Around The Block! - Community News from Patchogue.com

Patchogue Medford High School Key Club Raises Funds For St Jude Children's Research Hospital

2011-01-29T17:16:00.000-05:00

Over $900 was raised by the Patchogue Medford High School Key Club for the hospital and convention expenses of the club. The Club sponsored its 3rd Annual Variety Show with over 30 student participants with musical performances and dance acts. Shown here is the entire cast and crew of the event with over 30 participating. Included in the talent was School Idol winner, Megan Nugent who sang a powerful rendition of "Everything Is Coming Up Roses". Key Club President, Kristina Heiffron, led her club members by identifying a needy charity and then rallying everyone into completion of the project. The Key Club School Advisor is Dr. Robert Borowski who is also a member of Kiwanis. Key Club International is the largest and oldest high school student service club in the world. Its mission is to provide opportunities by providing service, building character and developing leadership. The Patchogue Medford High School Key Club is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Patchogue.

Suffolk County Red Light Safety Program

2011-01-29T16:37:00.000-05:00

Suffolk County’s Red Light program is a safety program focused on changing driver behavior at red light intersections through a comprehensive effort involving engineering, education and enforcement. The Suffolk County Red Light Safety program uses automated enforcement to enhance the safety of motorists at red light intersections located within Suffolk County. Here a link to the FAQ's http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/redlight/faq.html

The Scrap Yard Indicator: Gershow Recycling Sees Economy Continuing Slow Improvement in 2011

2011-01-24T17:33:00.001-05:00

Housing Sector Still a Major Drag on a Local Economy Increasingly Dependent on Service Industries
Kevin Gershowitz, President, Gershow Recycling, says he is optimistic his company will see continued business improvements this year as the new tax law will give consumers more money to buy new cars and durable goods, as well as to make home improvements. However, he predicts that the housing market will continue to be a drag on the local economy as home sales and home improvements, while improving, are far off the mark from pre-recession levels.
The new tax law that went into effect continues the tax cuts from the previous presidential administration and the homeowner’s deduction on their mortgage insurance premiums throughout 2011. The law also cuts the payroll tax from 6% to 4% in 2011. The tax cuts will put more money in people’s pockets, helping them purchase new appliances and other durable goods. “This means more scrap metal should be brought in to the yards,” Mr. Gershowitz said. “As people make more durable goods purchases or home improvements, we’ll be one of the first industries to feel the impact as old appliances are brought in to be recycled. A scrap metal recycling plant is a great place to go to see how the economy is performing.”
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) estimated new car sales in 2010 to be 11.5 million vehicles, compared to 10.4 million vehicles purchased last year, but lower than 2008’s figure of 13.2 million. NADA sees the upward trend continuing into 2011. “When a new car is purchased, an older vehicle is taken off the road,” Mr. Gershowitz said. “As more people buy new cars, we’ll see more old cars coming in to be recycled.”
Feeling confident in the economy, businesses spent 16% more on durable goods — such as computers, automobiles and machinery — in November 2010, compared to November 2009, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Consumers also expressed confidence as household appliance purchases in November 2010 increased 3.8% over October 2010, according to the Commerce Department.
“When companies and individuals buy more durable goods, then the older products come to our scrap yards,” Mr. Gershowitz said. “The increase in durable good purchases shows that the economy is improving. We are hopeful that durable goods sales will continue to improve, with consumers having more money to spend and the employment picture beginning to show some improvement.”
While the housing market has improved, it continues to take a toll on the local economy. Multiple Listing Services of Long Island data showed closings on home sales in Nassau and Suffolk declined in November 2010 by 36.6% and 33%, respectively, compared to November 2009.
“The lackluster housing market continues to be a drag on the local economy, considering how dependent it is on service industries, such as real estate, home improvement and finance,” Mr. Gershowitz said. “To make matters worse, we feel that business for many contractors remains slow and some of them have left the industry. We see this in our metal shops, with far fewer home improvements being done, compared to pre-recession levels. Most of the activity continues to be necessary repairs, rather than major home improvements.”
As the recession hit in 2007 and 2008, Gershow, like most other businesses, tightened its belt by cutting back on overtime and its Saturday hours. But, in maintaining a long-term, optimistic view of the global economy and making itself well-positioned during such economic circumstances, Gershow did not have one single layoff. In fact, the company looked upon the recession as an opportunity to expand in a down market, opening locations in Huntington Station in November 2007 and Freeport in May 2010. It also pushed forward on its modernization program, recently coming to an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority, resulting in the electrification of Gershow’s Medford facility.

