14th Annual RegDay Helps to Reunite Separated Family Members

On Saturday, November 8, 2008,  New York adoption community members along with Borders Books of Farmingdale will host New York’s 14th Annual RegDay. RegDay is an annual event to promote the International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR)

ISRR is a free, non-profit mutual consent registry dedicated to reuniting adult family members separated by adoption, divorce, foster care or other dislocation. Lauded in the nationally syndicated Dear Abby Column, ISRR has reunited thousands of adults all over the world. Guests will be able to enter the registry by completing forms available at the event.

RegDay is organized by the Adoption Registration Coalition, a network of volunteers from various search and support, adoption reform, and adoptee rights activist groups.

Visitors to the Farmingdale Borders Bookstore location will be able to pick up information about support, search and reunion resources and learn about proposed New York legislation that will allow all adult adoptees the same access as non-adoptees to their original birth certificates.

Guests will also be able to view a playlist featuring hundreds of personal videos submitted by adoptees, mothers, and separated siblings across the world related to their own adoption stories.

RegDay locations are being set up across the country. To find the nearest site, or for more information, visit www.RegDay.org or call Theresa Hood at 267-234-7925

Location:
Borders Bookstore
321 Airport Blvd, Farmingdale, NY

Date / Time: November 8, 2008
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Kevin S Law President and CEO, Long Island Power Authority Statement on Federal Government Passage of Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

“Had these federal tax credits been allowed to sunset, it would have brought a screeching halt to the fast-growing solar industry in our region, and could have dealt a death blow to LIPA’s recently proposed 50 MW of on-island solar generation - the largest such array in the state.

“This is a welcome sign that the federal government is committed to the investment and expansion of clean, affordable, renewable forms of energy for our homes and businesses.  Rebates offered through LIPA’s Solar Pioneer program coupled with federal and local tax incentives will continue to transform the marketplace, stimulate economic growth, create
green collar jobs, and foster our energy independence.”

LIPA’s Solar Pioneer program boasts close to 1,400 participants and has resulted in more than $35 million in LIPA rebates, making Long Island a leader in solar power throughout the entire state.

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LIPA Contact Information:
Ed Dumas: (516) 719-9838 (office) or (631) 872-2790 (cell)
Media Pager: (516) 525-LIPA
media.relations (at) lipower.org

LIPA News Center
www.lipower.org/newscenter

Custer Institute Receives Grant from Brookhaven National Laboratory

The Custer Institute (est. 1927), a 501(c)(3) publicly supported nonprofit organization and home of Long Island’s oldest public observatory, was chosen as a recipient of Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Break-Thru Mini-Grant.  The grant, which is sponsored by Brookhaven Science Associates, was established to help local nonprofits involve 10-15 year olds from populations that are traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (e.g., females, African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos(as), and Native Americans).  There were 19 applicants for the grants, which were given to only 5 organizations.  Steve Orlando, a member of Custer’s Research Committee who was instrumental in the application process, accepted the award on behalf of Custer at a ceremony held today at BNL.

The $5,000 grant was received in support of Custer’s Education Through Research Program (CETRP).  The program’s goal is to inspire students to study science in general and astronomy in particular, and to provide them with hands-on experience and mentoring by active scientists.  Students participate in Custer research studies and/or receive assistance with the design and implementation of their own projects; they are then encouraged to publish their findings and/or present them at science fairs, including one which Custer is planning to hold in 2009.  Most of the funds from the Break-Thru Mini Grant will be used to automate one of Custer’s observatories so students and researchers can have remote access to the facilities; the balance of the funds are ear-marked for such other things as student travel expenses.

This is the fourth grant Custer received in the past year for its Education Through Research Program.  Other grants were: 14″ Meade telescope from the National Sharing the Sky Foundation, a $2888 grant from the Fund for Astrophysical Research, and the grant of a research-grade CCD camera from Santa Barbara Instruments Group.  

