This is a new section of SmartTalk, where we will kick off each issue with inspiring and relevant quotes from elected officials, business and community leaders and other influential people around the region. If you have a quote that you would like to submit at any time, please send it to info@visionlongisland.org.

"We need to unify our efforts for revitalization: one community, one voice, one plan" - Lionel Chitty, President, Hicksville Chamber of Commerce

AKRF

AKRF is a highly-respected, multi-disciplinary provider of environmental, planning, and engineering services. Working with both public and private clients, they offer a full range of analyses for urban, suburban, and rural development. Their Long Island office has been involved in various projects in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Learn more at their website.

Become a Supporter of Smart Growth

Vision Long Island prides itself on having a broad range of supporters.  Become one today. A donation as small as $50 buys outreach materials to help a community build support for their vision. $500 sponsors an entire newsletter.  $5,000 makes you a lead sponsor of our Smart Growth Summit, buying 10 tickets and a key branding opportunity for your organization.
 
Your tax-deductible donation goes directly to Vision and lets you help strengthen efforts to put Smart Growth principles into action.

Long Island leaders meet with Nassau County Exec Ed Mangano to discuss crucial issues

Newly inaugurated Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Deputy County Executive Rob Walker sat down with key organizations on Monday, February 11th. Vision Long Island, along with Tri-State Transportation Campaign, the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless, EOC of Nassau County and the Long Island Business Council had an open discussion with the County Executive about a plethora of issues that he will face in office.

Topics covered ranged from the Lighthouse project to revitalization in Hicksville, Nassau County's Master Plan, LI Bus cuts, green energy programs, sewer investments, homeless services, community and youth services and small business concerns.

The County Executive seemed eager to listen to the leaders and organizations in the room We look forward to a successful partnership with the County Executive's team to implement many of the discussed projects and policies.

Empire State Development Announces $7.3 Million in Second Round of Downstate Revitalization Funding

Last week, Empire State Development announced $7.3 million of funding as part of the second round of awards through the Downstate Revitalization Fund. The Governor first announced the $35 million Fund in May 2009 as an investment tool to help attract businesses, improve commerce and revitalize local economies.

Six projects will be funded, including two exciting ones on Long Island:

1) Downtown Patchogue Redevelopers, LLC (DPR) will receive $1 million for its New Village project, which will build a mixed-use, transit-oriented development in downtown Patchogue consisting of office, retail, rental apartments, and a hotel in the heart of the Village. The $106 million project will include 240 apartments, 28,460 square feet of retail space, and a 106-room hotel. DPR has assembled the 3.28-acre site at the center of the business district and has started construction on property at 31 West Main Street, which includes renovation of existing space for the creation of retail and residential uses. The subject project is the relocation of a 100-plus year old library from a portion of the site to an adjacent site. Expenditures include demolition, site improvements and building relocation. The site will be improved with parking adjacent to the proposed hotel and retail spaces. For this component, the total project cost is $8,263,968.

2) The Town of Babylon will receive $2 million for the Wyandanch Southwest Sewer Extension. The Town will construct and extend a sewer line to the Wyandanch Central Business District to become a part of the Southwest Sewer District. Sewer installation will make downtown “development ready,” which will bring economic and environmental benefit. Sustainable and green development practices to integrate green infrastructure will be utilized in the revitalization efforts, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Stormwater Design Quality Control. A sewer feasibility study was completed in early 2009. The project is in accordance with the Wyandanch Hamlet Plan adopted by the town board in 2004. The project is within an Urban Renewal Area, Riverhead/Suffolk County Empire Zone and Wyandanch Brownfield Opportunity Area.

“Small businesses are the heart of our economy and will play a fundamental role in our fiscal recovery,” Governor David A. Paterson said. “Today’s announcement is another important step towards the rebuilding of our downstate economy; the Downstate Revitalization Fund is aimed at providing assistance to small businesses and ensuring the continued creation of jobs. It paves the way for economic growth and development of our neighborhoods. Through ensuring the success of our businesses we will strengthen our economy, our workforce and our State as a whole.”
To learn more, visit the Empire State Development website.

