tightly fold in sides of wrapper and roll toward the edge farthest away from you. Gently lift egg roll and place seam side down on baking sheet; repeat procedure for remaining egg rolls. Spray top of each egg roll with nonstick coking spray. Bake, turning egg rolls once,until they are golden and crispy, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve hot with soy sauce and sauteed baby bok choy.
Leftover Ham and Veggies Quiche
Leftover Ham and Veggies Quiche. Pixabay photo
YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
One 9” pie crust
1 cup minced cooked ham
1 cup shredded hard cheese (cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, etc.)
Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Line pie dish or quiche pan with crust; crimp edges (make the edges as high as possible). Evenly distribute ham, cheese, veggies and onions over crust. In a medium bowl vigorously beat together the eggs, half and half, salt and pepper and nutmeg, then pour mixture into crust. Place quiche on prepared baking sheet; bake until a knife inserted near edge comes out clean and top is golden, about 25 to 30 minutes; remove to wire rack and let sit at least 5 minutes. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature with soup.
Leftover Pasta Frittata
YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
4 eggs
2-3 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 pound cooked pasta with marinara sauce (preferably spaghetti or linguine, coarsely chopped)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup julienned fresh basil leaves
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large bowl beat eggs, then stir in cheese, salt and pepper and pasta. Heatoil in a 10” ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat; pour egg and pasta mixture into pan and gently pulling edges toward center as egg solidifies, cook about 5 minutes, until all but a little of the mixture remains runny and frittata is crisp on bottom; place in oven for 3 to 5 minutes until completely cooked, then slide onto heated plate. Sprinkle with basil. Serve hot or warm with a crisp green salad.
Dennis Whittam of Port Jefferson Station snapped this incredible photo of a pair of ospreys at West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook earlier this week. He writes, ‘The ospreys have returned to Long Island and are working on their nests as they prepare for future chicks.’
This week’s featured shelter pets are a pair of bonded two year old siblings, Cali (calico) and Archie (tabby and white) available for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.
These two sweethearts come from a feral cat colony where their caretaker worked very hard to socialize them. Cali is very outgoing and affectionate with everyone. Archie loves his caretaker very much and will roll over for belly rubs and play with her. He is very shy of other people. With some time and patience, and Cali to lead the way, we know that Archie will learn to trust a family too. These two can be seen cuddling together all day long and would really like to stay together.
If you would like to meet Cali and Archie, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with them 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.
PIPE AND DRUM
Better late than never! The 38th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down Lake Avenue on April 2 at 1 p.m., courtesy of the St. James Chamber of Commerce. File photo by Rita J. Egan/TBR News Media
Ongoing
TVHS expands hours
The Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket will be open for the spring season on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for exhibit tours of SPIES! and Chicken Hill and gift shop now through May 7. For more information, call 751-3730 or visit www.tvhs.org.
Thursday, March 31
Native American Drumming
All Souls Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook will host a Native American Drumming Meditation from 7 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. Please call 655-7798 for more information.
Friday, April 1
First Friday at the Heckscher
The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington continues its First Friday series tonight from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Explore the exhibitions during extended viewing hours and enjoy a concert featuring soulful standards with Steve Salerno and Mall Waldron at 7 pm. Free admission. For further information, call 380-3230 or visit www.heckscher.org.
Furnishing Hope fundraiser
Setauket Presbyterian Church, 5 Caroline Ave., Setauket will culminate its Furnishing Hope online auction fundraising week for The Open Door Exchange with a special in-person celebration with auction items and raffle baskets at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event are $10 per person and can be purchased at www.opendoorexchange.org.
Wintertide concert
The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Part Jefferson continues its Wintertide concert series with a concert by Old Fid – the sea shanty trio of Alan Short and Deidre and Sean Murtha from 7:30 to 9 p.m. $5 donation at the door. Questions? Call 802-210.
