Blogs 12 Long Island

Saving some money in hard times

By Andrew Ehinger

    Drive down just about any main road on Long Island and you'll see the signs. "For Rent" or "Going out of Business" signs are easy to find. These truly are (excuse the pun) the signs of the times. The economic slowdown is really beginning to be felt on main street, Long Island, as consumers are holding on to what ever extra money they have. Now, this doesn't mean that people aren't spending money.  It's just that if you ask most shopkeepers they'll tell you business is down.

So where is all the money going?

Maybe the question should be where is all the money to begin with? Layoff's have put millions out of work nationwide and thousands are looking for work here on the island. That means what money folks have is now being used more and more efficiently. But stretching your dollar does not mean you have to sacrifice everything.

Just as an example, I took my lunch. Since I'm on the road producing stories for News 12, I eat out a lot. I spend about 10 bucks every day for lunch (some days it's more, some less). But if I brown bagged it just 2 days a week, I could save about 20 bucks. Multiply that by 52 weeks a year and that's a $1040 savings. And that is ONLY 2 days a week. Now, as some may point out, I would have to pay for what ever I brought in the brown bag. OK, you're right, but I figure if I kept that down to 2-to-4 dollars a meal, I'm still way ahead of the game financially.

This savings logic goes on for just about any extra expense you have. Coffee, car wash, tanning, etc. Remember you don't always have to completely eliminate or slash your extra expenditures--just try and cut them down a little and you might be surprised with the financial results. 

So do you have any savings tips? A cool way to save a buck or two? Why not share them here in the comment section for other readers.

Looking at 2009 so far

By Meteorologist Rich Hoffman

I hope all is well in you life as we wrap up the first month of 2009. It was a cold month. Temperatures averaged about 4.5 degrees below normal. We didn't even get our normal January thaw. We didn't even break the 50 degree mark at Islip--the highest was 46 on the 28th. (Islip-ISP one spot where records are kept on LI - LI Climate ) The January temperature broke 60 degrees in the past 4 years. January 2005 - 60, 2006 - 62,
2007 - 68, 2008 - 64.

Some people are disappointed by the lack of a big snow storm so far this year.  I am one of them, but for every person who loves snow storms there is a person who doesn't like them. When forecasting snow storms we have to forecast with our head and weather knowledge, not what we want or wish for. Bill Korbel wrote a good blog on how hard it is to forecast snow. Take a look.

Ground hog day is Monday, so I wonder if we will see a change in the weather pattern. Hmmmm, what will Holtsville Hal or Malverne Mel or Melissa say about the cold winter so far? No matter what, Spring starts on March 20th at 7:44am

Starting off February, if you're looking to start the month on a refreshing note, head to Long Beach for the 9th Annual Polar Bear Plunge. In the process of raising money for the Make A Wish Foundation, they are also looking to set a Guinness World Record for the Largest Polar Bear Dip/Swim. You must sign a waiver.  http://www.longbeachpolarbears.org/index.htm
When: February 1st 1pm
Where: Riverside Blvd and East Broadway, Long Beach
I have done the event the past 2 years and its a lot of fun for a great cause. The weather for the event, air temperatures around 35 with mostly sunny skies, Water temperature near 39.

I do see February being a bit stormier as we go from the cold winter months to the warmer months of spring. I am watching the track of a storm for Monday night into Wednesday. As of now it looks to bring Long Island warm weather, heavy rains, and strong winds. If the storm track changes over the weekend and moves 75 miles east, it could be our big snow maker. The past 2 days the Computer models have been forecasting a major storm to move up the coast. The newest 12z data, from 7am Friday Jan 30th is hinting at an eastward track... Stay tuned..

Some computer model weather links
http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/

http://66.70.209.226/weather/snow/kisp.txt

http://cirrus.sprl.umich.edu/wxnet/model/model.html

http://www.wunderground.com/modelmaps/maps.asp?model=NAM&domain=US

There is still even a chance this goes right out to sea as well.

I noticed I haven't been keeping up with my blogs here. I will do more in 2009. I also post a lot of weather information on the NEWS 12 WEATHER FORUM.

Don't forget when we are in STORM WATCH mode we need your help, and you can be a part of our "Hyper local Weather" by sending your storm reports to [email protected]

When severe weather strikes, keep it tuned to News12 for the very latest and local weather information.  Away from a TV during the day? Listen to us via mobile phone: 646-273-1212 for News12 to Go. Also, log onto news12.com for the latest weather updates including Live Dual Doppler 12 and to check for any closings or delays.

He's A Good Kid!

By Danielle Campbell

My nephew, Jacob Jones, was invited to THE inauguration!

Jacob, who grew up in Huntington Station and went to Walt Whitman High School, now attends George Washington University as a pre med student.  He happens to have near perfect grades {the little brat!}.

     

Jake, as we call him, is a good kid, an Eagle Scout, an Alter Boy, a Student Leader, an excellent Lacrosse Goalie, etc. etc. etc!!!!!

    
   

But let's face it, there are plenty of "kids" out there, just as accomplished.  We all know that.

However, for my little Jakie, my red headed nephew, who was shy and mischievous and sweet all at the same time, this has proven to be his time to shine!

My sister called me and I could tell by the tone of her voice--she was about to tell me another story on some wonderful thing that "Jake" is doing or has done.

  

But this,-- this invitation to THE inauguration took me a bit by surprise.  Jake was invited because of--well--because how great he is. 

Great as in being a great guy--a good person--someone who works very very hard to accomplish many things.

Wow!

Somehow, someone noticed that my nephew, who--in the great pool of millions of others who are as accomplished--got picked!

Ok, so I listened to my sister--uh--let's say--go on and on ---about the newest greatest thing to happen to "Jakie"--That's what she calls him--and I being {cranky mother of four kids, none who are alter boys, eagle scouts or pre med students}  THE PROUD Aunt --------thought---yea yea yea--sure sure sure!

It's one of those--"YOU HAVE BEEN PICKED" now pay us big bucks and you can go--kind of deals.

Well as my sister gushed and described the bright red ribbon wrapped around the inauguration invitation, which detailed the week's events ----seminars, inaugural balls, luncheons, yadda yadda yadda---with the likes of Al Gore, General Powell, etc.----I knew it was the real deal!

 

Jake even had official inaugural outfits that he had to wear and he had to bring a tux!

I wrote Jake after it all of the hoopla and asked him to tell me about it-----

This is what he wrote:

Aunt Dan!

Hey!  Yeah the Inauguration was absolutely incredible.  I was on a huge line at 2am waiting to get into the viewing area.  I stationed myself along 3rd street and Constitution Ave. Slowly me and my new found friends of UPIC made our way up to the front as the line became inevitably wider despite police efforts.  We snaked our way up to the front holding one another very tight, knowing that if one of us let go then we would be permanently separated. 

We spent eight hours huddling together under blankets and singing a number of different songs and chants.  Finally, around 7:45 am the police and secret service opened a small gate right in front of us and let 60 people in at a time. 

Luckily, my entire group of friends made it through the gate among the first 60.  Then we proceeded to ditch our food and drinks in order to go through security.  On the other side we made a run for a spot along the fence in order to try to get at least a decent view of the ceremony. 

The presidential motorcade drove right by our location, down constitution Ave. and we saw Obama, Bush and Bush's parents.  The ceremony was really far away and difficult to hear, but being there was an experience of its own. 

I also got to spend all this time with new found friends who I will never forget.  I will always remember not only that day, but that entire weekend experience for the amazing individuals I got to spend time with and the great opportunities I was given. 

That night I also went to an Inaugural Ball at the Air and Space Museum that was reserved just for the students of the UPIC program.  All night we joked around, danced and took hundreds of pictures. 

The next morning we sadly had to depart.  However, I look back now at the speeches we heard from General Powell and Al Gore in addition to the numerous seminars and I can confidently say that the experience has left an everlasting impact on me. 

To finish up may I add again that my friends from UPIC were tremendous and I definitely plan on seeing them again time after time throughout my life. 
Aunt Danielle I will post my pictures asap,

 
Ok well I think that is enough.

Love you!!!! Take care!!!! =) Jake

Yea yea yea-----Jake IS A GREAT KID!!!!!!

p.s.

This is the information on the UPIC program Jake mentioned:

Eligibility

The Inauguration of the President and Vice President is a momentous occasion. The University Presidential Inaugural Conference (UPIC) places the strictest limitations on available space and eligibility.

Participation in the Conference is reserved exclusively for alumni of the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF), the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC) and the International Scholar Laureate Program (ISLP) and members of select honors societies who are enrolled in a post-secondary program at the time they attend the Conference. Scholars who have attended these programs have met the academic requirements and have demonstrated the leadership qualities necessary to make a positive contribution to the quality and integrity of this historic inaugural conference

Puppy Love

By Colleen McVey

       Did you hear this week's story about the Florida couple who loved their dog so much that they cloned him?  They saved the Labrador's DNA and when he died they paid a California company $155,000 to clone him in Korea.

Now, I know what it is like to love a dog. My dog, Allie, is part of our family and my constant companion - but isn't cloning and spending that much money way over the top?

As I read the report, I couldn't help but think of all the ways that money could be spent. How about putting a child through college?  Feeding a family in need?  Helping someone save their home from foreclosure - and the list goes on and on and on.

This couple obviously loves dogs (they have 10) and they can do what they please with their money, but I  don't get it.  Cloning is an extremely expensive, temporary fix.  Like their beloved "Lancelot," "Lancelot Encore" (yes, that's the puppy's name) will also die someday. There's no amount of money that will stop that from happening.

Instead of cloning, what about adopting?  I love those bumper stickers I see all the time that say, "Don't Shop - Adopt".

I've had three dogs - all adopted - and I know we gave them a better life and vice versa.

We got Allie six years ago. She was dropped off with all sorts of physical and emotional problems. We got rid of the worms, fleas, ticks, and eye infection with medicines and surgery, but the emotional issues were another challenge. Allie, who was a year old, was never socialized so she was afraid of everyone and everything. After years of love and patience, she is an amazing dog.

Even if I had $155,000 to spend, I would not clone the dog I love so much. I know I will lose her someday, and then, after awhile, (the last time I had to wait six years) I will adopt again. 

   

    

Another Guilty Plea

  Drew Scott

 We've read about many former public officials pleading guilty to corruption charges, and Thursday yet another one made the news. Alan Binder, former Suffolk county legislator who once campaigned for the United States Congress and served in the Suffolk Legislature for 15 years, admitted easing the way for his friend Neil Trabich to win county golf contracts at the Northport VA and at Bergen Point.

Binder declined to give me a comment, but his defense attorney Benjamin Brafman told me the bribery event occurred more than 12 years ago, adding that Binder is no longer a public official and is a fundamentally decent citizen. Apparently the judge thought so as well, and accepted the guilty plea with a sentence of five years probation, and no jail time.

Many of Binder's former constituents however were shocked by the lenient treatment saying he got off easy. One of them was Franco at the Gentlemen's Barber Shop in Huntington.        

 Another, Debbie from the district says we've heard about Madoff and Cosmo and now this, "it's disgusting".

 In the past couple of years, there have been half a dozen guilty pleas from a Town Supervisor, councilmen, commissioners, another Legislator (Wayne Prospect) and now Binder. "We've lost trust," said another Huntington resident.  

