Governor Paterson Announces Plans for State’s Largest Solar Energy Project
April 22, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Governor David A. Paterson today announced a major alternative energy project that would create the state’s largest source of solar power to help meet the challenge of developing comprehensive renewable energy alternatives and address the growing demand for energy on Long Island and throughout the state.
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) President and CEO Kevin S. Law said LIPA released a Request for Proposals (RFP) today calling for 50 megawatts (MW) of solar energy to be generated on Long Island. The project would provide enough power to sustain more than 6,500 households and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20,000 tons. The solar energy would be produced by one or more developers of solar photovoltaic systems and will be introduced onto the LIPA grid and purchased by LIPA.
“As our need for energy continues to grow on Long Island and throughout the state, it is imperative that we find new ways to develop more renewable energy resources that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Governor Paterson. “The RFP issued today, which was one of the recommendations of my Renewable Energy Task Force, is just one of the actions we are taking to meet our energy needs while reducing the State’s carbon footprint.”
LIPA envisions that the photovoltaic arrays will be installed at school buildings, on commercial and municipal rooftops, along parking lots, atop landfills, and at brownfield sites. This innovative project could further stimulate the solar marketplace throughout the state, fostering the creation of more “green collar” jobs.
The 50MW of solar energy builds on the success of LIPA’s Solar Pioneer program, which boasts more than 1,200 participants and has resulted in more than $30 million in LIPA rebates. LIPA and Long Island have been leading the way in this regard, serving as a host to 90 percent of the photovoltaic systems purchased throughout the entire state. The new 50MW will count for nearly one percent of LIPA’s total annual demand and will be the single largest block of solar energy in New York State.
LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law said: “This project will diversify Long Island’s energy portfolio, strengthen the local economy, transform the solar photovoltaic marketplace, and reduce our dependency on costly fossil fuels.”
Ashok Gupta, Senior Energy Economist for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said: “Governor Paterson and LIPA’s leadership on solar is to be commended. Having 50 MW of solar in LIPA’s portfolio will not only help reduce the pollution that causes global warming but it will also provide critical peaking power which is otherwise very expensive and often dirtier than baseload generation.”
Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of the not-for-profit Renewable Energy Long Island said: “LIPA’s Solar Pioneer program for homeowners has helped transform a virtually non-existent residential market into a fast growing success story. I hope that LIPA’s new large-scale solar initiative will do the same for commercial and institutional buildings on Long Island. The roofs of our malls, institutional buildings and covered parking lots present a huge opportunity to turn Long Island’s abundant sunshine into clean and green electricity.”
The deadline for RFP responses is June 27, 2008. Recommendations for an award are expected to be made at the October 2008 meeting of LIPA’s Board of Trustees.
A Proposers’ Conference will be held at LIPA’s offices in Uniondale, New York on May 12, 2008, where LIPA staff will provide an overview of key elements of the RFP and answer questions from interested parties. Further details of the conference will be posted on LIPA’s website at http://www.lipower.org/
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LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric utility, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th largest in terms of electricity delivered. In 2006, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State in all three major reliability categories. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: http://www.lipower.org
H2M to be Honored at the Circulo de la Hispanidad Spring Gala
April 22, 2008
(Melville, N.Y.) The 2008 Spring Gala Dinner Dance will be held on May 16, 2008 at the Garden City Hotel in New York, to help benefit Círculo de la Hispanidad, a not for profit Hispanic community organization with Centers in Hempstead and Long Beach, NY. At the Gala, Circulo de la Hispanidad will be honoring outstanding individuals who have helped the organization. Mr. Joseph M. Mottola, R.A., Vice President, H2M Group and a resident of Massapequa is the lead architect in charge of the new community center that H2M has designed on behalf of Circulo. Mr. Mottola will be honored at the event.
The funds received from this gala will provide major support for Círculo de la Hispanidad in its efforts to improve the lives of individuals and their families through a comprehensive continuum of social services, recreation, education, cultural and economic development programs. The programs Circulo de la Hispanidad offer serve over 20,000 individuals and their families in Nassau County, NY through a comprehensive continuum of social services, recreation, education cultural and economic development programs. The construction of the community center was started last year and the estimated completion date will be in 2009.
