Smart Talk header

August 1st - 5th, 2011

header

Regional Updates

Community Updates

Action Alerts

Grants Available

Upcoming Events

Weekend Planner

Sponsor

Nelson, Pope & Voorhis, LLC

npv

Nelson, Pope & Voorhis serves private sector and governmental clients in preparing creative solutions in the specialized area of complex environmental project management and land use planning and analysis. Our team of professionals includes planners and economic analysts, ecologists, hydrologists, wetlands specialists and environmental professionals. Employees are recognized as experts in environmental, land use and planning issues and represent local Towns and Villages, builders, development companies, investors, not-for-profit organizations, business owners, homeowners, banks and lending institutions, larger governmental bodies municipal and regulatory boards and agencies.

opening words

quote

“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

 

 

quote

“I am not giving up on Long Island and I hope you won’t either.” – Islanders owner Charles Wang



quote

"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

 

 

quote“The same fundamental parties remain because three parties – a private developer, the county and the town – have to agree on a plan and see it through.” – Michael Posillico, Posillico and Vision Long Island Board Member

 

Regional Updates

Voters turn down Coliseum referendum, Mangano looks for other options

referendum

The referendum which would have allowed Nassau County to borrow $400 million to redevelop the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and build a minor league baseball park among other possible projects at the site deemed “The Hub” was not approved by voters. With 57% of voters rejecting a publicly-funded development project, the Islanders’ future in Nassau County, along with that of the Coliseum itself, is unsure. Islanders’ owner Charles Wang hopes to keep the team as close to the current arena as possible, but plans to explore other opportunities for the team, whose lease at the site expires in 2015. Despite the referendum’s failure to pass, County Executive Ed Mangano is working to redevelop the area.

County Executive Mangano believed the publicly-funded plan would be the catalyst for increased revenue and job growth in Nassau. After the defeat, he told Newsday that “the people of Nassau County have spoken and I can take joy in knowing that we celebrated democracy today.” He called for private developers to come forward and send his office plans to develop the Hub saying, "I can tell you this, tonight is not the end of our journey, but merely the beginning. In the coming weeks I will explore a path for new opportunities and growth in Nassau County." Mangano’s office is in the process of filing a Request For Proposals to give developing rights to a private holder. The RFP is open to several options that both include and exclude the arena as well as leasing or selling the land.

The County Executive’s only request is that the plans generate revenue and jobs and improve the quality of life in Nassau County. Mangano is calling for preliminary proposals by August 12th, while official proposals will come in the next few months after the RFP is approved. This gives many private developers what they wanted before the referendum was put in place- an opportunity to send the County a plan the redevelopment of the Hub.

For more on the vote and plans for the future at the site, see coverage in two Newsday articles here and here and in the Long Island Herald here.

Rejected Coliseum referendum could have sparked revitalization for Nassau County: All eyes focus on mixed-use RFP

nassau reject

On Monday, August 1st, Nassau County held a special election, in which County Executive Ed Mangano and New York Islanders owner Charles Wang sought approval for a public bond to finance the redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum along with the construction of a new minor league ballpark. The two arenas would have formed the anchor for a sports and entertainment destination in the Nassau Hub.

The Hub area has long been a target for redevelopment projects, but after 15 years of discussions and plans under three different County executives, no agreement was ever reached. Last year, the Lighthouse project, a proposed mixed-use development, got rejected, deemed too “dense” by the County. The project enjoyed tremendous public support and if it had been presented to the public for a vote, it would have stood a good chance of being carried out despite also requiring substantial public funding for infrastructure.

With a project on the scale of the Lighthouse off the table, the Coliseum seemed to be the best remaining option for revitalization in the Nassau Hub area. However, Vision’s Executive Director Eric Alexander made it clear in statements and press conferences that this support came with the condition that the new Coliseum would not be yet another stadium amidst a sea of parking lots.

The best aspect of constructing a new Coliseum would have been its potential for integration with mixed-use development, perhaps a scaled-back version of the Lighthouse. A live-work-play community in the heart of Nassau County would not only provide a vibrant destination for residents and visitors to enjoy, it would also generate jobs, sales tax revenue and other economic revitalization effects.

