Huntington Local

By Dianne Matus

The New York State Council on the Arts on Thursday announced the launch of a series of “Cultural Blueprints” sessions across the state, beginning with Long Island on Sept. 16 at the Huntington Hilton.

Working with Empire State Development (ESD) Regional Offices, I LOVE NY and local arts councils in each region, the Cultural Blueprints sessions will bring together arts professionals, economic development experts, private philanthropists, tourism professionals, public officials, artists, and business, education and community leaders for five-hour-long sessions in each region.

The goal of these sessions is to develop a clear articulation of each region’s strengths and needs, a statement of key priorities, and the identification of regional and statewide opportunities for the arts to serve as a catalyst for economic development.

“As Chair of the New York State Council on the Arts, I am committed to finding new strategic alliances that will become a lightening rod for economic development as well as a means of strengthening the state’s cultural infrastructure. New York State stands to gain economically, socially and educationally,” said Mary Schmidt Campbell. “This is an unprecedented opportunity to identify regional challenges and opportunities for coordinated action by the arts, economic development and philanthropic communities.”

Building on ESD’s Regional Blueprint process, NYSCA's Cultural Blueprints Sessions will consider the following topics: Infrastructure, Innovation, Intellectual Capital and Workforce Development, International and Global Thinking, Investment and Financial Models, and Image and Identity.

Heather Hitchens, Executive Director of NYSCA said, “In this time of economic contraction, it is more important than ever that we bring together leaders from every sector to spur private-public partnerships, generate sound policy and identify innovative solutions. The Cultural Blueprints initiative is a unique opportunity to promote cross-sector dialogue and collaboration to elevate each region and ultimately, the state as a whole.”

Thomas Ranese, ESD Chief Marketing Officer said, “In addition to contributing $25 billion annually to New York State’s economy, arts and cultural institutions play a critical role in attracting visitors to the state: a stronger creative sector means a stronger tourism industry. Cultural Blueprints provides an important opportunity to identify new strategies for bolstering both sectors, and helping New York to maintain its creative and competitive edge.”

The blueprints sessions will kick off in Long Island and then convene in every region of the state, ending with New York City’s five boroughs in the summer of 2009.
The fall schedule is as follows:
-- Tuesday, Sept. 16 –Long Island: Huntington Hilton, Melville 10 am - 3 pm
-- Thursday, Sept. 18 – Western NY: WNED, Buffalo 10 am -3 pm
-- Thursday, Oct. 2 – Capital Region: Proctors Theatre, Schenectady 12 pm – 5 pm
-- Tuesday, Oct. 14th – Central NY: Syracuse/ (location TBD) 11 am – 4 pm
-- Thursday, Oct. 16th – North Country: SUNY Potsdam 10 am – 3 pm
-- Monday, Oct. 20th – Finger Lakes: Rochester Museum & Science Ctr 11 am – 4 pm
-- Tuesday, Oct. 28 – Mohawk Valley: Stanley Theatre, Utica 10 am – 3 pm
-- Wednesday, Oct. 29 – Southern Tier: The Clemens Center, Elmira 11 am – 4 pm
-- Thursday, Nov. 13 –Mid- Hudson: (location TBD) 10 am -3 pm

In addition to the sessions themselves, material about the cultural blueprints, session summaries, background material on each region and regional blogs can be found at www.culturalblueprints.co.cc

Dianne Matus handles press and public relations for the Huntington arts council.

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

John Bisbal III, a fifth-grader at James H. Boyd Intermediate School in Huntington, has been named the winner of WHAM-O’s 60th Anniversary Kid Inventor Contest for his design of a toy catapult.

For winning, he was awarded $2,000 and a chance for his toy to be included in WHAM-O’s 2010 toy lineup, with Bisbal receiving a portion of the profits.

“I don’t know, it just came to my head,” said Bisbal, 9, of his catapult concept. “I was reading Nick Magazine, and there were only two days left until the end of the contest, so I said to my dad, ‘Let’s try to come up with something,’ and it just came to me.”

According to Bisbal, the unnamed toy is intended for both indoor and outdoor use and tests the user’s skill and aim by catapulting balls from a specially designed launcher.

To become eligible, Bisbal — along with hundreds of other children from the United States and Canada — submitted a description and a drawing of their toys this summer.

“Of all the great toy concepts we reviewed, John’s was the closest to WHAM-O’s spirit of outdoor fun,” said Chris Gurlinger, WHAM-O’s vice president of marketing and licensing.

Bisbal said he didn’t specify any materials or dimensions for his toy catapult, but he said he plans to use the winning money to give his bedroom a movie-theme face-lift.

