(Farmingdale, N.Y.)  Westy Self Storage today announced its support of a donation drive to assist Hope for the Future Ministries, a local charity whose headquarters have been devastated by fire. All Westy Self Storage centers in Long Island are designated drop off locations for donations.  In addition to collection, Westy will also provide temporary storage for the donations as well as make the delivery of the items.

On Sunday, November 15th, the headquarters of Hope for the Future Ministries was destroyed by fire.  This included the kitchen, the food storage warehouse, offices and refrigerated van.  There will be tremendous rebuilding and restocking costs, but there is also an immediate need for help, especially during this holiday season.  In an effort to assist with the emergency, Westy Self Storage centers in Farmingdale, Hicksville and Lake Success are designated drop off points for non-perishable food donations.  Please help support your community by dropping off a donation at Westy Self Storage in Farmingdale, located at One Executive Blvd; in Hicksville, located at 65 West John Street or in Lake Success, located at 2400 Marcus Avenue. Monetary donations can be made through the Ministries’ website at www.hopeforthefuture.com.  This is an urgent call for help as the holidays are quickly upon us. “We are grateful to Westy Self Storage for all they have done to help us through this crisis,” said Deborah Mitchell of Hope for the Future Ministries.  “Without the help of such caring organizations we would not be able to get through this extremely difficult time.”

Westy is open for drop off 7 days a week. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.  Call 631-752-5000 or visit www.westy.com for directions.  “When we saw the opportunity to assist those in need, we extended our hands to help out in every and any way possible.” said Yasir Zaidi, District Director of Westy Self Storage, Long Island locations. “It is a privilege to collect all the thoughtful donations of the community.”

About Westy Self Storage
Westy offers affordable state-of-the-art storage solutions for individuals and businesses.  Westy was founded in 1990 and since then the superior quality of their buildings has revolutionized the self storage industry.  Among Westy’s family of customers are homeowners, art collectors, antique dealers, retailers, and people who consider their Westy room an extension of their home or office. With corporate headquarters in Stamford, CT, Westy spans the tri-state area with 7 centers in NY, 6 centers in CT and 3 centers in NJ. Westy Storage Centers are open seven days a week.  For more information visit www.westy.com or call (866) 22WESTY.

Dr. Frank Egan, a local orthodontist and Smiles Change Lives (SCL) Long Island Program Chairman launched the Turkey Trot in 2008 in order to raise funds to launch this charitable program serving low-income kids who need braces. “I’m a runner and an orthodontist who cares about kids. I wanted to create an annual event for the community to rally around that will raise funds for kids on Long Island who can’t afford braces,” shares Dr. Egan.

“During the holidays, we are all called upon to give back. What is different about the SCL Turkey Trot is that a sell-out crowd will generate about $20,000 in funds for SCL,” adds Christine Egan, Race Director. “This, in turn, means that 80 more kids on Long Island will get braces from one of the nearly 40 participating area orthodontists.” Each person who crosses the finish line on Thanksgiving morning will surely have a smile on their face – because each step they’ve taken gets another local child one step closer to a healthy, beautiful smile with the help of SCL.

The Long Island program currently has 32 slots available, plus the potential for 80 more after the race. Families are encouraged to see if they qualify financially at www.smileschanglives.org/qualify. This program is geared for low-income families with taxable income up to 200% of poverty.  With the current economic downturn, SCL wants to help as many children as possible, so middle class families who don’t typically qualify for any type of assistance are also encouraged to see if they’re eligible. Applications are available at www.smileschangelives.org/apply.

SCL plans to expand into more states/regions in 2010. Email info@smileschangelives.org for more information or to join the mailing list, or join SCL online at www.smileschangelives.org/onlinecommunities to keep up to date on current news and program expansion.

Smiles Change Lives (SCL) promotes and provides access to life-changing, essential orthodontic treatment to children from low-income families. With a growing demand nationwide, our vision is to provide access to braces for all youth suffering from crooked teeth and misaligned jaws.  Since 1997, SCL has created more than 1,200 healthy smiles. With the support of 3M, our official orthodontic industry sponsor, SCL will be able to reach out to even more communities nationwide.