Unfortunately, in the time leading up to the Coliseum referendum, the debate was ultimately reduced to a matter of voting for or against a tax increase, with the voters demonstrating a clear distrust for government spending. The referendum also became characterized as a simple vote about the Islanders, rather than a nuanced consideration of the project’s broader potential and meaning for Nassau.

The issue also became charged with partisan politics. Democrats in Nassau mobilized in full force against Mangano’s much-touted Coliseum project. Several Democratic groups carried out a robo-call blitz the weekend leading up to the referendum, urging residents to vote “no. John Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor and Vision Board Member, said, “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”

The election itself was a rough process. Holding the referendum in August rather than putting it on the ballot in November was intended to prevent the issue from getting mired in partisan politics, yet many voters felt that they had insufficient information and some were upset at the cost of holding the special election.

Although Vision would have liked to see progress and greater consensus-building efforts made, the public has the final say and it is good that the issue was put to a vote.

With the Islanders likely to leave and an outdated, deteriorating Coliseum, Nassau is back to square one. Hopefully a greater sense of urgency and spirit of collaboration will accompany Plan D.

Details still scarce on Nassau Bus privatization

bus

In June, Nassau County made the announcement that it will end its current contract with the MTA in favor of allowing Veolia Transportation, a private company, to take the reins. Since then, there no further details have been released concerning what will become of the system and how it will operate. However, a look at Veolia’s record paints a somewhat revealing picture.

Veolia Transportation has a proven record of running a public transportation effectively, but only when heavily subsidized by local government. When this is not produced, the company has been known to raise fares while simultaneously slashing service and negatively impacting the riders who need bus systems the most, as evidenced by their takeover of the Central Midlands Regional Transportation Authority in 2002. Since that time, fares have doubled while downtown trolley and many other service cuts have been made.

In order to avoid this situation in Nassau, Tri-State Transportation Campaign has called for public hearings and contract details as well as increased transparency of the transfer. With the lack of public hearings, TSTC will instead hold a “People’s Hearing” at the Town of Hempstead’s Bennett Pavilion on Wednesday, August 31st at 6:30pm. All are welcome to attend and participate. Vision Long Island is a co-sponsor of the event with local civics, chambers and other regional advocates.

For more information, check out Tr-State Transportation Campaign’s original article.

Study conducted on costs/benefits of Sheridan Expressway

sheridan

The New York Department of Transportation conducted a study on removing the Sheridan Expressway in the Bronx and offered two options: leave the Sheridan as is or remove it entirely. Now, New York City, with the aid of a federal TIGER Grant, researched the effects of removal of the road on transportation, access to the Bronx River and the development of housing and jobs. Focus groups with stakeholders as well as walking tours (see more information online here) are being conducted in the area to take a closer look at the area and its needs.

Ashwin Balakrishnan, coordinator of the Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance, noted that the study needs to broaden its view of the benefits of maintaining or removing the expressway. Balakrishnan named the Department of Parks and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development as other groups to be involved in measuring the benefits. The City’s study is more in depth, measuring the effects on other roads and interchanges around the expressway, but can be further improved by measuring nontangible factors such as walkability to the Bronx River. Measuring quality of life improvements could be a vital factor in the decision to remove or retain the Sheridan.

The Department of City Planning website has updates on the progress of the study. More information is available on StreetsBlog.

Community Updates

Glen Isle completes Environmental Impact Statement

glen isle

After revising their proposal, the Final Environmental Impact Statement submitted by RXR Glen Isle partners for the Glen Cove Waterfront revitalization has been accepted as complete.

This ambitious Glen Isle project will include 860 residential units, 50,000 square feet of office space, 25,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, a hotel and 19 acres of open space, all on over 50 acres of industrial property along Glen Cove Creek. The project won a 2010 Smart Growth Award for Creating a Mix of Uses.

Now that the City’s planning board has accepted the FEIS, the next step is to schedule a public hearing on the report, expected to be held this month. The planning board must also get a special-use permit for the site. According to Newsday, “while the hearing, expected to be held this month, is not required by law, City officials have said they want to give the public another chance to comment on the plans, which the developers revised in the spring.”

