(Long Island, N.Y.) Heading to a holiday party–or hosting one? Well, chances are, you’ll need to whip up a nifty appetizer. No need to flip through cookbooks or search online for creative ideas. I asked Long Island based celeb chef Danny Gagnon for his best holiday app suggestion. Here goes:

POTATO SKIN SPRING ROLLS

Bacon Mashed Potatoes:

• 10 potatoes(peeled and soaked in water)
• 1/4 pound apple wood smoked bacon(small diced)
• 2 large white spanish onions(small diced)
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme( picked off of stem and small miniced)
• 1 quart of heavy cream
• 1 pound of butter
• 1 cup of parm cheese
• Salt and pepper

METHOD FOR MASH POTATOES

Boil potatoes in boiling salted water till fork tender. Cook applewood smoked bacon till crispy and save the fat. Sautee the white onions with a little oil and the fresh thyme till golden brown. Mix the bacon, the bacon fat and the onions with the potatoes. Add the hot cream and butter to the potatoes also. Begin to mash, season with salt and pepper and finish with the parmesan cheese. Let cool.

SPRING ROLLS

• 1 pack of spring roll wrappers
• 1 bag of cheddar cheese
• 1 batch of the bacon mashed potatoes (like shown up above)
• 6 eggs

METHOD OF MAKING SPRING ROLLS

Get 1 spring roll wrapper ready on the cutting board. Brush the corners of the spring roll wrapper with the beaten eggs. Fill with 4 oz of mashed potatoes and 1 oz of cheddar cheese. Fold into a spring roll shape and then fry till golden brown.

Danny Gagnon, besides being a contestant on Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” Season 5, is best known for his Italian/Asian Fusion style of cooking. Danny was influenced by his grandmother at a young age to cook from the heart and keep family in mind.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, he worked for several restaurants including East By Northeast, Harvest on Fort Pond, Pacific East and Babylon Carriage House where he gained invaluable knowledge that made him an asset in any kitchen. His motto is: “No Guts, No Glory, No Gold!”

For more info on Danny Gagnon and Social Sports Kitchen, please check out www.socialsportskitchen.com

(Long Island, N.Y.) If you’re looking for a great place to take the kids this holiday season, look no further than Lancaster County. Pennsylvania Dutch Country’s quaint towns and villages set the perfect holiday-time scene. Its holly, jolly, picturesque, and bursting with heritage–there’s just something truly magical about the area this time of year.

“The holidays are all about traditions and so, too, is Lancaster County,” says Joel Cliff, of the PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau. “That’s why folks love coming here this time of year, to replenish their holiday spirit with things like a steaming cup of hot chocolate aboard Santa’s Paradise Express at the Strasburg Rail Road, or shopping along our small town Main Streets and Amish farmland back roads, or interacting with the mischievous Belsnickle at Landis Valley’s Country Christmas Village. It’s just such moments that make a holiday trip to Lancaster County something out of the ordinary.”

Every year, my kids beg to go back to Lancaster and this upcoming season will be no exception. The good old fashioned fun and family bonding time makes it well worth the drive. If you’re planning a holiday trip to PA (and I highly suggest it!) here’s some hints to make it extra special.

What To Do

• Dutch Winter Wonderland – Enjoy great rides, entertainment, and other seasonal festivities — (11/20-12/30). One thing your kids will absolutely LOVE about Dutch Winter Wonderland is the Royal Light Show. Take a peek to the right:

• The Christmas Show – Nov. 3 thru Dec. 30. The American Music Theatre’s seasonal extravaganza has become a holiday tradition in Central Pennsylvania.

• National Christmas Center – explore 15 different scenes from yuletide days past and present. My kids had a ball there!

• Santa’s Paradise Express was a big hit with all of us last year! Again, it’s pulling in early to Strasburg Rail Road, bringing Santa on his journey to spread the magic of the season to thousands of families who believe. (Yup, you have to believe!) This year, Santa’s Paradise Express will chug along the tracks starting November 26, 2010.

