(Long Island, NY) “The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) is initiating a project to remove or paint over graffiti, as well as repair and maintain park and ride lots along the LIE, bikeways, rest areas and other areas on Long Island,” said Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau).  “They’ve already identified a number of areas, but will add additional locations as the project progresses through the design phase.”

The project, which is quite comprehensive, is tentatively scheduled for letting in the late summer of 2016, with an estimated construction start in the fall of 2016.  During the project the DOT will perform maintenance, tree trimming and graffiti removal on multi-use paths, bike lanes, pedestrian bridges, bicycle locker locations at LIRR stations, bus shelters, and park-and-ride areas.

Hannon is asking the public to assist the DOT in identifying areas where tree trimming, graffiti removal or other maintenance may be necessary at the areas listed above.  If you know of areas which are in need of this type of maintenance, please contact Senator Hannon’s community office at 516-739-1700 or e-mail him at hannon@nysenate.gov.

“In addition to the above,” Hannon adds, “the DOT has noted they will be performing preventative maintenance to clean and seal pavement cracks and to apply an overlay repair treatment on Hempstead Turnpike, the Meadowbrook Parkway and Long Island Expressway beginning in Spring of 2016.”

(Long Island, NY) Say…Noodles! Representatives from Noodles & Company, the Town of Babylon, Nassau County and the local chamber of commerce break pasta during the official grand opening of its second Nassau County restaurant, located in Airport Plaza at 207 Airport Plaza in Farmingdale, NY, on July 20.  The fast casual restaurant concept specializes in fresh, made-to order noodles and pasta dishes ranging from healthful to indulgent and spicy to comforting, using some of the most celebrated flavor combinations in the world.

(From L to R) Craig Levy, vice president, Melville-East Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, Chris Brown, assistant to County Executive Edward P. Mangano, Tim Magorrian, area director, Doherty Enterprises and Antonio Martinez, councilman, Town of Babylon. Photo Credit: Noodles & Company.

Owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises, Inc., operators of over 150 restaurants in northern, southern and central New Jersey, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Florida and Georgia, its new Farmingdale location is the second of four Noodles & Company restaurants to open on Long Island in 2015, and has added 40 new jobs to the local economy.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2015, POSTPONED to Wednesday, January 20, 2016

(Long Island, NY) As a result of Donny Osmond’s upcoming vocal cord surgery, The Paramount in Huntington, Long Island, New York announces that – “Donny Osmond: The Soundtrack of My Life Tour” originally scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2015 – is officially postponed to Wednesday, January 20, 2016.

Current ticketholders do not need to exchange their tickets from the September show, if they plan to attend the January show.  If ticketholders are unable to attend on January 20, refunds on all September tickets are now available at points of purchase (Ticketmaster or The Paramount Box Office).

Remaining tickets for “Donny Osmond: The Soundtrack of My Life Tour” on January 20 will go on-sale to the public on Monday, July 27 @ 10 AM through Ticketmaster and The Paramount Box Office (open daily from 12 noon to 6 pm). For additional questions or concerns, please contact The Paramount at 631-673-7300.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police Third Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured two people in Central Islip on Friday, July 24.

Herson Martinez-Rodriguez was driving a 2002 Honda Civic southbound on Caleb’s Path at approximately 3:05 a.m. when his vehicle struck a 2011 Jaguar XJL traveling west on Ocean Avenue, operated by Mario Arango.

Suffolk County Police are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured two people in Central Islip on Friday, July 24. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Martinez-Rodriguez, 21, of Central Islip, and Arango, 30, of Bay Shore, were transported to Southside Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Jennifer Echavarria, 19, of Brentwood, a passenger in the Honda, and Maria Angeles, 30, of Brentwood, a passenger in the Jaguar, were both transported to Southside Hospital for serious injuries.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call the Third Squad at 631-854-8352.

