Young And Looking For Something To Do? Week Of July 20-27

By Cristen Feeney

July 20-27

This week, you’re going to need to keep cool in the hot weather. Here are some events going on around Smithtown to help you forget about how hot you are.

Cool down at Superior Ice Rink, 270 Indian Head Road, Kings Park. Skating is open to the public (limited hours) on Wednesdays, Friday Nights with a DJ, Saturday and Sunday. Check out their schedule by clicking link above.

On July 20, St. Catherine’s is partnering with Island Harvest to sponsor a “Summer Healthy Food Fair” from 10am-12pm. There will be activities, healthy food, and information on how to be a healthier you. Admission is free and it is a great way to keep up or start a journey to a healthier you. St. Catherine’s Medical Center 25A Smithtown.

If you’re already doing well in the food department, but you’d like motivation to be more active, World Gym Setauket is holding a Tennis Festival, with 8 time “Grand Slam” winner, Ivan Lendl. This event costs $15 per adult and $10 per child. If you’d like to bring the whole family, you can all go for $50. The event includes food, and goes from 10am-1pm on July 20.

On Sunday July 21, from 11am-3pm, Smithtown Scion is holding their second annual “Wag n’ Wheels” event with the Long Island chapter of Canine Companions for Independence. It is a day of games, contests, food and drink. All proceeds go back to the cause. It is free entry. For more information on Canine Companions for Independence, visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.cci.org/” http://www.cci.org.

If you enjoy nature, and you have a young child, Caleb Smith State Park is hosting events for kids and their parents. There is an event on the July 21, called “I Spy a Dragonfly” at 1:30pm, and there is another event on July 25 at 10am called “Moon Myths and Facts.” For more information on how to register, visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.nysparks.com/events/event-results.aspx?pk=124” http://www.nysparks.com/events/event-results.aspx?pk=124.

On July 24, Huntington Bay Dental is holding their “4th Annual Autism Fundraiser” at Watermill Caterers. If you call in advance, admission is $75 and it is $85 at the door. There will be food, an open bar and various auctions. All proceeds go back to the Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism. For more information, call 631-425-0300.

On Friday July 26 at 7pm, Maum Meditation is hosting an event Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, called “Your Happiness Matters: Heal Your Mind.” If you’re stressed out, and need a way to cope, you can get your free ticket by calling 718-225-3472.

If the kids are looking for something fun to do, BounceU has Open Bounce Events, where you can have fun every Friday with different themes and “mini getaways.” This Friday, the theme is “Island Dream Vacation” from 1:30-3pm. For more information, visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.bounceu.com/party-places-for-kids/new-york/nesconset/” http://www.bounceu.com/party-places-for-kids/new-york/nesconset/

Saturday July 27 at 12pm, legislative candidate Gary Jacobs is having a meet the candidate barbecue at his house in Smithtown, all you have to do is RSVP by emailing  HYPERLINK “mailto:GJ@GaryJacobsforSuffolk.org” GJ@GaryJacobsforSuffolk.org or visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.GaryJacobsForSuffolk.org” www.GaryJacobsForSuffolk.org. 

All this week, Simply Pilates in Smithtown has a variety of 45 minute classes for beginners to pros. Pilates is a great way to stay in shape, while having fun at the same time. To sign up for a class you must visit the studio to register, then visit  HYPERLINK “https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=25493” https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=25493.

How to Dish a Local Fish

What’s Cookin’?  -  Smithtown

By Nancy Vallarella

How to Dish a Local Fish

During my childhood summers, my dad and I would pack a lunch and fishing gear and head out to the Hamptons to rent a boat barely big enough for the both of us at a place called Oscar’s.  We would spend the day fishing together.  I was grateful for the time spent out on the water and for the fact that my dad would never complain about baiting my hook when I did not have the courage to do it myself.  He was just as grateful for my ability to hang onto the fishing pole when it started to jerk and wiggle as the fish started to bite. We would come home with a trunk load of fish, mostly fluke or flounder.  Dad would begin the messy task of butchering the fish and mom would cook up a batch while packaging up fillets for friends and neighbors.  The waste (fish heads, scales, guts and tails) was buried in our garden. At night fall, the neighborhood cats would meow a lullaby while looking for the buried fish parts. Mom was right – “fish is brain food”. Over 40 years later that memory is crystal clear in my mind’s eye.

Steve Sicari, Jr.Steve SicariFishing enthusiast and co-owner the B.L.T. Café in Saint James, Steve Sicari possesses a wealth of local fishing information. “Right now you can catch striped bass in Porpoise Channel in Stony Brook”, he shares with me with a giant grin and sparkle in his eyes.  “I like to throw the fillets on the grill with a little olive oil and lemon”.  In addition to a home style breakfast and lunch, you can pick up the latest weekly edition of The Fisherman at the B.L.T. Café.  The sign on the B.L.T. Café reads:  Breakfast – Lunch – Take Out.  One may think the acronym really stands for Breakfast – Lunch – Tale (as in fish).  Here is Steve and his son with some beautiful striped bass that didn’t get away. 

You don’t have to get your pole out to enjoy local fish. Gail and Mark Nelson of Ocean’s Bounty Seafood, Gail’s Clamsalso in Saint James, sell a varying assortment of local commercially harvested seafood. Right now clams, steamers and mussels are plentiful. Instead of telling the tale of how the fish was caught, Gail will enthusiastically share how to prepare it and the tale of where, when and who dined on that recipe with her.  Invite friends over to help cook and eat. Throw in a little local vino and presto…. a fish tale is created. 

