St. James Resident Nicole Barattini Nominated For Presidential Award For Excellence In Math & Science

By Maureen Rossi

Nicole BarattiniSt. James resident Nicole Barattini was recently nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science. Her proud father Tony Giordano, who is active in Smithtown and Suffolk County politics, gave a sweet shout out to his little lady on his Facebook post a few days back.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science (including computer science) teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. According to PAEMST Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and are leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.  “I was thrilled when I found out a parent of one of my current students nominated me,” said the soft spoken educator. Barattini said she was incredibly touched by the honor.

By the time Nicole was a 10th grader living in Smithtown she knew she wanted to be an educator. Nicole attended St. Joseph’s College and majored in mathematics education 7-12th. She remains today at her first teaching job at St. Mary’s School in East Islip. “Initially I thought I wanted to be a high school teacher when I got this middle school job I loved it so much and changed my mind,” she explained.

“I found out in an e-mail from the organization that I was nominated,” she added. Teaching for four years she says she knows she has made the right career choice.

When it comes to the controversial Common Core curriculum, Nicole says she likes the curriculum. “It’s somewhat more challenging for teachers to implement but the children are responding and comprehending mathematics better,” she explained. She says it’s helping her students to understand the principles, the essentials behind the subject matter. “It teaches the fundamentals and how and why things are done instead of just memorization,” she added.

However, Nicole does not deny that the new Common Core in it’s entirety is more challenging. She shared that St. Mary’s implemented the new curriculum last year.  “I’m more concerned with how they (students) are able to use the skills, than the test results” she chimed in. Her students do take the state test, but she says at St. Mary’s “it’s not the be all and end all”.

Nicole attended Holy Family Regional School in Commack before attending St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip. Active in high school she played soccer and was a cheerleader. Today she coaches the soccer team and the volleyball team at St. Mary’s. “It’s amazing to see my students in a different capacity – you learn a lot more about them than you do in the classroom,” she laughed.

Nicole recalls her childhood days when her mother was a school nurse in Half Hollow Hills. “She always spoke so highly of working in a school; she told me it was going to be rewarding,” she shared. The dedicated educator said her mother’s advice was great advice.

Nicole has been married for four years to Kevin Barattini. Kevin a Kings Park native is known for his very popular D.J. business and his philanthropic work. Between their careers, her coaching and their volunteer work they are a very busy couple. Nicole says her life is really great, she’s very happy.

“I enjoy going to work every day,” she said. Nicole has a Master’s in Special Education and is optimistic that it will come in handy one day. She reflected on that comment and changed her mind; she said it’s helping her already – the young nominee of one of the nation’s most prestigious education awards says it’s helping her every day to relate to students with different abilities. Nicole credits her success to her close-knit family. She says she owes a lot to her parents and her brothers James and TJ and her husband Kevin. James is a member of law enforcement in Colorado and brother TJ is a Veteran of War; he served our country overseas in Afghanistan.

Nicole looks forward to coaching and teaching, she says every day is exciting.

Young And Old Going Bald In Kings Park To Fight Childhood Cancer

US Funding Only Covers 4% of Children’s Cancer Research

Kings Park Kids Trying to Change That

By Maureen Rossi

After Richard Mangogna: Age 11Richard Mangogna: Age 11 - BeforeLast Sunday The Park Lounge in Kings Park was bustling with hundreds of men, women and children ready to celebrate and participate in their annual St. Baldrick’s event.  Collectively they raised approximately one hundred thousand dollars.  That’s an incredibly impressive number considering it’s only the 6th year that the 25A pub has hosted the event.   Every year more and more people flock to the popular eatery owned by Kings Park native, former professional hockey player Jim Pavese.  Local hair dressers volunteer their services to shave head after head.

Equally impressive as the amount raised is the amount of young boys who showed up this year to partake in the event.  Being a tween or teen in a 24/7 technological world means all eyes are on them all the time.  It’s hardly a time in life that most kids try to stand out or be different.   That didn’t stop Kings Park kids Max, Daniel, Joey or Conner.   All the boys had their heads shaved for the St. Baldrick’s’ festivities s on Sunday.    