The Circulo de la Hispanidad Community Center, located at 605 Peninsula Boulevard, Hempstead, New York (map it), is a very important project for the Hispanic community in Hempstead. It is being designed as an energy efficient, green building and will be seeking LEED certification. The Board of Directors views this project as an opportunity to set an example and educate the community about environmental responsibility. The building is approximately 28,000 square feet and includes a daycare center for 76 children, a dining facility, large multipurpose room for events ranging from indoor soccer to conferences and formal parties, classrooms for adult education and after school programs, a state of the art computer center, library and a dance studio. It also will house the administrative staff of Circulo which offers social services to the public.
As the building is being designed for LEED certification, it will include the following features and systems:
Development of a sustainable site; Reduction of water use and wastewater discharge; Optimization of energy use; Use of non-ozone depleting refrigerants; Implementation of a building recycling system; Use of recycled / regional / rapidly renewable materials; Alternative transportation; energy star roof; Light pollution reduction; Review of indoor air quality, including the possible use of VOC free paints, Green Label carpets, formaldehyde free wood products, Green Building insulation, CO2 monitoring systems, adequate building ventilation; and Proper sizing and locating of glazing systems to provide adequate natural light within the building. This reduces the need for full time artificial lighting while providing a comfortable space to enjoy.
Photo from Left to Right: Committee members and Honorees for the Spring Gala; Gil Bernardino, Executive Director of Circulo; Michael Bonacasa from H2M, Joseph Mottola from H2M (and an Honoree), Sheila D ‘Nodal, and Joseph Quagliata (Honoree), both from South Nassau Community Hospital; Welquis Lopez from Empire State Zone Program for the Village of Hempstead; Nicolas Andreadis (an Honoree) from Triton Construction, and Lance Franklin from Triton Construction; Jimmy Perez, President of Circulo de la Hispanidad.
For further information about H2M or Circulo de la Hispanidad feel free to call 631-756-8000 or visit the website at www.h2m.com.
Founded in 1933, H2M has grown to be one of the most respected professional consulting firms in the Northeast, providing full-service engineering, architecture, environmental services, and laboratory analysis. H2M consists of Holzmacher, McLendon & Murrell, P.C., H2M Labs, Inc., H2M Associates, Inc., H2M Architects & Engineers, Inc.; and has offices in Melville, New York and Parsippany, New Jersey.
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H2M
575 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, NY 11747
119 Cherry Hill Road, Suite 200, Parsippany, NJ 07054
175 Pinelawn Road, Suite 308 Melville, NY 11747
Canon U.S.A. Celebrates Earth Day 2008 with Alexandra Cousteau at its Lake Success Corporate Headquarters
April 22, 2008
(Lake Success, N.Y.) On Monday, Canon U.S.A. welcomed guest speaker Alexandra Cousteau, social environmental advocate and granddaughter of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau to its Earth Day 2008 Celebration at the Company’s Lake Success headquarters.
In the spirit of its corporate philosophy of kyosei and its continued commitment to a sustainable environment, Canon U.S.A, Inc., hosted a number of Earth Day activities for employees. As part of the festivities, several presentations took place, including Ms. Cousteau, who is dedicated to advocating the importance of conservation and sustainable management of water resources in order to preserve a healthy planet. In addition to Ms. Cousteau, other organizations that joined Canon U.S.A. management and employees for Earth Day included:
- - The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.
- - Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center, in Oyster Bay, N.Y.
- - The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, N.Y.
- - Long Island Transportation Management, Melville, N.Y.
- - Clean Air NY, New York, N.Y.
- - The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), Washington, D.C.
Alexandra Cousteau Biography
Alexandra Cousteau is dedicated to advocating the importance of conservation and sustainable management of water resources in order to preserve a healthy planet. Granddaughter of legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Alexandra’s first exploration took place at four months old with her father Philippe. She has grown up traveling the globe, feeding her passion for adventure and learning firsthand the value of conserving the natural world.
Alexandra’s most recent step in creating a legacy of her own came with the establishment of her own organization in 2008, Blue Legacy. The mission of Blue Legacy is to tell the story of our water planet to the world, to inspire people to take action on critical water issues in meaningful ways, and to help shape society’s dialogue to include water as one of the defining issues of our century and the primary vehicle through which climate change will be felt.
In addition to Blue Legacy, Alexandra co-founded EarthEcho International with her brother Philippe in 2000. The non-profit organization is devoted to inspire concern and commitment for the environment in today’s youth.
