Vision Long Island Announces 2009 Smart Growth Summit

Friday, November 20th
Melville Marriott
8am-3pm

Vision Long Island is pleased to announce the 2009 Smart Growth Summit, to be held on Friday, November 20th from 8:00-3:00 at the Melville Marriott.

Each year, the Summit brings together a broad range of action-oriented decision-making Long Island leaders from community, civic, and governmental sectors. The Summit includes a morning plenary session, a luncheon, and over a dozen workshops throughout the day. We invite you to participate in the Summit by attending, sponsoring, and submitting your early ideas on themes
as we plan the workshop sessions.

If you are interested in participating at any level or if you have any questions, feel free to contact our office at any time at 631-261-0242 or by visiting our website at visionlongisland.org.

A registration form is available online here.

We look forward to seeing you on November 20th!

Register Today!

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Katter Development

Based in Central Islip, Katter Development Company has quickly established a reputation for creating a sense of place in every new neighborhood they design and build. Recent projects include Islip Landing.

With environmentally friendly designs, their communities are at the forefront of energy efficiency.

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 gets Over $10 Million in Restore NY Grants

This week, Governor Paterson announced $153.6 million in Restore NY's funds to communities across the state, as part of the third round of the grant program. Of 174 applicants, 74 projects received funding. The funds are administered by Empire State Development to revitalize urban areas, stabilize neighborhoods, and invite renewed investment. They are awarded to municipality-sponsored projects that will revitalize vacant lots or abandoned buildings.

“The Restore NY program is critical to our economic development, smartly leveraging private investment with State dollars so that we provide our neighbors with the resources they need to grow,” Governor Paterson said. “With this third round of funding, our villages, towns and cities can move forward with renewal projects that create jobs and attract businesses and consumers.”

Long Island saw five projects funded at a total grant value of $10,953,000:

Town of Riverhead – East Main St. Revitalization Atlantis Marine World Aquarium
Grant Total: $2,400,000

The Atlantis Marine World Aquarium Project encompasses demolition, reconstruction and expansion of anchor buildings in Riverhead's downtown. The project will reconstruct two demolished underutilized properties into a five-story, 101-room Hyatt Place hotel (66,082 square feet) and add a two-story changing exhibit gallery and catering hall (26,901 square feet). The town proposes the enhancement of the existing aquarium to a 6.5-acre site (a New York State Empire Zone), to strategically advance the Town of Riverhead’s East Main Street Urban Renewal Plan objectives. The expansion will add approximately 140 permanent employees (107 Part-Time and 33 Full-Time) and 150 construction jobs for approximately 12-18 months. Aquarium affiliated businesses (marina, restaurant) project an additional 20 jobs. Hotel occupancy projections are 72-74 percent year-round, extending the 4-month tourist season that fuels the Eastern Long Island economy. Improvements will eliminate blight and revitalize this waterfront getaway to attract visitors (projected to increase 20 percent to 480,000 year) from the Tri-state area and beyond.

Town of Huntington – Plaza Retail Center
Grant Total: $1,170,000

The town will demolish a vacant, deteriorated 4,200 square foot auto body shop for construction of a mixed-used building that will foster economic and job growth in Huntington Station. The project is part of the “Take Back the Blocks” initiative. The project site is close proximity to the town’s major transportation hub serving 11,000 commuters daily and is a transit oriented development project. The owner will act as developer. The proposed project will include four one-bedroom residential unites on the second floor and 3,600 square feet of commercial space on the first floor as well as 18 on-site parking spaces.

Patchogue – 31 West @ New Village
Grant Total: $ 2,471,000

The town proposes the development of a transit oriented urban renewal project consisting of a 9,500 square foot retail and 17,000 square foot office. The building rehabilitation includes; a facade renovation, the reintroduction of the cornice at the top of the building, new storefronts, new office space, a new main entrance and lobby core, and an upgraded elevator, bathrooms and hallways. The project is expected to generate 81 construction and construction-related jobs during the six-month construction period and more than 150 permanent full-time equivalent jobs. The project is registered with the US Green Building Council Building.

Valley Stream – Sun Valley Towers
Grant Total: $2,500,000

The project will demolish three under-utilized vacant residential and commercial buildings totaling 20,000 square feet, to reconstruct a 92,000 square foot, five-story residential and commercial building. The first floor will provide four commercial units, totaling at 80,000 square feet (13,000 square feet for parking/20,000 square feet lower level parking). Floors two through five will provide 64 residential condos. The Valley Stream Long Island Rail Road station market analysis predicts that this development will not only improve area housing stock, but its economic ripple effect will induce greater commercial investment into the district.

