Adelphi University makes bowls to fight hunger on Long Island

(Long Island, NY) Since 2010 Adelphi University faculty, staff and students have made hand-crafted ceramic bowls as part of the larger Empty Bowl Project to support The Interfaith Nutritional Network (INN). This year, the Adelphi community made more than 150 bowls to help fight hunger on Long Island.

Members of the Adelphi community made bowls to fight hunger on Long Island. Photo Credit: Adelphi University.

The goal of Adelphi’s participation in the Empty Bowls Project has been to raise awareness among Adelphi students that hunger is not only a third world problem, but a problem that exists in many local Long Island communities. Through the creation and sales of these bowls, Adelphi University demonstrates the impact that our community collaboration can make on the fight against hunger on Long Island.

“What I love about the Empty Bowls Project is seeing how it brings together a diverse group of people who all share the same passion for clay and dedication to create these unique bowls in order to raise awareness and fight hunger here on Long Island,” said Barbara Selva, the organizer of the event for Adelphi. Since joining the Empty Bowls Project in 2010, Adelphi has raised more than $4,000 from the sale of these hand crafted bowls.

More than 150 Bowls were made to support the Interfaith Nutrition Network. Photo Credit: Adelphi University.

The bowls will be sold at the Adelphi Interfaith Center’s Festival of Bread on February 23, 2016 for $5 each. All of the proceeds will go to support The INN.

About Adelphi: A modern university with deep roots
Adelphi University is a nationally ranked, doctoral research university offering exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training with particular strength in its Core Four—AU Arts and Humanities, AU STEM and Social Sciences, AU Professions, and AU Health and Wellness.

Founded in Brooklyn in 1896, Adelphi was one of the first coeducational institutions of higher education in New York State and is Long Island’s oldest private coeducational university. Today Adelphi serves nearly 7,500 students from 38 states and 46 countries at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, New York—just 23 miles from New York City’s cultural and internship opportunities—and at dynamic learning hubs around the state (New York City, the Hudson Valley and across Long Island) and online.

More than 100,000 Adelphi graduates have gained the skills, knowledge and exposure to thrive as professionals and active citizens in an interconnected and fast-paced global society, making their mark on the University and the world beyond.

Our history, location and commitment to student success and academic excellence define the Adelphi Advantage.

(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,C,I-Glen Head) is co-sponsoring legislation designed to alleviate the burden of the ever-increasing cost of debt, and also create low cost ways that help students prepare for and explore a higher education.

“The amount of debt that many New York students walk away with on graduation day is overwhelming beyond belief,” said Montesano. “I am proud to sponsor legislation that will help countless students tackle college debt and prepare for success in the 21^st century world. I hope that this year we will adopt these meaningful pieces of legislation to ensure that our children and grandchildren receive the assistance and tools necessary to achieve great things after college.”

The package is comprised of pieces of legislation that would:

• Stimulate a three-part plan to accelerate career readiness and reduce the burden of student debt (A.8695);
• Require any higher education institution receiving state funding to disclose additional information to current and prospective students (A.8681);
• Ensure the state invests in community colleges for students across New York (A.8691); and
• Call on the federal government for greater refinancing options of federal student loan debt (resolution).

Primary care specialist brings 10 years of experience in Family Medicine

(Long Island, NY) Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) and The Charles Evans Center are pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Brown, MD, as Chief Medical Officer of both The Charles Evans Center and ACLD in Bethpage.

Dr. Brown is a board-certified Family Physician with more than 10 years of experience. She previously served as Director of Clinical Education and Professional Development at a Long Island federally qualified health center.

Christine Brown, MD, has been appointed as Chief Medical Officer of both The Charles Evans Center and ACLD in Bethpage. Photo Credit: ACLD.

In her new role, Dr. Brown will be responsible for improving community access to The Charles Evans Center and ensuring that the highest quality care is delivered to every person. With an emphasis on primary prevention and whole person care, Dr. Brown aims to make The Charles Evans Center the premier resource for health and wellness in the community.

