NEWS; KIDS COMPETE WITH LEGO ROBOTS (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY, Jan. 20—Most kids play with Legos at some point during their childhood, but a select few gifted children use the toys to compete. Windham, NH’s “Nerds” played best, using nanotechnology to make a robot made from only Lego products perform tasks from everyday life.

Brookhaven Labs and Battelle, as well as the School-Business Partnership of Long Island, sponsored the Lego Tournament. Longwood High School provided space for the event free of charge.

The Lego League Tournament starts in September, when FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) announces the theme of the challenge for the year. This year’s challenge was to apply the science of nanotechnology to everyday life in a creative manner.

The robots were built to accomplish a variety of goals, called “missions.” For example, the robot would act out “individual atom manipulation” by removing a white lego from a plane surface without disturbing other lego “atoms” around it.

Another goal was the test of “nanotube strength.” This required the Lego robot to lift a truck on an “elevator,” which was a thin carbon cable. The robot had to first move the truck onto the elevator frame, and then activate the lift.

The Nerds from Windham, N.H., traveled to Middle Island to compete in the First Lego League (FLL) Tournament. They were the only team not from Long Island to compete Sunday.

The FLL allows children from ages 9 to 14 to solve “real world” problems by using math, science and Legos, according to its press release. The children organize in after school clubs with mentors and coaches, who assist them as they research, build and compete with the robots.

The robots are made only from Lego products. “The children receive a kit of products, and they can only use what is in the kit,” said Janet Anderson, Director of LI-FIRST. “The kits are made by Lego.”

Robotics teams have programmers, builders and researchers. “We type in what we want the robot to do on a program called Robolab on the computer, and then we upload it onto the RCX Box, which is attached to the motors on the wheels of the robot,” said Christopher, 12, of Longwood Junior High School. “The program tells the robot what to do.”

Builders provide a pivotal role for the robotics team. “We build the robots and bring them to the tournament,” said Mike, 13, from Beach Street Middle School. “In the beginning, it is more about following instructions, but later on, it takes on a more creative approach.”

Coaches provide guidance for the children. “We reinforce teamwork and individual thinking,” said Tom Larsen, Assistant Coach for Beach Street Middle School. “We teach the children to solve problems as well.”

Judges determined the scores, who based them on four criteria: project presentation, robot performance, technical design and programming of the robot, and teamwork. Referees oversaw the competition. Each mission also had a previously specified point value.

The Nerds dominated the tournament throughout, routing the thirty-three other schools in every round. Rank was determined by taking the highest score of the three rounds, and The Nerds’ high score was 347, far outpacing the second-place “Brooker-bots” from Stony Brook, who had a high score of 231.

Stony Brook School, a private institution, sent a second team to the tournament. This team, the “Stony-bots,” also was in the top ten, placing ninth with a high score of 160.

North Country Road Middle School in Miller Place sent two teams; both share the same nickname, except one is English (Techno Panthers) and the other is Spanish (Pantrero-de-Techno). “Techno Panthers” came in 5th place with a high score of 184, and “Pantrero-de-Techno” placed 30^th.

Mt. Sinai Middle School fielded a team as well; the “MS Stangbots” placed 11^th. Boyle Road Elementary School’s “SPBoyled Bots” from Port Jefferson Station placed 20^th.

Teams received awards even if their robot did not win the competition. Another component of the tournament was a research contest, and the team with the best and most practical research won an award. Teams won awards for excellent teamwork and for “rising stars” in the Lego League.

NEWS; STARBUCK'S LAND NOT FOR SALE (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

A 13.2-acre plot of land Suffolk County Legislator Joseph Caracappa (R-Selden) promised to restore for the community of Selden remains in the hands of its private owner, because he is unwilling to sell it, according to the legislator.

“Owners are in contract with someone else and are not interested in a sale to the County,” an email from an aide to Mr. Caracappa said. The owner of the land, who lives in Florida, could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Caracappa’s campaign for the preservation for the “Starbucks property”—a privately owned area surrounding the Selden Starbucks on Route 25—dates back to 1995, when he wanted to place the Suffolk County 6^th Precinct there. Since the Precinct was placed elsewhere, Mr. Caracappa shifted his focus to more community-centered proposals for the property, including walking paths and fields for child recreation.