On Smithtown Matters Food and Restaurant Guide you can find great recipes for clams and white fish provided by Gail of Ocean’s Bounty Seafood. 

Post a picture and tell a little tale of your fresh fish catch or  cooked fish dish on Smithtown Matters  facebook page www.facebook.com/SmithtownMatters between now and August 31, 2013 and you will be entered to win a $20 gift certificate at Ocean’s Bounty Seafood or a $20 gift certificate at the B.L.T. Café. Good luck and happy fishing and dishing!

Try Gail’s delcious recipes 

The New Ugly!

Cleaning up blighted sites was supposed to be a priority for Councilmen Creighton and Malloy. Blight is obviously in the eyes of the beholder. This political campaign sign is located on Indian Head Road. Makes one wonder if this is the “better” in campaign slogan “We can do better”

Get Serious About Staying Healthy-Fitness Plan Week 1

By Kia Edwards

Get Serious about Staying Healthy

As a trainer who mainly focuses on in-home exercise, I can tell you that a gym is not necessary to keep fit. A few pieces of basic equipment and a small space can help you achieve or maintain a healthy fitness level. This month, I’ll give you weekly exercise plans to help you reach your goals without having to go to the gym. They are simple, yet effective and can be done by nearly everybody.  Each workout should start with a short warm-up to get your muscles ready and end with a quick stretch.  

If you have any health concerns, contact your doctor to be sure that it is safe for you to exercise.  If you have any specific questions, please feel free to reach out to me at  HYPERLINK “mailto:kia@LaFortesse.com” kia@LaFortesse.com and I will respond as quickly as possible. 

What you’ll need: 

Dumb bells: 10-15 lbs or Resistance Bands 

An exercise mat, preferably one with good padding to protect your back

Good sneakers 

Optional pieces: 

Exercise ball

Medicine Ball

Jump rope 

Monday: Cardio and Core

25 Sit-ups

WOMENSHEALTHMAG.COM25 Leg lifts

30 second plank holds (four sets) FiTWATCH.COM

Repeat 1x

30 minutes of cardio: Your choice

Here are a few options

Jogging

Biking

Jump Roping

Hiking

Stair Climbing

Tuesday: Upper Body

ExerciseRepsSets Bicep Curls15x Tricep Kickbacks15x  Overhead Shoulder Presses15x Push-ups (do beginner push-ups if necessary)15x 

Wednesday: Lower Body

ExerciseRepsSets Stationary Lunges15x Squat Hold against Wall 30sec 2x Calf Raises 30sec 2x Push-ups (do beginner push-ups if necessary)15x

Thursday: Cardio and Core

25 Sit-ups

25 Leg lifts

30 second plank holds (four sets)

Repeat 1x

30 minutes of cardio: Your choice

Friday: Cardio

30 minutes of cardio: Your choice

Saturday and Sunday: Rest with light stretching

Kia Edwards is a certified personal trainer and nutrition specialist who lives in New York City. She studied French and Economics at Colgate University, spent 15 years as a high-level competitive gymnast and 6 years as a gymnastics coach.  Her business, La Fortesse At Home Fitness Training, helps clients get healthy with simple at home exercises and nutrition counseling. www.LaFortesse.com  

Young And Looking For Something To Do? Week Of July 14

July 14-20

By Cristen Feeney

While it may seem as if summer just started, we are well into July. The heat may be making you so crazy, you just feel like staying inside, but with these cool events in Smithtown, you can get out and forget the heat for a little while.

On July 14th beginning at 9AM until 12PM, the Workout for Breast Cancer is hosting the Fitness-A-Thon to raise breast cancer awareness and raise money for a good cause while helping people get in shape. For more information you can contact Roy Franks at  HYPERLINK “mailto:fitness4youinc@gmail.com” fitness4youinc@gmail.com or call 631-252-6132.

 On July 15, The Smithtown Youth Bureau’s “Safe Summer Nights” program continues, with their pool night from 6-8PM. Anyone in grades 6-12 can have a fun night with their friends free of charge, without worrying about their safety. For more information, see  HYPERLINK “http://smithtownny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/507” http://smithtownny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/507

On July 16, the Smithtown Youth Bureau has their “Second Step: Students Success Through Prevention” program. It is a program focusing on “bullying, substance abuse and violence, as well as empathy, communication, and emotion management and coping for students in grades 3-5.” To get more information or to sign your child up for the event, you can contact Concetta Valenti at 631-360-7595.

Elegant Eating offers cooking classes for people of all ages. Consider registering for the August 23 -Tweens & Teens Go Italian (ages 11-16 and adults). Costs is $75 Adult and $50 for tween/teen. Great opportunity for fathers, mothers, grandparents to spend fun time with their teen/tween. http://www.eleganteating.com/cooking_classes_long_island/cooking_classes_calendar.htm

Smithtown’s camera enthusiasts are invited to submit digital photos of their pet(s) to Smithtown Matters for online publication.  Submit photos in jpg format to pat@smithtownmatters.com with subject line “photo”. Please limit the submission to one photo per email. Include your name, age and hamlet (St. James, Commack, Kings Park etc.) in which you live.