Huntington Local

A reminder that Indiafest takes place Sunday from noon until 10 p.m. at Huntington Hilton, 598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville.

The free event, sponsored by the India Association of Long Island, is moving indoors for the first time in its 18-year history.

A cultural program featuring many kinds of Indian dancing is the focal point of the day, followed by some mingling with politicians and dignitaries, and then fashion show and more dancing.

Here is Denise Flaim’s full article on the event.

And here is our earlier story about Indiafest.

Here's what two people had to say about their favorite beaches in town"

My favorite Huntington Town beach is the Centerport Beach. Small and familiar, it is where I take my three children to learn to swim. Led by Erin, their teachers Dan, Frankie and Lindsay are patient, kind and tough - when they need to be.

My 2-½-year-old also loves looking for snails and watching the "streams" as the tide goes out. This is a beach where regulars feel comfortable enough to watch each others' children, but camps also enjoy our beach, too! The playground and picnic area are filled on a regular basis and scouts and Huntington camps swim with the security of the wonderful lifeguards. They will go into the water to ensure the safety of all - campers and just regular folks.

There's also a sailing camp that uses the beach! Watching those kids sailing their little boats is always fun to do. The senior citizen beach next door provides a multi-generational experience to parents and children alike. The Centerport beach is beautiful, safe, fun and the best beach for my family and me! -- Beth Ferrigno

My favorite town beach is Crabmeadow Beach in Northport.

As a child my family went to Asharoken every summer. We used to like it because it was so small and quiet. It was fun to watch the people launching their boats, and I used to collect black mussels and take them and make Mussels Marina for my mom and sister.

When I had kids of my own in the '80's I discovered Crabmeadow with my sister and her daughter. She and I would pack up the kids and head out there almost every day (we were both working part time then). We could relax and gossip and work on our tans while the kids were only a few yards away on the playground.

Crabmeadow has everything you need to spend a day with the family. The playground, boardwalk, outdoor pizzeria, barbecue area and restaurant all contribute to the family atmosphere. But it's the beach itself that makes it a true snapshot of northshore Long Island.
There are the beachhouses and the marsh behind you as you look out across the Sound.

There is the inlet where the Sound connects with the golf course, always a great place to go exploring and see some of the many types of coastal and marine wildlife in the area.

Then the sandbars that create little islands when the tide is going out.

This beach has become such a part of my family's life, We go there in the winter, spring, summer and fall to sit , to play, to write, to meditate.

My eldest daughter held her high school graduation party there last August and then wrote a term paper that earned her an A+ in her freshman year at college about how this beach has affected her life through the years.

And I've begun to notice over the years how Crabmeadow has sort of become a hub as I see all the memorial benches being placed here. These families know, as I do, that this is a special place, one to be shared by generations of Huntington folk. -- Stephanie Van Ness

What's your favorite beach? Before August 1, let us know or share some photos, and you could win some Newsday gear:

Tell us why your beach is better than the rest, and you may win a Newsday travel chair.

Send us photos of your beach and you may win a Newsday beach bag.

Vote on what you think is the best beach in town.

Text and photos may appear on Huntington Local.

By Kathy Lloyd

The Second Precinct has selected Police Officer Frank Muoio as their “Cop of the Month” for August 2008. Muoio has been with the department since June 2001 and has received two Department Recognitions and four Letters of Appreciation.

In January, Muoio responded to the scene of a commercial burglary in the East Northport area. Entry had been forced through a rear window and there was an estimated $25,000 worth of damage to the building. During the initial investigation, Muoio noticed a distinct pattern of holes in several doors within the building and concluded that the pattern was consistent with the wheels of a skateboard. During his patrol duties, Muoio interviewed youths who frequented the area. His efforts led to the identification of several non-involved witnesses, which in turn led to the parties responsible. As a result, the Second Squad detectives charged two individuals with burglary in the third degree.

Muoio’s actions were directly responsible for the successful conclusion of the investigation. The 2nd Precinct is proud to name Police Officer Frank Muoio as their “Cop of the Month” for his investigative skills and excellent police tactics.