The Christmas celebration begins on the platform of the East Strasburg Station as the sounds of the season fill the air. Relax as an authentic vintage steam train, warmed by a potbelly stove, takes you on a 45-minute ride, traveling past more than 1,000 acres of picturesque farmland on the way to Paradise, PA. As the train chugs down the track, Santa, carolers and musicians stroll from car-to-car.

After the train ride, children are treated to storybook readings of holiday classics. Children of all ages can also enjoy a ride aboard the Cagney, a miniature steam train. As a special treat, children ages 3 to 11 will receive a gift from Santa and his helper. (Nov. 26-28, Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 2010)

Where To Stay

Willow Valley There’s a pool/water playground for the kids (a total blast!) and a delicious bakery on premises, need I say more? We stayed at the DoubleTree Resort at Willow Valley and it was wonderful. My daughter was a little upset we couldn’t take the bed home with us (yeah, it was really comfy!) so I cut a deal and said we could make one last bakery stop before we checked out. Oh, and get a load of this seasonal special:

Carnival/New Years Eve Package– Ring in the New Year and celebrate the start of new beginnings with the Doubletree Resort Lancaster/Willow Valley. December 29th and 30th join our team at the indoor carnival featuring games, prizes, gigantic inflatable slides and so much more. Then, come usher in the New Year by joining our “New York, New York” themed bash. The package includes:

2010 Lancaster Holiday Events. Overnight accommodations at the hotel

 

• Breakfast for two adults and two children in Café 24
• Indoor carnival on December 29th and 30th
• New Years Eve-themed bash on December 31st

(For details please contact hotel directly.)

How one boutique contractor on Long Island is riding out the recession.

(Long Island, N.Y.) Spotless Contracting Services – a local small business on Long Island built by Ken Barone will not buckle in this shaky economy. That’s because the company is constructed by hard work, honesty, true craftsmanship and a personal touched unmatched by competitors. The boutique contacting company, which has earned a great reputation among local homeowners, was created close to ten years ago by Ken Barone after working for other high-end contractors on Long Island. He went to school at New York Tech as an architect major. In the 90’s the economy wasn’t so great, similar to what it is now, explains Barone, so he researched other venues and ultimately came back to what he loves—construction, contracting, interior design and decorating.

The company is licensed and insured for both Nassau and Suffolk County as contractors. There’s been a recent government mandate to be EPA certified and Spotless Contracting is certified—trained in lead-based renovation work. “Any house built prior to 1978, is assumed to have lead paint in it, so now the government has stepped in and said we must be trained to do that,” explains Barone.

Spotless Contracting does anything from window removal and installation, interior and exterior doors, roofing, siding, additions, garage and basement conversions. They are a full-service operation, from full-size kitchen and bathroom renovations and extensions– but according To Barone, his pride and joy is moulding and mill work. “It’s something that I studied when I went to school at NY Tech in the architecture program. It’s a lost art. Not a lot of people specialize in that.”

Constructing a Company

Like most kids, Barone set his sights on becoming a police or fireman but as he grew up, he had a knack for taking something and making it better or changing it. He was drawn to constructing and building things. “It more evolved into doing something that I enjoy doing,” says Barone. “Every day is a new challenge and transforming people’s homes and spaces is definitely something I love doing.”

In this still chilly economic climate, Barone says he’s still hammering away and business is still booming–but it has shifted a bit. He says he’s doing a lot more crown mouldling and media rooms where the emphasis is on the moulding aspect where the typical construction jobs (roofing, windows, siding) have slowed down. Even with the government trying to put stimulus money at those events—people still can’t come up with the thousands of dollars needed to transform the outside of the space.

“People are taking fewer vacations and we’re seeing fewer major renovations—they are more asking for minor renovations on a budget. I would probably say in the last 12-18 months, there’s really been a strong push in moulding. People have found the lost architecture of moulding. Typical home haven’t had that so it’s kind of been re-invented.”