Saturday, April 2
History at Hallockville workshop
Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead kicks of its 5-week spring workshop series, History at Hallockville, with Sustainability from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn about the “green” practices of the Hallock family throughout the farm and over the decades and discuss how these historic self-sustaining ways are important in today’s world. The seriescontinues with Traditional Crafts on April 9, The Immigrant Experience on April 30, Farm to Table on May 7 and Culminating Session on May 14. $65 per workshop. To register, visit www.hallockville.org.
Stony Brook Preserve clean-up
In light of Earth Month, Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich will co-host a cleanup of the Lee Koppelman Preserve, at the intersection of Sage Lane and Sheppard Lane in Stony Brook from 10 a.m. to noon. T-shirts, bags, gloves, pickers and certificates will be handed out to those who participate. For additional details, call 451-6963.
Bunny brunch and vendor fair
Location-St. Louis de Montfort Church, 75 New York Ave., Sound Beach hosts a Brunch with the Bunny and Vendor Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy brunch, pictures with The Bunny, vendors, auction baskets, 50/50 raffle, kids craft table and more! Tickets at the door are $18 adults, $10 children ages 10 and under, age 2 and under free. For more information, call 849-3653.
Huntington Militia Drill Day
Join the Huntington Militia for a Drill Day at the Huntington Arsenal and Village Green on Park Avenue in Huntington from noon to 4:30 p.m. This is a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of The Order of the Ancient and Honorable Huntington Militia and see what is involved reenacting Long Island history with manual of arms, cannon and marching/maneuvering drills. Free. Visit www.huntingtonmilitia.com.
St. James St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Join the St. James Chamber of Commerce for the 38th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicking off at 1 p.m. The parade will head down Lake Avenue from Woodlawn to Railroad avenues and will feature piper bands, marching bands, Scout troops, dance groups, floats, fire trucks, antique cars, and more. For more information, call 584-5200.
Viva Momix heads to SBU
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook welcomes Viva Momix to the Main Stage at 8 p.m. Known internationally for presenting works of astounding inventiveness and physical beauty, MOMIX is a company of dancer-illusionists focusing not only on the beauty of the human form, but also the beauty of nature, music, scenography, and life itself.Each show takes you into a surreal and fantasy world, allowing you to dip your toes into the stream of unconsciousness. VIVA MOMIX boasts their greatest hits, and is perfect for all ages and all occasions. Ticket prices range from $52 to $80. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.
Sunday, April 3
Theatre Three Food Drive
Theatre Three will host a food and personal care items drive to benefit the Open Cupboard Pantry at Infant Jesus Church from 9 a.m. to noon. Items will be collected at the Infant Jesus convent building at 110 Hawkins St. (off Myrtle Ave) in Port Jefferson. Donations needed include juice, mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, flour, sugar, Maseca corn flour, cooking oil, coffee, pancake mix (complete), pancake syrup, canned fruit, healthy snacks as well as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, toilet paper, baby shampoo, baby wash, baby wipes, baby powder, Desitin and lotion. Grocery store gift cards and cash also accepted. For more information, call 938-6464.
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.
Declutter & Organize seminar
St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 2nd St., St. James will host a seminar titled Your Home – Your Life Declutter and Organize for Spring from 1 to 3 p.m. Interior designer Natalie Weinstein will offer spring cleaning tips and ways to to declutter and organize in a fun and interactive afternoon. Learn how to set realistic goals with tips, tools and free take home gifts. Donation $25, $20 seniors. To register, call 984-0201 or visit www.celebratestjames.org.
Monday, April 4
No events listed for this day.
Tuesday, April 5
No events listed for this day.
Wednesday, April 6
Book Talk
The Center for Italian Studies at Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Melville Librar,y Room E-4340 will welcome award-winning Italian author Claudia Durastanti who will discuss her novel, La straniera, a coming-of-age story set between Italy, New York and London at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend this free event. Call 632-7444 for more information.
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 artists’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. Read more about Doug Reina on page B14.
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.
