Fire and Safety Tips for Christmas Trees

 It’s something we’d prefer not to think about during the holiday season as boxes of ornaments are dusted off and long strings of lights are untangled, but as your family gathers this year it is important to consider the safety of your Christmas tree.

Christmas tree fires are not common, but when they occur they tend to be serious. One in every 66 reported Christmas tree fires resulted in death. 

 Between 2006 and 2010, fire departments in the United States responded to an average of 230 home fires that started with Christmas trees each year.  An average of four deaths per year, 21 injuries and $17.3 million in property damage resulted from these fires. 

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has offered a series of fire and safety tips for Christmas trees on behalf of the Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services to help keep Long Islanders safe and secure this holiday season.

For the tips & tricks from LongIsland.com on keeping your home safe this holiday season, click here!

Ten Long Island Landmarks to Visit with the Kids

Long Island is famous for many things, including many unique landmarks and places to visit,  and plenty of them are kid friendly. From the massive "Big Duck" National Landmark in Flanders, to the Montauk Lighthouse that's been guiding sailors on their journey home for generations, to the Old Bethpage Restoration Village that brings us back to another there are plenty of fun filled places to explore with the family - many of which can be as educational as they are enjoyable! Whether you're looking to plan a stay-cation day trip, or you're simply looking for something new to do, you won't want to miss out on visiting these Long Island Landmarks this summer.

To find out more about these iconic Long Island Landmarks, read the full article on LongIsland.com!

Battle of the Breakfasts - Best Breakfast Spots on Long Island

Hot Cakes - A Great Way to Start the Day!

It's been said for ages that breakfast is the most important meal of the day - so why skimp on this important meal when there are so many great breakfast joints right here on Long Island? Whether you're in the mood for a stack of flapjacks, a protein-packed omelet and some bacon, healthy & hearty oatmeal, or you're just looking for a new way to start your day, Long Island has countless restaurants that cater just to the breakfast crowd. If you're ready to start the day off right with a delicious, filling meal, then this is the Guide for you - rounding up some of the best breakfast eateries in both Nassau and Suffolk.  The best part is you don't have to be an early bird to enjoy these eateries - many of them serve breakfast all day long, so even if you're looking for a casual late breakfast, or a fun spin on dinner, you can stop by, and enjoy some of your morning favorites! So round up your friends or the family, and make sure to bring your appetite - we've put together some of our favorite local Breakfast & Brunch Spots for you, Long Island, and it's time for the Battle of the Breakfasts!

Click here to check out the Article in Full on LongIsland.com, and learn more about some of LI's Best Breakfast Spots!

Who do you think reigns King of the Morning Meal?
Let us know on the LongIsland.com Forum - Battle of the Breakfasts Discussion!

Fireworks, Food & Festivities - Last Minute Ideas for Celebrating Independence Day Tomorrow!

The Fourth of July is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The first public reading of the Declaration was held on July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia’s Independence Square. One year later, on July 4, 1777, Independence Day was celebrated with ringing bells, band music, bonfires and fireworks. This Fourth of July, Long Islanders will continue the tradition with unbroken fervor. The list of parades, picnics, firework displays, concerts, fairs and celebrations on Long Island is virtually limitless. So get ready to enjoy some great outdoor activities and beautiful weather in celebration of our nation’s independence!

Independence Day Celebration
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
20 Sagamore Hill Road
Oyster Bay, NY
516-922-4788
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
11 am – 4 pm
Free

Enjoy an old fashioned Independence Day celebration at the Sagamore Hill home of Theodore Roosevelt featuring James Foote reenacting Theodore Roosevelt, the Sagamore Hill Band, Rough Riders reenactment, storyteller Jonathan Kruk and speeches by local dignitaries. This is a free event open to all. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket. Food will be available for purchase. Presented by the National Park Service.

