LI Business News articles from October 2004

LI Business News archives from October 2004

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York elects new members to board of directors.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York elected five new members to its board of directors. Marc Guild, president of Interep Marketing Division; Charles Merinoff, vice chairman and CEO of Charmer Sunbelt Group;...

New day program for people with disabilities to begin at Saddle Rock Ranch in Middle Island.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Family Residents & Essential Enterprises and the National Foundation for Human Potential will begin a new day habilitation program in October at the Saddle Rock Ranch in Middle Island. According to Robert Budd,...

Partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek to be honored with the "Distinguished Leadership Award".
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Melvyn B. Ruskin, founding partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, will be honored with the "Distinguished Leadership Award" in business and philanthropy by the Conference of Jewish Organizations of Nassau County. ...

Raymond Ellmer appointed to board of trustees at Long Beach Medical Center.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Raymond Jude Ellmer was appointed to the board of trustees at Long Beach Medical Center. He is a lawyer specializing in elder law and has a private practice in Mineola.

KeySpan Corp. begins new branding campaign in the Northeast.
October 1, 2004... Byline: David Reich=Hale KeySpan Corp. kicked off a new branding campaign, "Climate is Everything," last week and will be promoting it on local network television, cable TV and radio, and in print media. The company, which delivers...

Bethpage Federal Credit Union sponsors Long Island Fall Festival.
October 1, 2004... Byline: David Reich-Hale Bethpage Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor at the 11th annual Long Island Fall Festival, the credit union announced last week. The event takes place Oct. 8-11 at Heckscher Park in Huntington. ...

TransCare retains Rockville Centre-based Harrison Leifer DiMarco.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF TransCare, a national transportation provider for managed care and the integrated healthcare industry, has retained Rockville Centre-based Harrison Leifer DiMarco for its communications needs. HLD will work to...

Hofstra University invites Long Islanders to movie premiere based on trustee's book.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Hofstra University invites Long Islanders to catch the Oct. 23 premiere of "Spin," a coming-of-age tale based on a book by Hofstra Trustee Emeritus Donald Axinn. A VIP reception will take place before the 6:30 p.m....

Breast cancer awareness program to be held at Stony Brook Village Center.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF On Oct. 14, Stony Brook University Hospital and The Ward Melville Heritage Organization are holding a breast cancer awareness program at the Stony Brook Village Center. Dr. Brian O'Hea, medical director of the Carol...

Long Island-based company plans another televised mock trial of Scott Peterson.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik A Long Island-based company has conducted one televised mock trial of Scott Peterson for the murder of his wife, Laci Peterson, and is gearing up for yet another. The verdicts were split the first time, when...

Leukemia Society invites Long Island schools to participate in Pennies for Patients program.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is looking for local schools to participate in its Pennies for Patients program. Pennies and spare change collected by students between March 2 and March 22 next year will be donated to...

Education and Assistance Corp. needs foster children advocates for Nassau County court program.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF The Education and Assistance Corp. wants you to be an advocate for foster children through its Court Appointed Special Advocate program. The program provides Nassau County courts with volunteers to investigate, monitor...

Junior League of Long Island awards $2,000 grant to Lymphatic Research Foundation.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Junior League of Long Island, an organization of women committed to volunteerism and the community, awarded the Lymphatic Research Foundation with a $2,000 grant. The money will support "Lymphedema: Prevention Treatment...

Aviva Pinto at U.S. Trust's Garden City office appointed to boards and a foundation.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Aviva Pinto, senior vice president and senior business developer officer at U.S. Trust's Garden City office, was appointed to the board of directors of the Long Island Philharmonic, the Port Washington Library...

Law firm of Certilman Balin welcomes three new associates.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF The law firm of Certilman Balin welcomes three new associates to its staff. Thomas A. Bazzaro Jr. has joined the litigation group, where he will deal with commercial claims, liability, harassment and...

Meryl Sands named to board of directors of Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Meryl Sands was named associate member of the board of directors of the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center. She works on many fund-raising events and for the past three years co-chaired the Tour de Fun event.

Owner of A la Carte Culinary Services in Lynbook asked to join culinary group.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Polly Talbott, owner and director of A la Carte Culinary Services in Lynbook, was invited to join Les Dames d'Escoffier, a culinary organization composed of women who contribute to the community. The organization...

Southampton Town Supervisor Patrick A. Heaney joins United Way East End Cabinet.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF The United Way has welcomed Southampton Town Supervisor Patrick A. Heaney to the East End Cabinet, which raises funds for the United Way on eastern Long Island. Heaney spent nine years on the town council and served...

Keshia Richmond joins board of Suffolk County Women's Business Enterprise Coalition.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Keshia Richmond, president of Richmond Technology Solutions, was welcomed to the board of directors of the Suffolk County Women's Business Enterprise Coalition, where she will be the Webmaster. In 2002, Richmond founded...

Edward C. Kline with U.S. Trust's Garden City office celebrates 35th anniversary with co.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Edward C. Kline, senior vice president and senior client relationship officer at U.S. Trust's Garden City office, recently celebrated his 35th anniversary at the wealth management company. He is responsible for...

Ruskin Moscou Faltischek partner appointed chair of commercial lending practice group.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Karen DeSalvo, a partner at law firm Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, was appointed chair of the newly created commercial lending practice group in the financial services, banking and bankruptcy department. DeSalvo...

Chemical decontaminant lotion to be sold in United States.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion, manufactured by the Canadian subsidiary of Lake Success based E-Z-EM Inc. and sold through O'Dell Engineering, will now be available to emergency service organizations in the...

Kenneth Dance joins Aquebogue accounting firm of Kendall, Farnworth & Pubins.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Kenneth Dance has joined the Aquebogue accounting firm of Kendall, Farnworth & Pubins as senior accountant. He has more than five years of experience working in small-business consulting and compliance services.

