Local musicians band together in a tribute to the King of Rock And Roll to raise money and food donations.

(East Northport, N.Y.) The 13th Annual Elvis Show, a charity tribute concert, will take place on Saturday, January 12th at Matty Ts, in Deer Park. The show features over 25 singers and includes members of Long Island’s most popular bands. Admission is $5 along with a canned food donation. All proceeds will be donated to Rock CAN Roll, a local organization dedicating to eliminating hunger on Long Island.

Scheduled to appear are members of The Lone Sharks, The Buzzards, Rhythm Bound, The Blaggards, The Bossa Nova Beatniks, The Purple Gang, The Mary Lamont Band and The LI Hornets, with performances by Tom Gould, Steven Prisco, Bill Manning, Tom Pfiefer, Memphis Mike Lafata, Mary Lamont. Sean O’Neill, Stephan Molfetta, Rick Tandler, Gene Casey, Chris James, Annie Mark, Denise Corazon, Roy Wilson, Joe Rock, Rich Hopkins, Jeff McClary, Keith Hille, John Geffner and many others.

“This show represents the music scene on Long Island at it’s best” says the show’s host Steven Prisco. “Making great music together while lending a hand to those in need, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
The performance begins at 9PM. Matty Ts is located at 355 Commack Road in Deer Park. Their number is (631) 667-6868.

About Rock CAN Roll:
Rock CAN Roll, Inc. is a volunteer, non profit hunger relief organization and think tank. Their mission is to be a source that continually restocks the shelves of local emergency food agencies that provide food and basic necessities to people in need. They collaborate with rock concerts, schools, corporations, and private individuals to collect canned and non-perishable food (and basic provisions) for distribution to local agencies and into the hands of children, seniors and families who live with hunger and in poverty. www.rockcanroll.org

On the web: http://www.myspace.com/TheElvisShow

Capitol Steps Performance LIVE at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts

PATCHOGUE, 28 December 2007 – As the New Year approaches, the 2008 presidential election is building momentum. The Capitol Steps are set to perform their latest material on current “hot-button” political issues at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on February 15, 2008 at 7:00 pm.

Twenty-five years ago, the Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. To their credit, they have recorded 27 albums, including their latest, Springtime for Liberals and have been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS. The Capitol Steps can be heard four times a year on National Public Radio during their Politics Takes a Holiday radio specials.

The Capitol Steps have performed for the last five presidents — six if you include Hillary Clinton. Former President George H. W. Bush said, “the Capitol Steps make it easier to leave public life.” No matter who is in the headlines, the Capitol Steps are equal opportunity offenders. “They’re the best,” claimed CNN talk show host, Larry King. “There’s no one like them, no one in their league.”

For more information about the Capitol Steps, or to see audio-visual clips of past shows, visit www.capsteps.com. To purchase tickets – priced at $25/$35/$45 — call the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts box office at (631) 207-1313 or visit www.patchoguetheatre.com.

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Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
71 East Main Street
Patchogue, NY 11772

New startup website by entrepreneur Stony Brook alumni Tuan Le who lives on Long Island in New York
 
Western brides over the past years have been adding subtle accents of bold colors to their wedding gown, but few dare to go all out in red on their wedding day.  European brides in the last 2 decades having been fashioning red on their special day.  Married in red, you set yourself apart from the rest.  The color red was made taboo by Victorian times, with its reference to scarlet women and hussies.
 
From an old poem quote, “Married in white, you will have chosen all right. Married in grey, you will go far away. Married in black, you will wish yourself back. Married in red, you’ll wish yourself dead. Married in blue, you will always be true. Married in pearl, you’ll live in a whirl. Married in green, ashamed to be seen, Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow. Married in brown, you’ll live out of town. Married in pink, your spirits will sink.” 
 
RedHotBrides.com, a new startup website by entrepreneur Stony Brook alumni Tuan Le who lives on Long Island in New York, looks to provide insightful articles for alternative wedding dresses debut on December 16, 2007.  The website is full of stimulating beautiful red designer wedding dresses.  It offers rich insights to having a beautiful red wedding.  With its team of writers, many topics on red wedding fashions are available to give the bride full of ideas of the possibilities on their special wedding day.  Brides to be will find useful information and be able to talk to other brides of similar interest.  There is also a chatroom available along with interesting red fashion videos
 
Red is for the daring, bold, and courageous women.  That is the beliefs at RedHotBrides.com.  Tuan & his team of writers can be contacted directly at RedHotBrides.com.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Tuan Le                                                             
Company: TF Aeon
Telephone: 1 631 431 3007

Applications Now Available for Artists and Arts Organizations
 
Riverhead, NY (December 21, 2007)—The East End Arts Council will hold an informational workshop for the JPMorgan Chase Regrant Program, which is administered Nassau and Suffolk Counties by the Huntington Arts Council, on January 17, 2008, at 5:30 pm in the EEAC gallery.
 