Barone knows what it takes to make a small family-owned company succeed. Although he relies a great deal on word-of-mouth and customer referrals, he understands the power of social media and networking. While he has yet to start tweeting on Twitter, he does interact via his company’s Facebook page.

Shaking the Stigma

Since the economic downturn, Barone has found ways to fire up business and stay afloat. And his attitude is one of understanding and acceptance. “People are struggling themselves to eat and breathe so all of a sudden projects that were scheduled went away,” he says. “People’s homes are no longer worth what they were. Their mortgages are just so exuberant that they’re not going to put anything into the home. All of a sudden everyone was becoming a contractor (whether they were insured or not) and doing it on the side. They weren’t doing things right and they even further gave contractors a bad name. “Everyone is tightening their belt and the competition is probably fiercer than ever.”

Back to Basics

Barone has stepped up his game and he has adopted a rather positive take on all of this: “The good things that have come out of the poor economy is just going back to (and relying on) our ethics. Our product, regardless if it’s a hardwood floor installation or crown moulding—there’s a lot of value in what I personally bring to the table. From the design aspect to all levels of the experience, Barone is all about telling homeowners the truth and not selling something they don’t need. He continues to prove that a personal touch goes a long way. He’s present on every single job, deals with the homeowners directly and has an impeccable eye for detail. “I do the design work. I do get dirty and wear my tools so it’s more of a hand-holding operation for homeowners that want someone that’s going to be there 24-7 throughout the project.”

Two entertainment industry insiders are making movies their mission–films to fund education

(Long Island, N.Y.) I recently learned about a new organization that’s about to take Hollywood by storm–and that’s a very good thing! ReDistribute was founded on the belief that by changing the way that audiences are connected to entertainment, they have the ability to not only make a quality film, but also to ensure that there is a substantial audience waiting for it when it is released. They believe that Hollywood can be an agent for good, not only in the products that it releases, but also in its distribution of wealth.

They began by finding a compelling script that will reach a wide audience. From there they chose a national social issue that their passionate about, in this case, education with a special emphasis on reaching children in grades K-6.

The organization then partners with exciting charities and organizations who have a regional or nationwide impact and are integrating innovative approaches to education. Each Charity is thoroughly researched to make sure that it has excellent organizational efficiency and a strong financial core. Once the film is finished, it finds distribution in theaters, on dvds, on television and through Video-On-Demand and EVERY PENNY OF OUR PROFIT GOES TO CHARITY. End of story. Period.

I recently caught up with ReDistribute’s producer Spero Stamboulis –a talented actor with numerous television and film credits, as well as countless commercials under his belt.

Can you explain the Long Island connection?

We’re very excited that the screenplay writer for our first project under the ReDistribute arm is Mike Muldoon. He grew up in Mastic, was a ’92 graduate of William Floyd High School and was an all country wide receiver in addition to playing lacrosse. His family still resides on Long Island. He spent last summer in KY writing the feature film “Remembering Rachel’ and most recently finished working on a project for the SYFY network.

What sparked the idea for ReDistribute?

After reading one too many articles about how Hollywood was going to do a questionable remake of an 80’s television show or video game, coupled with the fact that while a handful of people/conglomerates were making billions of dollars off of Hollywood films while education budgets in the US were being decimated. The idea came out of how to try and bring new and exciting films to theaters while benefiting those in need.

How does it work?  Four simple steps:

1. People join the Facebook Cause
2. We make the film
3. People support the film
4. We give 100% of our profits to Charity.

We begin by asking people to go to our website at: www.weReDistribute.org to find out more about who we are and what we are doing. From there, we ask people to click on the link to our Facebook Cause page, join the Cause and then recruit 10 people who will recruit 10 people.

While that is happening, we partner up with 50-100 education focused organizations throughout the country. We look for organizations who are doing innovative work both inside and outside of the classroom to impact young people’s lives.

Through our partnership, we offer them the overall profits in exchange for using their existing networks to help us recruit our supporters. We are able to offer these profits, because the cast and crew salaries for making the film keeps everyone afloat. In the near future, through these actions, we will have over one million supporters.