(Long Island, NY) The Bay Street Shakespeare Initiative and Hamptons Shakespeare Festival are proud to announce that Piper Perabo will star as Viola in their upcoming co-production of outdoor staged readings of TWELFTH NIGHT, OR WHAT YOU WILL by William Shakespeare on August 14 and 15 at Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor, NY. The two readings are free to the public and will start at7 pm. A VIP Benefit performance will take place on August 16 at a private, oceanfront estate. Contact Kim Fink, Bay Street’s Director of Development, at 631-725-0818 Ext. 112 for tickets to the VIP Benefit. Sponsored also in part by Mashashimuet Park.

Piper Perabo. Photo Credit: Bay Street Theater.

TWELFTH NIGHT, OR WHAT YOU WILL is Shakespeare’s hilarious romantic comedy, filled with unrequited love, disguise, and cross dressing.  The readings will be presented without intermission and will run under two hours.  They will feature direction by Bay Street’s Artistic Director, Scott Schwartz, and original music and sound design by Hamptons Shakespeare Festival’s Artistic Director, David M. Brandenburg.

Golden Globe nominated Piper Perabo recently wrapped up a five season run on the hit series Covert Affairs, USA Network’s spy drama.Covert Affairs was produced by The Bourne Identity’s Doug Liman and is an action packed show filled with drama and sex appeal.

Piper Perabo is one of the most talented and versatile actresses working today.  In May 2009, she made her stage debut in Neil Labute’s controversial play Reasons to be Pretty directed by Terry Kinney. She co-stared alongside Alison Pill, Thomas Sadoski and Pablo Schreiber.

Piper Perabo. Photo Credit: Bay Street Theater.

In 2007, she was seen in Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige with Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, in Because I Said So with Diane Keaton and Lauren Graham and First Snow, a film directed by Mark Fergus, costarring Guy Pearce and Adam Scott.

Next, Perabo was seen in John Glenn’s disturbing thriller The Heaven Project with Paul Walker and Disney’s Beverly Hills Chihuahua alongside Jaime Lee Curtis. Perabo was also seen in Paramount Vantage’s Carriers in New Mexico.  She played the female lead opposite Chris Pine and Lou Taylor Pucci in the post-apocalyptic thriller about four friends trying to escape a viral pandemic.

Some of her more recent films include Looper alongside Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Emily Blunt and Jeff Daniels, Adam Shankman’s Cheaper by the Dozen 2 in which she reprised her role as the eldest daughter to Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, the romantic comedy Imagine Me & You with Lena Heady and Matthew Goode, and the crime drama 10th & Wolf with an ensemble cast that included James Marsden and Dennis Hopper. Her feature film debut was in the comedy White Boyz, written by Danny Hoch. She also starred in Coyote Ugly.

Bay Street Theater’s 2014 performance of THE TEMPEST. Photo Credit: Bay Street Theater.

In addition to acting, Piper is committed to her charity work with the International Rescue Committee as an IRC Voice, making a commitment to do her part to speak up on behalf of some of the world’s most vulnerable. The IRC Voices help raise awareness of the needs of refugees and people who have been displaced by conflict, religious persecution or political oppression around the world. Piper lives in New York City.

In addition to Piper Perabo, Twelfth Night will also star Julia Motyka as Olivia, Josh Gladstone as Sir Toby Belch, and Kate Mueth asMaria. Further casting to be announced soon.

AUGUST 14-15
FREE STAGED READINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY
On Friday and Saturday, August 14-15, Bay Street and Hamptons Shakespeare Festival will co-host The Bay Street Shakespeare Initiative’s second annual performance, Twelfth Night, beginning at 7 pm, at Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor. This reading is offered to the community at no charge.  There will be seating in bleachers, but guests are invited to bring their own chairs, picnics and blankets to enjoy this special production under the stars.

AUGUST 16
VIP BENEFIT
A third performance will be a VIP benefit on Sunday, August 16 to be held at a private oceanfront estate. The event includes a reception with the cast, and the evening begins at 6:30 pm with cocktails followed by the Twelfth Night reading at 7 pm. Contact Kim Fink at 631-725-0818 Ext. 112 to purchase tickets.

