St. James Business District Continues Its Growth With Gina Ireland Interiors

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, State Senator Mario Mattera, Councilwoman Lynne Nowick and St. James Chamber Members welcome Gina Ireland Interiors to St. James

(Smithtown, NY) …Gina Ireland is an interior designer with more than 20 years of experience specializing in both residential and commercial projects. She is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Locally she worked on Toast in Long Beach, a wedding venue, and the Waters Edge in Centerport, formerly known as The Thatched Cottage.

She has relocated her studio from Port Jefferson to St. James for more space but also to be closer to her home in Nesconset as one of her daughters has leukemia. In addition to the design studio, her shop sells furniture, artwork, clothes and accessories as well as jewelry and decorative objects. Gina Ireland Interiors is located at 438 Lake Avenue in St. James.

According to Ms. Ireland, “This store is more than a business to me. It’s a symbol of hope. It’s a place where I can share my passion for design and bring inspiration to others.” “Gina Ireland Interiors is a wonderful addition to the other stores and art endeavors on Lake Avenue in St. James. I welcome her and wish her much success,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.

Pictured at the Ribbon Cutting for Gina Ireland Interiors are from left Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, Gina Ireland, Highway Superintendent Bob Murphy, Councilwoman Lynne Nowick, Senator Mario Mattera, St. James Chamber board members Debby and Scott Posner and Denise Day.

Stonybrook Medicine Is Recruiting People For Epilepsy National Study

Stonybrook Medicine is Currently Recruiting People with Focal Epilepsy for National Study Evaluating an experimental treatment for Epilepsy

 

BHV-7000, a selective activator of the potassium channel in the brain, targets unmet need for better-tolerated, efficacious treatments for epilepsy

For more information about the trial and to find a study site, visit epilepsyresearchstudy.com.

 

STONYBROOK, NEW YORK—NOVEMBER  21, 2024— Stonybrook Medicine is conducting a Phase 2/3 national epilepsy clinical research trial, in order to study BHV-7000, an experimental drug, in focal epilepsy. Stonybrook Medicine is one of more than 95 sites in the US participating in the research study.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases globally, affecting approximately 1.5 million people in the US and 50 million worldwide.1,2 Approximately 40% of people with epilepsy are drug-resistant, underscoring the significant need for additional treatment options.3  

BHV-7000 is an anti-seizure experimental  drug that works on the part of the nerve cells in the brain called potassium channels, which help balance the electrical activity in the brain. Activating potassium channels provides a therapeutic approach that is designed to stabilize overactive brain activity responsible for seizures. In a Phase 1 study of healthy volunteers, BHV-7000 was found to have minimal nervous system side effects such as sleepiness typically seen in anti-seizure medications. 

“One of the most pressing challenges we face within the realm of epilepsy treatment is drug resistance. For a significant portion of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy, available treatment options often prove inadequate in controlling their seizures and present significant side effects,” said Rebecca Spiegel, MD, neurologist and investigator in the trial. “The clinical trial is studying BHV-7000, which has been shown in early research to be successful in controlling seizures with a low incidence of side effects typically seen in traditional forms of treatment. We are hopeful regarding the outcome of this trial and believe it represents progress for those affected by epilepsy.” 

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that affects people of all ages and causes recurring, unprovoked seizures and can have profound health effects.1 These include physical problems, such as fractures or bruising from injuries, and higher rates of psychological conditions, such as anxiety and depression.1 Seizures fall into two main categories: focal and generalized, depending upon where they start in the brain and how they affect the individual. Focal seizures affect up to 61% of people with epilepsy, begin on one side of the brain, and may cause changes in awareness, behavior, or sensation or abnormal movements on just one side of the body.3 Generalized seizures appear on both sides of the brain, usually cause loss of consciousness or awareness, and may cause abnormal movements on both sides of the body.4 

Clinical Trial 

The  clinical trial will evaluate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of BHV-7000 in patients with focal onset epilepsy. The randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled Phase 2/3 study is recruiting people aged 18-75 who have been diagnosed with focal onset epilepsy for at least one year, have at least four or more observable focal seizures every 28 days, are considered to have drug resistant epilepsy, and are currently being treated with a stable dose of at least one-to-three anti-seizure medications. People enrolled in the study will take BHV-7000 or placebo once daily. Participation in the trial will last 5.5 months with six visits. The primary objective of the study is to determine the change from baseline in 28-day average seizure frequency.  