From there, we utilize this enormous pool of supporters when we sit down with film studio heads, investors and A-list actors to gain their support. Once the film is made and ready to be released, we once again reach out to our supporters and ask them to watch the film in their local theater.

Finally, all of the profits that come to us are given to the organizations that we partner with. We fully expect this to be well over $40 million. The ultimate number will be a result of the quality of our movie and how well we were all able to help spread the word.

What’s your mission…long term goal?

1. Allow incredibly talented filmmakers to do what they do best while putting food on their table,
2. Entertain and Educate our audiences and
3. Have a significant impact on those who need it most. Our long term goal is to make this a sustainable program that funnels millions of dollars to a different issue each project. While our first focus is education, in the future we’ll be looking into: medical research/services, foster care, hunger, etc…

How can we help your efforts?

This program is only possible when a wide community of people become aware of it and rally around it. It is the purest form of democracy because each individual gets to have a direct impact on the success of the film and the amount that goes to our charities. We enthusiastically partner with news outlets both local and national, to help us spread the word and inspire people to join with us

How do you think a community of “regular” people can create change?

We all have the power to make a difference in the world. Brick by brick, we are building a foundation that will benefit so many kids….The Internet offers artists so many ways to be creative and impact others. We at ReDistribute are embracing change and want others to be a part of it. We want to show all young people that any of us can have a lasting impact on the lives of others.

What will your online community gain by being part of this?

First off, they get to know that they are directly affecting where millions of potential dollars are going. They also get to be the first to know the ‘insider tidbits’ like which celebrities are being cast, what the story is, where it will be shot, behind-the-scenes photos/videos, etc… Through our ever-evolving list of contests, they can not only win great prizes, but also have a rare chance to either be on the actual film set or attend the film’s World Premiere. They can also reach out to education organizations who are important to them and help them apply to be one of our recipients. Lots of exciting opportunities!

(Long Island, N.Y.) A beach front escape hours before you hit the Hamptons? Oh yeah. The Allegria Hotel is an oceanfront luxury property located in the iconic beach community of Long Beach – less than 30 miles from midtown Manhattan and 15 minutes from JFK.

They just wrapped up ‘Surf Week at the Allegria’ (July 11th through Friday, July 16th) where guests were treated to a week-long series of surf-themed special events, lessons, and fun for the whole family.

I’m no surfer and I’m petrified of the sea, but I had the opportunity to visit a few months ago and I must say, it was super chic. It’s got a South Beach, sophisticated vibe–elegant but not too stuffy where you feel like you can’t relax. In fact, the property embodies serenity and it makes the perfect setting for an ocean front escape. I loved every second on my stay there and feel it’s worth every penny.

The Allegria also offers surf lessons throughout the summer through Skudin Surf. Prices are $75/person for a group lesson, and $95/hour for a private lesson (one hour each).

If you’re planning a get-away and refuse to sweat it out sitting in traffic on the Long Island Expressway, here’s the scoop on a closer (and equally cool) Long Island hot spot.

Luxe Lodgings

The Allegria has 112 guestrooms and 31 suites, many with ocean views and they’re designed in a white and sand color palette with driftwood and periwinkle accents. Bathrooms are finished in limestone with rain showers and include signature marine-based skin and hair products. Rooms are equipped with high-definition LCD televisions, sumptuous 400-threadcount custom made in Paris, and towels woven from plush Egyptian cotton round out the amenities. All accommodations have Juliet balconies to let in the ocean air.

Sweet Services

A throw back to the days of cabana boys, the hotel’s beach concierge provides Allegria guests with custom beach chairs, umbrellas, towels and refreshments, as well as assisting with surf rentals, volleyball games and various other beach activities. Guests also have complimentary access to the rooftop ocean view fitness center and yoga studio as well as private beach access.