“We have been in business for more than 45 years, so we have seen the economy at its highs and its lows,” Mr. Gershowitz continued. “The economy is very cyclic, especially in the steel recycling business. This is not our first recession and this will not be our last. We are optimistic that the housing and home improvement sectors will continue to improve this year.”
For more information, call Gershow Recycling at (631) 289-6188, or visit www.gershow.com.

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Started in 1964 by Sam Gershowitz, Gershow Recycling began as a two man operation with a tractor and trailer, a boom truck and the first portable car flattener. Now with the second generation carrying on the legacy, Gershow generates over 750 jobs, contributing millions of dollars to local economy, while helping to preserve Long Island’s environment. Gershow Recycling takes aluminum, brass, copper, steel, cast iron, appliances, cars and vehicles. In keeping with its philosophy of “Preserving the Future by Recycling the Past,” Gershow Recycling purchases scrap metal that would have otherwise wound up in local landfills, and turns them into high-quality scrap products for recycling. The company produces both ferrous and non-ferrous products.

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration at the Gallery at 40 South

2011-01-12T15:54:00.000-05:00

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration at the Gallery at 40 South You are invited to a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Celebration for Gallery at 40 South, 40 South Ocean Avenue, Patchogue on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. Please join us and see this new art gallery and enjoy some refreshments. Come and congratulate Rachel Ferzola, the owner.

Community Forum

2011-01-05T07:06:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, January 5, 2010, 7:30 pm, Community Forum Topic: The Future of the Four Corners intersection of Main Street and North & South Avenues, Patchogue. Share your ideas and opinions on this project in an open and welcoming environment. Join Patchogue First at the Elks Club, Oak Street in Patchogue on January 5th, 2011 @ 7:30 pm. The title is "New Year, New Patchogue: the future of the historic 4 corners."

Our Nation’s Highest Honor – Awarded to the Patchogue-Medford Library

2010-11-18T13:11:00.001-05:00

The National Medal for Museum and Library Service is the nation’s highest honor for libraries and museums. The award celebrates libraries and museums that make a difference for individuals, families, and communities. Medal winners are selected from nationwide nominations for institutions that demonstrate innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. The ten institutions honored this year serve communities in both large cities and small towns, with users of all ages. The winners are representative of the great diversity of U.S. libraries and museums and include history, children’s, art, and science museums, a botanical garden and public libraries. They all share the common bond of having achieved extraordinary success at reaching out to the communities they serve in effective and inventive ways.

The Patchogue-Medford Library got its start in the late 1880s with just 635 books in the side room of a shoe store. Then adopted by Sorosis, a national women’s suffrage organization, and later funded by Andrew Carnegie, the library has gone through numerous iterations during its more than one hundred-year history. Yet through these years of change and growth, the mission of the library has remained focused on what it sees as the ultimate goal for all Patchogue and Medford citizens: literacy. Basic literacy, information literacy, and life skills literacy drive the programming at the library, making it an indelible part of its community.

Patchogue-Medford Library is about literacy in all its forms, from reading books to reading one

another. And through its tireless work, the library is poised to play an important role in the lives of its citizens for another hundred years.