“Last summer, the Bay Street Shakespeare Initiative’s outdoor reading of The Tempest starring John Glover was one of the highlights of our season,” says Scott Schwartz, Artistic Director of Bay Street Theater. “I’m so excited this summer to partner with Hamptons Shakespeare Festival, and to work with Piper Perabo and the rest of a marvelous cast as we present Twelfth Night, one of the Bard’s most romantic and delightful comedies, outside under the stars in Sag Harbor.”

The Bay Street Shakespeare Initiative is offering supporters the opportunity to be a patron of the world of Shakespeare by sponsoring a character in Twelfth Night, as part of the Join the Company campaign. Sponsors will get the opportunity to attend the first read through of the play, meet with the actors, and will receive complimentary passes to the VIP Benefit on August 16, as well as to be photographed with the cast members playing their sponsored characters.  Contact Bay Street’s Development office at 631-725-0818 for details.

The Join the Company sponsor levels are:

$2500

• Viola – A shipwrecked lady
• Malvolio – Olivia’s steward
• Olivia – A wealthy countess
• Duke Orsino – Duke of Illyria

$1000

• Sebastian – Viola’s twin
• Sir Toby Belch – Olivia’s cousin
• Feste – A clown & musician
• Antonio – Sea captain and friend to Sebastian

$500

• Valentine – Gentleman attending Count Orsino
• Maria – Olivia’s gentlewoman
• Sir Andrew Aguecheek – A rich man who Sir Toby brings to be Olivia’s wooer

Hamptons Shakespeare Festival, a nonprofit organization, has provided cultural and educational programs on the East End since 1996. Its free outdoor productions have been seen by tens of thousands of individuals and families. It has employed hundreds of actors, musicians, technicians, administrators, and others. And its educational programs have reached thousands of children from Montauk to Manhattan.

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is a year-round, not-for-profit professional theater and community cultural center which endeavors to innovate, educate, and entertain a diverse community through the practice of the performing arts. We serve as a social and cultural gathering place, an educational resource, and a home for a community of artists.

A Special Exhibition at 30 W. Main Street, Riverhead NY – Opening Reception: Thursday, August 6, 5 – 8 PM

(Long Island, NY) East End Arts and Thirty West Main are pleased to announce a special art exhibit titled August Abstracts at Thirty West Main, a new office building located at 30 W. Main Street, Riverhead, NY.  The exhibit features ten award-winning local artists. The public is invited to meet the artists at the Opening Reception, to be held on Thursday, August 6, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Craft beer by Twin Fork Beer Co., local wines and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Open to the public.

Artists featured in this exhibit and sale are:

• Painter Helena Alves of Southampton, NY
• Sculptor Domenico Belli of North Salem, NY
• Photographer Paul Dempsey of Southampton, NY
• Photographer Gerry Gilberti of East Hampton, NY
• Mixed media artist Frank Gioeli of Sag Harbor, NY
• Painter Marion Jones of Southold, NY
• Painter Richard Kane of Southampton, NY
• Photographer Katherine Liepe-Levinson of Southampton, NY
• Painter Andrew Masino of Calverton, NY
• Photographer Jim Sabiston of Bay Shore, NY

For more information about the artists and this exhibit, please visit https://eastendartsorg.presencehost.net/calendar/events.html/event/2015/08/06/opening-reception-august-abstracts.

All artwork is available for purchase by contacting the East End Arts Gallery at 631-727-0900 or info@eastendarts.org, as well as at the evening of the reception. Exhibit dates are July 31 through October 29, 2015 and are available to view by appointment only by calling East End Arts at 631-727-0900.

Special thanks goes to Georgia Malone, Thirty West Main, LLC.

For more information, contact East End Arts at 631-727-0900.

