Page 34 October 25, 2013
DAN’S PAPERS
danspapers.com
NEWS BRIEFS Compiled by kelly laffey
LIRR Extends Service The Best “Best Of” Ever to Greenport GREENPORT: Getting to the North Fork to check out the fall foliage and harvest festivities just got easier, as the LIRR has extended its weekend service to Greenport through Thanksgiving weekend. The service investment, which was proposed at an August 2013 public hearing, extends weekend service on the Ronkonkoma Branch to and from Greenport for approximately 10 weeks. Prior to the proposal, weekend Greenport service ran from Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day Weekend; it now runs from early May and into November of each year. “Throughout my career I have fought for Suffolk’s East End residents to insure access to services,” said Senator Kenneth LaValle. “The restoration of service re-establishes access for residents as well as visitors to Suffolk County’s scenic East End.” Those who want to visit the North Fork’s wineries and farm stands can take a 10:35 a.m. or 3:37 p.m. train from the Ronkonkoma station to Greenport and a 1:11 p.m. and 6:11 p.m. to return “The LIRR understands the importance of access to the East End for its customers,” said LIRR President Helena E. Williams. “Fall has become a very popular season on the North Fork. We’re glad we can provide the extra service for our customers.” Visit events.DansPapers.com to plan your North Fork weekend!
Save the Date! FARHAMPTON: “How I Met Your Mother” is in the thick of its ninth and final season, and there’s an East End twist–the whole season takes place over the course of one weekend, as Barney Stinson and Robin Scherbatsky prepare to get married in the Hamptons (the fictional hamlet of Farhampton). Fans of the show may have caught Ted reading an issue of Dan’s Papers last season. Check out page 36 for our Dan’s Papers wedding guide.
EAST END: Voting for the 2013 Dan’s Best of the Best competition ended at 11:59:59 p.m. on October 24, and it proved to be a recordsetting event. More than 400,000 votes were cast as the 1500-plus nominees vied for recognition among the vast number of readers who turned out to tell us who they think are tops among businesses on the East End. Final counts are now being tallied, and all winners will be announced in the November 8 edition of Dan’s Papers and online at DansPapers.com. Honorees will be invited to attend the annual awards celebration, held this year on Nov. 15 at Suffolk Theater in Riverhead.
LI Aquarium to Offer Free Admission Friday in November
RIVERHEAD: Fins up for free aquarium admission! Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center will give thanks to its hometown by offering free admission for Riverhead township residents every Friday in November. “We want to acknowledge and express gratitude to our hometown,” explains owner Joe Petrocelli. “Offering free admission is just a small way of saying ‘thank you’ for the past 13 years.” The special no-cost Aquarium admission rate applies to Town of Riverhead residents only, who must show proof of residency upon entry. Residents of Riverhead, Wading River, Jamesport, Aquebogue, Laurel, Calverton, Baiting Hallow, Northville and parts of Manorville all qualify for the fin-tastic deal. The aquarium, which opened in 2000, features one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in the northern hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, numerous touch tanks and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, including Shark Dive, Pirate Snorkel Adventure, Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat and Sea Lion Kiss.
The Golden Eagle Reopens on Newton Lane in East Hampton EAST HAMPTON: Known as the oldest artist supplier in the Hamptons, The Golden Eagle has returned to East Hampton in a new, Newtown Lane location. The shop had been closed since September 24. Located directly across from the East Hampton Middle School, the new Golden Eagle, which opened its doors on Friday, will feature the supplies and gifts local artists, hobbyists and children had enjoyed buying at the old location. Unfortunately there is no longer room for classes, but art exhibitions will likely continue.
Brown Tide Returns to Long Island LONG ISLAND: Brown Tide, which can be devastating for hard clams and other shellfish, has returned to Long Island. Monitoring by the Gobler Laboratory at Stony Brook Southampton reveals that a brown tide, which began during September, has intensified this month to nearly 1,000,000 cells per milliliter in central Great South Bay, as of Oct. 8. Densities over 200,000 cells per milliliter were also present in western Great South Bay, Moriches Bay, Quantuck Bay and Shinnecock Bay. Densities above 50,000 cells per milliliter can be harmful to marine life. “The occurrence of a fall brown tide is not uncommon, particularly after a summer with a dense and widespread brown tide,” said Christopher Gobler, Professor of Marine Biology at Stony Brook Southampton. The occurrence of brown tide in the fall can be problematic for shellfish, as the season is a key period of ‘conditioning’ for clams. When presented with the right food during the fall, they are more likely to have a successful reproductive season the following spring. When presented with an extended brown tide, the next generation of clams may fail. How much this brown tide effects condition may depend on how long it persists.