Two Men Arrested After Attempted Theft From King O'Rourke Smithtown

Steven HallJoseph StoddardSuffolk County Police have arrested two men after they attempted to steal tires and rims at a car dealership in Smithtown yesterday.

Fourth Precinct Police Officer Frank Filiberto was on patrol when he observed a suspicious vehicle turn into the rear lot of King O’Rourke, located at 756 Nesconset Highway, at 2:30 a.m. The officer requested additional units and Officer Filiberto and Officer Vincent Liberato began to check the dealership lot. They observed the men removing lug nuts from a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The men fled when they noticed the officers and were arrested a short time later by Canine Police Officer Michael Cassidy and his dog Thor. 

Fourth Squad detectives charged Steven Hall, 38, of Lake Grove, and Joseph Stoddard, 51, of  Lake Ronkonkoma, with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Auto Stripping 3rd Degree and Possession of Burglar Tools. They were held overnight for arraignment today at First District Court in Central Islip.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Winter Heating Alert - Relief From High Energy Bills Available To Homeowners

WINTER HEATING ALERT: LONG ISLAND HOMEOWNERS CAN GET RELIEF FROM HIGH ENERGY BILLS OWNERS CAN CUT COSTS, SAVE ENERGY AND MAKE HOMES MORE COMFORTABLE YEAR-ROUND ‘LONG ISLAND GREEN HOMES’ INITIATIVE HELPS HOMEOWNERS TAP NEW YORK STATE-SPONSORED SERVICES AND INCENTIVES SEE: LONGISLANDGREENHOMES.ORG

“The Town of Smithtown is continually looking for ways to improve energy efficiency in the Town, and we are happy to be a part of the Long Island Green Homes Initiative.  This initiative has the potential not only to reduce energy consumption in the Town, but also to save town residents a significant amount of money and improve the value of the town’s housing stock,” said Town of Smithtown Supervisor, Patrick Vecchio.

Huntington, NY – Nov. 10, 2015:  With fall temperatures upon us, Long Island homeowners now have a valuable new ally to help them save money on their heating bills, reduce energy use, protect the environment, and keep homes more comfortable and safer year-round.

A not-for-profit, public-private partnership launched today will help homeowners get free home energy assessments and tap into of a range of free and discounted services and resources that reduce costs and make residences more energy-efficient.

The Long Island Green Homes Initiative helps Long Island homeowners take advantage of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) programs that generate energy savings while stimulating local jobs, boosting economic development, promoting sustainability and protecting the environment.

As dramatically underscored by last winter’s record-cold temperatures, a large proportion of Long Island’s aging housing stock lacks adequate insulation and up-to-date heating systems. It is estimated that more than a third of Long Island homes have heating systems that are 30 years old or older. Many of these are at or near the end of their useful life, are costly to maintain, and are much less efficient than new, modern equipment. Over half of Long Island homes were built before 1970 and the adoption of energy conservation codes. As a result, many are drafty and uncomfortable. Now is an ideal time for Long Island homeowners to make money-saving energy upgrades.

Homeowners in Nassau and Suffolk counties face unusually high energy costs. A 2013 report by the US Labor Department found that electricity prices on Long Island ranked 57 percent higher than the national average. Natural gas prices were 24 percent above the national average. Therefore investments in energy savings are particularly important for Long Islanders.

In the Town of Babylon, for example, where results from energy efficiency improvements have been measured since 2008, average energy bill savings equaled $1,084 annually. Every Long Island homeowner, regardless of income, can benefit from the program. Many money-saving improvements require little or no out-of-pocket expenses. A number of improvements are eligible for cost reductions of up to 50 percent, depending upon household income.

Long Island Green Homes makes the process simple by guiding homeowners through each step. The initiative has launched a new, user-friendly website, and specially trained “Energy Navigators” are now available to advise homeowners by phone and assist in identifying the full scope of rebates, discounts and low-cost financing available.

The “Energy Navigators” help owners schedule a Free Home Energy Assessment, which produces a comprehensive analysis of a home’s energy efficiency. The assessment spells out a detailed plan for home upgrades that will save money and improve the comfort of every home. This assessment also includes important carbon monoxide safety testing.

NYSERDA provided support for the project under Phase II of Governor Cuomo’s Cleaner, Greener Communities program. The program aims to affect fundamental changes to local and regional sustainable growth strategies to offer economic growth through jobs and lowered infrastructure costs, while also addressing environmental issues and improving community health, resiliency, safety, and livability. Cleaner, Greener Communities supports projects the Regional Economic Development Councils identified as important to the economy of the region. 

Cleaner, Greener Communities is funded by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the nation’s first market-based regulatory program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. RGGI is a cooperative effort among New York and the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont to cap and reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector.

The project is expected result in direct Island-wide energy cost savings of $1.75 million per year, and greenhouse gas reductions of 7,000 metric tons per year, with potentially much greater effects due to building the market for home energy efficiency.

