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Quote of the week

clayman

"For thousands of working people in Nassau County, Long Island Bus is irreplaceable. It is essential for the economic health of our region that a viable transportation system is available for people who need it." - Roger Clayman, Executive Director, Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

This Week's Sponsor

Nelson, Pope & Voorhis

npv

Nelson, Pope & Voorhis is an environmental planning firm with a wealth of experience in planning and feasibility, resource assessment, site investigations, and solving complex environmental problems.

They are longstanding supporters of Smart Growth projects and we thank them for their continued support.

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 Bus system in Jeopardy

waldner

On Wednesday, the MTA held its monthly board meeting in New York City and announced its much-anticipated financial plans for its 2011 budget, which includes cost-cutting measures to close a deficit of over $800 million. The plan calls for another round of massive fare increases across the board, plus pulling all of the agency's funding for LI Bus. Without the $40 million subsidy for the $133 million system, Long Island Bus could fall apart. The MTA heard comments on the proposed budget at its board meeting. Four Long Islanders spoke in defense of LI Bus, including Vision's Eric Alexander, Kate Slevin of Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Patricia Bowden of the LI Bus Union, and Larry Silverman, a transit advocate.

bus fail Kate Slevin said, "It is inequitable to keep asking transit riders to contribute more to the system while drivers, who reap the congestion busting benefits of our transit system, can still travel into the densest city in America for free. Voters angry about the recent service cuts should ask state candidates how they plan on dealing with the MTA’s financial crisis."

Eric Alexander said, "The cuts are damaging to the growing Smart Growth movement across Long Island, of which one of the key tenets is limiting dependence on automobiles. With no other choice, residents will be forced to drive cars or take taxis- expensive and environmentally unsustainable options. In addition, this proposed cut is insulting to the small businesses who have shouldered the burden of the MTA payroll tax, many of which have faced layoffs and difficult business decisions. Small businesses in our downtowns and beyond rely on bus service for both customers and employees."

bus He continued, "Vision Long Island calls on the MTA to prepare an economic impact statement to analyze the ramifications of service reductions to the small business community and economic growth in Nassau County. Furthermore, we call on the human service community on Long Island to step forward to advocate against these cuts given the profound impact they will have on working folks with limited transportation options."

Nassau County has taken its own steps to stop the MTA's cuts. According to LI Business News, County Executive Ed Mangano has filed a lawsuit against the MTA's cuts. "Mangano contends in the lawsuit that the cuts would effectively eliminate the county’s public bus system, stranding more than 100,000 residents a day who rely on bus service and resulting in the loss of as many as 20,000 jobs in the county."

The MTA announced at the meeting that hearings will be held in September on the fare increases. Until then, we need to stay vigilant to defeat these devastating cuts.

Lights out for the Lighthouse?

Editorials in LI Herald

lighthouse

The Long Island Herald featured two editorials this week regarding the Lighthouse Project. The first article criticized the current zoning restriction placed on the Nassau Coliseum property and its inability to meet the needs of a suburban Long Island. These needs, according to the article, include that “young people can’t find affordable housing here, seniors are being taxed out of their homes and illegal auxiliary apartments erode the suburban character of our existing neighborhoods while depriving our schools and localities of needed tax revenue.” The article further stated that “the county needs to attract new business to expand the tax base and provide relief to beleaguered homeowners. The Lighthouse plan addressed many of these issues; the Town of Hempstead’s does not.” As the “last major piece of under-developed land,” the article states that “we need to get this right.”

The second editorial was written by Vision’s Eric Alexander. The op-ed, while recognizing the positive aspects still present in the development proposal around Nassau Coliseum, including Smart Growth principles and place making elements, argues that the zoning plan greatly limits the area's potential. These restrictions are partly blamed on the fact that there have not been any funds put towards transportation or infrastructure for the area, despite years of advocacy or any consideration of the $50 million in private investments from the Lighthouse developers.