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Thomas Gellert, director of music and fine art for Harborfields Central School District, is one of two teachers statewide to receive the 2008 Distinguished Service Award from the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) for his continued support of music education.

Gellert, who has taught at Harborfields for 10 years, is also conductor for the Huntington Community Band and is a frequent guest lecturer at local colleges and universities.

He will be presented with the award at NYSSMA’s 73rd annual winter conference in Rochester this December.

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Janet Kushnick of Greenlawn has been named one of three “Volunteers of the Year” by the Huntington Historical Society for her dedication to the organization and community.

A historical society member for more than 20 years, Kushnick has participated in various fundraisers, festivals and events — including directing educational programs at the society’s Conklin and Kissam houses.

She was honored at the organization's annual meeting in June.

By Nick Radesca

Seniors, listen up! Do you want to join the tech revolution? Perhaps you already own a computer, a digital camera or an IPod and want to learn more? Well then SeniorNet is your answer because only it employs a training model developed specifically for you – SeniorNetics.

SeniorNet is an international not-for-profit organization founded over twenty years ago in San Francisco. Since its inception nine years ago, our award-winning center in Huntington has taught nearly 4,900 students at its modern facility located in the Family Service League Building at 790 Park Avenue. The Huntington center’s success is certainly attributable to the wonderful volunteers who give the program life, but for prospective students we need to look at the special way SeniorNet approaches training which I call “SeniorNetics.”

1. Students, instructors and coaches must be at least 50 years old. (Finally, a youngster-free zone!)
2. All classes are small in size with no more than 13 students and are slow-taught by a caring team of volunteers – one instructor plus one or more coaches. While the instructor teaches, the coaches provide students with personalized guidance during the lesson. (Nice idea - seniors helping seniors. Right?)
3. The classroom is equipped so that each student has use of a modern computer during the entire lesson. (No Sharing – I hate sharing!)
4. Each student is provided an easy to follow step-by-step tutorial manual for further lesson practice at home. (School and homework, you know, as the song says they go together like …)
5. Classes are only given on weekdays during the daytime (my alert time) and are usually 2½ hours long.
6. It’s practically a university! There are four semesters a year in which students can register for a wide-range of basic and advanced courses or workshops in the use of computers, digital cameras/photography and even the IPod. Courses usually consist of four or eight weekly classroom sessions while workshops have only one or two sessions.
7. The cost is nominal because everyone involved is a volunteer. (That’s right we work for free. Crazy? Not really, my fellow volunteers will tell you that our service earns us far more than money and we’re always looking for more volunteers. Interested?) That said, there are other costs and to cover them there is an annual membership fee of $ 40 and per course/workshop fees ranging from $25 to $60.
8. Membership has its privileges. Once a member of the SeniorNet family, you can attend special monthly meetings at no additional cost where members are helped with computer issues. In addition members obtain software discounts and upgrades from National SeniorNet Headquarters.

You do have choices. You can try evening classes at your library or those training CDs you see advertised on TV, but now that you understand SeniorNetics, you’ll have to agree that it’s the best ticket to the present. So what are you waiting for? SeniorNet @ FSL Huntington can be reached at (631) 427-3700 Ext. 268 or 235. Watch for our flyers and announcements. You can, however, meet us earlier than that and even get a tour by calling the above number.

Nick Radesca is a volunteer at SeniorNet@FSL, a Huntington based not-for-profit learning center dedicated to training seniors in computer technology.

The Huntington Town Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet Thursday evening at 6 to consider the following applications:

Commack: Stephanie Conte and Peter and Josephine Conte seek to reinstate permit for an accessory apartment previously revoked, seeking relief from a three-year time-bar stipulation, east side of Leeward Lane, south of Wheatfield Lane.

Commack: Ronald Goldman / Temple Beth David seeks parking relief, side-yard relief for portico and request to have driveway 5 feet from property line, to add 1,248-square-foot banquet hall, construct drive-through portico and legalize playground, loading areas, north side of Hauppauge Road, east of Larkfield Road.

Dix Hills: Charles and Andrea Hirsch seek a side-yard variance to build a one-story addition to the west side of house for extensions of dining room, kitchen and laundry room, south side of Hemingway Drive, west of Bagatelle Road.

East Northport: Village Hill Realty Corp seeks a special-use permit and parking variance to utilize the first floor for medical offices and two apartments on the second floor of existing structure, west side of Larkfield Road.

East Northport: Clear Water Homes seeks a lot-width variance to create a flag lot and build a single-family house, west side of Tamarack Street, north of Hemlock Avenue.

Greenlawn: Richard Byrnes MB3, Llc seeks a sign variance to build a 192-square foot monument sign on Pulaski Road.

