(Long Island, NY) The former treasurer of the Village of Old Field was arrested this week on charges of stealing approximately $50,000 in village funds to pay her own personal expenses, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

Andrea Brosnan, 42, of Port Jefferson, had served as village treasurer from January 2009 to March 2012, and during this period she stands accused of stealing funds by using the village account to issue payments to her own personal utility, cell phone, and credit card bills.

In addition, Brosnan also acquired village gas card accounts, which she allegedly used to buy gas for her car, as well as cigarettes and food, according to reports.

Previously, Brosnan had served as Old Field Deputy Village Clerk since May, 2008.

“She falsified entries in the village ledger to make the entries appear to be legitimate,” said District Attorney Tom Spota of Brosnan’s alleged activities.

The alleged money thefts were discovered during an audit performed by the New York State Comptroller’s office.

Brosnan was arraigned at Suffolk County court on Wednesday, where she plead not guilty to charges of grand larceny, falsifying business records, defrauding the government and official misconduct. She was released on her own recognizance.

(Huntington, NY) — Angelina Jolie’s New York Times piece detailing her decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy cast a spotlight on the phased approach she chose for breast reconstruction. The Long Island team of breast surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery (www.longislandbreast.com) say her path was one of several reconstruction options available to women today.

“Surgery isn’t the right choice for all women facing an elevated risk of breast cancer,” says New York plastic surgeon Dr. James Romanelli. “But for those women who opt to have surgery, it’s important they understand the various reconstruction options they have.”

The type of breast reconstruction procedure best suited for a specific individual depends in part on her age and body type, says Romanelli, a noted breast surgeon on Long Island who teams with Dr. Dana Khuthaila and Dr. Christine M. Blaine at his practice. The choices include an innovative reconstruction technique known as the DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforators) flap method, which uses a flap of tissue — complete with blood vessels, skin, and fat — from a woman’s lower abdomen as donor tissue. The procedure requires the skills of a microsurgery specialist such as Dr. Khuthaila and offers the advantages of a reconstructed breast that looks and feels natural, preservation of the abdominal muscles, and less recovery time than other options such as the TRAM flap method.

“As I’ve noted, not every woman is going to be a good candidate for the DIEP flap method, but knowing this relatively new option is available helps patients when talking with their physicians about breast reconstruction choices,” Romanelli says.

The DIEP and TRAM flap methods are types of autologous flap surgery. An autologous flap procedure reconstructs breasts without artificial implants, instead using a combination of skin, fat, and muscle that is moved from areas such as your abdomen, upper back, upper hip, or buttocks to the chest, where it is shaped into a new breast.

A woman who chooses reconstruction with implants also has options. The surgical approach chosen by Ms. Jolie, says Romanelli, is explained in detail in this blog post. Her staged breast reconstruction was begun at the time of her mastectomy, with the placement of tissue expanders. These were eventually replaced with breast implants. Dr. Romanelli offers a direct-to-implant option for some women, which allows the patient to skip tissue expanders and have her reconstruction completed at the time of mastectomy. In some cases, women delay the reconstruction, especially if they are still undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

“The most important thing for women to remember,” Romanelli says, “is that they do have options and that they should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each choice with their physicians.”

Dr. James Romanelli and his team of plastic surgeons at Romanelli Cosmetic Surgery specialize in body, face, and breast enhancement procedures. After earning his medical degree from SUNY Downstate, Dr. Romanelli undertook 8 years of post-graduate specialty training in general surgery, plastic surgery, and hand surgery. Dr. Romanelli has received numerous awards and professional appointments in recognition of his surgical skill. He serves as chief of staff at Huntington Hospital in addition to providing a full range of procedures through his cosmetic surgery practice, where he is joined by Dr. Dana Khuthaila and Dr. Christine M. Blaine.

(Long Island, NY) A Navy SEAL and Massapequa resident will be laid to rest this Friday after his life was claimed in the service of this country during a freak training accident last Wednesday.

Jonathan Kaloust, 23, a 2007 graduate of Massapequa High School, was among several soldiers seated in a Humvee that overturned in Fort Knox, Kentucky last week. Kaloust was the only person killed in the accident, which according to Navy statements is still under investigation.