Currently, Alexandra is preparing to launch the Blue Campaign, a global campaign that recognizes that the beauty, power and life-sustaining essence of our water planet is in danger. It also recognizes that we, as individuals and communities, have the power to protect and heal our most valuable resource.
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Heather J. Hasay
Specialist, Public Relations
Corporate Communications
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Office: 516.328.5111
Cheyenne Diner To Go… Red Hook, Brooklyn
April 22, 2008
(New York, N.Y.) The architecturally & culturally significant Cheyenne Diner (411 9th Ave at 33rd St) has been purchased, and will gain a new lease on life when transported to Red Hook, Brooklyn. A contract has been signed between property owner George Papas and its new owner, Mike O’Connell of O’C Construction, son of influential Red Hook developer, Greg O’Connell.
Preservationist Michael Perlman of Queens, who founded the Committee To Save The Moondance Diner in spring 2007, along with fellow Preservationist Kyle Supley of Brooklyn, have spared the Cheyenne Diner from oblivion, after sparing the Moondance last summer. Michael Perlman of the Committee To Save The Cheyenne Diner presented a proposal to property owner George Papas (owner of nearby Skylight Diner, 402 W 34th St, & developer for Cheyenne property) on closing day, Sun, Apr 6th, and effectively convinced him to work together. A 9-story condo is slated to rise on premise, which marked the end of the diner’s 68-year run for its Manhattan site.
Perlman states “It is rewarding that the Cheyenne will gain a new lease on life in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and will contribute to the appeal of an up & coming neighborhood. Keeping it within the 5 boroughs, especially in a time when NYC is losing its history, emphasizes how progress can be in the ideal sense. We take pride that Papas was sensitive to our proposal & extend our thanks, and also thank Mike O’Connell for taking on a noble cause. We proudly serve as a liaison from ‘moving day’ to its reopening and future.”
When put up for sale on the 10th of April for $7900, with the necessity of rigging and lot acquisition costs in mind, Committee To Save The Cheyenne received notification from 23 potential buyers, some as far as IN, OH, & WY. While the Cheyenne potentially could have landed a good home out of state, many patrons prayed that a NY-based buyer would reach out, so it can ideally remain closer to its roots than the Moondance Diner in WY. George Papas states “I’m really, really happy the Cheyenne’s not being demolished, and will stay in NY.” In the short-term, a rigger will be enlisted and permits will be secured. In the long-term, O’Connell plans on restoring the diner to its ‘40 splendor, and Perlman feels it will be great once he polishes up that gem, so patrons can experience the Cheyenne as it was initially conceived.
The Cheyenne Diner is a highlight in terms of its diverse patronage including celebs i.e. Jerry Lewis & David Letterman, & since it’s the last streamlined railway car-inspired diner in Mid-Manhattan, & a scarcity borough-wide. It was pre-assembled by Paramount in 1940, and known as the Market Diner through ’86 after the popular chain. It retains a majority of its original &/or distinctive elements. The streamlined façade features vertical and horizontal stainless steel securing bowed colorful enamel panels, wrap-around windows, a curved entryway with glass block, & a reverse channel illuminated neon sign. The interior features a streamlined barrel roof, counter & stools, & Indian tribal coins. The Cheyenne was recently granted 1st prize on NYC-Architecture.com’s “Top 10 NY Diners/Restaurants. Spiros Kasimis was the 18-year Cheyenne tenant.
Perlman explains: “Diners are amongst the ‘ultimate public institutions’ which harbor countless memories and bridge the generations. During the 30’s - 60’s eras, freestanding diners numerously dotted NYC’s 5 boroughs, and brought together individuals of various occupations in a cozy & striking ambiance. Today, they are becoming an endangered species at an alarming rate, and their loss is often most heartfelt. It is essential to preserve & reuse all remaining classic freestanding diners.”