Veterans and Valentines Day

By Ken Grimball

     Seated in wheelchairs across Long Island, hundreds of veterans wait day after day.  Although their numbers are large, many feel alone. These are people who, many years ago, were wide eyed and willing to fight to keep Americans safe. How many of us can truthfully say that we have even thought about a veteran recently?  Many are in comfortable buildings, but they face the daily discomfort of being left to the memories of how they arrived at their present conditions.  

     Today in Plainview, a group of  excited children tried to make a difference in the lives of some Long Island veterans.  They were from the Burns Avenue Elementary School in Hicksville.  Hundreds of beautiful valentine cards were delivered to the Nassau County Veterans's Service Office.  Many of them had large colorful hearts drawn on their fronts.  The wording thanked the veterans for their service in the military and wished them a happy Valentines Day.  They were added to boxes and bags of other cards contributed by children from many other Long Island elementary schools.

      Those valentine cards will be greatly appreciated by veterans who are getting along in years.  For some who sit and wait alone each day, those thoughtful valentine cards will remind the veterans that they are loved and appreciated for the service they have given to keep Americans free. 

   

Shark Attack

By Erin Colton

I walked into work this morning on my usual tear to look up and find the most interesting stories of the day. I'm sort of a news and sports junkie. Reading and writing stories are somewhat equal to breathing for me. So after scanning a few websites and papers I saw a story that hit me all too hard: "Sharks Come Too Close To Shore."

I know people may not believe this next statement, but try, because it's true. I came nose to nose with a 6-foot Bull Shark. (Bull Sharks account for the most attacks on humans. Check Wikipidia.)

I was on vacation in Key Largo when it was suggested I go snorkeling (something I'll never do again). I hadn't snorkeled in a while so I was a bit uneasy getting into the water. But soon enough, I was flipping around like a fish. We saw a 4-foot Sea Turtle, different schools of fish, interesting looking reef. But my trip at sea turned from cool to INSANE when I turned my head and there he was. Jaws. (Ok, not actually "Jaws" but you know what I mean.)

Does everyone know that when you go snorkeling, you do it with a partner? Check out the picture on the left where you can see all the sets of 2-person teams. (By the way, that is the only "real" picture on this blog. I thought I'd throw in the other ones for fun.) Well, my partner was swimming behind me and without even giving him a clue, a tiny inkling, a look, maybe a little point -- I was outta there. I was flipping  my flippers so fast I wouldn't be surprised if you saw smoke. As soon as I could get my head out of the water, and the stupid snorkel out of my mouth I started screaming at the top of my lungs. "Get me outta here! There's a shark down  there! Heeeeelp!" (That quickly ended our nice relaxing trip.) When I got back on the boat I noticed my partner still in the water! He got out and asked me why I hadn't alerted him of the teeth clenching, 6-foot monster down below. My response: "I'm sorry, but when you see a shark, it's every man for himself." (Right?!) I'm not that worried about my actions of abandonment because my partner actually thought seeing the shark was "cool." (Crazy person, I know.)

But seriously, are you kidding me? A shark? Who takes people on a snorkeling trip where there are sharks?! My guide, apparently. Who -- and I noticed this AFTER I was nearly attacked -- had only 4 fingers!

So after everyone got back on the boat and was accounted for, and my heart stopped pounding, it hit me. I survived a shark attack. (Ok, again, not actually an "attack" per say. But still, you go nose-to-nose with a shark and live to tell about it!)

Long Island's Hidden Shrine

By Carol Silva

You'd never know it by driving along the north LIE Service Road in Hauppauge. But every year, hundreds of Long Islanders turn right between Exits 57 and 56 and make their way up Roosevelt Boulevard to this little former summer bungalow. Today this bungalow is the St. Therese Shrine.

It's the bungalow where young mother Josephine Martello came to be healed in the 1940s. Jo did what so many did "in the old days." She was sick with some undiagnosed illness that robbed her of her energy and her weight. So she went out to the country - to heal in her Aunt's bungalow - in a neighborhood that used to be called Central Islip. That's when Long Island was "the country."

  Jo was emigrated from Italy to NY with her family when she was only 6. She was a devout Catholic, and as a child developed a special devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux. For 3 years she fought her illness in her aunt's bungalow. During those dark days she promise St. Therese to build a shrine to the saint if Jo was cured.

The former bungalow is tiny - with rows of chairs on both sides of a small center aisle. Inside what Joe named The Little Flower Shrine, there are statues of St. Therese and other saints, and a bowl where people in need put papers requesting special prayers requesting help with faith, finance, family, fertility or more.

There are copies of photos of St. Therese, taken by her own sister who became a nun with her in France. And there are benches and statues for contemplation outside.

An unusual stop off the north service road of the LIE.

The smart car

By Elizabeth Hashagen

I have to admit right off the bat-- I love it & I want one!!

    As soon as I walked into the showroom in Smithtown and saw that smart cars come in convertible-- I started ploting on how to justify getting one.

I had a convertible and loved it-- but now that I'm a new mom I ditched the convertible since it didn't seem safe with the baby seat in the back. 

But smart cars are marketed as your other car-- the one you add to the cars you already have to cut down on gas & help the planet!

And the good thing is-- the price tag is almost as small as the car--the 2 seater with a roof-- starts at $11,990-- my convertible starts at 16,990--

If you're wondering about the enviornmental side of the car -- there's plenty of things to highlight--

The cars are actually made in place called "Smartville" ( it's in France).

The entire car is powder coated rather than painted.

If you're like me and you're wondering why that is-- well turns out that powder coating uses 40% less energy than conventional painting methods with zero solvent emissions and no water consumption!

That powder "overspray" is collected and is 98% reusable.

And if you're wondering about more than the car-- the Smartville production center collects the excess heat generated from their injection molding machines to heat the paint booths.

And they have their own natural gas fired thermal energy station that supplies hot water and some of their electricity!

And the car itself, it can be recycled too.

It has 100% recyclable synthetics in the dashboards and wheel housing covers. And the exterior door panels can recycled.

And it gets 33 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway--

And if you're wondering about how it does in a crash-- just click here-- it shows the crash!

"Safe Harbor"

by Jill Wagner

There's another plan to put a liquified natural gas terminal off our shores. Unlike the controversial Broadwater barge that would have been located in the middle of the Long Island Sound, this plan is calling for a man-made island in the Atlantic Ocean.

Private investors are behind the idea--The Atlantic Sea Island Group.   They call it "Safe Harbor Energy."  It's a 60 acre liquid natural gas terminal that they say would supply much-needed, clean burning natural gas to the New York area.

Today, some local legislators, including Dave Denenberg who represents the South Shore, and environmental groups, spoke out against the idea.  They say the project is an environmental disaster that will kill marine life and industrialize the ocean.  Plus, they say it relies on the importation of FOREIGN liquified natural gas--which is "far more expensive than DOMESTIC natural gas."

In response, a spokesperson for the group tells me:

"The science will prove that this is an environmental sound proposal.  The economics will prove that, in the face of a massive recession, this proposal will create thousands of jobs. The month of January will prove that Long Island will continue to have a genuine need for access to LNG for the foreseeable future."

The plan is controversial to say the least.  And complicated.  There's plenty of additional information on the project website.  The link is: www.atlanticseaislandgroup.com

The website includes a map of the exact location--13.5 miles south of Long Beach, 23 miles from the New York Harbor, and 19 miles east of the Jersey Shore.  There are also graphics of the plant layout from above and below the water.

There is still a long way to go before the plan moves forward.  Governor Patterson and Governor Corzine of New Jersey would have to approve the project before it could go through. We reached out to Governor Paterson's office for comment, and as of this writing, our call has not been returned.

And there will be a public hearing about Safe Harbor tomorrow night, Thursday, January 29th, at the Long Beach Public Library.  There is an open session at 4:30pm and the meeting starts at 6:30pm.

LI's Miracle on the Hudson Survivor

By Doug Geed

   "I thought they were the last four words I was ever going to hear."

   That's what Bill Zuhoski told me was going through his mind on the afternoon of January 15th.

   The four words he was referring to were "Brace yourself for impact." U-S Airways Pilot "Sully" Sullenberger spoke those words over the loud-speaker to passengers aboard Flight 1549, which struck a flock of birds over the Bronx shortly after taking off from LaGuardia. We all know the outcome by now -- a safe, miraculous landing, with no engines, into the Hudson River.

     Bill Zuhoski is 23 years old, although he talks and acts much more maturely than his age would indicate. (No doubt this experience will add even more to that maturity.) I stopped by his hometown of Cutchogue this week for an interview, two weeks after the incredible incident.

    "Zuhoski" may sound like a unique name to you, but it fits right in with some of the old-time farming families of the East End. His dad was one of 9 children, so there are "Zuhoskis" all over the Mattituck-Cutchogue area. But this incident has made Bill even more well-known.

   "Wow -- ANOTHER interview, Bill?" a woman said smiling as she walked by Karin's Deli on Route 25 where Bill and I met. Cutchogue, if you haven't visited there, is a quaint, country-like community -- more resembling a Midwest farm town than a typical Long Island suburb. It's where Bill grew up and where he appreciates life more than ever.
     Bill wasn't even supposed to be on that flight, but his earlier plane was cancelled. He sat toward the back of the plane and dozed off because of a 20-minute delay on the runway. The plane finally took off and Bill remembers a "jerk" a minute or two after takeoff. (He assumes that was the plane hitting the birds.)
   Immediately, he says passengers just started looking around, alarmed. He heard a stewardess on the phone saying quietly, "Well, where IS the fire extinguisher?" Passengers then started saying that they saw smoke.
   The flight crew quickly went around to make sure everyone's seat belt was still securely fastened. The plane was descending and all Bill saw out the window was land. No one was quite sure what was happening. Bill was in a middle seat. The man sitting next to him wrapped his arm around Bill's as they both put their heads down in their laps. I guess at a time like that, holding onto another person -- even a stranger -- brings you some comfort.

    I asked him to describe the impact of the landing on the water and he just slowly shook his head from side to side and looked up -- searching for a way to describe it.
    I asked "When you're driving and you hit a really huge pothole and there's a violent bounce -- like that? 10 times worse?"
    "Yeah -- 10 times worse" he replied.
    He wiped some blood off his face -- not much, he said and not quite sure where it came from.
    After the plane settled, he said the only sense of panic came in that first minute. Passengers started rushing toward him -- the back of the plane -- and he and another passenger had to tell everyone to stop pushing and stay calm or "nobody will get out."
    The whole time water -- very cold water -- was filling the plane. Very quickly he says it got as high as his neck. So he climbed onto a seat and took off his clothes -- down to nothing except an undershirt and his boxers.
   Although a relative of his -- a Navy SEAL -- would tell him that was the smartest thing to do (since shoes and clothes bog you down in the water and also make it easier for hypothermia to set in) Bill has taken quite a lot of joking over it. ("Oh you're the naked guy" people would say.)

    Eventually, Bill started working his way toward the front of the plane and he was one of the last to get off. Immediately, rescue workers hugged him and threw blankets around him to get him warm. A helicopter overhead was blowing down  fierce winds and you can only imagine how cold it was. He could barely get his mouth to work to say "Thank you" to those helping him.

  

    Bill's mom is a teacher at Cutchogue's elementary school who ironically was in Manhattan on a field trip that day.
    Bill's dad is a contractor who started driving from the North Fork towards LaGuardia as soon as he heard on the radio that a plane went down. The odds were strongly against his son being on that plane, but he says he had a "sick feeling" and decided that if it wasn't Bill's flight, then he'd just turn around and go back, but that if it WAS, then he'd have gotten a head start getting his son back. His instincts were right.