Town of Hempstead – Elmont Hempstead Turnpike Commercial Renovations
Grant Total: $2,412,000

The town will demolish and reconstruct 12 mixed use properties (retail & residential), totaling 59,908 square feet. The project, supported by the Visioning Plan and created with the community's help and input, includes the continued revitalization of Elmont's downtown by demolishing, rehabilitating, and reconstructing deteriorated vacant and abandoned commercial and mixed-use properties located on Hempstead Turnpike, west of the proposed Argo theater project which was the subject of a Restore 2 grant. This project will boost the town's ability to attract a qualified developer for the supermarket (a crucial anchor enterprise) proposed on the Argo theater site. Furthermore, it will enhance ESDC's plans for the redevelopment of Belmont Park located just west of this proposed project. It will contribute to a coherent and aesthetic downtown, increase local employment opportunities, generate investment, revamp abandoned and underutilized properties and create a positive image and attitude in the community.

In the wealthy Fire Island Village of Saltaire, which had a 2000 Census population of 43, was denied the $2.5 million in state funds it requested this summer to renovate its grocery store. Village Mayor Scott Rosenblum said in Newsday, "Obviously, I and the village board are deeply disappointed that we didn't get the money. I thought we were qualified to receive it." Read the full story in Newsday.

See the Governor's press release for more information.

Sewers vs. Cesspools: What’s the Right Choice for Suffolk?

In many Suffolk County communities, there is an ongoing debate as to how to systemize disposal waste. Many politicians are in a battle over whether cesspools should be replaced with sewer systems. This political battle has caused a halt in business and private property development in places like the Hamptons. Currently, a Suffolk County task force is pushing for 19 sewer projects, at a cost of approximately $910 million, in Eastern Long Island, including Southampton.

Cesspools, along with septic tanks, handle 70 percent of Suffolk’s wastewater. Proponents of maintaining cesspools argue that converting to sewers will be expensive, increasing the cost of living for many residents through taxes and diminishing the unique characteristics of many Suffolk communities.

There are many who disagree with this. Town and Country Real Estate reported that the average price of a home in Southampton Village was roughly $1.9 million in the second quarter. According to Southampton Mayor Mark Epley, a conversion to sewers would lead to affordable homes being built for important people of the community including those working in local hospitals, schools, and country clubs.

While cesspools may be a cost-efficient way to dispose of waste, many question whether it is the safest and cleanest method with an increasing Suffolk County population. Leakage from cesspools has been blamed for groundwater contamination, said Adrienne Esposito of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. She told Bloomberg News, “We’ve never had an overall plan for growth in Suffolk, so it’s been more cesspools and more contamination.”

A conversion to a sewer system would allow for growth and decrease the chance of ground water contamination. Sewers, which are a system of pipes, carry wastewater to plants which remove contaminants. Sewers help prevent nitrate contamination of drinking water, which can lead to illness or even death.

Suffolk County Legislator Wayne Horsley and Citizens Campaign for the Environment say the new sewer system initiative “will create 36,000 jobs, spur building of apartments and stores, safeguard water and stem the flight of adults ages 20 to 34 who can’t afford houses.” It is vital to keep the 20-34 year olds within Long Island as that specific population has decreased by 2 percentage points—twice the national average—from 2000-2007, according to the Rauch Foundation.

Vision's Eric Alexander added, “The push for sewers is heating up, and unlike in the past it’s happening from the bottom up, from the communities themselves, which gives the projects greater momentum.” With the help of the federal government ($14.4 million towards Suffolk County sewers, and $30 million in 2009 allocated towards sewer maintenance and expansion), it is clear that Suffolk County is making an effort to move away from cesspools and towards sewers.

Read the story in Bloomberg News here.

MTA HOLDS Appointment Hearing for Jay Walder in Mineola

On Thursday, September 3rd, the MTA held a hearing on the appointment of Jay Walder to be the agency's new Chairman and CEO. The hearing, held in Mineola, featured many speakers in support of the appointment, including the Mayor of the Village of Westbury, the NY League of Conservation Voters, AAA, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and Regional Plan Association. These and other groups urged the Legislature to quickly confirm the appointment so that Mr. Walder can get to work on the MTA's challenges. A confirmation vote is expected next week by the State Senate. Though Mr. Walder is highly qualified for the position, some feared a tax increase that his job would impose.