Mr. Caracappa proposed a resolution in the Suffolk County Legislature in February 2005 for acquiring the land for “use as playground, ballfields (sic), and/or other community recreational needs for the captioned property.” County Executive Steve Levy (D-Coram) signed the resolution. “We wanted to make it a town center for people to gather together,” Mr. Caracappa said.

“The plan was for the county to purchase the land and for the county to enter into an agreement with the town of Brookhaven to develop the preserve,” Mr. Caracappa said. “We would also enter into agreements with civic associations, little leagues and schools to clean and maintain the county park.”

“The county sent a letter to the owner, asking the level of interest in selling the property to the county for development,” said Mr. Caracappa. “The letter has a checklist, and he checked ‘uninterested,’ so we never made a monetary offer.”

“The county has much more flexibility when purchasing land,” Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Kathleen Walsh said. “Counties can purchase land and create parklands out of it, while towns are only allowed to preserve green areas.”

The land is near secondary schools in the Middle Country School District, and Ms. Walsh said the schools saw use for the land as well. “The cross country teams would have a place to run,” she said. “Right now they run through residential neighborhoods because they can’t just run on a track.”

The land is mostly zoned as residential property,” said Mr. Caracappa. “If the plot was to be changed to commercial zoning, the value would increase, especially along the Route 25 corridor because they would want to put stores there.”

The 13.2-acre plot is the largest local open space in both Mr. Caracappa’s and Ms. Walsh’s respective districts, which in fact are nearly identical in both size and location.

PROFILE; NEW FIRE COMMISSIONERS (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

New fire commissioners were elected in the towns of Selden and Centereach. Frank Rutilosso, from Centereach, and Dennis Carmen, of Selden, are the new faces of their respective fire departments. Both have lived on Long Island throughout their lives, and now they plan to give back to the communities that elected them.

Selden

Dennis Carmen, 39, joined a fire district embroiled in scandal. Newsday reported in November on elected Selden fire officials spending taxpayer money recklessly at conferences around the country and not providing receipts for their purchases[removed comma] including items such as alcohol, which is non-reimbursable, according to state law.

Morale is low in the firehouse, but Carmen is looking to change that. “I’d like to see a little stronger oversight,” he said. “That means you need good people in the office to run it correctly.”

Carmen has lived his entire life in Selden; he graduated from Newfield High School. His father was a Teamster, his mother a receptionist at a dentist’s office. “I enjoyed my childhood, and I want to go back,” he said. “I had a lot of friends and I knew all my neighbors on the block.”

After graduating, he took an assortment of jobs, including carpentry, electrical and plumbing jobs. “I basically did anything that paid,” he said. Carmen joined the volunteer fire service for the Selden firehouse in 1985, where he has served ever since. He has also maintained a career in law enforcement.

Carmen has not only responded to emergencies in Selden. “I have responded all over Long Island, [also] to the wildfires,” he said. “We responded to Ground Zero.”

Carmen did not comment on the scandal, citing the ongoing investigation into the actions of fire commissioners. He did express concern, however, about the use and abuse of taxpayer dollars. “Every single firefighter here is a taxpayer as well,” he said. “Even firefighters are concerned about taxes.”

Carmen also did not appreciate the public response to the scandal. “Whenever something bad happens in a fire district, they take it out on the fire department,” he said. “They are two separate entities.”

Carmen will serve a five-year term as fire commissioner for a district of over 30,000 people and oversee a budget of over $3 million. He was sworn into office Jan. 1.

Centereach

Frank Rutilosso, of Centereach, has won his first run for elective office. He is taking the Commissioners seat of a more stable firehouse than his counterpart in Selden.

Rutilloso is the son of a Foreman of the AMF. He was born in Brooklyn, but he grew up in Lindenhurst. His mother was a housekeeper.

Rutilosso joined the Navy after high school. “I was in the Service four years,” he said. “I came out of the service, and my friends had joined the Lindenhurst department.”

He joined them “the minute I came back,” and his friends continue to serve in Lindenhurst. “I’m still a benevolent member for North Lindenhurst, but now my focus is only the Centereach Fire Department,” he said.

