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Smithtown Dish – small bites of foodie news

By Nancy Vallarella 

According to a Plainview store employee, the Fairway (food market), Lake Grove location is now scheduled to open late June – early July. The Fairway location is in the DSW Plaza located at 3200 Middle Country Rd. Lake Grove.

Azulejos, Fine Mexican Cuisine will be opening at the former location of Uncle Bacala’s, 368 Middle Country Road,  Smithtown.

Azafran will take over the former Sweet Tomato location on 25A in Saint James. FYI- azafran   is a prevalent in Mexico and is derived from the blossoms of safflower. It imparts a pleasing color and a subtle aromatic. It is not a replacement for saffron but will replace Sweet Tomato.

Spuntino located in the building in front of Azafran (a little over to the west on 25A) is looking at a July opening. Their Westbury location is slated to open this month.

Commack's 2014 Spring Games Special Olympics Was Indeed Special

What did Debbie Virga, coordinator of Commack’s 2014 Spring Games Special Olympics, think of the May 4th event? “It was really amazing” were the words Ms. Virga used to describe the second and final Special Olympics to be held in Commack. According to Virga the Special Olympics Committee requires a two-year commitment from a host organization. In 2013 Commack hosted its first Special Olympics that set the bar very high for this year and for future hosts.  

According to Virga, 650 athletes participated in the games and 500 people volunteered to work the games. If you include the families, supporters, dignitaries, school board members and teachers you have somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 people attending the event which took place at Commack HS on Scholar Lane. Ms. Virga is quick to point out that this was a tremendous undertaking that required tremendous community participation. She is in the process of putting together a letter thanking those who graciously gave their time, money, service and support for the athletes.

The Spring Special Olympics provides athletes with special needs the opportunity to participate in track and field events. Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization provides training and competitions to more than 4.2 million athletes in 170 countries.

In addition to athletes and their families Commack’s Board of Education members and Superintendent of Schools Donald James, County Executive Steve Bellone and NYS Senator John Flanagan, NYS Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick, Legislator Robert Trotta (Commack HS graduate) and Huntington Councilwoman Susan Berland were all on-hand to welcome everyone to the 2014 Spring Games.

Prior to the track and field events there was the opening ceremony in which Special Olympian T.J. Timmons blew everyone away with his singing of the Star Spangled Banner.  This was followed by another Commack athlete, Connor LaMantia * reciting the Special Olympics Oath written by Eunice Kennedy Shriver for the Inaugural Special Olympics international games in 1968. “Let me win. But if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt.” The crowd went wild with cheers.

The final event prior to the actual track and file activities was the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron by Commack’s Jessica Spitz who also participated in track and field events.  Jessica is somewhat of a celebrity as she is a spokesperson for the Special Olympics. With poise and a smile that melts the heart she ran in to the stadium and lit the cauldron posing and enjoying the applause and well-deserved accolades.  

It was now time for the games to begin. Athletes showed their determination and gave it their all. They supported one another and they were supported by the families and counselors who attended the games.  There was an Olympic Village set up where those waiting for their event could play a game, eat (no charge) win prizes and just relax.  There were many give-aways. The Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club set up a game of tic-tac-toe with prizes of bags of chips and or apples. 18 1/2 lbs of apples were given away at the games as more athletes chose the healthy over the 150 bags of chips that were distributed.

The day turned out to be a little chillier and windier than last year, but people who attended the event reported a special warmth emanating from their heart that kept them comfortable.

Congratulations to the athletes and to their families who encourage them to be “Brave in the attempt” and congratulations to Debbie Virga and the Commack School District for providing the community with this wonderful experience.

*The article was corrected - Connor LaMantia was misidentified in the original posting.

Assembly Candidate Zove - Speed Cameras Put Safety Before Politic

A little over a month ago Smithtown resident Democrat Jason Zove announced his candidacy for New York State Assemblyperson in the 8th Assembly District.  The position is currently held by Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick. Even though the election is seven months away, Zove wants to let people know why he is the best person to represent them in the NYS Assembly. 