NYC Diner Preservation Record
- Sam Chinita housed in freestanding diner (8th Ave & 19th St), demolished 2000
- River Diner (11th Ave & 37th St), demolished Mar 2004
- Lunchbox Diner (357 West St), restored in 2002, but closed & remains abandoned
- Munson Diner (11th Ave & 49th St) transported to the Catskills in 2005
- Moondance Diner (80 6th Ave) transported to LaBarge, WY in Aug 2007 & reopens in June 2008
- Staten Island’s Victory Diner transported in Aug 2007 to SI’s Midland Beach Promenade & reopens in 2009
- Some icons holding onto their own: NYC’s Empire Diner (10th Ave & 22nd St), jet-age Market Diner (11th Ave & 43rd St) reopens this June, Air Line Diner/currently Jackson Hole (Astoria Blvd & 70th St), Square Diner (33 Leonard St near Varick St & W Broadway).
Cheyenne Diner May 2007 day scenes, Courtesy of Preservationist Michael Perlman:
http://flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157604354225329/
Cheyenne Diner night scenes & memorabilia, courtesy of Jeremiah Moss of Jeremiah’s Vanishing NY (http://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11205114@N03/tags/cheyenne
’83 Cheyenne as Market Diner, courtesy of roadside photographer Larry Cultrera of Society for Commercial Archeology & Diner Hotline (http://dinerhotline.wordpress.com/about/):
http://flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/2383404269/
Dec ’79 Cheyenne as Market Diner, serigraph courtesy of photorealist John Baeder (www.johnbaeder.com):
http://flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/2383392233/
1941 photo (pan & zoom 3rd in sequence), courtesy of NYPL:
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Michael Perlman, Founder & Preservationist
Committee To Save The Moondance Diner Founder
(917) 446-7775
Las Vegas Real Estate Slump Represents Opportunity for Investors, Consumers, Long Islanders Looking to Relocate
April 21, 2008
(Las Vegas, N.V.) For anyone that might have been sleeping for the last year and a half, the Las Vegas real estate sector is part of a huge slump that has been affecting the economy across the nation. With NAI Horizon’s recent decision to close down their Las Vegas office, the reality of this situation has really began to hit home for Las Vegas Real Estate agents.
As of publication, according to the internet site GlobeSt, there are now reports that NAI has quickly reopened a smaller Las Vegas Office with fewer agents. Nevertheless, top local agents like Tony Sena of North American Realty of Nevada say colleagues are no doubt feeling the squeeze.
Optimistic, Sena stated “I know the market seems like a real wreck right now, but one man’s financial burden is another man’s opening shot at future wealth - which has always been historically true with any market; especially the real estate market.”
“Las Vegas is reaching close to rock bottom and opportunity is available to people that just wasn’t available a year ago in the real estate market. It is time that people that have the extra cash start looking at making purchases in the market because slumping markets have to rebound at some point in time.” said Sena.
Real estate companies in the United Kingdom predicted a slump a couple of years ago, and in advance, started saving some of their capital to make purchases when the slump hit its peak. They did so and now that the UK is showing signs of slowly coming out of the slump, these companies look like financial geniuses. The same opportunity appears to be available now in Las Vegas and it’s a great time for investors or anyone with the extra cash to take advantage of it.
The main reason that a move right now is considered a good one is the basic principle of rebounding. While the United States may be in the middle of an economic recession triggered by the collapse of the housing market, the fundamentals of the economy are strong. The United States remains the single most stable economy in the world and its GDP is still larger than all other nations combined. For these two reasons, the United States is going to rebound at some point and when it does people who moved into the market at the bottom will be the ones that benefit from real estate markets like the one in Las Vegas right now.
“Economies operate on a cycle of boom and bust, especially extremely open free markets like the ones that exist in the States. Those that get in at the end of the bust are the ones that make the most money and many analysts believe that one of those periods of opportunity is now hitting the Las Vegas real estate market.” said Sena.
Loyola School, NYC Hosts Informational Evening in Manhasset
April 21, 2008
(New York, NY) - Loyola School cordially invites you to join Rev. Stephen Katsouros, S.J., President of Loyola School NY, and Mr. James Lyness, Headmaster, for an informational evening focused on the high school application process. Joining him will be parents, students and faculty sharing their experience of what academic life is like in the tri-state area’s only independent, coeducational , Jesuit high school.
Located in Manhattan’s elegant Upper East Side, Loyola has a long tradition of educational excellence. Its name is well recognized around the world, and in an effort to reach out to families within commuting distance to Manhattan, the school is holding a reception at Inisfada, the beautiful Jesuit retreat house at 251 Searingtown Road, Manhasset, from 7 to 9:30pm on Monday, April 28th. Beverages and cold appetizers will be served.