Katrina Cottages Serve as a Model for Long Island

In 2005, a team of architects assembled by New Urbanist planner Andres Duany and the State of Mississippi tried to find a better long-term housing solution for victims of Hurricane Katrina. It was there that architect Marianne Cusato designed the "Katrina Cottage," a 300 square foot hurricane-proof house. The design went on to win numerous awards and became the model for rebuilding and replacing FEMA trailers in the Gulf Coast region. The houses are now sold in kit forms at Lowe's stores.

Cusato has become somewhat of a figurehead in the New Urban and construction fields. She believes that houses should be built better, not bigger. Her website highlights "how good design of the built environment can address societal and environmental issues such as aging populations, global warming, and affordable housing." Cusato's work focuses on "how good design impacts not only our finances, but also the quality of our lives and the sustainability of the earth's resources."

Now, it seems as though the "Katrina Cottage" idea is spreading to Long Island. As mentioned in a recent New York Times article, the idea was brought to the Islip Community Development Agency  and enthusiastically embraced as a new model for affordable housing. The hope is for 10 of the cottages to be built a year to complement the 30 to 40 larger affordable homes built by the town. The Islip model will by 918 square feet, with two bedrooms and one bath. Aside from preserving natural and financial resources, this model was embraced for its ability to fit in with older communities on Long Island. The houses in the original Levittown were 750 square feet, and many neighborhoods today maintain that pattern. Islip Planning Commissioner Gene Murphy said “You can still keep decent side yards,” and the compact cottages wouldn’t “impact privacy of neighbors” or “overbuild the site.” Paul Fink of the Community Development Agency added that "we are trying to meet the needs of other family sizes. We have single parents, we have single individuals who want to own their own home but a three-bedroom is a little silly.”

Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk County will begin building the cottages in March using volunteer help. Each cottage will cost roughly $100,000 and each will look a bit different. They will all include energy efficiency components such as solar panels. The buyers will be selected from a lottery, with the low-income qualifying amount for that area being $40,700 for a family of two.

To learn more, visit Custato's website. Read the New York Times article here.

New Energy Choices highlights solar initiatives around Hempstead

New Energy Choices recently posted a few videos about solar iniatives in Hempstead and Point Lookout. Read about them and watch the footage:

Town of Hempstead Goes Solar

The Town Hall building in Hempstead may seem pretty unremarkable at first sigh, but a closer look at its rooftop reveals lines of shining solar panels.  With one of the highest electricity rates in the country, Long Island should be a prime location for the development of renewable energy. Watch the video interview with Town Supervisor Kate Murray and learn more about what Hempstead, America's largest township, is doing to promote clean, green power.

Also, check out Leading the Way, an annual report on Long Island’s municipal adoption of renewable energy.

Point Lookout creates solar shellfish nursery

At Point Lookout, Long Island, an innovative project is using solar and wind energy to nurture juvenile shellfish. The FLUPSY (Floating Upweller System) is a floating clam nursery that is accelerating the restoration of shellfish populations in Hempstead Bay. What makes this FLUPSY unique is that it’s entirely solar and wind powered.  When the baby clams grow big enough to leave the nursery, they are deposited in local beds to support both recreational and commercial shell fishing. As an added benefit, as they feed, the clams act as environmental filters, playing a critical role in maintaining water quality and the ecological health of the Bay.

The first of its kind in Long Island’s waters, the renewable-powered FLUPSY is also a demonstration project that will serve as an important example for other communities in the region.

See the video here.

The Perils of Homeownership: Why Attitudes are Changing

"With the sudden run-up in foreclosures, you're starting to see people ask, is housing a good investment? In fact, it probably never was." The New York Times ran a story on January 7th called Men Who Jump the Picket Fence. Journalist Michael Tortorello interviews several homeowners, all of whom express a different type of dissatisfaction with their recent decision to buy their home. 

