(New York, NY) New York City’s Democratic nominee, Bill de Blasio, along with nearly 1500 supporters, are expected to attend MPAC’s rally on Thursday at Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem.

MPAC, Mobilizing Preachers and Communities, is a newly-formed non-profit coalition of over 250 churches that have created a unified powerbase to address city-wide issues that affect minority neighborhoods and their congregants including, but not limited to, stop and frisk, low-income housing and education.

“This will be a show of strength as an organized group of ministers throughout all the boroughs,” said Rev. Johnnie Green, chair of MPAC and senior pastor of Mount Neboh.

“It will also be a testament of our influence,” Green added.

Among the list of attendees and speakers are Bishop Fernando Rodriquez with Latin & African Chaplin’s Association; Rev. Patrick Young, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in East Elmhurst; Deputy Inspector Ruel Stephenson with 30^th Precinct and Michael Dupree with the College Board. Rev. Darrien Ferguson will give a report on the recovery efforts of churches and the community in Far Rockaway and there will be a moment of silence for Avante Oquendo.

The rally begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. Mount Neboh Baptist Church is located at 1883 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Bvld at 114^th Street.

(New York, NY) On Monday, President Obama addressed the nation attempting to quell fears surrounding the array of glitches that have plagued the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. There has been one problem after another in the three weeks since the process began. As a result, according to Millward Brown Digital, as of October 5, of the 9.47 million unique users to the website, only 36,000 had completed enrollment—that’s less than half of one percent.

Technical malfunctioning of the website, employee hours being reduced, deductibles skyrocketing, and individuals no longer being able to see the same doctor are just some of the ways that Obamacare is flawed.

If you like your doctor, and you want to keep your doctor, it looks like you may have to change your Congressman.

Consumers are being misled about health care costs and networks.  Access, quality and efficiency are just some of the benchmarks that aren’t being met under this program as designed.

Regardless of your thoughts on Obamacare – a major government program is being implemented and before it has even gotten off the ground, it’s a mess—just like Washington. The issues surrounding the implementation of Obamacare illustrate a much larger problem: dysfunction is crippling our Capitol.

The many arguments against Obamacare are well known and documented. Today, however, it is clear that this rollout is typical of the way Washington works these days – which is to say that it doesn’t. It is just the latest in the many ways our government is failing us and I want to let the people of New York’s First Congressional District know that I am looking to put a stop to it. Quite frankly, patience is running out for the way things are being done in D.C.

In New York, for three consecutive years we have been able to work together to make things work, passing on-time balanced budgets despite our party differences. I will carry that mentality with me to D.C. as your Congressman and I will fight every day to end the culture of dysfunction and help end the fiscal insanity.

To learn more about Senator Zeldin and his campaign for Congress, please visit www.zeldinforcongress.com.

Asks Residents To Voice Complaints At 10/28 Hearing

(Long Island, NY) Senator Jack M. Martins (R-C-I, Mineola) today announced that he will host a public hearing on Monday, October 28th at 8:00 pm at the Floral Recreation/Pool Building located at 128 Stewart Street, Floral Park to hear residents’ input and comments on the revised draft environmental report and
assessment on runway expansions.

Co-hosting the hearing with Senator Martins will be Floral Park Mayor Tom Tweedy and Trustee Mary Grace Tomiecki.  Also presiding will be TVSNAC, the local advocacy group that has long been at the forefront of the fight against airplane noise.

Residents will have the opportunity to directly address officials of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

“I am asking for your help in our continuing fight against deafening airplane noise in our community,” said Senator Martins.  “This hearing and comment period is about making sure that our suburban quality of life is not sacrificed for the mere benefit of  simple air travel.  I think we can
have both without drastically inconveniencing those of us on the ground who are being unfairly burdened in our homes and in our neighborhoods.”

Senator Martins explained that the Port Authority is looking to expand and reconfigure runways and taxiways at JFK airport which will result in increased air traffic and aircraft noise over Nassau County.

Senator Martins added, “Now is the time for us to raise our voices before they are drowned out by the roar of aircraft engines overhead.  I strongly encourage anyone who agrees to attend this important hearing.”