   I asked Bill if he'll fly again and he said, "I don't know. But if I do, not for a long time." He's already turned down interview requests where he would have to fly to get to the station.
   Next week, he, several other passengers and the pilot will be interviewed on Good Morning America and he says he is looking forward to telling Captain Sullenberger "thank you" in person.

    If you'd like to see my interview with Bill, it will be on this coming Sunday, February 1st, starting in the 5pm newscast. It will run all of Sunday night and Monday day as well.

   Bill's a nice guy with a nice family that lives in a nice town. Thankfully, we're finally able to tell a story that has a happy ending.

  

Poor Prince!

by Jill Wagner

It's not often that I feel bad for Prince Harry, because, well, he's a PRINCE!  But news today that his South African girlfriend of five years dumped him over FACEBOOK.... well, that's harsh.  A British tabloid says Chelsy Davy announced the end of her relationship with Prince Harry by changing her Facebook profile to: "Relationship: Not in One."

     AP

It's a story that's pretty much impossible to verify.  That's because, of course, neither Davy or Prince Harry will confirm and Royal officials have refused to comment.  I searched Facebook for Davy's profile and found what appeared to be her page, but unfortunately, we're not "friends!"  And that means I can't see any of her personal information. 

But let's just take a big leap and assume this report is actually true.  It really shows how Facebook and other social networking sites are changing the entire way people interact.  I remember thinking it was rude to break up with someone over the phone!  Now, with a few clicks of the keyboard you can let your significant other know you've had enough of the relationship and want OUT.  And you can do it while simultaneously telling all 500 of your closest friends.  This is courtesy of a "News Feed" that lets everyone know about the split when they log into their account.  The best part is that next to, "So and So went from 'in a relationship' to 'single, there's a little red heart with a jaggedy line down the middle.  

I admit I am a Facebook addict myself and there is plenty to love about the site.  As I've mentioned in previous blogs, it's great to catch up with friends from high school and college and old jobs.  But nothing can really replace face to face time --- whether it be for good stuff or even bad break-ups.     

If it sounds too good to be true ...

By Scott Feldman

First Bernie Madoff. Now another suspected Ponzi scheme. This one on Long Island. Agape World headquartered in Hauppauge. The CEO is a guy named Nicholas Cosmo, a convicted swindler who spent time in a federal lockout. When they sprang him, he immediately started Agape World. It made so-called commercial "bridge loans" to businesses. Investors were promised double digit returns. And now, like the Madoff investors, more than 6 thousand Agape investors will also be left holding the bag. Because Agape didn't sell stocks or bonds, the company wasn't required to register with the securities industry. But all anybody had to do was Google Cosmo and they would have found out about his criminal past.

So, how can investors protect themselves from shady operators? Jon Ten Haagen, a certified financial planner in Huntington, says it's not difficult to check out a financial professional. All you have to do is go to the website for the national association of personal financial planners. If you are dealing with a stock or bond broker, there's the national association of securities dealers, the securities and exchange commission and the NYS Attorney General's office. All of those agencies will tell you if a broker has had problems in the past, and it will detail his or her professional licenses--what kind of securities they are authorized to sell. Ten Haagen also advises you scrutinize your financial statements. Don't get bought off by a generic listing that says your money is in "fixed income securities." You want to see exactly what stocks and bonds you own. How many shares and their value. For bonds look for the maturity date and the CUSIP number. 

Given the current state of the economy, it is likely we are going to see more Madoff and Agape's unfold. The old saw is worth repeating, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

  

www.napfa.org

www.nasdr.com/2000.htm

www.CFP-Board.org/cons

www.oag.state.ny.us

Going Hungry

By Doug Geed 

    It's not much -- maybe a ham and cheese sandwich and a cup of coffee, but if you're cold and have little or no money for food, it's the greatest sight in the world. And people who visit the various soup kitchens and food pantries throughout Nassau and Suffolk are very appreciative.

   And according to Long Island Cares, roughly 10-percent of Long Island's population is served by those organizations. LI Cares was the agency started by LI singer Harry Chapin in 1980, the year before his death. It is the only food bank on Long Island. Using state funds and donations, it buys food and other supplies in bulk at discounted prices and delivers it to more than 500 agencies across the Island. According to Executive Director Paul Pachter, more than 300-thousand Long Islanders were served by one of those agencies.

   The problem for many groups across the island is that in this economy, more and more people are looking to pantries and soup kitchens for help while at the same time, donations are down. As more and more people are losing their jobs or falling behind in their mortgage payments or having trouble paying their health insurance, at best, they're donating less money or goods -- at worst, they become in need of those services themselves.

   As Zona Stroy -- head of a wonderful Riverhead-based organization "Open Arms Care Center" -- put it "Many of the people who used to donate are now stopping in for a sandwich or a cup of coffee."

   Pretty powerful stuff -- and pretty sad. It's no longer nameless, faceless homeless people who are looking for help -- it's our neighbors and co-workers.

   Here are some links to various agencies on Long Island that could sure use your help:

http://www.licares.org/
http://prontoli.org/index.aspx
http://www.islandharvest.org/
http://www.the-inn.org/

 

Ken Grimball

By Danielle Campbell

     News 12 Long Island's beloved--and by all accounts most popular--journalist Ken Grimball tells GREAT stories!

Award winning, esteemed, respected, Ken Grimball has spent the more than 20 years here at News 12 Long Island telling Long Islanders like it is!

But last week, the week of the inaugural, Ken shared a different story, a personal story, a story of courage in the face of hatred, humility.

Ken, a descendant of southern slaves, shared with our viewers what happened to him when he was 17 years old.

Ken was attending High School in Charleston, South Carolina.

Ken, who grew up in New York and did not know the ways of this southern state, attempted to attend a movie at a segregated theater.

He explained, matter of factly, how he was told he could not enter the front door of the theater and that instead he must walk to the back, and enter the "colored entrance".

Ken, who felt this was a great injustice, said in a gracious and gentleman-like manner, "Well, then no thank you.  I will instead will go see this movie when I am back in New York."

As I interviewed Ken and he shared his story, it was hard, so very hard for me to believe that ANYONE, ANYWHERE would ask Ken to do such a thing.

The thought that anyone would degrade this kind, considerate, intelligent man was hard for me to digest.

Ken smiled after he shared the story with me, aware of how uncomfortable I felt, courteous not to let me feel the sharp pain he had suffered.

Diabetes Reversed Naturally!

By Mary Mucci

The road to diabetes is easy.  And the road to recovery is a very hard one.  Tom Ashton knows that all too well.  That’s why he’s determined to help young people stay healthy.  Aston has been talking to teens at part of the Bay Shore HS lecture series and he hopes it’s just the beginning.

Ashton is an inspiration.  He works hard every day to stay healthy.  He has to check his blood sugar …, eat balanced meals and get lots of exercise.  Ashton says it’s well worth it.  But of course prevention is the real cure.  And diabetes is so preventable.  If you suffer from low blood sugar or strong carb cravings you may be on your way.  Take some advice from Tom and cut out the junk:  the sugar, the fast food meals, the pasta, the chips and sugary treats. He knows every time he indulges, he’ll need to pay for it by exercising even harder that ever.  Fortunately, there are nutrients that may help you control your carb cravings and process sugar better.  These include chromium, gynemma sylvestri , cinnamon and magnesium.   

Ashton has it right:   it’s time to educate our kids that their health is a prized possession.  And that if they care for it, they may just get to keep it. 

 

To Your Health,

Mary Mucci

Contacts:

Dr. Fred Vagnini,

Westbury  516 222 2288

Dr. Garry D’Brant,  Chiropractor, Certified Clinical Nutritionist

Glen Head   516 609 0890

Lynn Newman ,  M.S.  Licensed Clinical Nutritionist

Glen Head, Mineola  516 674 4868

 

 

Are We There Yet?

By Lea Tyrrell

Some dismal economic reports out for Long Island this week. Over the past year the Island has lost more than 21,000 jobs in the private sector. And in the last 3 months alone - New York State has lost more than 100,000 jobs. The state labor department says many of those jobs were in retail and construction. 

Add to that a report out by a Manhattan-based appraisal firm that found median home sale prices on Long Island are down 6.2% for the third quarter of 2008, compared to the same time in 2007.  So it sure looks like we haven't hit bottom yet, and it seems no one can really tell if we're anywhere near it.

So how long will it take for us to get out of this economic free-fall?  Predictions range from the middle or end of this year to 2010 or 2011.  Long Island Association Economist Pearl Kamer tells News 12 that even if we get a stimulus package out of Washington, Long Island won't feel the bounce from it until late this year or next year.

But the most dire prediction I've heard came on a recent Long Island Talks.  Economist Dr. Thomas Conoscenti of NYU said we could be stuck where we are now for four or five years if the economic recovery plan Washington is putting together doesn't work.  And that's another thing to think about. What if all this doesn't work?  Is that even possible?  How can you spend nearly a trillion dollars on an economic bandage and not fix the problem?  But in covering both politics and this economy for a while now, I've learned that anything is possible.  I hope in this case, though, logic prevails.

The Governor's Choice

by Scott Feldman

It was a plum gig. Junior U.S. Senator from New York. And the winner is ----Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand from upstate Hudson. It's a heavily Republican and conservative district. And already, gun control and immigration advocates --including fellow Democrats --are hopping mad.

Long Island Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy has signaled she is considering running a primary against NRA supporter Gillibrand. McCarthy's husband was killed by a gunman on the Long Island railroad.

And another Carolyn, Carolyn Maloney, a fellow veteran democratic congresswoman from Manhattan, is considering a 2010 primary against Gillibrand. 

On the republican side, Long Island Congressman Peter King has already signaled his intention to run for the Senate in 2010. News 12's political analyst Jerry Kremer tells me that King can raise a lot of money, including funds from outside New York state and he has a big conservative base.

And as for those Democrats who had fingers crossed they'd be tapped by Paterson?

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, who ran unsuccessfully for Governor, could very well be selected by Paterson as his ticket-mate for Lt. Governor in 2010. Paterson, of course, is from New York City. Suozzi would give Paterson a strong suburban presence.

It's not likely Attorney General Andrew Cuomo would have turned down Paterson for the senate seat. But now, Cuomo will just continue on as AG, and if the Governor stumbles, Cuomo would be there to step up and challenge Paterson in a primary.

Huntington Congressman Steve Israel would dearly have loved to move to the Senate. But he's well respected in the House and by President Obama and political observers say he is well positioned to keep moving up in the ranks of his party.

So, while Gillibrand has her detractors, she also has her supporters. She's pro-gun, but also pro-choice and her selection is being hailed by abortion rights groups. Strong support is also coming from the state's largest gay rights group and from Long Island environmentalists.

We here at News 12 will be paying close attention to New York's newest senator. I'm hopeful I get a chance to sit down and talk to her soon.

Forecasting Snow

By Bill Korbel

If there is one thing that all meteorologists in the NY/Long Island area would agree on, it's that forecasting how much snow will fall is one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult thing we do.  Why? Let me explain.

