(Queens, NY) Noting that the NYS Council on Problem Gambling is finding ever greater evidence of gambling among adolescents in New York, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) announced that legislation (S.4499/A.2313) to provide compulsive gambling education for young people in Grades 4 through 12 has been approved by both the State Senate and State Assembly.

“Even though gambling by those under 18 years of age is illegal in New York State, 86 percent of the adolescents participating in a recent Council on Problem Gambling survey said they had engaged in gambling at some point,” said Addabbo.  “Of those, 75 percent said they had gambled in the past year, and 15 percent participated in some form of gambling on a weekly basis. Whether it’s buying lottery tickets, betting on horse or dog races, or illegally playing the slots in a casino, all of this behavior can represent a slippery slope for young people who might not understand the dangers of developing an addiction to gambling. Awareness and education are key to stemming this problem.”

Under the legislation, the New York State Education Department (SED) and Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) would work together to create a curriculum focusing on compulsive gambling which schools could opt to provide to students in Grades 4 through 12, possibly in connection with Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)  programs. The curricula would be made available for use by schools on both of the state agency Web sites. Now that the legislation has been approved by both houses of the State Legislature, it will be sent to Governor Cuomo for review.

Addabbo, who is the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, noted that providing more education and assistance to curb compulsive gambling is especially important pending the referendum to be placed before voters this November that would permit full casino gambling in New York State.

“If this ballot proposition is approved by New Yorkers, table games will be allowed throughout the state and more opportunities will exist for individuals and families to be touched by gambling addictions,” Addabbo noted. “While expanded casino gaming carries with it a promise of increased economic activity and aid for education, we also have to keep an eye on the potential downsides of increasing gaming activity. The Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct Raceway in my district has brought many benefits to the community and the entire state, but we still need to ensure that gaming both in Queens and throughout New York is carried out both responsibly and legally – preventing minors from gaining access and helping to ensure that the ranks of compulsive gamblers do not increase.”

While continuing to advocate that Resorts World be considered in the future for full casino gaming should the referendum pass muster this fall with New York’s voters, Addabbo has maintained a balanced approach to the gaming issue. He is the sponsor of legislation (S.3417) to raise the gambling age to 21 in New York State and to establish a State Legislative Task Force on Responsible Gaming (S.3962). In addition, he has authored a bill to require the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services to develop educational materials for problem gamblers alerting them to treatment resources and opportunities to participate in “self exclusion” programs.  These self-exclusion programs, administered by some gaming facilities in conjunction with lottery agencies, enable individuals visiting casinos to sign documentation voluntarily banning them from participating in any gaming activities – including the collection of any winnings or recovery of any losses.

With Usage Hitting 533,000 Gallons per Minute, SCWA Urges Customers to Use Water Prudently

(Long Island, NY) The Suffolk County Water Authority on Friday morning hit what is believed to be an all-time peak for water pumpage as the blistering summer heat wave continued to blanket Long Island.

Per-minute water pumpage reached 533,000 gallons per minute at 5:42 this morning, the highest recorded rate in the authority’s history, exceeding the rate of 523,400 gallons per minute recorded on July 18, 2012. Though SCWA is prepared to handle the additional demand, sensible conservation efforts during peak hours will help to ensure that reserve supplies for fire protection and critical services are always available. Peak usage hours are between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., primarily due to the widespread use of timed lawn water systems during these hours.

“The recent heat wave has boosted our pumping figures significantly this month after a fairly quiet June, due to heavy rains,” said SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo. “We have taken all necessary measures to make sure that our infrastructure is capable of continuing to deliver a sufficient drinking water supply for our customers, even during the current heat wave.”

SCWA water pumpage hit peaks of 518,000 gallons per minute in 2011 and 522,830 gallons per minute in 2010. This morning, from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. alone, SCWA pumped more than 32 million gallons of water, almost exclusively due to irrigation.

The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.

Customer Care Center Functions as Convenient Locale for Canon Product Solution Needs

(MELVILLE, N.Y.) Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced that its new headquarters in Melville, New York now features a walk-in Customer Care Center. This new center serves as a Canon product-solutions center for consumers. Trained professionals will offer customer repair options, cost estimates, upgrade possibilities, and recommendations.  While repairs cannot be made on site, arrangements for shipment to one of Canon’s national service centers as well as arrangements for the return of the repaired product to the user’s home or to the Customer Care Center in Melville will be coordinated.