If the FEIS is approved this fall, construction on the first phase could begin next year. The project would take seven to ten years to complete.

Read more in Newsday.

Belmont casino plan moves forward

casino

In a recent meeting, the Shinnecock Indian Nation and local Elmont leaders produced a proposal for Belmont Park that included a 400- to 600-room hotel, a gaming facility and entertainment complex with restaurants, along with a renovated LIRR station and soccer field. All of this would compliment a modernized racetrack grandstand while the casino would be placed on a 35 to 45 acre lot south of the racetrack. The community plan emphasized not only the development of the crumbling southern lot, but also the construction of a shopping center and restaurants. The current proposal is estimated to net 12,000 full time jobs and 3,450 construction jobs.

A source close to the project indicated that although the plan is in line with the vision, the Shinnecocks are still in the process of meeting with local community members and politicians before finalizing the plan. The proposal has not been approved on any governmental level and no one from the tribe has met with Governor Cumo's representatives. “We plan to have a number of meetings with the community,” according to the source. “We want to hear what the community has to say. We want to start from the beginning and be good neighbors.”

The Elmont community, though supportive of a Belmont casino, wants to ensure additional development occurs as well. Newly-elected NYS Senator Jack Martins (R-Mineola) has expressed support for the casino project in conjunction with a revitalization initiative, but also called for the construction of one or more soccer fields on the south lot. "The soccer fields will give out community's children a place to play, and it fits nicely with the coalition's vision," Martins said. "We must move forward with the visioning and look at all the concepts and ideas for economic development and job creation. [A soccer field] is a natural buffer for any development and it enhances quality of life for our young people in Elmont."

Senator Martins also stated that he had met with Ken Adams, President of Empire State Development Corp. "We have the Governor's and ESD's attention and are working together to make this vision happen," he said. "I strongly believe that we are on the right track, and great things are going to be happening in Elmont."

A spokesperson for Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano has stated that he will continue to work with the Shinnecock Nation on the casino agreement, which will include revenue sharing and approval at the federal level in order to place the non-tribal lands in trust. The Belmont property is also partially owned by the Village of Floral Park, whose mayor, Hon. Tom Tweedy, has raised concerns about additional traffic in the area.

The Shinnecock nation will holding several community meetings in the coming weeks with the feedback and discussion being presented to Cuomo's office. You can check for casino updates online here.

To read the full story concerning the Casino's development, see the Long Island Herald's original article.

Shelter Rock congregation approves $250,000 loan

shelter rock

Last month, the Board of Trustees for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock voted to approve a $250,000 low interest loan to Greater Hempstead Development Fund Corp.

Greater Hempstead, a nonprofit dedicated to purchasing and renovating homes for qualifying low-income families, plans to use the five-year/two percent interest loan to renovate and resell between five and ten homes. The buyers will be selected through a lottery conducted by Long Island Housing Partnership, a Hauppauge-based not-for-profit and previous recipient of a $100,000 grant from UUCSR.

The program, known as R.I.S.E. (Renovate, Improve, Supply and Empower), is designed to assist in the stabilization of the Village of Hempstead, which has been hard hit by the foreclosure crisis. The Shelter Rock congregation has loaned out $1.75 million in the past three years to six housing, credit and micro-credit organizations in the Northeast.

According to Lauren Furst, a previous congregation president, "we believe the social impact of our investments is an important consideration in how we invest our money. We want to aid the work of groups like Greater Hempstead, which is looking to rehab blighted homes on the fringe of stable communities to solidify a neighborhood. Projects like theirs can only help Hempstead Rebound from an economic crisis that has left many homes foreclosed and vacant. That, in turn, helps us all."

Greater Hempstead Chairman and Executive Director Scott Kershaw expressed his gratitude at being awarded the funding, “The purpose of our organization has always been to revitalize our community while fostering the advancement of community and economic development,” Kershaw said. “Now we’re closer to achieving that vision while providing the education necessary to achieve successful homeownership through our R.I.S.E Homeownership program.”

Action Alerts

Tell Governor Cuomo to sign the Complete Streets bill!

complete streets

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.

grants

HUD to provide $95 million for sustainable, local initiatives

grant1

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

DEC

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.