Kathy Lloyd works in the office of the Suffolk police commissioner.

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And here's a gallery of previous officers of the month.

Suffolk Legislator Lou D’Amaro and Katelyn Lange of Huntington.

By Karen Klafter

Concerns over the lack of information available to protect youngsters from Internet predators prompted Walt Whitman High School Student Katelyn Lange, in pursuit of her Girl Scout Gold Award, to spring into action.

She contacted Legislator Lou D’Amaro (D-Huntington Station) who put her in touch with the Suffolk County Police Department’s Computer Crimes Section to assist her in planning and presenting a program for elementary school students in the South Huntington School District.

In recognition of her efforts in organizing and running the successful informational seminar for more than 200 fifth graders at Birchwood Intermediate School in Melville in May, D’Amaro presented Katelyn with a proclamation.

Next up for Katelyn, besides final preparations for her Girl Scout Gold Award, is a presentation on identity theft for SeniorNet, a non-profit national organization that provides computer and internet education to older adults and seniors, at the Family Service League’s Don Weidman Computer Learning Center, 790 Park Ave. in Huntington, on Sept. 16.

By Karen Klafter is an aide to D'Amaro.

"Adorations of the blue dress, #15," one of the works that will be on view.

The Artists in the Attic at Yankee Peddler Antiques invite the public to their next First Friday reception this Friday, Aug. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. You can meet the artists in their own studios and see their latest work.

Browse through antiques while you enjoy the artwork of Cynthia Grimm’s Pixelstick Photography, Jack Murray’s “Artiques,” and the oil painting of Elena Soterakis and Laura Cross.

The event takes place at 1038 New York Avenue, in the heart of Huntington Station. For more information, please call 631-271-5817.

Voters in Huntington have chosen “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” as the classic movie they want to see on Monday night, Aug. 4, as the Movies on the Lawn series continues, the town announced today.

The film, first released to audiences in 1948, beat out “West Side Story,” Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and even “Casablanca.” About 200 people voted, and the Abbott and Costello movie won by a solid amount, with "Casablanca" coming in second. It will be shown at Heckscher Park beginning at darkness, approximately 8:30 p.m.

Frankenstein himself will make an appearance, and the the town’s announcement hinted that Supervisor Frank Petrone and Councilman Mark Cuthbertson may do a little Abbott and Costello ad-libbing, possibly trying to re-enact the comedy duo’s “Who’s on First” skit.

In the event of inclement weather, the movie will be shown indoors at the Elwood Middle School on Elwood Road and begin at 7:30 pm.

A Dawson family photo, from left, Marc, Ray, Dianne and Patrick Dawson.

By Karen Bonnet

Tragic events often bring out the best in people. Earlier this year, 17-year-old Marc Dawson of Huntington died of drowning a week after passing out in a pool, where he was practicing in anticipation of becoming a Navy SEAL. For the six nights following their son’s accident, Ray and Dianne Dawson stayed at The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island while Marc received treatment at Schneider Children’s Hospital. Five months after his untimely drowning accident, Marc’s memory is kept alive.

Friends and members of the Dawson family were moved by the tragedy and asked how they could contribute to Marc’s memory. The Dawson’s graciously requested that a donation be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, said Ray Dawson, “because it helped us so much during our most horrible time.” Recently, the House received donations in the amount of $42,025 in honor of Marc and the Dawson family.

“We had heard of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island before, but were not familiar with what it was all about,” said Mr. Dawson. “It turned out to be a wonderful, warm place where we could get some sleep in a clean room and, most importantly, make some meals for my large extended family who had come to stay at Marc’s bedside.”

Ray Dawson courageously describes his son as independent, with a mischievous streak. Marc was a senior at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn. On Sept. 9 he would have shipped out to begin his assignment with the Navy SEALs. According to his father, Marc chose the SEALs because he felt it was the most challenging branch of the service.

“He always loved a challenge. He was very focused on this goal and I watched him transform from a child to a young man after he made this decision,” remarks a proud father. “He was just coming into his own.”