According to Custer Research Director, Jeffrey Owen Katz, Ph.D., “All of us at Custer are extremely honored to have been chosen as recipients; it is an important acknowledgment of our research and educational efforts.  The BNL grant itself is a positive step to counter the decline in science that has occurred since the 1960s when every kid wanted to be a scientist or astronaut.  Although interest in science has waned in recent years, Custer is in a unique position to help reverse that trend, at least locally. We have impressive facilities that are not only excellent for research but inspire visitors of every age.  We have the motivated, skilled personnel needed to teach students and to instill in them enthusiasm for learning about the universe in which they live.  The combination is perfect for encouraging young minds to pursue scientific studies.  And the more students we reach, the more we guarantee our country’s future at the forefront of scientific advancement.”  While currently the Institute can only do so much because of limited financial resources and dependence on volunteers to staff the program, the hope is that Custer will eventually attract enough funding to expand the CETRP and, in so doing, involve a greater number of students. 

The following are members of Custer’s Research Committee:  Jeffrey Owen Katz, Ph.D., Chair; Matt Blasczak (engineer, Motorola); Brent Gingrich (engineer, Motorola); Urszula Golebiewska, Ph.D. (biophysicist, Queensborough Community College); Peter Guastella (science research teacher, Manhasset High School; Vice President, Long Island Science and Engineering Fair); Ted Koukounas (Chair, Science and Math, Suffolk County Community College); Mike Kozma (engineer, veteran radio astronomer); Donna L. McCormick (president, Custer Institute); Steve Orlando (chemistry teacher, BOCES); Helio Takai, Ph.D. (physicist, Brookhaven National Laboratory); Chiaki Yanagisawa, Ph.D. (physicist, Stony Brook University, Manhattan Community College).  

Research at the Custer Institute includes studies of exoplanet transits, supernovae, solar phenomena, and cosmic rays.

Any student interested in participating in the CETRP should contact Custer’s Research Director, Dr. Jeffrey Owen Katz: 631-765-2626 or email katz (at) scientific-consultants.com.  For further information about Custer’s programs, to make a contribution, or for any other inquiries, call or email Custer’s President, Donna L. McCormick: CusterDonna (at) yahoo.com.  For additional info about the BNL grant, contact Jeanne Marie Petschauer: (631)344-2397 or jmpets (at) bnl.gov.  Photos available upon request.

Atlantis Marine World Officer to be Honored at Fundraiser.

Atlantis Marine World is hosting the “Climb for Your Life” dinner at the Aquarium on Thursday, October 16 at 6:30pm, an evening honoring the recent Mt. Everest attempt by 59-year-old Nesconset resident and former US Marine Fighter Pilot and Top Gun Instructor, Bob Pospischil. He is also the Aquarium’s Chief Financial Officer.
   
The evening will feature a buffet dinner, open bar, raffles, and a presentation by Pospischil on his expedition, with all proceeds going to the Islandia-based Contractors for Kids. Tickets are $150.00 per person.
   
Pospischil is working with the non-profit to raise awareness and money for its mission, which is to assist children and their families overcome obstacles that have impacted their lives through sickness, injury, or death.
   
“No obstacles can keep someone from realizing their own goals,” explains Pospischil. “I learned that back when I began climbing mountains in 2005. Today, I’m working with organizations like Contractors for Kids to help teach kids that they, too, can overcome their own obstacles and not have to travel to a mountain to face them.”
   
For information about the event, please contact the Aquarium at 631.208.9200, ext. 426.
   
For information about Contractors for Kids, please visit http://www.contractorsforkids.org.

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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. 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 $18.00 (plus tax) for Children 3 – 17 and Seniors 62+; $21.00 (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. Additional information can be found at www.atlantismarineworld.com.

Midnight Oils Exhibition, October 4 – November 1, 2008

This Halloween season, The Smithtown Township Arts Council will present Midnight Oils, a fine arts exhibition celebrating frightening subject matters cast in a philosophic, romantic, or humorous light. The exhibit will be on view at The Mills Pond House Gallery in St. James, October 4 – November 1, 2008. The public is invited to an opening reception Saturday, October 11, 5-7 pm to meet exhibiting artists and view their work.

The exhibition will include a gargantuan 7-foot-tall statue, as well as many other captivating works by local, national and international artists. Juror Alain Khadem, a Long Island-based artist, specializes in vantisa art, a form that marries well with the spirit of Halloween. He was recently featured in The New York Times as one of the national exhibitors in STAC’s Digital Long Island exhibition. In addition to receiving a recognition award from the Hopper House Art Center in Nyack, he also won the weathervane design contest for the EEAC Carriage House in the Town of Riverhead.