The election process was more involved than Rutilloso expected. “I thought it was going to be easy,” he said. “This was kind of exciting during the last minute when I was trying to get neighbors and friends to vote.”

Turnout was low, possibly because the election was not held on Election Day in November. “It seems like nobody comes out for these elections,” he said. “Most people don’t understand that they can vote for Fire Commissioner.”

Rutilloso wants to continue the positive legacy of the Centereach firehouse. “I didn’t come in with no mandate for change or any issues,” he said. “I came in just to get back involved with my own community.”

NEWS; CHOICES AT CENTEREACH HIGH SCHOOL (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

CENTEREACH, Jan. 8—Approximately 275 students came to school after hours for an evening of activity and social awareness Monday to take part in a night of recreation called “Choices” at Centereach High School.

The Brookhaven Committee for Better Choices, which lobbied for and received a $50,000 grant through State Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport), sponsored the rec night.

“The grant is to apply to anti-violence and substance abuse programs at all four secondary schools,” said Mark Anderson, co-chair of the committee, and member of the School Board. “Senator Flanagan is interested in helping the district.”

Students of Centereach High School were the only ones allowed to attend the evening activity, as students’ identification was checked at the entrance. Students were issued a wristband to ensure proper attendance tabulation.

Middle Country is not the only school district to have a recreational after-school program. “Sachem School District has a program like this [as well,]” said Ken Gutmann, the other co-chair of the committee, and principal of Oxhead Road Elementary.

The grant helped the committee pay for twelve counselors—teachers—to chaperone the event. In addition, three security guards and numerous adult volunteers were on hand, to ensure a safe environment for the students. “We are here to have students interact with faculty in a different way,” said Bruno Bernardino, a French teacher at the high school.

There was a larger meaning for the event for some. “We want to go back to a time when the school was the center of the community,” said Kim Tarpey, member of both the committee and the school board. “Not one incident has been reported during these rec nights.”

Co-directors Sandra Sardoni and Steven Restivo ran the event. “We are here to help organize, run and come up with activities,” said Ms. Sardoni, an art teacher at Dawnwood Middle School. “Our goal is for students to make better choices.”

Ms. Sardoni left literature on assorted topical information on a table for students to take and read, including pamphlets on defensive driving, date rape, drinking and drug abuse. “We want to help all students learn about different things,” she said.

Students attending had a large choice of activities. There were ping-pong tables, hackey sack circles, a cosmetology center, Dance Dance Revolution and other video games, refreshments and a deejay, as well as basketball and volleyball in the gym. Many students chose to dance to the eclectic music from the deejay, and even more witnessed the break dancing of Centereach High School Guidance Counselor Rick Rivera.

Students said they had a good time. “I came to have fun,” said Mikaela Melendez, 14. “I danced, played basketball and volleyball, and I am going to play some ping pong.”

Most heard about the event during morning announcements, but others heard via word of mouth. “I heard about it from a friend,” said Melendez.

James Smith, 15, heard during about the evening event during the morning announcements. He said he enjoyed himself and “would come back if it is held again.”

Others came to escape boredom. “We had nothing better to do,” said Katie Anzalone, 15.

Students did not pay too much attention to the informational literature, but a few snatched the booklets on safe driving. Nearly all students said they were not going to take or look at the pamphlets available to them.

NEWS; HOLIDAY PARTY FOR CHILDREN

Underprivileged Children Celebrate Holidays

The Nassau County Youth Board sponsored a Holiday Celebration for underprivileged youth in the University’s Multipurpose Room Tuesday. It was the eleventh-annual celebration; the University has held it every year.

The celebration is nondenominational, and it had events celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings. Over 260 children were in attendance, along with over 40 volunteers, parents and sponsors. The children were predominately minorities.

“Young people from over 30 communities in Nassau County are here,” said Angela Zimmerman, Director of Training and Advocacy for the Youth Board. “This is a cultural mosaic for children of all backgrounds to come together, learn, celebrate and have fun.”

University Relations also sponsored the event, by giving it a place to be held. “insert quote here,” said Stu Vincent.

