Paint this cute Shamrock at the Atelier at Flowerfield on March 12. Image from The Atelier
Programs
Little Scientists
Join the staff at Sunken Meadow State Park, Route 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park for a children’s program, Little Scientists, on March 5 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This programs will connect children and their parents with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. For ages 3 to 5. $4 per child. Advance reservations required by visiting Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.
Shamrock Painting Class
Registration underway! The Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Building #15, St. James will host a St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Painting class for ages 6 to 12 on March 12 from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Join Miss Linda in the studio as she teaches you how to paint a shamrock and a ladybug. Fee is $50 and includes materials. To register, call 250-9009 or visit www.theatelieratflowerfield.org.
Moonstruck Mania
Save the date! The Heckscher Museum, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington in collaboration with the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will present Moonstruck Mania: An Art and Science Adventure on March 13 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Families with children ages 6 and up are invited to begin their adventure at the Heckscher exploring the exhibition Moonstruck:Lunar Art from the Collection and creating a lunar masterpiece. Then meet at the Vanderbilt Planetarium for a 30 minute live viewing and lecture of that night’s sky followed by a screening of “Earth, Moon & Sun.” $15 per person. To register, visit www.heckscher.org.
Theater
Disney’s ‘Frozen Jr.’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Disney’s Frozen Jr. Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. from Feb. 13 to March 13. When faced with danger, princesses Anna and Elsa discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. This enchanting musical features all of the memorable songs from the hit Disney film and will thaw even the coldest heart! Tickets are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the world premiere of Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz from Feb. 23 to March 26. Dorothy Gale is whisked away by a tornado to that magical land that lies just Over the Rainbow. Follow Dorothy and her friends the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion as they encounter challenges and celebrate friendship. This new take on a classic tale features an original score, memorable characters, and fun for the entire family. Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz is a delightful reminder that “there’s no place like home!” All seats are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Disney’s ‘High School Musical Jr.’
We’re All In This Together! Disney Channel’s smash hit musical comes to life at the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown in Disney’s High School Musical Jr. from April 15 to May 15. Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extra curricular activities. The show’s infectious, danceable songs will have you dancing in your seats! All seats are $25. To order, call 724-3700 or visit www.smithtownpac.org
The works of prolific writer Edmond Rostand (1868-1918) included plays for legendary actor Sarah Bernhardt and Les Romanesques (1894), the inspiration for the musical The Fantasticks (1960). But his most enduring work is Cyrano de Bergerac (1897). Rostand based his drama on the life of French novelist, playwright, and duelist Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac (1619-1655).
Haley Bennett as Roxanne and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Christian in a scene from the film. Photo courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
In the play, nobleman Cyrano is a cadet in the French Army. Articulate and talented, bold and brash, Cyrano has an exceptionally large nose. His extraordinary proboscis prevents him from expressing his love for his beautiful cousin, Roxanne, fearing his ugliness would cause her to reject him. So instead, he aids the handsome Christian Neuvillette in his courtship of Roxanne.
The first production opened on December 27, 1897, and starred Benoît-Constant Coquelin, who went on to play the role over four hundred times. Subsequent productions were mounted across the globe.
The longest-running Broadway production starred Walter Hampden, in a translation by Brian Hooker; his adaptation became the standard until the 1980s. The best-known Cyrano was José Ferrer, who received a Tony and an Academy Award for his portrayal. Other stars and other translators have since put their enduring impression on the story. Anthony Burgess turned his 1970 adaptation into the libretto for the musical Cyrano (1973), for which Christopher Plummer won a Tony. Steve Martin’s modern screenplay Roxanne (1987) earned him accolades as a writer and actor.
The story of the selfless soldier with the large nose and eloquent soul has touched audiences on stage and screen for over a century. The newest incarnation, the musical Cyrano, is directed by Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Anna Karenina, Darkest Hour, Pan) from a screenplay by Erica Schmidt, based on her 2018 stage adaptation for the off-Broadway production presented by The New Group.
Starring Peter Dinklage, the production features music by Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner (of the band The National). Rather than focusing on an exceptionally large nose, it is Dinklage’s diminutive size that sets him apart.
The plot of the Rostand remains, with Cyrano in love with Roxanne, but, afraid of rejection, he pours his heart and words into writing and coaching another man to win her heart: “I will make you eloquent while you make me handsome.”
But the tone is dark and raw, set in a gritty world. The sense of unrest, of a country at war, permeates the entire film. From the opening scene to the last moments, the unease reflects the restlessness of the story’s protagonist. Instead of the Cyrano beloved of his fellow soldiers and connected in the community, Dinklage is a figure of isolation.
With the absence of comradery, the loneliness creates a deeper poignancy. He says wryly, “I am living proof that God has a sick sense of humor.” But the depth of his pain is present. His yearning and struggle with unrequited love are heartbreaking, never too far from the surface. “My fate is to love her from afar.” Dinklage’s performance is nuanced, subtle, and honest.
However, taken as a whole, the film is uneven. The dialogue is a mix of occasional rhyming (that seems to disappear), genuinely eloquent free verse, and jarring anachronisms. Many classic speeches are gone, often feeling like Hamlet without “To be or not to be ….” The absence of Rostand’s whimsy and warmth are replaced with a harsher edge that serves some but not all the film.