The article suggests another option: an incentive overlay district that “allows a developer to build a larger, higher-density project than would otherwise be permitted under the existing zoning. In exchange, the developer provides investments that are in the community’s interest that would not otherwise be required. This could include providing more affordable housing, transportation or a greater amount of public space.”

Alexander further argues that the current zoning proposal is “more akin to a Phase One than to an overall limiting of what could and should ultimately be built on the site with the proper infrastructure investments… The alternatives — the casino or nothing — pose more harm to Nassau County’s future than any form of the Lighthouse project.”

The Herald articles are available here and here.

Complete Streets On Hold

complete streets

The race is on to become the second town on Long Island to enact Complete Streets Legislation (the Town of Babylon passed a version of Complete Streets earlier this month). The Town of Islip may soon follow suit. Individual towns have begun passing versions of the bill in the wake of the slow pace of the New York State bill. Despite overwhelming passage through the State Senate and support from the Assembly’s Transportation Committee, the bill is stalled in the Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Upper Manhattan representative Herman "Denny" Farrell.

The Complete Streets Legislation is a set of guidelines roads must conform to that regards motorists and pedestrians as equals. Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind - including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

In the face of the State's inaction, Long Island's local governments are taking street safety into their own hands, passing their own complete streets policies. However, there is only so much that towns can do; some of the most dangerous streets are outside their jurisdictions. As noted by Ryan Lynch of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, local complete streets laws can only require change on roads owned by the town itself or in private subdivisions. State and county roads like Sunrise Highway, the second-most dangerous road in the region, would be exempt. A comprehensive approach to street safety requires action from the State.

In the meantime, the Town of Islip is in the process of drafting their own complete streets legislation. Hopefully we'll be the second town," said George Hoffman, the chief of staff for Islip Supervisor Phil Nolan. "It helps build walkable communities, it helps bikers, it helps seniors," Hoffman explained, adding that Islip modeled its complete streets policy after Babylon's and that he believes the bill has strong support in the town council.

To read more, visit Streetsblog.

Senator Schumer announces new Senate energy bill

schumer

Senator Charles E. Schumer is expected to unveil a new Senate energy bill this week that could provide the necessary funding to restore unpopular cuts to the New York State Parks Department. Funding for the bill will come from The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which gets its funding through offshore oil and gas drilling royalties. The drilling royalties usually reach $900 million a year to support outdoor recreation facilities. However, the full allotment has only been appropriated twice in the last 40 years. Senator Schumer is supporting the full funding of LWCF in order to restore popular programs such as the annual Jones Beach Fireworks Show and restoring eroded Long Island Beaches.

"These dollars, already being collected by oil and gas drilling companies, have hardly been used for their intended purpose and should be spent on parks and outdoor recreation as Congress intended." said Schumer. "In the last year we have seen park closures and programs New Yorkers have come to expect eliminated because of squeezed state budgets. By providing the state more funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the State Parks Department will have greater flexibility to restore cuts to popular parks, helping to restore programming like the Jones Beach July 4th Fireworks. The new energy bill that will be introduced this week will finally correct this problem."

At its high point in 1979, New York State received roughly $24 million from the LWCF, which was used to provide grants to municipalities and to undertake State Park development and land acquisition projects. Since 1965, the LWCF has partially funded 1,250 projects within the State. Virtually every community in the New York has acquired and/or developed outdoor recreational facilities with the help of the LWCF.

Over the past year, due to severe State budget shortfalls, the New York State Parks Department has had to close recreational areas and cut back operations statewide. Funding from LWCF would relieve pressure on its strained budget allowing the State to focus its resources on other priorities.

"These funds, obtained from oil and gas drilling royalties, are a fitting way to enhance our parks and restore the quality of life Long Island residents have come to expect," said Schumer. "With the passage of an energy bill that includes more funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund the absence of 4th of July fireworks on Jones Beach could be a one-time event."