Film
‘Earth: One Amazing Day’
To celebrate Earth Day and Earth Month, the Four Harbors Audubon Society for a Friday Movie Night screening of the BBC documentary “Earth: One Amazing Day” at the Smithtown Library, 1 North Country Road, Smithtown on April 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Earth is home to a vast array of environments and animals, but what is a single day in the life of these creatures like? Narrated by Robert Redford, this film takes us on an astonishing journey revealing the awesome power of the natural world. Free and open to all. Reservations required by calling 766-3075 or 360-2480, ext. 232.
Theater
CUTTING EDGE Above, Stephen T. Wangner and Tamralynn Dorsa star in Confessions of a Succesful Playwright as part of Theatre Three’s Festival of One-Act Plays. The show closes on April 2. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
Festival of One-Act Plays
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 23rd annual Festival of One-Act Plays, featuring the world premiere of six new works, at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre, on the Second Stage from Feb. 27 to April. 2. Adult content and language. Parental discretion is advised. Tickets are $20. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘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. Read the review on page B19.
‘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.
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.
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].
◆ 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.
This is the second in a two-part series on Long Island’s water supply.
‘We Have Met the Enemy and He is Us’ — Pogo
Imagine, for a moment, you’re driving on a road that skirts one of New York City’s water supply reservoirs such as the Croton or Ashokan reservoir. You come around a bend and in a large gap in the forest, offering a clear and sweeping view of the reservoir, you see thousands of houseboats dotting the reservoir’s surface. An unease falls over you — after all this is a drinking water reservoir that supplies drinking water to millions of people — and letting people live on their water supply doesn’t seem like a very good idea to ensure the purity or even the drinkability of the water.
Pixabay photo
Shift your focus to Long Island and you can see these “houseboats.” They’re in the form of hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses sitting on the surface. The drinking water reservoir however is invisible beneath our feet, leading to a “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” mentality, which, in turn, has led to decades of mistreatment by the approximately 2.7 million Long Islanders who live, work, and play above a water supply they cannot see. Perhaps it is this visual disconnection which explains the checkered stewardship.
At the risk of understatement, Long Island’s drinking water system, and the coastal waters hydrologically connected to it, are facing significant, big-time challenges. By just about any measure (a few exceptions include detergents and several types of pesticides) there are more contaminants in greater concentrations in Long Island’s groundwater than any time in its history.
In a way this is not surprising as Long Island has built out with a land surface containing ever increasing numbers of actual and potential sources of contamination, and hundreds of poorly vetted chemicals coming on the market every year. Layer on this the quantity dimension: that in certain areas there’s simply not enough water to meet current or projected human demand and the needs of ecosystems (like wetlands) and it’s not surprising that Long Island’s drinking water system is under stress like never before.
To be clear, government agencies have not sat passively by in an effort to protect and manage the aquifer system. There are many examples over the past several decades where various government agencies, statutorily responsible for safeguarding our water resources, have delineated a problem and moved to address it. Let’s run through a few.
You’ve heard the expression: “oil and water don’t mix.” The same is true for gasoline, as evidenced by the many leak and spill incidents in the past caused by hundreds of gasoline stations scattered throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. As more and more contamination was discovered from gasoline plumes in the Upper Glacial aquifer half a century ago, gasoline storage tanks buried at every filling station were becoming known as “ticking time bombs”. This is because tanks installed many decades ago were single-wall, and made of corrodible cast iron — two undesirable traits for tanks containing thousands of gallons of gasoline buried in the ground.
The solution? Both counties mandated tank replacement; Suffolk County through the enactment of Article 12 of the Suffolk County Sanitary Code. New requirements included double-walled fiberglass or specialized steel tanks with a leak detection system in between the two walls to detect a leak in the inner wall. Older readers may remember, years ago, the presence of excavators and backhoes in gas stations throughout the island as the industry moved to comply with this important new water quality safety measure. Because of these two county laws gasoline leaks — and subsequent plumes — from station tanks are almost entirely a thing of the past.