Humor is rare. Oddly, one of the first lines, delivered by Roxanne’s duenna Monica Dolan), is one of the lone quips: “Children need love; adults need money.” But these flashes are rare.
Haley Bennett’s Roxanne is not a fluttering ingenue but as self-actualized as a woman of the era could be. She is best when paired with Dinklage, especially in the pastry shop that neatly bookends their final encounter. Wright directed the first scene in sharp cuts emphasizing the dynamic relationship.
Kelvin Harrison, Jr., makes for a likable, if too aware, Christian. Christian and Cyrano should be a study in contrast, with the former tongue-tied and awkward; he is never allowed to commit to the character’s social clumsiness. Ben Mendelsohn’s De Guiche is predatory, going from storybook villain to full-on monster. Bashir Salahuddin’s Le Bret is marginalized. Le Bret is meant to be Cyrano’s confidante and confessor; here, he is reduced to a few small scenes.
Haley Bennett in a scene from ‘Cyrano’. Photo courtesy of MGM
But the largest flaw is the unnecessary and intrusive score. Sounding quasi-Broadway pop, it consistently detracts from the flow of both the action and the passion. Musical construction is designed to transition into song when the characters’ emotions become too large for dialogue. In Cyrano, it seems the opposite. The energy rises only to be arrested by generic tunes and painfully prosaic lyrics.
Vocally, Harrison, Jr., has the strongest voice. Dinklage has a pleasant rumble, reminiscent of Leonard Cohen and Bennett is pleasant if unremarkable. An entire song is given over to the soldiers before battle. For some reason, the composers have opted for a Country-and-Western sound.
The designs are lavish, with a well-deserved costume Oscar nomination (Massimo Cantini Parrini and Jacqueline Durran). Jeff and Rick Kuperman’s choreography is intriguing if puzzling. The film is violent, with brutal sword fighting ending in death. Cyrano even sets fire to one of his attackers.
But ultimately, Cyrano belongs to Dinklage, and he shines. He says of Roxanne: “Even her imperfections are perfect.” The same could be said of Dinklage.
Rated PG-13, Cyrano is now playing in local theaters.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Stony Brook University’s Wang Center on March 4. Photo from Wang Center
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 from March 6 to May7. For more information, call 751-3730 or visit www.tvhs.org.
Thursday 3
Suffrage exhibit opens
The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson celebrates Women’s History Month with an exhibit on the second floor titled Celebrating Women’s Suffrage and the Timeless Connection of Nan Guzzetta. The exhibit opens today and runs through March 31 daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The community is invited to a reception on March 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 802-2160.See story on page B13.
Vanderbilt lecture
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will present an evening lecture titled Necessary Ingredients: Astronomy and Life’s Origins at the Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium at 7 p.m. Dr. Tom Rice will explore one of astronomy’s most pressing issues—how the ingredients necessary for life, nitrogen and carbon, become part of terrestrial worlds like the Earth during planet formation. A stargazing event will follow the lecture, weather permitting. Tickets are $15, $5 members. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
An evening of jazz
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents a concert by the Jazz Loft Big Band at 7 p.m. The 17-member band led by Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel performs jazz standards and original compositions and arrangements written by band members. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, children under 5 free at www.thejazzloft.org.
Friday 4
First Friday at the Heckscher
The Heckscher Museum, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington continues its First Fridays series tonight from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy exhibitions on view with a performance by the Flutissimo! flute quartet in the galleries at 7 p.m. Free tickets available at the door. Call 380-3230 for more info.
Celebrating Lunar New Year
Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center’s Theatre, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will host a Celebrating Lunar New Year: The Year of the Tigerevent from 6 to 7 p.m. Enjoy Chinese lion, fan, and ribbon dances and Peking opera with full costumes and authentic music that will engage you in fun and educational ways. Presented by the New York Chinese Cultural Center. Admission is $20 adults, $15 students, seniors and children ages 6 to 12, free for children under 6. For more info, call 632-4400.
Wintertide Concert Series
Pete Mancini and Mick Hargreaves (Americana country-folk songwriters) kick off the Wintertide Concert Series at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson from 7:30 to 9 p.m. $5 tickets at the door. Questions? Call 473-4778.
Saturday 5
Saltwater Fishing Expo – just added!
Ward Melville High School Fishing Club, 380 Old Town Road, EAST SETAUKET will host the 9th annual Saltwater Fishing Expo starting at 8:30 a.m. featuring fly casting demonstrations, over 200 vendors, raffles, food trucks and much more! Free admission. There will be a free shuttle bus starting at 10 a.m. and running till 3 p.m. from the Full Gospel Christian Center on Old Town Road (east side of the road off of 347 and Old Town) to the main entrance. We know when our lot gets full that parking is difficult but we would like to remind you that you can park at then elementary school on Norwood Ave (which is in walking distance) and would ask you not to park in the funeral home or Jewish center parking lots. For more information, visit www.wardmelvillefishingclub.com/2022expo/.