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island is a ‘home-away-from home’ for families who are caring for seriously ill children undergoing medical treatment in area hospitals. Located on the campus of Schneider Children’s Hospital, it opened in 1986, The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island has served approximately 12,000 families from Long Island, throughout the United States and abroad.

Karen Bonnet is public relations manager for Ronald McDonald House of Long Island

By Ellen Druda

John Coltrane in a box: "The Friends of the Coltrane Home" partnered with the Half Hollow Hills Community Library to put together a searchable database of John Coltrane's music and photos for you to browse, listen, and learn about the great jazz artist and former resident of the community.

Enter the Dix Hills building and stroll towards the magazines - you'll see the computer on your right, past the DVDs. Pull up a chair and put on the headphones, and let yourself get transported by the music and images. You can get more information at http://hhhl.wordpress.com

Ellen Druda is a librarian at the Half Hollow Hills Community Library.

The Dance Theater of Harlem takes the stage at Heckscher on Friday.

By Dianne Matus

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival begins its seventh week, which culminates in an all-star weekend featuring the Dance Theater of Harlem Ensemble, Christine Lavin and the play “The Boy Friend” performed by the Broadhollow players. The combination of dance, music and theater is sure to be a triple treat!

Tuesday: “The Blue Barrel Show” BAM Percussion
This performance will leave the audience with only one wish…MORE! From beginning to end, The Blue Barrel Show electrifies the crowd with its powerful rhythms and its deliriously funny sketches. The pulsating energy of these Canadian percussionists is contagious. Individually, the group members have all achieved success in different fields: talent contests, television appearances, freestyle skiing and martial arts competitions, and many years of drum studies. Put all of that together and you have BAM, an explosive force in the world of percussion.

Wednesday: Huntington Community Band
Join Musical Director Tom Gellert and the Huntington Community Band for their fifth and final concert of the season. Tonight’s program features a show-stopping favorite of both the band and audience: Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” accompanied by LIVE cannon. Guest conductor: Karen H. Gellert.

Thursday: Valencia Vas
Valencia Vas turned the tables on her rich operatic background to create crossover classical singing that combines a variety of genres that showcase her stunning range and intense vocal inflections. She sings in English, Italian and Spanish. Vas’ vocal range is vast: although technically a soprano, she often delves into a lower register, and calls her variations “colors.” “I use different colors and sounds to explore the depth and range of my voice,” she says, “I’m breaking every artistic rule that everyone’s taught me.”

Friday: Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble
The Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble comes from the multi-cultural dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the performing arts.

Saturday: Christine Lavin
Co-Presented with the Folk Music Society of Huntington, Open Jam Song Swap
4 pm at the Heckscher Park Gazebo; bring your voice, instruments and friends!
Christine Lavin is a New York City-based singer, songwriter, and promoter of contemporary folk music who is known for her biting wit, expressed in both her music and her onstage performances. Many of her songs alternate between emotional reflections on romance and outright comedy, with titles such as “Sensitive New Age Guys” and “Bald-Headed Men.”
Opening Act: Gathering Time, a new acoustic harmony trio whose sound is reminiscent of folk legends Peter, Paul, & Mary. The group’s first recording together, a lively cover of Peter Yarrow's holiday classic "Light One Candle," quickly became a favorite on folk radio stations from New York to Israel.

Sunday: “The Boy Friend” Broadhollow Players
“The Boy Friend” is a musical written at a time when the United Kingdom was still recovering from the devastating effects of World War II. It is set in the carefree world of the French Riviera in the Roaring 1920s with old-time favorites such as Won’t You Charleston With Me? and I Could Be Happy with You. “The Boy Friend” is a comic pastiche of 1920s shows.

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival is presented by the Town of Huntington, produced by the Huntington Arts Council and sponsored in part by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs. The festival runs June 20 through August 17. Performances are free and open to the public at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park. Bring a blanket or beach chair. All performances begin at 8:30PM, except the Tuesday Night Arrow Electronics “It’s Showtime” Family Series performances which start at 7:30PM. For directions or more information, call the Festival Hotline at 631-271-8423 ext. 5, visit huntingtonarts.org, or stop by the Huntington Arts Council, located at 213 Main Street in Huntington Village, for a free copy of the Summer 2008 Arts Cultural News. Bring an umbrella: no rain dates except Tuesday Family nights; call Severe Weather Extension 631-271-8423 ext. 4 if in doubt about Tuesday performances only.