For more information about the clinical trial and to find a study site, visit epilepsyresearchstudy.com. 

Legislator Kennedy Sends Turkeys To School

Legislator Leslie Kennedy Furnishes Live Turkeys for Building Blocks Developmental School

On Monday, November 18th, Legislator Leslie Kennedy of the 12th legislative district furnished two live turkeys for Building Blocks Developmental School. The purpose of the furnishing is for the students to get a chance to see a live turkey. The turkeys, one male and one female, were furnished by the Suffolk County branch of Cornell Cooperative extension, and an instructor was provided to teach children about the two birds.

Located in Commack, Building Blocks Developmental School is a preschool that focuses on children, aged two to five, with developmental needs. The school employs over 150 individuals, including regular and special education teachers, speech and language pathologists, school psychologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, licensed clinical psychologist, ABA therapists, Board Certified behavior analysts, registered nurses, and numerous paraprofessionals. The school district provides its services to families and children across Long Island.

This is a long-standing tradition of Legislator Kennedy’s Office, which she has upheld since she assumed office. While this year’s turkeys were provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension, in previous years were provided by other organizations, like Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve. Throughout the years, the furnishing has created many heartfelt stories and has positively affected the lives of innumerable children at Building Blocks.                                                                             

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Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy represents the 12^th Legislative District, encompassing Smithtown, Nesconset, Hauppauge, the Village of the Branch, Lake Grove, parts of Commack, Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma and Centereach.  Legislator Kennedy was born and raised on Long Island, is a former nurse and small business manager, and has dedicated her life toward the betterment of our community.  She currently serves on the following committees: Environment, Parks & Agriculture; Veterans; Budget & Finance (Vice Chair); Seniors & Human Services; Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medical Services & Preparedness; Labor & Consumer Affairs; Public Safety; Ways & Means (Vice Chair); and Health (Chair).

Mills Pond Teacher Raemala Shaughnessy Publishes Children's Book

From the classroom to the book store: Mills Pond math teacher publishes children’s book

Raemala Shaughnessy Mills Pond elementary math teacher, Raemala Shaughnessy, knows math can be difficult for young students, so Shaughnessy has gone beyond the classroom to help by writing her first children’s book.

Titled, “M-AHH-TH!  It Won’t Leave Me Alone,” the book centers around a 7-year-old boy named Tommy who is terrified of math. But after a frustrating school day, Tommy’s world begins to change. As he goes through his everyday life—helping his mom and playing with his friends—Tommy realizes that he’s using math without even knowing it. 

“I know there’s a lot of fear and anxiety around the subject of math, for many people of all ages.” Shaughnessy said.  “I wanted to create a book to help my students and others realize that math is an important part of our everyday lives, and it’s something they should embrace and not fear! I want everyone to love math and appreciate it the way I do.”

The book, available through Amazon, encourages readers to embrace math and offers some interaction because it has a space for readers to write down all the ways in which they use math. 

Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Military Times Names Suffolk County Community College Best For Vets

Suffolk County Community College Named Best for Vets For Sixth Consecutive Year

Selden, NY – November 5, 2024 - Military Times, for the sixth consecutive year, has named Suffolk County Community College a Best for Vets college. The ranking is the largest and most comprehensive annual list recognizing the top colleges and universities for military service members and veterans. These rankings have become a vital tool for veterans seeking guidance on maximizing their educational benefits. This year, an impressive 304 schools made the list, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the military community in their educational journeys. Suffolk County Community College is honored to be ranked 10th in New York and 14th in the Northeast among public colleges as a 2024 Best for Vets College.  “Suffolk County Community College is proud to be recognized as a ‘Best for Vets’ school for six consecutive years,” said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahue. “Military-affiliated students need support to transition back into civilian life and into the learning environment. Suffolk County Community College honors their service by providing the needed tools for success.” “The designation is a testament to Suffolk County Community College’s strong academic programs as well as the college’s collaborative efforts to provide exemplary service to military-connected students,” said Shannon O’Neill, Suffolk County Community College’s Director of Veterans Affairs.  Each year, Military Times surveys colleges and universities nationwide to evaluate their veteran-focused programs. These survey responses, along with public data sourced from the Department of Education and Department of Veterans Affairs, undergo a rigorous analysis by the Military Times data team to produce a trusted, unbiased ranking. About Suffolk County Community College Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 21,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With over 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school, to college, and into careers.