“We want to provide our local customers with the best customer service. This is why we have decided to open a service center at our Melville headquarters, so that we can personally interact with our customers, answering product questions and resolving any operational difficulties,” stated Joe Adachi, president and chief executive officer, Canon U.S.A.

The Customer Care Center at One Canon Park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday- Friday, excluding holidays. It accompanies Jamesburg, N.J., Newport News, Va., and Irvine Calif. as Canon U.S.A. service locations. For more information about Canon U.S.A. customer service and support please visit: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/standard_display/support

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $40 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2012† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2013. In 2012, Canon U.S.A. has received the PCMag.com Readers’ Choice Award for Service and Reliability in the digital camera and printer categories for the ninth consecutive year, and for camcorders for the past two years. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Facility provides assistance for children and families in need

(Long Island, NY) This past Friday, Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) toured the Helping Hand Rescue Mission (HHRM) in Huntington Station. The mission’s main priority is to assist children who are suffering under impoverished conditions, and to provide families with educational and character building instruction, food, supplies and love.

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci meets with Rev. Rosemarie Gaines, President of Helping Hand Rescue Mission.

“Helping Hand Rescue Mission lives by the saying ‘When I was hungry, you fed me’ and each day the staff and volunteers fulfill this belief by providing well-rounded assistance for those living in impoverished conditions,” said Lupinacci. “As we walked around the facility, I could feel not only the joy brought to those who are helped but also the passion those who work at HHRM have for the assistance they provide. It is a testament to the character of the Mission when you hear all the projects they are involved in here in our community. Their work truly makes Huntington Station a better place to live.”

HHRM was founded in 1965 by Rev. J.A. & Rev. Rosemarie Gaines and Florence E. Meringola. More information regarding the mission’s initiatives and assistance provided can be found at www.hhrm.org.

Dancing with the Stars celebrity pros, So You Think You Can Dance & American Idol finalists in Ballroom with a Twist At the Patchogue Theatre, one week only – Aug. 13-18

(Bellport, N.Y.) – The critically acclaimed international dance production BALLROOM WITH A TWIST plays The Patchogue Theatre for one week only, Aug. 13-18.

Anna Trebunskaya	Peta Murgatroyd
Valentin Chmerkovskiy	Tristan MacManus

Randi Lynn Strong (center)

Choreographed by ABC-Television’s “Dancing with the Stars’” Emmy nominated Louis van Amstel, the Patchogue engagement features “Dancing with the Stars” celebrity pros Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Peta Murgatroyd, Anna Trebunskaya and Tristan MacManus; “So You Think You Can Dance” finalists Jonathan “Legacy” Perez, Jonathan Platero, Randi Lynn Strong and Jaymz Tuaileva; and “American Idol” finalists Gina Glocksen and Von Smith.

BALLROOM WITH A TWIST is an evening of entertainment for the entire family, highlighted by stunning costumes, magnificent music and breathtaking performances that pushes the boundaries of ballroom dance, infusing it with the energy and intensity of the latest contemporary and “hip-hop” styles.

Star Watch: It’s the who’s who of the dance and singing world, joining together for an evening of grace, athleticism, and passion. “Dancing with the Stars” hot-shot celebrity pros Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Peta Murgatroyd, Anna Trebunskaya, Tristan MacManus are joined by “American Idol” finalists Gina Glocksen (Season Six) and Von Smith (Season Eight) along with “So You Think You Can Dance” finalists Randi Lynn Strong, Jonathan Platero (Season Five) and Jonathan “Legacy” Perez (Season six). The show is choreographed by “Dancing with the Stars’” Emmy-nominated Louis van Amstel and his passion and expertise brings a new level of excitement and flash to this family-friendly evening.

Watching the cha-cha rattle on the television screen is one thing, but getting up close and live beneath the fringe, sequins and booming sounds of Rumba bass is a whole other ballgame. BALLROOM WITH A TWIST brings a frenzy of sizzling dance moves by professional international dancers spanning the hot moves of Samba, Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, and Jive. As if the jaw-dropping dancers aren’t enough to keep you ogling at smooth moves and high kicks, several of your favorite “American Idol” finalists will also be joining the bill with their powerhouse hit songs. BALLROOM WITH A TWIST gives audiences thrills with its varieties of music providing a concert soundtrack to the evening.