The Charles Evans Center is a federally qualified health center located on ACLD’s Bethpage campus. Comprehensive health services are provided, including Adult Medicine, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Dental, Neurology and Podiatry. The Center accepts all Medicare, Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care plans, as well as private insurance plans.

For information about ACLD, visit www.acld.org.

About ACLD
Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) was founded in 1957. The 501(c)(3), not-for-profit agency’s mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults with autism, learning and other developmental disabilities to pursue enviable lives, increase independence and foster supportive relationships within the community. ACLD employs more than 1,100 people and operates 77 different program sites including group homes and apartment programs across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Service programs include early childhood services, day habilitation, residential alternatives, vocational training and job placement, recreation programs, respite, family support services, Medicaid service coordination, and medical and behavioral health services.

(Long Island, NY) The Melville Chamber of Commerce named Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci (R, C, I – South Huntington) its Business Advocate of the Year for 2015 during an annual dinner held at the Colonial Springs Golf Club in Farmingdale on January 28.

The Assemblyman thanked Melville Chamber President David Gustin, Executive Director Ted Macaluso and all of the members of the Chamber’s board for their efforts to foster a collaborative environment in which businesses, ranging in size from a neighborhood bagel shop to an international player like Leviton, can prosper.

The Melville Chamber of Commerce named Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci its Business Advocate of the Year for 2015. Photo Credit: NYS.

“Each of you here is an asset to the State of New York and Long Island – not to mention, each of you in your own way make the 10^th Assembly District an economic epicenter,” he said.

In his keynote address, the Assemblyman pledged he would continue to keep a sharp eye on advancing issues and causes critical to stimulating Long Island’s economy and making New York a more attractive place to do business.

“I will continue to remain steadfast on bringing real tax relief, cutting red tape, removing regulation and doing my best to foster a more-friendly business climate on Long Island and across New York State,” he said.

Lupinacci, who is the Ranking Minority Member on the Higher Education Committee, also touted his higher-education legislative package, which includes: a student loan payment tax deduction; generous scholarships for community college students and a “Learn for Work” program designed to accelerate career readiness.

College Is the First in New York State to Offer the Two-Year Program

(Long Island, NY) Beginning with the Spring 2016 semester, Farmingdale State College becomes the only institution of higher learning in New York State to offer the Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) academic minor in aerospace studies.

Offered in partnership with Air Force ROTC Detachment 560 based at Manhattan College, Farmingdale joins only 44 other colleges and universities in the United States to offer the minor. The college began its partnership with AFROTC in 2015.

“As a designated veteran-friendly college we are fortunate the United States Air Force has selected our campus,” said Dr. Tom Corti, Vice President for Student Affairs.  “The AFROTC program is academically demanding, and we expect it will attract students from our aviation program as well as other academic disciplines.

“I foresee the program expanding quickly and drawing students from other colleges and universities in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.”

“At its core, the program offers students an understanding of the concepts of aerospace power and the Air Force mission, organization, and operations,” said Lt. Colonel Michael LaFeve, commander of Detachment 560.“It both prepares cadets for active-duty service and offers the opportunity to study the U.S. military.

“Students will gain a broad perspective of the military by studying the history of all Department of Defense Services and completing at least leadership and/or business courses emphasizing the key elements of Air Force officership.”

The aerospace studies minor includescourses such as Foundations of the U.S. Air Force, The Evolution of U.S. Air Force and Space Power, Air Force Leadership and Management, and National Security Affairs.

Farmingdale State College continues to prepare students with the education, skills, and critical thinking needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow. As the largest of SUNY’s colleges of technology (with over 8,700 students), Farmingdale equips students with the resources and knowledge sought by today’s emerging industries. Offering bachelor and associate programs, Farmingdale will soon offer its first graduate degree.  At Farmingdale, students also have abundant opportunities in experiential learning—internships, clinical training, and guided research—that provide practical instruction and personal growth. Small, personalized classes, a residence hall with suite-style living, a lush 380-acre campus undergoing major renovation, and a highly successful NCAA Division III athletics program with modern facilities make Farmingdale State College one of the fastest-growing colleges in the region. In addition, in the 2015 U.S. News & World Report’s section titled Best Regional Colleges in the North, Farmingdale is ranked #11.  Also in that category, FSC is #3 in the LEAST Student Debt Load at Graduation. For more information, contact Kathryn Coley at 631-420-2400 or kathryn.coley@farmingdale.edu.  Look on our website www.farmingdale.edu. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/farmingdale.