Another pollutant that is largely a thing of the past is salt. Before the adoption of legislation mandating the enclosed covering of salt piles managed by transportation and public works departments, stockpiled for winter road deicing applications, salt piles would sit outside exposed to the elements. Not surprisingly, plumes of salty water, well above drinking water standards, often formed under these piles. In some cases plumes beneath salt piles located near public water supply wells ended up contaminating these wells. Today, by law, all highway department salt stockpiles have to be covered or indoors to prevent saltwater plumes.
Nitrogen pollution has been a more intractable problem. Emanating from centralized sewage treatment plants, agricultural and lawn fertilizers, and many thousands of septic tanks and cesspools (there’s an estimated 360,000 of them in Suffolk County alone), nitrogen is ubiquitous. This excess nitrogen has fueled adverse ecological changes in our estuaries including loss of salt marshes and various types of toxic algae blooms, which in turn, have killed off scallops, clams, diamondback terrapins, and blue-claw crabs. Too much nitrogen in drinking water can have adverse health consequences for humans, especially babies, a concern since an increasing number of public wells have nitrogen levels exceeding the state health limit of 10 parts per million.
So how to get ahead of the nitrogen curve? Generally there are three ways, each relating to each of the major sources of contamination — 1) nitrogen laden water from home septic tanks/cesspools, 2) nitrogen laden water from sewage treatment plants, and 3) nitrogen pollution stemming from fertilizer use, most notably in farming but also by homeowners for lawn care.
Through the Septic Improvement Program, under its “Reclaim Our Water” Initiative, Suffolk County has thrown its eggs in the “septic tank/cesspool” basket by attacking the nitrogen generated by homeowners. How? By working with companies that have made vast improvements in the technology used to treat household sewage; basically these companies have developed mini-sewage treatment plants in place of septic tanks/cesspools, resulting in much lower nitrogen levels in the water recharged into the ground (from 70 to 80 parts per million ppm nitrogen to 10-20 ppm.
The County now provides financial subsidies to homeowners to replace aging systems with new Innovative/Advanced systems (known as I/A systems). The downside with this approach is that because of the huge number of homes that need to convert their cesspools/septic tanks to I/A systems (remember the 360,000 figure from above?) it will take many decades to bend the nitrogen-loading curve meaningfully downward, to the point we’ll begin to see a difference.
An additional complimentary approach to reduce nitrogen loadings, but likely able to do so more quickly, is through the tried and true strategy of “water reuse.” Here, highly treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants (STP’s) which contains low concentrations of nitrogen, is used in ways which “pulls out” the nitrogen. Water reuse is common practice in many places in the United States including Florida and California where the trademark purple-colored distribution piping is commonplace. Approximately 2.6 billion gallons of water is reused daily in the country, mostly for golf course irrigation but also for irrigating certain foods such as citrus trees.
The largest water reuse example on Long Island involves the Riverhead STP-Indian Island County Golf Course. With this project, from April to October, highly treated wastewater is directed to the adjacent Indian Island County Golf Course rather than being discharged into the Peconic River. According to engineering projections, the effort annually results in about 1.4 less tons of nitrogen entering the estuary, being taken up by the grass, and keeps about 63 million gallons of water in the ground since golf course wells no longer need to pump irrigation water from the aquifers.
With funding support the Seatuck Environmental Association has hired Cameron Engineering & Associates to develop an islandwide “Water Reuse Road Map” to guide future reuse projects. A potential local project, similar to the Riverhead example, tentatively identified in the roadmap involves redirecting wastewater from the SUNY Stony Brook STP which currently discharges into Port Jefferson Harbor and use it to irrigate the St. Georges Golf Course and Country Club, situated several hundreds away from the STP on the east side of Nicolls Road in East Setauket.
The third source of nitrogen contamination — fertilizers — has also received focus although progress here has been slower. A Suffolk County law, among other things, prohibits fertilizer applications from November 1st through April 1st when the ground is mostly frozen and little plant growth occurs. It also prohibits, with certain exemptions such as golf courses, fertilizer applications on county-owned properties. Several bills, both at the county and state level, have been introduced to limit the fraction of nitrogen in fertilizer formulations and to require “slow release” nitrogen so it can be taken up by plants and not leach into groundwater.