In addition to the National Medal, which will be awarded in an upcoming Washington, D.C. ceremony, each institution receives a $10,000 award and a visit from StoryCorps. StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 30,000 interviews from more than 60,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folk life Center at the Library of Congress. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, together with the National Museum and Library Services Board, is proud to congratulate the winners of the 2010 National Medals for Museum and Library Service. The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture and knowledge, and to enhance learning and innovation. To learn more about the Institute and the award visit www.imls.gov/news/2010/111610.shtm

Long Island Head Start Thanks TEQ for SMART Boards Donation to LIHS Patchogue Center

2010-09-01T15:19:00.001-04:00

PATCHOGUE, NY: Sept 1 - Long Island Head Start has received a generous donation from Teq, one of the largest resellers of SMART BoardTM interactive whiteboards in North America. The Farmingdale based company graciously donated six SMART Boards and one SMART Table to the Long Island Head Start center in Patchogue. Teq also donated professional training so that staff members and administrators will be able to maximize their use of the SMART Boards and introduce Head Start parents to the interactive whiteboards.

We are deeply appreciative of Teq's generosity. Teq's donation of Smart Boards to our Patchogue center will bring our children closer to the same pre-school experience as mainstream Long Island pre-schoolers, which is central to our overall mission, noted Debrah Garcia, CEO and Executive Director of Long Island Head Start.

We are also bringing parents into the use of SMART Boards as a means of developing their own job skills. Many of them have limited educational skills and backgrounds, so it is important that we teach them how to use the boards. This is yet another way that Head Start works to help the entire family reach self-sufficiency.

The SMART Board interactive whiteboard combines touch control with the power of a computer, literally placing the world at your finger tips. The large interactive display connects to a computer and projector, allowing the computer's desktop to be projected onto the board's surface. Digital ink notes can be written and saved to share later or can be erased, while objects can be moved and applications are controlled by simply touching or writing on the board's surface with a finger. The SMART Board also works seamlessly with common applications such as web browsers, Microsoft Office suite, and Adobe Acrobat. Interactive whiteboards are typically mounted to a wall or floor stand and are primarily used in classrooms, although more recently they've made their way into corporate board rooms, training rooms for professional sports teams, and even in hospitals.

Organizations like LI Head Start can't do it alone. They need the help of their surrounding community to succeed, and we?re proud to be a part of that, says Teq CEO, Rob Sugarman. "We've helped thousands of schools create an interactive learning environment, and we're thrilled to offer these pre-schoolers and their families the same technology and learning experiences found in the public school system and beyond.

For children who are growing up in a world dominated by personal computers, smart phones and all things digital, a traditional chalk board is a relic from a past age. It?s hard for them to relate to a surface that neither moves nor interacts with other media.

The donation of SMART Boards will also have a strong impact on the parents of Long Island Head Start children and was an equally important part of Teq?s decision to make the donation. The Patchogue Head Start Center Manager Lina Ortiz and Head Start staff members will work with parents during evenings to train them on the SMART Boards use, as well as incorporating the SMART Boards into parent meetings so that they may see how the boards are used in the classroom.

About Long Island Head Start: Long Island Head Start is a private, nonprofit federally funded organization that works in collaboration with community agencies to provide the needed services, referral and resources for over 1,650 low income children and families in Suffolk County. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive learning environment for children respectful of their cultures and to assist families in reaching self-sufficiency through the combined efforts of parents, community and staff. For more information, visit www.liheadstart.org or contact Tiffany Young at 631-758-5200.

About Teq: Teq is the nation?s largest provider of interactive classroom technology and support services. We offer educators the complete technology solution, from SMART products and digital content to installation services and technical support. In addition, our Training division offers a wide range of professional development courses and mentoring programs designed to help schools make the most of their technology purchase. Teq is headquartered in Farmingdale, New York and online at www.Teq.com .

McPeak's Assisted Living Offers Cost-Effective Option for Independent Seniors

2010-08-26T21:43:00.003-04:00

James McPeak, Owner, McPeak's Assisted Living, says assisted living for senior citizens proves to be more economical than staying in the home or renting an apartment. Assisted living still provides the independence that many senior citizens desire, but at a fraction of the cost.

The Assisted Living Federation of America reports that the median cost of a private one-bedroom apartment in an assisted living facility in 2010 is $2,575 per month. Prices can range from $800 to more than $4,000 a month, depending on the size of the unit, the location and services offered. More often than not, senior citizens or their families pay the cost of having the assisted living facility, although some facilities offer financial assistance programs. Medicare currently does not cover assisted living care and few states are authorized to utilize Medicaid waivers to help families pay for care.