Community Updates

Suffolk Lions promote audible crosswalks for the visually impaired

lions On July 27, Lions Clubs servicing the Huntington Community and local officials gathered together to celebrate the recent installation of an audible crosswalk at the intersection of 25A and New York Avenue located in downtown Huntington.

(Pictured: (Bottom L-R) Patrick Mitchell Past District Governor Suffolk Lions; James Early President Huntington Lions Club; NYS Senator Marcellino; Bruce D’Abramo District Governor Suffolk Lions; Marilyn Tucci with her Guide Dog Anna and Lion Ann Pavlak SILO Board Member; (Top L-R) Debbie Costa Helen Keller Services for the Blind; Frank Pearson NYS Department of Transportation; Marianne Tremaroli President Melville Lions Club and Eric Alexander Vision Long Island)

In July of 2008, the Suffolk Lions instituted a program to increase awareness concerning the need for more Audible Crosswalks in Suffolk County. In 1925 Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become “Knights of the Blind” therefore this effort is a natural extension of what Lions do to increase awareness of vision issues. Audible Crosswalks are installed at busy intersections to allow visually impaired people to proceed safely through crosswalks after they receive an audible prompt to do so, such as a beeping noise or words that signify it is now safe to cross the intersection. The goal of this program is to allow visually impaired men and women to travel more safely thereby assuring greater independence, dignity and opportunity.

The Suffolk Lions are currently working with Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB) and Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO) to address the above mentioned concerns regarding the visually challenged. HKSB has a training program for the visually impaired which includes going out into the field and providing Orientation and Mobility instruction to help their clients develop the skills necessary to safely negotiate complex intersections. SILO assists individuals with disabilities in developing essential life skills while also providing them with the necessary information and referrals so they can make informed decisions toward reaching their goals of living independently in the community. These organizations have contacted the Lions and asked them to advocate for their clients and request Audible Crosswalks at intersections where Orientation and Mobility Instructors have noticed potentially dangerous crossing conditions.

Vision Long Island is an advocate of audible crosswalks, as part of many traffic calming projects on Long Island.

If interested in learning more about this program please contact District Governor Bruce D’Abramo at 631-331-4293 or PDG Patrick Mitchell at 631-363-6412 or e-mail at pfm225@optonline.net.

Pat yourself on the back, Long Island

pat

It has been well documented over the last few years that Long Island is facing considerable and detrimental environmental problems. Everything from power plants to polluted water to climate change is staring down the barrel at the Island- and we have been led to believe the gun is loaded.

Not so well documented has been the response to these problems. Believe it or not, Long Island is in pretty good shape. Thanks to top-notch environmental and sustainability organizations, The Long Island Index and local government’s commitment to environmental protection, Long Island is in a situation where it can fight back- or at least dodge the bullet.

Environmental and sustainable organizations such as Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Grassroots Environmental Education, Group for the East End, The Sustainability Institute at Molloy College, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Renewable Energy Long Island, The Nature Conservancy, and Vision Long Island have launched groundbreaking projects and forged successful partnerships to affect positive change. These groups work on everything from energy efficiency to open space preservation to clean water infrastructure to downtown revitalization.

In addition to having a strong base of advocacy groups representing the public interest, another critical component to solving Long Island’s environmental quandaries is reliable data and information. The Long Island Index collects and publishes data on the region with the goal of engaging Long Island communities in thinking about the region and its future. The Index has proven to be an important resource for advocates and government alike.

The final pieces of the puzzle are the government officials at the local, state and federal levels who are committed to protecting the environment. The “environment” is definitely on the respective agendas for Long Island’s 2 counties, 13 towns, 2 cities and numerous villages.

Government commitment to environmental protection is a reflection of the awareness generated by organizations like those mentioned above, as well as the credible data and information provided by the Index. Of course, it is also a product of Long Islanders’ keen interest in environmental and public health issues.

The combination of first-rate organizations, high quality data and information and dedicated officials and citizenry gives Long Islanders the necessary tools to successfully confront the challenges before them. So don’t forget to stop and smell the roses Long Island- but remember there is no rush, they’ll be here longer than expected.