A basic concept that has emerged from a better understanding of how Long Island’s groundwater system works and the threats to it, is the value of the aforementioned “deep-flow recharge areas” serving as groundwater watersheds, these watersheds recharging voluminous amounts of water to the deepest portions of the underlying aquifers. And we’ve also learned “clean land means clean water.”
Where the land surface is dominated by pine and oak trees, chipmunks, native grasses, blueberries, etc., the groundwater beneath is pure, as there no sources of potential contamination on the surface. It has become clear that Long Island’s forested watersheds play an important role in protecting Long Island’s groundwater system.
In recognition of the direct relationship between the extent to which a land surface is developed and the quality of drinking water below it, a state law was passed establishing on Long Island SGPA’s — “Special Groundwater Protection Areas” — lightly developed to undeveloped landscapes within the deep-flow recharge zones that recharge clean water downward, replenishing the three aquifers; the 100,000 acre Pine Barrens forest being the largest and most significant SGPA.
There are seven other SGPA’s including the Oak Brush Plains SGPA just east of Commack Road and south of the Pilgrim State Hospital property; the South Setauket SGPA in northwestern Brookhaven Town, bisected by Belle Meade Road; one on the North Fork; two on the South Fork; and two in northern Nassau County. These areas collectively recharge tens of millions of gallons of high to pristine quality water to the groundwater system on a daily basis. The state law mandated the development of a comprehensive plan designed to safeguard the land surface and the water beneath it in all the SGPA’s. Landscape protection took a step further in the Pine Barrens, where state law has safeguarded nearly 100 square miles of land from development.
Protecting a community’s water supply has been a challenge throughout recorded history. Many past dynasties and civilizations (e.g. China, Bolivia, Cambodia, Egypt, Syria, southwest United States) have collapsed or been compromised by failing to ensure adequate supplies of clean water. In modern times maintaining the integrity of a water supply has become one of the fundamental responsibilities of government. It is clear that various levels of government, from Washington, DC, to Albany, to local governments, have advanced a host of laws, regulations, strategies, and programs all designed to safeguard our water supply.
The jury is still out, though, as to whether this collective governmental response will be adequate enough. While Pogo has been correct so far — we, the 2.7 million Long Islanders in the two counties have been the enemy — perhaps with the implementation of additional proactive responses we might prove the little opossum wrong.
A resident of Setauket, John Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.
If you are one of the 32.5 million in the U.S. who suffers from osteoarthritis, you know it can make it painful to perform daily tasks. Osteoarthritis (OA) most often affects the knees, hips and hands and can affect sleep quality and mood, in addition to mobility.
Common first-line medications for arthritis pain are acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. Unfortunately, while medications treat the immediate symptoms of pain and inflammation, they don’t slow osteoarthritis’ progression, and they do have side effects, especially with long-term use.
Here, we’ll focus on approaches you can use to ease pain without reaching for the medicine cabinet. Some may slow worsening — or even reverse symptoms — of your osteoarthritis.
Does dairy help or hurt?
With dairy, specifically milk, there is conflicting information. Some studies show benefits, while others show that it may contribute to the inflammation that makes osteoarthritis pain feel worse.
In the Osteoarthritis Initiative study, researchers looked specifically at joint space narrowing that occurs in those with affected knee joints (1). Results showed that low-fat (1 percent) and nonfat milk may slow the progression of osteoarthritis in women. Compared to those who did not drink milk, patients who did saw significantly less narrowing of knee joint space over a 48-month period.
The result curve was interesting, however. For those who drank from fewer than three glasses a week up to 10 glasses a week, the progression of joint space narrowing was slowed. However, for those who drank more than 10 glasses per week, there was less beneficial effect. There was no benefit seen in men or with the consumption of higher fat products, such as cheese or yogurt.
