(Queens, NY) On October 7, Glendale AARP Chapter 4123 celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a celebratory dinner at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach.
Pictured with the chapter’s president, Linda Morton, are NYS Senator Joe Addabbo and NYS Assemblyman Mike Miller, who presented Linda with an Assembly Proclamation for her service and for her chapter’s dedicated work with the community.
(WEST ISLIP, NY) St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School is delighted to announce that, for the 2012-2013 school year, 96 students have been recognized by the College Board as AP Scholars. Of those who earned this distinction, 46 were recognized as AP Scholars, 26 as AP Scholars with Honor and 24 as AP Scholars with Distinction. In addition to these impressive awards, 2 students received the highest possible AP designation; namely, National AP Scholar.
This is the third year in a row in which SJB has seen an impressive jump in both AP participation and achievement. The 96 AP Scholars represent an increase of over 35% from 2011-2012 and an increase of 85% from 2010-2011. In addition to this growth, 24.2% of all 2013 graduating seniors took and earned a score of 3 on at least one AP exam. SJB currently offers 11 AP classes and intends to add 2 new AP courses, AP Physics and AP Music Theory, for the 2014-2015 school year. In response to these developments Darius Penikas, Assistant Principal, stated “we are very proud of our students and teachers, this is great news which speaks to their level of academic commitment and focus”.
AP represents the Advanced Placement program offered by the College Board. This organization administers a program where course syllabi are submitted and reviewed to gain AP designation. In addition, the College Board offers exams at the end of the school year to determine whether students who took the AP course gained a college or university level of proficiency in that subject. The exams are graded on a scale of 1-5. Grades at a level of 3 or higher represent college level proficiency in that subject. Many colleges and universities across the United States give college credit to students who earn a 3 or higher on AP exams. To become an AP Scholar a student has to receive a grade of 3 or higher on at least 3 AP exams. National Scholars must earn a minimum score of 4 on at least 8 exams and maintain an average score of 4 across all exams taken.
About St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School
About St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School: 1,700 students attend St. John the Baptist DHS, a college preparatory Catholic High School located on the south shore in West Islip. As part of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, St. John’s offers a value-centered education that recognizes the unique talents and abilities of each child, while fostering a school environment that challenges students to reach their true potential. Open since 1966, St. John’s offers a rigorous curriculum and extensive activity and athletic programs. Students have the opportunity to take numerous Advanced Placement classes and 99% of St. John’s graduates continue on to higher education.
For Mission Statement and additional information: http://www.stjohnsdhs.org
(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) recently joined Professor Steve Tricarico’s Introduction to Public Policy class at Farmingdale State College. Lupinacci served as a guest speaker and discussed his role as a legislator and the policy initiatives he is currently working on in the Assembly.
Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci speaks to the Introduction to Public Policy class at Farmingdale State College.
“As a freshman legislator, getting the opportunity to advocate for policies and initiatives that are central to our community is one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” said Lupinacci. “This year, the legislature took up a number of important initiatives, including restoring aid for the care of the developmentally disabled and $1 billion in new education aid for Long Island schools. One initiative I put forward would allow our schools to seek outside funding and alternative avenues to help offset the rising costs of education. I hope the students learned something about public policy. It was great to hear some of their thoughts and ideas to improve our state.”
(Rockville Centre, NY) Police Officer Paul Kaplon of the Rockville Centre Police Department was honored recently with the 2013 Town of Hempstead Police Service Award.
Officer Kaplon was among 22 police officers to be presented with the Town of Hempstead’s 2013 Police Service Award.
“Police officers in our Village make significant sacrifices every day to ensure our safety and maintain our peaceful neighborhoods,” commented Mayor Francis X. Murray. “When others are running away from danger, they run toward it, putting their lives on the line in pursuit of helping innocent bystanders and victims and pursuing criminals.”
The Town recognized law enforcement professionals from the Nassau County Police Department and Village police departments within the town at its annual ceremony. The recipients of the award are nominated by their departments for their meritorious duty to the community. Kaplon was honored for his exceptional police work, which included his fast-acting rescue of two children trapped in a house fire and for saving the life of a woman in cardiac arrest. Officer Kaplon won “for his willingness to serve the Rockville Centre community at any cost,” according to the Town of Hempstead.