(New York, NY)  New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle’s and Assemblyman Fred Thiele’s bill (S.4104-A/ A.5939-A) requiring towns within the Peconic Bay region –
East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton and Southold – to consider areas at risk of storm erosion as part of programs financed by a community preservation fund to preserve undeveloped shoreline was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday.

Community Preservation Funds are designed to protect the regions areas of natural beauty from over development. The new law will expand the criteria for space that can be protected by the CPF to include shoreline at risk of coastal flooding due to projected sea level rise and storms.

The new law takes effect immediately.

“The Community Preservation Fund (CPF) has been an extremely successful land protection program. As sponsor, I am pleased that the Governor has signed this legislation expanding the powers of the CPF to include preservation of underdeveloped beaches and shoreline at risk of coastal flooding due to storms and projected sea level rise. As we approach the one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, it is fitting that we take this step to conserve our beautiful and pristine beaches that not only act as a buffer to protect our coastal communities but also represent an emblematic symbol of Long Island’s east end,” said Senator LaValle.

Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. said, “In 1998, the New York State authorized the towns of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton and Southold to establish Community Preservation Funds to preserve land for open space, farmland preservation, historic preservation and park and recreation purposes. The Community Preservation Fund has been one of the most successful land protection programs in the state, generating more than $850 million to preserve more than 10,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, it was recognized that there was also a need to further ensure that we also protect lands that are at risk of coastal flooding and sea level rise. These sensitive lands are critical to the future of our local coastal communities. I thank Governor Cuomo for approving this important addition to this successful program.”

Drew Biondo
Director of Communications
NY State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle
28 North Country Rd.
Suite 203
Mount Sinai, NY 11766
Phone:631-473-1461
Fax:   631-473-1513
e-mail:  abiondo@nysenate.gov
Twitter: @drewbiondo

(New York, NY) Alterations, a new exhibit featuring award-winning photographers, Carolyn Conrad and Sandi Daniel, will open at the Alex Ferrone Photography Gallery on the North Fork with an Artists’ reception on Friday, November 8th from 6-8 PM with wine from Empire State Cellars and cheese. The “Alterations” exhibit presents works by two regional photographers that involve various methods, steps, and mediums for the abstraction and the transformation of natural scenes, and runs through December 15.

Embracing many approaches including photography, painting, sculpture, and installation, artist, Carolyn Conrad constructs rural scenes from clay and wood using a minimalist approach.  She then lights the scenes naturally, creating highlights and shadows for the final photograph with the goal of steering naturalism toward abstraction.  A resident of Sag Harbor, Ms. Conrad has exhibited extensively in the United States as well as France; her works have won numerous awards and are part of many private collections.

Combining traditional and contemporary techniques and mediums such as gesso and gold on vellum, award-winning photographer, Sandi Daniel goes beyond the image, reinventing it into an alternate reality and evoking feelings of romance while addressing the fragility of nature.  Ms. Daniel’s photographs have been exhibited broadly throughout the United States and Japan, and are part of numerous private collections.

View “Alterations” from November 8 through December 15, and join Carolyn Conrad and Sandi Daniel for a Gallery Talk on Sunday, November 24 at 11:00 AM to hear the discussion about their methods and techniques. The “Alterations” Exhibit and Gallery Talk are sponsored by Abatelli Realty & Appraisal Services.

Alex Ferrone Photography Gallery is at 25425 Main Road, Cutchogue.  Hours are 11am – 5pm Thursdays through Sundays and also by appointment.  Call 631.734.8545 for more info or visit www.AlexFerrone.com. Connect on facebook at AlexFerronePhotography.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Hosts Salute to Italian Heritage & Culture Month at St. John’s University Thursday, October 24; 2013 Year of Italian Culture In United States Award Winning Actor Tony Lo Bianco to be Honored; Acclaimed Lyric Tenor Luciano Lamonarca to Perform 

(Long Island, NY) NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli will host a special Salute to Italian Heritage and Culture in conjunction with the 2013 Year of Italian Culture In the United States at a special Awards Ceremony and live concert at St. John’s University, Manhattan Campus, 101 Murray Street at West Street, New York, 10007 at 6 PM on Thursday, October 24.