The event will be a great opportunity for Long Island parents of 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th graders to meet the school’s president, headmaster, admissions director, faculty, parents, and students to explore why Loyola is such a compelling choice for their children.
Founded in 1900, Loyola School is an independent, coeducational, Jesuit high school—unique in the New York City area! A small school of approximately 200 students, Loyola provides an education that is marked by individual attention and by a close-knit, talented, and diverse community of students and parents, teachers and administrators collaborating in the education of “women and men for others.” Loyola’s academic program provides a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, but a Loyola education goes beyond academic excellence. As stated in the school’s mission statement, “the Loyola curriculum provides opportunities for our students to grow intellectually, spiritually, physically, and emotionally, while challenging them to develop all of their talents and to use them in generous service to others. A graduate of Loyola School is a young woman or young man who understands the value of life-long learning and who will continue to develop as a leader who is academically excellent, open to growth, and committed to doing justice in generous service to others.”
Please note that the date for the reception in Monday, April 28th.
251 Searingtown Rd, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA -MAP IT-
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Photo: Loyola School NYC
To RSVP please contact:
Adam Zaremberg
Loyola School NYC
646-346-8131
www.loyola-nyc.org
azaremberg@loyola-nyc.org
Stony Brook University Censors Students During Shirley Strum Kenny’s Arts Festival
April 20, 2008
(Stony Brook, N.Y.) Traditionally the month of April is filled with end of the year events and festivals that attempt to establish Stony university as the flagship institution of performance and visual arts, environmental responsibility, and academic superiority in the SUNY system. UNBOUND, a staple of the Shirley Strum Kenny Arts Fest (http://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/artsfest/), is a series of site-specific art exhibits that allows the graduate and undergraduate students of Stony Brook to activate the various spaces on campus through the creation and placement of visual art. It has also become a target of censorship by Shirley Strum Kenny’s Office of Administration.
UNBOUND consists of temporary student created installations placed on the conditions that they do not permanently alter any established building, are harmful to the environment, pose a threat to persons or structures, and meet the approval of building managers. Julianne Gadoury, a first-year Masters in Fine Arts student at Stony Brook University met all these requirements for her sculpture Polar Bear in Space, which was partially installed in the Charles B. Wang Center on Tuesday April 15. Julianne had rounded up a large group of her colleagues, and under the supervision of the building managers and engineers, hoisted a wire polar bear sculpture that she spent five months creating over one of the fountains of the Wang Center. The next day when UNBOUND opened President Shirley Strum Kenny ordered the removal of the art piece because it didn’t fit her aesthetic vision of the building by having her Vice President for Facilities and Services, Barbara Chernow, declare it structurally unsound.
In an emotional deinstallation of her piece on the opening day of the Shirley Strum Arts Festival with over 40 of her peers including faculty, students and staff watching in support, Julianne Gadoury announced that Polar Bear in Space was one of 3 pieces taken down the day the UNBOUND exhibition began and deinstalled it by throwing her sculpture in the fountain and leaving it on the side of the pool.
Further installations of any student pieces have been suspended and UNBOUND ordered discontinued.
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“Polar Bears in Space, uses the metaphor of the polar bear to talk about the larger issues behind global warming. We often fail to fully understand and gain knowledge about and push to the back of our minds many issues that affect us socially and on the global level.” Julianne Gadoury’s Artist’s Statement
MegaTV Proudly Presents its very first “Up Front” Launch in New York
April 18, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) On April 24th, in New York City, Mega TV, the fastest growing television station in the U.S., will announce a new programming schedule whose audacity will change the very face of Hispanic television. The event will bring together stars from all walks of show business that will help with the “cutting of the ribbon” for Megafilms, the big new Spanish Broadcasting System Inc. project.
There is no doubt that the arrival of MegaTV, with its dynamic and innovative productions, has breathed new life into the way Hispanic public television is created and developed. But there are still more goodies to be unveiled and these will be announced at this dazzling event presented by journalist María Elvira Salazar, host of the “María Elvira Live” show, who has had a distinguished career in the national news arena.