Huntington: Eenee and Kenneth Lochridge seek side-yard relief to legalize side addition, north side of Crooked Hill Road, west of Park Avenue.

Huntington: Gibson W. White and Steven Howard seek a front-yard and long street side-yard variance to build cellar entry and front roof-over porch, southeast corner of Manor Road and Wood Court.

Huntington: Linda Giampietro seeks to maintain 10-foot-11-inch by 10-foot-11-inch shed in the front yard and legalize a 10-foot-by 12-foot shed in the rear yard, south side of Morning View Court, west of Godfrey Lane.

Northport: Kevin and Roseanne Sihler seek to legalize detached shed, detached deck on the property line, outdoor bathroom enclosure attached to house, and conversion of basement to a recreation room with a bathroom, southwest corner of Woody and Valewood lanes.

Compiled by Lynn Petry

Jack Abrams Tuesday at the dedication of the school named for him.

News from the Huntington school district:

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Lily Montalbano, a first-grade teacher at Otsego Elementary School in Dix Hills, has received the New York State PTA’s Golden Oak Award for her dedication and service to students.

A Lloyd Harbor resident, Montalbano first began teaching in the Half Hollow Hills Central School District in 1972.

She is a frequent volunteer at Huntington Hospital and is also a eucharistic minister at St. Patrick’s Church on Route 25A in Huntington.

By Alyssa Nightingale

Environmental issues, global warming, corporate sustainability and its future impact within our communities are hot topics being discussed throughout the world today. To address these concerns here on Long Island, the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce will host its Second Annual “Going Green Symposium and Business Expo” on Wednesday, September 17, from 7:30-11:00 a.m. at the Crest Hollow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Tpke, Woodbury.

This informational program will feature experts in the fields of environmental conservation, science, and business and industry who will participate in a panel discussion and will guide attendees on how to build partnerships with green-related organizations and participate in environmentally responsible initiatives. Vendors will be available to demonstrate green products and present exhibits all geared toward promoting a green environment.

Topics will include energy-efficient alternatives, alternate power, solar building, green architecture, and other sustainable options currently available. There will also be a one-hour workshop with a special presentation by Long Island representatives of the U.S. Green Building Council. Presenters will deliver opinions on the status and needs of their area of expertise. Following the discussion will be an interactive Q&A session with the audience.

In addition, the Chamber will introduce a new Green Star Certification Program. As part of the program, the public can participate in online assessments, on-site visits and be guided with educational tools in guiding them to achieving the highest green star level possible.

“Our annual Going Green Symposium and Expo is a forum which will introduce global issues to the community and bring forth the discussion of ‘Green’ challenges and practical solutions for Long Island businesses,” explained Jim Kelly, Huntington Chamber chairman. “Long Island is proud of its open spaces, clear waterways, parks, beaches and other recreational areas. We must pay attention and participate in the international dialogue presently taking place on a local level,” added Kelly.

Sponsors to date include LI Business News, Z Carpentry, UBS, Paul Davis Restoration, LIPA, Town of Huntington, JVKellyGroup, Inc., H2M, HSBC, earthVital, August Benefits, Newsday, Sun Power Systems, Alure Home Improvement, Leslie WaterWorks, Home Depot, Forchelli, Curto, Crowe, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Cohn, LLP and National Grid.

For sponsorship and registration information please call 631-423-6100 or online at: www.huntingtonchamber.com

Alyssa Nightingale handles publicity for the Chamber of Commerce.

David Edelstein of the Long Island Climate Action Network will talk about ways people can lessen their impact on the environment. His educational program, covering ways to lessen global warming by reducing individuals' carbon footprint, is scheduled for Sept.22 at 7:30 at the South Huntington Public Library.

Soul Be It, a 12-piece horn-driven ensemble performing Saturday night.

By Lynn Ruvolo

Thrills, chills and just plain old fun will be once again on board the weekend of Sept. 5, 6 and 7 at John Walsh Park in East Northport as the East Northport Chamber of Commerce holds 12th East Northport Festival.

Opening Friday, September 5th, the park will be filled with rides, games of chance, food vendors and jam-packed entertainment on stage. Starting at 7:30 p.m. will be Killer Joe and the Lido Soul Revue. Watch out! Joe loves to get everyone involved in the audience while he’s singing and dancing.

On Saturday, craft vendors will fill Larkfield Road between Brightside Avenue and south to Pulaski Road. Jewelry, clothing, knick-knacks, and more will be for sale. Demonstrations of belly dancing, karate, dance studios, more entertainment on stage such as Southbound will keep Larkfield Road and John Walsh Park hopping throughout the day.