These ideas were covered in Ecocentric, a blog about food, water and energy.

Rockin’ out in Rocky Point this summer

rocky

“I wish they would have it every Tuesday,” and “It’s like St. Patrick’s Day, but every two weeks,” are just a few things downtown business owners and music lovers alike are saying about the largely successful Rocky Point summer concert series. The concerts, which take place Tuesday nights in downtown Rocky Point, are giving life to a downtown that one employee of a local business called “otherwise dead.”

The series is in its second year of operation and includes acts from an Eagles cover band (Desert Highway) to Dr. K's Motown Revue. Last year, the series drew about 20,000 people to downtown Rocky Point and has become an important part of the local economy. Suffolk County Legislator Daniel Losquadro, who thought up the idea for the series and tapped into county grant money to make it happen, told the North Shore Sun, “People come, they drop their chairs off. They are going out to eat dinner. They are going out to the ice cream shop. They are going out for drinks after. It really has exceeded my expectations.”

Losquadro’s expectations aren’t the only ones being exceeded. Helen Fields keeps her Broadway boutique-Mrs. Fields Fashions open late on concert nights and Curoso’s Pizzeria also sees an increase in business. Sweets of the Spoon, a downtown ice-ream shop located across the street from the concert parking lot sees so much action that owner Lisa Coleman has to put an ice cream cart outside. “The line is actually out the door,” said Coleman.

The upcoming concert schedule features Dr. K's Motown Revue on August 10th and Big Shot, covering Long Island’s own Billy Joel, on August 24th. All shows are free of charge and begin at 8 PM.

Shop at local farmers markets this summer

If you're looking for a way to stimulate your local economy while getting fresh food and enjoying your local downtown area, check out a farmers market near you! Here are a few that are centered in or are very close to downtowns:

SUFFOLK

AMITYVILLE VILLAGE, 9/11 Memorial Park, Rt 110 South. Open Sat., 7 a.m. to noon, through November 6. Contact: Ethel Terry, 631-323-3653.

EAST HAMPTON, Nick & Toni's parking lot, 136 N. Main St. Open Fri., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through September 24. Contact: Kate Plumb, 631-725-9133.

HUNTINGTON, Elm Street parking lot, Main Street (Route 25A). Open Sun., 7 a.m. to noon; through November 21. Contact: Ethel Terry, 631-323-3653.

ISLIP, Town Hall parking lot on Montauk Highway, Route 27A. Open Sat., 7 a.m. to noon; through November 20. Contact: Ethel Terry, 631-323-3653.

MOUNT SINAI, North Shore Heritage Park, 633 Mt. Sinai-Coram Rd. Open Fridays, 2 pm to 6 pm. Contact Trish Graham 631-509-0882

MONTAUK, On the Green, center of Downtown Montauk. Open Thurs., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; through October 15. Contact: Laraine Creegan 631-668-2428

NORTHPORT, Northport Village Park, Main Street. Open Sat., 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.; June 19th through Mid Nov. Contact: Northport Chamber of Commerce 631-754-3905.

PATCHOGUE, 7-Eleven store parking lot, Montauk Highway west of Route 112. Open Fri., 7 a.m. to noon; through late November. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.

PORT JEFFERSON, parking lot next to ferry, Route 25A. Open Thur., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; through Oct. 22. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.
RIVERHEAD, downtown next to Atlantis Marine World Aquarium, Downtown. Open Thur., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; through November 18. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.

SAG HARBOR, Breakwater Yacht Club parking lot, Bay & Burke Streets. Open Sat., 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; through October 30. Contact Mary Woltz, 631-899-3445.

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, 85 Mill Road, Village Municipal parking. Open Sat., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; through November 21. Contact Elise Collins 631-288-1559.