Barclays To Pay Total Penalty Of $70 Million – Largest Penalty Ever Levied On A Dark Pool Operator; Admits To Core Facts In The Attorney General’s Lawsuit; Admits To Violating Securities Laws; Agrees To Install Independent Monitor To Oversee Reforms To Its Electronic Trading Business

(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that Barclays Capital Inc. and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC will pay a combined $154.3 million to the State of New York and the SEC to settle investigations into false statements and omissions made in connection with the marketing of their respective dark pools and other high-speed electronic equities trading services. Dark pools are private exchanges for trading securities that are not viewable by the general public and are completed outside of public stock exchanges.

Barclays admitted to core facts set forth in the Attorney General’s Complaint from June 2014 alleging misrepresentations about how it operated its dark pool, “Barclays LX,” including that it misled investors and violated securities laws. Barclays will pay a penalty of $70 million, split equally between the State of New York and the SEC, and will install an independent monitor to ensure proper operation of its electronic trading division.

Credit Suisse will pay a penalty of $60 million split equally between the State of New York and the SEC, and will pay a further $24.3 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest to the SEC relating to other violations.  The Attorney General and the SEC have both censured Barclays and Credit Suisse for their misconduct.

“These cases mark the first major victory in the fight to combat fraud in dark pool trading and bring meaningful reforms to protect investors from predatory, high-frequency traders,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “This effort, which began when we first sued Barclays, includes coordinated and aggressive government action which forced admissions of wrongdoing and record fines.  We will continue to take the fight to those who aim to rig the system and those who look the other way.”

In March of 2014, Attorney General Schneiderman called for tougher regulatory oversight and market reforms to eliminate unfair advantages provided to high-frequency traders at trading venues.  In a speech delivered at New York Law School on March 18, 2014, the Attorney General committed to cracking down on “fundamentally unfair and potentially illegal” arrangements that give certain traders early access to market-moving information at the expense of the rest of the market. As part of those efforts, Attorney General Schneiderman launched investigations into Credit Suisse and Barclays, the largest and second largest dark pool operators at the time, in order to expose illegal practices and ensure a level playing field for all investors.

Since that time, the Attorney General has reached agreements with Thomson Reuters, Business Wire, and others to end business practices that provided high frequency traders an unfair advantage.

Barclays

As set forth fully in the Amended Complaint filed in New York Supreme Court in February 2015, the Attorney General uncovered evidence that Barclays made knowing and systematic misrepresentations to investors about how, and for whose benefit, Barclays operated its dark pool called “Barclays LX,” and exposed its clients to the predatory traders from whom it promised to protect them.  As a result of that fraud, Barclays grew its dark pool to be the second largest in the United States.

In January 2015, the court upheld the Attorney General’s jurisdiction over Barclays’ fraudulent conduct when it denied Barclays’ motion to dismiss the Attorney General’s Complaint.  In today’s resolution, Barclays admits that it violated the securities laws by making material misrepresentations to investors regarding a wide range of issues, including:

• Barclays misrepresented how it monitored its dark pool for high-speed predatory trading.  Despite repeatedly telling clients that it used sophisticated tools to monitor for “latency arbitrage,” and ran weekly surveillance reports, Barclays in fact did neither.
• Barclays’ “Liquidity Profiling” service, which was supposed to allow traditional investors to opt-out of trading with the most aggressive high-speed traders in Barclays’ dark pool, was in fact riddled with exceptions for favored high-speed clients, meaning that traditional traders who thought they were trading only against the safest counterparties were in fact trading with some of the most aggressive and predatory high-speed traders in Barclays’ pool.
• Barclays overrode the “Liquidity Profiling” rating of its internal high-frequency trading desk, making it appear to be a “safe” trading partner, when in fact Barclays knew it to be among the most predatory in its pool.
• For several years, Barclays disseminated to investors an analysis of the trading in its dark pool, from which Barclays intentionally deleted the largest, most aggressive trader, in order to make its pool appear safer than it really was.
• Barclays repeatedly told investors that it used the fastest market data feeds from all major exchanges to price trades in its pool; in fact, Barclays did not do so.