(Lawrence, N.Y.) - A consumer fraud representative from Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s Office spoke to seniors at Five Towns Community Center on consumer fraud as part of Attorney General Cuomo’s statewide Consumer Awareness Initiative. The presentation informed participants on how to best avoid consumer scams, such as sweepstakes, bank freezes, mail orders, fake charities, “phishing” emails, check cashing scams, and identity theft.

For more information about the Consumer Awareness Initiative, please visit the Attorney General’s website at http://www.oag.state.ny.us.

(Central Islip, N.Y.) - Katherine “Kit” Kennedy, who heads Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s environmental protection efforts, spoke at the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center about New York’s legal fight against global warming.

Kennedy, whose title is Special Deputy Attorney General for Environmental Protection and who is Chief of Attorney General Cuomo’s Environmental Protection Bureau, discussed the wide range of activities that the Attorney General is undertaking to combat global warming, including forcing the federal government to control global warming pollution, pushing industry to reduce their emissions, and defending New York State’s right to take its own actions to combat global warming.

Environmental protection has been a priority of Attorney General Cuomo’s administration.  His office has led efforts to fight global warming, protect the Great Lakes and other water bodies, reduce smog and other forms of air pollution, and safeguard our communities against toxic contamination.

Kit Kennedy received a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1986 and a B.A. from Harvard College in 1982, and clerked for the Honorable Morris E. Lasker in the Southern District of New York.  Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Kennedy worked for 18 years at the Natural Resources Defense Council, where she was a senior attorney and director of the Northeast Energy Project.  Kennedy is a guest lecturer at Yale Law School and has taught as an adjunct professor at Fordham University School of Law.

For more information about Attorney General Cuomo’s environmental protection efforts, please visit the Attorney General’s website at http://www.oag.state.ny.us.

Photo: Katherine “Kit” Kennedy, Special Deputy Attorney General for Environmental Protection, gives a presentation on Attorney General Cuomo’s environmental protection efforts

(Bethpage, N.Y.) Briarcliffe College has received approval from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to offer a bachelor of business administration degree in management through a completely online format.

The start date for the online program is January 2010 and applications are now being accepted.

 “On the ground or online, the Briarcliffe College B.B.A. in Management provides students with a solid base in business principles and contemporary management practices,” said Briarcliffe College President Dr. George Santiago, Jr.  “The online option is another way Briarcliffe College offers our students flexibility and convenience.”

According to Briarcliffe College Director of Academic Technology Dr. Allen Zilbert, “The online program entails the same enrollment and coursework requirements as our traditional program, and our faculty meets the same criteria of expertise and industry experience.  The difference is the online format allows for 24-7 access to the curriculum and library.”

Briarcliffe College – with locations in Bethpage, Patchogue and Queens, NY – offers career-focused degree programs that respond to the needs of the global marketplace, including accounting, business administration, criminal justice, graphic design, information technology, management, and paralegal studies.

For more information on the B.B.A. in management program, please call 631-654 5300 or 516-918-3600.  For more information about Briarcliffe College, visit www.bcl.edu.

About The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE):
A unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, MSCHE accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region, which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several locations internationally. The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, accredits Briarcliffe College. The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation.

About Briarcliffe College:
A proprietary institution with locations in Bethpage, Patchogue and Queens, NY., Briarcliffe College is a four-year career education college offering degree programs in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, graphic design, information technology, management and paralegal studies.  Briarcliffe College does not guarantee employment or salary.  For more information, visit www.briarcliffe.edu or www.bcl.edu

(Hicksville, N.Y.) – Westy Self Storage today announced the Four for Four Charity Donation Drive.  This charity drive supports four local not for profit organizations: Have a Heart Children’s Cancer Society, Cell Phones For Soldiers, Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and The Salvation Army.  The drive will run for four weeks from November 20 to December 18.  Westy Self Storage in Hicksville is pleased to be designated as a one stop donation drop off location for all four organizations.  In addition to collection, Westy will also provide storage for the donations as well as final delivery via Westy truck to the respective organizations.