Dianne Matus handles press and public relations for the arts council.

The Book Revue will remain open Friday night, Aug. 1 into Saturday, Aug. 2 for fans who wish to purchase their copy of the fourth and final installment in Stephenie Meyer's bestselling series, The Twilight Saga, "Breaking Dawn," as soon as the clock strikes midnight.

Call Book Revue at 631-271-1442 to reserve your copy today. The store is at 313 New York Avenue in downtown Huntington.

The Suffolk County Health Department lifted its advisory against bathing at its beaches as of 6 p.m. Friday.

County Health Commissioner Humayun Chaudhry said the beaches include those along the northern shoreline of Great South Bay, those within and adjacent to various North Shore bays, and Long Island Sound beaches that are directly impacted by storm water discharges.

The no-swim advisory did not affect beaches not directly influenced by stormwater runoff, including those on the Atlantic Ocean and the Peconic estuary and most beaches on Long Island Sound.

Centerport Yacht Club beach in Centerport and Valley Grove Beach in Eatons Neck were among a handful of beaches staying closed to bathing after samples results show elevated bacteria levels.

Craig has filed this photo of kids enjoying West Neck Beach.

What's your favorite beach? Before August 1, let us know or share some photos, and you could win some Newsday gear:

Tell us why your beach is better than the rest, and you may win a Newsday travel chair.

Send us photos of your beach and you may win a Newsday beach bag.

Vote on what you think is the best beach in town.

Text and photos may appear on Huntington Local.

Connie Shakalis of Huntington Station has written a short personal essay for the AARP Bulletin's "What I Really Know" column. It's title is What I Really Know About Summer Nights: Learning From the Family Next Door.

By Patrick Regina

Marie Mulligan, RN, of Dix Hills has been named vice president for nursing services at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson.

Mulligan joined Mather in 1993 as assistant vice president for surgical services and rose to the position of associate vice president for nursing in 2007. In addition to her role at Mather, she is an adjunct instructor at Adelphi University and St. Joseph’s College. For information about Mather Hospital, visit www.matherhospital.org.

Patrick Regina is director of public relations at Mather.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against bathing at 63 beaches, including 21 in the Town of Huntington, because of problems with stormwater runoff.

The Huntington-area beaches are: Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club, Eagle Dock Community Beach, Lloyd Harbor Village Park, Gold Star Battalion, Bay Hills POA Beach, Baycrest Beach, Crescent Beach, Head of the BayClub Beach, Nathan Hale Beach Club, Wincoma Beach, Centerport Beach, Fleets Cove Beach, Huntington Beach Community Association, Knollwood Beach, Asharoken Beach, Hobart Beach (Bay), Hobart Beach (Inlet), Prices Bend Beach, Steers Beach, Valley Grove Beach, and the Centerport Yacht Club.

Here are links to a Newsday story and to the Health Department advisory.

Some of the math program participants: Justin Loturco, Leigh Anderson and Grady Koepele, in photo at left, and then Christian Jamison and Alex Castillo.

It may be summer, but there’s still news from the Huntington School District Web site:

Compiled by Lynn Petry
lynn.petry@newsday.com

Huntington Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals meets tonight at 6 to consider the following applications:

Cold Spring Harbor: 55 Fox Hill Llc seeks lot width, frontage, rear yard and relief of 280-a to demolish detached garage and build new one-story detached garage (537 square feet) in same location and relief to maintain four garages (total), south side of Walnut Tree Lane, east of Shore Road.

Huntington: Charleen Francis seeks relief from lot area, width and side-yard setback requirements to apply for a building permit to legalize a second-story side deck, rear deck, finished basement (kitchen to be removed) and move a detached shed to a conforming location, south of Milton Place.

Huntington: Laurie and James White seek long-street side variance to build a one-story addition to replace screened porch and expand kitchen and build one-car garage attached to existing garage, southwest corner of Dumbarton and St. Andrews drives.

Huntington Station: Margaret and Antonia Padinha seek long-street side-yard and front and interior side-yard relief to replace building permit to convert existing screened porch to living space and replace existing portico with new roofline and pillars, southwest corner of Court Drive and Senate Lane.

Melville: John Semioli, PE / MJM Engineering seeks a special-use permit and parking variance and interpretation determining if the school building is another main building or accessory building to build a religious school building, east side of Old East Neck Road.

Ever wonder What Not to Wear? Ever want to flaunt your locks on a Bad Hair Day? Or take a shot at Northport Idol? Those are just some of the activities planned on Tuesday nights in August on the village's Main Street. Arlene Gross, writing in the Times of Northport, explains it’s a response by the village’s Chamber of Commerce to tough economic times.

The family of Charles J. Varese after his death in April. From left, Uncle James Varese, chief of the Centerport Fire Department; father Robert Varese, chief of the Northport Fire Department; brother Robert; sister Rebecca with her daughter Samantha; mother Lorri Varese and brother Will. (Newsday / Ken Sawchuk.)

By Tim Healy
tim.healy@newsday.com

The family of Chuck J. Varese, a Northport volunteer firefighter killed in an auto accident earlier this year, is organizing a golf outing in his name in September to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

“We need golfers,” said Becky Varese, Chuck’s sister, who says sixty foursomes have signed up so far but that the family is aiming for another twenty. The deadline for setting up a foursome has been extended to Aug. 15.

The outing is scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Swan Lake Golf Course and costs $130 per golfer. Included will be a continental breakfast and a barbecue with salads, beer and soda.

Becky Varese said the organizers had received many great prize donations, including a car through Northport Ford as a prize for a hole in one. There will also be raffles, including a 50/50.

Chuck Varese, 24, was killed April 15 when his motorcycle was struck by a car on Route 25A in Centerport. The car driver, a Stony Brook man, was charged with driving while ability-impaired by drugs.

Varese’s father -- Bob Varese, the chief of the Northport Fire Department -- said that local fire departments had run an “extrication tournament” in his son’s name in May, raising about $1,000 for the Suffolk County Burn Center in Stony Brook. The tournament was a timed event in which departments competed in setting up emergency gear, removing car doors and lifting the dashboard of a car in simulation of getting an accident victim out.

Varese said more than $4,000 has been raised for the burn center in his son’s name. “We’re just going to try to keep his name alive through that entity and then also through St. Baldrick’s, two separate funds that we’re trying to promote through the tragedy of his death, just to keep his name alive in a good sense.”

St. Baldrick’s is a national organization that raises money for pediatric cancer research.

For further information about the golf outing, or to sign up, contact Becky Varese at 631-940-0394 or 631-365-6644.

By Jim Bono

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) celebrated a “topping” ceremony Tuesday, marking a milestone in the construction of the laboratory’s $100-million Hillside Campus research complex.

Tuesday’s ceremony was held in the center courtyard of the Hillside Campus, where distinguished guests, colleagues, friends and members of Long Island’s talented construction trades gathered to commemorate the occasion.

A topping ceremony is a tradition in the construction industry and is celebrated when a project’s “cap” or “crown” is placed on the building’s highest point. Invited guests proudly observed as a 10-foot-6 inch squared by 13-foot- high, 5,000-pound stainless steel pyramid was lifted by crane and secured to its new home atop an 85-foot ventilation tower.

In addition to the pyramid, a white steel beam autographed by hundreds of CSHL staff and visitors was first secured as part of the foundation for the “crown.”

Composed of six buildings totaling 100,000 square feet, when completed the Hillside Campus will increase total research space at CSHL by 40 percent. Fifteen new faculty and two hundred employees will conduct research on cancer, autism and schizophrenia in the new complex.

Bruce Stillman, Ph.D., president of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, welcomed the assembled crowd to the Hillside courtyard and thanked them for their superb work and commitment to their trade.

