Hazen and Sawyer

Hazen and Sawyer provides environmental engineering services to public and private clients in the fields of water supply, treatment, and distribution; wastewater collection and treatment; and stormwater management. Since 1951, they have completed thousands of successful assignments, won numerous awards, and earned the trust of some of the world's most demanding clients. With 26 offices in the US and Latin America, including Long Island, they are ready to help solve the toughest envionmental engineering challenges. See their website for more information.

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.

MTA "Doomsday Budget" approved

The MTA once again takes center stage this week, this time with the unanimous passage of an $11 billion budget that includes massive service cuts to the LIRR, Long Island Bus (several lines eliminated entirely), NYC Subway and Bus, plus the elimination of free and reduced price Metrocards for students.

Here's what Long Islanders can expect:

LIRR: $11 million cut

Shift from Half-Hourly to Hourly Off-Peak Port Washington Service ($1.2 million):
· Cancels 14 daily weekday trains and 16 daily weekend trains
· Average 200-500 riders per train
· Alternative: Board trains 30 minutes earlier or later

Eliminate Belmont Race Track Service ($.1 million):
· Eliminate Wednesday-Sunday during racing season except for Belmont Stakes
· Average 100 riders daily
· Alternative: Bus service to Belmont from Queens Village

Eliminate West Hempstead Weekend Service ($.5 million):
· Cancels approximately 17 trains per weekend day
· Average 350 riders per weekend day (20 per train)
· Alternative: Utilize trains on Babylon, Far Rockaway, Long Beach or Hempstead branches

Combine Four Babylon Trains into Two Babylon Trains ($1.1 million):
· Combine two AM peak trains and two PM peak trains
· Average of 2,000 riders daily
· Alternative: Utilize trains several minutes before or after

Cancel One PM Peak Long Beach Train ($.5 million):
· Cancel train 874 departing Flatbush Terminal at 5:40 PM
· Average of 370 riders per day
· Alternative: Use 5:23 or 6:07 PM train

Cancel One PM Peak Diesel Train Departing Hunterspoint ($.4 million):
· Cancel train departing at 5:11 PM
· Average of 440 riders daily
· Alternative: Customers traveling east of Huntington will need to switch to a diesel train at Huntington

Cancel On PM Peak Ronkonkoma Train ($.7 million):
· Cancel train departing Flatbush Terminal at 4:34 PM
· Average of 500 riders per day
· Alternative: Utilize a Huntington branch train with added stops or a Ronkonkoma train seven minutes earlier

Rolling Stock Maintenance ($1.7 million):
· Place 10 cars in reserve and reduce overtime at outlying points due to reduced service requirements

Guaranteed Extra List ($.7 million):
· Reduce the extra list based on implementation of service changes listed above

Other Adjustments/Reductions ($4.1 million):
· LIRR will review its current service levels relative to demand and will identify scheduling efficiencies to reduce costs

LI Bus: $4.5 million cut

Service Reductions:
· Elimination of several bus routes (N51, 53, 80, 93, 65, 66, 67, 87 and possibly more)
· Elimination of 15 positions with affiliated with these routes

Free and reduced fare student Metrocards would be phased out over the next two years. According to the Associated Press, "The policy of free or discounted student rides has been in place since 1948. Ending it could cost half a million students nearly $1,000 per year in transportation fees." Governor Paterson added, "Who wants to take Metrocards away from kids?"

The W and Z subway lines would be completely eliminated.

The NY Times assessed it this way: "The authority is attempting to plug a financial shortfall of nearly $400 million that appeared in startlingly quick fashion. Late last month, state legislators cut $143 million out of the authority’s budget; state accountants then determined that a payroll tax dedicated to mass transit financing would produce $100 million less revenue than initially thought. Finally, late last week, a court ruled that the authority must pay significant raises to transit workers, adding tens of millions of dollars in expenses."

Recently-appointed MTA Chairman Jay Walder bluntly said, "In the two months that I’ve been here, it’s apparent to me that we don’t operate in a way that ensures that every taxpayer dollar that we receive is being used as effectively as possible." Walder pledged to "take the place apart" to find a better solution.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stinger was quoted in Newsday as speaking out against the MTA's cuts: "This tired old song isn't giving us a sense of faith and hope in the transit system. When a crisis comes, you go for the most vulnerable. You go for our students. You go for people with disabilities... We should not be in the business of going after the next generation, because this generation can't run a transit system."