To come up with an accurate snow forecast we must get many things as close to perfect as possible.  Obviously, we need to know when the snow will start and when it will stop.  That's not so easy on Long Island where we are often on the dividing line between snow and rain.  We need to know the temperature at the surface and up through 10,000 feet very accurately.  We have to factor in the temperature of the ground.  Is it frozen?  If so, the snow will start accumulating sooner then if the ground is not frozen. How much water is available in the atmosphere to turn into snow flakes.  A good average is 1" of liquid water equals 10" of snow (a 10 to 1 ratio).  But if the temperature is very cold, the ratio can be 15, 20, even 30 to 1.  The difference between  1" and 4" of snow can be as little as 1/3 to 1/10" of an inch of water. 

On the other hand, If temperatures are warmer, the ratio can be as little as 5 or 6 to 1.  That same 1" of water will produce only 5 or 6" of snow.  We also need to calculate the intensity of the snow and the rate of accumulation per hour based on all of the above. 

In a perfect world, our computer models would calculate all of the numbers very precisely. Alas, they don't.  We have many computer models and they all are based on different assumptions and equations.  Rarely do they all agree.  We try to find which one is handling the situation the best and go with those numbers.  We also monitor the storm to see if it is following or deviating from what we expected. 

Let's assume that we have perfect predictions of start and stop time, intensity, moisture and temperature.  That still won't produce a perfect snow forecast because small things further complicate how much really falls.  Heavy snow tends to form in bands that are embedded in lighter snow. If one of these bands of heavy snow sits over your house for an hour or two, that could make a huge difference in how much snow falls.

What it comes down to is this. We make the very best forecasts we can using the tools available, but when dealing with snow, any forecast, because of the many variables involved, is just an approximation.  In warm weather, if we say 1/4" of rain will fall but it turns out to be 1/2", no one notices.  It rained. It's wet. There are puddles. It was a good forecast.  But, If we say 1-3" of snow will fall and we actually get 4-6", the forecast, to many people, is a bust, even though it was just as accurate as the summer rain forecast. 

Hopefully this will give you a bit of insight into the ever humbling world of meteorology.  Thank goodness spring is only 56 days away.

Bill Korbel

The Inauguration of the President

  By Doug Geed

    So I've gotten a lot of questions about my recent 3-day trip to Washington to cover the inauguration. From family members it's usually "So did you get to meet him?" The answer is "not by a long shot." Although when I was doing one of my broadcasts from the top of the CNN Building, which is a few blocks away from the White House, I did see the President and First Lady walk outside to attend a ceremony. (He didn't wave to me.)

   From friends and colleagues it's usually something along the lines of "So what was 'the moment' you'll always remember?"
   That's a lot harder to answer. In my earlier blog I talked about the hour-long wait we had at the train station just to BOARD a train! The line of people that wrapped around the entire train station and parking lot will forever be etched in my mind.
    Of course, there's watching all the dignitaries walking out on the steps of the Capitol. There was the thunderous applause when Barack Obama strolled out in all of his Presidential "cool and glory." And there's that incredible scene when a new person places his hand on a Bible and assumes the most powerful position on the planet -- without one drop of blood being shed. The peaceful transition of power in our country is something that is so special and unique.

     But I guess what I'll take most from this amazing experience were the images of just plain people -- the everyday Americans who traveled literally from every corner of the country to witness history.
     I saw elderly African-Americans -- like all of us, fighting the huge crowds and cold temperatures, walking for miles. Yet despite their fatigue, there was nothing -- and you could see it in their faces -- NOTHING -- that would stop them from being a part of this magical moment.
    There were college-aged kids who were so vital in getting this man elected. It's an age where they could be cynical or simply disinterested in politics, yet Barack Obama electrified them like no other candidate.  Their cheers of joy -- their satisfaction -- it was evident on their faces. They are the future of this country and they're proud to have made a loud statement about which direction it'll go in.
    And then there was an image that is like something out a movie -- maybe something Steven Spielberg would take months preparing, setting up and filming.
    It was mid-morning of the inauguration and we were near the Washington Monument -- the simple yet elegantly beautiful white stone tower that stands straight up into the air the length of nearly two football fields. On the ground it is surrounded by 50 flags -- one representing each state. The wind was blowing pretty hard and the flags were whipping wildly -- all in unison. And surrounding the entire monument, as far as you could see, were people. I looked to left. Way in the distance, the dome of the U-S Capitol. I looked to the right. Way in the distance, the Lincoln Memorial. Straight ahead -- way in the distance -- the rounded top of the Jefferson Memorial. It was an incredible image. And filling in all the space in between each of those monuments -- and I mean every inch of space -- were people.

    Washington is a beautiful city and it was at its most exciting and electric that day. And it's a beautiful country we live in. You can only hope deep in your soul that we never lose our sense of goodness, fairness, hope and optimism that was in the air that day.

Big Things for Patchogue!

   By Doug Geed

   I grew up in Syosset, so during my youth, I barely even heard of Patchogue. For us, it was a place "way out in Suffolk." (Ironic, now that I spend so much time "way out" even by Patchogue standards -- on the East End.)

    But my wife was raised in Bellport, so we spent a lot of time in Patchogue and came to know it very well. In fact our first date (way back in 1981) was at a place called Two Morrow's Pub (great burgers and a fireplace -- boy, did I know how to impress the ladies!).

  My first job right out of college was at W-A-L-K Radio in East Patchogue. So I grew to love this village. There's so much history and charm to it. Like Bay Shore, Riverhead and many other Long Island downtowns, they suffered economically when big shopping malls started popping up in the 60's and people started turning away from their local Mom and Pop store to do one-stop shopping. So there's no question, Patchogue went through some tough times -- and still does to an extent today.

   Remember Swezey's? What a great place! A unique one-of-a-kind department store, like something you'd find in the mid-West. Small, friendly, wrap-your-gift-for-free-at-Christmas -- yet always managed to have everything you needed. Swezey's was a fixture in Patchogue for more than a hundred years, but it closed about 10 years ago and the building has sat vacant on the corner of North Ocean and Main Street ever since.

   But within the next 6 months, expect some major construction. A real estate developer out of East Setauket -- Tritec -- is starting a 130-million dollar downtown revitalization project. The company bought 6 parcels, including the Swezey's property, and plans to build 240 new rental units, a 104-room Hilton Gardens Hotel, 30-thousand square feet of retail stores and 15-thousand square feet of office space.

   Of the 240 apartments, 67 will be considered "affordable." Tritec's Robert Coughlan told me that means about 1-thousand dollars a month for a studio. Other apartments will be as large as 3-bedroom units for 25-hundred dollars.

   The project was announced with much fanfare by Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, Patchogue's Mayor, Paul Pontieri, Suffolk County Legislator Jack Eddington, Tritec's Coughlan and others, including affordable housing advocates. Officials say they're specifically targeting young people, saying the only way companies on Long Island can weather this economic storm and hope to grow is by having access to young workers. And the only way to have access to young workers is to give THEM access to a place they can afford to live.

   They envision a vibrant, exciting downtown area where residents will be able to walk out of their new apartments and shop, congregate in open courtyards with fountains and eat in a string of new restaurants -- all within walking distance. And they expect this to be a formula to turn around other downtown areas on Long Island -- getting people to live in refurbished or brand new apartments on Main Streets so they'll have a vested interest in keeping the downtown looking good. That, in turn, attracts new businesses to the area and helps some of the old-time shops expand and prosper.

    Sounds good to me. Let's hope it works. For many people, Long Island is just one long, sprawling suburb. Our downtowns are what help make the Island the special place that it is.

   For more information about the Patchogue project, check out this link:
http://www.patchoguevillage.org/DEIS/draft_environmental_impact_state.htm

    

   

Take My Wife, Please

By Norm Dvoskin

The cover story in Last Sunday's (January 18, 2009) LI Life Section of Newsday stated, "The newly divorced are finding relaxed attitudes and new services available to them." "Divorce is losing it’s stigma and some people are untying the knot with relish." Apparently, individuals are celebrating their new status by having catered divorce parties and hiring "The Divorce Party Planner."

To add to the theme, I’ve come up with a menu for a catered divorce.

MENU FOR A CATERED DIVORCE

Openings

Cordials on the rocks with Garnished Celery

Appetizer

Half a bitter Pear

Soup

Split Pea

Salad

Broken Hearts of Lettuce with Liquidated House Dressing

Main Course

Spicy Beef with Black-eyed Peas

Dessert

Pie Alimony, Frozen Lemon Custody or Rocky Road

Finish with dates with nuts and sour grapes

Held at the Marrynot Hotel

Stimulating Long Island

by Scott Feldman

As I write this, our new President, Barack Obama, is settling into his new gig. And on day one it was full speed ahead. His top priority--getting the U.S. economy back on track. From the original fiscal bailout fund, he wants about 100 billion dollars to go to help homeowners who are facing foreclosure. And there is his 825 billion dollar economic stimulus package. Long Island could certainly put to good use a big chunk of that. In fact, at a Long Island Association breakfast, Nassau Executive Tom Suozzi tells me he'd like to see federal funds come to the state to help defray escalating Medicaid costs. Suffolk Executive Steve Levy would put the money to use for road repairs and sewer improvements. Dowling College economist analyst Marty Cantor says new sewers could really energize the Long Island economy. If you've got sewers, you can create affordable housing in our downtowns. Affordable housing keeps our young people here on the Island instead of leaving for employment opportunities elsewhere, and that, in turn, will energize the local economy. Congressional Democrats want to see a slice of the stimulus package go to education. That could translate for Long Island schools into a 100 million dollar windfall. Money that could offset the proposed cuts in state aid to schools from Albany. Senator Schumer is pushing for 20 billion to go to mass transit, including projects that would benefit the Long Island railroad. And then there are tax cuts for middle-income families. That's about 40 percent of the stimulus package. Even without exact numbers, Dowling's Cantor says 95 percent of Long Islanders would benefit from some kind of a tax break. So, it is all just now beginning with a new administration. President Obama has got a lot on his plate. But make no mistake, it's the economy, he's digging into first.       

Going to See Our New President

  By Doug Geed

   So we flew back in MacArthur this morning after a pretty hectic but incredibly rewarding three days in our nation's capitol for one of the biggest events that city -- and our nation -- has ever seen.

  My photographer Brian Endres and I stayed in Columbia, Maryland, a Baltimore suburb about a third of the way toward Washington. Each day we'd make the half-hour drive to New Carrollton, Maryland, which is the first stop on the Orange Line of The Metro (D.C.'s equivalent of the LIRR). From there, a 20-to-30 minute train ride got us into the heart of D.C.

   Tuesday morning, the day of the swearing-in, we knew we'd have to leave early. We were up at 4 and out the door a little before 5. As we approached the exit ramp for New Carrollton, we knew we were in trouble -- nothing but taillights and stopped cars. After a slow 45-minute crawl, we got a parking space and walked into the train station holding our commemorative Metro Fare Card with Barack Obama's face on it. (Buying fare cards for the length of our stay was the first thing we did when we arrived Sunday -- a mere half-hour wait.)

   So we walk into the New Carrollton station with all our equipment, and, for some reason, we see the first of many burly cops we would encounter during the day diverting people AWAY from the turnstiles that let you into the station. He explained to the people ahead of us that there was a LINE to get into the turnstiles and the line went "that way." "That way" was toward a long, long line of people walking up a flight of stairs that led you to Amtrak. So then I said (already dreading his response) "Please tell me once you get up those stairs, all you do is turn and walk down the other stairs." He put a large smile on his face and said "No. I won't lie to you, it's pretty ugly up there." Then he looked at the group of us now around him and he said "In fact, I probably won't be here by the time you get back here."