One Minneapolis man lamented how his lifestyle had changed from spending time out with friends at jazz clubs to spending entire days rearranging furniture. "This is how people live? Why am I doing this?" questioned Alan Berks. He also complained about not being able to walk anywhere. Kirt Greenburg of Atlanta keeps spreadsheets of work that needs to be done around his house. He has spent $130,000 on repairs so far. Hanyul Lee purchased a newly constructed condo in Bedford, MA, and within a week the building began to fall apart: a wall cracked, the ceiling leaked, and rain came in through the windows, leading Lee to sue the developer. Nathan Quevedo of Merced County, California, saw the value of his new home decrease by half in two years. "I don't fault myself for wanting to have that American dream: a good job, a place to call my own for me and my kids," said Quevedo. "But I don't think that homeownership is essential for that anymore." 

Some of these homeowners left that misguided American Dream behind for new options, such as renting and taking a 6-month trip to Honduras, as the Berks family did. Not only does renting combat many of the ills described by these people, but rental units tend to be located in more compact downtown centers where the quality of life is very high. Renting in downtown centers not only addresses these individual problems with homeownership, but through a broader lens this land use pattern provides a sustainable, economical way to live. 

The article also makes an interesting hypothesis about gender and homeownership attitudes. According to a study by the Center for Community Capital at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, men and women under age 40 are about equally as satisfied about homeownership. However, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), single women represent 21% of home buyers while single men represent just 10%. That gap has been expanding in the last decade. The reasoning behind this data can only be hypothesized. "Younger single men may be more likely to change jobs and cities...They may be more willing to squeeze into an apartment with two or three buddies. Or they may be cowering in the nest with Mom and Dad," considers Paul Bishop, Vice President of NAR. 

According to William Clark, a geography professor at UCLA whose quotation opened this article, the "fairy tale" of living happily ever after in a house began to change in the 1970s, when people began to see buying a house as an investment, "high-flying stocks that happened to come with wine cellars and four-car garages." Of course, the current real estate market is helping to shake up attitudes on homeownership. Like Mr. Quevedo said, it's time for a new American Dream. 

Rauch Douzinas Ponders "Getting Back Our Mojo"

Nancy Rauch Douzinas, President of the Rauch Foundation, recently distributed an op-ed piece about the importance for Long Island to seize its future and bolster Smart Growth efforts. The piece is a precursor to the annual Long Island Index, which will be released by the Rauch Foundation next week. The article was reprinted in Long Island Business News. Here is the piece in its entirety: 

"Getting Back Our Mojo"

Back in the day, Long Island was a land of movers and shakers. 

People came here with vision and purpose. They saw opportunity, and seized it. 

Robert Moses saw a deserted sandbar, and built one of the world's greatest parks. William Levitt saw low-cost land and a nascent need for affordable homes-and defined postwar suburbia. Leroy Grumman and Jake Swirbul found opportunity in America's cold war defense needs-and went to the moon. 

There was a boldness then, a can-do spirit-and not just among a few leaders. Across the Island, communities were built, schools, businesses, shopping centers. In the process, Long Island became the face of the American century. 

That is not, of course, the end of the story. There was a serpent in this garden: a narrowness of vision. Our history of home rule left us weak in coordinated planning. In the postwar boom, Long Island grew one community, one school district, one enterprise at a time-each one focused on its own needs. That worked all right when the economy was expanding and land was plentiful and cheap. 

But when times and conditions changed, we responded less nimbly and aggressively than other regions. As the defense industry shrank, and well-paying manufacturing jobs moved offshore, we had no regional strategy to replace them. As open space ran low and housing costs soared, we did little more than wring our hands. 

Where once we maximized our assets, today we are squandering them. The best-educated youth in America take their talents away, driven out by lack of housing options. Meanwhile our downtowns, which could be the pulsing centers of commerce and community, sit underutilized, if not blighted. 

We see all this. Large majorities of Long Islanders agree, not only on the problem, but on the solution: smart growth with more housing options in our town centers. Yet one year follows another, and we fail to muster enough force for action. 