The By Invitation Only event will honor prominent Italian Americans including award winning actor Tony Lo Bianco, President & CEO MNA Productions, Inc; Julia Bastiani, President, Italian-American Labor Council; Thomas A. & Barbara Lupo, Immediate Past President & First Lady, Grand Lodge of New York, Order Sons of Italy in America; Comm. Prof. Carlos Sclafani, Distinguished SUNY Professor & former Professor & Chair of the Modern Language Department at Westchester Community College.

This very special tribute will feature stellar  musical performances by acclaimed Italian & Italian American composer and singers including Award-winning singer and songwriter, Michael Castaldo; internationally renowned singer and composer Giada Valenti and a special performance by critically acclaimed Italian lyric tenor Maestro Luciano Lamonarca.

Maestro Luciano Lamonarca & award winning actor Tony Lo Bianco

Veteran actor Tony Lo Bianco is not only known for his skills as a performer, but has extended his talents into directing, writing and producing, as well. The New York born-and-bred tough guy and former Golden Gloves boxer has distinguished himself over the years with a variety of Italianate blue-collar roles, initially on stage and then on film and TV. Adept at playing both sides of the law — the determined, streetwise cop and the corrupt politico and syndicate boss — embodying them with a dark, brooding, edgy intensity. He won an off-Broadway Obie award as a waning baseball icon in “Yanks-3, Detroit-0, Top of the Seventh”; an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony nomination in Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge”; and received critical kudos for his one-man show, “Hizzoner!”, which was based on the life of Fiorello LaGuardia, a show he later took to public television and won a New York Area Television Academy Award. Tony’s film career started off promisingly with the cult classic, The Honeymoon Killers (1969), in which he portrayed a cold-blooded ladies’ man who, paired with a heavyset nurse, sought out wealthy, lonely women to swindle and murder. Over the years, he has given added weight and dimension to such films as The French Connection (1971), The Seven-Ups (1973), Bloodbrothers (1978), City of Hope (1991), Nixon (1995) and The Juror (1996). Tony scored exceptionally well with such mini-movies as Marciano (1979) (TV), as fighter Rocky Marciano, and Bella Mafia (1997) (TV). He has directed such TV programs as “Police Story” (1973) and the feature film, Too Scared to Scream (1985). In a solid career that has nearly reached the four decade mark, the durable Tony has brought to life a number of interesting hard-boiled characters, particularly in crimers. He was honored by the Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) for his dedication and service as spokesman since 1996. He is also involved with the Lupus Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, NYPD Columbia Foundation and many, many other charities. He is currently touring with his critically acclaimed play “The Little Flower,” a compelling one man play about one of New York’s great Mayors, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia

Internationally acclaimed lyric tenor Maestro Lamonarca is also President of The Puglia Center of America which promotes the Puglia region of Italy in all its aspects, especially in the creation and exchanges of cultural, tourist and educational assets between the Puglia region of Italy and the United States of America. Its goals also include the organization of promotional and cultural events that serve to support global objectives, as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, missionary and humanitarian projects aimed at fighting cancer.

For more information visit www.pugliacenterofamerica.com

DFS Examination of Prospect’s Mortgage Practices Results in Refunds to Hundreds of New Yorkers

(New York, NY) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that Prospect Mortgage, LLC has agreed to pay a $3 million penalty and deliver restitution to homeowners after a Department of Financial Services (DFS) examination uncovered that the company engaged in deceptive practices on interest rates that harmed consumers. The DFS examination revealed that Prospect charged homeowners upfront ‘discount fees’ in exchange for lower interest rates over the life of their mortgages, but then never actually delivered the promised interest rate discounts. In addition to the $3 million penalty, Prospect Mortgage agreed to provide refunds totaling $427,155 to the 270 New York homeowners who were harmed by this false advertising.

“Lenders have a legal responsibility to deal honestly and fairly with consumers, and when they fail to meet that standard New York State will hold them accountable,” Governor Cuomo said. “Today the State is doing just that, enforcing the law on a company that engaged in illegal practices and delivering restitution to homeowners. This action should serve as a reminder to all mortgage lenders that we will continue to root out deceptive mortgage practices.”

Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, said, “Our examination uncovered that the company sold consumers a false bill of goods by charging them for interest rate discounts that never materialized. We will continue to aggressively pursue these types of abuses and any other schemes that unfairly harm homeowners.”

Prospect Mortgage, LLC is one of the nation’s largest independent residential mortgage bankers with a nationwide network of branches and approximately $7 billion in new loan volume in 2012. The company is licensed to do business in New York under the name “Prospect Lending.” In addition to deceptive practices related to interest rate discounts, DFS’ examination also uncovered numerous additional violations of New York Banking Law and regulations at Prospect, including:

• Conducting business with unlicensed entities, and through unauthorized websites and unlicensed branch locations;
• Facilitating mortgage loan origination activities through unlicensed mortgage loan originators;
• Failing to disclose loan origination information;
• Failing to issue commitment agreements to certain borrowers; and
• Failing to maintain compliant books and records.

DFS’ examination also found that Prospect’s compliance systems need substantial improvement. To help correct that and other problems, Prospect will provide DFS with quarterly compliance progress reports on corrective actions to ensure their organization is in compliance with New York laws and regulations.

Labor Department Helping Whole Foods Market Recruit Workers for its Newest Location in NYC

(Long Island, NY) State Department of Labor Commissioner Peter M. Rivera today announced that Whole Foods Market is bringing 300 jobs to Brooklyn by opening a new location in Gowanus, located at Third Avenue & Third Street. Opening in mid-December 2013, this is the company’s 13th location in New York State, with more than 350 locations nationwide. Candidate recruitment is now open and will run through October 25th at the State Labor Department Career Centers throughout New York City.

“Today’s announcement is an example of how collaboration between the public and private sectors is working to bring jobs to the people who need them, while also strengthening companies looking for hard-working employees to help them grow,” Commissioner Rivera said. “By expanding their operations in New York, Whole Foods Market is renewing their commitment to our state’s world-class workforce and bringing 300 new jobs to the local community. I congratulate Whole Foods Market on this latest development and encourage all interested job-seekers to contact the Labor Department’s Career Centers to begin their application process.”

Whole Foods Market will offer 22 different job titles for 300 open positions, from butchers to cake decorators to food arrangers in the grocery department. Whole Foods Market has been ranked on FORTUNE’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work For” for all 16 consecutive years since the list’s inception.

The New York State Department of Labor and the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will lead an intensive recruitment process during the month of September. Staff at the state’s Career Centers and the City’s Workforce1 Career Centers is working with jobseekers that may be appropriate for one of the 300 open jobs that Whole Foods Market is providing to match up appropriate candidates for the next step of the recruitment and hiring process.

“Whole Foods Market has been working with NYC Business Solutions since 2009 for help recruiting nearly 500 candidates for new locations in NYC,” said Rob Walsh, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “There’s a reason Whole Foods Market keeps coming back to us for help, and in partnership with them and the State’s Department of Labor, we are helping to place more New Yorkers in jobs.”

“Thanks to the efforts of Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera, NYC Small Business Services Commissioner (and Brooklynite) Robert Walsh and our friends at Whole Foods Market, Brooklyn is about to benefit from the ultimate ‘2-for-1 special,’” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “Whole Foods’ new stores in Gowanus and Williamsburg will provide groceries that supplement and promote a healthy lifestyle for their customers. These openings are also creating quality career opportunities for Brooklynites, furthering our state’s commitment to strengthen our local economy. These supermarkets really are a ‘super’ deal for Brooklyn!”

“It’s with great pride that we partner with the state of New York to offer high quality career opportunities to local area residents,” said Michael Sinatra, spokesperson for Whole Foods Market’s Northeast Region. “Both the State Labor Department and SBS’s NYC Business Solutions have been instrumental in assisting us with identifying talented team members and helping to grow our company right here in New York, where we have plans to continue to grow with store plans in Gowanus, Port Chester, Albany, Upper East Side, Harlem and Williamsburg.”