The Four for Four Donation Drive will help four local organizations in an effort to assist the needs of the community.  Have a Heart Children’s Cancer Society improves the quality of life for courageous children and their families; collection items for this drive include new blankets.  Cell Phones For Soldiers collects retired cell phones and uses proceeds from the recycling of these phones to purchase calling cards for our deployed soldiers; items for collection include cell phones, charges and batteries.  Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence assists and empowers victims of domestic violence and sexual assault while challenging and changing social systems that tolerate and perpetuate abuse; collection items include toiletries, no travel sizes please.  The Salvation Army is the single largest provider of social services of its kind in the United States; items for collection include non-perishable food items.  This drive will run from November 20 through December 18.  Please help your community by dropping off a donation at Westy Self Storage in Hicksville located at 65 West John Street and spreading the word to your friends and neighbors.

“We are grateful to Westy Self Storage for hosting the Four For Four Donation Drive,” said Roxanne Damien, Director of Business Development of Have a Heart Children’s Cancer Society. “With the help of Westy and the community, we will be able to touch the lives of so many children in need.”

Westy is open for drop off 7 days a week. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.  Call 516-433-5500 or visit www.westy.com for directions.  “We are excited to again host the Four for Four Donation Drive,” said Yasir Zaidi, District Director of Westy Self Storage, Hicksville. “It brings great pleasure to be able to assist these organization and the communities they provide for.” 

About Westy Self Storage
Westy offers affordable state-of-the-art storage solutions for individuals and businesses.  Westy was founded in 1990 and since then the superior quality of their buildings has revolutionized the self storage industry.  Among Westy’s family of customers are homeowners, art collectors, antique dealers, retailers, and people who consider their Westy room an extension of their home or office. With corporate headquarters in Stamford, CT, Westy spans the tri-state area with 7 centers in NY, 6 centers in CT and 3 centers in NJ. Westy Storage Centers are open seven days a week.  For more information visit www.westy.com or call (866) 22WESTY.

Thursday, November 19, 2009      
Mattituck Presbyterian Church  
12605 Main Rd
Mattituck, NY 11952
 
Friday, November 20, 2009           
First Baptist Church, Bridgehampton
141 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
 
Saturday, November 21, 2009  
Friendship Baptist Church, Flanders  
59 Anchor Street
Flanders, NY 11901

Founded and presented by the East End Arts Council, the choir began with a mission to break down cultural barriers between blacks and whites on the North and South Forks of Eastern Long Island. The first year, the Council had booked an African-American opera singer to reach out to the black community – but when he cancelled – they turned to Mary Anne McElroy with the idea of establishing a mixed choir. Ms. McElroy, a graduate of Julliard, is well known in the local community as minister of music at Friendship Baptist Church in Flanders, where her husband, Rev. A. Charles McElroy, is the minister. The choir started out with about 40 singers, who were all black, and an audience that was all white. Now in its 23rd year, the choir numbers over 100 with singers of all ages and races. The audience has expanded as well, with more blacks attending from local communities such as Bridgehampton and Flanders. Last year, over 1100 people attended the concerts over the course of the three-night event. We hope you will join us for this exceptionally moving experience and celebration of our cultural diversity on the North and South Forks.
 
The Harvest Gospel Concerts are made possible in part by the Suffolk County Economic Development, Office of Cultural Affairs; Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman , Barth’s Drugstore, Astoria Federal Savings, and Riverhead Building Supply. For more information, please call 631-727-0900.
 
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• Mondays 10AM-12PM, Nov.30-Jan.11 (no class 12/28)
• Cost: $144 member EEAC/$180 nonmember

FOCUS ON WATERCOLOR
Three workshops, perfect for the intermediate watercolor painter who would like to enhance their technique focusing on a particular feature when painting a watercolor landscape. Material list provided at registration. (1, 2 or 3 sessions)

• Monday 12:30-3:30PM
• Focus on Winter Trees: Nov.23
• Focus on Painting Snow: Dec.21
• Focus on Rustic Buildings: Jan.25
• Cost per session: $36 member EEAC/$45 nonmember

Elizabeth Greaf
Ms. Greaf is most widely known for her watercolor landscapes but works in oil and other media. She particularly enjoys teaching drawing and watercolor. She has primarily shown her artwork in galleries and numerous other shows in California and New York. Her work is in collections across the country. She studied art at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC, the Academy of Art and the De Young Museum School in San Francisco, CA, Marin Community College, and the Mendocino Art School. For samples of her work visit www.artbyeliz.com.
 