NASSAU

GARDEN CITY, 101 County Seat Dr., Supreme Ct. Bldg. lot off Old Country Rd. Open Tues., 7 a.m. to 1p.m.; through Nov. 23. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653

GLEN COVE, Village Square. Open Sun., 7 a.m. to noon; through Nov. 21. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653

HEMPSTEAD VILLAGE, Christ Presbyterian Church, Fulton & Washington St., across from police station. Open Fri., 7 a.m. to noon; through Oct.. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.

HICKSVILLE, Kennedy Memorial Park, between Jerusalem and Broadway, near the Hicksville Train Station. Sundays, June 27th-November 21st, 9am-2pm.

LOCUST VALLEY, Forest Avenue, across from post office. Open Sat., 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; November 6. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653.

LONG BEACH, Kennedy Plaza at Long Beach City Hall, 1 West Chester St.. through Nov.. Contact: Bernadette Martin 631-678-5227

NEW HYDE PARK, Long Island Medical Center lot. Open Wed., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; through Mid Nov.. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653

PORT WASHINGTON, Town Dock, Main Street. Open Sat., 7 a.m. to noon; through Oct. 31. Contact: Grassroots Environmental Education, Patti Wood, 516-883-0887.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, LIRR parking lot, corner of Sunrise Hwy & Long Beach Rd. Open Sun., 7 a.m. to noon; through Nov. 21. Contact: Ethel Terry 631-323-3653

From bad to worse: MTA considers cutting ALL funding to LI Bus

mta The MTA has brainstormed a series of preliminary ideas to plug its out-of-control budget deficit for 2011 and one of the proposals is to pull 100% of the MTA's financial contribution to Long Island Bus. The LI Bus annual operating budget is $133 million, of which the MTA contributes $40 million. Other contributions come from Nassau County ($9.1 million), New York State ($44 million), and fares. Cutting 30% of the budget could completely decimate LI Bus, one of the nation's largest suburban bus systems. Ryan Lynch of Tri-State Transportation Campaign told Newsday that under this plan, LI Bus "would literally be obliterated to almost nothing...It really raises the question as to whether Nassau County is even going to have a bus system anymore."

Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island said "Brainstorming can be a useful tool. However, some ideas have unintended consequences for the health and economic well being of working Nassau County residents. This is one idea the MTA should scratch from their list."

bus

Last year's cuts from Nassau County, NY State and the MTA, which eliminated 11 bus lines, are minuscule compared to the damage that this will do to Long Island. Most importantly, it is abusive to Long Island Bus' 104,000 daily riders who rely on the service to get to work or school. For many, this is the only transit option in a high-cost region. Cutting bus service disenfranchises those who may not have the resources to own a car. (According to Census data, LI Bus riders make, on average, $20,000 less than commuters who drive alone to work and $62,000 less a year than those that commute via the Long Island Rail Road.)

The cuts are damaging to the growing Smart Growth movement across Long Island, of which one of the key tenets is limiting dependence on automobiles. With no other choice, residents will be forced to drive cars or take taxis- expensive and environmentally unsustainable options.

In addition, this proposed cut is insulting to the small businesses who have shouldered the burden of the MTA payroll tax, many of which have faced layoffs and difficult business decisions. Small businesses in our downtowns and beyond rely on bus service for both customers and employees.

The MTA's list affects more than just LI Bus. The LIRR and other regional transit systems may face some changes under a separate financing plan where the MTA hopes to raise overall fare revenue by 7.5% in January 2011. The MTA has suggested extending peak travel hours by one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening and to charge peak fares in both directions, affecting reverse commuters. They would reduce ticket discounts for monthly commuter passes. The MTA is also considering raising single-ride MetroCard fares to $2.50, adding a $1 surcharge to purchase new MetroCards and reducing multi-ride discounts.

The MTA is set to release all of their proposals at meetings next week, where they are expected to ask Nassau County or the State to cover the lost $40 million. It is safe to assume a difficult battle ahead to get additional funding from anyone.

We must call on our County and State leaders to negotiate a long term solution for an issue so critical to so many working people.