What would it to take to turn things around? Leadership to be sure. A leadership that combines the can-do boldness of Long Island's heyday with a new, broad vision. 

A wider sense of community. The days are gone when Long Island's villages and towns can advance one by one. No part of Long Island, no interest group, will prosper if the region declines. It's imperative that we start thinking, planning, and acting together. 

A stronger sense of urgency. The trends are clear, and the data is compelling: we need to make serious changes, and soon. 

A greater sense of possibility. Long Island still boasts enormous assets that we could turn to our advantage. Just as we must face up to the way things are, we need to envision what they could be. The future belongs, as always, to those who seize it. That used to be us, and it could be again. 

And so as this new year begins, I offer three resolutions for Long Island's leaders: 

1. Think big. 
2. Be bold. 
3. Act now.

The Long Island Index will release its annual report in the coming weeks. As always, we look forward to their contribution to Long Island's planning efforts.

Haitian earthquake victims need help

On Tuesday, a devastating 7.0 earthquake rocked Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. There are many ways to help assist victims of this horrific tragedy from home.

In addition to donating money through organizations such as the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, or any of the text message donation links and dozens of other charities that have been floating around cyberspace this week, Nassau County and Suffolk County are both mobilizing relief efforts.  Details are attached below to figure out how you can assist with both emergency items and financial assistance. 

In a difficult time like this, it is a reminder of how blessed we are and how it is incumbent for us all to assist our neighbors.

Please see our special e-blast for details, by county, of how you can help.

Fair Media Council Announces Folio Awards: Call for Entries

The Fair Media Council advocates, on behalf of the public, for quality local news in the NY metro market. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, they educate the public in all aspects of news, media, and communication so that everyone, everywhere can have their voices heard, their stories told, and their community made the better for it.

Fair Media Council now announces a call for entries for their 2010 Folio Awards. The awards are open to news media, social media, business, and nonprofits, and the deadline for entry is January 22nd. The Folio Awards began decades ago, to honor excellence in local news coverage, chosen by community leaders to provide the news media with invaluable feedback on what the news consumer truly thought of the local news media's performance. As the news media has changed, so have the Folio Award categories. In 2009, the Fair Media Council expanded the Folio Awards, once again, to reflect the important role social media plays in shaping the way people communicate news and information. It all goes back to FMC's fundamental mission: To ensure the public gets the news they need to protect their quality of life and keep their communities vibrant.

For more information and a link to submit an entry, visit the Fair Media Council's website here.

NYS DEC calls for public comment

On Wednesday, December 16th, the New York State Department of Environmental Concern (NYS DEC), pursuant to Executive Order No. 25, invited comment from regulated entities and interested parties to identify existing regulations that impose unnecessary, burdensome or excessive costs, paperwork, reporting or other requirements.  The regulations are contained in Title 6 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York, available here, as well as on the DEC’s regulations webpage, accessible here.

Comments are sought that describe and quantify the burden and suggest appropriate remedies that the agency may undertake to eliminate or amend regulations that are unnecessary, unbalanced, unwise, duplicative or unduly burdensome.
 
Any comments must be received on or before February 15, 2010, and may be submitted either in writing to Timothy E. Eidle, Esq., NYS DEC, Office of General Counsel, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233, or electronically by visiting the DEC webpage for Executive Order No. 25, located here.

Choir concert for interfaith MLK Jr. celebration and a benefit St. Hugh of Lincoln Food Pantry on January 17th

Huntington ICAHN, The Child Care Councils of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, The Early Years Institute, Every Child Matters of Long Island, LI Jobs with Justice, MICAH, Setauket Presbyterian Church and Women’s Mending Wall invite you to the Dr. Martin Luther King interfaith celebration and choir concert, titled "We Must Speak: Putting Children First." The event will take place on Sunday, January 17 from 4-5:30pm at St. Hugh of Lincoln R.C. Church, New York Avenue in Huntington Station.