Independence Day Celebrations
Peconic Riverfront
Riverhead, NY
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
5-9:30 pm

Celebrate Independence Day on the Peconic Riverfront in Riverhead. A family concert begins at 5:30 pm with Who Are Those Guys, followed by Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could and then the rock and roll superstars tribute band Rock & Roll Review. The evening ends with a spectacular fireworks display.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012
7pm

On the second day of the celebration come see The Blues Brotherhood – A tribute to the Blues Brothers. The Blues Brotherhood covers the best material from the original "Blues Brothers" as well as other classic blues, funk, and soul tunes in a style unique to the "Brotherhood." So hold on to your hats (and shades, for that matter) as the boys capture the sound, energy, and persona that propelled the original "Blues Brothers" into the phenomenon that still thrills audiences around the world.

Port Jefferson Fourth of July Parade
Main Street
Port Jefferson, NY
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
10 am

Celebrate the decades-old tradition of the annual Port Jefferson Fourth of July Parade sponsored by the Port Jefferson Fire Department.

Storytime for Kids
Barnes & Noble
Country Glen Center
91 Old Country Road
Carle Place, NY
(516) 741-9850
Tuesday, July 3rd & Wednesday, July 4^th
10 am
Free

Bring the kids to Barnes & Noble to celebrate the Fourth of July with story time and a related activity.

Selden Wednesday Cruise Night
Independence Plaza
Middle Country Road
Selden, NY
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
5:30 pm – 9 pm
Free

Selden Wednesday Cruise Night is back for the fourth year! Come down and join other local classic and muscle car owners in a large open parking lot with plenty of room to spread out. This is a landlord-approved site—no loud music and no burnouts! The shopping center offers a many food choices:  Italian, Chinese, Sushi, burgers and more. Cruise night is held every Wednesday from 5:30 pm – 9pm through October 3^rd.

July 4^th Mixer on the Bay Beach
Beach Hut at Venetian Shores
850 Venetian Blvd.
Lindenhurst, NY
631-592-9804
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
5:15 pm – 9:45 pm

7-In-Heaven Singles welcomes all ages to its July 4^th Mixer on the Bay Beach. Come out, meet new friends and enjoy lots of fireworks over the bay! Activities include icebreakers beach volley ball, team trivia game activities at the Beach Hut, live music and dancing, raffle prizes (additional cost) and lobster meal specials. Bring your own picnic or purchase food and drinks from the Beach Hut. $5 pp organizational fee (cash is appreciated). 7-In-Heaven does not charge a membership fee. Free parking. Look for 7-In-Heaven banner!

East Meadow Farmers Market
832 Merrick Avenue
East Meadow, NY
631-323-3653
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
7 am – 1 pm
Free Admission

Veggies, fruits, seafood, jams and jellies, flowers, plants, dairy items, dog treats, and more available at the East Meadow Farmers Market ! Presented by Long Island Growers Market.

(Every Wednesday 7 am – 1pm through November 21^st).

Roslyn Farmers Market
Christopher Morley Park
500 Searington Road
Roslyn, NY
631-323-3653
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
7 am – 1pm
Free Admission

The Roslyn Farmers Market presents an array of veggies, fruits, seafood, jams and jellies, wines, pastas, all kinds of baked goods, pickles, jarred veggies and fruits, pestos and sauces, beef, chickens, eggs and more!

Huntington Summer Arts Festival in July
213 Main Street
Huntington, NY
631-271-8423
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
8 pm
Admission Free

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival has earned a reputation for presenting top talent to the community with superb performances from local, national and international artists. This summer marks the Festival's 47th year. Celebrate our nation’s independence as the Huntington Community Band presents “A Salute to America with Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue”.

Adult Adventures:  Just a Hike (Periphery)
Caumsett State Historic Park
25 Lloyd Harbor Road
Huntington, NY
631-473-1770
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
9:30 am – 12:45 pm

Adults ages 18 and up are welcome for this 6-mile, hilly, moderately-paced hike at Caumsett State Historic Park. Bring lunch and drinking water. While questions are most welcome, there will be no formal nature discussion during the hike. There will be a fee of $4.00 per adult. An $8.00 parking fee must be paid during the fee collection season. Advance reservations are required. To register, please call (631) 423–1770, between 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. If you are unable to keep your reservation, please call and cancel so others may have the opportunity to attend. Please be prompt. If others are waiting, your place may be given to them if you have not arrived when the program starts. Outdoor programs will take place rain or shine, so please dress appropriately.

Here’s a listing of fireworks shows from Monday, July 2 through Wednesday, July 4.  Please note Grucci fireworks generally start shortly after sunset.  Start out early to get the best viewing location!

Long Island Ducks Ballgame and Faireworks
Bethpage Ballpark
3 Courthouse Drive
Central Islip, NY
Monday, July 2, 2012
7:05 pm

Watch the Long Island Ducks play against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and then enjoy a Grucci fireworks extravaganza! Tickets are available online or by calling 631-940-3825.

Peconic Riverfront Fourth of July Celebration
(Behind Southern Main Street)
Riverhead, NY
631-727-0048
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
6 pm – 9:30 pm

Enjoy a concert featuring local bands, followed by fireworks at the Peconic Riverfront Park.

Go 4th on the Bay
Great South Bay off Fire Island
And Middle Bay off Connetquot River/Nicolls Bay
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Dusk

Enjoy fantastic Grucci fireworks displays in the Great South Bay. Show will be visible on the shoreline from Smith Point to Bay Shore and from the bayside beaches on Fire Island. For stunning views from the water, climb aboard one of the Captree Fleet boats that will launch from the Captree State Park Dock between 6:30 and 7 pm. For details about the Captree Fireworks cruises, click here.

Port Jefferson Village Fireworks
East and West Beaches
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
9:30 pm

Port Jefferson Village presents Independence Holiday fun and fireworks! Enjoy DJ entertainment from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm on the west beach. Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm (viewable from east and west beaches). Residents only.

Fourth of July Carnival and Fireworks
School Playing Fields
720 Front Street
Greenport, NY
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
6 pm - 11 pm
Free

Celebrate the Fourth of July in Greenport this year! Enjoy all the fun and excitement of a carnival, take a ride on the Ferris wheel, then lay back on the Greenport school grounds lawn and watch as fireworks explode overhead. Parking is available in front of the carnival on Moore’s Lane or in the school parking lot entrance off of Front St.

Stars Over Montauk
Montauk's Independence Day Celebration
Umbrella Beach
Old Montauk Highway
Montauk, NY
631-668-2428
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2012
9 pm

View spectacular Grucci fireworks in Montauk from any ocean town beach. There are several town lots close to Umbrella Beach that do not require a permit, or you can park along the roadways (rain date is July 5^th).

Star Spangled Blast at Bald Hill
Brookhaven Amphitheater
1 Bicycle Path
Farmingville, NY
631-293-2222
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2012
7:30 pm

Celebrate the 4^th with Grucci fireworks at Bald Hill! The Long Island Philharmonic will present a free concert followed by a spectacular fireworks show. Parking lot opens around 4:30pm and doors open around 5:30pm.  Refreshments will be available.

Long Island Ducks Ballgame and Fireworks
Bethpage Ballpark
3 Courthouse Drive
Central Islip, NY
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
7:05 pm

Watch the Long Island Ducks play against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and then enjoy a Grucci fireworks extravaganza! Tickets are available online or by calling 631-940-3825.

Village of Valley Stream 20^th Annual Fireworks Show
Fireman’s Field
Emerson Place or Albermarle Avenue Entrances
Valley Stream, NY
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
6:30 pm

The Village of Valley Stream presents its 20^th annual fireworks show. Tickets are $5 and are available at Collision Concepts on Rockaway Avenue at Sunrise Highway, Hendrickson Pool Facility, Village Hall and the library. Children under 2 are free. Parking is available at the Hendrickson Pool Facility with free transportation to the show. Rain date is July 5. For more information, call Boris at Collision Concepts 516-825-4433.

Ready, Set, Prom! Your Guide to the Perfect Prom Night

As school comes to an end, Prom Season is just beginning!

As the month of June begins so does another time of year applicable only to teenage girls and begrudging dates - prom season.  With the big day coming up, girls are bustling about to find every accessory to make sure their night is perfect. But getting ready for prom does not simply mean buying an extravagant dress and finding a date, there’s so much more to it. From the pre-prom planning to finding somewhere to celebrate after, Prom Night can require seemingly endless careful research and shopping.  With the first week of June almost gone, prom season has officially kicked into full swing.

One of the first things any prom committee looks for is the perfect venue for the night. Whether it is in the high school gym or a five star hotel, prom attendees need to know the theme of the event before they can begin to start shopping for a dress or their transportation. At some Long Island high schools the most important part of the night is the grand entrance in the most spectacular vehicle they can find- ranging from ice cream trucks to trolleys.

With a venue and theme decided dress stores and tuxedo shops can expect a mad rush of girls trying to find the most unique and perfect dress- dragging their dates to make sure their tie is the same exact shade. From princess gowns to kimonos, girls want to make sure they look the part for their themed event. If the theme is Paris you can be sure that girls will be looking up the top fashions in France and settling for nothing less than a top designer. But for those who are looking to spend their money on something other than that perfect dress, budget shopping and warehouses will be sure to help.

Shoes and accessories are the second most important aspect to prom for many girls. While many dress stores have their own jewelry department, places such as Macy’s or costume jewelry stores are sure to be busy as ever for the next month. Even though most girls will throw their high heels to the wind once the dancing starts, they are a very important accessory for prom pictures- especially if you have an unusually tall date. The last touches are made the day of the event- hair and makeup. Most girls will flock to hair salons across the island to turn their hair into beautiful up-dos and curled creations. After a half a bottle of hairspray, they are ready to party. 

With the Hamptons being so accessible and beaches everywhere, students love to find a nice relaxing place to continue the party and celebrate with their friends for one last time before they head off into their college lives. While graduation might still be a week or so away, after-prom getaways are really the last hoorah for those saying goodbye to their high school years. Other popular ideas are hitting up a 24-hour diner or movie theater still decked out in all your formalwear. 

After all the planning and partying is done graduating seniors will be left with memories they will cherish forever. Whether it is spending the night with the perfect date or with your best and closest friends, prom is a rite of passage that all students must have. With graduation looming just days after, prom is the perfect send off into the college world where students will embark on a new life.

Crooked Arrows Movie Screening Tickets Giveaway!

The first 50 LongIsland.com Visitors & Fans to respond here with the special promo code get a Free Pair of tickets to see Crooked Arrows at AMC Raceway 10 Theatre in Westbury for Tonight - Tuesday, May 15th at 7 PM.

Promo Code: WOMNY19SV

About the Movie:
Crooked Arrows, the first mainstream film featuring the sport lacrosse, is an adrenaline pumping, underdog story of overcoming the odds.

Brandon Routh stars as Joe Logan, a mixed-blood Native American, who has strayed from the core values of his native people. His plan to expand the reservation's casino is met with a challenge from his traditionalist father, who requires he reconnect with his indigenous spirit before they will grant him access to this land.  He is tasked with coaching the reservation’s high school lacrosse team, a rag tag team with a flagging enthusiasm for the game, who must compete against the better equipped and better trained players of the elite Prep School League.

Joe meets the challenge with indifference at first, but ultimately rediscovers his pride, which in turn inspires the team to believe in themselves.  Ignited by their heritage and trusting their new-found potential, Joe and the team climb to the state championship finals – where they find themselves once again, pitted against their privileged prep school rivals.

Check Out the LongIsland.com Event Listing for more info & directions.

To view the Movie Trailer, Click Here!

The Kid Henry: High Energy and Few Bruised Egos

As a female-fronted band, The Kid Henry brings a welcomed alternative rock set list to the Long Island music scene.  The groups distinct sound blends elements of punk and rock, which are evident on their newly released self-titled EP.

All four band members - Alexandra, vocalist, Eammonn, bass, Frank, guitarist, and Vin on drums - are Long Island natives.  The group makes the most of their location, with nearly endless venues and plenty of new fans ripe for the taking.  “Long Islanders love bars and live music,” Alexandra tells us.  “Almost every bar you walk into on a Friday or Saturday night has live music and it is important to connect with those bands, to broaden your audience.”  