One expenditure that gets overlooked in the equation is food. According to the U.S. Labor Consumer Expenditure Survey, in 2008, adults ages 65 and over spent $4,682 annually on food. In addition, with the price of wheat and milk having gone up over the past few years, many seniors have restricted their purchases to food at home rather than going out to a restaurant.When figuring out the numbers, the cost of an assisted living facility is favorable compared to living at home. Seniors who live at home must buy their own food and pay the mortgage or rent, utilities (phone, cable, heat, electricity) and, if applicable, home health care. For those living in a condominium, the cost may be higher because of maintenance fees. In order to save money, many seniors living at home have to cut back on social activities and entertainment.Assisted living can be a great solution for people who do not require the full services of a nursing home and offer a less expensive alternative to home health care. They also allow seniors to save on the expense and hassle of owning and maintaining a home.

For assisted living facilities such as McPeak's, the monthly cost includes food, utilities, housekeeping and on-site personal care. There are no additional out-of-pocket expenses for the residents or their families to pay.

For more information, call McPeak's Assisted Living at (631) 475-0445 or visit www.mcpeaks.com

About McPeak's Assisted Living - Founded in 1956 by James and Katherine McPeak, both Registered Nurses, McPeak's is an assisted living facility that provides outstanding service, at reasonable cost, to adults and the elderly based on the philosophy that it is a community responsibility to preserve the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of our elderly and infirm residents. Residents live in a comfortable home-like setting in a former mansion first built in 1924 that has been updated to include numerous safety features and modern amenities. Smoke and fire protection systems and a new elevator provide a safe alternative to living alone. Supervision is handled by a trained staff for 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Activities, specialized diets and medication management are also provided."McPeak's Assisted Living is a great value because you, the resident, or your loved one receives the benefit of the optimal level of healthcare in this setting," Mr. McPeak said. "Combined with the attention and personal care given by the trained staff and the heartfelt empathy of the administration, McPeak's is an unparalleled choice as an assisted living residence in a boutique-style setting."

Utopia Home Care Offers Free Caregiver Training at Patchogue Office on September 8

2010-08-26T21:34:00.002-04:00

A Community Service to Help you Care for your Aging, Ailing or Disabled Loved Ones

Patchogue, NY – Utopia Home Care, Inc. announced today that it will hold its free caregiver training classes at its Patchogue office as a community service, on Wednesday, September 8. The classes will be held at 116 E. Main Street, Suite D, Patchogue, NY. Utopia offers its classes free to help the public meet the needs of the area’s growing aging and disabled populations. Increasingly, the public is turning to home health care agencies, or sometimes choosing to take on caretaking responsibilities themselves, or a combination of both, rather than have their family member be cared for in nursing homes or other facility.
“There is a steadily growing need to teach people the skills required to take on the responsibilities of being a caregiver for members of their own family,” said Diane Martinez, Executive Vice President, Utopia Home Care. “Our goal as a company is to allow patients to be cared for at home, rather than at a nursing home or other facility. Most people prefer the comforts and familiar surroundings of their own home. Providing free caregiver training is an extension of that mission and will help to ensure that caregivers have the necessary training to properly address the home health care needs of their loved ones.”
Four topics will be covered:Session 1 9:30 - 11:00am Ambulating with a person, cane, or walker Session 2 11:00 - 12:30pm Transfers: bed to wheelchair and back, wheelchair to toilet and backSession 3 1:30 - 3:00pm Turning and Positioning, skin & incontinent care, and use of bedpan and urinal Session 4 3:00 - 4:30pm Use of a Hoyer Lift * Please note that the purpose of the training is to gain personal skills. No certificates will be given. Scheduled dates are subject to change. Classes are monthly and are rotated among five of Utopia’s six Long Island locations. Please call to register for a training class and directions. Caregivers can attend one, or more, or all the sessions. For Utopia’s other five office locations on Long Island and information about the free caregiver training program, as well as job opportunities at Utopia Home Care, contact (631) 654-8006, or visit www.utopiahomecare.com.