This year's program, as in the past, will focus on Dr. King's call to end poverty in America, with special emphasis on the unique needs of children. The service features prayers from many religious traditions along with 8 adult and 5 children's choirs. This is a moving and powerful opportunity to join with hundreds of people to raise our collective spiritual, moral, and political voices on behalf of economic justice for our struggling Long Island neighbors.

For admission, the organizers have teamed up with Rock CAN Roll to beat hunger. Please bring a healthy and nutritious non-perishable food donation to this event. All food will be donated to the St. Hugh of Lincoln Food Pantry. For a list of most-needed foods go to www.rockCANroll.org.

SMPS Long Island Presents "Building Outlook for Long Island" on January 20th

The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) of Long Island presents "Building Outlook for Long Island: Where the Business is in 2010." This event will take place on Wednesday, January 20th from 8-10am at the Milleridge Inn (585 North Broadway in Jericho), and will be led by Anthony Musumeci, CEO of Emtec Consulting Engineers. Don’t miss this chance to gain access to the most up-to-date, Long Island market data from SMPS industry questionnaires, and participate in peer discussions about the implications for A/E/C marketing. Equip your firm’s leadership with the latest market knowledge to take your business to the next level. This discussion combines the most current economic knowledge and leading trends on Long Island to create strategic advantage for your firm.

SMPS LI will present the latest economic and industry information for Long Island to help your firm strategize and plan for the future, and examine the significant regional trends shaping where construction is taking place. You should attend if you are a Principal, CMO, or Director of Marketing/Business Development. This targeted market data can lead you to future opportunities.

Cost is $30 for SMPS, IABC, and USGBC members, $65 for non-members. Register online here. 

Rockin' to Raise Funds for the Homeless January 30th

The second annual Rockin' for the Homeless benefit concert, sponsored by Maureen's Haven, will take place on Saturday, January 30th at 7pm at Riverhead's Polish Hall, 218 Marcy Avenue in Riverhead. The event features three spectacular classic rock bands from Long Island: Who Are Those Guys, Misspent Youth, and The Mulligans. Ticket price includes food from a limited menu, (choice of hot dogs, hamburgers or Polish Hall's famous grilled kielbasa) door prizes and a dance floor. There is a cash bar. Concertgoers can also try their luck at the Chinese Auction or the 50/50 raffle. 

Event chairman Tom Gahan said, "Last year's Rockin' for the Homeless benefit was inspiring. We hit the right formula, three excellent classic rock bands, a lot of fun and a reasonable ticket price led to a sell out crowd. I wouldn't be surprised if this year's show sells out early. The economy and a couple of rough winters have driven up the demands on homeless services. Every dime we raise goes to the needs of the homeless." 

It is estimated that there are approximately 500 homeless people every night on the East End of Long Island. Maureen's Haven provides safe, warm, temporary shelter for Eastern Suffolk's homeless during the cold winter months. The program operates from November 1 through April 1 and includes transportation to and from houses of worship that provide meals and shelter, plus multi-service referrals to community agencies to empower the homeless population.

Advance tickets are only a $25 donation if purchased before January 28. At the door, tickets are $35. To purchase advance tickets, donation checks should be made payable to MPC / Maureen's Haven. Name, address, daytime phone, and e-mail address need to be included and sent before January 28 to: Rockin' for the Homeless, 46 Riverside Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901.

Kids vs. global warming founder to speak on January 31st

Alec Loorz was 12 when he saw "An Inconvenient Truth," Al Gore's documentary movie on global warming. "That's what sparked my awareness of this issue and caused me to do something about it," he said.

At 13, Loorz founded the nonprofit Kids vs. Global Warming, which urges young people to become activists on the subject. Now 15, Loorz has given over 100 lectures to more than 20,000 people around the country. He has spoken at the United Nations, been to the White House, presented a "Declaration of Independence from Fossil Fuels" to a US Senate subcommittee, traveled to Copenhagen for the Climate Summit, received awards from ABC-TV and the Weather Channel and been a member of panels at several climate and energy conferences.