Saturday evening welcomes a new band to the stage. Soul Be It, a 12-piece horn-driven powerhouse ensemble, promises to entertain all with music of Chicago, Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire, Blood Sweat and Tears, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder and of course James Brown.

Sunday, more rides, more games, more great food, more magic shows and more entertainment. Back again this year will be the Free Cycle Action Sports Team performing more great bike stunts. The closing band on stage will be Vista Hill. They begin at 2:30 p.m. and will offer some feel good, adult contemporary music.

The chamber wishes to thank this year’s major sponsors for their support: Rockabilly Barbers, Newton Shows, Commerce Bank, HSBC, Panera Bread, Raymond Mascolo, DDS, and Councilman Stuart Besen. Thanks also are extended to the patron/booth sponsors, Town of Huntington, Suffolk County Police Department, East Northport Fire Department and of course, the East Northport community for its continued support.

Lynn Ruvolo is a member of the Festival committee.

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Kissam House, 434 Park Ave., Huntington, site of the event. Newsday / Michael E. Ach

By Marie Failey

Most Americans are footloose wanderers who move, on average, every few years. But a minority is content to maintain their place of residence for decades or even more. Unlike many newer communities, Huntington Township has a great number of long-term residents who treasure and preserve their local heritage by supporting organizations such as the Huntington Historical Society.

To supplement grants from the Town of Huntington and New York State, the HHS is required to raise additional funds for the maintenance of their historic houses and collections, as well as for an extensive educational program that it runs in conjunction with local schools.

The HHS’s principal fundraising event is its annual Evening of Wine Under the Stars. Through ticket purchases, raffle prizes, a journal with paid advertisements, and a silent auction, the wine tasting event brings in funding that allows the HHS to advance its cause of historic preservation and related public programming. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13. As in years past, its location will be the historic Dr. Daniel Kissam House at 434 Park Ave., Huntington, from 6-9 p.m.

Huntington Jeep Chrysler Hyundai, the principal sponsor, is providing advertising at bus stops and through media. Two of their popular models will be displayed at the Kissam House during the event.

Local businesses are providing sponsorship of the event through journal ads, food and beverage donations, and in-kind services. A & R Tent Rental of Huntington is supplying a forty-by-sixty foot tent, and Renaissance Gourmet, Ariana, Black and Blue, Finnegan’s, Pancho Villa, Quetzalcoatl, Rookies, 34 New Street, and Toast are generously donating food. Starbucks and several local bakeries are donating coffee and desserts for the end of the evening. Wines, donated principally by Castello Banfi, beer, provided by Brooklyn Brewery, and other beverages will be paired with appropriate food for a gourmet experience. Marken Music, Inc. will provide dance music throughout the evening.

Each guest will be given a wine glass to use during the event and to take home at the end of the evening. The glasses are being donated by the Fortunato family. The date of the event and the society’s newly adopted logo will be etched on each glass by “One Glass at a Time.”

This year’s journal will feature a profile of the evening’s honoree, Dr. Alfred V. Sforza. A longtime resident of Huntington and well-known dentist, Sforza has advanced the cause of historic preservation through the publication of three books on the history of Huntington Township. The journal will also include a thoroughly researched article, “1958 The Year Huntington became a Suburb,” by Claudia Fortunato, assistant to town historian, Robert Hughes.

Tickets can be purchased for $50 before the event or for $60 at the door. Call the Historical Society at 631 427 7045, Ext 401 or go to the web at www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

By Marie Failey is the chairperson for the Wine Tasting Committee.

Push Play: C.J. Baran, Nick DeTurris, Derek Ries and Steve Scarola. Newsday/David L. Pokress

By Alyssa Nightingale

It’s that time of year again! The 15th Annual Long Island Fall Festival, the area’s most anticipated community event, will be held Friday evening, Oct. 10, beginning with the carnival opening at 6 p.m. and an exciting performance by Push Play at 7 p.m.. The event continues through Monday (Columbus Day), Oct. 13. The festival is a great opportunity to join together with your neighbors, friends and business associates for some fun, community service and volunteer opportunities.

This festival, held on the 25 acres of Heckscher Park in Huntington, New York, will feature fun-filled festivities for the whole family with hundreds of attractions, global cuisine, a world-class carnival, more than 200 vendors and four days of live performances.

The Long Island Fall Festival is the largest event of its kind in the tri-state area. Hours of the festival are Friday evening, Oct. 10, 6-10pm; Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday Oct. 12 from 11am-6pm (carnival, music and park food court will remain open until 10pm each night) and Monday (Columbus Day), Oct. 13, from 11am-5pm (carnival, in-park vendors and food court only). Admission to the festival is free.