“There are countries smaller than Long Island,” Vin said.  “People don’t realize what they have here on any given night in any venue on the Island.  I’ll take the Pepsi Challenge with any city in America.  No one has the diversity of music or quality bands that we have here.”

For The Kid Henry, establishing mutual relationships among other Long Island bands is important for individual bands and for the entire industry of emerging bands in the area.  “We have been trying very hard to bring back the camaraderie in our local music scene,” Alex said.  “We think it is extremely important that bands support each other, being from the music capitol of the world.”

The members of The Kid Henry all have a long history of working with creative bands with different musical backgrounds.  So, what works with this unique group? “We all come from extremely different musical backgrounds, but the one thing we all pretty much agree on is our love for punk rock music,” said Alex.  “We take a little of our personal favorites, combined with that little edge of punk rock and out pops The Kid Henry.”  

“For the most part I feel it just flows out like that, to say that there aren't arguments would be a lie, but they are very rare, and much easier than I've had in previous bands,” Eammonn adds.  “We write every song the way we want to, we never worry about if people are going to like it.  We don't need to win anybody over; we do this because we like it,” says Vin.  

Part of the recipe is not taking things too personally.  “If someone comes up with a riff or even a whole song, some words or hums a melody, and everyone likes it, we go with it.  If we don’t like it, we move on,” Vin explains. “We have very few bruised egos.”

Another part of The Kid Henry’s appeal is the band’s lead female vocalist.  “When a girl fronts a rock band, there is always a head turning element of interest. We are blessed with a talented vocalist who really shines,” Frank said.  

One thing you can count on from this band is a high-energy, exciting performance.  When asked about their favorite performances, Alex described a show played in early January on the Lower East Side.  “To have kids sing back lyrics that I wrote and be so excited for the music was unreal. They wanted all of our merch, our autographs and pictures; it was crazy!,” Alex said.  “I had to take off work the next day, because I felt like such a rock star, I couldn't dream of sitting behind a desk the next day,” she added.  

Vin, Frank and Eammonn all recounted their experience performing at The Kraine Theater in New York City, a venue that is well-known for experimental productions.  Sharing the stage with their friends in All New Episode, tickets were sold out, and the audience sang their songs along with the band.  Eammonn described the performance as a turning point for the group.  “We realized, at that show, that we are doing what we are meant to do,” Frank said.  “It took me a long time to play a show where the audience was so engaged with the music, and I’m glad to have it happen with this band,” Vin added.  

As for their personalities, “we’re the same on stage as we are off,” Frank told us.  “We all work hard, and the band is our release...it comes down to the four of us treat each other like family and I think that comes through when you see us play a show.”

Check out the band’s website here, where you can listen to their EP and pick up some of The Kid Henry’s merch.  

Check our events calendar for a listing of The Kid Henry’s upcoming performances in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.  Share your love for this Long Island band, and others, at our Long Island Living discussion forum!

Spring Has Sprung!

Today is the first day of Spring, and to start the season off right, we're giving away 3 copies of local author Frank Salerno's gardening book!

You can read about the book here, and if you'd like a chance to win a copy, head over to our forums, and share your best gardening tip! We have copies of the book to give away for the best 3 tips, so make sure to share!

Free Tickets to Screening of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen this Thursday Night.

Looking for something fun to do Thursday night? LongIsland.com visitors can take advantage of FREE Advanced Screening Passes to see "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" at Regal Cinemas in Deer Park.   Simply visit the Event Page for the Screening on LongIsland.com, and you'll get a password for your free passes. Free tickets are limited, so make sure to get your passes early!

Want to learn more about the film? Visit their website.

LongIsland.com Relaunches With Completely Revamped, Revitalized Design

Since 1996, Long Island.com has been bringing Long Islanders up to date news, events, business directories, things to do and more – covering everything happening on Long Island for the better part of two decades. After months of hard work and dedication, Long Island Media is proud to unveil the newly designed LongIsland.com.