Polar Plunge
Ready to take the plunge? The Smithtown Children’s Foundation will hold a Polar Plunge at the Smithtown Yacht Club, 552 Long Beach Road, St. James at 10 a.m. Registration is at 9 a.m. Single dip is $30, double dip $50 for 2, group of 5 or more $25 per person, virtual plunge $20 per person. Enjoy raffles, coffee, hot chocolate, bagels and donuts. To sign up, visit www.smithtownchildrensfoundation.com.
TVHS Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket invites the community to attend the ground breaking ceremony for the Dominick-Crawford Barn Education Center from 10 a.m. to noon. Call 751-3730 or email [email protected] to RSVP.
Caleb Smith hike
Join the staff at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown for The Trail Less Traveled, a winter hike on the Red Trail from 10 a.m. to noon. This will be a moderately paced hike that includes some hills, so wear good walking shoes, dress warm, and bring water. $4 per person. Reservations are required by calling 265-1054.
Maple Sugaring Day
Join Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket for their annual Maple Sugaring Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy all things maple during this self-guided tour. Receive a map of the farm showing where the maple stations are located and a bit of information about each one. You can visit each station more than once, skip over another and come back! During the day the farm will be offering up some yummy warm pancakes with syrup for purchase. The farm store will be open to purchase maple products as well! No reservations are required. Pricing is $12 for adults and $10 for children/seniors. Questions? Call 689-8172.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
It’s back! Grand Marshals Charlie Gardner and his daughter Commander Diane Gardner will lead the annual Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade when it kicks off at noon in front of the Celtic Crossing Tavern at 83 Pulaski Road. The line of march will be east to Main Street,north to Church Street and end in front of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church on the corner of Old Dock Road. Over 15 bands will be featured along with civic organizations and local businesses. For more information, call 269-7678.
All Souls Concert
The Saturdays at Six concert series continues at All Souls Church, 61 Main St., Stony Brook with a performance by Taylor and Alison Ackley from the Deep Roots Ensemble performing the rich sound of their two-part harmony, bringing old and new songs to life. The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Free. Call 655-7798 for more information.
Sunday 6
Huntington Winter Farmers Market
Get your farm fix in the off-season at the Huntington Winter Farmers Market every Sunday through March 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located behind the senior center at 423 Park Ave., Huntington, visitors will find items ranging from hydroponic greens to artisan breads and vegan treats and everything in between. Call 944-2661.
Caumsett Hike
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington will host a Winter Water Walk from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Enjoy a moderately paced 4-mile walk to and from the beach and ponds to observe winter waterfowl. Bring binoculars. $4 per person. Advance reservations required by calling 423-1770.
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, Mr. B’s Hot Sauce, Speedy Kiwi Bakery, Knot of this World Pretzels, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, Spilt Milk Macarons and many more. For more information, call 802-2160.
Sunken Meadow Bird Walk
Bundle up and join us for some winter birding at Sunken Meadow State Park, Route 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Discover the birds that make Sunken Meadow their home for the winter on this brisk stroll along the beach, marsh, and creek. $4 per person. To register, visit Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure. For more info, call 581-1072.
An evening of comedy and music
Celebrate St. James presents The Gemini Affair at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 2nd. St., St. James from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Comedian, ventriloquist and magician Gemini Lombardi will present a show titled Illusions, Puppets & Laughs. For adults only. Donation of $25 adults, $20 seniors. To order, call 984-0201 or visit www.celebratestjames.org.
Ridotto piano concert
Ridotto, concerts with a touch of theatre, returns to the Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington at 4 p.m. with a piano recital by Zhu Wang (rescheduled from Jan. 30). The program will include music by Mozart, Schumann, Zhang Zhou, Nina Shekar, and Franz Liszt. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 members and $12 students. For reservations, call 385-0373 or visit www.ridotto.org.
North Shore Pro Musica concert – Just added!
The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook and North Shore Pro Musica present an evening of live chamber music performances in the Gillespie Room of the Carriage Museum at 5 p.m. The evening will feature a piano trio featuring violinist Emanouil Manolov, cellist Laura Metcalf, and pianist Luba Poliak featuring W. A. Mozart – Piano Sonata in F Major, K. 280 and L. V. Beethoven – Piano Trio in D Major, Op 70, No 1 among others. $20 donation is suggested. Visit https://longislandmuseum.org/lea…/adult-programs/concerts/ for more information. *Please note, all attendees are required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of such, to attend this live program. Capacity limits will be in place for this performance. CDC-prescribed cleaning and safety protocols remain in effect; all visitors over the age of 2 must wear face masks while indoors.
Monday 7
SHS Spring lecture series
Kicking off its Spring Lecture Series, the Smithtown Historical Society welcomes award-winning photographer and author John Lazzaro at the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown at 7 p.m. Combining rare, archival images as well as his own photography, Lazzaro will discuss his work and the approach to his creative process behind his 2019 book, The Walls Still Talk: A Photographic Journey through Kings Park Psychiatric Center. Light refreshments will be served. Free but registration is required by calling 265-6768 or by visiting www.smithtownhistorical.org.
Lucille Ball tribute
Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport presents Lucille Ball: Queen of Comedy at 2 p.m. Lecturer Marc Courtade will celebrate the life and career of Lucille Ball, who rose from humble origins to become one of the most powerful women in Hollywood, including the first woman to run a major studio. She entertained us and remains one of the finest comediennes ever known. To register, call 261-6930.