East End Arts, established in 1972, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts organization, and operates a School of the Arts, an Art Gallery, and presents a variety of events and programs to promote the arts year-round. Proceeds from all events, sales, classes, donations, and memberships benefit the mission and commitment to building and enriching our community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration.

(Long Island, NY) Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who stole a cell phone from a store in the Smith Haven Plaza last month.

Suffolk County Police are seeking the public’s help to identify a man who stole a cell phone from a store in the Smith Haven Plaza last month. Photo Credit: SCPD.

A man stole an Apple iPhone 5S off the counter at Bed Bath and Beyond on June 25 at approximately 7 p.m.

A man stole an Apple iPhone 5S off the counter at Bed Bath and Beyond on June 25. Photo Credit: SCPD.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

(Long Island, NY) The Third Squad reports the details of a Grand Larceny which occurred on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 7:56 P.M. in Westbury.

Nassau County Police reports the details of a Grand Larceny which occurred on Saturday, July 18, in Westbury. Photo Credit: NCPD.

According to detectives, a female victim, 23, left her wallet on a seat outside Shake Shack, located at 860 Old Country Road. A female suspect, along with a friend (photos attached), sat at the same table after the victim left, took the wallet, putting it in her bag.

A female victim, 23, left her wallet on a seat outside Shake Shack, located at 860 Old Country Road. Photo Credit: NCPD.

The suspect gave the name Amanda when ordering her food.

A female suspect sat at the same table after the victim left and took the wallet. Photo Credit: NCPD.

The wallet was worth $700 and it contained $1200 cash along with personal paperwork of the victim.

The wallet was worth $700 and it contained $1200 cash. Photo Credit: NCPD.

Detectives ask anyone with information about this incident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

(Long Island, NY) The Major Case Bureau reports the arrest of three men for a Robbery which occurred on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 2:25 A.M. in Westbury.

According to Robbery Squad detectives, a local taxi was dispatched to Cedar Road for a pickup. Upon arrival the driver observed four suspects sitting on the curb. Two of the suspects entered the car, one of them reaching around the driver and grabbing him by the neck in a chokehold. The other two, standing nearby, approached the taxi. One of them displayed a handgun, demanding money from the victim. The victim advised the suspects he did not have any money.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Quraan Williams, 18, of Westbury for a Robbery which occurred on Thursday, July 23, in Westbury. Photo Credit: NCPD.

One of the suspects from outside the car reached in and removed the keys from the vehicle. All of the suspects fled on foot. Three of them were located a short time later, walking west on Prospect Avenue, and placed under arrest without incident. A black revolver was recovered. They are identified as Quraan Williams, 18, of Westbury, Christopher Clausell, 18, of Hempstead and Marlik Petti-Frere, 16, of Westbury. The fourth suspect was not apprehended.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Christopher Clausell, 18, of Hempstead for a Robbery which occurred on Thursday, July 23, in Westbury. Photo Credit: NCPD.

The men are charged with Robbery 1st degree and Robbery 2nd degree. Additionally Williams is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree and a violation of a Probation warrant and Petit-Frere is charged with Criminal Uses of a Firearm 1st degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd degree and Possession of Stolen Property 4th degree. They will be arraigned on Friday, July 24, 2015 at First District Court in Hempstead.

Detectives ask anyone with information about this crime to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(Long Island, NY) The Public Information Office reports the details of an Unusual Incident involving sharks observed in Massapequa on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 11:49 am.

According to police, Seventh Precinct Police Officers along with the assistance of the Nassau County Aviation Unit responded to a call for sharks spotted in the waters off Tobay Beach.

Nassau County Police reports the details of an Unusual Incident involving sharks observed in Massapequa on Thursday, July 23. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Pilots were able to visually confirm that two six foot long sharks were seen fifteen feet from the shoreline swimming in a easterly direction towards Gilgo Beach in Suffolk County.

All Tobay Beach swimmers were ordered out of the waters until later deemed safe. There were no injuries reported.