Lounge Out

L’Onda Lounge – meaning “wave” in Italian – features a large double-sided mirrored fireplace, 24-seat communal table, outside terrace service, and a circular bar made of glass mosaic. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Atlantic Ocean and Long Beach’s iconic boardwalk making it the quintessential setting for waterfront cocktails. Guests may choose from an eclectic list of cocktails and a menu of 100 wine varietals, many of which are organic and biodynamic. With 15 wines offered by the glass, selections hail from the North and South Fork wineries as well as international vineyards.

Decadent Dining

Led by esteemed Chef Todd Jacobs, the property’s signature restaurant and bar, the Atlantica Bar & Grill features robust yet sophisticated American cuisine. Jacobs is known by New Yorkers and Long Islanders from his long history with successful restaurants in the Hamptons. Atlantica at the Allegria sources and utilizes mostly locally grown and organic ingredients, a major component of Jacobs’ ‘close-to-door’ philosophy.

Jacobs draws on seasonal flavors with dishes from the “Sea” portion of the dinner menu that includes Pan Seared Local Sea Bass with Chili Lime Beurre Blanc served alongside Local Organic Greens Sautéed with Garlic and Crisp Corn Polenta or the Charbroiled Organic Scottish Salmon with Lemon-Caper Vinaigrette and accompanied by Grilled Vegetables and Organic Brown Rice. Other culinary creations showcased under the menu’s “Earth,” “Starters” and “Desserts” are equally tempting and represent Jacobs’ mastery of innovative American cuisine. The 143-seat space is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. For a more intimate and memorable experience, private dining includes a chef’s table for up to 16, just steps from the ocean, nestled quietly among the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling wine wall showcasing over 3,000 bottles.

Party Hearty

The hotel’s 3,182 square-foot grand ballroom can accommodate up to 200 guests and divides into smaller spaces for more intimate events. The luminous ballroom exudes luxury and glamour, with silver leaf ceiling tiles and 73 exquisite Kazumi glass chandeliers. Three meeting rooms situated on the third floor – Madison, Park and Lexington Suites – are ideal for breakout sessions. A dedicated staffer, skilled in orchestrating functions for social and corporate clients, is assigned to each event to ensure a smooth agenda from start to finish. The property’s location on the Atlantic Ocean is the ideal setting for special events on the beach. Chef Jacobs’ team oversees all catering for events.

(Long Island, N.Y.) I’ll admit it, I’m a hot mess. When my husband passes the reins to me at the grill, I run for the hills. I just don’t feel confident cooking outdoors. Hence my nickname… “The Dehydrator”.

I grilled Tino Masotto, owner of Cow Palace (a place I’ve crowned as one of the best butcher shops on Long Island) about some simple ABC’s of barbecuing.

Can you tell me a little about average cook times for specific cuts?
For most all steaks and chicken on a hot BBQ, the average cook time is seven minutes per side.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when grilling meat?
The biggest mistake is trying to flip the meat too soon after putting it on the grill. The meat will stick to the grates if it is not allowed to cook sufficiently before turning over. Flipping too much is another big mistake, and of course–overcooking.

Do you have a secret to “the prefect marinade” you can share?
An ingredient we like, that gives marinade body is honey. It also helps the liquid ‘stick’ to the meat.

What are your top summertime sellers?
Best seller without a doubt is our own store-made chicken patties. They come in two flavors: spinach & cheese and broccli & mozzerlla and they are awesome on the grill. Another top seller is our own cheese and parsley sausage rings and (of course) steaks and sirloin burgers.

—————————————————————————————-

I love supporting local businesses: They are family-owned here on Long Island for 32 years–locations in Rocky Point, Moriches, and Middle Island.

This summer, Cow Palace will have a fresh produce stand (in the parking lot) on weekends and on some select weekends, even a roadside BBQ. And if you want to make your life a little easier this summer, their freezer fillers and summer bundles are the way to go.

My hubby gets all the grill glory at our summer parties–thanks to their incredible London Broils.(Ask for their special marinade.)