    Now New Carrollton is a large station with an elevated platform. If you live in Nassau, picture the Hicksville Train Station. If you live in Suffolk, picture Ronkonkoma. The line we got on went up the stairs, around the platform, down another set of stairs, into the parking lot -- sweeping AROUND the parking lot before going back into the station and the turnstiles. The adventure lasted an hour. But I have to say that even on that ridiculous line, everyone was laughing and just making the best of it. I cannot tell you the excitement, the joy, the optimism, the good will -- the feeling of just plain GOODNESS that was in the air during our entire stay. Even the burly cop at the turnstiles (who WAS there at the end of our hour-long trek, by the way) was nothing but smiles and professionalism. I literally did not encounter one person who was in any way impolite, nasty, impatient or rude the entire trip, which is amazing considering everywhere you went from the airport to the downtown streets to all the national landmarks, there was huge crowds that often had you pressed up against someone.

   And I have to say the city and surrounding areas of Maryland and Virginia did a great job handling the massive numbers of people who flew in for the event. One little bit of frustration was when our train pulled out of New Carrollton. Now again, that's the first train station on this particular line heading into D.C. (just as Ronkonkoma is the first stop on the Main Line heading into NYC). The very next stop is Landover, Maryland and as we were pulling into the station, I saw a half-empty parking lot. The train doors opened and about 20 people got on.

   I gave up my seat to a woman and I asked her if she just got to the station and she said yes, she drove up 5 minutes ago and simply parked and walked on the train. Seems everyone thought they were outsmarting each other by going to the "first" station.

   I'll write more blogs in the days ahead, but right now my feet hurt. Plus I want to get home to see my wife and kids and give them the Obama Inauguration buttons, refrigerator magnets and sweatshirts that I paid way too much for.

   But I have one final thought and that is that we live in a wonderful country. For all our faults, what happened yesterday was incredible. First, that we have the right, every four years, to decide who we want to lead us is something we always need to be grateful for and never take for granted. And the fact that on one particular day, the transfer of power is done peacefully, amidst much joy and celebration, is terrific. The loser, especially if it's a sitting President, doesn't use the military to surround the White House and keep out his opponents. He simply hands over the keys, shakes hands to the victor and wishes them well. That's amazing.

    Speaking of amazing, here's a photo taken by my friend and News 12 co-worker Cecilia Dowd. She was fortunate enough to attend the swearing-in and had a heck-of-a better vantage point than I did!

 

   

The Social Host Law

By Shari Einhorn

"They're teenagers -- of course they're going to drink.  I'd rather have them drink at my house so I know where they are."

If you've HEARD this -- or if you've SAID this -- be forewarned.  You as the parent -- or person of adult age -- can be held accountable for any and all underage drinking in your home...whether you know about it or not!

Both Nassau and Suffolk counties have passed what's called the Social Host Law.   You will face fines of up to $1,000.00 and possible jail time.

Click here to read Suffolk's law.

Click here to read Nassau's law.  

One Hicksville mother of 3 told me, "I'm not going to get in trouble for something my kid is doing, especially when they're not supposed to be doing it."

But plenty of others have already gotten in trouble...3 in Suffolk and 18 in Nassau.  The most recent arrest was in Suffolk. 

Police say 53 year old Clare Gude of West Islip allowed minors to drink alcohol at a house party Saturday night.  One of the teens drinking at the party -- a 15 year old -- was later rushed to the hospital.  Police say she was suffering from alcohol poisoning.

Some parents may be aware of what's going on and not want to "be the bad guy." Others might think it's not that big of a deal. 

Here's what Marge Lee, an anti drunk driving activist, says about that:  "As adults we need to set the example.  It's against the law to drink if you're underage.  Obey the law.  Because if you're going to ignore this law, then how important are any of the other ones?"

She makes an interesting point -- doesn't she?

Shari

 

There really are GREAT people out there!

By Jackie Lukas

I just had to share this story with you - to remind everyone that there are great - honest people out there!

For Christmas I got this awesome digital camera. But it was only in my possession for 5 days before I LOST IT at the Jets game on December 30th  :(   I was so bummed out because I never lose things, let alone a brand new digital camera! What was even more upsetting was that the camera was holding my memory card with about 500 pictures of my friends and family! So it wasn't a good day for me... Not only did the Jets lose, but my camera was gone. I searched the car a thousand times and tried to retrace my steps throughout my day at the game. I called the stadium and asked security at the lost and found if someone picked it up. They said no (of course).  But they told me to keep calling over the next few days because they were still cleaning the stadium. And every time I called they said NO, they didn't find it. So several days later I accepted the fact that I was never going to see my camera again. Until.....

I received an email last week through News 12 titled "Jackie Lukas camera". I couldn't believe my eyes... it read....

 "Please ask Jackie Lukas to call me if she lost her camera at a Jets game on 12/30/08."

The man then left his phone number. The area code was from CONNECTICUT! I couldn't believe it! He has my camera!!! How did he know it was me?!? And how did he find me?!?

It turns out that my camera was found by the nicest, most honest man on the planet! His name is John and he's from Stratford, Connecticut. When I called him, he told me that he found my camera on the steps in the stadium and picked it up and brought it home. He said he called security at the lost and found, and they told him to drive back to New Jersey and they would hold onto it. But John told me he didn't trust that they would do the right thing. He then called Sony to see if I registered the serial number of my camera to my name and information! Of course, I didn't. After that, the camera sat at his home and was almost forgotten. Then one day he and a friend looked through some of the pictures to try and figure out whose camera it was... and they stumbled upon a picture of me in Chopper 12!!!      

 Bingo! They realized I worked for News 12. But which News 12?  And who was she? 

John said he then found a picture of me holding a Christmas present that had my name on it.   Jackie - from News 12. It was starting to come together! John looked through the websites of all seven News 12 affiliates and finally found me! That's when he emailed me the good news! He sent me my camera - and I got it in the mail a couple days later with a nice letter!  

                                              

I'm still in shock that I got my camera back. The fact that John went through all the trouble to try and piece together whose camera it was is incredible. He could have easily kept it and not looked back. Finders keepers!!! But he didn't. He did what he thought was right. I couldn't be happier. It's not often that someone - a total stranger - goes out of their way to do a good deed. And I will forever be grateful and will never forget! I can't thank him enough! Thanks again John T. from Stratford, CT!!!

Now it's my turn to pay it forward!!! I truly believe that if everyone had the integrity and selflessness like John, this world would be an EVEN better place! 

If you have any stories about you or people you know doing good deeds... I would love to hear them! :)

Snuggie Part II

by Jill Wagner

 

There are few things I like more than coming into work and seeing a present waiting for me on my desk.  And today, that was the very way I was welcomed to the station.  News 12 Long Island's Consumer Reporter and my next door cubicle buddy, Andrew Ehinger, surprised me with a brand new royal blue Snuggie.  After my last blog post about the "blanket with sleeves," Andrew happened to spot one at Bed Bath and Beyond and decided it was time I had one. 

 

So, you might be wondering--is the Snuggie all it's cracked up to be? I can tell you---it is pretty snuggly and soft!  And the sleeves are rather convenient, especially for typing on the computer and watching the news.  Sure, almost everyone who passed by my desk stopped, looked, and laughed, but at least I was warm!

 

 

 

 

The new Snuggie commercial:

"Perfect for reporters on a deadline!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then Andrew and I discovered the blanket/sweater market is surprisingly saturated. 

Consider this, in addition to the Snuggie, there's also the Slanket and the Nuddle.  Who knew?  Even more shocking, the Nuddle actually sells for 110 dollars and is recommended by celebs like Deborah Messing and Angie Harmon.  Take a look:  http://www.nuddleblanket.com/

 

Hmmmm...  Maybe if the powers-that-be at Snuggie see these pictures, they'll ask for my endorsement!    

My Dream

By Elizabeth Hashagen

 

He fulfilled the hopes and dreams of generations that lived through decades of struggle for civil rights.  

As the former Illinois Senator raised his hand and took the oath of office as the first black US President --history was made-- and witnessed by the world.   

The crowds of people- so many from Long Island-- felt the need to be there in DC-- to witness history.

"Directly in front of us is a pool that still reflects the dream of a King, and the glory of a people who marched and bled so that their children might be judged by their character's content," Obama said.

It is my child that I reflect on now-- I think this inauguration will have the biggest impact on her-- and all our children. Now our little ones will grow up in a country where a minority's political aspirations can no longer seem beyond reach. There seems to be a feeling in the air that anything is possible--

I'm only in my 30's-- so I inherited the hopes of the civil rights movement-- without having seen its confrontations. I heard the stories-- but never saw the reality first hand. But this moment's significance isn't lost on me-- it fills me now with even more hope for the future-- and dreams for my daughter's reality.

When I held my daughter Allison and watched the President walk with his wife toward the White House--I wondered if Allison could be president one day.

Black men got the right to vote when the 15th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1870, but women -- white as well as black -- had to wait 50 more years for suffrage. Now my dream is that my daughter, in her lifetime, will get to witness another historic moment-- when a woman can become the leader of the free world. That if Allison decides she wants to be President her political aspiration won't seem absurd-- it will seem attainable!

What do your children think of this moment-- Have they grasped the significance? Are they excited for their future? Let me know! 

And the Oscar goes to...

By Elisa DiStefano

And the Oscar goes to...
 we have to wait until Feb. 22nd to find out, but nominees will be announced tomorrow.
What are your picks? I recently saw Slumdog Millionaire, and I loved it. I loved the story-- the child actors were phenomenal. Call me a prude, but it was nice to see a movie without sex and nudity. In Bollywood, none of that is allowed, so the kiss on the lips was a risk. They swept all of their categories at the Golden Globes (4 awards in total) and won best movie at the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, which is known as an Oscar predictor.  I had a chance to go to the awards and was very excited to interview director Danny Boyle, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy, and breakout star (who took home the Breakthrough Performance by an Actor) Dev Patel.

Dev was adorable-- he blushed and disagreed when I called him Hollywood's new "it" boy! He joked about the strange faces he makes every time Slumdog wins an award. They were all surprised and happy that Americans embraced the film-- and they are all nervous for their premiere in Mumbai tomorrow night (which happens to be the same day the Oscars are announced).

Another possible contender is Viola Davis who starred in Doubt. She won the Breakthrough Performance by an Actress at the Board of Review, but did not win for Supporting Actress at the Globes. Where will she be tomorrow morning when the Oscar noms are announced? She said she'll be under the covers with ear plugs because she'll be so nervous! 

It was a thrill to see Clint Eastwood (who won best actor). He spoke about another possible Oscar nominee, Angelina Jolie, who he referred to as his "surrogate daughter" as well as a "great talent" and "great humanitarian".

Ann Hathaway took home best actress for her work in Rachel Getting Married. I interviewed Ann and her co-stars of Bride Wars at the NYC premiere. I asked Ann how she prepares for an awards show-- she said that she diets! She is so thin-- she does not need to! Ann was also passed over for the Golden Globe, but has a good chance of winning the Oscar.
Speaking of Bride Wars-- did you know co-writer (she also stars in the movie) June Raphael is a Long Islander? She's a Rockville Centre native, Southside High grad, and based the movie on her experience working with brides at the wedding mecca "The Coral House" in Baldwin! It was nice to see June's Long Island best friends with her on the Tiffany Blue carpet!  June is about to become a bride herself-- she is engaged to actor and fellow Long Islander Paul Scheer-- from the Human Giant. Look for June and Paul in the The Year One with Jack Black this spring.
Another Long Island movie to look out for-- Adventureland! It debuted at Sundance this week. It's written by Long Islander Greg Mottola and is based on his summer job at Adventureland! They re-created our Adventureland for the movie. It stars Twilight's Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg and Ryan Reynolds. Wouldn't it be great to have an outdoor premiere at our Farmingdale amusement park!?!?
And congrats to Stony Brook's own Kevin James! The King of Queens was King of the Box Office this weekend. Paul Blart: Mall Cop came in #1 at $38 million this weekend!