The genesis of St. Baldricks was in a New York City bar in 2000.  Not named after an Irish saint or any saint for that matter St. Baldrick’s is a play on words; a combination of Bald and St. Patrick’s.  The name and concept of raising money to fund cancer research for childhood cancers began with three friends over a dare at Jim Brady’s Bar and Restaurant.  In just fourteen short years, well over one hundred million dollars has been raised and those funds have been distributed to over 230 institutions in the Children’s Oncology Group.  The money funds research and treatment for children with cancer. 

Sixth grader Max Tanzi was on hand Sunday where he shaved his head for the sixth year in a row.  “At first I started doing it because my Dad did it,” he explained.  However, the somewhat shy tween says he likes the thought of helping kids.  The oldest of the young Tanzi brood, he says his favorite subject in school is lunch.  His younger brother and two younger sisters laughed when he shared that information in the busy hallway of Kings Park high school Tuesday night. His mother had he and his siblings at the Kings Park Board of Education meeting to watch his sister receive a special award.  He says he loves to play lacrosse and enjoys playing the guitar.   His tone then got more serious.  “My grandfather passed away about a year and half ago,” he shared.  His mom Kathy’s Dad  was a big part of Max’s and his siblings’ lives.  He was a beloved grandfather.  Max said he shaves his head now in memory of his grandfather.    Max hopes to be a cop someday, preferably a canine cop.  

Max’s brother Daniel is a 5^th grader and shared a comical side in between his short interview.  He says he loves baseball and has been shaving his head for St. Baldrick’s for four years.   “I felt happy to do it so that kids can get better,” he said.   Along with the rest of Long Island, Daniel awoke to frigid temperatures on Monday morning less than one day after shaving his small head.  “I have been wearing a hat, it’s been real cold,” he reported.  He says he hasn’t really decided yet what he wants to be when he grows up.  Daniel’s Dad, Tony Tanzi, is one of the people who helps to organize the annual Kings Park event.  Tony is an active member of the Kings Park and Smithtown community at large.  He’s the President of the KP Chamber and a member of the Historical Society and sits on the Zoning Board.  He said he is very proud of his sons for participating and caring about kids with cancer.

Joey Saccente and his best friend Conner Maher were amongst the throngs of people and children shaving their heads at Sunday’s festive event.   Joey is 11 but shared that he will be 12 on April 11^th.  “I did it last year too, but I didn’t really have much of a reason last year as I did this year,” he said.   Last year he and his dad were just driving past The Park Lounge the day of the event and they decided to do it spontaneously.  He said they just wanted to help.  

“This year I had a reason, my aunt back in November or October, she was diagnosed with cancer and also in 2011 my mom’s best friend died,” he explained.  He said he did it this year in honor of them but also wanted to help kids.  “I know it’s really difficult for kids with cancer; it’s very difficult for their families too knowing they will be sick for a while,” he suspected.   The William T. Rogers student has an older sister Dannie and he likes to play basketball and soccer and also enjoys running.  Joey says he lives on a block with lots of kids so says he said it’s a ton of fun to go outside with his friends and play all kinds of games or go to the park.  The chatty seventh grader said no one made fun of him at school.  Like Max and Daniel, he said lots of kids in their school did it this year.  “I really hope someone - anybody finds a cure then there will a lot less pain in the world,” he lamented.  Joey said he would love to play soccer professionally but shared a more realistic goal would be a fireman.  “My dad is a fireman I’d like to be a fireman too like him,” he ended.  He was proud of the fact that he raised $1,055 for the Foundation this year.  

Connor is Joey’s best friend and classmate.   “I was kind of nervous – since I knew it was for a good cause I felt good about,” he explained.  Also twelve like his best friend, he has two sisters, one older and one younger.  Conner raised an impressive $2,400 and says he likes to play basketball and baseball and also run track.   He said because of the cold weather he’s been sporting a St. Baldrick’s Day hat that he got at The Park Lounge.  “I like computers so when I grow up I want to be someone who builds computers and makes a lot of money so I can donate a lot of money to charity,” he shared.   Conner said when a really good family friend was diagnosed with cancer it inspired him to participate.  “It feels really good to do it you are helping a lot of people,” he ended.   You can still donate to the Park Lounge event.  Call 269-1351.

