Commack Hosts Spring Special Olympics 2013

Sunday, April 21, Commack School District hosted the Special Olympics 2013.  Over 800 athletes and 600 volunteers participated in track & field and tennis events. Athletes of all ages marched in the opening ceremony finishing in front of a grandstand filled with dignitaries .  T.J. Timmons wowed the crowd by singing the National Anthem a cappella without missing a beat or a word. T.J. was followed by Yavuz Ozdemir and Jessica Spitz who recited the Special Olympic Pledge “Let me win, But if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt”. The crowd went wild. 

The event was the brainchild of the district’s Community Relations Coordinator, Debbie Virga.  “What can I say. Commack may not have a town, but you sure can’t beat our community! The people in Commack opened their hearts to these very special athletes and their families.  These athletes with varying degrees of disabilities, showed all of us that whatever disabilities or roadblocks they may have, they keep trying. It’s as the Special Olympic oath say’s: ‘Let me win, But if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt.’ We owe them a great deal of gratitude. Bring on next year!”

The idea for Special Olympics began in the late 1950’s when Eunice Kennedy Shriver decided to improve the lives of children with intellectual disabilities. The first Special Olympic Game took place in 1968. Today, Special Olympic events take place almost every day of the year. The organization is one of only two organizations legally permitted to use “Olympics” as part of its official name.

Mayfair Shopping Center Gets Approval For Expansion

With little fanfare Smithtown’s Planning Board voted at its April 17th meeting to approve the request by Levin Management to add a 3,568 sq. ft. addition (restaurant)  to the existing Mayfair Shopping Center.  At the April 3rd public hearing for the expansion about a dozen residents from the surrounding Commack neighborhood spoke unfavorably about the expansion.  The complaints focused mainly on maintenance and traffic.  

On a recent trip to the Mayfair Shopping Center on Tuesday, April 16,  there were indications that the landlord was doing its homework or spring cleaning, the center was a buzz with workers mulching and cleaning the grounds. The area behind the buildings was very clean with a remarkable lone paper cup trolling around the parking lot - remarkable because it was the only item out of place.

The Planning Department signaled that this application was acceptable to them with slight modifications. The ineffective stop sign for traffic entering Verbina Drive will be moved. Due to the sign being located on private property (shopping center parking lot), there apparently was no way to enforce it. The sign will be moved to Town property and will have better enforcement.  This addresses an issue brought up by a resident at the public hearing and apparently Mitch Crowley, director of traffic safety for the town agreed. In a memo sent to Planning Director DeRubeis, Crowley wrote: “The stop sign entering the shopping center at the Verbena entrance is not in  ordinance and appears to be on the shopping center property. However, I will do a resolution to ordinance. I will move the location to Town property. The stop sign will be enforceable 10 days after the approved resolution.”

A second issue of truck access was addressed by changing the configuration of the access route, allowing for better turning range for large trucks.

The Planning Board vote was 4-1 in favor of the application, with Planning Board member James Ehrhardt voting no. Mr. Ehrhardt opposed the expansion due to the proximity to the residents.  Planning Director Frank DeRubeis explained (speaking to Smithtown Matters) that the zoning on this site has been in existence for a very long time, and what  today would be zoned as Shopping Center Business zone, is zoned as Central Business. Shopping Center Business requires larger buffers and set backs. 

Buy A Machine And Lose Tummy Fat - Is Spot Reduction Possible?

By Kia Edwards

“Buy this machine and you can kiss that tummy fat goodbye in no time!”  How often have you heard some variation of this phrase in an infomercial?  Whenever I hear it, I have to remember just how much I paid for my television so I don’t throw something at it.  The idea that you can do a million reps of one exercise to reduce the circumference of any body part is called spot reduction.  It’s also called a myth and I wish it would disappear.  

You may be asking yourself “if it doesn’t work, why are there so many spot reducing products out there?”  Here’s the answer: profit-seeking people who don’t care about results and seek to prey on a general desire for a quick and easy fix.  It may seem harsh, but it’s true.  Spot reduction does not work because the body does not use fat from a specific area.  Stored body fat serves as a source of back-up energy.  When the situation calls for the back up energy to be used (such as a famine), the body will not care where the source of energy comes from, as long as it’s available to keep you alive.  Hips?  Arms?  Buttocks?  It’s all the same energy source no matter where it is.  

The next question in you head is likely “what’s the point of doing all of those sit-ups then?  Is it all for nothing?”  The answer is: no, it’s not for nothing!  Doing exercises such as sit-ups and bicep curls help the body by increasing muscle size.  However, it does not reduce the amount of fat in that area, which is resting on top of the muscle.  Don’t worry.  There’s a way to reduce body fat from your stomach and all other places  Shh…it’s a secret.

I lied- it’s actually well known and quite straightforward.  If you expend (read: exercise) more calories than you take in (read: eat), your fat content will decrease.  You will eventually see a reduction in fat all over your body from your legs to your hips and even your stomach.  Cardio is a great way to burn calories, but don’t discount the importance of weight training, which will build muscle and increase your metabolism.  The most difficult part of this process is being patient since fat reduction can take some time.

The next time you see an infomercial promising everything from spot reduction to the ability to become faster than a speeding bullet, you’ll know the truth and save your money.  You’ll also think of me and hope that I haven’t seen it for the sake of my television.   