Tuesday 8
SBU Family Orchestra Concert
Theresa Jiao
Stony Brook University Orchestra will present its annual Family Orchestra Concert at the Staller Center for the Arts’ Main Stage, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook at 7:30 p.m. Conducted by Susan Deaver, this year’s theme – Music and Folk Music from Around the World – will include music displaying a variety of music styles that feature full orchestral sounds of the strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. Featured soloist is violinist Theresa Jiao who is the Young Orchestra Artist for 2021-2022 with the University Orchestra. Free admission. For further information, call 632-2787.
Wednesday 9
Audubon lecture
The Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society will host a virtual lecture, Birding with the Fish Guy, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Take a look at the sea’s feathered friends with Chris Paparo in this multimedia presentation. Find out what Long Island birds can be observed close to the shore. Learn details about wading birds, waterfowl, and raptors, as well as where one can go to observe each of them. Free. To register, visit www.hobaudubon.org.
Thursday 10
Virtual Lunch & Learn
Join the Huntington Historical Society for a virtual Lunch & Learn at noon. Enjoy your own lunch from the comfort of your home as presenter Sabrina Thomas discusses her book, Scars of War: The Politics of Paternity and Responsibility for the Amerasians of Vietnam. Presentation will last 45 minutes with time for commentary and Q&A from participants. Free. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
Film
EMPOWERED YOUTH Photo from PJDS
‘Youth v. Gov’
The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its spring season with a screening of Youth v. Gov, the story of 21 young people, ages 13 to 19, from all over the nation and all walks of life who collectively sue the United States government for violating their constitutional rights by threatening their futures with the effects of climate change, on March 7 at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson at 7 p.m. Followed by a Q&A with director Christi Cooper via live Zoom. Tickets are $10 per person at the door or at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.
‘Bagpipes Calling!’
Join the Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport for a screening of the documentary Bagpipes Calling! on March 8 at 7 p.m. The film celebrates the Celtic spirit as it lives on through the members of a lively bagpipe band from Long Island. Weaving together music, history, and culture, the film captures a behind-the-scenes experience of life in the band during its most festive season. Followed by a Q&A with director Andrea Wozny. To register, call 261-6930.
Theater
‘Rock of Ages’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Rock of Ages from Jan. 27 to March 13. The five-time Tony Award®-nominated Broadway musical smash tells the story of a small-town girl, a city boy, and a rock ‘n’ roll romance on the Sunset Strip. But when the bar where rock reigns supreme is set to be demolished, it’s up to these wannabe rockers and their band of friends to save the day — and the music. Rock of Ages’ electric score features all your favorite ’80s rock anthems and power ballads, including “Every Rose has its Thorn,” “I Wanna Know What Love is,” Here I Go Again,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and more! Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents The Marvelous Wonderettes from Feb. 19 to March 26. This blast-from-the-past musical takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! Featuring over two dozen classic ’50’s and ’60’s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” and “Son of a Preacher Man.” Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and older. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘The Diary of Anne Frank’
Star Playhouse at the Suffolk Y JCCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack presents The Diary of Anne Frank on March 12 and 19 at 8 p.m. and March 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. In this transcendently powerful adaptation, Anne Frank emerges from history a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty, wit, and determination. Tickets are $25 adults, $20 seniors and students. To order, call 462-9800, ext. 136 or visit www.starplayhouse.com.
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. Featuring Steve Ayle, Antoine Jones, Tamralynn Dorsa, Brittany Lacey, Steven Uihlein, Steve Wangner, Bradlee Bing, Sari Feldman, Eric J. Hughes, and Evan Teich. Adult content and language. Parental discretion is advised. Tickets are $20. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. See review on page B12.
‘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.
‘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.Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and older. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
When homeowners think of selling their house, many forget about essential factors, such as paying attention to the news and the trends that follow, because what’s going on in the world affects real estate and the prices of homes.
A nose for news
We have seen the same trends that I’ve talked about in past columns, a sellers’ market and homes selling quickly, all over the country. The bottom line is simple: what’s going on economically in our country and worldwide affects us.
I always advise people thinking of selling or buying a home to pay attention to the news. It’s vital because the real estate market always has the potential to change.
Financial experts are keeping an eye on what the Federal Reserve, which will meet in March, will do. It’s possible the short-term federal funds rate will be raised four to six times in 2022. The goal is to combat inflation. Raising the rates hasn’t been done since 2018.
The anticipation of rate hikes has already pushed rates up slightly, which is starting to affect the housing market. Last week rates started inching up over 4% for a 30-year fixed mortgage.
However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is creating uncertainty in the economic arena. If there is a financial fallout, possibly due to an oil price increase, it could lead to mortgage rates increasing. The flip side of the coin is that the Federal Reserve may take a less drastic approach than initially believed.
At the beginning of the week, the U.S. already saw stocks dipping and oil prices jumping. Trends such as these can make some aspiring buyers a bit hesitant to make a move. Only the future will tell if rates will go up or stay steady, even though they will still be on the historically low side.