In totality; all types of childhood cancers only receive four percent of the cancer research funding in the United States.   The St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Max, Daniel, Joey and Conner are trying to change that number.   The brave young boys all said they hope to see a cure for childhood cancer.

Smithtown Dish – small bites of foodie news

Smithtown Dish – small bites of foodie news By Nancy Vallarella

The official dish of Smithtown is…LASAGNA. Earlier this month Newsday’s Peter M. Gianotti and Joan Reminick bestowed the honor of best lasagna on Long Island to ten area restaurants. Five of the ten are located in the Town of Smithtown. The winners are: Butera’s, Casa Rustica, Sal’s Ristorante, Spezia and The Trattoria. Congrats to all! Mangia Smithtown!

Villa Sorrento Restaurant and Caterer in Saint James has revamped their menu. In addition, Executive Chef Rob Mathews has come on board. Chef Mathews’s culinary background includes: Kitchen a Bistro (Saint James) and La Plage (Wading River).

Sundays with Myra – FREE COOKING CLASSES - The first Sunday of every month at Bloomingdale’s in Huntington at 1:00 & 2:30. Myra Naseem of Elegant Eating will demonstrate Passover and Easter treats for the class on April 6th.

Maureen Rossi - Making Nonprofit Radio News

Smithtown Matters Reporter Maureen Rossi made her Radio debut on Long Island’s new FM Talk Radio station 103.9 on Saturday.  Joined by Legislator Tom Cilmi and two experts from the mental health community, the show highlighted some pressing issues regarding Mental Health and the Heroin Epidemic on Long Island.  Those issues included budgetary challenges facing agencies that serve the mentally ill as well as obstacles to treatment for those trying to get clean from heroin.  

Flo Federman is host of the Saturday morning program called The Nonprofit Voice.  A consummate professional and well respected in the radio industry, she gained fame as the News Director and Morning Show Co-Host of the “Rick and Flo Show” on B-103 Radio. Tracy Carkner from the Federal of Organizations was also a guest on the 8-9 segment at the station housed in McArthur Airport.  Federal of Organizations is a multi-service, community-based social welfare agency.   They develop programs that are designed to meet the needs of special populations, such as people recovering from mental illness, the homeless, low-income seniors and at-risk children. For more than 35 years, Federation, a not-for-profit corporation, has been working to improve services to people with disabilities and their families through education, information and referral services, legislative action and program development.

Jennifer Colbert was also a guest and was representing EPIC. The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program is a New York State program for seniors administered by the Department of Health. It helps more than 270,000 income-eligible seniors aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs. Seniors can apply for EPIC at any time of the year and must be enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan to receive EPIC benefits and maintain coverage.  Colbert was very knowledgeable about The Affordable Care Act and how it will affect her constituents.  

Ron Gold is the producer of The Nonprofit Voice which, like the station, is in its infancy.   Gold is the President and CEO of Marketing Works.  Established in 2002, Gold brings his twenty years of marketing skills with connections to over 1,000 publications in the country.   In addition to be incredibly savvy about marketing he is also savvy about the radio business and was the General Manager at Walk FM. 

John Caracciolo is the President and CEO of JVC Media which runs the new and only Talk Radio station on LI on the FM dial.  “This station will not only serve as an information source, but will be a sounding board for issues that influence Long Island life, community and business. Nonprofit entities are a big part of that equation, so we’re very excited to have Marketing Works and ‘The Nonprofit Voice’ aboard,” he explained.

Rossi invited Cilmi to join her when two spots opened up just days before the show.  Legislator Tom Cilmi announced a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force last month during a Republican Caucus.   No stranger to the station, Cilmi has been a guest a few times for various programs including The John Gomez segment.