We encourage you to contact your elected officials and the MTA and tell them not to impose these harmful cuts.

mangano MTA Chairman & CEO Jay Walder

Email form
Mailing address:
347 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3739

New York State Senators, Nassau County:

Carl Marcellino: (516) 922-1811; (518) 455-2390;
marcelli@senate.state.ny.us
Kemp Hannon: 516-739-1700; 518-455-2200;
hannon@senate.state.ny.us
Craig Johnson: (516) 746-5923; (518) 455-2622;
johnson@senate.state.ny.us
Charles Fuschillo Jr.: 516-882-0630; 518-455-3341;
fuschill@senate.state.ny.us
Dean Skelos (516) 766-8383 (518) 455-3171
skelos@senate.state.ny.us

New York State Assembly Members, Nassau County:

James Conte: 631-271-8025; 518-455-5732;
ConteJ@assembly.state.ny.us
Joseph Saladino: 516-844-0635; 518-455-5305;
SaladiJ@assembly.state.ny.us
Charles Lavine: 516-676-0050; 518-455-5456 ;
LavineC@assembly.state.ny.us
Bob Barra: 516-561-8216; 518-455-4656;
BarraR@assembly.state.ny.us
Michael Montesano: 516-937-3571; 518-455-4684;
MontesanoM@assembly.state.ny.us
Michelle Schimel: 516-482-6966; 518-455-5192;
SchimelM@assembly.state.ny.us
Tom McKevitt: 516-739-5119; 518-455-5341;
MckeviT@assembly.state.ny.us
Earlene Hooper: 516-489-6610; 518-455-5861
David McDonough: 516-409-2070; 518-455-4633;
McDonoD@assembly.state.ny.us
Harvey Weisenberg: 516-431-0500; 518-455-3028;
WeisenH@assembly.state.ny.us
Tom Alfano: 516-437-5577; 518-455-4627;
AlfanoT@assembly.state.ny.us

mangano Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano

516-571-6000
webmangano@nassaucountyny.gov
Mailing address:
Office of the County Executive
1550 Franklin Avenue
Mineola, NY 11501

See Newsday for more info.

Sustainable film series: "Fresh" on August 11th

fresh On Wednesday evening, August 11th, the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College presents their Sustainable Film Series with the 2009 film, FRESH. The 70-minute film starts at 7:30pm with networking and food starting at 7:00. Admission is free and there will be free local food, popcorn and beverages. The film will be shown at the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College in Farmingdale (directions here).

FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet. FRESH addresses an ethos that has been sweeping the nation and is a call to action America has been waiting for. Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist Will Allen, the recipient of MacArthur’s 2008 Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book The Omnivore’s Dilemma; and supermarket owner David Ball, challenging our “Wal-Mart dominated economy.”

Vision Long Island is this month's event sponsor. For more info call 516-678-5000 ext.7562 or email info@si.molloy.edu.

How to avoid a financial meltdown on August 11th

financial A free debt management workshop will be held on Wednesday, August 11th at 7:00pm. Topics to be discussed include debt management, crisis budgeting, bankruptcy, how to avoid and fight foreclosure and loan modification and short sale processes. Counselors will be available during the workshop for individual consultation. The workshop will be held at the Tri CYA office at the Big H Shopping Center (behind Famous Footwear) at 809 New York Avenue in Huntington.

For more information contact Pilar Moya-Mancera at 631-427-3700, ext. 264 or pmoyamancera@fsl-li.org. The workshop is sponsored by Family Service League, Tri CYA and Housing Help Inc.

Celebration of Our Bays on August 20th

bays

Attend Peconic Baykeeper’s "Celebration of our bays," a cocktail and music party to honor and support the continued health of our local waters. The event will be hosted by Mrs. Peter Salm at her home, The Port of Missing Men at 2277 North Sea Road in Southampton, on Friday, August 20th from 6-8:30pm.

Peconic Baykeeper works to protect and restore the South Shore and Peconic Bays of Long Island by improving water quality and productivity, emphasizing the intrinsic connection between our bays and our communities.