Zove released the following statement on School Zone Speed Cameras:

Legislation for school-zone speed cameras was passed by the New York State Assembly on Monday, April 28, by a vote of 103-24, and was later passed by the New York State Senate on Wednesday, April 30. The bill authorizes 56 speed cameras for Nassau County and 69 speed cameras in Suffolk County, one per public school district. Under the new law, cameras must be located within ¼ mile of the school and the cameras will only be turned on to detect speeders from 7am-4:10pm.

“I commend Long Island’s lawmakers in the State Assembly for working across the aisle to vote in favor of speed cameras in school zones and allow Suffolk and Nassau counties to take the lead in protecting our kids,” said Zove. “The passing of this vital legislation proves that safety is not a democratic or republican issue, and I am confident these speed cameras will better ensure the safety of our children across Long Island.”

Mr. Fitzpatrick was the only Assemblyman from all of Long Island who opposed this legislation, stating that the approval of this bill and the implementation of this initiative is only about revenue.

“To say that this program is only about raising money is absolutely ludicrous and completely ignores the importance of protecting our children which is always a top priority as a public official,” said Zove. “I am extremely disappointed that Mr. Fitzpatrick chose to serve his own political agenda and failed to put our kids first. The residents of the 8^th Assembly District deserve a representative who will fight to protect us and make safety the primary objective.” 

Zove said that he has been listening to the public and understands the concerns constiuents have about the speed cameras. He agrees with those who believe that in areas where cameras are installed, “clear warning signs should be posted at every speed camera location. This will provide residents and commuters ample time to slow down as they approach a school zone where children and pedestrians might be crossing.” 

“I want to thank all of the long island assemblymen who put our children and our safety first above politics,” said Zove. 

Commack Resident William Scully - President of Long Island Based Medical Device King Arrested

William Scully of Commack and Shahrad Rodi Lamech of Manhasset, officers of the Long Island based Pharmalogical, Inc. d/b/aMedical Device King were indicted in federal court, Central Islip this morning.  

A 73-count indictment was unsealed in federal court charging William Scully,  President of Medical Device King and Shahrad Rodi Llamech,Vice President with multiple counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, distribution of misbranded and counterfeit prescription drugs, trafficking in counterfeit goods, and smuggling. 

According to the indictment the defendants have operated their illegal schemes since March 2009. In addition to selling counterfeit cancer treatment medication to an oncology practice in Iowa the two are charged with selling other drugs and devices not approved by the U.S. FDA to women’s clinics and health care providers.

“As alleged, instead of seeing an opportunity to alleviate suffering and cure disease, Scully and Lameh saw a chance to make money off the backs of those already fighting for their lives, selling counterfeit cancer medication to an unsuspecting clinic. The defendants deliberately and repeatedly flouted the laws enacted to protect our citizens, all in order to flood the market with counterfeit and unapproved drugs and medical devices just so they could line their own pockets,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “We and our law enforcement partners will vigorously pursue and prosecute those who seek to profit from the illness of others by such fraud.”

Scully, 45, and Lamech, 40, were arrested and will appear at the federal courthouse  in Central Islip this afternoon. See release

On May 13, 2013 The Department of Health and Human Services sent the following alert:

Alert: Suspect Prescription Drugs Distributed by Medical Device King Dear Licensee:

We are writing to alert you to a potential public health problem with certain prescription drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received information indicating that your medical practice may have received prescription drug(s) distributed by Medical Device King (MDK), a distributor that is not licensed in any state. FDA is very concerned these products may cause harm to patients, because they may be unsafe or ineffective. Read entire alert

Prescription drugs distributed by MDK may be counterfeit drugs (not manufactured or distributed by the company indicated on their label); and/or may be drugs from foreign or unknown sources that are not approved for distribution in the United States. These drugs may have unknown ingredients, or may not have been manufactured, transported or stored under proper conditions as required by U.S. law, regulations, and standards.