Nelson, Pope & Voorhis, LLC
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“Tonight is not an ending - it is a beginning. We will find a new path, a path that solves the problems and blockades to redeveloping this property.” - Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano
“I am not giving up on Long Island and I hope you won’t either.” – Islanders owner Charles Wang
"The Coliseum was a victim of political football. When the Democrats were in power, the Republicans hated it. [Now] Republicans are in power, [so] the Democrats hate it." - John Durso, LI Federation of Labor and Vision Long Island Board Member
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Tell Governor Cuomo to sign the Complete Streets bill!
Fatalities and injuries on our roadways are a serious and preventable issue. New York has some of the most dangerous roads in the nation. Some of the deadliest include state roadways, such as Sunrise Highway and Hempstead Turnpike. Fortunately, the NYS Complete Streets bill (S.5411/A.8366) passed the legislature unanimously and it now awaits the Governor’s signature. Please contact Gov. Cuomo’s office and encourage him to sign this legislation into law this week! Call 518-474-8390 or send him a message online here. Complete Streets legislation amends the state highway law, requiring that all roads receiving state or federal funds consider all potential road users- including cyclists, public transportation vehicles, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities- in the road design and construction process. Complete Streets are safe streets. Simple additions such as countdown clocks, better crosswalks, protected bike lanes and traffic calming devices can dramatically reduce the number of fatalities on our roads. Safer roads also make alternative modes of transportation more realistic and even pleasant options, creating positive effects for local economies, urban vitality, public health and the environment. At least 25 other states have passed statewide Complete Streets legislation, including Connecticut, Oregon, Massachusetts, Illinois and Virginia. Complete Streets laws have already been passed in 15 municipalities in New York State, including five towns on Long Island (Babylon, Brookhaven, Islip, North Hempstead and Southampton). Not only is this a step forward in making our cities and towns more liveable, this policy also will undoubtedly save lives. |
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HUD to provide $95 million for sustainable, local initiatives
U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan has announced the availability of $95 million to support sustainable local initiatives through the FY 2011 Regional Planning and Community Challenge Planning Grant Programs from HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities. Awarded competitively, both programs work to expand housing choices, improve connections between employment centers and homes and reduce barriers to achieving affordable, economically vital and sustainable communities. "This funding renews an important commitment the Obama Administration made to American families with the announcement of the Administration’s Partnership for Sustainable Communities in 2009,” said Donovan. "Connecting affordable housing choices with quality schools and jobs not only ensures families will be able to provide a safe environment for their children, but it also provides communities large and small with the resources they need to make a sustainable plan for their future.” Regional Planning Grant - $67 Million HUD will give preference to applications that include multi-jurisdictional and cross-disciplinary approaches. Funding will be set aside for populations of less than 250,000 and populations between 250,000 and 500,000. The Grants are separated into two groups. Group 1 Funds can be used to support the preparation of Regional Plans for sustainable development. Group 2 Funds can be used to support efforts to modify existing regional plans so that they are in accordance with the Partnership for Sustainable Communities’ six Livability Principles. Group 2 Funds also may be used to prepare more detailed plans for an adopted regional plan for sustainable development and limit predevelopment planning activities for catalytic projects. Pre-applications are due on August 25th and are required in order to participate in the final application process. Final applications are due on September 26th. Community Challenge Planning Grant - $28.6 million The Community Challenge Grant program is intended to reduce barriers to achieving sustainable communities by assisting communities with planning, zoning reforms, neighborhood redevelopment and planning implementation. The funding is intended to be flexible, allowing communities to develop strategies and set the table for further private investment. Of the $28.6 million available, $3 million will be awarded to areas with populations with fewer than 50,000 people, and $1 million will be available for capacity support grants with a separate NOFA process. Applications are due on September 9, 2011. DEC grants for environmental justice in communities
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Environmental Justice is currently accepting grant applications for Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants. These grants will support research and education projects that address multiple environmental harms and risk to communities. A wide variety of projects can also be supported by these grants, including community gardens, air and water quality monitoring, lead poison prevention, urban forestry, subsistence fishing education, environmental education, inventories of local pollution sources and green worker training. Individual awards range from $2,500 to $50,000, with a total of $1,012,000 available for these grants. The deadline is September 9th. For more information, visit the DEC’s website here. You can also contact the DEC’s Office of Environmental Justice at ej@gw.dec.state.ny.us. DOE SunShot Initiative: Rooftop solar challenge to induce market transformation
This funding opportunity aims to achieve measurable improvements in market conditions for rooftop photovoltaics across the US. An emphasis will be placed on streamlined and standardized permitting and interconnection processes. The Department of Energy anticipates providing up to $12.5 million in up to 25 grants. Applicants must represent a total population of 500,000 or greater. Application deadline is August 31st, 2011. More information is available here. Open Spaces Sacred Places national awards
The Open Spaces Sacred Places (OSSP) National Awards highlights the importance of nature in urban settings. The grants seek to support research that shows the many benefits of green spaces as a civil amenity and investment. Grants will be awarded from a pool of $5 million to plan, implement and execute a planned natural environment. Grant proposals for up to $50,000 will be accepted. Application deadline is September 1st, 2011. More information is available online here.
