Bruno, one of Bidawee's dogs looking for a home

Bideawee, an animal welfare organization that has been helping pets find homes for over a century in New York and Long Island, is struggling to recover from the damage of Hurricane Sandy.

From Bidawee’s website:

Despite all of the prior planning and precautions for Hurricane Sandy, we will be feeling the impact of this historical storm for a very long time. Bideawee in Manhattan has been on the edge of the East River for more than 100 years and suffered heavy flooding when the storm surge pushed the river over its banks. The rush of water swamped the isolation units and holding areas and destroyed the elevator that is used to transport animals from the adoption center to the animal hospital to receive their life-saving medical care. Due to this damage, Bideawee is still not open in Manhattan and can’t serve the needs of the animals and people that rely on us. 

Checkers the cat

Thankfully, all of the animals were evacuated safely to our Wantagh facility on Long Island that has been relying on generator power since the storm first hit metropolitan New York. Our dedicated staff was working around the clock with the aid of the generator until it failed after 11 straight days of use. Undeterred, the staff continues to care for the animals by using flashlights and extra blankets, ensuring the health and safety of every animal in our care. We are working to secure a large portable generator, but as you can imagine in the midst of all the destruction generators are in very short supply. 

To help the recovery efforts at Bideawee, you can donate through their website here. The adorable puppies and kittens will thank you.

Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons

The series of storms hitting the New York region this past weekend left destruction in its wake, causing at least one fatality and wreaking havoc on trees and residents’ power. Approximately 20,000 people lost power in the northern part of the state, reported WABC, while New York City and Long Island reported fewer outages, most of which had already been restored by Friday.

New Jersey experienced 25,770 power outages from the storm, and as of Monday morning, NBC reported hundreds still did not have power in central New Jersey from a Saturday night reprise. For many in the region, it could be days still before power is restored.

As of Sunday evening, Chemung County in New York reported a number of uninhabitable homes, according to WETM. A state of emergency was still in effect at that time.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said of his decision to declare a state of emergency in the area: “There were reports of isolated fires, and roofs torn off small structures, and people trapped in vehicles because of downed power lines.”

—Alissa Fleck

Bruce Gyory

Top Democratic consultant Bruce Gyory weighs in on the recent congressional primaries in our print issue out today:

Pundits do a good job of assessing winners and losers after electoral events like the recent congressional primaries. Few are better, for example, than City & State’s First Read on Fridays.

Yet while this last primary’s victors have already been determined, I would like to parse the significant factors underlying who won, who lost and why.

First, let’s look at the GOP Senate race. In statewide primaries generally the most potent combination a candidate can achieve is being dubbed the most conservative in the field and winning the designation of upstate’s horse. That is what Wendy Long rode to victory.

The GOP registration breakdown is 53 percent from upstate, 30 percent from the suburbs (Long Island, Westchester and Rockland) and 17 percent from New York City. But in terms of who actually votes in GOP primaries, upstate is in the driver’s seat. In the 2010 gubernatorial primary, the regional split in the vote among Republicans was 66 percent upstate, 25 percent in the suburbs and 9 percent in New York City.

The preliminary returns in this year’s Senate primary show upstate voters casting 60 percent of the GOP vote, the suburbs accounting for 27 percent and the five boroughs making up the remaining 13 percent. Long carried upstate by a wide margin, enabling her to win a majority in a three-way race. Long first demonstrated her strength upstate at the GOP convention. In a Republican primary, Turner’s base in New York City and Maragos’ in Nassau simply were too slender to carry a statewide primary.

Regionalism was also bolstered by ideology. Long was perceived to be the most conservative candidate in the race (e.g., carrying Suffolk County). Her endorsement by the Conservative Party became the seal of approval for right-wing Republicans.

To read the full article at City & State click here.

Photo by Karl Norling.

Summer is upon us, when Manhattanites flee the sweltering heat of the city for the beautiful beaches of Long Island and Fire Island, where woodland creatures, deer, raccoon, mice and opossums wander amidst densely wooded areas, spreading the threat of Lyme disease.
July is peak season for Lyme disease because it’s the time when ticks are most active. Last year, there were more than 5,800 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in New York State. The disease is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bite of the blacklegged deer tick, no larger than a poppy seed. If the bite is left untreated it can lead to memory loss, joint pain, paralysis and, in some cases, heart block. Pregnant women with Lyme disease can miscarry.