Barclays also acknowledges, consistent with the court’s ruling, the Attorney General’s jurisdiction under New York’s Martin Act.   Barclays will also install an independent monitor to conduct an in-depth review of Barclays’ electronic trading business, and to propose further reforms to ensure that the company complies with New York law.

Those undertakings are in addition to actions taken by Barclays in the immediate wake of the filing of the lawsuit, which included the suspension from duties of William White, then-head of the Electronic Trading Division, and the removal of David Johnsen, White’s second-in-command, from his formal supervisory roles over the electronic trading division.

The Attorney General also thanked the Barclays insiders that provided valuable assistance with the investigation.  “It is critically important that those with knowledge of fraudulent conduct continue to contact my Office, to share what they know in confidence.  As today’s resolution with Barclays illustrates, my Office takes seriously all allegations of wrongdoing and takes appropriate action.  I personally thank the individuals who spoke out against the misconduct at Barclays for their valuable service to the people of the State of New York.”

Credit Suisse

The Attorney General’s investigation found that Credit Suisse made misrepresentations concerning two equities trading venues, Crossfinder and Light Pool, operated by Credit Suisse’s Advanced Execution Services (“AES”) division, as well as the manner in which AES routed client orders and handled confidential client order information.

As set forth fully in the Agreement, Credit Suisse promoted an “alpha scoring” feature which, according to Credit Suisse’s marketing, gave clients the ability to avoid trading with counterparties, such as certain high-frequency trading (“HFT”) firms, whose order flow Credit Suisse considered “opportunistic” and detrimental to institutional investors.  In fact, Credit Suisse misrepresented key aspects of that feature, including:

• Credit Suisse repeatedly told clients that alpha scoring in its Crossfinder dark pool was objective and transparent.  In reality, Credit Suisse considered multiple subjective factors when categorizing participants, resulting in certain HFT firms being rated as non-opportunistic, even though those firms were objectively “opportunistic.”
• Credit Suisse told clients that it categorized Crossfinder participants monthly based on the results of alpha scoring.  In fact, Credit Suisse only performed categorizations on an ad hoc basis, and client interactions were therefore based on stale data.
• Credit Suisse favored select Light Pool participants, including some HFT firms, by giving them warning calls when they were at risk of being categorized as opportunistic and by temporarily suspending rather than kicking out such participants (as Credit Suisse promised) if they were categorized as opportunistic.
• Credit Suisse did not apply alpha scoring in Light Pool until one year after that venue became operational, despite representations to the contrary.

Credit Suisse also made material misrepresentations and omissions regarding how AES handled confidential client orders, including:

• Credit Suisse told clients that it did not preference any trading venue over another when routing orders, except based on execution quality.  In fact, Credit Suisse systematically prioritized its own dark pool, Crossfinder, over others, regardless of execution quality.
• Credit Suisse told clients that it performed regular analyses of the venues to which it routed orders, but in fact performed venue analyses only irregularly.
• Credit Suisse created and operated an undisclosed matching platform called Crosslink that secretly enabled two HFT firms to trade directly with orders submitted by other Credit Suisse clients.
• Credit Suisse did not fully disclose its transmission of confidential client order information outside of Crossfinder.

This misconduct occurred in an environment in which Credit Suisse’s AES business lacked adequate policies and procedures relating to alpha scoring, order routing, the use of confidential client order information, and client disclosures.

The resolutions announced today are the result of joint efforts by the New York Attorney General’s Office and the SEC.  Attorney General Schneiderman appreciates the successful collaboration with the SEC on these matters.