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign released a statement on the cuts, saying that "Governor Paterson, Mayor Bloomberg, and the MTA must consider other options to plug the agency’s financial hole. The burden cannot fall solely on transit riders who are already paying higher fares. And it certainly shouldn’t fall on the backs of our schoolchildren." The statement continues to offer potential solutions, including increasing city support, seeking new federal support, reducing outrageous administrative costs, considering innovative tolling options, or even taking a desperate move of reappropriating some capital funding from the federal stimulus to operations.

Though this plan avoids yet another fare hike for 2010, a 7.5% increase in fares could take place in 2011. The new service cuts are scheduled to begin in July 2010. An 11th-hour solution is possible if the city or state votes to increase aid, though judging by past precedent this does not seem likely.

Take Action! Contact your New York State Senator and urge them to take action on the cuts. Nassau County residents should also contact County Executive-elect Ed Mangano (Legislative office: 516-571-6217) and the County Legislature to reinstate the County's cuts to LI Bus. It is vitally important to keep up the pressure on anyone who can help!

Paterson funds solar project on Long Island

On Thursday, Governor David A. Paterson announced a $6 million grant to LIPA, funded by the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority to continue incentive and rebate programs for homeowners and businesses for the purchase of solar photoboltaic (PV) systems that generate clean energy, lower energy bills, and help to reduce the carbon footprint. According to the Governor's press release, the grant was given in response to unprecedented demand for solar panels here on Long Island and pushes ahead the Governor's plan to have 45 percent solar electricity in the State by 2015.

Governor Paterson noted, "“The increased use of photovoltaic panels will help fuel New York’s growing clean energy economy. It builds on the energy expertise working out of Long Island’s academic institutions and creates the new economy jobs New Yorkers need.”

The grant comes in the midst of Governor Paterson's 2009 State Energy Plan, the first since 2002. Some of the highlighted policy initiatives and plans for 2010 include

- Continue to expand opportunities to improve energy efficiency – the cleanest, cheapest energy resource.
- Support the development of in-State energy supplies.
- Encourage investment in, and identify future needs for, energy infrastructure.
- Stimulate innovation in the clean energy economy and help the existing manufacturing base transition to low-carbon future.
- Improve coordination between the State, other governments, and communities.
- Submitting legislation that will establish a power plant siting process that will provide greater certainty to developers and greater opportunities for public involvement.
- Submitting legislation to establish a long-term Power for Jobs program and developing new selection criteria that encourage energy efficiency.
- Submitting legislation to “green” the State’s energy code and removing loopholes that have limited the code’s effectiveness.
- Developing procedures to assess and consider disproportionate environmental burdens from energy facilities in potential environmental justice areas.
- Submitting legislation to require disclosure of energy characteristics of buildings at the time of sale.
- Working with the New York Power Authority to procure another 100 megawatts of solar energy statewide.
- Work with NYPA to bring to fruition an offshore wind project in the Great Lakes following the issuance of its RFP in December 2009.
- Work with LIPA to bring to fruition its utility-scale solar projects following its successful 50 MW solar RFP in 2009.
- Working with the Long Island Power Authority and the Long Island-New York City Offshore Wind Collaborative to issue a request for proposals for an offshore wind project off the coast of the Rockaways.
- Ensuring stringent environmental safeguards are in place for natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale gas reserves.
- Releasing a Climate Action Plan that will identify strategies to achieve an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas pollution by 2050.
- Establishing incentives to repower existing power plants to reduce emissions and increase power output.

The full State Energy Plan is available online here.

MTA Payroll Tax Cut Proposed for LI Residents

New York State Senator and former Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley, along with Assemblyman Fred Thiele and Senators Suzi Oppenheimer and Thomas Morahan, filed legislation Tuesday to reduce the cost of the MTA payroll tax for Long Islanders. The plan would reduce the tax by 68% in Suffolk County, to be 11 cents per $100, and by 34% in Nassau County and Westchester County, to be 22.5 cents per $100. The tax is currently planned to be 34 cents per $100 for all affected counties.

Foley argued that counties with less MTA transit service should pay less to the agency. "The further from the outer ring, the less services they receive," Foley said. "It is a very fair approach that significantly reduces the burden to Suffolk County employers who pay this tax." Even with this plan, the MTA would still generate about $1 billion from the payroll tax. "The MTA cannot cry poverty when this bill is approved," said Foley. Foley voted in favor of the payroll tax as a part of the MTA bailout in May, but always planned to revisit the issue.

Vision's Eric Alexander and Tawaun Weber stood with the lawmakers at a press conference in Ronkonkoma this week, supporting the legislation to reduce the burden for overtaxed Long Islanders.

South Shore Wind Farm finds Support

In spite of the floundering of the original wind turbine project proposed for the south shore of Long Island, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg voiced support for a wind farm to be placed on the site. 

While in attendance of the Copenhagen climate summit, Mayor Bloomberg made a trip Monday to visit a local offshore wind turbine farm, commenting on the on how the farm showed why a similar one straddling the Nassau-Queens border 13 miles off the Rockaways should go ahead.

“We have to do something to generate energy that doesn’t send our money overseas,” Bloomberg said.  “It gives you a feeling for what it will be, I hope, off the Long Island shore.”

After scrapping a 140-watt wind farm project off of Jones Beach in 2007, LIPA’s chief executive, Kevin Law, proposed a joint initiative with Con Edison and the city to develop a wind project.  Eventually growing to include the New York Power, Port, and Metropolitan Transportation Authorities, the group plans to issue a request for developers to build a 700 megawatt project by 2015.

Though there are detractors from the project, it is also beginning to create excitement and confidence that it can be built.  “The chances are much better now than with the initial project,” said Gordian Raacke, executive director of Renewable Energy Long Island.  “The new proposed project is much larger so there are economies of scale, and it’s much farther out so it’s less visible.”

Multifamily Housing sees Hope for the Future

It will surprise almost no one that 2009 was a year with a relative dearth of new commercial development on Long Island.  However, some industry execs are beginning to feel that 2010 will be a year of recovery with Long Island seeing a boon of multi-family housing.  This view is buoyed by stronger single-family home sales and other signs that the market is slowly beginning to right itself.

Developments previously placed on hold are beginning to see some activity again as towns and individuals are once more feeling secure enough to invest in these projects once more.  Avalon Bay Communities, a local developer, has even expressed confidence on moving ahead for three of its multifamily projects in Rockville Center, Uniondale and Huntington Station.

Matt Whalen, one of Avalon’s vice presidents, noted that an important trend for the multifamily sector is redevelopment and increased density in Long Island downtowns, especially Nassau, where vacancies are scarce.  Mr. Whalen is hopeful that these three projects will begin in 2010 and go straight through to 2011, when he is confident that the country will be fully recovered.

Maria Rigopoulos, a vice president of Trammell Crow Residential, the developer of the Alexan at West Hempstead Station, noted that there is an imbalance between supply and demand for multifamily rental housing on Long Island. The good news, she noted, is that multifamily rental development is one of the few real estate sectors that still attract lenders.

“In the foreseeable future, banks will do business with only the strongest, most reputable developers and in the best markets,” Rigopoulos said.

Sewer feasibility study approved for Babylon

In response to frequent requests from homeowners, civic groups, local businesses and school district representatives, Suffolk County Legislator Lou D’Amaro, along with Legislators Steve Stern, DuWayne Gregory, Wayne Horsley, and Thomas Barraga, has announced the approval of a feasibility study that could serve as the crucial first step in bringing much-needed sewers to the Deer Park, North Babylon, Wyandanch, and West Islip communities. “This study is the first step toward installing sewers in these areas, which would foster economic growth, help protect groundwater, and eliminate the costs of maintaining and replacing aging septic systems.” said Legislator D’Amaro. Legislator Stern added, “This process will include a plan of sewering for environmental protection and economic development and will provide long needed relief from septic system maintenance for homeowners in our neighborhoods.”

Introductory Resolution 1705 – 2009 amends the County’s 2009 Capital Budget to fund a study to determine whether it is practical to install sewers and to calculate the associated costs to taxpayers should sewers ultimately be constructed. The Legislators stressed that they will only support the actual installation of sewers if the study’s cost-benefit analysis shows that resident taxpayers will not be overburdened. “If the study’s findings favor taxpayers, then sewer installation would be a win-win situation for homeowners, who could see their property values increase, and for local businesses, who have also been clamoring for sewers in their ongoing efforts to expand and simultaneously reduce high septic system costs,” said D’Amaro.