Doug Geed's video blog from Washington

By Doug Geed

[Editor's Note:  News 12 Long Island's Doug Geed is in Washington DC, reporting on the inauguration of Barack Obama.  Doug's reports will appear on News 12 Long Island all day on Inauguration Day (Tuesday).  While he's on location, Doug is also filing these Video Blogs.]

Doug Geed signing off.

Obama takes the oath.

Inauguration symbolism.

From Segregation to Inauguration: A Dream Realized

By Shari Einhorn

Wow...what a day!  I don't think it matters who you voted for -- today is a day that will change our history forever.  It is one moment in time that so many never even dared to dream about.

I watched the inauguration with a group of nearly a hundred at the Faith Baptist Church in Coram.  The room was decorated with red, white and blue tablecloths.  There were American flags hanging on the walls and being waved in the hands of children.  There were pictures of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. hanging on bulletin boards next to newspaper covers with now president Barack Obama's picture.

The room was buzzing with excitement when we walked in.  All eyes were glued to the images on tv.  For many of the men and women watching here...this was a day they never thought would happen.  Several of them grew up in the segregated South.  They told me they went to all black schools, drank from designated water fountains, ate in specific restaurants and just thought that was the way the world was.

They told me that their parents taught them at a young age where to go and where not to go...they "knew their place."

Mary Kirland Johnson grew up in South Carolina.  She went to the 5 and dime store to buy hot dogs but wasn't allowed inside to pick up the food because it was for whites only.

Mary told me "I accepted it -- I really did.  I didn't upset myself over it because I thought it was the right thing -- I didn't know any better."

But after watching the inauguration she said "It was so beautiful and inspiring.  I'm just so happy for this day and proud.  I really believe the world will be a better place.  I have high hopes."

Minnie Hamilton Wilson grew up in Florida.  She told me about walking 5 miles to school because bus transportation was only available to the white students.  She said "They would pass us on the bus and laugh and wave and throw papers."  She had one white girlfriend when she was younger and told me they used to go to the movies together...but they couldn't sit together.  "I went in my section and she went in hers."

Theodore Frederick grew up in Louisiana and told me "I'm ashamed to say it but growing up I wanted to be white -- not because I wanted to change the color of my skin but I wanted what they had."

His father was a deputy sheriff who even with his law enforcement status -- had limitations.  "He could detain whites but not physically -- couldn't put handcuffs on and couldn't touch them.  He had to call a white officer to do the job.  But he could arrest anyone colored."

If you could have seen the looks on their faces when Barack Obama took his oath of office...observed the emotion on their faces when he was announced as the 44th president of the United States and felt the energy in the room when it was all over -- you would also be saying -- Wow what a day!

I'll leave you with this quote from a man I met today.  I asked him if as a child he ever thought that one day there might be a black president.  He said "It's not that I didn't wish it.  It's not that I didn't hope for it.  It's just that they way things were -- the way we were treated -- I never thought America would allow it."

Shari

Rex To the Rescue?

By Jamie Stuart

So here we go again Jets fans.

On Wednesday morning, the Jets will cart out their lastest "savior", their latest "defensive guru" and their latest "hot assistant" when they introduce Rex Ryan as the 16th head coach in franchise history.

Call it the Mangenius part deux.  Three-plus years ago Eric Mangini was brought in because he was a bright young mind who players and colleagues raved about.  Now he's the head coach in Cleveland.

Let's hear what Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum has to say about his new prized catch:

“During our search, we were looking for a great football mind and a passionate leader,” Tannenbaum said. “Rex is a coach with an established track record who is universally respected by players and coaches for his skills as a communicator and his creativity.”

 

Where Ryan differs from Mangini is his passion.  He has been quoted as saying he doesn't possess the "silver tongue" that other coaches have.  Translation:  He calls it like it is, doesn't know what politically correct means, and will have much more engaging press conferences than his predecessor.

And for Jets fans, Ryan knows all about a guy by the name of Broadway Joe.  You see, his dad, Buddy, was on the Jets defensive staff rom 1968-1975, serving as the defensive line coach on the Super Bowl championship team in '68.

Optimism reigns supreme.  Once again the Jets grab all of the OFF-SEASON headlines.  Let's see what happens with the latest "architect". 

Hey coach, first question, what's up with Brett Favre?

 

 

 

The Snuggie

By Jill Wagner

Baby it's cold outside!  So how will you keep warm?  Extra layers?  Hats, gloves, scarves?  What about... a Snuggie?  You know, the "blanket with sleeves."The mere mention of the Snuggie and the newsroom erupts with laughter... and a little debate.  Sure, the commercial is a bit odd--almost like a Saturday Night Live skit poking fun at an infomercial--except this one is real.  And yes, the family in maroon Snuggies at the football game looks a tad monk-ish. 

But now that the temperatures are dropping into single digits, a "blanket with sleeves" doesn't seem like such a bad idea.  I could see it now: hanging out in the News 12 truck, waiting to do a live report from the scene, snow is falling outside, but we're nice and warm wrapped in a Snuggie!

I don't think I'm ready to make the leap just yet.  I'm still relying on double socks, long johns and turtle necks.  But if the weather gets any colder, you might just see me in my News 12 jacket and a snuggie on top!

On A Wing and A Prayer

By Danielle Campbell

If there was ever a reason to use that phrase--the crash of US Air Flight 1549 was it!

It was about 3:30 in the afternoon-----I was in my office and had just changed into my yoga clothes so I could make the 4:00 class down the road.  I took off all my "on air" make up and I was finishing up writing an email, a thank you card and I was on the phone.  That's when it crossed the wire--In the old days when there were teletype machines that printed out the news--bells would go off serving as a signal to the newsroom that something big has just happened in the world. 

 In the olden days--{early 90's} we would rush to the machine and see what had happened. 

Now in this computer age--a small lighting bolt appears on the top of our screens with a brief headline.  So as I was talking on the phone--doing the multi tasking thing--the lighting bolt came on--mind you it's tiny and easy to miss--all it said was "Plane down NYC."

I kept on listening to the caller, and writing my email but now had my eyes directed at the top of the screen waiting for the next bit of information. Moments later it appeared "Plane Down Hudson River".

The caller said something like--"are you there? are you listening? and I just said uh- uh -uh I got to go.

Of course  we all thought it was a small plane.

 I ran into the newsroom to see what was going on and I yelled out--who's anchoring?? 

That means--who is anchoring the breaking news--but there was so much commotion--no one responded.

They were just a little busy launching the News 12 chopper and redirecting news crew and live trucks.

{This is the worst time of the day for us to have a story of that magnitude "break"---that's because all of our reporters and cameras have been out all day long gathering news and pictures and by 3:30 everything is reaching the final stages--so it's like starting all over again with a much much tighter deadline!}

Oh and by the way--the story that just broke is about 40 miles away! {Big time Kudos to our assignment desk, crews, reporters, producers etc for making our coverage happen so well!}

I realized I was the only anchor that could get on the air--so I ripped off my yoga stuff--threw on a jacket and ran down to the studio with my make up bag. {I had none on because it was the end of my day and I was preparing to leave} 

I jumped in the seat--threw some lipstick on and said ok let's go up.  Behind the scenes--the director was in place --the producer was emailing me information----the editors were taking in any images they could get of the crash --basically everyone was scrambling!  I went up live and let viewers know what we knew and we immediately had a live picture from chopper 12!  The sight was unbelievable------

Drew Scott quickly joined me.  Drew knows his stuff--he is an aviation expert--along with Bill Korbel, who is a pilot as well as our chief meteorologist!  They were wonderful--fascinating--as they explained to our viewers how UNLIKELY it is that this plane is intact and floating on the Hudson River.

Drew described other crashes he had witnessed where a water landing was attempted but the plane ended up cart wheeling and breaking up into deadly debris!

We watched in awe as the rescue operation unfolded in front of us--shaking our heads--in disbelief.

We took calls from eyewitnesses who excitedly described what they were seeing--people floating in the water--holding onto flotation devices!

About an hour after the crash--we learned--all passengers onboard the aircraft were rescued.  Not only were they rescued--but they were going to be ok!

Later that evening the governor called it the "Miracle on the Hudson." Survivors thanked the heroic pilot for saving their lives and one man put it into perspective when he told camera crews he was headed home to kiss his daughter. 

The pilot, 57 year old Chesley Sullenberger was a fighter pilot and knew how to land planes in the water. 

I kept thinking how the heroic pilot's entire life lead to this moment.

Without the training and dedication Sullenberger gave to flying aircraft, he would have never been able to pull off this "against all odds" landing!

I bet if you asked him he would say, "I was just doing my job!"

But I would say Captain Sullenberger was the right man for the right job!

It's a miracle--absolutely! 

This landing and rescue rekindles my hope that some one up there knows what they're doing!

It served as a reminder how wonderful people are and how heroic they can be.

 And gave new meaning to the old phrase "On A Wing and A Prayer!~"

 Lea Tyrrell and Scott Feldman came on set around 5 and took over--and I went back to my desk.

There waiting for me was my half written email, the note card I was writing, phone messages, text messages and new emails.

I took off my suit jacket, put back on my yoga clothes, shut off the light and closed the door.

I got in my car and thought, isn't it amazing how life goes on...

Super Sledding Adventure

By Shari Einhorn

So, for all you adults out there...I have a question...when was the last time you went sledding?  If you haven't been for a while...might I suggest you grab one of your kids flat, plastic discs or inflatable snow tubes...get a good running start and take a dive down a snow covered hill somewhere? 

This is me to the left!! 

It's like an instant flashback to when you were a kid!!  It erases all the stress and worry about your job and your mortgage and the oil delivery -- it's amazing! 

This guy below -- my husband of course!

We took the kids and met a bunch of people at a hill near our home...along with about a hundred other parents! 

Who says kids get to have all the fun?  We took turns sitting, lying, kneeling and barreling down the hill -- screaming and laughing like ... well like kids!!

There were a few other parents heading down the hill...but most seemed content to watch the kids have a blast!  Not us! 

Every adult in our group took a turn and another and another and another...check us out!!  

Here's the one thing though...

I don't remember it being so exhausting walking up the hill when we were younger??  We lasted about 2 hours and then called it quits, because, unfortunately, we had things to do.

But I can't wait until it snows again on a day that I'm off so we can go again!!  I had a terrific time...and oh yeah...so did the kids!

Happy sledding!

Shari

Should New Yorkers have Vaccine Choice?

By Mary Mucci

For a generation, no one doubted that giving a child a vaccine was a good idea.  That’s not so now.  Too many children are damaged and we have traded infectious disease for chronic disease and disability according to Barbara Loe Fisher, President of the National Vaccine Information Center.  One in every 143 babies dies, 1 in 450 becomes diabetic,  1 in 150 becomes autistic, I in 9 suffers with asthma and 1 in every 6 is learning disabled.  That a worse record than twenty seven other countries.