Ticks will attach themselves anywhere but tend to seek out the area where the blood supply is the greatest, such as the scalp, armpit or groin. A tick must be attached for 36-48 hours before Lyme disease can be transmitted. Once the tick has fed, the body becomes engorged and the tick falls off. Since the bite is painless, people are often unaware they have been bitten, so it is essential to always check for ticks, especially if you are camping or at the beach.

Lyme disease symptoms fall into three stages: early, middle and late. The early stage occurs three days to one month after being bitten. The person will experience flulike symptoms, including fever, chills, stiff neck, headache, muscle aches and joint pain. The classic bull’s-eye rash can be seen during this time, but not always.

The middle stage occurs one to four months after the bite, with painful and swollen joints as the most common symptom. People experience arthritis-type symptoms that migrate, though the knees are the most affected. An inability to concentrate and facial paralysis can also occur at this stage.

Tommy Hilfiger’s daughter, Ali Hilfiger, herself a designer, was bitten by a tick as a child in Bridgehampton. She spoke last year at a seminar in Sag Harbor about how she suffered for years with leg pains and difficulty concentrating; it wasn’t until she saw a psychiatrist that she made the startling discovery that she had second-stage Lyme disease. Hilfiger now speaks often for A Time for Lyme to bring awareness of how serious this disease is, especially if left untreated.

The late stage of Lyme disease can cause the heart to slow down, causing dizziness, shortness of breath and at times even the need for a pacemaker.

Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics when recognized and diagnosed early.

When you go outside this summer, here are some safety tips:

• Stay off dunes and away from high grassy areas and wooded areas where ticks breed.

• Wear light-colored clothes and long sleeves and slacks if you are in a wooded area so you can see the ticks.

• Keep you hair pulled back and wear a hat.

• Use insect repellent with 20-30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing—10 percent DEET for children—to prevent bites.

• Treat your clothes, especially pants, socks and shoes, with Permethrin, which kills ticks on contact. NEVER use this on your skin.

• Treat your pets with tick solution and check them carefully for ticks before they enter your house.

• Check yourself and children daily for ticks and shower daily to eliminate any loose ticks.

• If you find a tick, use fine tweezers, grasp the head and pull the tick upward, never crushing the body, which will introduce bacteria into your bloodstream. Clean the area with an antiseptic and see your doctor. Try to save the tick for identification.

Now go out and enjoy the beautiful beaches, but be careful.

The majority of our vineyards are concentrated on Long Island’s North Fork—a drive out to Orient Point showcases acres of picturesque grapes, all neatly kept and awaiting transformation into a local favorite. But the South Fork’s wineries and vineyards, set against the jaw-dropping Hamptons landscape, are equally popular among those looking to infuse an evening with Long Island flavors.

The first Long Island winery was established in the early 1970s; since then, the region has gained a solid reputation for producing fine wines in virtually every variety. According to the Long Island Wine Council, East End grapes thrive because of the maritime climate, moderate temperatures, fertile soil and long growing season. The most popular reds include merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, while white wine lovers are inclined to flock toward the Long Island chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and riesling. A Long Island rosé also pairs perfectly with a hot summer night.
Fortunately for the discerning wine connoisseur, the varieties and flavors of an East End wine span a broad range of tastes and finishes. Below is a brief sampling of Long Island’s wineries and vineyards. Many offer tours and tastings. Be sure to refer to Dan’s Papers or www.danshamptons.com for more comprehensive information on Long Island’s wines and details on summer entertainment and live music schedules.

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard (631-369-0100, baitinghollowfarmvineyard.com) in Baiting Hollow offers such wines as cabernet sauvignon, merlot and reisling. A selection of Baiting Hollow’s wines is devoted to the vineyard’s horse rescue efforts.

Comtesse Therese (631-779-2800, comtessetherese.com) in Aquebogue’s wines include sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, rosé, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Comtesse Therese is the only vineyard restaurant on Long Island, and the Bistro serves Comtesse Therese wines and dishes created from a variety of locally-sourced ingredients.

The Lenz Winery (631-734-6010, lenzwine.com) in Peconic was founded in 1978 and is one of the oldest wineries in the region. Varieties produced include chardonnay, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, gewürztraminer and merlot.

Peconic Bay Winery (631-734-7361, peconicbaywinery.com) in Cutchogue produces such wines as riesling, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit and sauvignon blanc. In addition, Peconic Bay Winery’s Sono Rinata Immature Grape Brandy was the first brandy to be produced on Long Island.

Roanoke Vineyards (631-727-4161, roanokevineyards.com) in Riverhead specializes in such wines as cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. This summer, check out their second tasting room on Love Lane in Mattituck.

Sherwood House Vineyards (631-779-2817, sherwoodhousevineyards.com) in Jamesport and Mattituck has chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot wines. The 2008 chardonnay was awarded “Best in Class” at the 2011 Los Angeles International Wine Competition

Vineyard 48 (631-734-5200, vineyard48wines.com) in Cutchogue offers chardonnay, riesling, cabernet franc and merlot, among others. Be sure to check out the vineyard’s Saturday Dance Parties, which will showcase a variety of music and the vineyard’s famous frozen sangria.

Too many wineries and vineyards to choose from? Check out the North Fork Trolley Co. (northforktrolley.com) for information on winery tours.

LONG ISLAND SUSTAINABLE WINEGROWING
Formed on Earth Day 2012, Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing (LISW) does away with vague notions of “sustainability,” as the organization provides vineyards with official recognition for agricultural practices that are modeled after international standards of sustainable production. LISW has four founding members —Bedell Cellars, Channing Daughters Winery, Martha Clara Vineyards and Shinn Estate Vineyards—each of whom are committed to bringing a clear definition of sustainability to Long Island Wine County. LISW seeks to develop a certification program for the use of sustainable farming practices in growing grapes, as they foster a community between the vineyards, the workers and the land. A not-for-profit organization, LISW will ensure the agricultural use of these beautiful lands for many more generations.
www.lisustainablewine.org

By Rachel Sokol

Dee Snider.

In the 1970s and ’80s, Dee Snider—the lead singer-songwriter for the heavy metal band Twisted Sister—really didn’t care what anyone thought about him.

Who cared if he had long, curly, insane hair? Who cared if he wore leopard-print bell-bottoms, stockings, makeup and a shirt that said “Blow Me”? Certainly not the outspoken rocker who just wanted to make music and find fame beyond his Long Island roots.

Naturally, this “who cares?” attitude inspired Twisted Sister’s best and most iconic rock anthems, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock.”

Today, Snider’s still not holding anything back. Only this time around, he’s channeling his energy in a different, albeit, quieter way—on paper.

In his new book, Shut Up and Give Me the Mic, Snider, whose given name is Daniel, shares personal stories about his life as a rocker, a husband and a father—the good, the bad and the “ugly” (an insult Howard Stern slung at him before the two formed a friendship).

What’s most impressive about Snider’s book is his attention to detail, which he attributes to his health-conscious lifestyle.

As Snider says, “I’m the guy that gave it all to beat the odds, left everything he had on the stage each night, didn’t screw around on his woman, took care of his kids and was sober enough to remember it all and write about it … myself.”

The idea for Shut Up came from Snider’s manager, who told Snider he was a “great storyteller who should write a book,” the uber-chatty Snider recalled in a recent phone interview.

“I wanted to tell the story of my rise and fall. First I started at the beginning, and just kept going. I kept having story after story to tell.”

In Shut Up, Snider reveals the stories behind the crazy makeup, his desire for a record deal and his bankruptcy when his rock ’n’ roll fame dissipated. Snider uses footnotes to drop in random facts—little segues that help enhance his anecdotes. In one footnote, for example, Snider says he would sweat so much onstage, one night he lost 8 lbs.

Additionally, readers are treated to Snider’s “Life Lessons,” his rules about life, love, and rock ’n’ roll.

“My son Cody, who is 24, loved all the parentheses I had in the book. He thought it was hilarious that I was commenting on my own writing,” laughs Snider, who says his family “got a real kick” out of his stories. “They love it!”

“I found Dee to be a natural storyteller who remembers everything,” says Ed Schlesinger, senior editor at Gallery Books and a Twisted Sister fan. “He wanted the opportunity to write the book himself, and once I saw some sample chapters, I knew he wouldn’t disappoint his fans or readers.”

And, of course, there’s a whole chapter devoted to that famous day in 1985 where Snider testified before Congress, against the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), which sought to slap a warning label on albums they believed contained offensive material.