The current trend
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that “pending home sales slumped in January, continuing what is now a three-month drop in transactions.” (See graph above)
Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, stated, “With inventory at an all-time low, buyers are still having a difficult time finding a home … Given the situation in the market — mortgages, home costs and inventory — it would not be surprising to see a retreat in housing demand.”
Yun also mentioned “house hunters are contending with a number of additional market issues, including escalating home prices and rising interest rates. Rates jumped nearly a percentage point in January from December, further adding to monthly mortgage costs.”
Takeaway
Everything connects to one another and creates a domino effect. Whether you’re looking to sell or buy, it’s vital to pay attention to current events as well as the present economy. You’ll want not only to research your area, but also the area you’re looking to move to in the future. Real estate professionals can help explain everything involved in buying and selling homes in today’s market. So … let’s talk.
Michael Ardolino is the Founder/Owner-Broker of Realty Connect USA.
There’s nothing that curries favor more with an adventurous appetite than (you guessed it) curry. A sauce made from different spices, most commonly turmeric, ginger, coriander, cumin and pepper (curry powder is basically a combination of those spices), it is used with meat, fish, or vegetables, can be mild or spicy, but no matter what, it’s a ubiquitous and familiar comfort food all over Asia.
Like so many foods, curry has as many interpretations as the cultures to which it is indigenous and the people who cook it.During the British rule of India, it found its way into Western culture, and as the world has become more of a melting pot of immigration and resulting ethnicities, curry has become a welcome addition to our eclectic cuisine with those from India and Thailand being the most familiar (at least to me).
Here are a few of my riffs on some simple, basic recipes.
Red Curry with Tofu
YIELD: Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound firm tofu
1 tablespoon oil
1” piece ginger root, peeled and minced
1 small onion, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 serrano peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms
Salt to taste
3 tablespoons red curry paste
8 ounces unsweetened coconut milk
2 teaspoons Asian fish sauce
Juice and zest of one lime
1 cup sugar snap peas
DIRECTIONS:
Slice tofu into one-inch slabs, place on paper towels, then top with another layer of paper towels and pat them down; let sit 20 to 30 minutes, then cut into 1” cubes. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat, then add ginger, onion, garlic, peppers and cilantro and saute, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Add mushrooms and saute until golden, about another 5 minutes, and season with salt; stir in curry paste and cook about 2 minutes, then add coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice and zest. Stir and add tofu cubes and snap peas. Simmer until sauce thickens a bit and pea pods are tender, about 8 or 9 minutes. Serve hot with brown rice.
Beef Curry
YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 pounds beef sirloin cubes, cut into 1” cubes
2 1/2 cups beef broth or stock
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
DIRECTIONS:
In a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven heat the butter over medium heat; add onions and garlic and, stirring, cook until onions are wilted, about one minute. Add spices and vinegar, stir a little; add beef and cover; cook for about 10 minutes, until beef starts to brown. Add broth, cover and cook over medium-low heat until beef is tender; add salt, pepper and lemon juice, stir, place in serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve hot with rice or chick peas.
Chicken Curry
Chicken Curry. METRO pho
YIELD: Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
4 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh peeled ginger
1 teaspoon cayenne
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
One 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
1 2/3 cup chicken stock or broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
In a large pot over medium heat, warm the oil; add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add chicken and, stirring frequently, cook until golden and no longer pink inside, about another 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, ginger, cayenne, turmeric, coriander and cumin; cook and stir just until they release their aroma, a minute or so. Next add tomatoes and broth, bring to a good simmer and stir in cream; season with salt and pepper and serve hot with naan and/or basmati rice.
(Culinary.net) Waking up, no matter how late, can be such a drag. You’re moving slow and cuddled up warm under the blankets. However, your stomach is growling which means eventually you are going to have to arise. When you do stumble out of bed, it’s time to get the day started with a delicious casserole on your plate. It’s a warm, freshly baked Overnight Apple Cinnamon Fresh Toast Casserole.
Prepared the day before and chilled overnight, this casserole is ready to throw in the oven once you’re up. It’s gooey on the inside and baked to a perfect crisp on the outside, plus it’s filled with mouthwatering apples and ground cinnamon, not to mention the sweet glaze drizzled on top at the end. It’s perfect for any breakfast or brunch occasion and the little ones will enjoy the sweet crunch, as well.
Whether you are waking up on an early Monday morning or lounging around in your pajamas for an hour (or two) over the weekend, this breakfast casserole is worth the wait.
Find more breakfast and brunch recipes at Culinary.net.
Yield: Serves 12
Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
1 package (20 ounces) French bread, cubed, divided
1 can (20 ounces) apple pie filling
9 eggs
1 cup half-and-half
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup powdered sugar, plus additional (optional)
2 tablespoons milk, plus additional (optional)
Directions:
Spray 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In baking dish, add 10 ounces cubed French bread in bottom of dish. Pour apple filling over bread. Top with remaining cubed French bread. Set aside.
In medium bowl, whisk eggs, half-and-half and cinnamon. Pour evenly over bread.
Cover with aluminum foil and chill overnight.
Heat oven to 325 F.
Remove foil and bake 50-60 minutes.
Let cool 10-15 minutes.
