Dowling College Receives President’s Honor Roll Award for Service School Honored for Distinguished Community Service

OAKDALE, NY - The Corporation for National and Community Service named Dowling College to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to disadvantaged youth.

Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Honorees for the award were chosen based on a series of selection factors including scope and innovativeness of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.

Dowling College was recognized for their efforts in the following initiatives:

• Dowling College Katrina Rebuilding Project
• Volunteer initiatives through the International and Scholar Services Program
• Athletics Department “Make A Wish” Initiative
• Volunteer Services through the Practicum in Social Work
• Literacy Center for the Brentwood Schools
• The Higher Education Opportunity Program
• GEAR-UP with the Wyandanch Schools
• Student Support Services

The Honor Roll is jointly sponsored by the Corporation, through its Learn and Serve America program, and the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, USA Freedom Corps, and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

In congratulating the winners, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said, “Americans rely on our higher education system to prepare students for citizenship and the workforce. We look to institutions like these to provide leadership in partnering with local schools to shape the civic, democratic and economic future of our country.”

About Dowling College
Dowling College is an independent, coeducational college that serves more than 6,500 students at its historic Rudolph Campus on the banks of the Connetquot River in Oakdale, NY, and the 105-acre Brookhaven Campus in eastern Long Island and a business center located near the Nassau-Suffolk border in Melville. Dowling offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in several disciplines through its four schools: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Education.

Dr. Irwin Kellner Keynotes Dowling College Roundtable on the Long Island Economy

OAKDALE, NY - Dowling College President Robert Gaffney, calling the weakening Long Island economy of concern to all, announced that Dr. Irwin Kellner, the dean of Long Island economists would lead a Dowling College forum on how to survive the current economic downturn. The forum panelists include Dr. Edward Gullason, Chair of the Dowling College
Economics Department, and former Staff Economist for President Reagan’s Council of Economic Advisers, economist and Newsday columnist Raymond J. Keating, and Nassau County Deputy County Executive for Finance, Thomas Stokes.

Martin Cantor, an economist and director of the Long Island Economic and Social Policy Institute, called Dr. Kellner the “Dean of Long Island economists, who has set a standard that we all strive to achieve.”  Cantor said, “This consumer driven recession that now
challenges Long Island was hidden by the consumer spending fueled by equity loans and credit card purchases will be long, only showing signs of improving by late 2009.”

Dr. Kellner, chief economist for North Fork Bank, said, “While we don’t yet know for sure whether or not this downturn will be officially called a recession, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck no matter what it’s called. And it looks pretty bad…this is not your father’s recession.”

Dr. Edward Gullason called for a long-term federal government policy to overcome the current economic weakness by encouraging productivity through additional research and development tax incentives; expanding the Hope and lifetime learning income tax credits; and pursuing
alternative energy sources to oil.  Gullason continued, “These initiatives will result in lower production costs for firms, thereby enabling the Federal Reserve to aggressively reduce key interest rates to avoid a recession, without needing to be as concerned about
triggering inflation.”

Cantor agreed with Dr. Gullason that “the economic stimulus package will have comparatively little impact, and that the mortgage crisis, fueled by aggressive lending practices is also to blame for the deterioration of the economy.” Both recommended that President Bush
create a Commission to formulate such a long-term multidimensional strategy to enable us to avoid future recessions.

About Dowling College
Dowling College is an independent, coeducational college that serves more than 6,500 students at its historic Rudolph Campus on the banks of the Connetquot River in Oakdale, NY, and the 105-acre Brookhaven Campus in eastern Long Island and a business center located near the Nassau-Suffolk border in Melville. Dowling offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in several disciplines through its four schools: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Education. www.dowling.edu

Farmingdale State College and Motorworks Clean Vehicles, Partner to Keep the Campus Green

Farmingdale State College, a Long Island hub for new technology and academic progress since 1912, took its first delivery of six MILES all electric vehicles from Amityville, NY based dealer, Motorworks Clean Vehicles, in early January 2008.

“Farmingdale State College is proactive in exploring energy savings and in reducing carbon emissions on our campus,” said Dr. W. Hubert Keen, President of the College. “Of the school’s 50 fleet vehicles, many are now flex-fuel or all electric. Additionally, our Solar Energy Center is the site of the first utility scale photovoltaic demonstration project in the northeast U.S.A. and we plan to a build an alternative fuel area on campus and expand our solar panel array to recharge our growing electric fleet.”

After a week of use, Farmingdale State College Physical Plant is thrilled with the six MILES ZX40S cars. “They’re great. The guys like them because they feel like they’re an actual car and, because they are small, they can get close to the buildings,” said Mark Orlich, Operations Manager of Physical Plant for Farmingdale State College. “Our heating plant, mail room, plumbing and custodial services staff have been using the cars. They all agree they’re easy to operate. We will replace some of our older fleet vehicles this year, and are looking forward to testing the electric truck from Miles Electric Vehicles.” he said.

Motorworks Clean Vehicles, the dealership that sold Farmingdale State College its MILES vehicles, is a great proponent of making a difference now. As a stakeholder in both the New York and Long Island Clean Cities Coalitions, they have the opportunity to share their commitment to reduce carbon emissions with users and suppliers of alternative energy vehicles.

“We just moved to a new location at 111 Sunrise Highway in Amityville, where we’re awaiting our permits to begin construction for an electric car showroom,” said the owner, Gary Birke. “But, we’re not wasting any time – we’re currently distributing and servicing MILES all electric vehicles and introducing the vehicles to many municipalities and universities in the area.” Motorworks Clean Vehicles is happy to demo their all electric MILES cars and trucks to anyone who could use them and has an interest in reducing emissions and reliance on foreign oil.

For more information, please contact: Gary Birke-Motorworks Clean Vehicles, Inc
Phone Number : 631-608-4380

Riverhead Has Jazzy Winter Break for Kids

Riverhead, NY (February 11, 2008) –There’s plenty planned to keep the kids occupied during winter break with this year’s jazz-themed Riverhead CONTACT week, the EEAC School of the Arts workshop lineup, and the EEAC gallery events for kids. The School offers classes each day in art and on-camera acting: Classes for children age 4 – 15, Tuesday 2/19 – Friday 2/ 22. For registration and information call the school at (631) 369-2171.

The EEAC gallery will have its annual scavenger hunt, where the kids get to pore over the paintings and artwork on display (right now the member show, Simplicity, is up) to search for hidden objects.  Also on deck is Scatting with Stephanie Carlin, a young singer who will teach the kids how to improvise vocally to jazz music. For those more visually inclined, there are two “Tile Parties” being held in the Carriage House, where parents can purchase a tile that the children can paint; the tiles will then be fires and permanently installed in the Carriage House.

As always, CONTACT week offers the kids a flyer that they can get stamped at each venue for a free ice cream at Snowflake or a small soda at Parto’s (oth on Main Street in Riverhead). Listed below are the places where parents can pick up the CONTACT flyers, and some of the programs each place has planned.
 
Suffolk County Historical Society, 727-2961

Jazzing It Up With Mudge
Children and their families are invited to tour the museum with Mudge, read her book, and participate in a “cracker hunt”. Our Mudge is a certified therapy dog who regularly
participates in library programs. We have Mudge books on hand or bring your own. Monday-Friday 10am-11am. Call Wally Broege for more information.
 
Martha Clara Vineyards, 298-0075
Make a cork house! Learn about energy conservation and house
construction as you make a house using wine corks.
Please bring a shoe box! Call for more details and times.
Regular hours 11am-4:30pm
 
Robert James Salon & Spa, 208-8159
Stop in for discount coupons 
Long Island Science Center, 208-800
Cool Jazz and Hot Chocolate
Learn what makes music; make waves, sounds, and a musical instrument. See where chocolate comes from, play with chocolate clay, and have some hot chocolate.
Open 11:00am to 4:00pm Every Sunday and Tuesday through Sunday of Vacation Week.
Admission: Children $5.00, Adults $2.00
$1.00 OFF Child’s admission with CONTACT FLYER
 
Hallockville Museum Farm and
Folklife Center, 298-5292

Visitors can tour the museum’s buildings, gardens and collections;
experience real farming in the museum’s fields; and meet Hallockville’s
friendly cows, sheep and chickens.

“Winter on the Farm” school break program. This week-long program
will take place at the museum farm February 18 - 22 from
12 PM to 4 PM each day. Call for price and reservations
 
Star Confectionery, 737-9873

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

South Tenth Records Kicks Off 2008 With The John Sullivan Brigade’s Second Rock Music CD

 (Garden City, N.Y.) South Tenth Records is kicking off 2008 with the John Sullivan Brigade’s second CD, A Sound Opportunity For Your Last Music Purchase, alongside the frontman’s second rock music novel, Opportunity Rocking, as well as the band’s first video single, “In Control”, on YouTube.com.

A veteran of the New York indie rock music circuit who has been mentioned in Newsday, CNN/Money Magazine, Alternative Press, The New York Times and others, Sully’s quintet (and co-producer Doug Kwartler) have taken their 250 years of life experiences and created a dynamic, 12-song sophomore follow-up to their untitled 2005 release. Written and arranged by the band’s founder, the longtime Long Islander’s vocals, piano and guitar work on song standouts such as “Heart And Soul”, “Beyond This Sun” and “In Control” anchor this new project. And Sullivan’s ongoing book publishing aspirations also crossed paths, as lyrics from four of the songs were incorporated into his latest literary endeavor via xLibris.com.

“The band has grown tremendously over the past year, especially as we developed the new songs at our gigs before entering the studio,” commented Sullivan. “The JSB took time in incorporating new elements such as saxophone, a string quartet, mandolin and pedal steel guitar to make this new record more than we could ever have imagined. As for the new book, some of the song lyrics worked well in certain passages and blended in with my theme of ‘opportunity’ that’s present within both projects.”

With guitarist Russ Rogers, bassist George Gelish, drummer Steve Glover and saxophonist Johnny Leone rounding out the Brigade, their infectious sound is reminiscent of the early Seventies releases from Bruce Springsteen. That vibe is evident from their first video release, “In Control”, via YouTube.com and their music indie blog Sully’s Music View via Blogger.com. “We wanted to do a straight performance video that reflected the band’s spirit so others can see us in action on a big stage,” said Sully.

The John Sullivan Brigade’s 2008 release is available on both Apple iTunes and CD Baby. Visit the band at http://www.johnsullivanbrigade.com for web links to the band’s MySpace page, their weekly web blog, their latest video on YouTube.com, and Sully’s two rock music novels.

AWARENESS MONTH ON MARCH 13, 2008, WITH DAY-LONG PROGRAM

COMMACK, NY, Feb. 8, 2008 - - A morning Plenary Session featuring distinguished newscasters, politicians and athletes, followed by Breakout Sessions covering a wide gamut of topics ranging from traumatic brain injury and the law to ethics and healthcare, will be hosted on Thursday, March 13, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by the Commack, NY-based Head Injury Association (HIA) in recognition of March being “National Brain Injury Awareness Month.”

According to Liz Giordano, CEO of HIA, the event will be moderated by Dr. Max Gomez, the medical reporter for WCBS-TV/Channel 2.  She also has added an impressive contingent of sports figures, including retired heavyweight boxing contender Renaldo Snipes, former NY Jets running back John Nitti, Gil Hodges, Jr. and others.  The event will take place at the Long Island Sheraton (located at 110 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway in Smithtown, NY.  For directions, call: [631) 231-1100).

Admission to the event is just $50 for professionals and only $25 for TBI survivors and their family members.

Seminar leaders for the afternoon session include:

• Dr. Marilyn Martone, St. John’s University - - “Ethics and Healthcare“
• Dr. Michael O’Dell, New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Center - - “Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Rehabilitation“
• Margaret Raustiala, Alliance of Long Island Agencies - - “TBI and Advocacy”
• Liz Giordano, Head Injury Association - - “TBI…After Everyone is gone, Where Do You Go.”

“In the U.S. today,” stated Giordano, “there are more than five million people who suffer from traumatic brain injury, which is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain.  A traumatic brain injury occurs every 12 seconds in this country . . . with death happening every 12 minutes.”

Giordano also pointed out that the leading causes of TBI are automotive, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents (48%); violence, such as firearm assaults and child abuse (20%); falls (20%); and assaults (more than 12%).  Among children ages 0 to 14 years of age, she noted that there are 2,685 deaths, 37,000 hospitalizations; and 435,000 emergency department visits annually.

For further information about traumatic brain injuries and the services available to individuals affected by them, call the Head Injury Association at 631-543-2245, ext. 200; or visit the organization on the web at www.headinjuryassoc.org.
For additional details about this special event, media should contact Ira H. Silverman or Erica Quagliata of Silverman Media&Marketing Group at 516-495-5280.

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Enjoy the Sights and Sounds of Africa in the Epic of Sunjata

OAKDALE, NY - The Loft Theatre at Dowling College is proud to present an original adaptation of the West African Epic of Sunjata; a spectacle of drama, dance and music featuring the authentic griot Abdoulaye “Djoss” Diabate and his band from Mali.  Directed and choreographed by Tracy Bersley and adapted by Ms. Bersley and the Loft’s Artistic Director Andrew Karp, the Epic of Sunjata is a 13th century oral folktale. This folktale is still sung in Mali and around the world and recounts the miraculous coming of age of a seemingly
crippled boy, Sunjata.  With the help of his own griot (singer/storyteller), Sunjata has to overcome countless obstacles; from an evil step-mother and step-brother, to a sorcerer king who fashions chairs from human skin, from exile to self-doubt, to rise up, regain his
homeland and become ruler of the great empire of Mali.

The Epic of Sunjata features live music, under the direction of Dowling faculty member and guitarist David Racanelli, world renowned West African singer/griot, Abdoulaye “Djoss” Diabate, one of Africa’s most charismatic singers and accomplished guitarists with a smile that could light up a whole city.  With a cast of eight, an incredible set by Loft resident set designer Jeff Van Velsor of McCarter Theater in Princeton, costumes by Loft’s resident designer and Dowling faculty member Elissa Iberti, and light design by Jen Schriever, the Epic of Sunjata promises to be a joyous, foot-stomping, heart-wrenching spectacular that will light up the hearts of audiences of all ages. With a professional design team, actors from New York City, and an intimate black box theatre, the Loft presents an Off-Broadway quality production right in your own backyard!

The show runs from Feb. 29-March 16.  Show dates are as follows:
Fridays, Feb. 29, March 7 & March 14 at 8 pm; Saturdays March 1, 8 & 15 at 8 pm; Sundays March 2, 9 & 16 at 4 pm; and a special early bird performance on Thursday, March 6 at 6:00 pm.  Ticket prices are as follows: $15 Donation ($12 for Dowling faculty, staff, alumni; $10 for students, children and seniors).  For reservations, call 244-5037 or visit www.dowling.edu/loft.  Tickets can also be purchased in advance from TheaterMania.com.

About Dowling College
Dowling College is an independent, coeducational college that serves more than 6,500 students at its historic Rudolph Campus on the banks of the Connetquot River in Oakdale, NY, and the 105-acre Brookhaven Campus in eastern Long Island and a business center located near the Nassau-Suffolk border in Melville. Dowling offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in several disciplines through its four schools: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Education.

Reverend Laurie Sue Brockway joins RedHotBrides.com to offer a monthly column
 
When a bride in America wants to get married in a different color outside the traditional white, there are not many resources out there available to see all the red wedding dresses.  It is frustrating to go through each wedding designer to only see 1-2 dresses in red on display if they are lucky to even carry one such a color in their lineup.  Reverend Laurie Sue Brockway, who has a book published, is here to help with a monthly column.
 
Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is editor of www.Wedlok.com . She will answer your questions and help relieve wedding stress.   The color red was made unthinkable by Victorian times, with its allusion to scarlet women and hussies.  It is important to understand why certain customs, attitudes, and habits exist.  In cultures such as East Asian, red is popular for weddings and is the color that symbolizes luck and joy while white is considered taboo.
 
Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is a leading interfaith and non-denominational wedding officiant. She creates unique ceremonies for couples of all backgrounds and faiths, and is also widely recognized as a relationship coach, bridal stress expert and columnist.  She is author of “YOUR PERFECT WEDDING VOWS: How to Write, Find and Select the Words that Express What is in Your Heart” and “WEDDING GODDESS: A Divine Guide to Transforming Wedding Stress into Wedding Bliss”.
 
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.

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Atlantis Marine World will open newest exhibit, Tidal Marsh, on Saturday, February 16.

The 3,000-gallon saltwater tank will be home to close to 30 different animal and plant species, all of which will be locally collected by Aquarium biologists.
   
“Nearly 70% of Long Island’s salt marshes have been destroyed since the early 1900s,” explains Education Director Eileen Gerle. “It’s clear we need to preserve our remaining salt marshes.”
   
Tidal Marsh will also feature an interactive fiddler crab burrow where kids are able to climb through a tunnel and pop up with hundreds of fiddler crabs surrounding them. The exhibit will also feature a video time-lapse of a 24-hour tidal cycle, as well as, a twice-daily water level change.
   
Tidal Marsh is located in the first hall of the Aquarium and is available for viewing during regular Aquarium hours of 10:00am to 5:00pm. The exhibit will also be included in the Daily Lecture Schedule at 11:30am and 1:30pm (all times subject to change).
   
The exhibit launch kicks off President’s Week school break (February 16 through February 24). Live Reptile Encounters are planned for each day during the break at 1:00pm. Guests will also be able to visit with Priceless Parrot Preserve from February 18 through February 24 to learn about and interact with these endangered animals.

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ABOUT ATLANTIS MARINE WORLD AQUARIUM
Atlantis Marine World (AMW) opened in Riverhead, NY on June 15, 2000, as the first large-scale Aquarium to open in New York State in more than 35 years. Themed around the “Lost City of Atlantis,” AMW blends science and nature with myth, inviting visitors to explore its inhabitants while discovering the Lost City. Today, nearly two million people have visited the Aquarium, enjoying its interactive exhibits. AMW 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. Additional information can be found at www.atlantismarineworld.com.

Survey Results Confirm the Resilience of the Diversified Long Island Economy

OAKDALE, NY - The 2007-2008 Long Island Economic Survey and Opinion Poll, compiled by the Paul and Terry Townsend School of Business at Dowling College and Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck & Company, P.C. (AVZ) was mailed to approximately 6,000 Long Island business owners.  The mailing is aimed at a cross-section of industries with companies employing 20 or more employees.

Executive Summary:

• 36% of respondents reported actual revenue growth of over 5% for 2007.
• 48% project their net income for 2007 to be higher than 2006.
• 74% have not been impacted by the recent consolidation in the banking industry.
• 68% have not been impacted by the recent sub-prime mortgage crisis.
• 57% plan some type of facility expansion during 2008.
• 98% predict the Dow will be higher in June 2008 than it was in October 2007.
• 22% plan a general personnel decrease in 2008.
• 53% project residential real estate prices will decrease in 2008.
• The confidence rating for the Long Island economy has remained a consistent 6.1 for the second year in a row, on a scale of 1-10.

Respondents repeated over and over that the high cost of living and/or housing is driving young educated workers off of Long Island.  Many cited “runaway” taxes as their primary frustration and rationale for a low confidence rating.

“The largest concern for employers is the lack of future workforce. Dowling College is collaborating with major business organizations and government agencies to help resolve these issues for the future,” said Elana Zolfo, Vice President for Corporate Programs & Interim Dean of the Townsend School of Business.

About Dowling College
Dowling College is an independent, coeducational college that serves more than 6,500 students at its historic Rudolph Campus on the banks of the Connetquot River in Oakdale, NY, and the 105-acre Brookhaven Campus in eastern Long Island and a business center located near the Nassau-Suffolk border in Melville. Dowling offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in several disciplines through its four schools: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Education.