Police Officer Paul Kaplon of the Rockville Centre Police Department was one of the officers honored by the Town of Hempstead recently.
The Art League of Long Island presents “Art in Food and Food in Art”, a lecture by Peter G. Rose in conjunction with the Long Island Craft Guild’s “Feast or Famine” exhibit showing in the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery through November 3. The lecture takes place at the Art League on Sunday, November 3 at 1pm.
(Dix Hills, NY) In collaboration with the New York Council for the Humanities, the Art League of Long Island presents the lecture, ”Art in Food and Food in Art” by Peter G. Rose on Sunday, November 3 at 1pm. This lecture is free and open to the general public. This event is made possible through the Speakers in the Humanities program with the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
 Peter G. Rose was born in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and was educated there as well as in Switzerland. She came to the United States in the mid-1960s. |
Peter G. Rose’s lecture is a lusciously illustrated slide-talk on food and drink seen in the 17th century Dutch Masters and their relevance to the American kitchen today. It explores the foodways brought to America by the Dutch more than three centuries ago, and how these foods were changed and adapted under new circumstances.
Using slides of some 40 paintings by Jan Steen, Adriaen von Ostade, Jan Davidsz. De Heem, Pieter Claesz, Harmen van Steenwijck and many others, the lecture will demonstrate how these art works give an insight into 17th century food practices and shed new light on the colonial diet.
Peter G. Rose was born in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and was educated there as well as in Switzerland. She came to the United States in the mid-1960s. She has worked as a food writer and contributed a syndicated column on family food and cooking to the New York-based Gannett newspapers for more than twenty years, and has written articles for magazines such as Gourmet and Saveur.
As a member of the Speakers in the Humanities program of the New York Council for the Humanities, she lectures on historic Dutch food ways all over New York State. Ms. Rose illustrates her talks with paintings of the Dutch Masters and has spoken at many museums with holdings of such Dutch art all around America.
Since its launch in 1983, the Council’s Speakers in the Humanities program has brought distinguished scholars on a wide range of humanities topics to audiences across New York State. All Speakers events are free and open to the general public. Each year, hundreds of non-profit organizations and community groups take advantage of this program, including community centers, religious organizations, museums and historical societies, and libraries. The Speakers program is an easy, affordable way for organizations to bring top humanities programming to their community.
For more information about this event, contact Susan Peragallo at (631) 462-5400 or gallery@artleagueli.org. For more information
about the Speakers in the Humanities program, visit www.nyhumanities.org/sih.
About the New York Council for the Humanities
Founded in 1975 and supported by Federal, State, City, and private sources, the New York Council for the Humanities helps all New Yorkers become thoughtful participants in our communities by promoting critical inquiry, cultural understanding, and civic engagement through grants and programs.
About the Art League of Long Island
The Art League of Long Island is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to broad-based visual arts education, providing a forum and showcase for artists of all ages and ability levels. Since its inception in 1954, the mission has focused on enhancing Long Island’s cultural life by promoting the appreciation, practice and enjoyment of the visual arts. ALLI offers a wide selection of classes, workshops, exhibits, lectures, museum tours, fine art and craft shows, and more.
(Queens, NY) At the request of NYS Senator Joe Addabbo, the retailers of Atlas Park donated gift bags to the victims of September’s devastating fire in Middle Village.
Pictured are some of the families; Peter DeLucia, Marketing Manager of The Shops at Atlas Park; and Alex Maureau of Senator Addabbo’s Middle Village office.
The Shops at Atlas Park’s generous retailers included Shiro of Japan; Insparik; Floris Spa Salon; Regal Cinemas; Subway; Laila Rowe; Atlas Park; and California Pizza Kitchen.
(New York, NY) The New York State Office of Mental Health, Touro Law Center and the Community Association for Jewish At-Risk Cemeteries announce their partnership to restore Central Islip State Hospital Cemetery, located adjacent to Touro Law Center. Additionally, a service will be held to bury Jewish prayer books damaged during Superstorm Sandy within the cemetery.
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), partnering with Touro Law Center and the Community Association for Jewish At-Risk Cemeteries (CAJAC) will announce the planned restoration of the Central Islip State Hospital Cemetery, which is located adjacent to Touro Law Center. This cemetery will be renovated so as to expand access for individuals wishing to pay their respects to those interred within and will become a community space for reflection and contemplation.