The updated design includes more features than ever before – an interactive events calendar with showcased events, a cleaner design that is more user-friendly, and more benefits than ever for users, enabling Long Islanders to engage in the Long Island community on a whole new level.

After acquiring LongIsland.com, Long Island Media began a complete redesign on the site – one that takes the concept of a comprehensive local resource to the next level. The modernization of LongIsland.com includes upgrades that are far more than cosmetic – the new site can be navigated with ease, and users can share their thoughts, comments, reviews, events – making the site more interactive than ever.

The revitalization of LongIsland.com promises to bring more relevant and useful articles, events, information, and will boast a vibrant interactive online community that is sure to benefit all Long Islanders.

Contact:

info@longisland.com

278 Indian Head Road

Kings Park, NY 11754

631-406-4410

Fun Indoor Activities For Kids & Family That You Can Enjoy All Winter Long!

There may be a chill setting in the air, but don't let the winter cold slow you and your family down! If you're looking for fun indoor things to do with your family, then we've got you covered! From great spots to take the kids out and spend the day, to fun activities and recipes that parents and children alike can enjoy in the comfort and warmth of home, there's plenty to do - even on a snow day.





Check out the Guide in Full on LongIsland.com!

When you're stuck inside with a case of the winter blues, what do you do for fun? Let us know, and your idea may be featured in one of our upcoming articles!

Disco Fever this Weekend in Patchogue with Mickey B!

Dutch Christmas at Meadow Croft, 2011

Photo courtesy of Alida Thorpe

A DUTCH CHRISTMAS AT MEADOW CROFT

Bayport Heritage Association invites all local-area residents to their

DUTCH CHRISTMAS AT MEADOW CROFT,

which will be held on

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3rd, and 4th, 2011,

at the Meadow Croft estate located at

299 Middle Road at Brown’s River on the Bayport Sayville border.

Meadow Croft is the 1891 estate of John E. Roosevelt and family. The Roosevelts were, of course, Dutch by ancestry. The house will be decorated in a Victorian/Edwardian motif with beautiful wreaths, poinsettias and greenery magnificently reminiscent of a hundred years ago and tied in with a Dutch flavor.

Musical selections will be played on the original Roosevelt grand piano filling the house with the music of the season.

Upstairs, special exhibits, including electric trains, vintage clothing, woodcarvings, and Christmas specialties, will be on display for public enjoyment.

Hot chocolate and cookies will add to the coziness of the occasion. St. Nicholas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus, will be there to look up individual children’s names in his ledger and he’ll find out who’s been ‘naughty and nice’ in 2011.

This Dutch Christmas at Meadow Croft is open from

noon to 4 PM both days.

Admission is only $5 for adults and $3 for seniors & children age 4-12.

Not suitable for children under 4 years of age.

All the decorations will be raffled off.

Info: 631-363-6487

October 16, 2011 House Tour

The Bayport Heritage Association is having their 25th Autumn House Tour,

Sunday, October 16th.

Tickets are $25 per person and all proceeds go to the Bayport Heritage Association.

A limited number of tickets will be sold!

Ticket are now available at these locations:

• Country Junque on Middle Road
• Bayport Flower House
• Bayport- Blue Point Library

After the tour, refreshments will be served at Meadow Croft on Middle Road in Sayville.

The tour takes place at seven different locations throughout Bayport and Blue Point. Six homes and Meadow Croft are featured, including the estate home designed by George B Post, architect of the NY Stock Exchange.

• Website: http://bayportheritage.blogspot.com
• Phone: 631-419-6044
• Email for questions: mont4@optonline.net

• Price: $25

Bayard Cutting Arboretum

photo courtesy of Alida Thorpe

Dahlia Garden in Oakdale

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Oakdale has a beautiful Dahlia Garden.

The dahlias are in full bloom and spectacular in color and design.

Take a ride over there. For directions, visit their website: http://www.bayardcuttingarboretum.com/

~

From their website:

The Dahlia Garden is located in the easterly end of the park behind the Cow Barn. It was planted and is maintained by the LONG ISLAND DAHLIA SOCIETY. There are currently approximately 500 plants and over 400 varieties. This is one of the largest dahlia gardens on the east coast. The garden peaks in September and October. The LIDS holds flower shows at the Arboretum in the fall of each year. Membership in the society is available. For further information contact the Arboretum at 631-581-1002.

~~~

Problems with the National Flood Insurance Program

The National Flood Insurance Program, run by FEMA, comes up for renewal again in September. There have been several lapses in the program in the past few years because it gets used as a political football. Members of congress who are NOT in flood-prone states hold up their votes to force others to support their particular bills and projects. Congress is trying to start work early on the process, but there are several obstacles.

The biggest obstacle is that the whole FEMA Flood Insurance program, both here in New York and around the country, has been losing money for years, where it is supposed to be self-supporting. Naturally that means higher rates but that is not a very popular idea with members of congress.

Another area they have been looking at is whether catastrophic windstorm (hurricanes) should be added to the flood insurance program. Hurricanes are not so much of an issue in the Midwest where they are experiencing record flooding because of record snows this past winter. But here on Long Island and all along the east coast, hurricanes are a HUGE issue and something that needs to be addressed.

So some politicians want to add wind coverage to the flood insurance policy. But others are against it for several reasons. First, it is available in the private market and our system of government is based on private business wherever possible. But also, if they have been losing money on the flood insurance, chances are they would just lose even more money if you added windstorm coverage.

Today the GAO (General Accounting Office) issued a report that severely criticized the management of the National Flood Insurance Program, and says that if they don't make significant changes, they will never become profitable. So again, the fear is that if they were to add windstorm coverage, the program would lose even more money.

I just hope they figure it out quickly enough that the basic program is renewed in September.

Take a ferry ride this weekend!

photo courtesy of Alida Thorpe

Check the ferry schedules for the new spring/summer runs.

Nothing to do this weekend?

Take the ferry to Fire Island or Connecticut!

Check the schedules here!

They leave from various towns and there are activities everyone!

Combating weekend boredom on Long Island

Now that the weather has finally broke and summer is right around the corner, the pressure will really be on to find things to do on Long Island and entertain your family come the weekend.

With gasoline prices sticking above $4.00 a gallon, more people are saying that they will forgo the plane rides and stick close to home come their vacation. And Long Island is an OK place to be.

Of course, you have the beaches and parks. You have the great wineries on the north fork of the east end and the Hamptons and Montauk on the south fork. There are over 100 museums. You even have amusement and water parks.

But don't forget to look for the great events featured on Long Island. Each weekend, there are countless events taking place that will cater to almost every taste. The events section is the most popular category on LongIsland.com. Some are free while others charge a nominal participation fee.

Check out the local Long Island Events.

Find a local Long Island Business

Until next time...

LongIsland.com is on the move

The long awaited renovation of LongIsland.com is finally in the starting blocks.

As the new kid on the block, I hate to bash the LongIsland.com design. After all, in it's day, the website was state-of-the-art. Unfortunately, it's day was 2002.

The process to get here was painstakingly slow. There are hundreds of categories and thousands of pages to deal with, and the project was not taken lightly. But in the end, the wait will be well worth it.

We have looked at dozens of other geo sites to come up with a template for what we want. Sites like www.SanDiego.com gave us inspiration and a feel for what our end product can look like. We knew we were close because in recent weeks, we went from frustration to excitement.

I will share the process with you. I can't wait for you to see what we already can. The aesthetics will only be topped by the exceptional content we promise to deliver. Whether you are looking for restaurants, things to do with your kids, or just about anything Long Island, LongIsland.com promises to deliver.

Stay tuned. Your new and improved Long Island resource for everything is right around the corner.

Until next time...

Updates in the Insurance Market

It's been a while but the insurance marketplace has been quiet. Still, there are a couple of new items to report.

Across New York state, a law was passed a while back making it illegal to be using anything other than a hands-free phone while driving. I don't know how it is in the rest of N.Y. but here on Long Island it seems that almost half of the drivers going by my office every day are on a hand-held phone. But now the law has been given more teeth. As of yesterday, a cel phone violation will now add two points to your NY driver's license and motor vehicle record. That means that if you get a couple of other tickets, a cel phone violation could be the difference that causes your license to be suspended (for accumulating more than 11 points in an 18 month period). Insurance companies will also be more likely to charge for cel phone violations now, although New York car insurance companies use a different point system.

Research has shown that driving while talking on a hand held phone gives you about the same chance of having an accident as driving while under the influence of alcohol. So this is a real issue. Of course, so are other distractions such as applying makeup, texting (possibly the worst) or reading the paper while drinking coffee. The bottom line is that when you get behind the wheel you are now in a potentially deadly weapon, and we all need to be more careful.

Meanwhile in the Long Island homeowners insurance market, if anything it has eased up a little, though the larger carriers continue to cancel and non-renew some homeowners policies, especially along the south shore in Suffolk County. But some new, smaller insurance carriers have come into the market, and competition has caused some pricing to drop. So if you had to buy expensive homeowners insurance because you were canceled or you bought your waterfront home in the past couple of years, you might want to contact your agent to see if he or she can shop around for you a little.

Christmas at Meadow Croft 2010

The "1910 Christmas at Meadow Croft"

will be on held on Saturday and Sunday

December 4th and 5th, 2010

12 noon to 4 pm

Visit Santa, see exhibits, eat cookies, drink hot chocolate,

hear carols on the Roosevelt grand piano.

Holiday displays and collections are on exhibit upstairs and rooms will be beautifully decorated by local flower houses, garden and community clubs.

The rooms will be gorgeous in Holiday Finery, all donations by the organizations listed here:

• Bayport Flower Houses
• Bayport Homemakers
• Daisy Garden
• Lea Rose Interior Designs
• Le Soir
• Neighbors & Gardners
• Audrey's Bakery
• Rambling Rose
• Sayville Flowers
• Sayville Flower & Garden Shop
• Sayville Garden Club

All arrangements will be raffled,

with the winners to be called December 6th.

If you haven't purchased raffle tickets already,

they can be purchased at Meadow Croft, December 4th & 5th.

Admission: $5 adults, $3 seniors and children 12 and under.

(This event is not suitable for children under 4. Please no strollers.)

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Bayport Heritage Association and the Bayport Memorial Park Board will decorate the

Memorial Park Gazebo

again this year with a lighted tree, roping and bows, the first week of December--

-our own Norman Rockwell lovely holiday scene for the community to enjoy.

Stop by to see the decorations!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hope you have a happy, healthy, thankful, Thanksgiving Day!

Photography Exhibit

Do you love nature photography?

Well, if you do, don’t miss this show!

The NWPLI (Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island) will have its annual Autumn Exhibition beginning

November 7th through December 5, 2010.

The reception, with refreshments, will be November 7th from 12noon-3pm.

It is being held at the

Castello di Borghese Winery in Cutchogue.

The exhibit will showcase the group’s best work in nature,

wildlife and landscape photography.

NWPLI has been awarded numerous honors for its work, most recently winning the Nature’s Best Photography International Awards (Camera Club Category) sponsored by Nature’s Best Photography Magazine.

Visit the group's website: http://www.nwpli.com

The photography on display will include natural subjects that have been captured with digital and film cameras.

Photos are from Long Island's own natural surroundings.

Some selected images will also be available for purchase.

The Show will run from Sunday, November 7th - December 5th, 2010,

during winery hours.

For directions to Castello di Borghese…Click Here!

For additional information, contact Lou Buonomo at lou@nwpli.com

I hope you have the opportunity to stop by the exhibit on your yearly autumn visit to the wineries and to the pumpkin farms!

It’s nature photography at its best!

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24th Autumn House Tour-Bayport

The Bayport 24th Autumn House Tour will take place on

Sunday, October 17, 2010.

1 pm to 5 pm

Tickets, $25, go on sale Friday, October 1st at Country Junque on Middle Road in Bayport

and the Bayport-Blue Point Library.