For some online coupons, check out www.cowpalace457.com

(Long Island, N.Y.) It’s official: I will never be able to tell my kids, “there’s nothing to do today!” That’s because the first mobile phone travel app to cover Long Island has just been released (Sutro Media) and the days I don’t have the slightest idea what to do/where to go with the kids–are long gone. (It’s a good thing!) And, considering the fact that I can get lost in my own t-shirt, technology has once again come to my rescue. Here’s why.

The Essential Long Island Guide, by award-winning writer Iyna Bort Caruso, is now available through the Apple app store. The fast-browsing guide features more than 125 attractions, must-do activities and hidden gems and 750 pictures. It’s full of insider tips for locals, day trippers and first-time visitors. (Costs $2.99 and includes free updates)

Engaging and easy-to-navigate features include:

• Photo slideshows for each entry, so users know what to expect before they go.
• Concise, original text by a Long Island native.
• Entries sortable by categories like Hidden Gems, Historical, Long Island Originals, Outdoors, Family Friendly, Dining, Shopping, Great Strolls and more.
• Entries sorted by name, distance, price and neighborhood.
• One-click website and phone interface to buy tickets, peruse menus and more.
• Google maps and driving directions for each entry.
• Over 100MB of offline content that can be accessed anytime without an internet connection.
• Neighborhood overviews to help visitors decide how and where to spend their time.

I recently caught up with Iyna Bort Caruso, a Rockville Centre-based freelance writer, author and New York Emmy Award-winning promotional writer, who says when she decided to take this project on, she was surprised there wasn’t already a Long Island iPhone travel app.

“With all the incredible things to do, historical sites and gorgeous towns, how was that possible? I loved taking on the role of tour guide. But I also wrote the app for Long Islanders, too. I designed it to be a resource they can refer to again and again–to remind them of all the great treasures in their own backyard and introduce them to attractions they never knew existed.”

Her goal at the onset, she says, was to provide a thorough and lively representation of a very large region. She really worked hard to make sure users would get a lot of value out of it, no matter what their interests or budgets.

“It would have been easy to concentrate only on the most popular areas such as the Hamptons, the Gold Coast and the wine region–and I do have a lot of listings for these areas–but I also want people to discover lots of great new places.”

To get this useful app, visit http://sutromedia.com/apps/Essential_Long_Island

(Long Island, N.Y.) Well, we can all say we knew them when! Here’s the scoop on two musical talents who teamed up to make a big splash is the music industry—they are known as Jac&Jill. And boy, can these two beauties rock it.

Jaclyn (Jac) Quatela and Jill Winter were both born and raised in New York and came from very musical families. Jac’s family used to harmonize around the kitchen table and her father played drums in an “oldies” band. Jill’s father was a singer in a doo wop group and her brother played guitar and sang. Both girls realized, respectively, that they were musically inclined at an early age. Jac began taking voice lessons at the tender age of 6 and later decided to teach herself piano as well. Jill was always picking up guitars/basses and drumsticks and by the age of 13 was a drummer in a rock band.

Both went directly to college after graduating high school (Jaclyn attended LIU CW Post Campus and Jill attended Five Towns College) to study music and attain a greater knowledge of their craft while continuing to perform in various local bands. At this point, neither of the girls knew that their musical counterpart existed.

Jaclyn and Jill finally crossed paths in the Fall of 2006 when Jaclyn auditioned for a band that Jill was playing bass in. One day while passing the time before band rehearsal, Jac sat down behind her piano, Jill picked up an electric guitar and the two realized immediately that their musical chemistry was undeniable. From that point on, they started writing music together and decided to part ways with the band they were in to pursue their journey as “Jac&Jill”. Luckily, they didn’t have to think long and hard about their band name!

Jaclyn resides on Long Island and Jill resides in Queens.

There’s a vast but uniquely familiar range of musical inspiration in Jac&Jill’s music. From the Motown influenced harmonies that texture the backdrop of tracks like “Mm’ Mm’ Good” and “Listen” to the infectious Pop/Rock hooks and driving riffs of “Can’t Stop”, it becomes apparent that popular music has always been a source of inspiration for Jaclyn and Jill.