Gold invited Rossi to return for a 20 minute segment to discuss the non-profit Kings Park in the kNOw that she heads and the heroin epidemic on Long Island.   “Please come back on April 26^th, we’ll give you ½ the program to let our listeners know all about this epidemic,” said Gold.   Gold could be found outside the booth taking photos of the day’s guests while smiling.   Saturday’s show got a little heated during a commercial break off air when all three ladies went after Cilmi when he asked if parents were to blame for the heroin epidemic in Suffolk.  Carkner, Colbert and Rossi gave him an earful while the microphones were cold saying addiction is a mental illness and can’t be blamed on anyone.  They said there is no prototype; it can happen to anyone from any background.  The show was deemed a success by the all present; all the guest left the station with a smile and exchanged contact information.   For more information on the Nonprofit Voice check out:  www.nonprofitvoice.com  103.9 can be heard on the FM dial or from any digital device – you can listen live on their website:  www.linewsradio.com

Op Ed - Macellaro for Supervisor

Macellaro for Supervisor

By Maureen Rossi

Richard MacellaroRichard Macellaro is a Democrat who ran for one of two empty seats on the Town Board in November.   Last week, he addressed a lengthy letter to community leaders and the press with his proposed idea to establish the Smithtown Planning and Development Association (SPADA).   The grandfather who lives in Kings Park hails from Brooklyn where he was extremely active in Community Planning.   His plan comes on the heels of Councilman Thomas McCarthy’s proposal for a new Task Force to mitigate the zoning issues, primary zoning infractions in the Old Northport Road industrial area.

However Macellaro says a one-issue Task Force is not the answer.  What he is proposing for SPADA is gathering community and business leaders to come together to work on a host of issues and problems facing the township of Smithtown.   He feels like this new association should be void of all elected officials.   What the consummate community activist has laid out is impressive at the very least.  It includes many facets of government and has enormous merit.  

He feels it’s imperative that the community be involved in the planning process.   Makes sense right?  However, that’s already happening, there are several very well oiled civic groups that work hard to make sure development is done in the proper geographic areas.

Macellaro quotes Benjamin Franklin:  “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”    So it makes sense that following that quote, SPADA calls for a Master Plan.  Does Smithtown have a Master Plan?  If so where is Smithtown’s Master Plan?  Despite the call for such by many Civic groups, The Smithtown Chamber of Commerce and many community leaders, Smithtown finds itself without one.  We find ourselves without one for a very long time.   Councilman Thomas McCarthy informed me during the last election that we did not need a Master Plan because the town was already built out.   I disagree, many people disagree.  Marcellaro disagrees.

SPADA would also have a say in and work on the following issues: 

RE-DEVELOP TOWN PARKS

SMART GROWTH PLANNING

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

TOWN BUDGET PARTICIPATION

OTHER GOVERNMENTAL JURISDICATIONS

LOCAL TAX COLLECTION

GOVERNMENT COMPLEXES

BIG BOX STORES AND INDUSTRY

REVITIALIZE SMALL BUSINESSES

TAX INCENTIVES AND ABATEMENTS

MODERNIZE ZONING CODES & REGULATIONS

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

BUILD AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING

YOUNG FAMILES ACTIVITIES

YOUTH ACTIVITES AND DRUG PREVENTION/COUNCILING

PROMOTE & EXPAND ASSETS, RESOURCES

Macellaro offers himself up quite generously to be the facilitator or coordinator of what he calls a noble venture.    When I look at this list, this Herculean list of things that need to be done in Smithtown, all I can think of is that we already have a Park’s Department, A Planning Board,  a Tax Assessor, A Building Department, A Zoning Board, A Youth Bureau, a Drug Prevention Agency and they all have a squadron of clerical workers and department employees. 

In addition we have an elected Town Board who has staff at their disposal.   We already pay these people a lot of money to do what Marcellaro is calling for his proposed new organization to do.  

Why don’t we have a Master Plan?  Why are the vast majority of businesses in the Kings Park Industrial Area out of compliance with regard to zoning?   Why aren’t our governmental leaders meeting with Smart Growth experts like Eric Alexander of Vision Long Island; why aren’t they touring other areas on Long Island where Smart Growth has been implemented?     INACTION,  STAGNATION,  APATHY.  

In the fall of 2013, two of the three candidates running for Supervisor called for change, much of the same change Macellaro is proposing for his SPADA.   Those same two candidates met with Smart Growth leaders, they toured Long Island neighborhoods where it is successfully being implemented.  However, one leader, the one who won the race – called for Status Quo.  He said everything was fine the way it is.      

Macellaro’s Report is impressive and comprehensive.   It reads like a list of work Smithtown taxpayers expect our local government to do.  I have my own quote by Arnold Toynbee for Marcellaro and our elected officials:    Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first, an ideal, with takes the imagination by storm, and second, a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice.