Beginning this Wednesday, the “Shack in the Back” at Cynthia Rowley Montauk will feature stylish clothing, accessories, and home wares from Smith and Butler.

Surfer favorites like Rainbow sandals and Dali espadrilles will be on stock along with unique Aztec inspired jewelry. Printed scarves and Smith and Butler logo tees will be available as well.

Smith and Butler opened their doors to an admiring Brooklyn crowd in 2008. The history of the neighborhood is a major influence on the products sold as well as the interior of the store.

Inspiration is drawn from the local carriage houses of the 1900s, the butcher shops of the 1940s, and the local pharmacies of the 1960s. Art created by local Brooklyn artisans is featured amongst vintage motorcycles and rare antiques.

The Smith and Butler shop will be open at Cynthia Rowley Montauk from Wednesday, August 17th until Thursday, September 1st, so please join us for the kickoff this Saturday from 6pm to 8pm. See you then!

New York – Put on the leathers and jump on the hog to raise donations for autism research at the AML Bikers for Charity Ride.

Taking off on Monday, June 13, the ride will start in Rockville Center, NY and wind along the coast to the Montauk Lighthouse. The 100 mile ride will raise awareness and donations for the Autism Science Foundation (ASF) which funds critically-needed research to discover the causes of autism and to develop new, better treatments for kids, teens and adults with autism spectrum disorders.

Volunteer ride organizer Barry Koch has selected ASF as a beneficiary for the second year in a row. This ride has raised thousands of dollars for outstanding charities over the years. “It is an honor to ride in the name of raising awareness about autism. We’re hoping for a big group and to raise lots of money for the cause.”

ASF President Alison Singer will jump on as a passenger to help raise funds, “Am I scared? In a word, YES! But not as scared as I am that we are not funding autism research fast enough,” Singer said. “Having just returned from the International Meeting for Autism Research, I am more optimistic than ever that we are on our way to finding new treatments for autism, but there is still a lot of work ahead of us and we need your help.”

To register for the ride email amlbikersforcharity@gmail.com and to make a donation to support an individual rider visit https://ssl.charityweb.net/autismsciencefoundation/activities/search.htm. Remember that many employers have matching-gift programs which can double or triple the impact of a donation. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, ASF is eligible for many matching-gift programs of corporations, foundations and other organizations.

The Autism Science Foundation (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Its mission is to support autism research by providing funding to scientists and organizations conducting autism research. ASF also provides information about autism to the general public and serves to increase awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the needs of individuals and families affected by autism. To learn more or to make a donation visit www.autismsciencefoundation.org.

It is a beautiful area. I can almost smell the sea, feel the breeze on my face and the sand between my toes.

The ceremony included a formal presentation by David Cone, the former New York Yankees perfect game pitcher and honorary chairman of the Ride for Life Foundation, who officially announced the new name of Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence. A New York State Proclamation was jointly presented by Assemblymen Steve Englebright and Mike Fitzpatrick; and personal congratulations from Senator John J. Flanagan, whose daughter and son were taught by Pendergast at Dickinson Avenue School in East Northport.

Dorine Gordon, President and CEO, ALS Association, Greater New York Chapter, recognized Pendergast and his family as integral to the mission of the ALS Association in advancing treatment for ALS patients and seeking a cure. She cited Chris as one of the impetuses behind the national ALS registry, which officially started October 19, 2010. Concluding the ceremony, a Pendergast family friend, Mary Timons, performed a beautiful rendition of “Angels Among Us” to a time honored slide show of Pendergast’s life, before and after ALS.

“This is a wonderful and very special honor. I accept it with much humility and deep appreciation,” said Pendergast, in a written speech on the ALS Center being named for him. Because speaking is difficult for Chris, and he often needs a ventilator to breathe, the speech was delivered verbally with the assistance of his son, Buddy, his daughter, Melissa Scali, and his wife Christine. “What a remarkable chance life has given me. Friends, I know you share the belief that beating ALS is work worth doing,” he expressed, surrounded by his entire family, friends, Stony Brook leadership, physicians and nurses of the ALS treatment team, and elected officials.