For additional information, please contact the School of the Arts at (631) 369-2171, or visit www.eastendarts.org.

(Garden City, N.Y.) Adelphi University accounting students will compete in the 2nd Long Island Accounting Challenge sponsored by Margolin, Winer & Evens, LLP (MWE), a leading accounting and business advisory firm. The Quiz-show-style event on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will be held in the Hillwood Commons Lecture Hall on the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville, NY.

Newsday columnist and Fox 5 commentator Ellis Henican will serve as the host, posing challenging accounting questions and testing the students’ knowledge in their chosen field. This event is free and open to the public. Students, faculty, staff, and friends are encouraged to attend to cheer on their teams.

Four teams of four from Adelphi University, C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, New York Institute of Technology, and Hofstra University will be presented with accounting questions in the categories of ethics, tax, auditing, and financial accounting. Adelphi University students Tara Gercke ‘11, Matthew Knudsen ‘10, Paraskevi Kavouras ‘10, Jeffrey Yoo ‘10, and Stephanie Grymes ‘10
(alternate) will represent the University.

Already the buzz is starting on these four competing campuses to see which Long Island college gains bragging rights for the best and the brightest accounting students. The winning school will be awarded with a plaque and each team member will receive a valuable prize. Further, all participants will also receive a small gift from the event sponsor MWE.

According to MWE Managing Partner Teddy Selinger, *We are particularly excited about holding this event during a period of unprecedented economic uncertainty. Through this challenge, we hope to place the spotlight on the accounting profession and the importance of following sound accounting and economic principles – the principles we live by and why CPAs are widely held as the most trusted advisors. And, of course, we love a good competition involving bright young people and see this challenge as a healthy, positive venue to showcase some of Long Island*s best students.

For MWE, the challenge also serves as an excellent recruitment tool for a profession that continues to struggle in recruiting new professionals. While government job reports record the job losses nationwide as massive layoffs continue, accountants at all levels are in high demand.

Adelphi University School of Business combines a cutting-edge curriculum with personal attention from expert faculty to create leaders who have the knowledge, integrity, and originality to drive enterprise in the 21st century. Adelphi offers an array of undergraduate programs in accounting, economics, finance, and management as well as part-time, morning, and accelerated M.B.A. graduate programs. Students gain exposure to business practice through internships and events with distinguished executives, government leaders, and scholars. Adelphi University School of Business is one of a small percentage of programs worldwide to be accredited by AACSB International.

To R.S.V.P to the event, please contact Grace Conway, chair of the Department of Accounting, Finance, and Economics at the Adelphi University School of Business, at (516) 877-4620 or conway@adelphi.edu. For more information about the event, contact Kimberly Alarcon, marketing coordinator at MWE, at (516) 240-4238.

About Adelphi University: Adelphi University, chartered in 1896, was the first institution of higher education for the liberal arts and sciences on Long Island. Through its schools and programs-The College of Arts and Sciences, Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Honors College, Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, and the Schools of Business, Nursing, and Social Work-the co-educational university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional and educational programs for adults.

Adelphi University currently enrolls nearly 8,500 students from 41 states and 63 foreign countries. With its main campus in Garden City and centers in Manhattan, Hauppauge, and Poughkeepsie, the University maintains a commitment to liberal studies in tandem with rigorous professional preparation and active citizenship.

About Margolin, Winer & Evens, LLP: Margolin, Winer & Evens LLP is a midsized CPA firm with offices in Garden City, Manhattan and the Cayman Islands. For more than six decades the firm has served as a trusted business advisor to clients in a variety of industries and specialties, including real estate and construction, manufacturing and distribution, hedge funds, medical practices, estate planning and wealth management, bankruptcy & turnarounds, and litigation support. The firm has 27 partners and employs more than 220 professionals.

(Albany, N.Y.) State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and members of the Higher Education and Health Committees will examine college campuses’ ability to cope with the H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic throughout the state of New York. Swine flu outbreaks have risen significantly since colleges returned to session leading to considerable illness.

The hearing will focus on the rate of swine flu on campuses, measures being taken to quell outbreaks, plans to cope with future outbreaks, and an increased susceptibility and risk amongst student populations.

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, 12:00 p.m.to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Legislative Office Building, Hamilton Hearing Room “B,” Albany

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