In small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and milk. Add additional, if needed, until pourable glaze is reached. Drizzle over casserole before serving.
During the pandemic, when we were reminded that farmworkers were working hard to provide food for the rest of us, farmworkers in Suffolk were working for long hours with no break, on farms where they had no running water or toilets, could not take time off to care for their children or family members who had COVID, were often not eligible for overtime and were often undernourished. Although they could be considered “essential workers” they had few resources. The people who work on our farms have long been at the bottom of the food chain.
The first legislation that was passed was President Franklin Roosevelt’s National Labor Relations Act in 1935. It gave laborers the right to strike for better conditions, but it did not cover agricultural workers or anyone in domestic service.
Recently, there has been new legislation to increase their rights, but it is not always effective because it may not be enforced. Also, many workers do not know what their rights are or fear that they will lose their jobs if they protest.
In California, because of the efforts by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers, formed in 1971, the state passed the landmark Agricultural Labor Relations Act in 1975, giving farmworkers in California the right to unionize and negotiate for better wages and working conditions.
In 2019, New York State passed the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act, even though it was opposed by the New York State Farm Bureau. The bill sponsor, Senator Jessica Ramos, said, “The Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act has lingered in this body for twenty years, with seven sponsors on both sides of the aide. I have traveled to seven counties in New York, visited fourteen farms, talked to countless farmworkers, and held three hearings on this bill. There are 80-100,000 farmworkers that are the backbone of New York’s multi-billion-dollar agricultural industry.”
The bill gave farmworkers the right to organize, and the right to bargain collectively but it did not give them the right to strike. The law also required farmers to provide Disability and Workers Compensation coverage, paid family leave, a day off each week, and overtime pay after sixty hours. (The current New York State budget may include help to farmers to pay the overtime pay.) The effectiveness of the law will depend on how much it is publicized.
This year, the first step toward unionization under the new law took place at the Pindar Vineyards in Peconic. The New York State Public Employment Relations Board officially certified Local 388, the union established by Pindar workers with the help of Angel Reyes Rivas, the Long Island Coordinator for the Rural and Migrant Ministry. Located in upstate New York, with an office in Riverhead, the Ministry is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with rural disenfranchised communities, helping them develop their own leadership.
A group of workers on the East End has found a way through collective action to earn enough money to buy their own land. Last year, they formed the Long Island Farmworker Flower Cooperative with the help of organizers from the Rural and Migrant Ministry. Through the cooperative they support one another and can meet their economic and cultural needs through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise.
By learning agricultural management, including sales, finance, and accounting, and pooling their resources, they can become producers, buying land and greenhouses for their own flower production. They hope to be independent and be an example for other immigrant communities. To support their efforts, visit the Amandla Long Island Worker Education Center, 573 Roanoke Avenue, Riverhead (631-381-0498) or contact RuralMigrantMinistry.com. For more information, read Mark A. Torres’ Long Island Migrant Labor Camps: Dust for Blood, published in 2021.
Nancy Marr is Vice-President of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit www.lwv-suffolkcounty.org or call 631–862-6860.
At the suggestion of his daughter, nursing home resident Sam Fox records his life story. “Now where to being with this taping for Eliza? I was a decent man, I suppose.” In that “I suppose,” author/journalist Roni Robbins sets in motion the engaging but unreliable narrator in Hands of Gold, subtitled One Man’s Quest to the Find the Silver Lining in Misfortune (Amsterdam Publishers). Sam refers to some of his dormant experiences as “a ravaging tapeworm” that he wanted to purge. What follows is a textured, first-person narrative reflecting turn-of-the-century European life and North American immigration, as well as struggles with money, family, and health.
Robbins’ novel is based on cassette tapes left by her maternal grandfather. In a decade-spanning journey, Hands of Gold’s sweeping nature never loses its intimacy.
Sam Fox was born in Jacovo, Hungary, in 1905, the ninth child of a poor Jewish family that would eventually grow to thirteen (with his widowed father marrying his wife’s sister to produce the additional offspring). It is a life of farming and prayer for the family.
Robbins provides a vivid depiction of poverty, threatened by violence and unrest, both in the form of anti-Semitism and the threat of war. She creates the cramped, cold conditions of the shtetl, a large family where servings of food were almost rations. As Sam’s mother would tell them, “That’s what you have and that’s what you eat.”
Robbins wisely eschews the easy, idyllic family life for one of constant challenges, exacerbated by Sam’s father’s passing and his elder brother’s return. Always in the background is the hope of America—the land where the streets are paved with gold. At age eighteen, Sam escapes the family (as well as dodge army service), ending up destitute in Prague, only to return home. With his second attempt at liberation, he spends time in Germany before crossing the Atlantic and jumping ship in Montreal. The book is a Brave New World adventure story, a unique take on “Go West, young man.”
In Canada, he falls in love with Hannah Stein. The seamstress-Yiddish theatres’ singer is dynamic, self-assured, and strong with an annulled marriage. From the first date to marriage and beyond, the courtship is beautifully chronicled.