However, the study was observational and had significant flaws. First, the 2100 patients were only asked about their milk intake at the study’s start. Second, patients were asked to recall their weekly milk consumption for the previous 12 months before the study began — a challenging task.
On the flip side, a study of almost 39,000 participants from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study found that increases in dairy consumption were associated with increased risk of total hip replacements for men with osteoarthritis (2).
Getting more specific, a published analysis of the Framingham Offspring Study found that those who consumed yogurt had statistically significant lower levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a marker for inflammation, than those who didn’t eat yogurt, but that this was not true with milk or cheese consumption (3).
We are left with more questions than answers. Would I recommend consuming low-fat or nonfat milk or yogurt? Not necessarily, but I may not dissuade osteoarthritis patients from yogurt.
Does vitamin D help?
Over the last decade, the medical community has gone from believing that vitamin D was potentially the solution to many diseases to wondering whether, in some cases, low levels were indicative of disease, but repletion was not a change-maker. Well, in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), the gold standard of studies, vitamin D had no beneficial symptom relief, nor any disease-modifying effects (4). This two-year study of almost 150 men and women raised blood levels of vitamin D on average to 36 ng/ml, which is considered respectable. Researchers used MRI and X-rays to track their results.
The role of weight
Weight management is a crucial component of any OA pain management strategy. In a study involving 112 obese patients, those who lost weight reported a reduction of knee symptoms. Even more exciting, there was also disease modification, with reduction in the loss of cartilage volume around the medial tibia (5).
On the other hand, those who gained weight saw the inverse effect. A reduction of tibial cartilage is potentially associated with the need for knee replacement. The relationship was almost one-to-one; for every 1 percent of weight lost, there was a 1.2 mm3 preservation of medial tibial cartilage volume, while the exact opposite was true with weight gain.
Exercise and diet for the win!
Diet and exercise trumped the effects of diet or exercise alone in a well-designed study (6). Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who lost at least 10 percent of their body weight experienced significant improvements in function and a 50 percent reduction in pain, as well as reduction in inflammation, compared to those who lost 5 to 10 percent and those who lost less than 5 percent. This study was a randomized controlled single-blinded study with a duration of 18 months.
Researchers used biomarker IL6 to measure inflammation. The diet and exercise group and the diet-only group lost significantly more weight than the exercise-only group, 23.3 pounds and 19.6 pounds versus 4 pounds. The diet portion consisted of a meal replacement shake for breakfast and lunch and then a vegetable-rich, low-fat dinner. Low-calorie meals replaced the shakes after six months. The exercise regimen included one hour of a combination of weight training and walking with alacrity three times a week.
Therefore, concentrate on lifestyle modifications to reduce pain and potentially disease-modifying effects. The best effects shown are with weight loss and with a vegetable-rich diet. In terms of low-fat or nonfat milk, the results are controversial at best. For yogurt, the results suggest it may be beneficial for osteoarthritis, but stay on the low end of consumption, since dairy can increase inflammation.
References:
(1) Arthritis Care Res online. 2014 April 6. (2) J Rheumatol. 2017 Jul;44(7):1066-1070. (3) Nutrients. 2021 Feb 4;13(2):506. (4) JAMA. 2013;309:155-162. (5) Ann Rheum Dis. 2015 Jun;74(6):1024-9. (6) JAMA. 2013;310:1263-1273.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com.
As I mentioned in last month’s column, it’s essential to pay attention to current events. For those watching the news, you’ve probably noticed the various factors affecting today’s real estate market.
Federal Reserve
The U.S. Federal Reserve System met this month and raised interest rates for the first time since 2018. At a recent conference Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, said, “There is an obvious need to move expeditiously to a more neutral level and more restrictive levels if needed to restore price stability.”
Due to anticipation of the meeting, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 4.16%, according to Freddie Mac. After the meeting, the rate climbed up slightly to 4.52%. Keep in mind at the end of 2021, rates were at 3.11%. Powell has hinted at a 50-basis-point rate hike, which converts to .5%, by the Federal Reserve’s meeting in May or even before; some experts believe the rate could possibly jump even higher.