Veronica Vanterpool of Tri-State Transportation Campaign provided testimony: "Mr. Walder is a qualified and experienced transportation professional who will bring decades of global knowledge to his post along with a familiar, local understanding of transit’s role in the lives of New Yorkers and the economy of the tri-state region."

There was a strong call to address Long Island's transportation needs. Ms. Vanterpool continued, "Greater use of bus rapid transit would allow the agency to quickly grow the region’s transit capacity at relatively low cost. The agency must also put Long Island Bus on sound financial footing and continue to work towards a comprehensive regional bus system. Mr. Walder should also continue valuable initiatives begun under his predecessors, such as a sustainability effort that includes transit-oriented development, putting high-speed cashless tolls on all MTA crossings, and improving customer service."

One of the MTA's most urgent needs is the funding deficit for the 2010-2014 capital program, not to mention financial stability for the agency in general. A Capital Program Advisory Board has been created to vote on the capital plan, which includes State Senator Craig Johnson, Assemblyman Keith Wright, NYSDOT Commissioner Stanley Gee, NYC Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler, State Senator Charles Fuschillo (a non-voting member), and Assemblyman Lou Tobacco (a non-voting member).

The draft plan is available online for public comment. See Tri-State's blog for more information on the voting members, plus find a link to all 231 pages of the draft capital plan.

Read more on Walder's hearing in Newsday.

Less Driving, but Uncertain Gas Prices this Labor Day Weekend

A story in Long Island Business News last week highlights driving predictions for Labor Day weekend, in relation to gas prices and the state of the economy: A late Labor Day this year means more kids are already back in school, which also means a predicted 13% drop in cars driving 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend than last year.

That's great news for the environment, but the story behind the driving drop goes deeper.

Last week, the average regular gas price in Long Island was $2.88, 13.2 cents higher than in July and about a dollar lower than a year ago. Gas prices generally fall again after Labor Day, but this year, their rise and fall is uncertain, paralleling uncertain recovery from the economic recession and the weak value of the dollar.

The US Department of Energy foresees market demand for lower prices, citing that fuel demand is down 3 percent from last year while gasoline stocks are up 6.5 percent.

As you enjoy your Labor Day off from work, think about the environmental and economic costs embedded in your choice to drive!

Check Out Roadside Fire Grill in Nassau County!

Some friends of Vision have taken local flavor, convenience, and affordability to a whole new level with the Roadside Fire Grill. Who said it's impossible to get quality foods, at great prices, while on the run? Roadside Fire Grill is redefining what it means to eat from a food truck!

Knowing today's economic climate makes it more challenging to purchase fresh quality food at a comfortable price, the Grill is catering to those on the go! The Roadside Fire Grill is a converted food bus with a full commercial kitchen. The newly renovated flaming red vehicle is eye catching, to say the least. With a diverse menu that caters to all, make sure to stop by and savor their specialty homemade burgers, Italian gourmet Paninis, Tex-Mex quesadillas and tacos, fresh salads or classic sides like homemade fried mozzarella. Food is guaranteed to be served fresh! No detail is too small at the Roadside Fire Grill.

Keep an eye out for the grill! You can track the truck's progress on Facebook and Twitter.

Legislator Kate Browning Wants to Create Oversight Panel for Proposed Yaphank Development

Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning wants to create an oversight task force for the controversial Yaphank County Center development officially known as Legacy Village. An important public meeting with the Suffolk County Legislature is coming up this Wednesday, September 9th at 2pm, to discuss legislation that would create the task force.

The proposed bill can be found online here.

The bill proposes that the oversight task force: "analyze how the subject land was acquired by the County and the purposes for which it was acquired; consider whether the land may be needed by the County for other purposes in the future; examine the recommendations of the Yaphank Development Review Committee to determine whether the Committee’s recommendations were adhered to in the development of this project; solicit input from the surrounding community and the Town of Brookhaven regarding this project; determine the impacts this project may have on the surrounding communities and school districts; and assess whether the proposed development is in the best interests of the residents of Suffolk County." The task force would essentially propose a new feasibility for redevelopment on the site, would benefit the community by allowing for more public input, and would propose alternatives for the plan. The committee would consist of civic leaders, school district representatives, environmental leaders, County departments, Town of Brookhaven officials, and more key stakeholders.