BALLROOM WITH A TWIST is a special event in the The Gateway’s 2013 season, funded in part by the County of Suffolk and the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

 Pastor Donnie McClurkin and Perfecting Faith Church Host Annual Outdoor Crusade August 24 at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

(LONG ISLAND, NY) The New York Call, an annual outdoor crusade promoting unity among Christians in the New York tri-state area, will celebrate its 10th year on Saturday, August 24, with a day of fun and fellowship at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh, N.Y., located on Long Island’s South Shore. The free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open to the public.

Founded in 2004 by Pastor Donnie McClurkin, The New York Call is a coalition of Christian pastors, ministries and congregations from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut that seeks to break down barriers to unity among believers; promote oneness and harmony through continual fellowship; and reach out to those who are hurting and lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

“For the past decade, The New York Call has been a labor of love and an effort close to my heart,” said McClurkin, senior pastor of Perfecting Faith Church, a congregation of more than 3,000 members in the suburban Long Island community of Freeport. “There should be no division within the Church. We are ONE! That’s what this is all about – the Church coming together, united in our love for God, our love for one another and our love for those searching for a better way.”

The participating clergy have diligently sought to fulfill that mandate by bringing their congregations together for prayer, worship and the annual New York Call outdoor celebration in August. A power-packed time of Christian outreach, fellowship and fun the whole family, the event has drawn between 10, 000 and 20,000 people each year to the grounds of Long Island’s Eisenhower Park.

To celebrate the momentous milestone of its 10th year, The New York Call will move to a new Long Island location on August 24 – the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, 1000 Ocean Parkway in Wantagh. The 14,000-seat waterfront amphitheater reopened this spring after a major reconstruction effort to repair extensive damage caused by superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

The day will kick off at 11 a.m. in the Pavilion Area, with free activities to inform and empower those in attendance. Offerings will include free glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, HIV and STD testing, eye exams, dental care services and mammography appointments. Health professionals will be on hand to share valuable information about cancer treatment options and patient caregiver services, as well as information on health, fitness and nutrition for adults and children. Representatives from Feed the Children will distribute complimentary bags of groceries, while supplies last. Attendees also will receive counseling and tips about financial management and home-ownership. There will be fun games and giveaways for the kids, face painting, refreshments, beauty and grooming product samples and complimentary food sampling provided by Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill.

At 3 p.m., the 10th anniversary celebration concert will fire up the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater main stage with the music and ministry of award-winning Gospel recording artists Bishop Hezekiah Walker, JJ Hairston and The New York Call’s own Pastor Donnie McClurkin. Guest speakers will include local pastors, community leaders and Lowell Hawthorne, president and CEO of Gold Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill and a longtime supporter and sponsor of The New York Call.

A Youth Explosion will launch a week of special events leading up to The New York Call. It will take place Tuesday, August 20, through Friday, August 23, at Perfecting Faith Church, 311 N. Main St., in Freeport. Activities will include a live concert featuring Judacamp, Richie Righteous, Jeannie Ortega and the Broken ChainZ Band; empowerment sessions; dance performances; and a live taping “Real Talk,” an issues-oriented, youth-produced talk show.

The 10th anniversary of The New York Call is sponsored by Amtrak, Camdon Music, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Castnet Radio, Feed the Children, Fidelis Care, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill, Jesus I.N.C. Clothing, Live Nation, Noticia, Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, The WORD Network, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), Urban Round Up, Verizon/How Sweet The Sound, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Walgreens and WBLS (107.5 FM)/WLIB (1190 AM).

For more information about The New York Call’s 10th Anniversary Celebration at the Nikon At Jones Beach Theater, contact Perfecting Faith Church at 516-223-8300, or visit www.nycall.org.

Art Southampton: Live Performance, July 25, 2013 at 6:30 pm & 7:30pm Sharp; Exhibition Dates: July 25 – 29, 2013,? Gallery Valentine, Art Southampton Booth A35

(Southampton, NY) Internationally renowned Painter and Performance Artist Kevin Berlin will present ALIEN INVASION at Art Southampton during the VIP Preview on July 25. The “Aliens” will descend upon the Art Southampton Pavilion starting at 6:30 and at 7:30 pm sharp there will be a live performance at Gallery Valentine, Booth A35.