Community organizations, including the Glen Cove Boy’s and Girl’s Club, were in attendance. HSBC Bank USA was one of many new corporate sponsors of the Holiday celebration. “[The celebration] is funded by private donations, foundations and corporations,” said Zimmerman.

Many youth organizations were represented at the celebration, including Copay Inc., a not-for-profit organization that offers after school care and tutoring for underprivileged youth in Great Neck. “I want to thank Hofstra University for holding the event,” said Sheryl Luna, an Academic Instructor from Copay.

Martin Kramer, who was a member of the board of the Nassau County Youth Board when it started 11-years ago, organized the event. “The Youth Board has 42 after-school agencies, which each submit a list of names for kids they think should go to the party,” he said. “The volunteers are affiliates of the Youth Board.”

Youthful community volunteers helped as well. “The event is really great because it is giving kids a holiday celebration,” said Abigail Agoglia, a high school senior and member of the Nassau County Executive Youth Committee. “We hope they had a good time,” said JoAnna Datz, another high school senior and member of the committee.

Some adults volunteered whatever time they could to the Board, and also chaperoned the party. “It’s all about giving back and remembering how blessed you really are,” said Wilfredo Maldonado, a 51-year-old retiree.

At the celebration, each holiday had its own arts and crafts booth. Children could color Chanukah menorahs, make paper bag reindeer, spinners with the colors of Kwanzaa and make picture frames for Three Kings. The high school students had organized the arts and crafts.

A DJ provided musical entertainment, and assorted volunteers came to perform for the children, including a STOMP group from Freeport, a magician and the I Support Roosevelt “Six Black Diamonds” dancers.

The children loved the activities and were having a great time. “I love the candy,” said Jabbai, age 9.

Most of the children, however, loved the youth volunteer art programs. “I loved the arts and crafts!” said Joannah, 6. “So do I,” said Cherish, also 6 years old.

“We want to help the kids out,” said Sue Bennett, a volunteer for the past five years. “It’s all about them, after all.”

OP-ED; THE STORY OF THE MEMOS

The Story of the Memos

Memoranda run through offices everyday. Whether they are for new policies concerning dental care, or they are to announce the hiring of a new employee, their ubiquity in the office is astounding. Memos have taken on a new significance in the hyper-secret world of the Bush administration, as they are the only real insight into the inner workings and dealings of the offices of this administration.

These memos from administration officials are the closest thing the press has to a leak, thus the flurry of attention. The content found inside these memos is worth looking at regardless, but the rarity makes it all the more important.

Two memos have recently examined the issue of Iraq head on. National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley wrote one dated Nov. 8 in which he expresses doubt in the legitimacy and power of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The memo states that Maliki, could be participating in some of the sectarian violence, wittingly or unwittingly.

There were reports, according to the memo, of undelivered services to Sunni areas, and an active campaign to “consolidate Shia power in Baghdad.” The memo speaks of good intentions and nice words for Washington, but not of pure action. In order for Maliki to be successful, Hadley makes a list of suggestions, including working with the Saudis to curtail Sunni insurgency and the creation of an American National Strike Force, a large group of advisers to work with the Iraqi police force.

The candid nature of the memo was astounding, especially since the President was about to meet with Maliki in Amman to discuss his future as Prime Minister. Maliki subsequently snubbed the President by uninviting him to a meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan, and Maliki testily met with the president afterwards. Maliki was the candidate endorsed by the Americans in the elections of the newest “unity” government, but the memo illustrated reluctance in continuing the support.

More candid was the memo from outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He is known for his controversial memos, meant to spark debate by his deputies, including one he wrote in 2003 about Iraq possibly becoming a “long, hard slog,” as well as posing this question to his subordinates: are we creating more terrorists in Iraq than we are killing? Foreshadowing ex post facto (the invasion to now) really helped the US, now didn’t it?

His latest memo, dated Nov. 6 but leaked Sunday, calls for a “major adjustment” to Iraq policy. “Clearly, what U.S. forces are currently doing in Iraq is not working well enough or fast enough,” he said. Throughout the war, Rumsfeld has been the most steadfast proponent of Bush’s “stay-the-course” strategy, but the memo signaled a significant change of heart.