Being the recipient of such a gift is a role reversal for Chris. For the past 17 years, he has been the one giving the gifts to those with ALS. Each May, on behalf of his Ride for Life Foundation and accompanied by other patients and supporters, he makes a power wheelchair ride of more than a hundred miles from Montauk to Manhattan’s Columbia University. New York Yankees legend Lou Gehrig, an ALS sufferer, went to Columbia. Through the Ride, Chris has raised well in excess of $3.5 million for ALS research and patient services.

“There are the 50 patients from the Ride who have fallen, unable to make it to the finish line,” Pendergast continued. “There are scores of friends, hundreds of supporters and countless well wishers. What I am today is the result of all their efforts. I am an ordinary man, thrust into an unusual situation who received extraordinary help.”

None of the event participants or attendees would consider Pendergast an “ordinary man.” The ceremony highlighted his many years of amazing advocacy work. Also featured were the emergence and growth of the ALS Center and Chris’ critical role in it. Clips of television segments and newspaper report illustrated local and national recognition of his efforts and extraordinary journey with a crippling disease.

Historically, Chris was the major force behind the opening of the ALS clinic at Stony Brook in 2002. It is the only one on Long Island and one of only 34 certified by the ALS Association nationwide. With Ride for Life proceeds he has donated about $400,000 to the clinic for its wide-ranging services.

Recognizing the Remarkable

Representatives from Stony Brook University Medical Center spoke of Pendergast’s incredible journey through ALS and the importance of his advocacy, leadership, and vision – a vision embraced by the institution with the goal of using the research and clinical expertise of an academic medical center to provide complete patient care and in finding a cure, according to Kenneth Kaushansky, MD., Senior Vice President, Health Sciences, and Dean, School of Medicine.

“We are here today with this remarkable man who has defied the odds, is one of the rare long-term ALS survivors in the world, and one of the few patient spokesmen for the disease,” said Dr. Kaushansky.

He pointed out that in addition to the work of the ALS clinical team, research conducted through the Department of Neurobiology, the Center for Molecular Medicine, and the Institute for Advanced Neurosciences, of which the ALS Center falls under, by leaders in the field of Neurosciences will help to uncover the biological problems of diseases like ALS. Such collaborative and interdisciplinary research will improve lives for patients and foster the science that advances new discoveries.

“Over the past nine years, the Center has developed into a multidisciplinary practice that remains the only ALS treatment center on Long Island,” said Steven Strongwater, M.D., CEO of Stony Brook University Hospital. He attributed much of this development to Pendergast’s advocacy and service. It mirrors what Pendergast envisioned when the hospital was originally approached in 2001 to explain the pressing need for a full-service treatment facility on Long Island for ALS patients and their families.

Now in 2011, the Center has expanded and treats approximately 20 new patients and 50 follow-up patients annually. A multidisciplinary staff of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals works as a team for patients. They provide clinical care, respiratory, speech, occupational, and physical therapy, social work services, psychological and nutritional services.

Citing the phenomenal growth of the ALS Center, Patricia Coyle, M.D., Co-Director of the Institute for Advanced Neurosciences, and Interim Chair, Department of Neurology, congratulated Pendergast on his perseverance and the naming of the Center in his honor. She also acknowledged the Center’s physicians and staff dedicated to treating ALS patients and advancing the research mission.

“As a result of the Center becoming a certified Center of Excellence in 2009, the ALS Association has acknowledged and facilitated Stony Brook researchers as participants in an independent consortium of clinical and scientific investigators in the Northeast who conduct collaborative ALS research at their affiliated institutions,” said Dr. Coyle. “Stony Brook researchers now have the ability to conduct cutting-edge clinical trials in conjunction with other consortium members.”

Regarding the future of the Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence, Pendergast made a point to say he would remain committed to supporting specific ALS research at Stony Brook. He likened his life and journey with ALS as a baseball player: He is up at bat in a tie game, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, a three balls and two-strike count. One pitch left.