The proposed study is particularly timely, given the recent announcement that another section of Babylon Town, the Wyandanch Central Business District, has received the Federal, State and local funding needed to bring sewers to the downtown commercial area. It would be more cost efficient to expand the existing sewage treatment facility for both projects simultaneously.

“From both an economic development and workforce housing perspective, communities and business districts need sewers to thrive and grow,” D’Amaro said. “The federal government recognizes this fact and has recently been allocating stimulus funding for sewers, which is why it is critical that we get the ball rolling on both the cost and construction logistics associated with a project of this scope so that it will be ‘shovel ready’ should the requisite monies come our way.” The environmental benefits of sewers are equally compelling, especially since all of Suffolk’s drinking water comes from a single, underground aquifer that has been burdened by septic leaching for decades.

“It is vitally important that we continue to be mindful of the negative environmental impacts that result from the use of on-site septic systems,” D’Amaro said. “Clearly, sewers are the key component when it comes to protecting our environment, spurring our local economy and promoting the type of smart, sensible housing growth that will enable our children and grandchildren to remain on Long Island. On behalf of the co-sponsors of this bill, as well as the entire Deer Park, North Babylon, Wyandanch and West Islip communities, whose residents have patiently waited their turn for sewers, I thank my colleagues for supporting this critical study."

A Win for Open Space at Conscience Bay

New York State has reached an agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre to purchase one of the largest remaining open space parcels in Setauket, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis announced last week. The 28.3-acre parcel, adjacent to Route 25A, is listed as a priority for preservation in the State’s 2009 Open Space Plan and is the largest privately-owned undeveloped lot in the immediate drainage of Conscience Bay – making it critical to long-term ecological viability.

Conscience Bay has one of the most restricted tidal flow exchanges of any of the North Shore’s major bays. Preservation of these woodlands will help prevent runoff from roads and related contaminants from entering the estuary. The $5,450,000 transaction is made possible by $5 million in Natural Resource Damages (NRD) funding from Northville Industries and $450,000 from a Long Island Sound Study grant awarded to the DEC by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The acquisition will not utilize State funds.

The property is currently vacant and wooded with more than 1,200 feet of frontage on a busy stretch of Route 25A across from the Setauket Commons Shopping Center. The property is zoned for single family residences and could have been developed for as many as 25 new homes, which would have increased the demand for costly government services and increased costs for the local school district. Instead, the property will remain as open space, preserving community character, connecting people to nature and providing protection to the surface and groundwater resources of the Setauket area. In addition, the preservation of the parcel will greatly bolster ongoing efforts to create a greener, healthier community by providing a natural link to the new Setauket-to-Port Jefferson Station Bike Path.

“This agreement will not only protect this property as open space, but also will help protect water quality in Conscience Bay and Long Island Sound,” Commissioner Grannis said at a news conference, joined by State Assemblyman Steven Englebright, DEC Region 1 Director Peter A. Scully, and local officials. “It is a critical property that showcases the new direction that the State’s 2009 Open Space Plan. Situated in the Long Island North Shore Heritage Area and in close proximity to a local school, preservation of this land will help connect people to nature and help foster a green and healthy community.”

$280 Million for New Livability Initiative

Through the new, federal Interagency Partnership on Sustainable Communities of the Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Environmental Protection Agency, $280 million has been set aside to create a Federal Transit Administration bus livability grant program and an urban circulator and livability program. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the availability of funding on December 1st. $130 million will go towards the circulator program, which is aimed at funding streetcar, circulator, and other local transit and mobility projects.

Eligible projects will promote walkable, mixed-use development. There is a maximum grant of $25 million per project. $150 million is available for projects that link buses and bus facilities, as well as projects that improve job access or neighborhood redevelopment. Criteria will include promoting livability and sustainability. Funding for both programs comes from unallocated discretionary funds for the New Starts/Small Starts Bus and Bus Facility programs. Applications are due by February 8th with announcements expected by the end of March.

More information on eligibility and application requirements are available here for the urban circulator program and here for the bus livability program.

The Rise of People Movers?

Has the next generation of personal transportation arrived?  Driverless taxis, or people movers, are beginning to be discussed as a possible next step in public transportation for cities and smaller communities.  Of course, part of taking this next step is finding entrepreneurs willing to take on the task of developing this mode of transportation.

“Right now, the field is wide open,” says Benjamin G. Edelman, an assistant professor in the Negotiation, Organizations and Markets unit at Harvard Business School.

The typical Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) will carry one to four passengers and will travel direct routes with no stops using computer control.  Although this concept sounds futuristic, it has been seriously discussed by engineers, designers, and academics since the mid-1950’s.  In fact, a PRT system has been in use at the University of West Virginia in Morgantown since 1972 with a new one being opened at London’s Heathrow Airport in 2010.

By offering a strong alternative to a private automobile, it is hoping that PRT’s can help to reduce traffic congestion in addition to improving real estate in areas short on public transportation.  The system is also hoping to attract universities and businesses by lowering the need for parking garages on corporate and educational compuses.

EPA recognizes Exceptional projects with Smart Growth Awards

The recession has done more than simply slow down our economy, it has also a highlighted a need to be smarter than ever when it comes to building for the future.  Earlier this week, the US EPA recognized four projects across the country that exemplify this new way of thought with a focus on smart growth and the building of places worth caring about.

Created in 2002, the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement recognizes outstanding and innovative approaches to development that “respect the environment, foster economic vitality, and enhance quality of life.”  Since its inception the EPA Smart Growth office has sifted through hundreds of award applicants, 102 from 34 separate states this year alone.

“We are at a defining moment. American communities have spent a lot of time in the last decade growing and building, and not always in the smartest ways,” Administrator Jackson told the honorees in her remarks.  “We have a president who is willing to stand up and say we don’t have to choose between sustainable growth and our economy. It’s a false choice that we have to choose between a healthy environment and a healthy economy.”

The winners of the 2009 awards include the Tempe Transportation Center in Tempe, Arizona, Parkside of Old Town in Chicago, Illinois, The City of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Envision Lancaster County Comprehensive in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Vision Long Island presents the annual Downtown Shopping List

Tis the season to be shopping! As Vision's staff stayed home on Black Friday, fearful over the possibility of another Walmart-esque trampling, millions of Americans began their holiday shopping blitz by hitting the mall or the discount big-box store. However, there’s a better alternative to the stressful crowds and traffic nightmares during the holiday season: shop downtown!

Local shops need your support, not only for their own business, but for the vitality of the entire downtown area. Buying local products supports business owners and employees, local producers, and more. In addition, many shops offer special deals or free items.

Many downtowns are working to enhance the local experience this holiday season.

Next to Vision’s office in Northport, for example, the parking meters are covered up in candy-cane striped paper as a holiday shopping incentive. There are twinkle lights all over the Village, and signs from the Huntington Township Business Council’s “It Starts Here: Buy Local” campaign line the independent store windows. Downtowns offer more than just shopping—they offer a full experience, filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, parks, people, and charm.

This year’s list comes with support from various Long Island Chambers of Commerce, the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, and the Long Island Business Council. We encourage you to visit these and other shops in your local downtown this December and beyond!

These stores are just a sampling of the wonders that downtowns have to offer. Check out the websites of the various Chambers of Commerce for more places to go in your local downtown!

Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, Long Island Business Council, Babylon Village Chamber of Commerce, Bay Shore, Bellmore, Brentwood, Cedahurst, Copiague, East Hampton, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Great Neck, Greenport, Hampton Bays, Hempstead Village, Hicksville, Huntington, Islip, Lawrence, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Manhasset, Massapequa, Merrick, Mineola, Northport, Oyster Bay, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Port Washington, RIverhead, Rockville Centre, Rocky Point, Sayville, Seaford, Southold, Southampton, Valley Stream, Westbury, Westhampton Beach, Williston Park.

The Huntington Chamber of Commerce recently began a "Buy Local" campaign throughout the Town and it has been a rousing success. Anyone who wanders down Main Street in Huntington or Northport Village, for example, will see a plethora of "Buy Local, Shop Here" signs, allowing shoppers to spend their money where their purchases can make their way back into the community. The campaign was created by Bob Bontempi, Chairman of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, as well as Co-chair of Huntington Township Business Council, and Tom Kehoe, a Northport Village Trustee, Co-chair of Huntington Township Business Council, and Village Commissioner of Commerce

.

In 2004, Vision Long Island held a press conference in the Village of Farmingdale to kick off what would become the annual Shop Downtown for the Holidays list. The event attracted many local shop owners, chambers of commerce, and stakeholders.

On Tuesday, December 8th, the Nassau Coalition of Chambers of Commerce hosted a press conference in front of the Nassau Legislature in Mineola to announce the new “It Starts Here, Buy Local” campaign for Nassau County. Modeled off the Huntington Township Business Council campaign, the program will buy ad space, put up flyers in local businesses, and push the message to all Nassau County residents to shop early, shop often, and shop local this holiday season and beyond! Speakers at the press conference included NCCC President Chris Murray and Vice President Francesca Carlow, Nassau County Legislators Wayne Wink and Judi Bosworth, City of Glen Cove Deputy Mayor Maureen Basdavanos, Village of Freeport Trustee and LI Hispanic Chamber Past President Jorge Martinez, and Vision Long Island’s Executive Director Eric Alexander.

NYS calls for public comment

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

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

Teen/Youth Domestic Violence Conference at Wyandanch Memorial HS this Saturday

This Saturday, December 19th, from 10:30am-2:00pm, Wyandanch Memorial High School and Man in the Mirror present a Teen/Youth Domestic Violence Conference. The conference is a special opportunity for young people on Long Island to learn about about positive means to resolve conflicts and relate to one another. The event includes workshops, giveaways, prizes, music, poetry, raffles, and more. Special guests include Suffolk County Legislator DuWayne Gregory; Meagan Williams, VIBS; Hukm Moore, NADLPC; David Perkins, LMSW; Alisty Kenneth, AJK Div.; Alice Agostini, SCCDV; Scott Gross, SC Asst. DA; Sandy Hinden, LIMC; and Sean E. Bell Family.

Registration begins at 8:30am. The school is located at 32nd and Brooklyn Avenues in Wyandanch. For more information, call Mr. Broughton at (631) 748-81

Have a Heart for the Homeless at Benefit Concert this Monday, December 21st

This Monday night, December 21st, OCD Music Group presents a benefit concert for the Nassau-Suffolk Coaition for the Homeless at the Vibe Lounge in Rockville Centre.

Musical guests include: Lights Resolve, Cass Dillon, TV TV, Mike Del Rio, Bryce Larsen, Scott Harris, Tommy Byrnes, TJ Byrnes, and The Constant.

This is a free, all ages concert but donations will be accepted. Doors open at 7pm at The VIBE LOUNGE, 60 North Park Avenue in Rockville Centre.

Come out and support a great organization doing important work for LI's homeless population!

Keeping You Informed: Student Job & Internship Fair January 12th

On January 12th, the Long Island Works Coalition will be holding a job & internship fair aimed at drawing high school students from the region and beyond into the workforce.  Hoping to draw up to 1,200 students for both paid and for-credit positions, the Coalition will also be running seminars for all registrants on how to have an effective internship program.

The event will be held at the Huntington Hilton in Melville from 4:30 to 7:30 in the evening and will cost up to $250 for each sponsor except for non-profits, which will only have to pay $100.  Companies interested in this opportunity should contact the Long Island Works Coalition at their registration website or call at 631-843-4010.

Have a Heart for the Homeless Candlelight Vigil on February 11th

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

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

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

Neighborhood Network presents Organic Turf Show comes to SUNY Farmingdale February 16th

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

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

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

Vision Long Island seeks interns

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

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

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

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

The Jazz Nutcracker at Islip Town Hall

Every year during the holiday season, ballet studios and companies throughout the country put on productions of the holiday classic "The Nutcracker." Ballet Long Island, based in Ronkonkoma, has a special twist: "The Jazz Nutcracker" is a unique interpretation with jazz, tap, modern, and ballet dance styles in a lively, emotional performance enjoyable to young and old alike.

The performance is this Saturday, December 19th, at 8pm at Islip Town Hall West, 401 Main Street in Islip. Tickets are $18 for adults and $8 for children and seniors. For tickets, call (631) 737-1964.

Holiday Spectacular on Ice at Patchogue Theatre

From Friday December 18th through Tuesday December 22nd, head to the Patchogue Theatre of the Performing Arts, where the stage will be transformed into a giant skating rink--yes, with real ice! The Holiday Spectacular on Ice will be a dazzling display of world-class figure skating, specialty acts, professional vocalists singing your favorite holiday tunes, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself! This is a great way for audiences of all ages to celebrate the holidays.

There are 10 performances, including Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm, and Sunday at 12pm and 4pm. The theater is located at 71 East Main Street in Patchogue. For tickets, call the Gateway Playhouse box office at (631) 286-1133 or visit their website.

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

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