 At a recent conference about vaccine choice, Fisher seemed to lay blame squarely on the more than sixty five doses of vaccines given to our children between birth and the age of 18.   Fisher says that, “Vaccination is a medical procedure performed on a healthy person which carries an inherent risk of injury or death.  That risk of harm is greater for some than others and there is no guarantee that vaccination will in fact confer immunity.”   

Dr, Larry Palevsky of East Northport took it one step further with, “Vaccines are not safe have never been proven to be safe and are not adequately tested using the highest of scientific standards we are taught to uphold, despite what we are told.”  So, is it the mercury, the aluminum, the MSG or other additives?  Dr. Palevsky said all of it and more.  We are injecting these substances right into the bloodstream of a young child with an immature immune system.

Of course there were speakers who favor the current government guidelines.  Dr. Debra Blog, the Head of the State Health Department, made it clear she thinks the current policy is just right.  “Personal belief exemptions mean more unvaccinated children, more unvaccinated children mean more disease, more disease means more hospitalizations, disabilities and death and that certainly in my mind is harm.”

Other speakers included a prominent pediatrician who also favors the current schedule.  He pointed out we are already exposed to aluminum, mercury and formaldehyde in our food and our environment….and, of course, he is right.  Vaccines are hardly the only source of the countless toxins our children are exposed to.  But parents I spoke to wonder …why increase the exposure with a vaccine when there are more natural ways to protect a child’s health.  Homeopathic remedies was the suggestion of one mom who said she’d like to pick and choose the vaccines her child will get.

I agree that New York should allow a philosophical exemption.  Eighteen other states already allow parents to opt out.  One of those is Vermont, which is considered the healthiest in the nation, despite, or perhaps because of, the lower immunization rates.  

The conference was called by state Assemblyman Mark Alessi { D 1^st Assembly district} and Richard Gottfried {D 75^th District } who is the chair of the House Health Committee. Alessi says we are beginning to identify those children who are at risk for having a bad vaccine reaction.  And because we can identify them we need to find a way to allow their parents to avoid vaccination.  But Gottfried favors making the current religious and medical waivers easier to get.  

That would be good news to Rita Palmer, who has spent the last two years fighting for her religious freedom.  She says she has been forced to vaccinate against her will to keep her boys in school.  Palmer became so incensed at her loss of religious freedom that she started a web site and a lobbying group in an effort to effect change.  If you’d like to learn more go to www.mykids,mychoice. Fortunately, none of her children have been adversely affected by vaccines.

To Your Health,

Mary

Contacts:

Rita Palmer,  parent activist

www.mykidsmychoice.com

Dr. Larry Palevsky, holistic pediatrician

[email protected]  631 262 8505 , Northport

Barbara Loe Fisher,  President of the National Vaccine Information Center

www.NVIC.org  this group has a great website,  it is not strictly anti-vaccine but rather pro vaccine safety

and vaccine choice

Paving The Way

By Virginia Huie

When Barack Obama becomes President Tuesday he will be a living testatment of the generations of African-Americans who paved the way.

People like 85-year-old Lt. Col. William Wheeler of Hempstead, who made history as a Tuskegee Airman -- one of the first African-American fighter pilots in World War II. I had the pleasure of interviewing Wheeler as he prepared for his trip to Washington to witness the historic inauguration. Wheeler told me he didn't think he'd live to see this day. Barack Obama invited Wheeler and the other 329 surviving Tuskegee Airmen to attend as honored guests.

It's Obama's way of thanking these trailblazers who fought for equal rights in the military. Wheeler was 19 when he earned his wings in the first all-black flying unit. Their job was to escort bombers and protect them from enemy fighters. But even in combat, the military was segregated. A white general called the Tuskegee airmen inferior and said they didn't have the guts to do battle. So they also had to fight prejudice from the same white pilots they were protecting. By the end of World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 16,000 missions and the Germans never shot down a bomber the Tuskegee Airmen were protecting. The Tuskegee Airmens combat record convinced the government to desegregate the military. Now, more than 60 years later, the military will answer to its first African-American commander-in-chief. Wheeler calls Obama's presidency "a miracle." Tears welled in his eyes as he reflected on the indignities he endured as a black man living in segregated times. He was forced to sit in the backs of buses, excluded from Officers' Clubs in the military, etc... simply because of the color of his skin. Wheeler said he cried again when Obama won the presidential election. This time, however, they were tears of joy. Wheeler says Obama's victory represents tolerance and change. He hopes it brings respect for people of all races. As I write this blog, Wheeler is riding a bus down to our nation's capitol. No doubt he is excited about witnessing history again. His lifetime of sacrifice and accomplishments made it possible.

The Obama Buzz

by Scott Feldman

At noon on Tuesday, history will be made on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Barack Obama will be sworn in as the nation's first African-American president. 68 year old Wilhelmina Thomas from Freeport tells me she "never thought she would see the day" that a black man would become president. She only wishes her mother and father were still alive to witness it. Joe Neek is a 25 year old shoe store clerk in Huntington Village. He says he really hopes Obama will fix the economy. To, as he puts it, "help me keep my job, help everyone keep their jobs." And right outside Joe's store, UPS driver Matt Alberici is also thinking about the economy. The Selden resident has two kids and says, "Im definitely a middle-class guy, so I definitely need as much assistance as the goverment is willing to give." Doug Wiggin, who works with the Guide Dog Foundation, wants to see Obama follow through on his campaign promise to bring home U.S. soldiers from Iraq. On that and othe pressing issues of the day, Wiggin says we've got to be patient. Change will take some time. Megan Brynes from Northport is hopeful that something will finally be done to reform the country's health care system. Meantime, mindful of what Obama has accomplished, Ms. Thomas says she's told her 9 year old grandaughter, "keep on trying, you can be anything that you want to be."

Happy Birthday Dr. King

By Colleen McVey

 What a year to celebrate Dr. King's Birthday!  First - on his real birthday, January 15th, a plane crash lands in the Hudson River and everyone walks out alive. It was the miracle everyone needed .   

And now, on the holiday we honor Dr. King - we wake up to a picture postcard Island. It is beautiful - so bright and clean - a rare winter wonderland.     

That's how I look at the week ahead. Bright and clean. A rare sight. A sign of hope.

Year after year - decade after decade - we questioned whether Dr. King's dream would ever be realized. Now, 40 years after his death, Barack Obama will be sworn-in as President and the hopeful crowds that cheer him on are a patchwork of colors and backgrounds.  Happy Birthday Dr. King!

I know the snow will melt and the skies will gray - but for now, I'm enjoying the shimmering sight for as long as it lasts.

      

Please Pass the Hot Chili

 By: Carol Silva

I spent my Sunday like many of you - with some great chips, chili (vegetarian in my case,) and some great friends. And I sat next to a Long Island plumber - Keith Orlowski.

We got to talking about how busy he's been this winter, cause it's been so cold. Keith said Saturday of the previous weekend his company had 10 emergency calls for frozen pipes by noon! Now I understand pipes freezing if a house is empty and there's no heat. But how do pipes freeze when people live there?

It seems "in the old days" - when a lot of Long Island homes were built - it made sense to builders to put the plumbing pipes on the exterior walls. Maybe they were easier to get to if there was a problem. But those were also the days when they were building homes with far less insulation. And so when temperatures plummet to around 5-degrees as they did on January 10th - the pipes in those outside walls freeze and seize. And that steam you - because it can end up costing you big bucks.

If you don't have the time or the money to make major construction changes - Keith says just leave the cabinet doors open under your sink. Or leave the faucet running the smallest bit. Running water won't freeze.

You may have just saved a $75 basic service call. Now, pass the hot chili please!

Covering Commerical Air Crashes

By Andrew Ehinger

   After yesterdays splashdown of USAirways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River I began to think about all the air disasters I've covered as a journalist. This would be the fifth commercial airliner crash that I have experienced as a reporter. Though this one has in my mind a very obvious difference - EVERYONE SURVIVED.

    Survivors and air crashes don't typically go hand in hand so a huge amount of gratitude has to go out to Flight 1549's pilot Chesley Sullenberger for his skill and quick thinking. Unfortunately, the rest of the air disaster stories I have covered haven't turned out that well.

    It was September 8th 1994. I was at my first job as a full time TV reporter at WTAJ-TV in Altoona, PA working the night shift. The flash came across the AP wire a plane had crashed outside the Pittsburgh airport.  My photographer and I immediately grabbed our gear and speed towards Hopewell Township - only about 90 minutes away. I would spend the next 3 days in a K-Mart parking lot covering the horrific crash of USAirways Flight 427.

    The next disaster wouldn't be for another 7 years and the events from that day are still raw in my memory - as they are for many Long Isanders. I watched like many on 9-11 the live video of Tower 1 burning moments after the impact of American Airlines Flight 11, then seeing United Airlines Flight 175 slam into Tower 2.  I was off from work that day.  But because I was in Manhattan that morning, I ran towards the World Trade never knowing what would happen next or how that event would launch a war. 

    The numbness of September 11th hadn't even worn off yet when 2 months later on November 12th 2001, American Airlines flight 587 crashed in Belle Harbor, Queens. Again, I was in Manhattan and could see the plume of smoke rising above Queens. I met a photographer from News 12 in Queens and I would spend the next couple days reporting on this crash.

    In all of these past crashes there were no survivors, which is what makes yesterday's ditching in the Hudson so amazing. New York Governor David Patterson summed it up  best last night when he said "We've had a miracle on 34th street -- now we have a miracle on the Hudson."

The image of all the passengers standing on the wing, floating on the emergency slides waiting for ferries and other boats to pick them up is just so incredible. It's just something I wouldn't have expected but was so pleased to help report.   It is inspiring to know that an air disaster can turn into a miracle.

 

Deep Freeze Driving Tips

Drew Scott

 You get into your car in the morning, half asleep at the wheel, you turn the key in the ignition and all you hear is "Buurrrrr Burrrurrrr Buuurrrrrurrr."

 What's the problem? You didn't check out my story on cold weather driving tips today!

 Thanks to help from AAA New York and the Auto Answer Man Steve Rozansky, we have compiled a TOP TEN list of things to do to make sure your car starts and you drive safely and without worry with the mercury dipping below freezing both day and night. You'll also avoid a costly tow by your friendly tow truck operator! 

10. Make sure you have WINTER BLEND washer fluid. If you have summer blend, it could freeze, expand and crack your fluid reservoir.

9. Check your antifreeze level in your radiator. 2 gallons of antifreeze and 2 gallons of water is the proper dilution during winter. Some drivers buy it pre-mixed. Be careful, however, cheap antifreeze tends to be over diluted and can freeze up in your radiator! Any mechanic can test your antifreeze to make sure it is the proper mix.

8. Check your tire pressure. As the temperature drops - so does your tire pressure. If that happens you are more likely to get the tire overheated and if you hit a pothole you're going to get a flat.

7. Clean off your car roof, hood and trunk of snow and ice. If you don't the snow and ice will harden and fly off your car at high speed and could temporarily blind drivers behind you, damage their cars or hurt pedestrians!

6. Check your visibility. Clean off your headlights and tail-lights of snow so you can be seen easily by other drivers.

5. Slow down, leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you. That helps you to spot potholes easily and gives you time to avoid hitting them.

4. Make sure you have a safety and first aid kit on board. It should include flares, shovel and kitty litter in case you get stuck.

3. Clean off your windshield wipers. If you're expecting a snowfall, leave the wipers in the "UP" position so they won't get stuck in the hardening snow and ice.