Rumsfeld considers the redeployment of troops in the region, proposing the movement of troops from the most sensitive areas of Iraq, to Kuwait and surrounding nations, for the US to act as a rapid-deployment force, to aid the forming Iraqi army. Call this a Rumsfeldian spin on Congressman John Murtha’s policy.

The suggestions for new policy in Iraq found in Rumsfeld’s memo are divided into two sections: those that are feasible or “above the line,” and those that are considerably less so or “below the line.” “Below The Line” policies include a timetable for withdrawal, while “above the line” suggestions include a phased drawdown of troops.

The departing Secretary of Defense strikes a surprisingly parallel tone to that of the provisions of Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, Bush’s education law, when he considers abandoning regions fractured by “bad behavior” and rewarding those with good. This is not working with the American education system, and it is just as likely to work in Iraq.

The memos reveal something extremely important: there is substantive debate going on throughout the administration on the extremely important issue of Iraq. The White House staff is not necessarily in lockstep with each other, and such exhaustive debate may lead to better policy, better governance and finally, an exit strategy.

INTERVIEW; ANDY STRACHAN,THE LIVING END

Interview
Andy Strachan, Drummer, The Living End

Was finding a label to distribute State of Emergency difficult?

Yes.

Now that you found Adeline, what have they done that Reprise wasn’t doing before?

Well, it’s pretty early days, but the reason we went with Adeline is just because they kind of understand where we’re at, and they’re not all caught up in the whole, uh, you know, ‘a million copies isn’t enough’ mentality.

They are letting you guys do your thing, essentially?

Essentially, yeah, they are willing to sort of let the band grow in a natural way, rather than, you know pushing all the money in one area.

Do you think Billie Joe’s early support helped this?

Yeah, you know this sort of goes without saying, that the guys have been sort of helpful for many years now, but Billie Joe isn’t really incredibly involved with this deal, but he has some part in the label, I’m sure, but he doesn’t really get involved with the day-to day runnings.

How has the tour gone throughout the world? Europe, Japan, New Zealand, how has it gone for you guys?

It’s been great; it’s been a busy year. It’s been very busy, but Japan’s always amazing for us, one of our favorite places outside of Australia, you know. New Zealand was great, it was very sweaty and very back to basics kind of punk rock.

That must have been wonderful.

Yeah, it was awesome. Anytime in the UK is good time, but you know, we got to play in places that we haven’t been before, to brand new audiences in Dublin, Scotland.

You guys have played Warped Tour, actually before your time in 1998, and again recently. How did you enjoy the Tour, for your first time?

Yeah, it was great, and a pain in the ass at the same time. It was so hot, and miserable, but um, you get to play in front of great crowds every day, and you get to meet a lot of great people, but you know, it was, as you know, it was a heat wave for the entire time. This was coming straight out of an Australian winter.

That must have been rough.

Yeah, the first show of that was, you know, a great slap in the face. Once we got used to it, it was great.

For the song “Wake Up,” why did you guys choose to use children at the end? To me, it sounds a lot like Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”; the damning indictment made in the same context.

You know, I mean, you can certainly draw parallels to that, it’s basically, as the title of the song says, we’re trying to get a point across. Some of the crazy stuff that’s gone on in the world in the last few years, it’s absolutely insane, and our kids, and our kid’s kids; it’s never going to be the same again now. You know, Scott and I just walked around Ground Zero…

Oh wow. How riveting was that?

It was fucking amazing. I was trying not to cry, choking back tears. It’s just amazing that people can make a decision like that to cause such a…you know, so many lives were lost, and so many lives are still affected today.

The war never ends.

Exactly. It’s never gonna be the same again. So with the whole “suicidal education, it’s been sold to our generation” and generations to come, you know, that would bring you back to that original question, to have kids sing that lyric, it just brings it home in a way—for me at least. That was the reason behind it, it’s a creepy kind of a song.

You guys have horns on a lot of your songs, especially on State of Emergency. Why didn’t you bring them here?

Um, money. But we did do a big tour at home, around Australia, and we brought them with us then.

Okay, so then you were able to play more of your back catalogue, like “Blood on Your Hands” and others.

Well, we could have, but we didn’t. We played a lot of the State of Emergency songs that had horns, and played “Uncle Harry” with the horns, and you know, a few songs like that. We used a horn section from a band called the Hunters and Collectors, who are just basically gods from where we come from, so it was a real honor and privilege to play with them.