At age twenty-one, Sam snuck over the Canadian border. His first impression is not the idealized United States. “As I stepped off the platform, I noted how closely packed the buildings, how shmutzy the streets were with blackened snow and fetid water …” Four of his brothers and four of his sisters had already made homes in America. But even then, it is not a joyous reunion; his sister, Sophie, greets him with a mixed reception.
He witnesses the conflict between immigrants who have forged uneasy assimilation and those who still cling to their old-world Jewish traditions. Robbins never evokes anything less than an honest picture.
Sam finds work and starts a family. Central to his story is tuberculosis developed at age twenty-six. The repercussions and medical setbacks coupled with the separations from his family plague him for years to come. He is in and out of employment, often spending weeks in the hospital or rest facilities, trying to work his way back to Hannah and his children. As in Europe, his existence was marred by poverty. The book chronicles the organizations that supported people like Sam—both government bureaus and Jewish agencies. The services aided but did not fully alleviate the burdens faced by poor and sick people.
No book on this subject can avoid the effects of the Holocaust. Much of Sam’s family is lost in Europe. Sam’s oldest son served in the post-World War II army, and his experience going through the Displaced Persons camps is poignant and powerful.
Sam ponders generational gaps and muses on the contrast of his childhood with his children. “My children, like most, didn’t comprehend how good they had it. When I grew up, I didn’t always have shoes to wear […] Only on Friday nights did we have to wear shoes. They didn’t necessarily fit properly, but luckily, we only had to wear them for a few hours […] Children learn more when they have their own families to support …”
Robbins captures Sam’s voice, with its European cadence and liberal use of Yiddish. (The words are easily understood in context or using the book’s glossary.) Sam questions many of his choices but accepts their eventual outcomes.
“If there’s something I’ve learned, it’s that some days start out badly and don’t get any better. Other days are quite momentous and you have to hold tight to those. Be thankful for every day you experienced love and blessings because you never know when your faith will be tested again.”
Hands of Gold explores and celebrates the gratitude of one man’s soul. Pick up a copy online Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com. For more information on the author, visit www.ronirobbins.com.
From left, Park and Melissa Tulip. Photo by Barbara Anne Kirshner
By Barbara Anne Kirshner
What makes for bonded pairs? Do they have to be siblings or a mother and her offspring or maybe it’s two that started off as acquaintances only to realize life was much better together than apart?
Park was seven years old when ten week old dachshund puppy, Melissa Tulip, joined our family. We had gone through a traumatic loss the year before with the untimely death of our beautiful Madison whom after two highly invasive back surgeries passed at only seven years three months old. We were despondent. I saw our Lexington, who was six years old at the time, staring out the back sliding glass doors looking for Madison and wondering if she would emerge from behind the thick arborvitae.
Park and Madison were best buddies. From the moment Park came into our house, Madison took him under her care and he looked up to her. Both Lexington and Park were sad without Madison. The house became painfully quiet as all of us were mourning the loss of our beloved girl. Lexington had always been somewhat of a loner, and even after Madison passed, she remained the loner. Park, who was used to having Madison at his side, was lost without her.
Then on Memorial Day 2013, light and life returned when Melissa Tulip joined our family. It was as if she stepped inside the house, put down her bags, looked around and declared, “Let the games begin!” And boy how they did!
Lexington showed Melissa Tulip the ropes, teaching her to bark at the Labs next door and how to climb the ramps placed in strategic positions around the house offering easy access to our king size bed, the living room sofa and the love seat in my study.
But Park ignored Melissa Tulip for the first month she was with us. Then the day came when something triggered a recognition in Park. Madison sometimes sported a strand of pearls, especially on holidays. When she passed, I wanted to preserve the pearls as a keepsake so instead of letting Lexington or Melissa Tulip wear them, I wrapped and placed them in my jewelry box.
One day while shopping, I saw a crystal necklace and thought, instead of pearls, Melissa Tulip would wear crystals. I came home with my find and placed the necklace around Melissa Tulip’s neck. That’s when I witnessed something that was so extraordinary I couldn’t deny it. Park looked at Melissa Tulip wearing the necklace and did a double take as if he recognized the soul within. From that day to this, Park and Melissa Tulip have been inseparable. From the moment their eyes greet each new day until a blanket of night tucks them in, these two are together.
They communicate easily with each other, they know each other’s moods and understand when one isn’t feeling well, they go on adventures together, they sleep with noses touching and Park has become Melissa Tulip’s groomer. He will even step aside and let her lick the remnants of his food bowl. I have seen her take a bone out of his mouth and in response he will never growl, but instead simply search out another. He is always extremely giving to her.
Park is fifteen and a half years old now and Melissa Tulip will be nine on March 13. Park went through a terrible health scare last year when he suddenly lost the use of his hind legs. But with the help of a wonderful vet who practices alternative medicine, Park progressed and miraculously the paralysis disappeared.
All during the five months of his convalescence, Melissa Tulip was right there by his side watching over him. The little sister became the protector.
We dread the thought of our sweet boy, Park, not being here anymore and we worry about how Melissa Tulip will go on after Park. When Lexington crossed the rainbow bridge in 2020, Park and Melissa Tulip helped each other through the loss. What will Melissa Tulip do without her soul mate?