Hosted by the Huntington Chamber of Commerce, the festival is the premier event for families on Long Island. “We are really looking forward to this year’s festivities and the celebration of the festival’s 15th year. We have added some unique and exciting events and attractions that are sure to entertain everyone,” explained Larry Kushnick, Festival Chairman.

An event of this magnitude could not happen alone. Each year we look to the local community and businesses for support to make the magic happen. One of the greatest needs is sufficient volunteers to ensure a safe and smooth event for all our guests – providing services such as set-up, security, ticket sales and running various booths and tents. It’s a great way to show support for your community, mingle in a fun environment, network, see old friends and new one!

For more information about the Festival, call 631-423-6100 or visit our website www.lifallfestival.com. Sponsors to date include Town of Huntington; Blue Sky Amusements; Verizon Communications; Home Depot; JVKellyGroup, Inc.; Kushnick & Associates; David Lerner; Mercedes Benz of Huntington; Optimum; Bethpage Federal Credit Union; Metlife/North Shore Financial; HSBC and Astoria. Sponsorships and vendor opportunities are still available.

Alyssa Nightingale is a public relations executive.

The latest "First Friday Reception" will be thrown this Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. by Artists in the Attic at Yankee Peddler Antiques in Huntington Station. Here is part of their invitation:

Come meet the artists in their own studios and see their latest work.

Browse through antiques while you enjoy the artwork of Cynthia Grimm's Pixelstick Photography, Jack Murray's "Artiques," Lahary Pittman's atmospheric photography, Dominican masks by Ivan Erickson, a book signing by a L.I. Books author courtesy of Legwork Team Publishing, silk screens by Luke Loporto, and the magnificent oil painting of Elena Soterakis, Laura Cross, Maxine Jurow, Karin Podmore, Karl Bourke, B. Lipson and artist-at-large Jack Russel.

Yankee Peddler is located at 1038 New York Avenue, in the heart of Huntington Station. For more information, please call 631-271-5817.

Sons of Italy State President Nancy DiFiore Quinn, 2007-08 Nassau Sons of Italy Queen Danielle Reed, and her father, Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs Deputy Commissioner Jim Reed.

By Eric Pappalardi

The Long Island Columbus Day Parade will take place on Sunday, Oct. 12, in Huntington, on Main Street (Route 25A). Starting time is 12:30 p.m., beginning at the YMCA at Park Avenue and proceeding west to West Neck Road and Gerard Street.

The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) is proud to sponsor the Annual Long Island Columbus Day Parade in Huntington, New York. Parade participants from Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties will be in attendance. The Grand Marshals of this year's parade are New York Grand Lodge OSIA State President Nancy DiFiore Quinn and Suffolk County Clerk Judith A. Pascale. The theme of this year's parade is "God Bless Our Troops".

Over twenty-five chapters from Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties will be participating with their individual banners and marching with pride as they celebrate the 103rd Anniversary of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA). OSIA is the oldest and largest organization of Italian Americans in the United States and now has more than 745 chapters throughout the country.

The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) works at the community, state and national levels to promote the heritage and culture of an estimated 26 million Italian Americans, the nation's fifth largest ethnic group in America. The Order raises funds to provide scholarships, donates money to various charities and promotes a positive image of Italian Americans by fighting bias and bigotry.

Among the parade's participating organizations are the following high school marching bands: Kings Park High School Marching Band, East Meadow High School "Jet " Marching Band, W.T. Clarke High School Marching Band, Islip High School Band, Walt Whitman High School Marching Band and the Coast Guard Auxiliary Band Flotilla 22-07.

OSIA's Nassau County Queen, Lindsey Brenke and King Vincent Illuzzi, Jr. - together with Suffolk County Queen, Kathleen Thomas-will all be marching in the parade.

In addition to the above, the Sangeneto Italian Marching Band will participate as well as the Italian Honor Societies of Walt Whitman High School, Kings Park High School and Northport High School. There will be numerous decorated floats, boats, antique fire trucks, classic car clubs and children's characters such as the Red and Blue Monster, Explorer Boy & Girl, Spongy Pants, Pink Ant, Orange Moose and Scooby.

The following groups will also be marching in the parade: Boys and Girl Scouts of America, Columbia Police Association of Nassau County, Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters Local 7, The Huntington Detachment of the Marine Corp League Color Guard, The Jewish War Veterans, American Legion Greenlawn Post #1244, The Huntington Veteran's Advisory Board, as well as other veteran groups from Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Elected officials from both Nassau and Suffolk counties have been invited to participate as well as the national and state officers of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, Order Sons of Italy in America.