Since his heyday with Twisted Sister, Snider has remained busy writing scripts, performing voiceover work and headlining radio shows—who could forget his stint as host for MTV’s “Headbangers Ball”?

Now back in the recording game, Snider is also debuting his latest album, Dee Does Broadway, on the same day as his memoir, May 8.

Broadway? Really? Snider doesn’t think his transition from rock venues to the Broadway stage is strange at all. In 2010, he did play Dennis in the Broadway production Rock of Ages, which features two Twister Sister songs.

“Performing Broadway songs is a natural progression, musically,” says Snider, whose personal favorite song on the album is The Ballad of Mack the Knife, which he has “always wanted to sing.”

Dee Does Broadway also highlights the vocal talents of his eldest son, Jesse, and Broadway legends Patti LuPone and Bebe Neuwirth. Pop icon Cyndi Lauper is also featured on the album, as is Rudy Sarzo, a former bassist for Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot.

“In my opinion, Dee Does Broadway is his best record to date, not only for his outstanding performance but for taking his vocal range places we had never heard Dee Snider go before,” says Sarzo.

Besides, Snider firmly believes, “if Bach and Beethoven were alive today, they’d be into Metallica.”

Recently, Snider graced the small screen as a contestant on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice, which films in New York City, Snider’s “backyard.”

“New York is my home,” he says. “It’s where I’m most comfortable.”

Episodes of The Celebrity Apprentice are still airing, and Dee was competing to raise money for March of Dimes, a charity he’s supported for years. Snider was “fired” by Donald Trump in Episode 8, but did raise more than $300,000 for March of Dimes.

On the show, Snider formed a friendship with teammate—and former American Idol contestant—Clay Aiken, who at press time is still competing on The Celebrity Apprentice.

On Dee Does Broadway, Aiken’s vocal talent is featured in “Luck Be a Lady,” from the musical Guys and Dolls.

“I never met Clay prior to the show, and to be honest I expected the least from him—and got the most. We really connected,” says Snider. “When I had the duets worked out, I asked Clay to sing on the track. He rocked it! He was really wailing! I was so impressed.”

Aiken shares the same sentiments. “You’d never think it from his ‘twisted’ persona, but Dee is an incredibly versatile musician. On Dee Does Broadway, he’s taken on a challenge that no one would ever have thought possible, and he not only succeeds, but he hits it out of the park,” says Aiken. “I am so glad I got to be a part of it.”

Snider currently resides on Long Island with Suzette, who served as Twisted Sister’s fashion designer. “She calls herself both my mistress and my wife,” jokes Snider, but the couple did in fact marry in 1981 and raised four children: Jesse, Shane, Cody and Cheyenne—who were all featured on various reality shows including A&E’s Growing Up Twisted.

Snider is soon launching his national book tour and fans can also catch him in the FEARNet original comedy series, Holliston. “I play a wannabe guy from the ’80s,” Snider says of his character, Lance. ‘He’s a fiftysomething dude in spandex and makeup.” Hmmm … sounds familiar.

Although he does miss his glory days of rock ’n’ roll, Snider insists that today, he’s “older, wiser, smarter and has calmed down a lot. I want fans to know the Dee of the 2000s.” (He is a grandfather, after all.)

Dee Snider will launch his book tour at the Book Revue in Huntington, Long Island, New York, on Tuesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. Shut Up and Give Me the Mic retails for $26. Gallery Books; 448 pages.

Dee Does Broadway (Razor & Tie label) goes on sale May 8. The single “Cabaret” is currently available on iTunes.

The recent purchase of Dan’s Papers by Manhattan Media is great news for readers of both publications. In today’s global economy, boundaries at the city line between New York City and Long Island mean very little

Each weekday, well over two hundred thousand Long Island residents travel to jobs in NYC—the economic engine of our Metropolitan region. Many others enjoy sporting events, the theater, museums, restaurants and shopping. A growing number of NYC residents have become reverse commuters to jobs on Long Island. It is naive to believe that NYC can survive economically in today’s ever-changing technology and global economy without Long Island and the rest of Metropolitan New York. The suburbs around the Big Apple are equally dependent on the success of NYC.

Let’s hope the merger of Dan’s Papers with Manhattan Media can serve as a model for others to emulate.

Sincerely,

Larry Penner
Great Neck, Long Island