Rabbi Melvyn Lerer, a Chaplain of OMH’s Pilgrim Psychiatric Center who has long been an advocate for the restoration of the Central Islip State Hospital Cemetery, will also preside over a traditional burial service for Jewish prayer books which were damaged in Superstorm Sandy-related flooding on the grounds of OMH’s Pilgrim Psychiatric Center and in other locations around Long Island last year.
During the announcement ceremony, the Office of Mental Health will detail grant monies it secured from a private endowment for the rehabilitation of State Hospital cemeteries to assist the leadership of Touro Law Center in restoring access to the cemetery.
New Merrick Branch Marking 25th Location & First Office in Nassau County
(Merrick, NY) Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU), one of the country’s largest credit unions, opened its 25th branch on September 20th at 1638 Merrick Road in Merrick, NY. The new branch provides Nassau County residents with TFCU’s convenient financial services nearer to their homes.
Celebrating this milestone, TFCU is hosting a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the new Merrick branch on Thursday, October 10th at 11:00 a.m. Members of the community and surrounding business are welcome to attend the event where they can also meet the staff and other local dignitaries celebrating this milestone.
“Our new branch in Merrick is easily accessible, located minutes from the Meadowbrook and Southern State Parkways, and a proud achievement for TFCU,” said Robert G. Allen, TFCU President/CEO. “Merrick symbolizes our initial foray into Nassau County, and we plan additional branches to provide financial services to our growing membership.”
The Merrick branch hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. It also includes free coin machine service for TFCU members and 24/7 ATM services.
Today virtually anyone who lives or works on Long Island can be a member of TFCU, and approximately one in every five households in Suffolk County, New York has at least one TFCU member. TFCU has more than $4.8 billion in assets and is one of Long Island’s leading employers with over 600 locally based employees.
For more information about TFCU products and services, please call (631) 698-7000 or visit www.TeachersFCU.org.
About TFCU:
Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU), one of the country’s largest credit unions, is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution. TFCU was founded on Long Island in 1952 and now has over $4.8 billion in total assets, serves more than 227,000 members and has 25 full-service branches throughout Suffolk County including: Amityville, Bay Shore, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Central Islip, Commack, East Northport, Entenmann’s, Farmingville, Hauppauge, Holbrook, Huntington, Merrick, Nesconset, North Babylon, Oakdale, Port Jefferson Station, Riverhead, Rocky Point, Selden, Shirley, Smithtown, South Setauket, Stony Brook University (2), and Wading River. Members also have access to services at more than 5,000 shared service centers located across the country. TFCU offers financial services to all people and businesses located in Nassau and Suffolk counties (excluding the townships of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island).
More information is available about TFCU by visiting www.TeachersFCU.org or by calling (631) 698-7000.
Folk-Rock Duo Appears as Part of Monthly Hard Luck Café Series
(Long Island, NY) Popular folk-rock duo The Kennedys will perform in concert at Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre on Thursday night, Oct. 17, as part of the Folk Music Society of Huntington’s monthly Hard Luck Café series.
The 8:30 p.m. concert in the Cinema’s Sky Room will be preceded by an open mic at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Cinema Arts Centre and FMSH members; $15 for non-members. The Cinema Arts Centre is at 423 Park Avenue in Huntington. For more information, visit www.fmsh.org or call (631) 425-2925.
The Kennedys. Photo by Jeremy Lebled.
The Kennedys are a cutting edge hip-folk couple who wield plugged-in acoustic guitars but Folk Music Society of Huntington audiences, like those across the nation and overseas, have quickly figured out that Pete and Maura Kennedy defy the stereotypical notion of folk. Over the course of 12 CDs and countless touring miles since 1995, the New York City-based singer-songwriter duo has carved out its own niche in the indie music scene – somewhere between pop and acoustic rock, not too loud but brimming with super-sized energy. With “gorgeous boy-girl harmonies and catchy tunes” (Entertainment Weekly), The Kennedys can always be counted on to bring an exuberant mixture of folk, rock, country, and pop.