”I’m thrilled to be presenting this body of work from another planet. ‘Alien Invasion’ truly translates the vision of an enormously talented and creative artist. Gallery Valentine is excited to be representing Kevin Berlin,” said Gallery Valentine owner Ryan Ross.

‘The fact that we don’t see aliens all around could mean two things: They don’t exist, or they are very good at not being seen. In the tradition of Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan, artist Kevin Berlin is asking all the right questions.”-Corey Powell, Discover magazine

“To me, an ‘Alien’ is anyone on the cell phone. “– Kevin Berlin

Kevin Berlin, “Alien Invasion #1,” Oil on Canvas, 41 x 46 in., 2013. Gallery Valentine

A familiar figure on the global art scene, this Intergalactic Art Star has had recent solo shows and live performances in Shanghai, London, New York and Miami. Berlin’s works are found in the collections of Kim Basinger, Luciano Pavarotti, David Letterman, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Dudley and Lisa Anderson, Quincy Jones, Buzz Aldrin, Henry Buhl, and General Motors Corp.

Berlin, a Yale University Alumnus, studied at the Slade School of Fine Art and has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Shanghai Daily, The Miami Herald, USA Today, MTV, Tokyo Television, BBC Radio and over 40 television stations across the United States. Berlin was honored by President Reagan at The White House as a Young Arts Presidential Scholar in 1983. Berlin currently lives and works in Florence, Italy and Southampton, New York and is represented by Gallery Valentine in East Hampton, New York.

Art Southampton,presented by Art Miami, is the premier international contemporary and modern art fair and marketplace for acquiring the finest works of art available in the Hamptons, will return at the height of the social and cultural season this summer July 25 through 29, 2013. The fair features a carefully selected group of more than 85 international art galleries with a strong focus on works from the 20th and 21st centuries.The Fair will commence on Thursday evening, July 25, with a highly anticipated, exclusive VIP Preview benefiting Southampton Hospital for top international collectors, prominent Hampton figures in business, fashion, arts and media. There will also be an astonishing display and informal modeling of the most fabulous jewels in the world from GRAFF Diamonds. Perrier-Jouët is the exclusive Champagne of the fair. Its incomparable Champagne will be poured for the first hour and will maintain an exclusive dedicated Perrier-Jouët bar for the duration of the weekend.

• VIP Preview: Thursday, July 25, 6 to 10 p.m. – FOR VIP CARDHOLDERS + ACCREDITED PRESS
• Friday, July 26, 12 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, July 27, 12 to 7 p.m.
• Sunday, July 28, 12 to 7 p.m.
• Monday, July 29, 12 to 5 p.m.

One-day fair pass – $15; Multi-day fair pass – $30; Students 12-18 years and Seniors – $10;Children under 12 years with adult – Free Groups of 10 or more – $10

FAIR INFORMATION

To learn more visit www.art-southampton.com

Art Southampton Sponsors + Partners:
Art Southampton is generously supported by the Southampton Hospital, GRAFF Diamonds, Perrier-Jouët, Maserati North America, Brown Harris Stevens, New York Academy of Art, Southampton Social Club, LaGuardia Design, Bourlet Art Logistics, Town of Southampton, Southampton Chamber of Commerce, Andrianna Shimaris, Bootlegger NY Vodka, The Art Newspaper, Artlog, Blouin ARTINFO, Art + Auction, ArtFacts.Net, the New York Observer, MutualArt.com, Arte al Día, Art Nexus, Art Circuits, VENÜ MAGAZINE, Balthazar, Manhattan Magazine, Social Life Magazine, Private Air Luxury Homes, Hamptons Art Hub, Artillery Magazine, The Week, Dan’s Papers, Avenue, Anton Community Newspapers, Toffee to Go, VOSS Artesian Water, Hyperallergic, Turon Travel, HBSC New York, Haute Living, Beach, D’USSE VSOP Cognac, Ross School, The Watermill Center, and Southampton Fresh Air Home.