Current trends
Mortgage rates are slightly up during a period when there are more buyers than sellers in the real estate market. That’s good for sellers as it keeps the market competitive.
According to the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales were down 5.4% in February compared to 2021 across the nation, however, in the Northeast, homes going into contract are up!
“Buyer demand is still intense, but it’s as simple as ‘one cannot buy what is not for sale,’” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.
Also, due to inventory not meeting demand, we’re still seeing homes appreciate. Keeping Current Matters, a real estate resource, reported home values appreciated an average of 15% across the country last year. Experts predict that home prices will remain steady.
World events are indeed causing supply chain issues. We have been hit hardest in our pockets when paying for oil deliveries or gasoline, which will continue to affect us. When consumers spend more to drive their car or heat a home, they may have less money to save for a new house. Going back to low home inventory, this slight dip in homebuyers hasn’t affected real estate yet.
Takeaway
The beginning of this year has proved to look at more than one factor when predicting the future of real estate. Mortgage rates may be slowly rising, and then low inventory also comes into play to balance things out. Remember, rates are still historically low, as the graph above shows.
For potential sellers, it’s still a favorable time to put your house on the market while prices are on the high side. A home sale now could mean getting a bigger home or downsizing. Or, if you’re moving out of state, you’ll have the competitive edge with more money in your pocket because house prices are rising all over the country, even in areas once known as more affordable. So … let’s talk
Michael Ardolino is the Founder/Owner-Broker of Realty Connect USA.
This week is Pet Poison Prevention Week and I thought a review of rodenticide toxicity would be prudent. Rodenticide toxicity is on the top 10 list of why pet owners call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Bait for rodents and gophers are the two most common sources of poisoning. Exposure can come from either ingestion of the poison, or ingestion of a dead animal that still has the poison in its digestive tract.
Rodenticide toxicity is broken into two categories: anticoagulant toxicity, and non-anticoagulant toxicity. Anticoagulant toxicity will antagonize, or block the vitamin K dependent factors in the clotting cascade. This will cause signs of bleeding and bruising including spontaneous bleeding in the chest or abdominal cavities.
In some cases the pet owner has witnessed the patient ingesting the poison. If seen, bring your pet immediately to a veterinarian’s office or pet emergency clinic where the doctors can provide decontamination (induce vomiting and give activated charcoal to prevent further absorption) and vitamin K. If your pet is already showing signs of active bleeding or bruising they will need to be admitted for care. This could include blood transfusions, plasma transfusions, or both, as well as decontamination and vitamin K therapy.
Non anticoagulant toxicities include bromethalin and cholecalciferol. Bromethalin is a neurotoxin which means it effects the nervous system. Bromethalin will cause damage to the cells in the brain leading to brain swelling and loss of function. Symptoms include tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures, coma, respiratory failure and death. Witnessing the patient eating the poison is imperative because symptoms can start as quickly as 30 minutes after exposure and, when symptoms are seen, it is almost too late. Intravenous fluids and medications to absorb the medication from the blood stream, control seizures, and reduce brain swelling will help but not guarantee success.
Cholecalciferol toxicity is an overdose of vitamin D. Vitamin D is added to milk and other dairy products in small amount to improve calcium retention in the body. Excessive amounts of vitamin D will lead to mineralization of the internal organs and, potentially, organ failure. The organ system most sensitive to this are the kidneys. Symptoms usually include loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, seizures and, ultimately, death. This is another poison that we hope someone witnesses the pet ingesting so that decontamination can be performed before the toxin is absorbed from the digestive tract.
The best thing is to avoid exposure to any bait. However, if you witness or are suspicious of exposure, bring your pet immediately to your veterinarian’s office or a veterinary emergency clinic.
Dr. Kearns practices veterinary medicine from his Port Jefferson office and is pictured with his son Matthew and his dog Jasmine.
Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, along with county elected officials, Suffolk OTB President/CEO, Tony Pancella, and executives from Northwell Health, held an emergency aid press conference with Long Island Ukrainian leaders on March 22 at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel in Islandia.
Suffolk OTB, which operates the casino, made a $10,000 donation to the Northwell Health Ukraine Relief Fund to send vital medical supplies to hospitals in the embattled nation.The check was accepted by Donna Moravick, Executive Director for South Shore University Hospital, on behalf of Northwell Health President and CEO, Michael Dowling.
Additional money will be raised throughout the month of April from Jake’s 58’s Donate Your Change for the Ukraine campaign. The program gives casino bettors the option to effortlessly donate excess change while cashing out winnings and funds at kiosks located throughout the casino. “At times like these, people always come together to help those most in need, and the patrons at OTB will undoubtedly do their part,” said McCaffrey.
Pancella hopes to double, or even triple, the initial $10,000 donation. “Our patrons are very generous, and we want to do all we can to help the Ukrainian people during this tragic invasion of their homeland,” he said.
Long Island volunteer firefighters were also on hand to announce a donation of flame-retardant gear to help Ukrainian first responders put out fires left in the wake of bombs and shelling.The equipment was donated by the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund. “The Fire Service is a brotherhood that takes care of its own,” said Brian Farrell, the organization’s president.
The World Health Organization has verified at least 43 attacks on healthcare facilities in the Ukraine since the Russian invasion. More than 300 healthcare facilities are within the conflict zone and 600 others are within six miles of territory currently under siege. The funds raised at Jake’s 58 will pay for medical supplies that will be transported to Poland and eventually delivered to the front lines.
“We have a moral obligation to help ease the suffering of the Ukrainian people. This generous donation will help address the immediate needs of individuals, families, and communities by providing medical assistance on the front lines. I want to thank Jake’s 58 for their contribution to the Northwell Health Ukraine Relief Fund,” said Dowling.
“Thank you to Northwell Health and Jake’s 58 for their efforts to help the people of Ukraine by funding and facilitating the delivery of critical medical supplies,” said Legislator Al Krupski, whose office has been active in collecting provisions for the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Riverhead. “I also want to thank the members of our firefighter community for donating gear to help firefighters and first responders in Ukraine.Despite the dreadfulness of this war, it is heartening to see communities and institutions from across Long Island come together to help a country and a people in desperate need.”
“I commend Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell, and Tony Pancella, OTB President and CEO, for creating this team effort to provide essential medical supplies to Ukraine. I believe the patrons at Jake’s 58 will be generous and compassionate in supporting this endeavor,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.
“The situation currently unfolding in Ukraine is horrifying to say the least,” said Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg. “We need to do anything and everything we can to support the innocent people being affected and displaced every day. Thank you to Northwell Health and Jake’s 58 for your leadership and efforts in raising funds for much-needed medical supplies that I have no doubt will have an impact and help support countless individuals and families in Ukraine.”
Legislator Nick Caracappa said, “It is inspirational to see how our community, in both the public and private sectors, are working together to assist the people of Ukraine. This besieged nation needs our support, and I was pleased to attend the press conference. I applaud Jake’s 58, Northwell Health, and all who coordinated this fundraising effort.”
Legislator Dominick Thorne stated, “It is my honor and privilege to stand with the people of the Ukraine. Their bravery in the face of reprehensible attacks is inspirational.”
Non anticoagulant toxicities include bromethalin and cholecalciferol. Bromethalin is a neurotoxin which means it effects the nervous system. Bromethalin will cause damage to the cells in the brain leading to brain swelling and loss of function. Symptoms include tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures, coma, respiratory failure and death. Witnessing the patient eating the poison is imperative because symptoms can start as quickly as 30 minutes after exposure and, when symptoms are seen, it is almost too late. Intravenous fluids and medications to absorb the medication from the blood stream, control seizures, and reduce brain swelling will help but not guarantee success.
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