After writing over two dozen songs, the duo worked with Producer/Engineers Patrick Ermlich and Eshy Gazit at The Cutting Room Studios NYC on their Pop/Rock debut album. All 10 songs on the album were written by Jaclyn Quatela (Lead and Backing Vocals, Piano and Synths) and Jill Winter (Lead and Rhythm Guitars and Backing Vocals).

Jac&Jill’s song “Listen” was used as the opener for Elvis Duran and The Morning Show on NY’s #1 Hit Music Station Z100 in the Fall of 2009. On March 16th and 17th, 2010, Jac&Jill were featured yet again, on Elvis Duran and The Morning Show with their song parody for Elvis. Their song “Can’t Stop” is also receiving airplay on the show “Unlabled” from Long Island Radio Station WMJC 94.3 fm and can be found on multiple online radio stations as well . Jac&Jill’s song “Mm’ Mm’ Good,” is featured on the Wal-Mart exclusive version of the video game “Sing Scene Pop” by Jakks Pacific, alongside artists such as: Rihanna, Fergie, Alicia Keys, Fall Out Boy, etc. Jac&Jill are currently endorsed by Future Sonics, Arbor Collective, In Tune Guitar Picks, Inc. and HairXpression by Balmain Paris.

Their debut self-titled album is currently available in Looney Tunes CD Store (West Babylon, NY) and online at LooneyTunesCDS.COM. The girls have also recently recorded “Dinosaurs Don’t Fly” for the children’s book “The Butterfly and The Dinosaur”. (Lyrics by author Sonny Grosso / music by Jac & Jill).

Some of the venues that Jac&Jill have performed at, with their band, in the Tri-State area include:

Six Flags Great Adventure, Rye Playland, Jones Beach, Southpaw, Public Assembly, Don Hill’s NYC, Adventureland, Salon Rock, Hot Topic Stores etc.

Jac&Jill’s upcoming performance’s for 2010:

• May 20th (Acoustic) Long Island Vinyl Exchange (East Northport) – 8pm
• June 5th- The Saint (Asbury Park, NJ) 9pm
• June 29th Looney Tunes CD Store (West Babylon, NY)-CD RELEASE 7pm
• July 3rd – Kennywood Amusement Park (West Mifflin, PA) 4pm
• July 9th Jones Beach Bandshell (Wantagh, NY) 7:30pm
• August 7th Live&Local At Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ) Times TBD

Check out the band’s official website:
www.myspace.com/jacandjillmusic

(Long Island, N.Y.) Since 1994, HopeCuts has raised over $500,000 for the City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute.

How cool is this: Sunday, May 16th from 12:00- 4:00 PM stylists will donate their time for a worthy cause by going to work on their regular day off.

HopeCuts began in 1994 when one salon in Philadelphia decided to open for business on a Sunday afternoon and donate their time and effort and profits for the day to City of Hope. Today, HopeCuts events are held in salons in New York, Chicago and various cities across the country.

Services including haircuts, manicures, makeup applications and more will be offered at drastically reduced rates at participating salons in an effort to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer, pediatric cancer and HIV/ AIDS Research. All proceeds benefit City of Hope’s National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute.

Here are the participating salons:

Something New Hair Salon
300 Gordons Corner Rd
Manalapan, NJ

Main Line Salon
1800 Laurel Hill Plaza
Clementon, NJ

Freedom Salon and Spa
3301 Long Beach Blvd
Brant Beach, NJ

Michele’s Salon and Spa
2345 Dune Drive
Avalon, NJ

Joli Salon and Spa
343 Halstead Avenue
Harrison, NY

The Hair Designers
100 Main Street
White Plains, NY

CPW Vein & Aesthetic Center
75 Central Park West
Manhattan, NY

Olmi Dominican Salon
683 Woodfield Rd
West Hempstead, NY

The Secret Garden
702 Forest Ave
Staten Island, NY

About City of Hope:
The City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute-designed Comprehensive Canter Center, is one of the world’s leading research and treatment centers for cancer and other serious diseases, including diabetes and HIV/AIDS. The work conducted at City of Hope is shared with medical centers worldwide, touching the lives of millions of people everywhere.