“I will not be caught standing idly and looking as the pitch sails past. I am going to swing. Who knows, I may even hit a home run.”

With that, applause and a standing ovation broke out in the audience. Like Gehrig himself, a confident and unmatched hitter with the game on the line, Pendergast completed his thought, declaring “The ultimate victory is assured. ALS will be beaten.”

Hosted by: Gurney’s Inn
When: Monday, February 14, 2011 04:00PM
Ends: Monday, February 14, 2011 06:00PM
Description: 13th Annual Renew Your Vows Valentines event at Gurney’s Inn Valentines Day, Monday, February 14th, 2011 at 400pm Celebrity Judge Jim Ketchum is for the 13th time renewing wedding vows! Please reserve your spot ASAP at 631.668.1737 A $10 per person donation for the Montauk Food Pantry is requested! Includes wedding cake, Champagne toast and an official wedding renewal certificate.

Gurney’s Annual Bridal Show Case

Hosted by: Gurney’s Inn
When: Saturday, February 19, 2011 10:00AM
Ends: Saturday, February 19, 2011 03:00PM
Description: Discover everything you always wanted to know about our romantic beach weddings on the ocean! For more information please call 631.668.1717 or log onto www.GurneysWeddings.com

Montauk Point Lighthouse President’s Weekend

When: Saturday, February 19, 2011 10:30AM
Ends: Monday, February 21, 2011 04:30PM
Description: Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum & Gift Shop hosts President’s Weekend from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weather permitting. For more information visit us at www.montauklighthouse.com

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Events in February 2011

13th Annual “Renew Your Vows Valentines”

Hosted by: Gurney’s Inn
When: Monday, February 14, 2011 04:00PM
Ends: Monday, February 14, 2011 06:00PM
Description: 13th Annual Renew Your Vows Valentines event at Gurney’s Inn Valentines Day, Monday, February 14th, 2011 at 400pm Celebrity Judge Jim Ketchum is for the 13th time renewing wedding vows! Please reserve your spot ASAP at 631.668.1737 A $10 per person donation for the Montauk Food Pantry is requested! Includes wedding cake, Champagne toast and an official wedding renewal certificate.

At least four crew members were rescued from the 75 foot Johanna Lenore vessel from Point Judith, Rhode Island by Coast Guard helicopters. The doomed ship began to take on water at around 2:30 p.m., at which point the USCG was beckoned. They tried to help pump some of the water out of the ship, but any and all efforts to save the boat failed.

There  was high wind reported out at sea that day, but it is still unclear as to why the boat began to sink.

New York City firefighter Lawrence Cooke bought some land on Essex Street in Montauk in 2000, and began to do some landscaping work. When he began to build a foundation for a new house, he came across an arrowhead and bestowed upon himself the job of “historian of Montaukett heritage.”

Cooke, a board member of the Montauk Historical Society, began a search for arrowheads around Montauk, finding them in Georgica Pond, Fort pond, and even Queens. Now, the discovery of these artifacts seems to come naturally to him, and his study of lithics and ancient Indian weaponry has helped him become an authority on what he finds.

He has had volunteer help from architects, attorneys, surveyors, and even artifact experts to set forth his dream of building the Native American Artifacts Museum at Second House Project. The Town of East Hampton has even negated the usual $1,700 building application fee for the project.

The second revision of the plan has been submitted by the architect, and only a small number of changes have to be made. After all is squared away, a fundraiser will be made for the Historical Society’s “Indian Museum Fund.” If you would like to contribute to the fund or would like more information, contact the East Hampton Historical Society at 631-324-6850.

New York State lost more than $200 million in potential revenue as the result of a poorly executed delinquent tax recovery plan. The state is currently owed a staggering $2.5 – $4.2 billion from delinquent taxpayers. A combination of wavering and indifferent tax officials and a half-hearted execution led to a complete failure, with a gross collection of only $45 million, 82 percent short of the forecasted $250 million in revenue.