But soul mates last forever, don’t they? When the day comes for Melissa Tulip to cross over that rainbow bridge, I’m sure Park will be waiting to welcome her. Then the bonded pair will once more play together, search out Heavenly adventures together and curl up together when the day is done.
Studies suggest the microbiome may influence weight loss or gain
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
Each of us carries trillions of microorganisms in our bodies. These make up each individual’s microbiome. It includes bacteria, viruses and single-cell eukaryotes. Our relationship to these organisms is complex, and much of it is still only loosely understood. What we do know, however, is that these microbes have key roles in our healthy functioning.
While the microbiome is found throughout our bodies, including the skin, the eyes and the gut, we’re going to focus on the gut, where the majority of the microbiome resides.
Why do we care? The short answer is it may have a role in diseases — preventing and promoting them. These include obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s, and infectious diseases, such as colitis.
Human Microbiome Project
Like the Human Genome Project, which mapped our genes, the Human Microbiome Project, funded by the National Institutes of Health from 2007 to 2016, sought to map and sequence the composition and diversity of these gut organisms and to spur future research. There have been some enlightening preliminary studies already.
What affects the microbiome? Drugs, such as antibiotics, can wipe out the diversity in the microbes, at least in the short term. Also, lifestyle modifications, such as diet, can have an impact. Microbiome diversity also may be significantly different in distinct geographic locations throughout the world.
Microbiome’s role in obesity
Obesity can be incredibly frustrating; most obese patients continually struggle to lose weight. Obese and overweight patients now outnumber malnourished individuals worldwide (1).
I know this will not come as a surprise, but we are a nation with a weight problem; about 70% of Americans are overweight or obese (2) (3). For the longest time, the paradigm for weight loss had been to cut calories. However, extreme low-caloric diets did not seem to have a long-term impact. It turns out that our guts, dominated by bacteria, may play important roles in obesity and weight loss, determining whether we gain or lose weight.
The results from a study involving human twins and mice are fascinating (4). In each pair of human twins, one was obese and the other was lean. Gut bacteria from obese twins was transplanted into thin mice. The result: the thin mice became obese. However, when the lean human twins’ gut bacteria were transplanted to thin mice, the mice remained thin.
By pairing sets of human twins, one obese and one thin in each set, with mice that were identical to each other and raised in a sterile setting, researchers limited the confounding effects of environment and genetics on weight.
The most intriguing part of the study compared the effects of diet and gut bacteria. When the mice who had received gut transplants from obese twins were provided gut bacteria from thin twins and given fruit- and vegetable-rich, low-fat diet tablets, they lost significant weight. But they only lost weight when on a good diet; there was no impact if the diet was not low in fat. The authors believe this suggests that an effective diet may alter the microbiome of obese patients, helping them lose weight. These are exciting, but preliminary, results. It is not clear yet which bacteria may be contributing these effects.
This definitely suggests that the diversity of gut bacteria may be a crucial piece of the weight-loss puzzle.
Possible role for gut bacteria in rheumatoid arthritis development
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can be disabling, with patients typically suffering from significant morning stiffness, joint soreness and joint breakdown. What if gut bacteria influenced RA risk? In a study, the gut bacteria in mice that were made susceptible to RA by deletion of certain genes (HLA-DR genes) were compared to those who were more resistant to developing RA (5). Researchers found that the RA-susceptible mice had a predominance of Clostridium bacteria and that those resistant to RA were dominated by bacteria such as bifidobacteria and Porphyromonadaceae species. The significance is that the bacteria in the RA-resistant mice are known for their anti-inflammatory effects.
Counteracting antibiotics’ gut effects
Many experience gastrointestinal upset while taking antibiotics. This is because antibiotics don’t differentiate between good and bad bacteria when they go to work. One way to counteract the negative effects is to take a probiotic during and after your course of antibiotics. I recommend Renew Life’s 30-50 billion units once a day, two hours after an antibiotic dose and continuing once a day for 14 days after you have finished your prescription. If you really want to ratchet up the protection, you can take one dose of probiotics two hours after every antibiotic dose.
Although nobody can say what the ideal gut bacteria should consist of, we do know a few things that can help you. Diet and other lifestyle considerations, such as eating and sleeping patterns or their disruptions, seem to be important to the composition and diversity of gut bacteria (6). Studies have already demonstrated prebiotic effects of fiber and significant short-term changes to the microbiome when eating fruits, vegetables and plant fiber. The research is continuing, but we’ve learned a lot already that may help us tackle obesity and autoimmune disorders.
References:
(1) “The Evolution of Obesity”; Johns Hopkins University Press; 2009. (2) cdc.gov (3) nih.gov (4) Science. 2013;341:1241214. (5) PLoS One. 2012;7:e36095. (6) Nutrients. 2019 Dec;11(12):2862.
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.
Robbins wisely eschews the easy, idyllic family life for one of constant challenges, exacerbated by Sam’s father’s passing and his elder brother’s return. Always in the background is the hope of America—the land where the streets are paved with gold. At age eighteen, Sam escapes the family (as well as dodge army service), ending up destitute in Prague, only to return home. With his second attempt at liberation, he spends time in Germany before crossing the Atlantic and jumping ship in Montreal. The book is a Brave New World adventure story, a unique take on “Go West, young man.”
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