The Attorney General’s investigations were led by Chad Johnson, Chief of the Investor Protection Bureau, Assistant Attorneys General John Castiglione, Rebecca Reilly, Jordan Salberg, and Jonathan Zweig, and Senior Adviser and Special Counsel Nicholas Suplina.  Karla G. Sanchez is the Executive Deputy Attorney General for Economic Justice.

(Long Island, NY) On Sunday, January 31, 2016, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) presented World War II Veteran, Frederick C. Stone, of Stony Brook, New York, with the prestigious Purple Heart Medal.

The Purple Heart Medal was established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York, in 1782, during the Revolutionary War. It was re-established by the President of the United States per War Department General Orders in 1932. The Purple Heart is limited to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving our country, were wounded, killed, or have since died due to wounds received during battle. It is awarded in the name of the President of the United States.

(L to R): Navy Commander Dom Pastorin, Commanding Officer of NOSC Long Island, Mr. Stone and Congressman Zeldin. Photo Credit: U.S. Congress.

In August of 2015, Congressman Zeldin presented Mr. Stone with the Bronze Star Medal. On April 28-29, 1945, while overseas aboard the U.S.S. Butler gunship in Okinawa, Mr. Stone was engaged in a battle with the enemy, in which he was wounded. Mr. Stone’s Bronze Star Medal citation specifically states, “Although wounded during action with the enemy he helped to remove a more seriously wounded man to safety and returned to his gun…” Based upon this citation, the Congressman’s office inquired with the Navy as to his additional entitlement to the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy agreed.

On Sunday, January 31, 2016, Mr. Stone received the Purple Heart award on behalf of a grateful nation.

(Long Island, NY) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that 76West, a $20 million business competition and business support program, is now accepting applications for innovative, clean-energy businesses to locate or create jobs in New York’s 11-county Southern Tier. The competition, which includes four years of annual $1 million grand prizes, will create jobs, attract entrepreneurs and support the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. It is one of the largest clean-energy business competitions in the nation.

“The 76West competition will bring unprecedented entrepreneurial attention to the Southern Tier and add further momentum to New York’s rapidly growing clean energy sector,” Governor Cuomo said. “As we saw with the 43North competition in Western New York, these efforts will build on the Southern Tier’s natural strengths and spur new innovations that will help strengthen the local economy and move the region forward.”

76West will build on New York’s national leadership in cleantech investment, including its ranking as one of the top three states in the United States for cleantech patents. Already a growing cleantech market, the competition will further develop the industry in the Southern Tier by attracting innovators working to commercialize technology expected to have a significant impact on clean energy or that have an outstanding business model for driving clean energy technology development.

The competition consists of $10 million in dedicated prize money, and $10 million for business support, marketing and administration. Each year, 76West will distribute a total of $2.5 million in prizes, consisting of a $1 million grand prize, one $500,000 award and four $250,000 awards. Additional support and services may also be available, including mentorship and incubator space.

The name 76West refers to a longitudinal line that passes through the Southern Tier. The competition will run once a year from 2016 to 2019 and will be administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

New York State Energy and Finance Chairman Richard Kauffman said, “There are many ways to help build the clean energy industry and create jobs in New York State. This innovative approach is a great example of how the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision plan to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system is increasingly turning the state into a national — and even global — leader in the cleantech field.”

NYSERDA President and CEO John B. Rhodes said, “The 76West competition is one more example of how New York State continues to lead the nation in supporting cleantech business, investment and research. 76West promises to bring economic success and new opportunities to the Southern Tier,while helping New York State meet Governor Cuomo’s ambitious clean energy goals.”

New York’s Southern Tier encompasses the following counties: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins. Fortune 500 companies such as IBM and Corning were born in the Southern Tier, and the region includes a number of colleges, universities and companies that make it a supportive, dynamic environment for clean-energy companies.

The six 2016 winners will be announced in July. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges who are experts in entrepreneurship, clean energy and Southern Tier economic development. The winners will be chosen on technical merit, likelihood of business growth, job potential and benefit to the Southern Tier.