Upcoming Events

Pizza Eating Contest and Fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s Foundation on August 6th

pizza

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.

Weekend Planner

weekend

Battle of the Barbeque

This Saturday and Sunday will see the Battle of the Barbeque at The Maples, located at 10 Ryerson Ave. in Manorville. The contest will take place on Saturday with the championship to be decided on Sunday. Admission will be a $3 donation with all proceeds going to the Make a Wish foundation.

Sayville Summerfest

The Sayville Summerfest will take place this weekend from 10am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday and 10am to 9pm on Sunday. The event will take place on Main St. in Sayville and will include a carnival, crafts, concerts, an art show and a car show among other activities. Admission will be free.

Theatre Listings

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
Fred Armisen (2011 Comedy Club): Saturday, August 6th at 8:00pm
Tickets and more information available here.

Boulton Center, 37 West Main Street, Bay Shore:
An Evening of Classical Guitar: Friday, August 5th at 8:00 pm
Bill Kirchen & Los Straightjackets: Saturday, August 6th at 8:00pm
Tickets and more information available here

John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main Street, Northport:
Hairspray: Friday, August 5th at 8:00pm, Saturday, August 6th at 3:00pm and 8pm, Sunday, August 7th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Tickets and more information available here

Guildhall, John Drew Theater, 158 Main Street, East Hampton:
Readings and Reminiscence Celebrating Tennessee Williams: Friday, August 5th at 8:00pm
Barbara Cook: The American Songbook’s greatest interpreter: Saturday, August 6th at 8:30pm
Tickets and more information available here

Landmark on Main Street, the Jeanne Rimsky Theater, 232 Main Street, Port Washington:
No shows this weekend
Tickets and more information available here.

Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts, 71 East Main Street, Patchogue:
Miss Long Island and Miss Long Island Teen 2012 Pageant: Sunday August 7th at 4:00pm
Tickets and more information available here

Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson:
The Who’s Tommy: Friday, August 5th and Saturday August 6th at 8:00pm
King Arthur’s Crazy Kwest: Friday, August 5th at 11:00am and Saturday, August 6th at 11:00am and 2:00pm
Rapunzel: Friday, August 5th at 1:30am
Tickets and more information available here

Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, 18 Peconic Avenue, Riverhead:
No shows this weekend
Tickets and more information available here

farmers

Farmers Markets in or adjacent to Long Island's downtowns:

NASSAU

BAYVILLE
Bayville Commons parking lot, at the corner of Bayville and Ludlum Avenues
Saturdays from 8:30am to 12pm
May 29th to September 4th

ELMONT
ATS Sports Complex, next to the Elmont Public Library, 700 Hempstead Turnpike
Thursdays from 9am to 3pm
June 30th to November 17th

HEWLETT
Grant Park
Fridays 8am to 1pm
June 3rd to November 18th

HICKSVILLE
Kennedy Memorial Park, between Jerusalem and Broadway, near the LIRR station
9am to 2pm
Late May to November 20th

LOCUST VALLEY
Forest Avenue, across from post office
Saturdays from 8am to 1pm
June 4th to November 12th

LONG BEACH
Kennedy Plaza at Long Beach City Hall, next to LIRR station
Wednesdays from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm
May 5th to November 24th

GLEN COVE
Village Square (intersection of School, Glen and Bridge Streets)
Fridays from 9am to 3pm
June 17th to November 18th

OYSTER BAY
Audrey and Shore avenues, at the bandstand
Fridays from 10am to 4pm
May 27th to October 28th

PORT WASHINGTON
Town Dock, Main Street
Saturdays from 8am to noon
June 4th to October 29th

ROCKVILLE CENTRE
Sunrise Highway and Long Beach Road
Sundays from 7am to 12pm
June 5th to November 20th

ROOSEVELT
380 Nassau Rd., in parking lot.
Sundays 11am to 4pm
July 11th to October 31st

SUFFOLK

AMITYVILLE
9/11 Memorial Parking Lot on east side of Route 110, south of LIRR trestle between Cameta Camera and Walgreens
Fridays from 2pm to 7pm
July 1st through Sep. 30th