Public works, economic adjustment and global climate change mitigation grants
This U.S. Department of Commerce grant program supports projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. These funds will be used to advance the green economy by supporting projects that create jobs through and increase private capital investment in initiatives to limit the nation's dependence on fossil fuels, enhance energy efficiency, curb greenhouse gas emissions and protect natural systems. Available funding is likely to be near $25 million. Application deadline is September 15th, 2011. More information is available here. |
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Pizza Eating Contest and Fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s Foundation on August 6th
Nina’s Pizza, in downtown Northport, will be holding their 9th annual Pizza Eating Contest on Saturday, August 6th beginning at 2pm. The contest will benefit St. Baldrick’s Children’s Cancer Foundation. Teams of 2 are going for the title of fastest team to eat a 30 inch cheese pizza. Last year’s team finished in 17 minutes! Teams must raise $100 per team for St. Baldrick’s in order to enter. Teams are encouraged to get sponsors and friends to help raise and donate money for this great cause. Others not entering the contest are also welcome to make donations towards the teams efforts above and beyond their goals. The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Get involved and you'll be giving hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. Visit Nina’s Pizza, located at 487 Main Street in downtown Northport, and pick up your registration forms for the contest, or visit St. Baldrick’s website here. |
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Check out what downtown theaters and performing arts centers are playing this weekend! Consider visiting a local bar or restaurant, or doing some shopping before or after the show. Bay Street Theater, The Long Wharf, Sag Harbor Boulton Center, 37 West Main Street, Bay Shore: John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main Street, Northport: Guildhall, John Drew Theater, 158 Main Street, East Hampton: Landmark on Main Street, the Jeanne Rimsky Theater, 232 Main Street, Port Washington: Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts, 71 East Main Street, Patchogue: Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson: Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, 18 Peconic Avenue, Riverhead: |
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Farmers Markets in or adjacent to Long Island's downtowns: NASSAUBAYVILLE ELMONT HEWLETT HICKSVILLE LOCUST VALLEY LONG BEACH GLEN COVE OYSTER BAY PORT WASHINGTON ROCKVILLE CENTRE ROOSEVELT SUFFOLKAMITYVILLE EAST HAMPTON GREENPORT HUNTINGTON ISLIP KINGS PARK MONTAUK NORTH BELLPORT NORTHPORT PATCHOGUE PORT JEFFERSON 109 Main St., near East Broadway, in the parking lot next to Lainie’s Way / Tommy’s Place. SAG HARBOR WESTHAMPTON BEACH |
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Museums in or near Long Island downtowns: Garvies Point Museum and Preserve Fine Arts Museums of Long Island Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum East Hampton Historical Society Heckscher Museum Hicksville-Gregory Museum Islip Art Museum Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre-Phillips House Oyster Bay Historical Society Port Jefferson Historical Society Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum Sayville Historical Society Sea Cliff Village Museum Smithtown Township Arts Council Southampton Historical Society Freeport Historical Museum Palace Galleries Long Beach Historical Museum |
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Festivals and downtown happenings this week on Long Island: Bethpage Chamber of Commerce Family Festival Sayville Summerfest Mary O. Fritchie Art Show Massapequa Park Street Fair |
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NassauClearview Grand Avenue Bellmore Movies Glen Cove Theatres Clearview Squire Cinemas Great Neck Long Beach Cinema Clearview Manhasset 3 Clearview Port Washington Clearview Roslyn Theatre Seaford Cinemas SuffolkClearview's Babylon Cinemas AMC Loews Theatres – Shore 8 Cinema Arts Centre Islip Cinemas Sayville Theatre |
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Mayor Arturas Zuokas of Vilnius, Lithuania declared war on cars illegally parked in bicycle lanes. In this video that quickly went viral, the mayor makes an example of one unlucky fellow who thought his Mercedes was above the law! The dramatic scene was actually a set-up meant to publicize the mayor’s crackdown on illegal parking. "I wanted to send a clear message that people with big and expensive cars can't park wherever they feel like and ignore the rights of pedestrians and bike riders," Zuokas said. |
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Smart TalkNewsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Communications Director 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. Vision Long Island Home | Contact Us | Newsletter Archive | Donate | About Us |
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