Also, other well-knowns, like Cuban show-host and actor, Alexis Valdéz, and the stars of SBS New York’s “El Vacilón de la Mañana” will participate in the celebration. SBS President & C.E.O., Raúl Alarcón Jr, SBS C.F.O. Joseph García, SBS C.O.O. Marko Radlovic, SBS Executive VP and C.O.O. Cynthia Hudson-Fernández and all the rest of those in charge of operating the TV channel will be present as well.
At the ceremony, details on Megafilms, the new SBS division created for producing audiovisual content filmed in Spanish, will be announced. The Megafilms project will include reports, miniseries, soap operas, documentaries and other types of film entertainment available for local and international distribution, including the broadcasting of theatrical content, syndicated content and DVD marketing.
“This is the natural next step for the successful 2006 debut of MegaTV and the positive results of efforts made to produce original programming for our network,” said Raúl Alarcón. Alarcón went on to say the move was motivated by “the growing demand for excellence in film entertainment, produced with state-of-the-art technology, which, up to now, had been dominated by a small group of foreign suppliers.”
Currently, SBS is building a high definition audiovisual content production center on a five acres site situated in Miami, Florida.
The presentation of this new and innovative project in New York City will be left in the hands of an international star, who is one of the absolute superstars of Latin entertainment. This amazing surprise heads up a long list of first line personalities who will make this gala sparkle.
The event will kick off at 7PM on April 24 and is to be held at Guastavino’s, located at 409 East 59th Street in Manhattan (New York City).
About Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc:
Spanish Broadcasting System Inc. is the largest U.S. media communication enterprise and the biggest company in the entertainment world that is publicly held by Hispanics. SBS is the owner and / or operator of 21 radio stations operating in major U.S. Hispanic marketplaces (New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco & Puerto Rico), (including the very first Spanish speaking radio station in the U.S., New York City’s WSKQ-FM), as well as 4 of the 7 most tuned into radio stations that work with tropical, regional Mexican, adult contemporary in Spanish and urban music formats. Also, SBS is the owner and operator of MegaTV, a television station which broadcasts from Southern Florida with national distribution via “DirecTV Más”. SBS also produces live concerts and other events all over the U.S. and in Puerto Rico. Moreover, the company operates www.lamusica.com, a bilingual web site that provides Latin music, entertainment, news and cultural content. You can visit the corporate web site at www.spanishbroadcasting.com.
Three Long Island Singer-Songwriters Share Stage in Patchogue, N.Y.
April 18, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Rorie Kelly, John-Flor and Jay Scott will perform alone and together, each celebrating the release of a new album in a special Monday night edition of the Patchogue Theatre’s Live in the Lobby concert series on May 12th.
Rorie Kelly writes songs, breaks strings, screams, sings pretty, and then screams some more. She will, in short, rock your socks, which is what she did the past two times she performed in the Lobby. Ms. Kelly has performed primarily as a solo artist and gained a following for her passionate vocal style, heartfelt songs and percussive acoustic guitar style. In addition to a busy performance schedule in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island she has organized a Women Who Will Rock Your Socks concert series, Participated in the Musicians for Peace Project by organizing musical consciousness raising events and performed at the Acoustic Long Island Winter concert to benefit Long Island Cares. She returns to Patchogue and celebrates the imminent the release of her first album, Wish Upon a Bottlecap. This will be her first local performance with her new band featuring Joe Rende on drums, Andrew Jimenez on bass guitar, Chaka Knice on keyboards and Angela Quiles on backing vocals.
In 2004, John-Flor Sisante released his first album The Music of Things, and Rafer Guzman of Newsday called it “a collection of 10 terrific tracks…throughout the disc, he puts his stamp on each song in surprising, delightful ways.” On The Music of Things, the young troubadour reflects on the common universal themes of love and attraction, envy and resignation, the loss of innocence, and the spiritual malaise experienced by all human beings, regardless of where they come from. The album, arranged and produced by John-Flor with much input from his drummer, Casey Tuck, and his engineer, Rob Ignazio, showcases a tremendous stylistic range, from folk to indie rock to Latin. John-Flor’s second album will be released this summer and he has been offering samples on his MySpace page in recent months. In October 2007, Guzman said “Sisante recently posted three new tracks to his MySpace page, and they’re terrific. This time around, Sisante is really stretching his creative boundaries”. His fans are anxiously awaiting his next album, and he will perform several songs from it on May 12.