Entrepreneurs can apply online before the deadline of March 15, 2016. Semi-finalists will be selected in April and invited to a business “boot camp” to meet local judges and answer more detailed questions. A smaller number of finalists will be chosen in May to visit the region and learn more about specific opportunities. An application and contest information is available at nyserda.ny.gov/76west.

The competition will be similar to 43North, launched in 2014 to bring new, innovative businesses to Western New York. 43North’s 2015 competition for $5 million in prizes attracted 11,000 registrants from 117 countries and all 50 states. The 43North competition is administered by a dedicated staff overseen by a nonprofit with board members from the local business community.

Winners of 76West will have continued business support for up to two years after the awards are made, and can locate in one of six incubators run by the Southern Tier Start-Up Alliance, which is a coalition of incubators at Binghamton University, Cornell University and the Incubation Works in Alfred, N.Y.

As a condition of the award, recipients from out-of-state must move to the Southern Tier or create a substantial business presence in the Southern Tier. The companies must also maintain that presence for at least two years. Companies already located in New York State must either move to the Southern Tier or establish a connection with the Southern Tier, such as a supply chain, job development with Southern Tier companies, or other strategic relationships with Southern Tier entities that increases wealth creation and creates jobs.

About Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV is transforming New York’s energy policy with new state-wide initiatives and regulatory reforms. REV will grow the state’s clean energy economy, support innovation, ensure grid resilience, mobilize private capital, create new jobs, and increase choice and affordability for energy consumers. REV places clean, locally produced power at the very core of New York’s energy system. This protects the environment and supports the State’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent while generating 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. Successful initiatives already launched as part of REV include NY-Sun, NY Green Bank, NY Prize, K-Solar, and a commitment to improve energy affordability for low-income communities. To learn more about REV, visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us @REV4NY.

LONG ISLAND, NY – Columbia Care LLC, one of the nation’s leading medical marijuana companies, announced that its fourth dispensary in the State of New York, located at 1333 East Main Street in Riverhead, opened to qualifying patients on Friday, January 29, 2016. The openings are a major milestone in the implementation of the State’s Compassionate Care Act, which was enacted to provide access to medical marijuana products to patients who are suffering from a number of debilitating and, in many cases, terminal qualifying conditions.

Columbia Care opens the first licensed medical marijuana dispensary on Long Island. January 29th, 2016. The opening, its forth in New York State, is a major milestone in the implementation of the State’s Compassionate Care Act, enacted to provide access to medical marijuana products to patients who are suffering from debilitating or terminal qualifying conditions. Photo: Sherianne Adelsberg / Christian Abbatecola, Long Island Media Inc.

As one of five companies licensed as a Registered Organization by the New York State Department of Health, Columbia Care has opened four dispensaries across the state, with Riverhead following the Company’s Plattsburgh and Rochester dispensaries which opened earlier this week. The Company also opened New York City’s first medical marijuana dispensary located in Union Square at the beginning of January.

“Opening in Riverhead is significant to the patients of Long Island and Columbia Care for many reasons,” said Columbia Care CEO Nicholas Vita. “Our experience in Riverhead enabled us to collaborate with community leaders and elected officials to form a consensus for how this new program and patient option should serve the community in the most positive way possible. We are grateful and humbled by the amount of support we have received from local patient groups, medical professionals and community advocates. The willingness of the Riverhead Town Council to engage with us to find a solution that benefits the patients of Long Island is a testament to their professionalism and their commitment to the welfare of their community. We look forward providing patients of Long Island with safe, comfortable and professional experience, and are excited to become supportive members of the Riverhead community.”

With the addition of New York, Columbia Care has been approved to operate in six highly regulated, medically-focused jurisdictions across the United States, placing it among the country’s leading medical marijuana companies. Riverhead joins the Company’s three other dispensaries across the state, including the Company’s Manhattan location that opened earlier this month. This expanded Columbia Care’s footprint in the nation’s largest cities including Phoenix-metro, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Next month, Columbia Care’s Massachusetts affiliate, Patriot Care, will continue its growth and plans on opening facilities in Lowell, Boston and later this year, Greenfield, expanding the list of more than 20 state-licensed locations nationwide.