He will speak on Sunday Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock at 48 Shelter Rock Rd. in Manhasset on "What Kids Can Do About Global Warming." The event is sponsored by the Shelter Rock Forum. "I realized that we as youth are going to be affected by this crisis," Loorz said. "That caused me to stand up and raise my voice to make a difference. I stress three things: conservation--doing everything we can to use less fossil fuels; innovation--coming up with alternative energy solutions; and sequestration--taking carbon out of the air, such as by planting trees.

Loorz said he was disappointed in the results of the Climate Summit. "Some people feel we need to stop at 350 [the safe limit of carbon in the atmosphere] to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis," he said, "but the final agreement said 450. And we're already at 387...But I do feel hopeful because 100,000 people came to this event to demand climate justice, and more than 160 nations were represented. It was historic to see all these nations taking climate change seriously."

Loorz said those such as himself, who feel global warming is a crisis, have to work harder in 2010. "The main reason we're in this recession is because of our addiction to fossil fuel. If we could transition to solar power, wind power...that is American made, we wouldn't have to go overseas to get oil. These are oil wars we're waging [in Iraq and Afghanistan] because we're running out of it...We have less than 10 years to solve this crisis. We can't wait. We as kids need to do something now."

Kids 18 and under will be admitted free and there is $5 suggested donation for adults.

Intergenerational Solutions for Challenging Times on February 2

Dowling College Center for Intergenerational Policy and Practice presents Intergenerational Solutions for Challenging Times. On Tuesday, February 2nd from 8am-2:30pm at the Fortunoff Hall Ballroom at Dowling's Rudolph Campus in Oakdale, this special event will include speakers, workshops, and more. The keynote speaker is Kevin Brabazon, President of NYS Intergenerational Network.

Workshop topics include Between the Generations: A User's Guide to Establishing and Organizing an Intergenerational Program between Local Schools and Seniors, How Long Term Care Finances Affect More than One Generation: Making Yourself Financially Secure, We Will All Be Old Someday: Training the Trainer in Experiential Role-Playing, Intergenerational Relationships between Sighted Youth & Blind Seniors, Spirituality and Your Health, Bridging the Gap: A Model Intergenerational Program between Wyandanch High School and Broadlawn Manor, Making a Mosaic: Using Oral History to Teach Tolerance and Appreciation of Immigrant Struggles, Improvisational Presentation to Address Issues in an Intergenerational Family, Alternative Models to Age-Segregated Housing, Opportunity to Network and Learn, and Grant Writing.

All are welcome to attend, especially case workers, clergy, community activists, long-term care administrators, recreation therapists, school personnel, social workers, youth workers, and anyone interested in creating more livable communities and improving relationships between seniors and youth.

The mission of the Center for Intergenerational Policy & Practice at Dowling College is to raise public awareness of the inter-relatedness of the needs of all generational groups through education, advocacy, and practice.

Registration is $35 and includes lunch. 55 CEU credits are available. To learn more and register, visit the website or email Susanne.Bleiberg-Seperson@dowling.edu.

Long Island Young Nonprofit Professionals on February 3

The Long Island Young Nonprofit Professionals is a new group that caters to the unique needs of a small demographic. If you consider yourself a young nonprofit professional on Long Island, come to the next meeting on Wednesday, February 3rd from 1-2pm. You don't have to be employed in a not-for-profit setting to join the group, but the emphasis is on the common challenges of young people who work in social justice.

"Young" is subjective (no one will be checking IDs), but most members are in their 20s and 30s. In addition to group discussions, this meeting will help shape the future of the group by forming a mission statement and planning future events.

The meeting will take place at the Long Island Jobs with Justice office at 390 Rabro Drive in Hauppauge. For more information, contact Jessie by email.

SPLIA Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Workshops: Feb 9th and 10th

Rehabilitation tax credits provide real financial incentives for the reuse of historic buildings. Underutilized on Long Island, these credits are not limited to distressed census tracts, have great potential in downtown revitalization, and can apply to both commercial and residential properties. To learn more about the full scope of the federal and state programs, please join industry experts and the New York State Historic Preservation Office at one of two Long Island locations for a workshop discussion on program eligibility, application procedures and how credits can be monetized. 