“From the very beginning it has been our goal to maximize the number of Long Island-based contractors for this project. I’m happy to say we have succeeded. Many have rich histories on Long Island and have performed construction projects for the likes of Grumman and other industry giants during Long Island’s golden age of aerospace. Today these skilled craftsmen perform the same tasks for us here at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory as we stand on the cusp of what I believe is the next wave of economic expansion on Long Island with a new type of high technology. With over 1,000 employees on Long Island and more to come with the completion of the Hillside Campus project, CSHL continues to play a key role not only as a global leader in biomedical research, but also as a driver of the local economy,” explained Stillman.“

“On behalf of CSHL, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the contractors, subcontractors and suppliers for providing the excellent quality of construction that brings us to this critical milestone. We could not be more pleased by the care and professionalism they have demonstrated,” said Art Brings, vice president and chief facilities officer at CSHL.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is a private, nonprofit research and education institution dedicated to exploring molecular biology and genetics in order to advance the understanding and ability to diagnose and treat cancers, neurological diseases and other causes of human suffering.

For more information, visit the lab’s Web site.

Jim Bono is director of public affairs at the lab.

The Town of Huntington is holding a “Summer Barn Bash” at the recently acquired
Lewis Oliver Farm on Burt Avenue, Northport, on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 3 to 8 p.m.

The event will feature hay rides, a country western band, a pie-eating contest and the opportunity to visit the newly opened Country Store. Food will be provided by Northport Fish and Lobster. There is no admission charge, but there will be a fee for food and hay rides.

Friends of the Farm is a not-for-profit volunteer group in which 100 percent of all donations and money raised go to feeding and caring for the animals and preserving the farm. For additional information, call 261-6320.

A scene from an earlier Indiafest.

By Rajeshwar Prasad

The India Association of Long Island will be holding its 18th Indiafest on Sunday, Aug. 3, rain or shine, from noon to 10:00 p.m. at the Huntington Hilton, Melville.

Indiafest has attracted thousands of people, not only from Montauk and Orient Points to Manhattan but from as far places as New Jersey and Westchester.

With some three dozen vendors in Indian arts & crafts; prestigious restaurants with exotic Indian food and traditional snacks, delicacies, and drinks; with whole full live music and dances wit DJ; booths for information about various services such as health care; face painting for children; the atmosphere will create a nostalgia of little India. The event will provide an opportunity to meet political and social dignitaries.

The festival is open to all, with free admission and free parking. You may win prizes in a raffle, and there is a Silent Auction of two round trip tickets to India.

IALI is a not-for-profit community organization operating on Long Island for the past 32 years. It undertakes many programs for youth, seniors, women and families throughout the year. For further information, please call Dr. Anila Midha, IALI president at 516-569-6261 or Dr. Jagdish Gupta, Indiafest chairman, at 516-746-2266

Rajeshwar Prasad is chairman of public relations for Indiafest.

Shira Kline, left, and Sonia Manzano (Maria from "Sesame Street)

By Dianne Matus

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival begins its sixth week tonight, and Friday's feature is a special night of literature in performance from Symphony Space, celebrating the short story “Pets!”. The performance is a stage adaptation of the popular NPR show “Selected Shorts”.

Tuesday: Shira Kline Family Concert
Shira Kline uses music and dance to awaken the audience to the beauty of the world around us, as seen through Jewish eyes. For the past 14 years, she has worked with national organizations, synagogues, museums, Jewish Community Centers, families, students and theater companies as a musician, educator and performer.

Wednesday: Huntington Community Band Classical
Join Musical Director Tom Gellert and the Huntington Community Band for our fourth stop on the around the world tour of great music. Tonight’s music features rousing music from such countries as: Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Special guest conductor and HCB Music Director Laureate Robert V. Domencetti returns to share the podium. Also, very special guests the Long Island Tuba Quartet will return to perform.

Thursday: Township Theatre Group, “Over the River and Through the Woods”
Comedy abounds when a young executive from New Jersey is offered his dream job in Seattle. Moving across country does not sit well with his four Italian-American grandparents who fill their Sunday dinner get-togethers with unsolicited advice, matchmaking and unending food in an effort to keep their grandson around.