Highlighting New York State’s lost opportunity is California’s Tax Amnesty Program, which generated over $4.2 billion in 2005; Pennsylvania’s, which collected $261 million this year, a 47.4 percent increase above the original estimate; and New Jersey’s, which collected $725 million in 2009 or 625 percent over the forecasted amount.

“Temporary tax increases are not the answer,” argues Jerry Kremer, Chairman of EGS, former Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair and a 23-year New York State Assembly veteran. “Gimmicks, such as taxing tobacco, soda and drinks containing sugar, and raising vehicle registration fees are short-term solutions and rarely raise enough to meet the legislature’s estimates.”

New York has successfully executed multiple tax amnesty programs in the past. Since 1985, it has conducted three general tax amnesty programs that raised a combined total of $1.6 billion. In stark contrast, New York raised only 1.5 percent of that total in 2010 with its Penalty Interest Discount Program that was widely criticized by both business leaders and legislators for being poorly managed, insufficiently publicized, and having relied on outdated techniques.

The Voluntary Compliance Program lacked publicity, defined terms, and support from state agencies. Shockingly, the Department of Taxation and Finance inaccurately stated that, “no tax amnesty program was in place,” on its own website. The only information made available to the public on the matter was a single press released issued on January 13, 2010.

SOLUTION: 3-PRONGED TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM

For 2011, Empire Government Strategies advises the implementation of a well-planned tax amnesty program – a protocol with a history of success in reducing state budget deficits and raising state government revenues. “Lawmakers in both houses must support a full amnesty program in an enthusiastic manner,” says Anthony Figliola, Vice President of Empire Government Strategies. “Asking debtors to pay for past debts that may or may not have existed is futile. However, publicizing a program that provides debtors with an opportunity to pay back delinquent taxes is a way to repair the NYS budget and encourage regular tax payments – once a tax payer, always a tax payer.”

Further, tax amnesty provides assistance to state and local governments to close budget deficits via unpaid taxes by both individuals and corporations. The program allows those with outstanding fees to make payments without additional penalties or risk of prosecution. In other words, the state can now collect money it has been unable to – a measurable benefit to New York State coffers.

To ensure a successful program based on proven tactics, the report recommends the following three steps:

Carrot and Stick: The “reward and punishment” model forgives all penalties and interest to encourage New York State taxpayer settlements while increasing collection enforcement and ramping up penalties for individuals that remain in a delinquent status. Once a taxpayer is on the books, they are prone to pay taxes on time.

Marketing Strategy: A well planned grassroots strategy is central to the success of a tax amnesty program in New York State. A successful public outreach program will accomplish two major goals: reach the greatest number of people and advertise the most convenient method of filing returns. It is recommended that a future amnesty program use direct mail, call centers, interactive websites, early sign-up opportunities and creative advertising.

Low Administrative Costs: The cost of marketing and program administration has remained low in comparison to the revenues of the tax amnesty program, generating a large ROI for the State of New York. The Penalty Interest Discount Program did not provide a sufficient ROI. Having both houses and the Department of Taxation and Finance on board will keep operation costs low and the program’s carry-out timely. When the program reaches its final states, a public push will be made for stiffer penalties for future debtors, thus encouraging current and past debtors to comply with NYS tax laws.

For more information on the study or to receive it in full, please contact Jerry Kremer or Anthony Figliola of Empire Government Strategies at (516) 663-6684. More information on Empire Government Strategies is available at its website: www.empiregovernmentstrategies.com

The women have not been identified, but miraculously survived the experiences. One 37 year old woman from Ronkonkoma was slammed by a eastbound train at the Bay Shore station at 12:30 in the morning – the other woman was hit at around 9 am by another eastbound train near the Sayville station. They were both rushed to Southside and Stony Brook hospitals, respectively, and are expected to fully recover.

The 8:52 am train from Babylon to Montauk was axed due to the incidents, and riders were directed around by bus as the investigation continued.