Funeral services for Kaloust, a standout high school wrestler who went on after graduation to acquire a Political Science degree at the State University of New York at Binghamton, will be held on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the Massapequa Funeral Home in Massapequa Park.

A wake for Kaloust will be held Thursday.

According to friends, Kaloust was quiet, a hard worker, and a great wrestler, nicknamed by his teammates as “The Silent Assassin.” According to reports, he had always dreamed of becoming a member of the U.S. Navy’s Sea, Air, Land Teams elite special forces unit, commonly known as the Navy SEALs.

The body of Kaloust arrived at the funeral home Wednesday evening under police escort, where military and first responders stood at attention and saluted the fallen hero.

(Long Island, NY) Nassau County will be hosting a free Drug Overdose Prevention Seminar that teaches non-medically trained people how to save a life by administering an antidote – Naloxone or Narcan - which reverses the effects of a fatal overdose of prescription drugs or heroin.

Nassau residents, age 18+, who attend the 90 minute forum, will obtain a free life-saving Narcan kit provided by the New York State Health Department. Narcan reverses the potentially deadly effects of Heroin and prescription painkillers, such as Oxycontin and Vicodin, on the body’s respiratory system, according to Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano.

“My administration’s drug-prevention efforts focus primarily on Education, Awareness and Enforcement. Together with schools, community groups, treatment facilities and the public, we are waging a war on drugs,” he said. “With Narcan training programs successfully operating in at least 16 states across the nation, Nassau County is the first county in New York State to teach residents who have no medical training to administer this lifesaving antidote to those suffering from a prescription drug or heroin overdose. With too many young people falling victim to drug addiction, we must do all that we can to save their lives and put them on the road to recovery so that they can lead normal and productive lives.”

Statistics indicate that the number of heroin and prescription drug-related deaths in Nassau County decreased from 2011 to 2012, while heroin deaths increased year-to-year in Suffolk County. Medical experts praise Nassau County’s Narcan training, along with the Mangano administration’s Education, Awareness and Enforcement efforts, as a reason for the decline. In 2012, Nassau County trained over 430 residents on how to administer Narcan and disseminated free kits.

The next Nassau County Drug Overdose Prevention Seminar will be held on May 15th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center, located at 510 Grumman Road West in Bethpage.

Dubbed, the “PBY Catalina”, the “Cat”, operated along the Long Island coast line during World War II, searching for Nazi U-boats trying to torpedo Allied freighters and tankers. It served as the “eyes” of the American fleet when radar was in its infancy, and it was instrumental in securing victory over Japanese aircraft carriers in the Pacific and German battleships in the North Atlantic by spotting them lurking in waters below. It also rescued thousands of downed pilots as its seaplane hull enabled it to land and take off from the ocean.

“We are honored to be able to help sponsor the arrival of this aircraft as it reflects the courage and valor of not just our naval aviators but all those who went into harm;s way on behalf of freedom,” stated Jan Burman, President of Bristal Assisted Living.

The mighty four engine B-17 brought the war to America’s enemies during World War II and destroyed much of the Nazi’s industrial factories throughout Europe before the Germans surrendered in May of 1945. Only a handful are still flying and this will be its only appearance on Long Island this year. When the Northport Jazz Band will perform the museum’s aircraft take to the skies in a dusk “fly by”.

The American Airpower Museum will host many of the aircraft flying in the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show this coming Memorial Day Weekend. The museum will be open between Friday, May 24th through Monday, May 27th between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and open until 7pm only on Saturday. Entrance fees are: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and veterans, and $5 for children.

Flight experiences will be available on the legendary “Yankee Lady” Flying Fortress B-17 World War II bomber throughout the weekend as well as on a classic WACO biplane, T-6 Texan. The museum’s C-47 Airborne paratrooper plane will be offering its D-Day flight experiences on Monday, May 27th—one of two days a year these experiences are offered.

Kushnick is the Founder of Kushnick Pallaci PLLC, a leading New York law firm with offices in Melville, NY which is dedicated to the practice of construction, commercial and real estate litigation and arbitration. The firm represents owners, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, design professionals, architects, engineers, surveyors, municipalities, manufacturers, installers, and suppliers, in all aspects of construction disputes and claims. The firm also serves as local counsel for numerous out-of-state firms.