Oversight committees have worked in Suffolk County before, for example, for the revitalization of Gabreski Airport. This is an important opportunity to ensure that a new development in Yaphank in consistent with the needs of both the community and the County. Some say such a task force would delay progress, but community input and attention to detail cannot be neglected, especially in the case of such a controversial project.

Please attend this meeting and voice your support for the oversight committee. Be sure to show up on Wednesday at 2:00 at Suffolk County Legislature, William Rogers Building. For more information, call Leg. Browning's office at 631-852-1300.

E-Waste Bill Promotes Recycling; Hurts Small Businesses

Citizens Campaign for the Environment calls you to action! The Electronic Waste Reuse and Recycling Act (Governor’s Program Bill #44, A. 9049/S. 6047) would ensure that all New Yorkers have access to e-waste recycling, rather than relying on date-specific take-back programs. It would ban the disposal of e-waste at landfills and other disposal facilities, going into effect for the commercial sector in 2010 and for individuals in 2015. E-waste (i.e. old computers, TVs, cellphones, etc.) is a problematic and costly waste stream, so this recycling law would promote environmental stewardship. If the bill passes, New York would join 18 other states with e-waste recycling programs.

Though this bill is a progressive step toward reducing waste, a chapter amendment to the bill requires some attention. Citizens Campaign for the Environment released an opposition statement on the amendment:

"Many companies and 18 states...have adopted ‘extended producer responsibility’ or EPR policies that require electronic manufactures or producers to incorporate costs of proper disposal into standard business practices. EPR protects public health, the environment, enhances business-consumer relations, reduces local government tax burden while providing an inherent incentive for producers to design and manufacture electronic goods that are less toxic and more readily recyclable. Maintaining manufacturer responsibility is an essential component of the proposed legislation in New York, as it keeps the financial burden of recycling and properly disposing of electronic waste out of the public tax burden and away from small businesses. CCE supports establishing a program for producer responsibility for the production, recycling, and reuse of electronic waste in the state as outlined in the Electronic Equipment Reuse and Recycling Act Program Bill 2009 #44R/ A. 9049 Sweeney/ S.6047/Thompson.

Justification for Opposition: S.6089 weakens manufacturer responsibility and requires “any entity” including small business, non-profits, and local governments with full-time employees to pay a fee for recycling their electronic waste. The proposed chapter amendment guts the integrity of the electronic-waste recycling program by shifting responsibility to the state, non-profits, small and mid-size businesses, and taxpayers. Eighteen states have producer responsibility programs and New York State cannot continue to absolve manufacturer responsibility for their products. Corporate welfare provided at the expense of tax payers and small businesses can not longer be tolerated. Product manufacturers who sell in or ship to New York consumers and businesses must take responsibility for the waste their products generate. Stewardship of New York’s land, air, and waters should not be jeopardized for greedy and irresponsible multi-national corporations who have no vested interest in the environment, public health and sustainability of New York."

Please contact your State Senators and Assemblymembers and say that you do not support a fee for small businesses to recycle their e-waste!

PARK(ing) Day 2009 is Coming September 18

PARK(ing) Day is turning into quite a popular tradition on city streets. Every year for one day, artists, activists, and citizens take over a metered parking space and turn it into a miniature public park. It provides a small touch of relief from auto-clogged city streets. More than anything, it makes a statement on the idea that we favor cars over public space. Anyone can participate, though it is "strictly a non-commercial project, intended to promote creativity, civic engagement, critical thinking, unscripted social interactions, generosity and play."

PARK(ing) Day originated in San Francisco in 2005, in response to a saddening statistic that up to 70% of the city's downtown outdoor space is dedicated to the vehicle, while only a fraction is allocated to the public realm. Since the first parking space was taken over, PARK(ing) Day has grown into a worldwide phenomenon.

This year's PARK(ing) Day is on Friday, September 18th, with locations in Manhattan. Be sure to stop by! There is still time to organize a space, so let's get some Long Island presence! If you are interested, visit the national website or the NYC website.

Group for the East End Events in September

The Group for the East End is always hosting exciting events related to the environmental well-being of eastern Long Island. Check out what's happening this month:

Beach Clean-Up in East Marion, Saturday, September 19th, 9:00-11:30am: Participate in International Coastal Clean-Up month by attending a local beach clean-up in East Marion, Southold. Come down, enjoy the Long Island Sound and take part in the important task of cleaning up the beach and collecting data that will help research organizations further their cause of protecting our waters. Please bring gloves, Group for the East End will supply the bags. Meet at the end of Rocky Point Road in East Marion and carpool if you can! Rain or shine! For more information, please contact Jenn Hartnagel at 631-765-6450 ext. 211 or jhartnagel@eastendenvironment.org.