Pete and Maura Kennedy initially met at the famed Continental Club in Austin, Texas. Within a few weeks, they went on their first date at Buddy Holly’s grave in Lubbock, TX, and within a year, they were touring together as part of Nanci Griffith’s band and as the opening act on her two-month tour of the British Isles and Ireland. Since then, they have channeled their personal musical influences — which include Bob Dylan, Dave Carter, The Beatles, The Byrds and Richard Thompson — into their own unique, uplifting and high-energy style. The Kennedy’s most recent CD, Closer than You Know, was released last year.
Pete Kennedy grew up in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. Well known for his prowess on stringed instruments, Pete plays six– and 12-string guitars, electric sitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and the drums. He also sings, writes songs, and is a recording engineer and producer. Maura Kennedy hails from Syracuse, NY, where she began her performing career on the local club scene. She sings, writes, and plays electric guitar, acoustic guitar and ukulele onstage. The Kennedys have performed in venues large and small throughout the United States, and have recently returned from another tour in Ireland. They are frequent performers at the Falcon Ridge and New Bedford folk festivals, performed at both of President Bill Clinton’s inaugurations, and have been a popular featured act for the Folk Music Society of Huntington.
Established in 1973, the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington (www.cinemaartscentre.org) seeks to bring the best of cinematic artistry to Long Island and use the power of film to expand the awareness and consciousness of our community. Long Island’s only not-for-profit, viewer-supported, independent cinema presents a wide array of films that are often accompanied by discussions and guest speakers.
Now in its 45th year, the Folk Music Society of Huntington presents two monthly concert series, a monthly folk jam and sing-along, and an annual folk festival in conjunction with the Huntington Arts Council.
Here’s a link to a video of The Kennedys. More videos may be found on www.kennedysmusic.com.
“Stand” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoifWP5yyko
(Long Island, NY) Senator Jack M. Martins has been tapped by Governor Andrew Cuomo to serve on the state’s new Financial Restructuring Board (FRB) for Local Governments, which is tasked with creating restructuring strategies and long-term solutions for municipalities under fiscal stress.
One of six individuals appointed to the board from across the state, Senator Martins, as Chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee and as the former Mayor of the Village of Mineola, will lend his expertise to help develop individualized plans for distressed municipalities that wish to better manage their finances and operate more efficiently.
“What happened in Detroit is not an option for New York,” said Senator Martins. “I know what it’s like to work with a distressed municipality. We emerged from it in Mineola. I know first-hand the serious pressures that a distressed municipality faces, and I know just what it takes to prepare a budget that meets a community’s needs and yet protects the taxpayers at the same time. I am looking forward to bringing this unique perspective to the State Financial Restructuring Board. I believe we can help troubled municipalities before insolvency occurs, and prevent our municipalities from getting as far into financial trouble as Detroit did.”
Mineola Mayor, Scott P. Strauss, said, “Governor Cuomo has made a wise choice in appointing Senator Martins to the State’s Financial Restructuring Board. Mr. Martins, as Mayor of Mineola, brought the village back from the financial brink. He created an effective debt-management plan, designed a program for increased housing for our seniors and young people, entered inter-municipal agreements in order to produce savings, expanded the village’s tax base through smart-growth development and balanced his budgets. He knows which buttons to push for effective local governing and financial management. The Senator will be able to quickly diagnose local municipal deficiencies and will be able to propose workable solutions for these problems.”
Peter A. Baynes, Executive Director of the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials, said, “NYCOM is hopeful that the new Financial Restructuring Board will be able to provide state-level assistance and cooperative guidance to financially challenged local governments. Governor Cuomo’s appointment of Senator Martins to the FRB greatly increases its chances for success. The Senator, through his first-hand understanding of municipal government and his ongoing efforts to assist local governments and property taxpayers, will provide an important perspective and sense of urgency to the work of the FRB.”
Gerry Geist, Executive Director of the Association of Towns of the State of New York, said, “Senator Martins, has both the required practical experience as a former village mayor and the legislative experience as the current Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, to help local government officials identify and solve issues that cause fiscal distress. We look forward to working with Senator Martins on the new Financial Restructuring Board (FRB) for Local Governments.”
The FRB recently held its first meeting in Albany to study and approve the list of local governments that are presently automatically eligible to have their budgets reviewed by the Board based on their current finances. At this time, 389 municipalities throughout the state are eligible to participate in the program.