NYSERDA President and CEO John B. Rhodes said, “Under Governor Cuomo, Long Island consumers are gaining more and more control over their electric bills through energy efficiency programs and other progressive energy initiatives.  New York is not only helping Long Island residents reap significant savings on their energy bills, but helping them find new ways to save more by using less, creating healthier and more sustainable communities.”

“The Long Island Green Homes Initiative was chosen as a 2014 REDC priority project because its goal is to help homeowners access New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) incentives, get free home energy assessments, and receive discounted services to make their homes more energy-efficient,” said Co-Chairs of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Kevin Law, President of the Long Island Association, and Stuart Rabinowitz, President of Hofstra University. “We are pleased to see our support in action, as the consortium helps Long Island residents lower their energy bills, in preparation for the coming winter.”

The Long Island Complete Green Homes Initiative is a partnership of three not-for-profit community-based organizations (Community Development Corporation of Long Island, LI Green, United Way of Long Island), five Long Island townships (Babylon, East Hampton, Huntington, North Hempstead, ttown), and is headquartered at Molloy College. The Initiative is grateful to Supervisor Rich Schaffer of the Town of Babylon, Supervisor Larry Cantwell of the Town of East Hampton, Supervisor Frank Petrone of the Town of Huntington, Supervisor Judi Bosworth of the Town of North Hempstead, and Supervisor Patrick Vecchio of the Town of Smithtown for their support of the program.

“The Town of Smithtown is continually looking for ways to improve energy efficiency in the Town, and we are happy to be a part of the Long Island Green Homes Initiative.  This initiative has the potential not only to reduce energy consumption in the Town, but also to save town residents a significant amount of money and improve the value of the town’s housing stock,” said Town of Smithtown Supervisor, Patrick Vecchio.

“The Rauch Foundation is pleased to be able to support this important initiative to improve the environment by assisting Long Island homeowners in reducing their energy consumption and lowering their energy costs,” said Nancy Rauch Douzinas, President of the Rauch Foundation. “This initiative is also a terrific example of public-private collaboration, and I applaud the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College for orchestrating that collaboration so successfully.”

The project launch event was held at a private residence in the Town of Huntington, where a participating home energy performance contractor demonstrated the process of conducting a home energy assessment—photos and short videos have been posted online.  

“Long Islanders have an extraordinary opportunity to reduce their household spending while making their communities more sustainable,” said Neal Lewis of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College. “This is a classic example of satisfying sustainability’s ‘triple bottom line’ of people, planet and profits. Homeowners save on their energy bills, money stays in Long Island’s economy and creates jobs, and emissions of air pollution and greenhouse gases are reduced.”

“In addition to saving money, when people make these improvements in their home they are more comfortable since the home is less drafty, keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. CDCLI is grateful to NYS for investing in Long Island’s homeowners and in efforts to keep our environment healthy,” said Marianne Garvin, President and CEO of the Community Development Corporation of Long Island. “The Long Island Green Homes Initiative will help to create affordable energy bills to relieve the burden on working families,” said Theresa Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “By making sensible energy investments, homeowners can aggressively lower their utility bills and enjoy greater financial stability.”

While many Long Islanders have taken steps to make their homes more energy efficient, large numbers of homeowners have yet to take action to have a comprehensive analysis of their home’s energy use and winterize their homes. Energy efficiency investments more than pay for themselves and save money for years, and also boost the safety of heating systems. As energy prices rise, this investment makes even more sense. 

Homeowners interested in cutting their home heating and cooling bills can receive a free Energy Audit by calling 800.567.2850, or by visiting longislandgreenhomes.org and completing the online application. 

Theater Review - "Miracle on 34th Street"

THEATER REVIEW - Miracle on 34^th Street - Produced by: John W Engeman Theater, Northport - Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur 

Chalk up another smash hit for The Engeman!

Meaghan McIinnis as Susan Walker & Kevin McGuire as Kris Kringle ( photo by Michael DeCristofaro)The famed equity company’s new holiday offering is the musical, “Miracle on 34^th Street,” based on the 1947 non-musical film of the same name. The movie, of course, famously starred Academy Award winner Edmund Gwenn, and has become a classic in its own right. 

“Miracle…” tells of a skeptical little girl who claims to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. And when the actual Kris Kringle is inadvertently hired as Santa at Macy’s…where the child’s divorced mother works as the store’s publicist…Kris has to convince the girl, Susan, and her jaded mother, Doris (initially a cynic if ever there was one) that he’s the real deal.

There are amusing plot turns along the way…the most believable of which is a love interest that might choke-up even the most prosaic among us…and the grownups in this feel-good story comprise an exceptionally talented group of singers. Northport newcomer Kevin McGuire (Kris Kringle), lovely Engeman veteran Kim Carson (Doris Walker), the irrepressible Aaron Ramey (Fred Gaily), and Broadway standout Bill Nolte (R. H. Macy) lead a superlative cast of adult songsters. And Matt Wolpe (as the madcap Marvin Shellhammer) is a delightful stumblebum whom we know is destined to say and do all the wrong things…at precisely the wrong times.