EAST HAMPTON
Nick & Toni’s parking lot at 136 N. Main St.
Fridays from 9am to 1pm
May 27th through Sep. 30th

GREENPORT
Parking lot at Adams and 1st Streets
Saturdays from 8am to noon
May 28th through October 15th

HUNTINGTON
Elm Street parking lot on Main Street
Sundays from 7am to noon
June 5th to November 20th

ISLIP
Town Hall parking lot on Montauk Highway
Saturdays 7am to noon
June 4th to November 19th

KINGS PARK
Municipal Parking Lot at Main at Church Street
Sundays 9am to 2pm
June 26th to mid November

MONTAUK
Village Green
Thursdays from 9am to 1pm
June 23rd to October 6th

NORTH BELLPORT
Corner of Post Ave. & Montauk Hwy.
Sundays 11am to 4pm
July to October

NORTHPORT
Cow Harbor Park parking lot.
Open Saturdays 8am to 1pm
June 18th to November 19th

PATCHOGUE
7-Eleven store parking lot, Montauk Highway west of Route 112.
Fridays from 8am to 1pm
July 8th to October 7th

PORT JEFFERSON
Parking lot next to ferry, Route 25A.
Thursdays from Noon to 7pm
July 7th to October 6th

109 Main St., near East Broadway, in the parking lot next to Lainie’s Way / Tommy’s Place.
Sundays from 9am to 1pm
Late May to November 14th

SAG HARBOR
Breakwater Yacht Club parking lot, Bay and Burke Streets
Saturdays from 9am to 1pm
May 21 to October 29th

WESTHAMPTON BEACH
85 Mill Rd., next to Historical Society
Saturdays from 9am to 1pm
Open until December 11th

Museums

Museums in or near Long Island downtowns:

Garvies Point Museum and Preserve
50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove
The Museum is a center for research on Long Island geology and a valued resource in the study of the Island's Native American archaeology.
To arrange a visit, call 516-571-8011 and for information and brochures, visit their website

Fine Arts Museums of Long Island
295 Fulton Ave, Hempstead
The museum features many contemporary exhibits that have traveled internationally.
For information, visit their website or call 516-481-5700

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum
Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor
A history museum with a 30 ft. whaleboat, scrimshaw, ship models, hands-on marine mammal bone display, and a permanent exhibit featuring the history of Long Island's whaling industry.
For information, visit their website or call 631-367-3418

East Hampton Historical Society
101 Main Street, East Hampton
Historic farm house with 18th century English style barn and several other historic outer buildings.
For information, visit their website or call 631-324-6850

Heckscher Museum
2 Prime Avenue, Huntington
Museum found in Heckscher Park with a permanent collections of European and American paintings and many other exhibitions that change bimonthly. Programs for both children and adults can be found.
For information, visit their website or call 631-351-3250

Hicksville-Gregory Museum
Intersection of Heitz Place and Bay Avenue, Hicksville
This museum includes history exhibits of Courthouse jail and also has an Earth Science collection of fossils, minerals, zeolite and fluorescent displays.
For information, visit their website or call 516-822-7505

Islip Art Museum
50 Irish Lane, East Islip
This museum is the leading exhibition space for contemporary art on Long Island. Exhibitions reflect issues and concerns in the current art world.
For information, visit their website or call 631-224-5402

Museum of the Village of Rockville Centre-Phillips House
28 Hempstead Ave, Rockville Centre
This museum features a parlor with furnishings, and a collection of original Victorian clothing worn in Rockville Centre in the 19th century.
For information, visit their website or call 516-766-0300

Oyster Bay Historical Society
20 Summit Street, Oyster Bay
Historical library complement by authentically-furnished rooms, a hands-on area, and period garden from about 1720.
For information, visit their website or call 516,922,5032

Port Jefferson Historical Society
115 Prospect Avenue, Port Jefferson
The Historical Society of Port Jefferson holds much knowledge about the history of the Greater Port Jefferson area. The Mather House museum is the headquarters of the society.
For information, visit their website or call 631-473-2665

Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum
Main and Garden Streets, Sag Harbor
This museum recognizes Sag Harbor for its whaling history during the 19th century. Exhibits include the history of whaling as told from a cultural point of view.
For information, visit their website or call 631-725-0770

Sayville Historical Society
Edwards Street, Sayville
The museum fosters the historical spirit in thought, study, and purpose. The museum also serves the public by acquiring and preserving objects and presenting exhibits.
For information, visit their website or call 631-563-0186

Sea Cliff Village Museum
95 Tenth Avenue, Sea Cliff
The museum presents changing exhibits on the history and culture of Sea Cliff.
For information, visit their website or call 516-671-0090

Smithtown Township Arts Council
660 Route 25A, Smithtown
This council's gallery in the historic Mills Pond House presents year-round shows.
For information, visit their website or call 631-862-6575

Southampton Historical Society
17 Meeting House Lane, Southampton
The Southampton Historical Society presents insight into the history of Southampton.
For information, visit their website or call 631-268-2494

Freeport Historical Museum
350 S Main Street, Freeport
Museum displaying much of the history of Freeport.
For information, visit their website or call 979-233-3526

Palace Galleries
117 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck
Art gallery displaying numerous works of art.
For information, call 516-439-5218

Long Beach Historical Museum
226 W. Penn Street, Long Beach
Museum built representing the features of the American Craftsman style. The museum collection inclues many types of archival materials, picture files, archaeological rubblings, family albums, and archaeological findings.
For information, visit their website.

Festivals

Festivals and downtown happenings this week on Long Island:

Bethpage Chamber of Commerce Family Festival
Briarcliffe College-Bethpage, 1055 Stewart Ave.

Rides, games, food
August 4-6, 6pm - 12am

Sayville Summerfest
Main Street, Sayville

Carnival, crafts, concerst, art show, and car show
August 5-6, 10am-10pm
August 7, 10am- 9pm

Mary O. Fritchie Art Show
Village Green, Mill Road and Main Street, Westhampton

Outdoor juried event, more than 140 exhibitors
August 6-7, 10am-6pm

Massapequa Park Street Fair
Park Boulevard and Front Street, Massapequa

A variety of goods for purchase
August 6-7, 11am-6pm

Movies

Nassau

Clearview Grand Avenue
1841 Grand Avenue, Baldwin
516-223-2323
clearviewcinemas.com

Bellmore Movies
222 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore
516-783-7200

Glen Cove Theatres
5 School Street, Glen Cove
516-671-6866
www.glencovetheatres.com

Clearview Squire Cinemas Great Neck
115 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck
516-466-2020
clearviewcinemas.com

Long Beach Cinema
179 East Park Avenue, Long Beach
516-431-2400

Clearview Manhasset 3
430 Plandome Road, Manhasset
516-627-7887
clearviewcinemas.com

Clearview Port Washington
116 Main Street, Port Washington
516-756-2589
clearviewcinemas.com

Clearview Roslyn Theatre
20 Tower Place, Roslyn
516-756-2589
clearviewcinemas.com

Seaford Cinemas
3951 Merrick Road, Seaford
516-409-8700
seafordcinemas.com

Suffolk

Clearview's Babylon Cinemas
34 Main Street, Babylon
clearviewcinemas.com

AMC Loews Theatres – Shore 8
37 Wall Street, Huntington
888-262-4386
amctheatres.com

Cinema Arts Centre
423 Park Ave, Huntington
631-423-7611
cinemaartscentre.org

Islip Cinemas
410 West Main Street, Islip
631-581-5200

Sayville Theatre
103 Railroad Avenue, Sayville
631-589-0232
sayvillecinemas.com

Closing Words

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.

closing words

Smart Talk

Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Communications Director
Contributors: Eric Alexander, Executive Director; Tara Klein, Planning Coordinator; Chris Kyle, Director of Special Projects;
Tawaun Weber, Assistant Director; Elissa Ward, Sustainability Director; Jessica McElroy, Michael Sullivan, Dan Harding & Jesse Feldman-Stein, Interns

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
24 Woodbine Ave., Suite Two
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: 631-261-0242. Fax: 631-754-4452.
Email: info@visionlongisland.org

Home | Contact Us | Newsletter Archive | Donate | About Us