Kushnick has over 25 years of litigation experience, is a past Law Review Editor and a frequent lecturer on topics involving construction law. He represents matters relating to commercial, residential, public and private construction projects in the New York Metro area and throughout New York State. He is a member of numerous organizations including the Suffolk County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the Nassau County Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Long Island Builders Institute, The National Association of the Remodeling Industry, American Institute of Architects, General Building Contractors of New York State, and Associated General Contractors. In addition, he has served as Vice Chairman and Legal Consul to the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and presently is the Festival Chairman for one of the most anticipated festivals in the tri-state area, the LI Fall Festival.

Kushnick has been honored by the Long Island Business News. His firm received the Business of the Year Award from the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and Law Firm of the Year award from Long Island Press Newspaper. He has also been selected several times for inclusion in the prestigious New York Super Lawyers magazine.

“I am honored and look forward to my new role as Chamber Chairman”, explains Kushnick. “I plan to work closely with the Chamber Board, the staff, local community leaders and our membership to build upon our past successes and to vigorously support the mission of Chamber and advance efforts which will provide value for membership and which will help our members build their businesses and careers, stimulate the local economy and create new opportunities.”

About the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1925 as a Chamber of Commerce in the Village of Huntington, the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business, industry, financial service, not-for-profit and other professionals within the greater Huntington area. Its mission is the promotion of business, economic development and job creation through the coordinated effort of its membership.

(Long Island, NY) When life reaches its darkest points, when all hope seems lost, sometimes people need a helping hand; for many, hand has been extended by The Frank Cassata Family Foundation.

Nicole Cassata, a trustee and manager of The Frank Cassata Family Foundation, said that helping people face life’s toughest battles has become her family’s tradition.

“The Foundation was started by my grandfather, Frank, in 1995,”she said. “Since then, they have hosted a lot of different golf fundraisers where they raised money for breast cancer, cystic fibrosis, and many other organizations. Also, on the side, we donate to organizations that assist hunger, diabetes, leukemia…all different life-altering tragedies.”

Among the organizations receiving support in the past from The Frank Cassata Family Foundation are The Boys and Girls Club, Komen for the Cure, Babylon Coalition, The Guide Dog Foundation, and the Police Athletic League, among others.

“Basically, we just try and reach out to anything…my father just donated to have a playground built over the summer in the memory of a little girl who had drowned in a boating accident,” Cassata said. “We just try to reach out and help out anyone in need, and raise money to help anybody.”

The organization’s latest fundraising effort is slated to be their 6th Annual Golf Classic to benefit The Lung Cancer Foundation of America, and according to Cassata, the motivation behind this event is a personal one.

“We have a friend of the family who has lung cancer, so we decided to do a golf fundraiser to benefit The Lung Cancer Foundation of America,” she said. “We got in contact with the Foundation, and we will be hosting the fundraiser for them specifically during the week of August 26, 2013.”

The golf tournament will be held at the Woodside Acres Golf at Country Club in Muttontown, NY, and the proceeds will be used to help benefit those suffering from lung cancer; something, said Cassata, that her grandfather would be happy to know.

“Ever since I was young, I remember my grandfather helping out people all over,” she said. “And it’s just been one of our dreams to raise money and benefit great charities and those in need. It feels good to lend a helping hand and do something that betters the world.”

To find out more about the The Frank Cassata Family Foundation and their 6th Annual Golf Classic to benefit The Lung Cancer Foundation of America, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please visit their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/TheFrankCassataFamilyFoundation

Breezway

Executive Chef Seth Levine will continue to offer Georgica’s signature dishes such as Lobster Truffle Mac N’ Cheese, Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad, and a Raw Seafood Bar, and this year will be introducing new enticing seasonal specials. Among the Hamptons scenesters and special guests who have enjoyed Georgica’s delicious cuisine over the years include Bradley Cooper, Chace Crawford, Kellan Lutz, Russell Simmons, Jake Gyllenhaal, Susan Sarandon, and Jon Bon Jovi.