This is your second time in the US this year alone. How do you feel you have been treated in the United States? How have the crowds been?

It’s up and down for us, I think. I mean, it’s been great, but, you know, it’s really hard to gain a momentum over here, I think, just because it’s so far away, and we can’t tour here all year round—we have other markets, and family, and things like that to consider. You know, I think the fans, the people that do go to the shows, truly love us, or truly love the music, and we get a great reaction I think, once a fan, always a fan kind of thing. We really appreciative of that, but it’s be nice to, sort of step up.

Do you think it has anything to do with the, sort of, obsession with dance-rock? Do you think it makes it more difficult, or is it just another obstacle the band has to overcome?

Well, I think, you know, every year there’s a new flavor, that’s just never going to change. We are happy doing what we do, and I think, like I said before, once you’ve seen the band and you’ve got the records, or whatever, then you can make your own mind up, and I think we’ve got fans for life. It’s, I guess it’s hard, because we’re not a fad band, and we’re not riding on someone else’s coattails, I suppose.

The one’s that have lasting power are the one’s that don’t ride coattails, though.

Yeah, yeah. I think it might have something to do with the fact that we don’t have millions of dollars to put ourselves on billboards, and things like that. In this generation, the advertising is so hard to promote yourselves without lots of money.

You’re right. I’ve heard from others that you’re music has been featured on network and cable television. In fact, someone said you’re music was on “Laguna Beach” (a show on MTV) and that’s how they came to find you. Now she’s an obsessed fan. Any avenue, I guess, would work.

Yeah, I guess we’ve just got to keep pushing away. We believe really strongly in what we do, and you know, it goes back to that, I guess you’ve got to see the band live to really understand what it’s all about. Hopefully, you know, when we play to small crowds each time, that small crowd tells another couple hundred people, and who knows what will happen.

How do you choose which songs to put on the setlist? Given your large catalogue, what would make you choose one track over another?

[Laughs] That’s the bane of our existence, really. It’s always a really hard thing to choose a setlist, you know, because there are so many songs, and, at the moment, we are trying to play as many State of Emergency songs as possible, obviously. It’s a day-to-day thing, we always have to think, we should play this song there, that one there… We do listen to people on the street, who say, you know ‘Can you play this song?’ and you know, we did that last night, we played ‘Monday,” and we played something else we hadn’t done in a while, though I can’t remember what it was at the moment. We do have a core set, a list of songs we have to play.

How rigorous is the touring schedule? How do you guys bring the fire and desire to play every night with the same level of energy?

I think the three of us have, uh, we’re still hungry, we want to sell records, and, for me, it’s like playing in a team sport like football or something. You’re up on stage and if you’re not giving 110%, you are letting your team down, so we have that mentality of going out as a band, and playing as a band. Our music doesn’t sound right if you don’t play it with intensity. We sort of dug our own grave in a way, you know, we have to put in 110% or it doesn’t sound right. That’s what I enjoy about music: sweating my ass off and getting blisters and locking in.

For us, it doesn’t matter if there are 30 people, or 30,000, because that’s the kind of spectrum we’re under. At home we play massive festivals, and in Japan [as well], but we come to small places like this in the States and we play small crowds.

How do you like the dichotomy of that; how does that play in your heads?

Playing to small crowds?

Playing to small crowds versus the 30,000 person festivals, I mean.

It doesn’t really change. We still have the same, you know, nervous tension before the show, and we still play 100mph and, you know, we all love the intimacy of the small crowd, but there’s nothing like the chant of 30,000 people. It’s a nice balance, I think. It’s a completely different gig, but for us, it’s just playing live. It’s what we do, and it’s what we love about music, so it doesn’t matter to us.

One last question, on a much lighter note. A friend of mine asked me to ask the band members, chicken or beef?

Shit, it depends on who’s cooking, doesn’t it? [Laughs] We’re all fans of both, we really are; it depends on who’s cooking, you know—but it has to be chicken breast. Can’t be those thighs—they are dodgy. Food is another one of our passions in life, so, you know, we’re pretty happy to eat whatever’s on the table.