Friday: Symphony Space, “Selected Shorts”
A unique night of literature in performance! A selection of stories from Symphony Space's new Selected Shorts CD "Pets!" It includes: T.C. Boyle's "Heart of a Champion" read by Isaiah Sheffer, a hilarious Lassie send-up in the style of a film treatment; Gail Godwin's "St. George" read by Bernadette Quigley, the dilemma of a medieval scholar confronted by a living dragon. Also, Ana Menendez' "Story of a Parrot," read by Sonia Manzano (Maria from "Sesame Street), in which a beautiful bird makes a woman reflect on her marriage.

Saturday: Aquila Theatre, Catch 22
With precision, sensitivity and unity, The Aquila Theatre Company articulates the human essence inherent in classical drama. Combining the techniques of British and American theatre and following a philosophy of theatrical utilitarianism, Aquila believes that the greatest works should be seen by the greatest number. They will perform Joseph Heller’s stage adaptation of his novel Catch-22 at the Chapin Rainbow Stage. Aquila is a New York-based company of British and American artists dedicated to classical drama. PG-13 recommended.

Sunday: Island Hills Chorus
This award-winning chapter of the Sweet Adelines International brings together a 65-voice woman’s barbershop ensemble for an evening of vibrant musical entertainment. The Island Hills Chorus will perform both quartets and full chorale pieces that are sure to delight audiences.

The Huntington Summer Arts Festival is presented by the Town of Huntington, produced by the Huntington Arts Council and sponsored in part by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs. The festival runs June 20 through August 17. Performances are free and open to the public at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park. Bring a blanket or beach chair. All performances begin at 8:30 p.m., except the Tuesday Night Arrow Electronics “It’s Showtime” Family Series performances, which start at 7:30 p.m. For directions or more information, call the Festival Hotline at 631-271-8423 ext. 5, visit huntingtonarts.org, or stop by the Huntington Arts Council, located at 213 Main Street in Huntington Village, for a free copy of the Summer 2008 Arts Cultural News. Bring an umbrella: no rain dates except Tuesday Family nights; call Severe Weather Extension 631-271-8423 ext. 4 if in doubt about Tuesday performances only.

Dianne Matus handles press and public relations for the arts council.

Colorful planter greets beach-goers at Gold Star Battalion in Huntington.

Here's what people are saying about their favorite beach in the Town of Huntington. Check out the links below to see how you can join in the conversation:

Fleets Cove. As a past supervisor of the beaches in Huntington I have to say this is the nicest. The gentle slope into the water, the perfect sand, the playground and the view of Northport bay. It is a perfect family beach and was always a place to go to relax and enjoy a perfect north shore beach. -- Rich Hahn

The West is the Best. West Neck Beach in Cold Spring Harbor.
-- Anonymous

Steers Beach. It is in Northport Village which is in the Town of Huntington, I think it is better than the rest because it is clean and quiet. You also have a great view of Northport bay from its beach. -- Tom Kehoe

It's gotta be West Neck Beach because it's hidden north of Huntington Village in a nice beautiful spot, not overpopulated, nothing fancy, just relaxing which a beach should be. It's the secret beach of Huntington, and everything in Huntington in the summer is far from quiet and private. -- Michele M. Bella

Hobart/Sand City was my favorite when I lived on Long Island. I have many happy memories of going clamming there with our bare feet & then being able to steam them open on the grill right there on the beach with the rest of our meal. Friends & relatives would show up, many of them by boat & it would turn into a big beach party. We did this when I was a child & then later when we would do the same with all our friends.
It was the only beach my father would go to, even tho he was born & raised on Long Island he never liked the beach. Here he could have his clams, use the grill & have a few beers.
I also going & exploring to the very end of the beach, checking out the cement ruins (I can't even remember what they were originally).
Not to mention it never had as many rocks as the other Huntington town beaches. -- Jill Myers

Crab Meadow Beach in Northport. La Casa Cafe, enough said. -- Dan Johnson

Has to be Centerport Beach, work there as a life guard from '60 to '63 while attending college. It was a six days a week job that paid $10.50 a day which wasn't bad when a six pack of Bud went for a buck.
With a staff of five guards we would spend a half hour on a stand and a half hour on a blanket with the girls. We a first full job like that it sort of spoils you, so I gravitated to law enforcement and became a Suffolk County cop. -- Duncan Fisher

Centerport Beach -- Maureen O'Prey

What's your favorite beach? Before August 1, let us know or share some photos, and you could win some Newsday gear:

Tell us why your beach is better than the rest, and you may win a Newsday travel chair.