Workshops are free and will provide program overviews with information on National Register listing (required for accessing the tax credit programs), financing information (including syndication opportunities for non-profits), case studies, and time for question and answers. Developers, preservationists, local governments, property owners, and architects will have special interest. Speakers will include Alexandra Wolfe, Preservation Services Director, SPLIA; Richard Wines, Riverhead Landmarks Preservation Commission (Riverhead); Elizabeth Martin, Historic Sites Restoration Coordinator, NY State Historic Preservation Office; Virginia Bartos, Historic Preservation Program Analyst, NY State Historic Preservation Office; Murray Gould, Principal, Port City Preservation, LLC; Cas Stachelberg, Partner, Higgins Quasebarth & Partners, LLC (Cold Spring Harbor); and Ward Dennis, Partner Higgins Quasebarth & Partners, LLC (Riverhead).

The first workshop will take place on February 9th from 5:30-7:30pm at SPLIA Headquarters, 161 Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor (across from Post Office). The second will take place on February 10th from 7:30-9:30pm at Riverhead Town Hall, 200 Howell Avenue in Riverhead. The workshops are hosted by the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities (SPLIA) and the Town of Riverhead Landmarks Preservation Commission.

To RSVP, call SPLIA at 631-692-4664.

Have a Heart for the Homeless candlelight vigil on February 11th

For most of us, winter brings thoughts of holidays, gifts, and good cheer. Unfortunately, too many Long Islanders see winter as a time when the cold is against them, food is in short supply, and the ability to stay warm is a daily challenge. These are Long Island’s homeless and impoverished individuals and families. Reports show that there are over 750,000 Americans living on the streets or in emergency shelters. On Long Island, approximately half of the homeless are children.

On Thursday, February 11th from 6-8pm, the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless will host their annual "Have a Heart for the Homeless," a candlelight vigil to raise awareness about the homeless and the great need for affordable housing in our area. The event includes musical guests, speakers, a candle lighting ceremony, free haircuts, snacks and refreshments, and face painting. There will also be a collection of new/unused baby items, non-perishable food, cleaning supplies and toiletries to distribute to Long Island’s homeless and at risk families. Your group can help by conducting drives to collect new baby items, toiletries, and non-perishable foods.

Please contact NSCH for a kit to help you get started, or for more information on the vigil: (516) 742-7770 or gguarton@nsch.org. The vigil will take place in the Plaza and Multi-purpose room (Roosevelt Hall) at Farmingdale State College, 2350 Broadhollow Road. The participation of every person who cares will make a difference. Let's show that Long Islanders want to eradicate homelessness and hunger that exist in our affluent society!

Neighborhood Network presents Organic Turf Show at SUNY Farmingdale February 16th

Save the date for Neighborhood Network's 11th Annual Organic Turf Show, taking place on Tuesday, February 16th from 8am-4pm at Farmingdale State College (Roosevelt Hall). This unique Trade Show demonstrates to green industry professionals current "organic" methods that help reduce chemical pesticide use. It is the leading event of its kind for our region. The show features organic product vendors and workshops on organic turf maintenance that offer DEC credits for certified applicators.

Last year, over 300 people attended the show. Invitees include: landscapers, horticulturists, golf course & parks employees, and garden centers from around the region, as well as school facilities managers, public officials, and non-profit groups. 2010 speakers so far include T. Fleisher, Battery Parks City Parks Conservancy; Patty Kleinberg, Queens Botanical Garden; Peter Schmidt, Compostwerks; Rich Staudt, Total Landscape Care; and Tamson Yeh, Cornell Cooperative Extension. Sponsorship and advertisement opportunities are available.

To learn more and to register online, visit organicturfshow.org or call Neighborhood Network at (631)-963-5454.