The JP Morgan Chase Regrant Program works in two parts:
 
Organization/Stabilization Grant - Non-profit arts organizations in operation for a minimum of three years with an operating budget of $300,000 or less may apply for funding for projects or equipment to support organizational development and increase capacity to provide services. 
 
Artists’ Reach Out - Individual artists of all disciplines may apply for funding to support artists’ projects that directly involve the community as part of the creative process.

The grant application deadline is March 10, 2008. To receive a grant application or more information, please contact 631.271.8423 x 16 or lfurey@huntingtonarts.org. To reserve a place for the workshop, please contact 631-727-0900.                                               
 
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Laura Helms
Communications Coordinator
East End Arts Council
133 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
631.727.0900

East End Arts Council Welcomes New Voice Teacher to Community School of the Arts Music Faculty
 
Riverhead, NY (December 20, 2007)—The East End Arts Council is thrilled to announce that Ms. Leslie Luxemburg has joined the music faculty of the Community School of the Arts. Ms. Luxemburg is an experienced teacher of voice through college level, with an expertise in German and French diction. She holds a BA with honors from Mount Holyoke College and a MM in Music from Boston University School for the Arts.

Highlights from her performance career include appearing as Rosina in the Barber of Seville at Aspen Music Festival, as soprano soloist in Messiah at the Kennedy Center and as Mrs. Hildebrand in the Wolf Trap Opera production of Kurt Weill’s Street Scene. She has appeared frequently with the New York Opera, Washington National Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Washington Concert Opera and several other music groups in the Washington DC area. Ms. Luxemburg taught voice at Trinity College and Shenandoah Conservatory as well as privately in Virginia, Washington DC and Vienna, Austria.

With her experienced background in teaching and accomplishments in performance, the Community School of the Arts is thrilled to have Ms. Luxemburg available for voice instruction to students ages 13 and up on Monday and Friday afternoons.  For more information please call the school at 631. 369. 2171 or visit www.eastendarts.org.

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Laura Helms
Communications Coordinator
East End Arts Council
133 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
631.727.0900

The East End Arts Council’s First Artist in Residence
 
Riverhead, NY (December 20, 2007) — The East End Arts Council will host a series of intensive acoustic guitar workshops with Brooklyn composer and performer, Mark Yodice. As the East End Arts Council’s first artist in residence, Mr. Yodice, an accomplished classical guitarist with a distinctive musical approach, will be on the East End from February 8 – March 9, performing at local vineyards with Winterfest 2008 Jazz on the Vine on the weekends and teaching workshops during the week.

Mr. Yodice’s style possesses both classic timelessness and innovative freshness. He has been featured on the radio both nationally and internationally, including NPR and the BBC.

Workshops will be held on Wednesday evenings, 7 – 8:30 PM , February 13, 20, 27 & March 5, at the East End Arts Council and will focus on finger picking technique, musical composition, arrangements and musicality. There will be a nominal fee of $10 per workshop. During his stay, Mr. Yodice will also be available for private instructional sessions. For detailed information please contact the Community School of the Arts at 631. 369. 2171 or visit www.eastendarts.org.

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Laura Helms
Communications Coordinator
East End Arts Council
133 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
631.727.0900

ADVANCE Advisor Robert M. Blumm Recognized by the American Academy of Physician Assistants

(Amityville, N.Y.) ADVANCE for Physician Assistants editorial advisory board member Robert M. Blumm, RPA-C, MA, DFAAPA, has been recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

Mr. Blumm, a physician assistant in surgery from Amityville, N.Y., has been a PA for 38 years, the last 36 of which he has been employed by Long Island plastic surgeon Gerald A. Acker, MD. Mr. Blumm practices surgery at New Island Hospital in Bethpage, N.Y., at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, N.Y., and at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, N.Y. He has been on the ADVANCE for Physician Assistants editorial advisory board for more than 13 years.

The Distinguished Fellow Program of the American Academy of Physician Assistants recognizes AAPA members who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues and in their communities through their service. The AAPA is a national organization that represents PAs in all specialties.

Mr. Blumm earned the distinguished fellow recognition as a result of his outstanding contributions to patient care and to the PA profession throughout his career. Mr. Blumm served as a combat medic in the Republic of Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. He is among the pioneering PAs who utilized their combat medical training and education to provide health care to Americans returning stateside. 

“Bob Blumm not only has served his country in Vietnam and the citizens of New York in his clinical practice, but also has served PAs everywhere with his relentless passion, his deeply altruistic involvement in health care and the profession, and his wide vision for the future of PAs,” says Michael Gerchufsky, editor of ADVANCE for Physician Assistants. “And Bob Blumm is the PA who I’d want for my family and me, in the OR and beyond,” Gerchufsky says. “ADVANCE is honored to have Bob Blumm as an advisor.”

Mr. Blumm has served as president of the New York State Society of Physician Assistants and the American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants, and is current president of both the Association of Plastic Surgery Physician Assistants and the American College of Clinicians. He also has served as chairman of the Surgical Congress of the AAPA and as AAPA liaison to the American College of Surgeons.

Mr. Blumm has received the AASPA’s John W. Kirklin, MD, Award for Professional Excellence. In addition, he and Dr. Acker were the first recipients of the AAPA’s Physician-Physician Assistant Partnership PAragon Award.

Mr. Blumm is an adjunct instructor of surgery and emergency medicine at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., and speaks widely at medical conferences and symposia.

Mr. Blumm and his wife, Celia, have been married for 30 years. They have two children, Matthew and Kristin.

More than 68,000 PAs are in clinical practice in the United States, with more than 7,300 practicing in New York state.

ADVANCE for Physician Assistants is an independent medical trade journal for all U.S. physician assistants. It provides peer-reviewed clinical articles, continuing medical education credits, practical information about the PA’s role in the business and practice of medicine, and professional news and opinions for, by and about PAs. It is published by Merion Publications Inc. of King of Prussia, Pa. Founded in 1985, the company publishes 35 nursing, medical and allied health care newsmagazines, reaching more than 1.8 million subscribers nationwide.

Aquarium Plans Upcoming Winter Events.

Atlantis Marine World (AMW) has decked its halls and is waiting for your visit with lots of special events planned this winter season.   
   
Priceless Parrot Preserve will be visiting on December 26 through December 31. The only 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in New York dedicated to the permanent care of abused, unwanted, exotic birds, PPP rescued and cares for all of the parrots inhabiting the AMW’s exhibit, Amazon Aviary. Visit with them to learn about and interact with these endangered animals.
   
Through December, visitors can decorate their very own holiday ornament and place it on a special tree displayed in the Aquarium. Also, visitors can drop off new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items. All monies raised or items received goes directly to Operation Holiday Spirit, a 12-year-old toy and food drive run by Long Island Beach Buggy Association (LIBBA). Families in need, right here on Long Island, receive these generous donations.
   
The Aquarium is also offering for the first time a family New Year’s celebration, “Fishes, Wishes, and Gourmet Dishes!” on Monday, December 31 from 6:30 to 11:00pm. There will be plenty of great food and great fun, plus entertainment not found anywhere else on New Year’s Eve — the Aquarium’s captivating exhibits and displays. Kids are invited to their very own “Winter Wonderland,” which includes unlimited Submarine Simulator rides, animal encounters, Ray Bay feeding, face painting, sand art, crafts, movie and story time, and more! Prices are: Children 3-11: $49.00; Adults 12+: $85.00; Children Under 3: Free. Guests can call 631.208.9200, ext. H2O (426) for reservations. 
   
The upcoming months offer plenty of time for exploration, discovery, and family fun. On December 22, Atlantis Marine World will launch a special exhibit at its Focus Tanks called, “New Year’s Babies,” that offers a close-up, interactive look at some of the babies in our Aquarium. There will also be special behind-the-scenes tours that invite guests to take a look at the breeding program. From February 16 to 24, the Aquarium will offer Reptile Encounters and Live Animal Interactions at 1:00pm each day, with special guests Reptile Edventures and Reptile Rob. On Friday, February 22, the Aquarium will host a reptile-themed sleepover for its Members. Again, guests can call 631.208.9200, ext. H2O (426) for reservations.  
   
Atlantis Marine World, Long Island’s Aquarium, is located in downtown Riverhead on 3.2 acres along the scenic Peconic River. By capturing our visitors’ imaginations and emphasizing the importance of marine life and environmental conservation and preservation, Atlantis Marine World’s mission is to provide visitors with an interactive and exciting educational experience. Atlantis Marine World is also the home of The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, New York’s only authorized marine mammal and sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center.  http://www.atlantismarineworld.com

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Contact: Johanna Zucaro, Atlantis Marine World
Phone: 631.208.9200, ext. 220

Top Emergency Specialty Veterinarians Offer Tips For Pet Parents
 
New York, NY – Tree trimmings, lights and candles may set the perfect mood this holiday season, but ornaments, tinsel and other holiday items can be a recipe for disaster for our furry family members. Specialty veterinarians at NYC Veterinary Specialists & Cancer Treatment Center in Manhattan and Florida Veterinary Specialists in Tampa say families everywhere can avoid emergency room visits by keeping a simple thought in mind: keep animals separated from dangerous items in your homes.
 
Common Holiday Hazards Pet Parents Should Watch Out For Include:
 
Pets People Food & Table Scraps- “Around the holiday season, there is always a lot of buzz about the dangers of chocolate (definitely a no-no!) and raisins (can cause kidney failure in dogs). But the biggest problems we see over the holidays are emergencies related to table scraps,” explains Dr. David Bessler, Emergency Medicine Clinician at NYC Veterinary Specialists. “Whenever we gather for large family meals, we love to include our pets as part of the family. Great idea, but do it right!” urges Dr. Bessler. “Dogs should not be fed fatty ‘people-food’, not because it will make them fat, but because it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis, an often fatal disease which claims the lives of thousands of dogs every year. Keep “people-food” away from dogs like you keep candles away from a baby.”
 
Bones – “There is no safe bone. Chicken bones, cooked or uncooked, beef bones and fish bones have all killed dogs. Bones get stuck in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines and can poke through the walls of those organs, meaning almost certain death.” Warns Dr. Bessler. “To those people who say, ‘”but dogs eat bones in the wild!”’  I say, ‘”Bones kill dogs in the wild too.”’ A bone that fits down the throat of a wolf does not fit down the throat of a Yorkie.”
 
Cords & Tree Lights (Electrocution) – Prevalent in young animals such as puppies or kittens that are more apt to explore objects by mouthing or chewing objects such as electrical cords and tree lights.
 
Real Christmas Trees – “A lot of pet owners are choosing to go with artificial trees,” says Dr. Sonja Olson, Head of Emergency at Florida Veterinary Specialists. “It’s not that real Christmas trees are toxic to pets, but tree needles can be irritating and extremely harmful to pets’ digestive tracts when swallowed. Pets also like to drink tree water, which may sort of taste like tea, but it can also be harmful to their digestive tracts, so people have to be sure to cover up the tree water and keep pets from drinking it.”
 
Ornament ingestion – According to Dr. Bessler “The glass tree ornaments look like regular toys to dogs, so they’ll bite into them and get a mouth full of glass.”
 
Chocolate – It’s always best to keep a pet away from chocolate.  While it takes a large amount of milk chocolate to make an animal sick, “dark chocolate is 10 times more poisonous,” according to Dr. Bessler.  “The worst is baking chocolate.”
 
Potpourri – According to Dr. Olson, “Potpourri and especially the oil-based potpourri people often burn over a flame can be very harmful to pets. Cats will lick it off of their paws and ingest it. This type of oil is a very significant irritant when ingested. It’s important to make sure our four-legged children stay far away from any kind of potpourri.”
 
Plant Ingestion – While many holiday plants are not fatally poisonous to animals, poinsettias and holly can cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. In cats, ingestion of lilies can cause kidney failure.
 
Bread Dough/Yeast – Dogs may sneak some bread dough meant for holiday treats. In the process of rising, the dough expands in the stomach and the yeast produces ethanol. This can lead to severe problems including alcohol poisoning, stomach distension and potential torsion. 
 
Tinsel – “Cats will play with tinsel and eat it,” adds Dr. Bessler.  The problem is it can become impacted in their intestines.  “Sometimes the strings can cause their intestines to get bunched up into a knot.  And, if the problem continues, it can actually saw through the intestines.”
 
Opened in the fall, 2006, NYC Veterinary Specialists was founded with the concept of providing a superior level of patient and client care through close cooperation with the family practitioner. In addition to referral appointments, the hospital is open 24 hours a day for case transfers by the family practitioner and after-hours emergencies. NYC Veterinary Specialists serves as an extension of the general practice. Their specialized services include Behavior, Cardiology, Critical Care, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Oncology/Radiation, Ophthalmology, Radiology and Surgery.
 
NYC Veterinary Specialists is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is located in Manhattan at 410 W. 55th St. between 9th and 10th Avenues, across the street from the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre. For further information, please visit www.nyc-vs.com

East End Arts Council Youth String Ensemble Comes to Riverhead
 
Riverhead, NY (December 7, 2007)—The East End Arts Council Youth String Ensemble recently performed at the Hallockville Farm Museum Victorian Christmas.  Under the direction of Mr. James Lewin, the group of six young musicians performed a repertoire of classic holiday carols in the Hallockville “family parlor.”  The fledgling ensemble began meeting in September and meets at the Community School of the Arts on Monday evenings at 7:00 PM. Mr. Lewin works with the group enhancing their musicianship through exposure to a variety of musical genres, technical skill development and awareness of fellow musicians.

Openings are available for new members. Students wishing to participate must have completed a NYSSMA level 4 and/or meet with the instructor.

For more information contact the Community School of the Arts at 631. 369. 2171 or visit www.eastendarts.org.

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Laura Helms
Communications Coordinator
East End Arts Council
133 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
631.727.0900