(Long Island, N.Y.) I love the warmer weather. The kids get to spend some more time outdoors, playing at the park and romping on the grass, but the biggest summer bummer: the danger presented by tiny parasites, called Ixodes scapularis (also known as black-legged or deer ticks). Yikes! These are the ticks that transmit Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne disease in the United States and one of the most potentially dangerous infections for kids.

Lyme disease poses the biggest threat in the spring and summer, says Diane Blanchard, co-president of Time for Lyme, Inc., a research, education and advocacy group based in CT in a prepared statement. According to the latest government figures, there are roughly 29,000 confirmed Lyme disease cases in 2008 and experts agree that there are many, many more that go unreported (or undiagnosed). In fact, some estimate that there are ten times as many cases of Lyme each year. And although Lyme can strike people of any age and either gender, one of the most susceptible groups is children aged 5 to 9.

Spring and summer are the peak times for Lyme infection because many ticks are in the nymphal stage (they have a two-year life cycle), meaning they’re very small, about the size of a poppy seed, says Dr. Harriet Kotsoris, medical advisor to Time for Lyme. “These things are tiny, and most kids would never notice them,” says Dr. Kotsoris. At the same time, kids are spending more time outside, in areas where ticks also frequent.

As in adults, Lyme disease can be devastating in children. Most people with Lyme disease experience a rash, headaches, fatigue and flu-like symptoms, but if left untreated, the disease can also involve learning and behavioral problems, depression, nerve damage, memory loss and other cognitive, psychiatric and neurological complications. Children with serious Lyme infections have developed symptoms very similar to those of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other neuropsychological disorders.

Unfortunately, many parents don’t know much about Lyme disease – or how to prevent it.

Time for Lyme (www.timeforlyme.org) is an organization dedicated to eliminating the devastating effects of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illness. Its mission is to prevent the spread of disease, develop definitive diagnostic tools and effective treatments, and to ultimately find a cure for tick-borne illness by supporting research, education, and the acquisition and dissemination of information. In addition, TFL continues to act as an advocate for Lyme disease sufferers and their families through support of legislative reform on the federal, state and local levels.

The organization provides four things to teach your children about avoiding Lyme:

1. Stay out of the bushes. Ticks typically hide in dark, moist areas, such as tall grass and shrubs, so kids should hike and play in clear areas. Be sure to keep swing sets and other toys away from long grassy or wooded areas, as well.
2. Wear the right clothes (and repellant). Kids should wear closed-toe shoes (not sandals), socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts in light colors (it’s tougher to spot ticks on dark fabrics). Parents should consider using an approved insect repellant made with the chemical DEET. They are encouraged to ask their physicians advice on the appropriate amount of DEET for their family. Some repellants that contain the insecticide Permethrin are only safe for use on clothes, not skin.
3. Do regular Tick Tests. Teach your child to check his skin and hair for ticks every time he comes inside after playing in a tick-friendly area. He should pay special attention to underarms, the backs of his knees, waist, groin and hairline. When you think of Lyme, remember that timing is everything: Unlike mosquitoes or other biting insects, a tick must grab hold and burrow its mouth parts into the skin before it can begin feeding, a process that usually takes between 10 and 30 minutes. During this process the tick anesthetizes the area of the bite so the host or child or victim does not feel it. The chances of contracting Lyme disease from an infected tick increases with the length of time it’s attached. Thus, being vigilant with inspections means your child is much less likely to have a tick bite. And if that tick is infected, the bite is much less likely to cause problems if it’s discovered quickly.
4. Remove it right. If your child finds a tick, she should tell you right away (you can teach an older child how to remove it herself). Remove the tick by grasping its head with fine-tipped tweezers as close to the point of contact or as close to the skin as possible and pulling gently, straight away from the body (don’t twist). It is critical to note that improper removal can lead to disease.