Midnight Oils will be part of The Full Moon Festival on The Mills Pond House grounds. During this month-long celebration of Halloween Lore, The Smithtown Township Arts Council will be sponsoring its highly popular House of Horrors October 10 – October 31, 2008.  Khadem will be hosting Omnia Vanitas, a flash presentation focusing on the significance of iconic objects and symbols in vanitas art, and there will be a Ghoulish Gala, a costume contest (details and date to be announced soon).

For full schedule and calendar of events, please go to www.stacarts.org

All proceeds from the festival will go to support the St. James Fire Dept. Ambulance Co.,  and The Smithtown Township Arts Council with its wide range of music and art programs.

For more information, call the Smithtown Township Arts Council at 631-862-6575, or visit www.stacarts.org.

The Smithtown Township Arts Council is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization

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Smithtown Township Arts Council
Mills Pond House Gallery
660 Route 25A
St. James, NY 11780
www.stacarts.org
Contact: press@stacarts.org
(631) 862-6575

Psychics Not Only Help Police, but Everyday People

(SMITHTOWN, New York) – During unstable economic times, more people are concerned about layoffs, bills and what will come in the future. While some turn to financial planners or career counselors, others turn to psychics.  “There is great relief in knowing what is to come and being able to prepare,” said Melody Bard, a New York Psychic trained by her famous mother Yolana Bard. “I get a lot of people interested in what’s to come both financially and in other areas of life.”

Bard studied for nearly 20 years under her famous psychic/author mother, the late Yolana Bard, who began a career as a psychic to New York City socialites. Melody Bard worked to hone her natural intuitive abilities, and while she has worked with both law enforcement to track down criminals, she has a real passion for working with everyday people.

“These are human questions – what’s to come of me? Will I have a job in a year or be living on the street?” said Bard. “In these economic times, we begin to ask these questions.  I was homeless at one time and know firsthand what it feels like to lose everything.”

Bard, Yolana’s only daughter, inherited her psychic practice, as well as her psychic talents. With a confidential client
list including diplomats, celebrities and executives, she has used her talents to help with Past Life Regression,
police cases and even paranormal investigations. Though working with the general public is one of her most
fulfilling activities.

“It’s really exciting for me to be able to help someone get clarity in just one psychic reading,” said Bard.
“Whether it’s a world leader or a school teacher, I still feel I’ve made a big difference.”  Yolana Bard, Melody’s late mother, was called the “Queen of Psychics” and written about in The New York Times and other media. She was at one time named “New York’s Best Psychic.”  Bard offers private consultations for new clients. Half hour phone consultations are $150.00, and full hour are $225.00.

For more information, email Melody Bard at:
justonemelody (at) @yahoo.com, or call 1-(631) 406-6123. Or visit www.justonemelody.com

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Explore your creativity at the Mills Pond House this fall and winter.

Smithtown Township Arts Council announces its Fall art class program for students ages pre-K through high school. Class sizes are small and geared toward each student’s ability level. Classes are non competitive and taught by professional artists and educators.

We register students through the first day of class where spaces exist.

Call 631 862-6575 for a brochure or visit www.stacarts.org/classes

Art Rocks (ages 3-5), Flipbook Animation (ages 8-12), Fashion Illustration for Beginners (ages 9-12) ,Painting from Life (ages 14-up), are a few of the many classes being offered.

The Smithtown Township Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

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Smithtown Township Arts Council
Mills Pond House Gallery
660 Route 25A
St. James, NY 11780
Phone: 631-862-6575, Fax: 631-862-8730
www.stacarts.org
e-mail: press (at) stacarts.org

Local Company Launches YourRetirementToday.com

Syosset, NY - New Yorkers, are you concerned with your Retirement? Are you wondering how you can protect your hard earned money? A few strokes on your keypad can help get you the information you need to know to get ahead in this rough economy.

There now exists a website www.YourRetirementToday.com to help give you insight and a FREE newsletter to help you to better get a hold on your Retirement nest egg.

With the financial landscape constantly changing, the only thing we know for certain is, it will continue to change.  We’ve seen first hand a vast economic reshuffling of not only financial markets domestically but globally.  We’ve seen skyrocketing gas prices, major economic institutions closing their doors, the government taking over banks and the real estate market crashing.