Wildlife Migration along the Barrier Island in Hampton Bays, Sunday, September 27th, 8:30-11:00am. Join Group for the East End for a wildlife search along Dune Road west of the Shinnecock Inlet. The trip is timed to coincide with low tide, which should enhance your chances of seeing diverse shorebirds and wading birds. If winds are blowing from the northwest, migrating swallows, hawks, dragonflies, and butterflies will compete for your attention. Please bring binoculars. For reservations or more information, please contact Steve Biasetti at 631-765-6450 ext. 205 or sbiasetti@eastendenvironment.org.

Join the LI Somos Conference: The Fierce Urgency of Now on September 18th and 19th

Assemblyman Phil Ramos, the LI Latino Elected Officials Association, and the LI Hispanic Coalition present the 2009 Somos Conference: The Fierce Urgency of Now, to take place at the Islandia Marriott on Friday, September 18 and Saturday the 19. Through a series of workshops, the conference will focus on protecting civic rights.

The Long Island Somos el Futero Conference is an annual legislative gathering focused on addressing the needs and challenges of the growing Hispanic community on Long Island. A principal goal of this conference is to increase the participation of Hispanics in the public policy making process and develop local and state legislative initiatives that address issues of concern for Hispanic Long Islanders. The 2009 Conference will convene some of the most distinguished civic, community, business, and labor leaders from across New York State to discuss issues pertinent to Hispanic social, economic, and political empowerment. NY State Governor David Paterson is the featured keynote speaker.

The conference will showcase legislative sessions focused on health care reform, Census 2010, Latino academic achievement, the development of a black and brown coalition, global warming, and community responses to hate crimes and other civil rights infractions. In addition to the workshops, the conference will feature a senior’s luncheon, welcome reception, a morning and afternoon plenary, dinner gala and Latino expo. Many of New York’s top political leaders are expected to be in attendance.

To register or for more information, call (866) HF-AYUDA (432-9832).

14th Annual Pine Barrens Research Forum

The Fourteenth Annual Pine Barrens Research Forum: Laying a Foundation for Policy through Research, will be held on Thursday, October 1st and Friday, October 2nd at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Berkner Hall in Upton, NY. The conference is sponsored by BNL, the Central Pine Barrens Commission, the LI Groundwater Research Institute at Stony Brook, and the Foundation for Ecological Research in the Northeast.

The program features a balance of speakers from the New York metropolitan area and around the nation, covering research, technical, and applied science topics, including ecosystem-based management, the impact of climate change and sea level change on the Pine Barrens, forest health and wildlife populations, effects of elevated ozone levels on LI, and even the population of flying squirrels at the lab. Friday will include a field trip/hike to the Coastal Plain Ponds of the Peconic River Headwaters.

A full schedule and a registration form are available on their website.

Come join Long Island's first Permaculture Design Course! Classes Start This October

Permaculture is a comprehensive design science that is reflective of natural patterns and promotes mutually beneficial sustainable relationships. The study of Permaculture focuses on the most efficient and effective harmonious interrelationship of architecture, people, animals, plants, and the environment. Permaculture principles can be applied to any environment, on any scale: from dense urban settlements to individual homes, from farms to entire geographical regions. This course can transform the way you relate to the world around you and the way you perceive problems and find sustainable solutions to apply in the workplace as well as in your daily life.

This course is for anyone interested in gaining practical skills and perspective for sustainable living and productivity. During this course, you will gain an understanding of Permaculture theory, building your knowledge of all the necessary aspects to become fully conversant with Permaculture design. By the end of the course, your perception of the world around you will have changed and you will be able to confidently create your first Permaculture design plan. You will also receive a Permaculture Design Certification which will allow you to teach and design Permaculture to and for others.

The course will run from 9am to 5pm two Saturdays a month from October through March, and will be located at the Manor Farm in Huntington, NY. For more information on the course details and pricing, please contact Lee Goldman, CEO and Founder of Sustainable Solutions, at (516) 455-5000 or email sustainablegreen@gmail.com. You can also contact Starflower Experience at (516) 938-6152 or email Starflexp@aol.com.