Gershow Recycling Donates $2,000 for Play for Peace Soccer Tournament

2010-08-26T21:30:00.000-04:00

Gershow Recycling sponsored and donated $2,000 to help defray the costs of putting on the second annual Play for Peace/Jugando Por La Paz Soccer Tournament, which was held July 31 at the Patchogue-Medford Youth Soccer Complex in Medford.

Approximately 400 spectators came to this free event. Ten teams participated in the tournament. In the championship game, the Medford Pita House defeated the Hidalgos.

The goals of Play For Peace were to bring together diverse nationalities within the community for a full day of World Cup-style soccer and to use sports as a way for people from different ethnic backgrounds to find common ground. This year’s tournament was organized by the office of Suffolk County Legislator Jack Eddington.
“Gershow Recycling was pleased to support the village of Patchogue and Legislator Eddington in their efforts to build community bonds and understanding through sports,” said Kevin Gershowitz, President, Gershow Recycling.

Photo Caption: Pictured (left to right): Paul Bressler, Coach/Organizer, Hidalgos; Joff Sahin, Owner, Medford Pita House; Gail Shafer, Team Coordinator, Patchogue-Medford Congress of Teachers; Brookhaven Town Clerk Patricia Eddington; Robert Calarco, Chief of Staff, Office of Suffolk County Legislator Jack Eddington and Organizer, Play For Peace/Jugando Por La Paz Soccer Tournament; Suffolk County Legislator Jack Eddington; Kevin Gershowitz, President, Gershow Recycling; Ashley Beard, a graduate of Patchogue-Medford High School who sang the “Star Spangled Banner” before the start of the tournament; her mother; and Jerry Bonfiglio, Senior Pastor, Patchogue Church of the Nazarene.
For more information, call (631) 289-6188 or visit www.gershow.com Started in 1964 by Sam Gershowitz, Gershow Recycling began as a two man operation with a tractor and trailer, a boom truck and the first portable car flattener. Now with the second generation carrying on the legacy, Gershow generates over 750 jobs, contributing millions of dollars to local economy, while helping to preserve Long Island’s environment. Gershow Recycling takes aluminum, brass, copper, steel, cast iron, appliances, cars and vehicles. In keeping with its philosophy of “Preserving the Future by Recycling the Past,” Gershow Recycling purchases scrap metal that would have otherwise wound up in local landfills, and turns them into high-quality scrap products for recycling. The company produces both ferrous and non-ferrous products.

The New Patchogue YMCA nears Completion with the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Scheduled for August 27th, 2010.

2010-08-04T12:36:00.002-04:00

Each day on my way to work I drive pass the construction site of the new Patchogue YMCA or “The Y” as everyone seems to be referring to it. I can’t help but to marvel at how fast this 54,000 sq. ft. building is rising above tree tops on the Waverly Avenue spur. After meeting and touring the facility a number of weeks ago with Executive Director, Donna Boyle, this hasn’t been a fast process at all. The Patchogue “Y” is twenty years from concept to completion which is expected later this month.

For over 150 years this charitable, not-for-profit, community-based organization has been dedicated to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities through programs that develop healthy spirit, mind and body. The New Patchogue “Y” houses a six-lane, twenty-five yard pool, three locker rooms (ladies, men’s and one for the family), a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and sports classes, a full day child care wing, a ‘drop-in’ teen center – complete with computer lab, lounge, game section and supervision, a wellness center with cardio, strength training and free weight equipment, an elevated 3-lane running/walking/jogging track with a amazing view and a new Adventure Zone complete with a two-story rock climbing wall.

Due to many great benefactors this concept will be a reality and I hope to celebrate and express my gratitude with the rest of the community at the ribbon cutting ceremony, Friday, August 27th 11am, at 255 West Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772. Save the date, come down and tour the new facility, enjoy refreshments following the ceremony and review the new programs, for more info visit http://www.ymcali.org/ or call 631-289-4440 and ask for Laura.

Around the Block! - Community News from Patchogue.com

2010-07-14T13:22:00.001-04:00

Patchogue has it all, and so much more is coming our way check out what's new. http://www.patchogue.com/photos2010.htm