Essentially, though, this is a children’s story told at a magical time of year for kids, predominantly in that most wondrous place imaginable for boys and girls at Christmas…Macy’s toy department! Accordingly, it’s appropriate that the youngsters in the cast soon take control of the proceedings (there are two alternating companies of children, of course). The group I saw at The Engeman’s November 21^st Press Opening was led by Meaghan Marie McInnes. Four-foot-tall Meaghan is a young, disarmingly precocious actress, and she filled the starring role of pre-schooler Susan Walker adorably.

Right behind her was a young lady whose stage presence impresses me more every time I see her. She’s a veteran hoofer (even at a still-tender age) and former ‘Encore Award’ winner for excellence in Theater Arts…Katie Dolce. Katie has easily lived up to the promise she displayed with her top hat and cane a few years ago in “White Christmas,” when little more than a toddler.

There’s another up-and-comer we should all watch for, too. Unless I miss my guess, Christopher McKenna, Jr. is destined for stardom. The boy can’t be much older than ten or eleven, nevertheless he seems born to the stage. Rather than fear his audience, little Christopher obviously thrives on their adulation…and it’s doubtful he’ll ever forget their erupting in spontaneous applause at one point during his brief performance Saturday night.

Which brings this reviewer to a final point: Sometimes an audience helps professional critics form judgments as surely as do the performers themselves. That was the case during opening night of “Miracle on 34^th Street.” All evening long patrons at Northport’s comfortable Engeman Theater seemed to break into applause at the drop of a hat. They applauded following every song…after every exit…and at the conclusion of every dance routine. The full-house of attendees laughed heartily when each joke or otherwise humorous observation was delivered…and at the final curtain they stood and cheered in unison.

I challenge any critic to submit a less-than-glowing review in the wake of such a reception. 

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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of eleven novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. His newest book, THE GHOSTWRITERS, explores the bizarre relationship between Harper Lee and Truman Capote. Ladouceur’s website is www.JebsBooks.com

Showing Solidarity With Victims Of Terrorism - Ceremony At Responders Remembered Park

“Sunday’s ceremony was a collaboration of the World Trade Center health clinic run by Dr. Luft, the FealGood Foundation and the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park. The message was, we stand in solidarity with the victims of terrorism in Paris and around the world.”  Martin Aponte

Terrorism was on the minds of the people who attended the ceremony at 9/11 Responders Remembered Park in Nesconset Sunday morning. The park is dedicated to first responders who lost their lives as a result of their responding to 9/11 sites.

The ceremony was organized by Dr. Benjamen Luft, director of the Stony Brook World Trade Center Wellness Program. The goal of the ceremony was to show support for the most recent victims of terrorism in Paris and Mali. 

9/11 First Responder Glenn Klein and son EvanDignitaries included County Executive Steve Bellone, NYS Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Legislator Leslie Kennedy and Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy.

John Feal, founder of the FealGood Foundation and Martin Aponte, president of the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park stood with the dignitaries. John talking about how precious life is. Martin, quietly wearing his angst in the furrow of his brow. 

Many in the audience of approximately seventy people had been to the park before. Some were remembering 9/11 and others were remembering the ceremonies where names of recent deceased responders were added to the granite walls. Sunday’s ceremony was a solemn but necessary ceremony for those who wanted the people in France and Mali to know that Americans were hurting for them and with them.

Smithtown student singing God Bless AmericaAccording to one attendee, John Feal’s reminder that everyone will die but people need to get on with living was a strong reminder of how precious and short life is. 

The ceremony was an opportunity to stand in unity with those who have suffered at the hands of terrorist. A chance to show empathy and compassion.

“They are us and we are them” said County Executive Steve Bellone. 

Feeding The Needy Is One Way Interact/Rotary Works In Your Neighborhood

Commack’s Interact Club joined with the Commack/Kings Park Rotary Club and AAUW (American Association of University Women) hosting a food drive on Saturday, November 14 at Shoprite in Commack. The items collected were delivered to St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in East Northport. 

The weather was great and Shoprite, located at 1 Garret Place, was a perfect location for the food drive. Shoppers at the store were very generous with their donations, filling a van and a car.

“As always, the generosity of our community goes above and beyond.” Said Interact Club advisor Debbie Virga. Ms. Virga was pleased with her students and acknowledged additional help came from U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Mervin Leonor who assisted at the food drive.

Commack HS students Alexa Corben, Julia Bradley, Kaylah Cochrane, Chris Siegler, Danny Tropper, Gina Smith, Alyssa Rockowitz, Katherine Elliot, Theresa Amoruso, Caitlin Passaro organized the food drive and collected the donations as part of their Interact activities.

St. Vincent dePaul food pantry is located at 20 Cheshire Place East Northport, NY 11731. St. Vincent de Paul is non sectarian and provides food to those in need. The Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Bonwit Inn at 12:15pm the public is welcome to attend.