Art Miami, LLC: is a partnership consisting of art and media industry veterans Nick Korniloff, Mike Tansey and Brian Tyler. Art Miami, LLC also produces Art Miami (www.art-miami.com), Miami’s longest running contemporary art fair, CONTEXT (www.contextartmiami.com), Aqua Art Miami (www.aquaartmiami.com) and Art Wynwood (www.art-wynwood.com)

MEDIA CONTACT: Alchimia Public Relations
Edward Callaghan & John Wegorzewski 212-729-0834
Alchmyst@msn.com

With Usage Hitting 533,000 Gallons per Minute, SCWA Urges Customers to Use Water Prudently

(Long Island, NY) The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) on Friday morning hit what is believed to be an all-time peak for water pumpage as the blistering summer heat wave continued to blanket Long Island.

Per-minute water pumpage reached 533,000 gallons per minute at 5:42 this morning, the highest recorded rate in the authority’s history, exceeding the rate of 523,400 gallons per minute recorded on July 18, 2012. Though SCWA is prepared to handle the additional demand, sensible conservation efforts during peak hours will help to ensure that reserve supplies for fire protection and critical services are always available. Peak usage hours are between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., primarily due to the widespread use of timed lawn water systems during these hours.

“The recent heat wave has boosted our pumping figures significantly this month after a fairly quiet June, due to heavy rains,” said SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo. “We have taken all necessary measures to make sure that our infrastructure is capable of continuing to deliver a sufficient drinking water supply for our customers, even during the current heat wave.”

SCWA water pumpage hit peaks of 518,000 gallons per minute in 2011 and 522,830 gallons per minute in 2010. This morning, from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. alone, SCWA pumped more than 32 million gallons of water, almost exclusively due to irrigation.

The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.

Americans still vulnerable to mass shootings by military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines

(New York City, NY) One year after the Aurora, CO movie theater massacre, Americans remain vulnerable to mass shootings with assault weapons and high capacity magazines due to Congress’ failure to enact common sense gun safety legislation.

At the Aurora massacre, 71 Americans were shot and 12 were killed when James Holmes opened fire on a movie theater audience using a Smith & Wesson M&P assault rifle equipped with 100-round magazines. He had earlier purchased 6,000 rounds of ammunition on the Internet.

Congress allowed the assault weapons and high capacity magazine ban to expire in 2004, and has since failed to enact any gun safety laws to limit their use. In April, after both the Aurora shootings and the Newtown, CT massacre – in which the same dangerous weapons equipped with high capacity magazines were used to kill 26 small children and six adults – the Senate defeated proposals that included bans on assault weapons and high capacity magazines as well as background checks on commercial gun sales.

Leah Gunn Barrett, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence said, “Congress has failed in one of its most important missions: to keep all Americans safe. By its inaction, Congress allows criminals and the seriously mentally ill to purchase dangerous weapons; it allows the purchase of weapons and ammunition freely over the Internet and at gun shows; and it even allows non-citizens on the terrorist watch list to buy whatever weapons and ammunition they want.” Barrett added, “The sad fact is that an NRA-led Congress has chosen to bury its head in the sand while we continue to bury our citizens, victims of our country’s out-of-control gun culture. Congress should look to states like New York – which this year passed an effective ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines, in addition to universal background checks on gun sales – as a model for gun safety.”

About New Yorkers Against Gun Violence
New Yorkers Against Gun VIolence (NYAG) is a statewide advocacy group working to reduce gun violence through advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion and lead to policy change. With a primary focus on New York State, the organization also advocates at the local and national levels for sensible gun laws, policies and practices that protect New York state residents from gun violence.

Program will assist localities rebuild from Super Storm Sandy

(Medford, NY) Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) announced that through the New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program, the Village of Mastic Beach and Fire Island will both receive up to $3 million in hurricane relief funding. This will help assist the communities to develop comprehensive rebuilding plans that will be funded by the state and federal government.

“Mastic Beach is an under-served, working class community that was hit hard by Super Storm Sandy,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “Currently, this community is facing numerous hurdles to rebuild, renew, and move forward. Super Storm Sandy destroyed the sand dune system at Smith Point County Park and now the dunes are in a near-breach condition. If another storm hits before the dunes are replenished, we could lose everything.”

The Community Reconstruction Program will allow these communities to bring together local elected officials, community leaders and residents to develop the comprehensive rebuilding plan, Hennessey noted.

“This program will provide some much needed relief to the communities that need it the most,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. ‘I will continue working with Governor Cuomo to ensure that our communities receive their fair share in order to stabilize, rebuild, and grow,” Hennessey concluded.