Singer-Songwriter Jay Scott’s “rich voice of gritty satin makes his music instantly compelling. Although born and raised on Long Island, his deep, raspy tone is pure Delta blues in origin, and is as intoxicating as southern whiskey.” (Jennett Meriden Russell, The Press of Manorville & The Moriches). Scott’s sound has been called “Americana”, “bluesy soul” and “alt country” and is easily recognizable because of his disincentive, slightly gravely vocal style that has drawn comparisons to Bob Seeger, Bruce Springsteen and Joe Cocker. Since 2000, He has been writing and polishing his songs through regular live performances in Long Island, New York City and California. Scott returned to his home town of Patchogue in 2004, got married, bought a house, had a baby, and recorded his first Album, Homegrown which will be released this month and which he will celebrate with this special acoustic performance, joined by Jason Tebaldi on five string fretless acoustic bass guitar.
The evening opens with the Songwriter Spotlight with Corey Balsamo, Aaron Palmadessa, Seamus Sullivan and more!!
Live in the Lobby is a series of concerts for small audiences held in the lobby of the historic Patchogue Theatre. These concerts, which are organized and operated by volunteers, feature artists from the Long Island area playing a wide variety of mostly original music in an intimate and comfortable setting.
All ages are welcome. Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 E. Main Street, Patchogue. Tickets $10.00 at the box office and by phone (631)207-1313. www.PatchogueTheatre.com
Huntington Hospital’s Inaugural “Spring Into Action” Online Auction
April 17, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Sheila Kastner of Syosset, NY, a recent graduate of Molloy College’s Fundraising Certificate Program, has created and been named manager of Huntington Hospital’s inaugural “Spring Into Action” Online Auction, which will take place from May 1st - 30th, 2008, at www.hh.cmarket.com. Kastner points out that for details about becoming an Auction sponsor, to contribute gift items, check out what’s up for bid and/or to register to participate in the fundraiser, interested parties and companies can visit the same website.
The online auction, which will feature valuable and unique gift items and priceless fantasy packages, will be held from May 1-30, 2008, with the primary goal of helping Huntington Hospital (located in Huntington, NY) maintain and enhance a variety of its patient facilities and services.
Proceeds from the Auction will help Huntington Hospital maintain and enhance patient care areas.
Kastner first got involved with Huntington Hospital in 2005 as a development intern under the guidance of Robert Mottola, one of her instructors at Molloy and vice president for development and community relations at Huntington Hospital. She is extremely passionate about finding innovative ways to raise money for the hospital after observing first hand how charitable donations have been used wisely to fund state-of-the-art equipment and other initiatives that directly improve patient care.
In addition to her work with the hospital, Kastner has been involved with Island Harvest for the past four years - - ever since learning about it from another one of her Molloy teachers, Randi Dresner, who is ceo of the non-profit group whose mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. Kastner also holds the position of fundraising/social committee co-chair on the board of the Long Island Tourette Syndrome Association, and has been a member of the fundraising committee of L.I. Pet Peeves since its inception six years ago.
About Silverman Media & Marketing Group
Silverman Media&Marketing Group is a 12-year-old firm that offers six distinct areas of service: public relations, integrated marketing, special event creation and management, celebrity representation, charitable foundations and creative services. According to agency head coach Ira H. Silverman, because of its areas of specialization, SMMG has already secured several auction packages, including: a lunch for two with two-time NFL Super Bowl Champion punter Sean Landeta at the Mim’s restaurant in Syosset or Roslyn; a free week for a youngster at the West Side Tennis Club’s Junior Tennis Academy; a complimentary one-hour session with renowned golf psychologist Dr. Thomas Ferraro; and a lunch for two at the world-famous Mickey Mantle’s restaurant in Manhattan. http://www.silverman-media.com/
About Huntington Hospital
Established in 1916, Huntington Hospital is a 408-bed, non-profit community hospital serving Huntington Township and surrounding areas on Long Island, NY. A member of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System since 1994, proceeds from the auction will benefit a number of patient care areas such as the Don Monti Cancer Center, the Mariani Family Cardiology Center, the Clark Gillies Pediatric Unit, the Emergency Department, the Melvin Aboff Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Center and the Dolan Family Health Center just to name a few. http://www.hunthosp.org/
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Photo: Sheila Kastner of Syosset, NY, and manager of Huntington Hospital’s inaugural “Spring Into Action” Online Auction.