Revitalizing NY Summit on October 7

Empire State Future, a group that works to realize the principles of Smart Growth throughout New York State, is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Revitalizing NY Summit, taking place on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 from 9am-5pm in Schenectady, NY. This summit is sponsored jointly by Empire State Future and the New York State Department of State, and emphasizes building a new economy and revitalizing New York State through sustainable economic and community development. This Summit is designed for all participants to both learn about and contribute innovations and ideas for actualizing sustainable development in New York State, and to strengthen the connections among those working on this common quest. It is designed for government officials, practitioners of economic and community development, planners, and New Yorkers interested in building a stronger and more sustainable Empire State.

The event will take place at Proctors Theatre, 432 State Street--a very short walk from the Schenectady Amtrak station. Train discounts are available for those who take the Amtrak to Schenectady. Also, special group rates at particular hotels and early bird registration fees are available.

Register now for $40. After September 10th, the fee will go up to $60. Visit Empire State Future's website to view the summit description and registration form. If you have any questions, contact Katie@rpa.org or (917) 546-4312.

Long Island Fund for Women and Girls Presents: Women Achievers Against The Odds on October 15th

On Thursday, October 15th, from 7:30-10:30am, the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls presents their 15th annual Women Achievers Against the Odds Awards Breakfast. At the breakfast, the Fund invites and honors special Long Island women who have achieved against the odds professionally and/or personally, as well as girls who have excelled in educational areas such as the Sciences, Sports, Performing Arts or Technology. In addition, they will highlight and present this year's grant program recipients. The program also introduces this year's Commemorative Tribute to Women Journal. This year's honorees include: Maria Grasso of Flushing Savings Bank, Dr. Gerry House of Institute for Student Achievement, Lorelei McGlynn of Henry Schein, Inc., Suzy Sonenberg of Long Island Community Foundation, and high school students Lisa Rifkind and Lucely Sanchez. 

The breakfast will take place at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Networking is from 7:30-8:30, and the program runs from 8:30-10:30. Tickets are $85 each, and after September 30 are $90. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information and to register, click here.

Celebration of Suburban Diversity: October 22

Save the date! On October 22nd, the Celebration of Suburban Diversity 2009 Committee and the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University present the Celebration of Suburban Diversity, an inspiring evening in conjunction with Hofstra's major international conference: The Diverse Suburb: History, Politics, and Prospect."

The event will take place from 6-10pm at the Sandra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus at Hofstra.

Vision Long Island Seeking Fall Interns

Vision Long Island is seeking unpaid interns for Fall 2009. We had such success with our Summer interns that we've decided to continue our internship program into the school 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 "Fall 2009 Internships" in the subject heading.

2009 Lighthouse Music Fest this Saturday

Come to the 3rd Annual Lighthouse Music Fest this Saturday, September 5th, from 11am-6pm, at the Huntington Lighthouse in Huntington Harbor. Bring your boat and anchor around the lighthouse! If you don't have a boat you will be welcome aboard the Waterfront Center of Oyster Bay's ship. There's a great band line-up, including Socalypso band The Toco Band, rockers South of Sunrise, "soca" band King Wellington, 60s soul group The Rhythm Kings, psychedelic groovers Blacklight, versatile country cover band South Bound, and teen sensation Spiderbyte. There may even be a special visit by some pirates.

Admission is free. Organized by the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society, the event will benefit the preservation and ongoing renovation of the lighthouse. For more information call Monica Stoller at (516) 768-2575 or email monica@lighthousemusicfest.com. See their website here.

Farmer's Market at Mt. Sinai Heritage Park

The freshest Long Island produce brought to you! The Mt. Sinai Heritage Park, also known as "The Wedge," brings you a great farmer's market on Fridays from 2-6pm. You'll see vendors from Davis Peach Farm, May's Farm, Hidden Ridge Plants, and so much more!

More vendors are welcome, so please call (631) 929-1115 for more information. Vision Long Island honored the Heritage Park and Community Center, along with its fierce advocate Lori Baldassare, at the 2009 Smart Growth Awards.

The park is located at the corner of Route 25A and CR 83 in Mount Sinai. Come and get some local flavor!

This week's closing words come from the PRO-URB digest. These LEGO models were based on actual houses located in Albany. See more here.

SMART GROWTH NEWS

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

We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.

For more information about Vision Long Island, visit http://www.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