The Port of Missing Men is a 1,200-acre North Sea property abutting the Peconic Bay. It got this name from the 1893 wreckage of a ship named the Lyckens Valley in which 17 men were lost.

Tickets are $125 per person and includes an open bar & bountiful hors d’oeuvres by Tim Burke Productions. $500 per person includes a tour of the Salm home. Please RSVP by Tuesday, August 17th. For inquiries, please contact Peconic Baykeeper at (631) 653-4804.

Transit-Oriented Development conference on September 15th

Save the date for Wednesday, September 15th, when Vision Long Island will co-hosting a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Conference with the American Planning Association- Long Island Section, the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC's LIRR Commuters Council and Tri-State Transportation Campaign. The event will feature presentations by NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Town of Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone.

The event will take place from 1-5pm at Antun's, 244 Old Country Road in Hicksville. It is free to attend, but sponsorships are available and RSVPs are kindly requested.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Vision at info@visionlongisland.org or 631-261-0242.

Visit John W. Engeman Theater and support Helen Keller Services for the Blind

helen keller

Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB) is now part of the John W. Engeman Theater in downtown Northport's Community Giving Back Program for the 2010-2011 season. Purchase John W. Engeman Theater tickets for Thursday/Sunday evening and/or Saturday and Sunday matinees at a special price and for each ticket sold, HKSB receives a donation. Use the promo code HKSB when purchasing a ticket (online, phone or Box Office) and receive $5.00 off face value. For each ticket sold, HKSB receives $10. Shows being presented this season include: Damn Yankees, My Fair Lady and more.

Helen Keller Services for the Blind provides all of their services to blind and legally blind Suffolk County residents free of charge. Their goal is to provide the training and tools necessary to enable clients to be as independent as they want to be in their lives. To that end, they provide Orientation and Mobility Training (the required prerequisite to getting a guide dog), skills of daily living, social casework, low vision exams and devices, employment training and placement services as well as a host of recreational opportunities. The only criteria to receive assistance is that the individual be legally blind or blind.

Tickets are on sale now. For more information on these shows and upcoming events, visit helenkeller.org or call 718-522-2122, ext. 204.

Vision Long Island seeking interns for Fall 2010

Vision Long Island is now seeking unpaid interns for Fall 2010. If you are interested in suburban/urban planning, community development, local government, or sustainability, consider working for us part time.

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 suburban/urban 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. Strong writing skills a plus.

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 and transportation reimbursement. 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 interested in learning more are encouraged to contact us at info@visionlongisland.org. Please put "Internships for Fall 2010" in the subject heading. You are welcome to include a resume and/or letter, and please indicate if you are available in the Spring, Summer, or both.

Weekend Planner

Patchogue is Alive After Five

aaf

Patchogue Village's downtown comes to life this Friday at Alive After Five. The Village closes off Main Street from vehicle use and opens it up to pedestrians, allowing local vendors, sidewalk sales, service and not-for-profit organizations to spill out onto the street. The event also features nightly giveaways and 5 stages of live music. Featured music groups this week include Sweaty Betty, KGB, The Kerry Kearney Band, All-Star, who will all be performing within proximity to restaurants with both indoor and outdoor dining.

For More Information call 631-207-1000, or visit aliveafterfive.com.

Alice In Wonderland in Northport

engeman

Come to the John W. Engeman Theater in downtown Northport this weekend and enjoy an afternoon at the theatre with their popular rendition of the children's classic, Alice in Wonderland. Performances are Saturdays at 11 am and Sundays at 10am.

Tickets are available now for $15. Call 631-261-2900 or visit engemantheater.com for more information.

Closing Words

It's not Earth that's in trouble
It's the people that live on it, oh no
Earth will be here long after we've all
Gone the way of the Do-Do

The Streets, The Way of the Do-Do

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
Interns: Herb Glass, Chloe Johnson, Cody Miller, May Lee, Danielle Kane

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.

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