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 

St. James Resident Samantha Goldsmith - Red Mango Franchisee - Recognized As Outstanding Performer

Red Mango Operator Named Multi-Unit Franchisee 2013 MVP Award Winner

Long Island franchisee Samantha Goldsmith recognized for outstanding performance

Samantha GoldsmithLOS GATOS, Calif., April 11, 2013 – Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine has recognized the winners of its prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Player) Awards, including Red Mango multi-unit owner Samantha Goldsmith, of Saint James, N.Y., who received the Influencer Award.

Each year the MVP Awards honor a select group of franchisees who have demonstrated outstanding performance in building their businesses, growing their brands, and serving their communities. Over one hundred multi-unit franchisees were nominated this year.

Goldsmith is the founder of Goldsmith Companies and a Red Mango franchisee. She is also the youngest and largest multi-unit franchise owner of Red Mango, one of the fastest growing retailers of all-natural nonfat frozen yogurt and fresh fruit smoothies. Goldsmith has grown her business to nine-units in just two years.

“Samantha has shown excellent performance in growing her business with her commitment to the Red Mango brand, her employees and the greater communities in which her stores operate,” said Dan Kim, the founder and chief concept officer of Red Mango. “She has become the shining example to future franchise owners who have since followed her lead to join our growing franchise network.”

Among her accomplishments, Goldsmith’s journey helped Long Island become the single biggest market for the Red Mango brand to-date by her own example with multiple locations and the validation she shared with prospects in her own backyard as well as across the country.

This year’s MVP winners were selected in 7 distinct categories of recognition: Noble Cause, Influencer, Innovation, American Dream, Role Model, Spirit of Franchising Leadership, and Veteran. “We congratulate Samantha and these dedicated and outstanding franchisees,” said Therese Thilgen, CEO of Franchise Update Media Group, publisher of Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine. “These are the kinds of business operators who inspire others with their vision, leadership, and success.”

The MVP Award winners were honored at a special session of the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference on Thursday, March 28 at 9:15 a.m.The 2013 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, “Driving Profitability,” took place March 27–29 in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace. For details, visit www.mufranchisee.com/2013.

Meet John McQuaid - Nissequogue River State Park Foundation Chairperson

John McQuaidSit down with John McQuaid for a minute and you understand that this is a man who knows what he wants.  Spend another minute with him and you understand that McQuaid is a man who works hard to make goals become reality. 

John is a Kings Park resident who lives with his wife and two sons on Kohr Rd., near the Nissequogue River State Park.  He planned it that way.  An avid outdoor person and park user, John moved to Kings Park where he and his family could enjoy the wonderful parkland at both Sunken Meadow and Nissequogue River State Park.

John is organized and he is a planner, he puts on the elbow grease and pitches in whenever needed. When it comes to activities for the kids or the safety of Kings Park kids, John is there. He quietly yet forcefully cuts through political doublespeak and inertia to get things done.

In January of this year, John McQuaid became chairperson of the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation (NRSPF).  He follows in the footsteps of former chairman, Kings Park resident Mike Rosato.  Mike founded the NRSPF, nurtured it and is credited with its success.  Under Mike’s watchful eye the organization raised over $100,000 to be used to protect, promote and enhance the Nissequogue River State Park (NRSP).  More importantly, under Mike’s direction the NRSPF became a visible and vocal advocate in its support for the remediation of the park and the creation of a master plan.

Big shoes to walk in? Absolutely! Is McQuaid up to the task? Absolutely! The new NRSPF chairman is no stranger to getting government to work for the people. He first got involved locally with the clean-up and repaving of Tiffany Field in Kings Park.  McQuaid Is currently leading the charge to put automatic external defibrillators (AED’s) at Memorial Park and other Kings Park parks where kids play in organized activities.  Speaking on behalf of the Kings Park Youth Association he had this to say to the Town Board and Town Attorney Zollo:

“ A couple of comments, I am acknowledging that perhaps how we stated our request.  We’re very willing to offer it to anybody who uses those fields, we’re not, we didn’t mean to suggest that it was just for our use; it’s for any children.  We would be willing to purchase, maintain it and keep it updated and do whatever is necessary to keep it functional and give access to it for anybody who is trained, who is at the facility use of the park.” (Town Board transcript 4/19/2012)  He cares about the kids.  Eventually, John received approval from the Town but is still waiting for an official agreement. He is not happy about moving into another season without the AED’s and is planning to address the Town Board if necessary.

What can you expect of John McQuaid, “Chairperson” of the NRSPF?  A lot. According to John he will continue to push for the master plan for the park. He is going to continue with the creative fundraising the foundation is known for, the two 5k run and walk events. The NRSPF is partnering with the Commack – Kings Park Rotary Club to create a “Healing Garden” and the foundation will be a presence on May 4^th, “I Love My Park Day.” According to State Parks the Nissequogue River State Park had 64,702 visitors in 2011 and 106,125 visitors in 2012. John McQuaid is hoping to see the number of visitors continue to grow. He will keep doing those things that have worked in the past, but he is not limiting himself and is open to suggestions.

One thing is certain, John McQuaid will make his mark on the Nissequogue River State Park!