Send us photos of your beach and you may win a Newsday beach bag.

Vote on what you think is the best beach in town.

Text and photos may appear on Huntington Local.

The Long Island Dog Owners Group, which boasts a mailing list of 1,000 dog owners from Long Island, held a "Yappy Hour" Thursday evening at a new pub in Huntington. Here's a video:

On Sunday, the Huntington Militia re-creates events that took place on July 23, 1776, when news of the Declaration of Independence arrived in Huntington. Musket and cannon drills, period craft and cooking demonstrations, plus house tours will be featured, 3-5 p.m. at the Arsenal, 425 Park Ave. Admission is free and you can call 516-785-3030 for more info or visit their Web site, geocities.com/limilitia.

Lynn Petry

Huntington Town is considering making it illegal to remove any landmark tree, large tree, medium tree or more than three small trees within a one-year period without first obtaining a permit. Arlene Gross, writing in The Times of Huntington, explains the proposal, which would also deter commercial entities from any mass clearing of trees on their properties.

A dog park for canines 25 pounds or less has opened in West Hills County Park, according to LI Dog, the Long Island Dog Owner Group. You can find out more about the facilities at their site.

Compiled by Lynn Petry

Huntington's Zoning Board of Appeals meets tonight at 6 to consider these applications:

Centerport: Craig Wolff seeks front- and side-yard variances to maintain conversion of front screen porch to wrap-around porch, build second story on structure, legalize cellar entrance, alter rear deck, rear deck, two-story addition; and convert garage to shed and remove shower, north side of Johnson Street, west of Harrison Drive.

Commack: T&C Service Ltd. seeks a special-use permit for used-car sales accessory to auto repair of service station, including buffer and parking variances and determination if this action is in excess of nonconforming use (see previous grant 18541).

Dix Hills: Angelo Katevatis, Shells Only, seeks a front-yard variance to build a front roofed-over portico 7-foot by 4-foot, south side of Gerber Street, west of Woodlawn Avenue.

East Northport: Frederick Limbach seeks relief of cumulative floor area requirements for accessory structures to legalize two detached garages, one garage has expired permit for farm storage building converted to three-bay garage, second garage has two bays, north side of Fifth Avenue.

East Northport: Randy T. Rodecker / Swim King Pools seeks accessory-structure relief to replace above-ground pool, previously granted under zoning board of appeal 11192 with in-ground pool, which is on long street, side yard and project required yard line, southeast corner of Abbey Drive and Elmbark Lane.

Huntington: Charles and Ana Maria Rottkamp seek to maintain a 24.3-foot by 10-foot shed two feet from the side yard, north side of Dumplin Hill Lane, west of Godfrey Lane.
Huntington: Renee and Kenneth Lochridge seek side-yard relief to legalize side addition, north side of Crooked Hill Road, west of Park Avenue.

Huntington Station: Gerard Haff seeks front-yard variance for a certificate of occupancy for a replaced permit from Sept. 21, 1959, for conversion from single-family to a two-family house, west of Schiller Avenue north, of Jericho Turnpike.

Melville: Madison National Bank seeks sign variance for one north-side facial sign that exceeds the maximum allowed, Walt Whitman Road.

Beachgoers at Gold Star Battalion Beach off West Shore Road in Huntington.

Now that summer is in full swing, we want to know what is your favorite public beach in the Town of Huntington. Before August 1, let us know or share some photos, and you could win some Newsday gear:

Tell us why your beach is better than the rest, and you may win a Newsday travel chair.

Send us photos of your beach and you may win a Newsday beach bag.

Vote on what you think is the best beach in town.

Text and photos may appear on Huntington Local.