After the recruitment and screening period, candidates will be scheduled for interviews with the employer at the City’s Workforce1 Career Center located at 9 Bond Street in Brooklyn in from October 28th through November 11th. The New York City Workforce1 Career Center system provides the City’s adult workforce and businesses with a full array of employment and recruitment services.

To find more information about these jobs or to apply, visit your local Career Center – http://www.labor.ny.gov/workforcenypartners/osview.asp – or apply online at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/careers.

MELVILLE, N.Y. (October 23, 2013) – TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, has promoted Brian J. Terry to Senior Vice President, Team Leader in Commercial Real Estate in Melville, N.Y. He will continue to originate commercial real estate loans and manage an existing $450 million loan portfolio, including construction and permanent loans, serving customers in suburban Long Island, Westchester County and New York City.

Brian J. Terry, TD Bank’s new Senior Vice President, Team Leader in Commercial Real Estate in Melville, N.Y.

Mr. Terry has 25 years of experience in banking and lending. He joined TD Bank in 2005 as a Vice President in Commercial Real Estate. Prior to joining TD Bank, Mr. Terry served as Director of Acquisitions at R.A. Cohen & Associates in New York, N.Y. He serves on the board of the Real Estate Institute at Stony Brook University.

A resident of Merrick, N.Y., Mr. Terry volunteers at the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) at Sacred Heart Parish in Merrick, N.Y.  He is a 1988 graduate of Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn.

About TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank^®
TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at approximately 1,300 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth^®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol “TD.” To learn more, visit www.td.com.

Sponsored by Nassau Bar Association, Nassau/Suffolk Law Services Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence

(Mineola, NY) As part of its ongoing tradition of pro bono and community legal assistance –and in celebration of this week’s National Pro Bono Week — the Nassau County Bar Association is inviting all Nassau County residents to the Third Annual Pro Bono Legal FAIR (Free Assistance, Information and Referral) to be held on Thursday, October 24, 2013,  3 – 6:30 p.m. at NCBA’s headquarters on 15th Street at the corner of West Street in Mineola.

More than 60 volunteer NCBA member attorneys will be available to help residents with legal questions on issues including bankruptcy, divorce and family issues, education and special education, health and disabilities, immigration, mortgage foreclosure and housing, senior citizen issues, Superstorm Sandy issues, and veterans’ issues.

The volunteer attorneys will provide free legal information, guidance and assistance to all who attend. For further legal representation, attendees will be referred to private attorneys available for a fee through NCBA’s Lawyer Referral Service. Additionally, participating in the event will be representatives of non-profit agencies that furnish reduced-fee or free legal representation for those whose income levels qualify.

Nassau County residents are asked to register by calling 516-747-4070.  Spanish interpreters will be available. The Nassau County Bar Association building is located one block south of Old Country Road off Franklin Avenue behind the Nassau County Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola.

The FAIR is presented in cooperation with Nassau/Suffolk Law Services and Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This program is funded through grants received from the NYS Attorney General Homeownership Protection Program and the New York Bar Foundation.

Founded in 1899, the Nassau County Bar Association consists of private and public attorneys, judges, legal educators and law students who demonstrate their commitment to the community by offering a variety of services for the public, including lawyer referral services, mortgage foreclosure, Sandy Recovery and senior citizen legal clinics, judicial screening, public education programs, and support for the Volunteer Lawyers Project, which provides much-needed free legal services for the indigent of Nassau County. The WE CARE Fund, a part of the NCBA’s charitable arm, assists children, the elderly and others in need, through countless projects and donations.  For more information, call (516) 747-4070 (language translation available), email info@nassaubar.org, or visit nassaubar.org.

Established in 1966, Nassau/Suffolk Law Services was among the first Legal Services Corporation programs in the state and is currently one of the largest providers of free civil legal assistance in New York. The program is dedicated to providing equal access to basic human rights and services through provision of high quality legal representation, public information and community advocacy training to ensure that low income; disabled and disadvantaged individuals have equal access to the civil justice system on Long Island. For more information call 631-232-2400 or visit nslawservices.org.

The 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. NCCADV offers confidential, specialized services for victims of domestic violence/dating violence, elder abuse, children who witness domestic violence, and sexual assault survivors.  For more information call 516-542-0404 or visitcadvnc.org.