Huntington Town Board to hold public hearing for Huntington Station TOD on March 9th

The Huntington Town Board, at its first meeting of the year, voted to schedule a March 9th public hearing on the creation of the Huntington Station Transit Oriented District, a move aimed at allowing a range of housing opportunities for people at different income levels and at different stages of life at a location where residents will have increased access to mass transit and a reduced dependency on the automobile.  This district will be applied to the 26.6-acre district located on about a half mile from the Huntington Long Island Rail Road station, on the north side of East Fifth Street, which AvalonBay Communities Inc. is looking to develop with a mix of market rate and affordable housing.

Details regarding time and location will be announced soon. Read more on the Town's website.

Sustainability Institute at Molloy College kicks off Green Jobs Summit series on March 12th

Beginning March 12th, the Sustainability Institute Molloy College in Rockville Centre will be hosting a series of Green Jobs Summits in the Hayes Theatre. This first session focuses on defining green jobs, training for them, and getting into the field. The half-day summit will include public service, engineering, solar installers, energy auditors, legal and paralegal, cleantech venture capital, academic and industry research, teachers, educational institutions and educational tools. The keynote speaker will be Peter C. Fusaro, New York Times bestselling author of What Went Wrong at Enron. 

Tickets are $50 each and sponsorship opportuniites are also available. Registration can be done online here or by calling Molloy’s Office of Advancement at 516-578-5000, ext 6622.

SLPIA event

Vision Long Island seeks interns

Vision Long Island is seeking unpaid interns. We had such success in the past that we've decided to continue our internship program throughout the year. If you are interested in suburban/urban planning, community development, local government, or sustainability, consider working for us part time during your next semester.

Our staff likes to say we "wear many hats," and interns will have to do the same. Interns will assist with planning, design, outreach, event planning, writing, research, attending meetings, reporting, photography, and more. Bring your unique skill set to the table! We are looking for energetic and conscientious individuals with an interest in planning from a bottom-up perspective. This is a valuable opportunity to work with great people in a small office environment and learn about the issues impacting Long Island.

Note that hours, start date, and end date are all flexible. Although this is an unpaid position, we will gladly work with you to provide college credit. We will also work with you to make sure you have a great experience that is tailored to your specific interests and skill set.

Individuals and universities interested in learning more are encouraged to contact us at info@visionlongisland.org. You are welcome to include a resume and/or letter. Please put "2010 Internships" in the subject heading.

Wild Women of Comedy at Bellmore Theatre on Sunday

This Sunday, January 17, from 7-9pm, come to the wildest party in town, as the Bellmore Theatre presents Wild Women of Comedy. Featuring the best comics on the east coast, including Peaches Rodriguez, Kit Stewart, Caris Karavas, Christin O'Leary, Patty Rosborough, and more.

Tickets can only be purchased in advance for $20 by calling 516-404-9989 or email aal301@aol.com. Proceeds benefit breast cancer research. The theater is located at 222 Pettie Avenue in Bellmore.

Martin Luther King Exhibition at African American Museum

This weekend is a great time to check out the Martin Luther King Jr. exhibit at the African American Museum in Hempstead (110 North Franklin Street). The Moneta Sleet Jr. Exhibition includes photographs on Dr. King Jr., as well as letters and other documents relating to the life of the civil rights leader. Moneta Sleet was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1969 for his photograph of Coretta Scott King at her husband's funeral. The Moneta Sleet Exhibition is an annual event in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Other photographers include Steve Patel, Jim Peppler and Herbert Randall. Visit their website for more info.

SMART GROWTH NEWS

Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Director of Communications
Contributors: Eric Alexander, Executive Director; Tara Klein, Planning Coordinator;
Tawaun Weber, Assistant Director; Elissa Ward, Director of Sustainability; Juliana Roberts Dubovsky, Planning Consultant; Chris Kyle, Program Coordinator

We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.

If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities.

For more information about Vision Long Island, visit visionlongisland.org or contact us at:
24 Woodbine Ave. Suite One Northport, NY 11768.
Phone: (631) 261-0242. Fax: (631) 754-4452.
Email: info@visionlongisland.org