The parade will bring the Italian American pride and presence to the Town of Huntington during the annual Fall Festival celebration weekend, which will take place from Friday, Oct 10. from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Fall Festival will take place at Heckscher State Park, Huntington.

For more information about the parade contact: Eric Pappalardi at 718-744-5640 or e-mail-frogwelder@aol.com.

Eric Pappalardi is the parade chairperson.

Newsday / David L. Pokress

The month in Huntington in photos

A giants moth and a giant tomato, an outdoor concert, roadway crashes and blood donors await.

You can see a boy bond with a horse, and see firefighters get equipment to help save pets from fires.

Just click in the box at right.

FRIDAY

Centerport
-- Journey Through the Solar System: Show focuses on NASA missions and the Solar System's contents, 8 p.m. at Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Rd., $5, $4 seniors and students, $3.50 younger than 12, 631-854-5555.

-- Laser Beatles: Show includes the songs "Rock and Roll Music,” "Twist and Shout,” "I Wanna Hold Your Hand” and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” 9 p.m. at Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Rd., $10 adults, $9 seniors / students, $8 younger than 12, 631-854-5555.

Northport
Happenings on Main Street: Music, comedy performances and open mic, bring blankets and chairs, hosted by Northport Arts Coalition, 7-8:30 p.m. at Northport Village Park, Main Street, free, northportarts.org, 631-261-6917.

SATURDAY

Centerport
Laser Pink Floyd: Laser show includes "In the Flesh,” "The Thin Ice” and "The Happiest Days of Our Lives,” 10 p.m. at Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Rd., $10, $9 students and seniors, $8 12 and younger, 631-854-5555.

Huntington
Historical Society Association: The Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association promotes the research, recording, collecting and preserving artifacts, documents, photographs and fine arts pertaining to the history of Greenlawn and Centerport, meetings are 9 a.m. Saturdays at Gardiner Barn, 900 Park Ave., 631-754-1180.

Lloyd Neck
Beginning Orienteering: After learning to use your compass, practice on a 1-mile course, 18 and older, 3-4:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Caumsett State Historic Park, 25 Lloyd Harbor Rd., $3, $2 children, $6 parking, registration required, 631-423-1770.

SUNDAY

Centerport
-- "America Goes Mummy Crazy”: Permanent exhibit of a 2,000-year-old mummy, on display during regular museum hours at Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Rd., $7, $6 students and seniors, $3 younger than 12, vanderbiltmuseum.org, 631-854-5579.

-- "Postcards of Centerport:” Exhibition of 100 postcards depicting life in Centerport from the 1880s to the 1940s, hosted by Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association, 1-4 p.m. at Suydam Homestead Museum, 1 Fort Salonga Rd. (Route 25A), free admission, gcha.info, 631-754-1180.

-- "Snow White” and "The Little Mermaid and the Prince”: The Arena Players Children's Theater performs the classic fairy tales with audience participation, 2 p.m. at Carriage House Theatre, Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Rd., $10, arenaplayers.org, 516-293-0674.

-- Symphony of the Stars: Family laser program, 4 p.m. at Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Rd., $7, $6 seniors and students, $3 younger than 12, 631-854-5555.

Cold Spring Harbor
-- "Claimed by the Sea: Long Island Shipwrecks”: Paintings, prints and artifacts depicting such well-known maritime disasters as the steamboat "Lexington,” a 19th century version of the Boston shuttle, which burned off Eaton's Neck in 1840, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities, Main Street and Shore Road, $1, splia.org, 631-692-4664.

-- Family Film: "Endless Summer,” 2 p.m. at Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, 301 Main St. (Route 25A), free with museum admission: $5, $4 5-18 and seniors, $15 families, cshwhalingmuseum .org., 631-367-3418.

-- Tiny's Hatch Day and Turtle & Tortoise Pageant: Celebrate the birthday of Tiny, the giant snapping turtle and enter your turtles and tortoises in the annual pageant, noon at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, 1660 Rte. 25A, free with general admission: $5, $3 seniors and children 3-17, free younger than 3, 516-692-6768.

Huntington Station
Last day for “Read My Lipss IV:” Exhibit consists of 20 artists using the outside of the South Huntington Library’s grounds as well as the large indoor gallery to display new works of art for the summer, “LIPSS” mission is to promote public sculpture on Long Island, Sunday 1-5 p.m. at Alfred Van Loen Gallery, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road; free 631-549-4411.

Lloyd Neck
Beginning Orienteering: After learning to use a compass, practice on a one-mile course, for 18 and older, 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Caumsett State Historic Park, 25 Lloyd Harbor Rd., $3, $2 children, $6 parking, registration required, 631-423-1770.

Northport
"Coming to the Rescue”: Society's newest exhibit examines the history of the men and women who served the local community. Included in the exhibit are historic photos and memorabilia from local police and fire departments as well as the Coast Guard Station and former Lifesaving Station at Eaton's Neck, 1-4:30 p.m. at Northport Historical Society and Museum, 215 Main St., $3, 631-757-9859.

One of the largest beach clean-ups of the season is scheduled for September 27. Here’s the announcement from Eva and Stanley Browne, who coordinate the effort. Eve is the head of the Asharoken Conservation Board:

According to the 2007 ICC report on the past September cleanup, the Ocean Conservancy counted 378,000 volunteers who scoured 33,000 miles of shoreline in 45 states and 76 countries, and bagged approximately 6 million pounds of trash. The report catalogs the nearly 7.2 million items found, ranging from cigarette butts to fishing lines and plastic bags that pose lethal threats to wildlife. In fact, volunteers found 81 birds, 63 fish, 49 invertebrates, 30 mammals, 11 reptiles and one amphibian entangled in debris.

Fifty-seven percent of the trash was related to shoreline recreational activities (food wrappers, bottles, cups, lids, etc.), 33 percent from smoking-related activities, 6.3 percent from fishing or waterway activities, 2 percent from dumping and less than 1 percent from medical and personal hygiene activities. Volunteers found vehicle tires, building materials, beverage holders - and 2.3 million cigarette butts, filters and cigar tips.

Perhaps the saddest part of the report's findings is that the problem is entirely preventable. We literally are trashing our world because too many people just don't care or are totally unaware of appropriate behavior.

Right here, in the state of New York in the 2007 cleanup, 9,339 New Yorkers participated at 284 cleanup sites covering 677 miles, and documented 142,243 pounds of trash. Two most important goals of the American Littoral Society are to activate a growing number of participants each year and to add additional sites to our growing list of areas to document and clean. We are proud to say that New York ranks 4th in the number of volunteers in the country. Not bad!

So once again, save the date! You can do your part anytime in September. Just call me (516-769-5931) and arrange to pick up the data sheet and bags. As a group we will be cleaning Sept. 27, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Rain date is the 28th. After leaving the garbage bags at the closest curbside, return to the Browne's, 291 Asharoken Ave., for the celebratory luncheon.

Hope to see everyone. Have a safe, wonderful summer.

-- Eva & Stanley Browne

In photo above, scouts participate in last year's clean-up.

From left, Carli Rescott, Lior Yaari and Orli Chitayat

By Avigail Hurvitz-Prinz

This Labor Day Weekend, more than 200 cyclists and 100 crew, including Bat Mitzvah celebrants and Huntington residents Orli Chitayat, Lior Yaari and Carli Rescott, will ride their bikes 100 miles to support Jewish environmental causes.

These bat mitzvah girls chose the Hazon NY Ride as their mitzvah project because of their interest in environmental advocacy and protection. They are a part of the “Lights on Bikes” team.

Lior’s father, Ronen Yaari, did the New York Ride in 2004, at which point Lior served as crew. In 2006 Ronen participated in the Arava Institute Hazon Israel Ride. The Israel Ride is a 300 mile ride from Jerusalem to Eilat. Ronen points out that his daughter Lior and her friends have “seen me train and raise money, and when I introduced the concept of doing the Ride as a joint bat mitzvah project they took to it.“ Ronen will ride again this year with the girls. The Lights on Bike’s Team includes Elizabeth, Lior’s mother, Tal and Oren, Lior’s siblings, and Ilana, Lior’s 70-year-old grandmother, all of whom will serve as crew.

The Lights on Bikes team has already raised more than $2,500. Funds from the ride support the work of Hazon and a number of different organizations through mini-grants to Jewish environmental projects and organizations throughout the world. Last year the NY Ride gave 30 organizations $83,796 and well-over $1 million in the past seven years.

To give to the “Lights on Bikes” team visit hazon.kintera.org or mail a check made out to Hazon/NY Ride with “Lights on Bikes” in the memo line to Hazon, 45 West 36th Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10018.

Hazon’s bike ride brings together people of all ages from New York and across the country. The riders will begin at Camp Kinder Ring in the Hudson River Valley and cycle into Manhattan, to the campus of the Jewish Theological Seminary. Participants also enjoy a Shabbat retreat with educational programming and food as a part of a diverse and inclusive community.

The Ride also helps fund Hazon’s own food work, which has grown dramatically in the past three years. Hazon’s programs on the intersection of Jews, food and contemporary life include: Tuv Ha’Aretz, the first Jewish Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) project in North America; an annual conference; Min Ha’Aretz, family education initiative; Challah For Hunger, a challah baking fundraiser for organizations doing work in Sudan and Chad; and The Jew & The Carrot an award-winning blog at www.JCarrot.org.

The Hazon New York Jewish Environmental Bike Ride offers the opportunity to cycle through the lush rolling hills of New York with an inclusive and supportive community of people while learning about the intersection of Judaism and the environment. The ride provides all meals, snacks, accommodations and bike support. The ride is open to experienced cyclists and beginners. Non-riding family members and friends also join as ride support crew.

Friday and Saturday are spent learning, celebrating and relaxing over a two-day Shabbat retreat at Camp Kinder Ring in Hopewell Junction, N.Y. Participants can enjoy davening, yoga, hiking, meditation and thought-provoking dialogue.

The ride officially begins on Sunday and for the first 50 miles cyclists ride over the beautiful rolling hills of NY’s Duchess County. For those riders who relish a challenge, Hazon also offers the option of a century ride (100 miles). On Monday, the ride continues 50 miles along bike route 9W into New York City, ending with a big celebration at JTS.

Riders pay a registration fee to cover expenses for the weekend and commit to raise $1200 to support Jewish environmental education, programming and advocacy, in the US and in Israel (students and second family members of riders must raise a minimum of $800).

ABOUT HAZON: Hazon means “vision.” Hazon works to create a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community – as a step towards a healthier and more sustainable world for all. Hazon is best known for a series of Jewish Environmental Bike Rides, in New York, Washington DC, and Israel which have raised more than $2.4 million and given grants of over $1 million to Jewish environmental projects over the past five years. For more information or to register for the NY Ride visit: www.nyride.org .

For additional information call 212-644-2332 or visit www.hazon.org.

Avigail Hurvitz-Prinz is the coordinator of outdoor Jewish adventures for Hazon.

By Mike Earley

SeniorNet@FSL Huntington recently held a training breakfast for its volunteer teachers, coaches, and staff. The session was held at the Family Service League building at 790 Park Ave. in Huntington, the site sponsor for the Don Weidman Computer Learning Center.

The mission of the nonprofit SeniorNet organization is to provide adults with education for and access to computer technology to enhance their lives and to enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom with the world.

Established in 1999 as the first SeniorNet Learning Center on Long Island, the Don Weidman Computer Learning Center serves a population of those aged 50 years or older. Geographically the target population stretches from the western part of Nassau County to the East End of Long Island. In 2007 it was awarded the initial Chairman’s Award for Excellence, ranking # 1 in a field of more than 250 Learning Centers worldwide.

Because SeniorNet is a dynamic organization with new volunteers joining each semester, training and procedural updates are essential. Additionally, since particular government grants are mandated for training, these periodic sessions are required in order to qualify for the funding.

Highlights and key reactions from the attendees at the half-day session are noted below:

--Useful to learn about relationship between SeniorNet and Family Service League

-- Helpful to see how Huntington center interfaces with SeniorNet National HQ in Santa Clara, CA

-- Unanimous support for future training sessions, perhaps extending to a full day

-- Useful exchanges between instructors and coaches on how to maximize classroom effectiveness

-- Appreciation for the update on technical specifications of newly upgraded 12 station computer lab

-- General agreement that unpaid volunteers are amply compensated by the satisfaction derived from contributing time and talent for the good of the community.

SeniorNet is always on the lookout for new volunteers and new students. To learn more about the organization and its aspirations contact the SeniorNet office at 631 427-3700 x 268 or visit their website www.seniornethuntington.org.

Mike Earley is affiliated with SeniorNet.

By Patrick Regina

Dr. Diane Esposito, renowned cancer researcher at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, will be a featured speaker at Mather Hospital’s 12th annual Breast Cancer Victory Day, Saturday, Sept. 20. Esposito has contributed to the development of a technology that helps to identify genes in DNA that contribute to the development of cancer.

More than 800 people are expected at the Port Jefferson facility for Victory Day, which celebrates the triumphs and courage of those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. Esposito will join fellow speakers Marlena Vega, PhD., a pioneering psycho-oncologist, and Jeannine Grantham, a breast cancer survivor, at the event.

Sponsored by the Mather-St. Charles Health Alliance, Marsha & Henry Laufer and Astoria Federal Savings, Victory Day is the largest non-fundraising breast cancer awareness gathering on Long Island. Victory Day will take place from noon until 2:30 p.m. To register or for updated information on Breast Cancer Victory Day, call 631-474-6030 or visit www.matherhospital.org/victory.

Patrick Regina is the director of public relations for Mather Hospital.

Classes resume next week, and here already is news from the Huntington School District Web site: