(Huntington, N.Y.) James P. Retz, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Technology for Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, one of the nation’s leading realtors, will be a panelist later this month on the award winning television program Exploring Critical Issues. “The Real State of Long Island Real Estate” is the topic of the upcoming program hosted by Adelphi University President Dr. Robert A. Scott. In its sixth year of production, the hour-long program features a roundtable of distinguished guests that explore a topic of significance to metro-area viewers.

“The Real State of Real Estate” provides viewpoints on the current real estate market as influenced by factors in construction, architecture, commercial and residential real estate.

“There have been so many changes to both the commercial and residential real estate markets, it is important to be able to look at the big picture,” said Retz.  “The Internet, in particular, has revolutionized the home buying process.  But much has stayed the same. We all still need a place to live, and the emotional and financial implications of buying and selling a home call for the expertise of an experienced real estate agent.”

In addition to Jim Retz, panelists include Ted Sasso, President, Renaissance Realty Services, LLC; Mitchell Rechler, Rechler Equity Partners and President of ABLI (Association for a Better Long Island) and John Tsunis, Chairman, Gold Coast Bank, Chairman and CEO, Long Island Hotels, LLC, and land use attorney at Tsunis, Gasparis, and Lustig, LLC.

Exploring Critical Issues airs on Monday mornings at 9:30 a.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m., and on Saturdays at 10:30 p.m.   The Real State of Real Estate segment can be seen at those times the weeks of November 16th and 23rd.

Exploring Critical Issues is seen by over four million households in the Long Island/New York Metropolitan/Connecticut area on Cablevision Channel 29 and Verizon Fios TV Channel 296, and worldwide over the web. The show has earned three Telly Awards, the cable equivalent of the Emmy.

As the engaged University, Adelphi is proud to sponsor Exploring Critical Issues to provide scholars, advocates, and other distinguished guests with a forum in which to explore critical local, regional, national, and global topics, such as the environment, health, business, the arts, politics, law, and government regulations. For more information on Exploring Critical Issues airdates and times, visit www.telecaretv.org.

Founded in 1922, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty consistently leads the nation in achieving one of the highest average sales prices in the country.  It is a $2 billion plus organization with more than 600 sales associates in 30 offices and divisions spanning Long Island.  Services include an award-winning Relocation Center, a New Homes division, a Condominium Group, a Commercial Division; Ambassador Abstract, a full-service title company, and a Wells Fargo Mortgage affiliation.  Daniel Gale Real Estate has been the exclusive Sotheby’s International Realty® affiliate for Long Island’s North Shore since 1976.  Over the course of this relationship, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty has gained exceptional national and international recognition, including taking top honors worldwide for the past several years.

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty is a member of Residence, The Registry, and is on the Regents Board of “Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate,” a global network of leading real estate companies.  More information may be obtained at www.danielgale.com.

Photo: Adelphi University President Dr. Robert A. Scott (center) hosts the Exploring Critical Issues broadcast on “The State of Real Estate” with guests (l to r) Ted Sasso, President, Renaissance Realty Services, LLC; Mitchell Rechler, Rechler Equity Partners and President of ABLI; John Tsunis, Chairman, Gold Coast Bank, Chairman and CEO, Long Island Hotels, LLC, Land Use Attorney, Tsunis, Gasparis, and Lustig, LLC; and James Retz, Senior Vice President, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty.

(Albany, N.Y.) New York’s Family Court system is reaching a state of crisis, the State Senate Judiciary Committee finds in Kids & Families Still Can’t Wait: The Urgent Case for New Family Court Judgeships.

With just 153 Family Court judges statewide to handle 728,000 cases and projected appearances exceeding 2.5 million this year alone, a system meant to protect children and families is leaving many of them without the full measure of guidance they need to navigate a complex legal process, avoid repeat appearances, and ensure family safety and stability.

And as a result of the current state of the economy, the system is at a breaking point. In a good economy, some Family Court judges can carry daunting dockets of 8,000 cases. Caseloads have since ballooned in all parts of the state — placing the quality of justice for children and families in jeopardy.

The Senate’s report — the most comprehensive report of its kind in legislative history — traces the development of the Family Court’s docket crunch from the court’s creation in the early 1960’s until the present day, and makes recommendations for the Legislature to act on immediately. These recommendations include:

• Phasing in a total of 39 new Family Court judgeships on the basis of need over the next several years;
• Establishing a process by which all three branches of government work together to objectively assess the Family Court system to ensure it remains equal to growing needs; and
• Eliminating outdated legal barriers that prohibit judges of other trial courts from presiding in Family Court when appropriate.

“Family Court cases typically involve children, and the protecting their best interests is something we must all support, especially when difficult economic conditions put already at-risk children and families in harm’s way,” said Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson, lead sponsor of S.5968, which would immediately establish 21 new Family Court judgeships across the state. The Senate passed this bill in September, and it awaits final action in the Assembly.

“It has been fully 20 years since even a single Family Court judgeship was created for New York City, and in many upstate counties Family Court also is reaching a breaking point,” Sen. Sampson continued. “It is long past time to make this critical investment in the lives and wellbeing of children and families who often have nowhere else to turn.”

Sen. Sampson added, “This report draws necessary attention to a Family Court system that is crying out for assistance. We have a duty to give at-risk New Yorkers the help they need by immediately expanding the number of Family Court judges, which would reduce caseloads and speed the resolution of time-sensitive cases. This legislation and other reforms proposed in our report are long-overdue and would provide relief to families and children in need. Children and families simply cannot wait anymore.”

(Rockville Centre, N.Y.) – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Respect Life Office announces its God’s Plan for Growing Up Father and Son Brunch on November 7, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The brunch, for fathers and their sons between 13- and 15-years-old, will be held in Kellenberg Hall (Anselma Room) at Molloy College. 

The brunch will explore God’s special gift of human fertility and the goodness and wonder of God’s plan for growing up and becoming a man.  During the event, two speakers will be present to address the program. Rev. Joseph Fitzgerald, associate vocation director, Diocese of Rockville Centre, will be presenting “Theology of the Body for Teens” and George Smith, a “Generation Life” speaker, will deliver “What it takes to be a Real Man and the Culture of Life.”  

The mission of the Respect Life Office is to enunciate and promote the principle that human life, at all stages, from conception to natural death is a gift from God, worthy of respect and protection.  This ministry encompasses prayer, education, advocacy, care and services.

Reservations for the brunch are required so please contact the Respect Life Office at (516) 379-8292 Ext. 215 or visit them on the Web at www.drvc.org.

About The Catholic Church of Long Island
The Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,198 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.  The diocese serves approximately 1.5 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 3.4 million).  There are 133 parishes in 115 towns.  Last year over 17,000 baptisms, 19,000 confirmations, 17,000 first communions and 3,000 marriages took place in the diocese.  There are approximately 20,000 students in Catholic elementary schools; 13,000 in secondary schools and 3,500 in higher institutions.  There are 69 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese.  Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice.  In 2008, Catholic Charities assisted more than 55,485 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island.

(Long Island, N.Y.) For the second straight year, in honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, Atlantis Marine World Aquarium is offering free admission to Riverhead township residents every Friday in November, as well as on Thanksgiving Day.
   
“We want to acknowledge and express gratitude to our Aquarium’s hometown” explains Aquarium co-owner, Jim Bissett. “Offering free admission is just one small way of saying ‘thank you.’”
   
The special no-cost admission rate applies to Town of Riverhead residents only, who must show proof of residency upon entry. Residents must reside in one of the following towns: Riverhead, Wading River, Jamesport, Aquebogue, Laurel, Calverton, Baiting Hallow, Northville, and parts of Manorville.    
   
For more information about the Aquarium, please call 631.208.9200, ext. H2O (426).

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. Situated on 3.2 acres along the Peconic River, AMW is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm daily (closed December 25). General Admission Rates are $18.50 (plus tax) for Children 3 – 17 and Seniors 62+; $21.50 (plus tax) for Adults 18 – 61; Children 2 and under are always free at AMW. 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. Atlantis Marine World was recently ranked by Parents Magazine as one of the “Top Aquariums for Kids.” Additional information can be found at www.atlantismarineworld.com.

(Long Island, N.Y.) The Suffolk County Water Authority Board recently approved a plan to provide a reimbursement of $20 to all employees who have been inoculated with the seasonal flu vaccine. This initiative is part of SCWA’s Wellness Program. All 605 employees are invited to participate.

“We are encouraging all of our employees to take this opportunity and get vaccinated,” said Michael LoGrande, SCWA Board Chairman. “We all know how important it is to get vaccinated each and every year, yet so many of us never take the time to get the vaccine. The Water Authority wanted to make the process a little easier on our employees by helping them out in this tough economy.”

“Keeping our employees healthy is important,” added Patrick Halpin, SCWA Board Secretary. “It allows our workforce to remain healthy, and on the important job of providing water to Suffolk County Water Authority customers.”

The Board opted to initiate a reimbursement program because vaccinations are recommended early on in the season. Seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, and usually peak by January or later. The flu contributes to absenteeism and medical costs. If it progresses to pneumonia, it can cause hospitalization with lengthy stays.

For more information on SCWA, please visit www.scwa.com.

The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating by virtue of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving almost 1.3 million of Suffolk’s County’s residents, it operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.

(Long Island, N.Y.) Gathering together on the shores of Long Island Sound, top federal and state environmental officials announced 33 grants to state and local government and community groups under the Long Island Sound Futures Fund (Sound Futures Fund). The $1,011,878 will be leveraged by $1.92 million contributed by the recipients, providing a total of nearly $2.94 million for on-the-ground conservation in Connecticut and New York.

“These funds will go to real on-the-ground projects in communities that represent the diverse interests of Long Island Sound,” said Ira Leighton, acting regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “From innovative green practices to restoring habitat to improving water quality, these partnership projects will result in direct benefits as we work to restore the health of Long Island Sound.”

The Sound Futures Fund was initiated in 2005 by the Long Island Sound Study through EPA’s Long Island Sound Office and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Including this year’s grants, the program has provided $4.5 million to 138 projects in communities surrounding the Sound. With grantee match of almost $12 million, more than $16 million in locally-based conservation has been galvanized by the grant program. In all, funded projects will open up 40 river miles for fish passage, and restore 290-acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat including lakes, underwater grasses, woodlands, meadows, wetlands, beaches, dunes, and park frontage.

This year’s grant program funded 21 large grants (grants greater than $10,000) totaling $943,755. Five grants were awarded for water quality; four for habitat restoration; one for watershed planning; one for invasive species control; seven for education; and three for stewardship projects. Twelve small grants totaling $68,123 were awarded for educational activities to increase understanding and appreciation of Long Island Sound through community events and activities.

With the funding announced today, grant recipients will restore 103 acres of tidal marsh, freshwater marsh, and dune and barrier beach thereby benefitting fish and wildlife. For example, projects in the Town of Smithtown, New York will restore 0.35 acres of freshwater wetland and provide access to the Nissequogue River. Ducks Unlimited will restore a 100-acre tidal marsh along the Little River in Connecticut. A project developed by The Nature Conservancy in the Saugatuck River of Connecticut will eventually open three miles of access for River herring and four miles of access for American eel.

Projects will also contribute to improved water quality. The Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee will continue water quality monitoring to help target water quality improvement initiatives. Going Coastal will operate a pumpout boat to remove a projected 28,800 gallons of sewage that would have been discharged to the Sound in New York waters. GreenApple Corps will construct a greenroof to capture 250,000 gallons of polluted stormwater annually in New York. The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticutwill engage 150 homeowners and landscaping professionals in workshops focused on practices to reduce pesticide and nitrogen pollution from lawns and gardens to the Long Island Sound. In all, projects will engage seventy communities in developing a range of tools to deal with water quality problems.

Public engagement in projects is high. More than 181,180 citizens will be exposed to education and stewardship projects. Examples of public engagement include: 5,200 volunteers involved in cleanup of 198-miles of beaches lead by Save the Sound in Connecticut and the American Littoral Society in New York. The Friends of Flax Pond in New York will reach 300 volunteers and community members of all ages through its summer and winter lectures and field studies to create greater public awareness of estuary ecology through study and hands-on projects. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, New York will promote a greater understanding of Long Island Sound by educating 575 students (grades 4-8) from schools in underserved communities in Suffolk and Nassau County on Long Island.   The Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut will reach 750 elementary and middle school students with an aim of increasing their knowledge of Long Island Sound and interest in protecting it.

“Communities, fish and wildlife are the real winners of the Long Island Sound Futures Fund grants,” said Regional Director Marvin Moriarty of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Northeast Region. “This year, grants will go to projects like restoring eelgrass near Southold, New York, benefiting aquatic creatures, including fish like winter flounder and striped bass; and to support environmental education on Outer Island off Branford, Connecticut, for children who may be the future conservation stewards of the Long Island Sound ecosystem. We are a proud member of this partnership.”

The grant program pools funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Shell Marine Habitat Program for projects to restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Long Island Sound is an estuary that provides economic and recreational benefits to millions of people, while also providing natural habitats to more than 1,200 invertebrates, 170 species of fish, and dozens of species of migratory birds.

“One of the greatest environmental challenges facing our communities is the protection and restoration of estuaries,” said Michael Slattery, Regional Director, Eastern Partnership Office, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “The funding awarded today represents the Foundation’s continuing commitment, as well as the commitment of our federal and state partners, to further restoration efforts aimed at improving the overall health of the Long Island Sound.”

“The Shell Marine Habitat Program is pleased to again contribute to the Long Island Sound Study projects.  We are impressed with the breadth of proposed projects and believe that this year’s grants will make a substantial contribution toward enhancing the estuarine environment,” commented Mary Margaret Hamilton, Social Investment Manager, Shell Oil Company. “

“Connecticut DEP is pleased to be a partner in the Long Island Sound Study, and to work with our neighbors in New York as well as the EPA, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA to preserve and protect Long Island Sound.” said Connecticut DEP Commissioner Amey Marrella. “This year, $535,500 in Long Island Sound Futures Funds grants are being awarded to 19 important Connecticut projects. These projects will build on our efforts to protect and improve Long Island Sound by focusing on everything from water quality, habitat restoration and coastal clean ups to public awareness and education.“

“New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis said, “The projects receiving grants today take a variety of approaches to achieve tangible benefits and increase the public’s appreciation for Long Island Sound’s natural resources. We look forward to continuing to work with our many partners to restore habitat and prevent future degradation of this critical ecosystem.”

The Long Island Sound Study, developed under the EPA’s National Estuary Program, is a cooperative effort between the EPA and the states of Connecticut and New York to protect and restore the Sound and its ecosystem. In 1994, it created a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan to guide federal, state and local governments to improve water quality, restore and protect habitats, and reach out to the public to foster environmental stewardship.

A nonprofit established by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation sustains, restores and enhances the Nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Through leadership conservation investments with public and private partners, NFWF is dedicated to achieving maximum conservation impact by developing and applying best practices and innovative methods for measurable outcomes. Since its establishment, NFWF has awarded over 10,000 grants to over 3,500 organizations in the United States and abroad and leveraged – with its partners – more than $400 million in federal funds into more than $1.4 billion for on-the-ground conservation.

More information:
- EPA information on Long Island Sound (epa.gov/region1/eco/lis)
- Long Island Sound Study and Futures Fund (www.longislandsoundstudy.net)
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (www.nfwf.org)