After dinner, the lights dim and Georgica turns into one of the hottest lounges out east. With high profile fundraisers, special events, and internationally in-demand DJ’s taking over Georgica’s turntables, guests have a chance to shake their summer tans and toast to the season. Past summers have seen events hosted by Dan’s Papers’ Taste of Two Forks, amNewYork, Hamptons Magazine, The Food Bank of New York, Rachel Zoe’s Birthday Celebration, and an annual tradition, Jessica White’s Angel Wings Foundation Dinner. This year will be no exception, hosting the 4th anniversary of the supermodel’s charity over Memorial Day Weekend.

Exterior

Georgica Room

Scallops Dish

In a fiercely competitive scene, Georgica owners and industry veterans Fuccio, Kehlenbeck and Schulman have created an environment that seamlessly transitions from a fine dining restaurant into a chic lounge. Georgica has remained successful amongst the ever-changing East End social scene because of its authentic “born and raised in the Hamptons” atmosphere, which can’t be found anywhere else. Summer 2013 is already anticipated to produce another amazing season for Georgica, filled with food, fun, fabulous guests and unforgettable events.

“New York homeowners have received almost $2 billion in financial relief under the National Mortgage Settlement—far more than the federal government projected would flow to our state a year ago,” said Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. “While we are pleased that the benefits to homeowners — including reduced debt, lower mortgage payments, and averted foreclosures — have been substantial, our work is not finished.  My office will continue to monitor the banks’ compliance with the settlement.”

In addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars in relief from lenders reflected in today’s report, Attorney General Schneiderman secured over $130 million in hard dollars for New Yorkers as part of the settlement. Of this amount, Attorney General Schneiderman launched the Homeowner Protection Program, a $60 million commitment over three years to fund housing counseling and legal services for struggling New York homeowners. Throughout New York State, 34 legal services organizations and 59 housing counseling agencies will receive over $16.1 million this year to provide free foreclosure prevention services. An additional $3.9 million has been allocated for training, technical assistance, and other support services to assist homeowners in foreclosure. In part because of the advocacy of HOPP funded housing counselors and legal services providers, over 4,300 New York homeowners have completed, or have active trial modifications for approximately $540 million worth first mortgage principal reduction.

In January of 2012, Attorney General Schneiderman was appointed by President Obama to co-chair the Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Working Group. This joint investigation brings together the Department of Justice (DOJ), HUD, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, several state law enforcement officials, and other federal agencies to investigate those responsible for misconduct contributing to the financial crisis through the pooling and sale of residential mortgage-backed securities. It builds upon ongoing state and federal investigations, while also launching new ones.

For additional information regarding the mortgage settlement, please visit:

• New York State Mortgage Settlement - Official Website
• National Mortgage Settlement - Official Website
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Official Website
• U.S. Department of Justice - Official Website

The class, officially called AWR-305 Bioterrorism Awareness: Collaboration Among Rural First Responders and Health Professionals, is geared to those in this field of Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Service, Healthcare, Law Enforcement, Public Health or Public Safety Communications. After holding a successful symposium earlier in the year on the continuum of healthcare is emergency situations, the Center for Health Innovation is extending its reach to those in the emergency management field. This course is part of the federally funded Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium and registration is completed through the New York State Office of Emergency Management.

The design of this class will help first responders be more efficient and effective in situations involving biological agents including coordinating patient care by enhancing communication between themselves and hospital emergency department personnel. By improving communications the entire emergency response reduces the chances of further community contamination. There will be focus on the use of computer software to provide quick and accurate means of accessing a bioterroist situation and diagnosing victims. A review is included of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) structure and basic response protocol as well as background on biological agents, signs, symptoms and treatment.

Class size is limited and participants who attend the course will receive a certificate of completion. Registration closes July 11, 2013. To register for this course, visit, the Statewide Learning Management System (SLMS) https://www.nyslearn.ny.gov.

The Center for Health Innovation offers over 55 health-related academic programs across schools and colleges. All contributing to an improved healthcare landscape. Offerings include courses that range in graduate certificate or MS in Emergency Management. Designed for working professionals who need to fit course work around their busy life and career responsibilities. Students in the Emergency Management program study part time in the evenings, with more classes being offered online each semester. For more information check the “our programs” tab at chi.adelphi.edu or call Meghan McPherson, MPP, CEM at 516-237-8639.