The newsletter titled “The Top 10 secrets on how to protect your Retirement” is a great quick read to help you get a leg up in this struggling economy. 

If you live in the New York area and want to protect your Retirement, please visit www.YourRetirementToday.com to request your Free Copy today!

Isn’t it about time you put your Retirement First?

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Vivid Dream Public Relations
VividDreamManagement (at) gmail.com

Jeb Ladouceur to Speak at the Mills Pond House in St. James

Local novelist Jeb Ladouceur will be the featured speaker for the Smithtown Book Club’s October meeting. May Chasteen, president of the venerable literary organization announced that the club will hold its October meeting at the historic Mills Pond House, 660 Route 25A, St. James. The program is scheduled to begin at 8:15 PM on Tuesday night, Oct. 21st.

In addition to his prepared remarks, the Smithtown author will read excerpts from his books ‘Frisco’ and ‘The Palindrome Plot.’ A question and answer session will follow and complimentary refreshments will be served. The private Smithtown Book Club has opened this meeting to the public and admission is free, according to program chair, Lisa Scott. She asks, however, that those planning to attend RSVP to 724-3717, since seating may be limited.

The esteemed book club, founded in 1937, has arranged special accommodations at the Mills Pond House in anticipation of a popular turnout like those the local writer has generated at the Huntington Book Revue and Borders in Lake Grove.

Mr. Ladouceur will answer and discuss the five questions he is asked most frequently when touring bookstores, colleges, and libraries, including: “Where do you get the ideas for your novels?” The author’s publicist, Debbie Lange Fifer, said that he will personalize copies of his celebrated thrillers for guests who request it.

Ladouceur’s appearance follows a widely anticipated engagement at the Suffolk County Ethical Culture Society in Dix Hills. Subsequent to the Smithtown Book Club event, his ongoing tour takes him to upstate Warwick in the Lower Hudson Valley, home of the renowned Baby Grand Books.

Jeb Ladouceur is recognized throughout The Island for his successful career in advertising, public relations, and publishing. A former New York State Senate Candidate and charter member of Governor Mario Cuomo’s arson task force, the author is founder and Publisher Emeritus of The Fire News, circulated continuously among firefighters since 1973. He and his wife Elizabeth have lived in the ‘Landing’ area of Smithtown for some fifty years.

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Smithtown Township Arts Council
Mills Pond House Gallery
660 Route 25A
St. James, NY 11780
www.stacarts.org -  website
press (at) stacarts.org  -  press contact
phone- 631-862-6575

New Music Gets Right to the Heart; Spans Folk, Rock, Roots and Americana Genres
 
(Long Island, N.Y.) Long Island-based folk-rock artist Joe Iadanza has brought together a unique group of classically trained, jazz-schooled and folk-versed musicians to craft an inspired new album that fondly tips its hat to songwriters from the generation of James Taylor, Cat Stevens and Jim Croce.
 
Featuring original songs by Iadanza (guitars and vocals), Traveling Salesman is a heart-opening — sometimes foot-stompin’ — album that spans the genres of folk, rock, roots and Americana, while exploring themes of love, stepping out into the world, and learning to enjoy the ride.  
 
Iadanza’s percussive, finger-style grooves and soaring poetic vocals are accented by the musical talents of his core band: Carolin Pook (violin), Craig Akin (double bass) and Joe Hertenstein (drums and percussion).  Folk harmony trio Gathering Time (comprised of Glen Roethel, Hillary Foxsong and Stuart Markus) arranged and performs extensive backing vocals, while taking the lead on the album’s closing track.  David Mowry, of the noted Philadelphia-based father and son duo Beaucoup Blue, plays slide-dobro on one of the album’s tracks.  “Collaborating with friends and giving these talented musicians the freedom to create from their own perspective contributes to the album’s unique sound,” says Iadanza, who previously toured extensively in the Northeast as “Joe Songwriter.”
 
Co-produced by Iadanza and recording/mixing engineer Jon Castelli at Sound Surgeon Long Island studios in Smithtown , New York , Traveling Salesman was mastered by Nathan Dantzler at The Hit Lab.
 
Traveling Salesman is available at select retailers, live shows, and online at CD Baby, itunes, www.DigStation.com, www.amazon.com and www.joeiadanza.com. A U.S. tour to support the new release is being planned for this winter.
 
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