Consistent with its national model, Columbia Care designed its dispensaries with patient comfort and care in mind. All of Columbia Care’s facilities in New York will be staffed by compassionate and dedicated team members, led by state-licensed pharmacists trained to provide the highest level of professionalism and respect for patients and their conditions. The Riverhead facility will be accessible to qualifying patients in Suffolk County and the greater Long Island area, and will operate utilizing industry-leading security measures implemented by professionals with law enforcement backgrounds. To access the facilities, patients must first be deemed eligible by a certified physician and then register with New York State. Registered patients may schedule appointments at any of Columbia Care’s facilities in New York by either logging on to our website at www.col-careny.com or calling us at 1-800-764-8162.

Columbia Care’s New York dispensaries will provide patients with a variety of formulations. Initially offering tinctures to be taken under the tongue, additional products will include concentrates for vaporization and orally ingested capsules. Smoking and infused edible products are prohibited under New York’s Compassionate Care Act. All products in Columbia Care’s New York dispensaries are cultivated in Rochester at the Eastman Kodak Business Park in highly controlled micro-climates. To meet the Company’s industry-leading quality standards, once the organic cultivation process is completed, targeted compounds are scientifically separated and formulated into a Columbia Care final product. All offerings undergo independent batch testing to assure the highest levels of consistency in every dose.

For more information on the New York State Medical Marijuana Program, including information on how to register, please visit https://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/medical_marijuana/.

About Columbia Care LLC
Columbia Care is one of the nation’s largest manufacturers and providers of medical marijuana products and services. The Company has been selected to operate in the most highly competitive and regulated jurisdictions and has completed over 100,000 successful patient interactions since its inception. Founded by two former Goldman Sachs executives, and working in collaboration with some of the most renowned and innovative teaching hospitals and medical centers in the country, Columbia Care is a patient-centered healthcare company aiming to set the standards for a burgeoning new industry – standards for compassion, professionalism, quality, caring, and innovation.

For more information on Columbia Care, please visit www.col-care.com or www.col-careny.com.

(Long Island, NY) Several Long Island water district commissioners were recently elected to Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association’s (NSWCA) new board for the 2016 term, which runs through December 31, 2016, during a recent NSWCA meeting. The newly elected 2016 board includes new NSWCA President Raymond J. Averna of Massapequa Water District, who succeeds outgoing President Thomas P. Hand of the Massapequa Water District, NSWCA 1st Vice President Andrew N. Bader of the Plainview Water District, NSWCA 2nd Vice President Vincent Abbatiello of the Westbury Water District, NSWCA Secretary Michael F. Rich III of Oyster Bay Water District, and NSWCA Treasurer William Schuckmann of Hicksville Water District.

2016 NSWCA President Raymond Averna of Massapequa Water District

“Protecting, conserving and sustaining Long Island’s water supply has always been a top priority of NSWCA,” new NSWCA President Averna stated. “In 2016, there will be a greater emphasis on these principles as well outreach educating the public on conservation and sustainability. Efforts will include greater educational focus on children and young adults who will someday continue the work we are doing now.”

2016 NSWCA Secretary Michael F. Rich III of Oyster Bay Water District

Hicksville WD Commissioner & 2016 NSWCA Treasurer William Schuckmann

Organized and chartered in 1981, Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) is comprised of water commissioners from 21 Nassau County and Suffolk County water districts. NSWCA is dedicated to promoting environmental excellence and best practices as well as maintaining the highest standards of water quality and supply. NSWCA sponsors regular educational meetings on topics that include the environment, security, economics, rules and regulations, among other related issues.

Plainview WD Commissioner and 2016 NSWCA 1st Vice President Andrew Bade

For further information, please contact Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association 2016 President Mr. Raymond J. Averna via phone, 516-650-5880, or email, raverna@massapequawater.com.

Westbury WD Commissioner & 2016 NSWCA 2nd Vice President Vincent Abbati