2. When temperatures are freezing, give your car WARM UP time. Make sure you've tuned up your car within the last 50-thousand miles. You need new spark plugs, new fuel filter and possibly new ignition wires (they wear and lose conductivity of electric over time).

1. Stay home during snow and icy cold and watch NEWS 12 LONG ISLAND!!

     

More gadgets for "The Download"

By Andrew Ehinger

    What happens in Vegas will--at least during this last trip--not stay in Vegas. You'll be seeing it  every Friday on The Download.  The Consumer Electronics Show is the worlds largest electronics show that takes up just about every square foot of convention space in Las Vegas. All of the big and small electronics companies use the show to unveil their newest gadgets that you and I will be clamoring for over the next year. Myself and a photographer just spent the last 6 days in Vegas (yeah, I wasn't complaining) checking out the hottest technology. One of the biggest trends we saw at CES were thin screen HDTV's. This is me checking out the newest offerings from Samsung.  Look closely here, those TV's are less than a inch thick. They truly look like paintings now. And Samsung has a new mounting system that will allow the TV to hug the wall. Typical mounts still keep the screen several inches out from the wall (not including the actual depth of the screen which is usually another 3-4 inches). I also got a chance to check out the new Mio Knight Rider GPS. Yep that's me sitting in KITT. I was tempted to push Turbo Boost - though KITT kept telling me not to.

 

And after looking at all that technology I got a chance to give my eyes a rest by trying on some computer monitor strain reducing glasses.

There we so many cool things at the show, and I don't really want to give too much away, but suffice to say I'll have some really interesting gadgets coming up on The Download this year. Keep an eye out every Friday beginning on The Morning show.

You also can check out some of the past Downloads on News 12.com

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Help for Homeowners

by Scott Feldman

Just got back from Willow Street in Central Islip. On just a few short blocks, there are no less than a dozen homes in foreclosure. With the owners long gone, the houses are boarded up. And the yards are in disrepair. And sadly, surrounding these houses are many long time residents. Two elderly couples have been there 30 and 40 years. Another young woman I spoke with just moved from the West Coast. Her husband is in the U.S.Army. They have a toddler son. All are frustrated about the condition of their neighborhood. They are doing their best to keep up their properties. But it saddens them to see what has happened, especially with the realization that their homes, through no fault of their own, have almost certainly declined in value. Meantime, in Washington, just a week before his inauguration, Barack Obama is pressing to have much of the remaining $350 billion in financial industry bailout funds go toward helping homeowners threatened by foreclosure. And both Democrats in the House and Senate are moving forward to use a big chunk of the funds, anywhere from $40 to $100 billion channeled into programs for modifying mortgages into affordable loans. Key lawmakers have signaled that action could be taken even before Obama raises his right hand on the steps of the Capitol next Tuesday. If not then, certainly soon afterwards. There are far too many Long Islanders facing what happened to those who once owned homes on Willow Street. Hopefully, a fresh start in Washington can provide meaningful help for them.  

Protecting Your Pipes

By Shari Einhorn

All it takes is one tiny little crack...

I'm talking about a frozen, cracked pipe inside your home.  It happens all the time.  And with temperatures expected to plummet towards the end of the week ... plumbers are gearing up for a flurry of phone calls!

A plumber I met today just told me about a homeowner in Centereach who went away for a few days -- and while they were gone -- a pipe in the attic froze and cracked. Long story short..they're looking at 80-thousand dollars in repairs.

Several years ago, I had a frozen pipe in my home!  It was in the basement -- on an exterior wall -- and we had turned the thermostat down because who needs to heat the basement while we're sleeping upstairs -- right?  Well...what followed was a day of no heat on two floors of the house and several hundred dollars in plumbing bills (luckily the pipe was frozen but not cracked)!

Then we learned about insulation...they sell foam cylinders, heat tape and fiber glass insulation that can be found at any home improvement store.  A lot of it you can do yourself.  If you're not sure -- call an expert.

Besides insulation, though, there's a lot more you can do around the house.  These tips are from RotoRooter:

-disconnect outside water hoses

-cover outside faucets

-close interior shut-off valves leading to outside faucets and drain water from the lines

-insulate pipes in unheated areas such as garages and crawl spaces

-be sure the heat is on and set no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit

And if your pipes are already frozen...

-shut off the water main leading into the structure to reduce pressure on the frozen pipes

-if the frozen pipe is exposed and visible, use a hair dryer to thaw the ice blockage...DO NOT USE AN OPEN FLAME!

-contact a professional plumber

What you do now could save you time, trouble and money down the road.  There's an expression that goes like this: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Good luck.

Shari

It's A Lot Of Bucks

By Bill Korbel

When you hear about trillion dollar government bailouts, can you even begin to comprehend how much money that really is?  For most of us, it's impossible, which may be exactly what the government wants.  Million, billion, trillion.  They all sound the same and all end in "illion".  If you write out the numbers it starts to make an impact.  Instead of saying one trillion dollars, how about writing $1,000,000,000,000.00.   It starts to look impressive, but still essentially incomprehensible.  Try this.  Start counting dollar bills.  Count one every second.  In one year you will have counted $31,536,000.  It would take 27.4 years counting day and night to get to 1 billion.  One trillion would take 27,400 years.  Change the dollar bills to hundreds and it would still take 274 years of counting.

Still, I don't think this makes a big enough impact.  Lets look at a more visual way of comprehending one trillion dollars.  For this I thank the web site 87billion.com.  They did most of the calculations for me, thereby saving me a lot of time.

One dollar is roughly 6" long and 2 1/2" wide.  If you place six together they are about the size of a standard 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of paper.

   

$3,000 is the size of a ream of paper (500 sheets)

  

Now, lets start piling these stacks of $3,000 on each other.  $9 million dollars would be a pile of dollar bills 10 feet long, 6 1/4 feet wide and 5 feet tall

So, how big a pile would one trillion dollars make?  How about something 125 feet wide, 250 feet long and 1,350 feet tall.  That's taller then the Empire State Building.  Stacked one on top of another the pile of dollar bills would be 59,664 miles tall.  That's 1/4th of the way to the Moon.  That, my friends, is what a trillion dollars really is. Keep that picture in mind as you hear more about our fiscal mess and maybe it'll make some sense to those of us who live in the real world.

Helping Those Who Helped You

By Bob Wolff

I've been sitting in on meetings with high school coaches and athletic directors who are cutting schedules, shifting teams to new leagues to cut travel costs, and reduce the charge for buses and drivers. Some schools may not have sufficient resources to keep teams playing.

Meanwhile I'm reporting on the fantastic contracts being given to major league stars. Last month, the Yankees finalized a contract with CC Sabathia, giving the pitcher 23 million for seven years, totaling a record 161 million. If CC can get this, more power to him and his family.

All these stars developed their talents in high schools. Now their schools need help. This can be furnished by all players making a million or more each year if they voluntarily would give one percent of their fortune each season back to their high school.

The Players Association may not agree, but agents can write this one percent clause into player contracts with the clubs.

I don't believe in telling others how to spend their money, but this is more than public relations, it's human relations.

I'm Bob Wolff and that's my Point of View.

Belly Dancing for Infertility?

By Mary Mucci

Belly dancing is not just fun…it’s a great workout.  But I wanted to report on it because our current epidemic of infertility makes me think that a return to belly dancing just might be what many modern day women need. I have not seen any research on this topic.  But knowing what I do about natural health and the importance of energy flow, it just makes sense.  You could argue that other forms of exercise would help too, but none target a woman’s uterus like belly dancing.  The shake and shimmy are both toning and cleansing, according to instructor Roni Yaari  of  Inner Spirit Yoga {www.innerspirityoga.com}. She has been teaching belly dancing for four years now.  The response was so enthusiastic that she formed a dance troupe that performs at weddings and business functions.   

There is no definitive history that I could find.  There are theories about it’s value throughout the centuries and dancers argue about the sexual verses the healing aspects of the dance.

But what does it matter?  Clearly, it is sensual and clearly it is healing.  How sexy it may be is up to the dancer.

So enjoy….I certainly did.

To Your Health,

Mary

Contacts: 

Roni Yaari,  belly dancing instructor

Inner Spirit Yoga Center of East Northport

631.262.YOGA
[email protected]

Exercise Caution

By Norm Dvoskin

Why are TV Meteorologists always telling people what to do? "The roads are extremely hazardous... be sure to exercise caution!" "There will be scattered showers today so keep your umbrella handy." I expect a few afternoon thunderstorms. "Keep your eye on the sky." Actually, this could be quite dangerous when driving. "It’s hot and sticky today. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids." Think about it--drinking solids could be very uncomfortable. I once tried to drink a steak and almost choked. Where does it end? Perhaps we should also provide marital advice and tips on dieting?

If I say, "It’s minus 20 degrees and the wind is 35 miles an hour" and you want to stroll outside in your underwear, that’s your business. My job is to tell people about the weather, not tell them how to run their lives. I always give the viewing public credit for making the correct weather related decision once they’ve heard the forecast. They don’t need advice from a meteorologist. Most of us aren’t that smart.

Telling people what to do may also get me into trouble. Let’s say, it’s a miserable Saturday night, it’s cold and nasty and the roads are slippery. I could say something like, "Stay home tonight, it’s dangerous just being outdoors." The viewer now cancels his restaurant reservation and stays home to watch a TV movie. The owner of the establishment loses money, has to lay off his staff and possibly close his doors. Could I be sued?

Suppose July 4^th is near and I predict a miserable weekend. I tell people that "they’re better off if they stay home and read a book or go shopping." Based on my suggestion, the viewers now change their plans to go to the East End. Would I get a lawyer’s letter from Gurney’s? Suppose my forecast was incorrect, (it’s hard to believe this could happen). Now both sides would be mad at me.

My advice to meteorologists: Stick to the weather.

No Digital TV??

By Lea Tyrrell

The economic crisis is being felt in almost every aspect of our lives, and now it's even

threatening to mess with our television.

On February 17th, the nation's broadcasters are scheduled to stop transmitting in analog in favor of digital.  No doubt by now you've seen one of the numerous public service announcements reminding you constantly of the big changeover.  The government's actually been warning us about it since 2005.   That's when Congress approved the digital shift.  It frees up chunks of wireless spectrum to be used for emergency response networks and commercial services.  By auctioning off this spectrum, the government has raised about $19 billion. 

The change is a big deal that could negatively affect millions of people.  It's estimated that as many as 8 million U-S households that rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air channels could be blacked out.

But the Commerce Department has RUN OUT OF MONEY for coupons to subsidize digital converter boxes.  If you don't have cable or satellite service or a TV with a digital tuner you'll need a converter box to get a picture on an old analog set.  Some people may even need a special antenna to go along with that converter box, and critics complain the government is not doing anything to subsidize the antenna which could cost between $75 and $150.

So now the incoming Obama administration is calling for Congress to DELAY the February 17th analog shutoff!  Plus the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission believes the government isn't  prepared for the transition and the avalanche of help that's going to be needed once the changeover takes place.  Many experts believe the viewing public is not properly educated about the switch and how it might affect them, and won't realize it until AFTER they turn on their TV sets next month and find out they have no picture.

The good news is that won't be a problem for you.  As long as you have Cablevision service, you will be unaffected by the change whenever it takes place.  Whether it's from a digital cable box or even just a cable TV wire plugged into the back of your television, you'll continue to enjoy your favorite television programs, including News 12, without interruption.