Pekka Paavonpera named director of public relations at Southampton College.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF Pekka Paavonpera was named director of public relations at Southampton College. He has more than 20 years of public relations experience. Previously, he was responsible for new business and marketing at CBC Media.

P.W. Grosser of Bohemia adds three staff members.
October 1, 2004... Byline: LIBN STAFF P.W. Grosser of Bohemia added three staff members. Stephen Vidafar, named project engineer, will ensure that a client's environmental compliance objectives are met. Previously, he was an air sampler at EnviroScience...

Jeffrey Bass pursues VC financing for Long Island.
October 1, 2004... Byline: David Reich-Hale Jeffrey Bass has seen the recent MoneyTree Survey. The study, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Venture Economics and the National Venture Capital Association, declared that not a single Long Island company...

NY State Comptroller's study finds new law may result in loss of $14M in annual revenue.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik A study by New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi has found that a new law in New York state means its towns and villages are likely to lose about $14 million in annual revenue. Under the law, which went into...

Glen Head-based First National Bank uses variation of Cheers theme song as corporate slogan.
October 1, 2004... Byline: David Reich=Hale For a decade, the hit television show "Cheers" was known for its theme song, which included this line: "Where everybody knows your name." Well, Glen Head-based First National Bank of Long Island is using a...

Patriot Act sparks controversy and consulting opportunities for attorneys.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik It's hard for law firms to decide whether the Patriot Act is a blessing or a curse. While it's generating heated discussion among attorneys, it's also bringing them extra business. Signed by President George W....

Lobbying becomes increasingly important part of the legislative process.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik On Sept. 23, Gov. George Pataki signed the New York State Health Insurance Demonstration Project into law, improving coverage for a wide range of entertainment industry employees. The law's enactment was a victory...

New regulations produce business for Long Island attorneys.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik New and changing regulations affecting compliance in the healthcare, financial and other arenas are spawning new and growing law practices at firms. Great Neck-based Garfunkel, Wild & Travis launched a specialty...

Lake Success-based Astoria Federal hikes interest rates.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik Astoria Federal Savings has agreed to triple the interest on accounts for rental-apartment security deposits on the heels of a state inquiry into those accounts in banks throughout the state. The thrift is...

Global ties, outsourcing, generate new law practices.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik As U.S. companies move to outsource services and expand to other parts of the world, some law firms are picking up on those trends with practices that target hotbed regions such as India, Israel and Latin America. ...

Long Island law firm develops thriving practice representing both debtors and creditors.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik Jeffrey Wurst and Ruskin Moscou Faltischek spent years building a robust practice representing creditors, including large banks. But in 2001, the firm noticed it was getting a lot of requests for representation...

The Pet Wellness Center in Plainview offers creature comforts for canines and cats.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Adina Genn If Fido has trouble shedding those extra pounds or perhaps greets you with boundless energy when you return home weary from a day at the office, The Pet Wellness Center in Plainview may have just the program for you. ...

Donald Hoffman appointed VP and COOof Protocall Technologies in Commack.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Donald Hoffman was appointed vice president and chief operating officer of Protocall Technologies in Commack. In this newly created position, he will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations for Protocall, a...

Long Island agencies fund harbor clean-up with EPA grant.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Through a $2,000 grant funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Long Island Sound Study office, the Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee is cleaning up the harbor. The group has purchased...

Amy Fisher launches promotional tour to go along with the release of her new book.
October 1, 2004... Byline: David Reich-Hale Amy Fisher has launched a promotional tour to go along with the release of her new book, "If I Knew Then&" She made an appearance on "Oprah" and will be at a book-signing at the Syosset Borders on Jericho...

2004 New York Consumer Guide to Health Insurers now available.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman The 2004 New York Consumer Guide to Health Insurers is now available in hard copy and electronic form. New Yorkers can evaluate health insurers and HMOs based on a wide range of factors, including services and...

Argentinean native opens Macondo Design in Middle Island.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Adina Genn Whenever Andrea Alejandra Cervo Nichols visits Cold Spring Harbor, she reminisces about Los Cardales, her native village outside of Argentina's Buenos Aires. Los Cardales was home, and also where she ran her...

Davidoff Malito & Hutcher merger brings in SEC practice.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik In a move designed to give it a Securities and Exchange Commission practice on Long Island, Davidoff Malito & Hutcher is merging Kaufman & Associates into its operations. The merger becomes effective today. ...

Astoria Federal holds "Customer Appreciation Parties" in all Long Island branches.
October 1, 2004... Byline: David Reich-Hale To round out its customer appreciation week, Astoria Federal will hold what it calls "Customer Appreciation Parties" in all of its branches on Long Island, starting with a party today in Mineola. The parties...

Ruskin Moscou Faltischek partner co-writes chapter in NY State Bar Assn. publication.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik Ruskin Moscou Faltischek partner Benjamin Weinstock, co-chair of the Uniondale-based firm's real estate department, has co-written a 100-page chapter in "Commercial Leasing," a major publication of the New York State...

Maine senator's bill targets small business compliance with six government agencies.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Adina Genn If Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine has her way, small-business owners may find it easier, and less expensive, to comply with federal agency regulations. Last week Snowe, Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business...

Gala helps put Long Island Association into the black.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Ken Schachter The Long Island Association ran a $27,067 surplus in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2003, helped in large part by the more than one-half million dollars netted by its annual black-tie awards gala. The 2003 awards...

Long Island Hummer dealerships get brand-new look.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Nick Anastasi Long Island's Hummer dealerships are getting a makeover. North Bay Hummer of Great Neck and Ramp Hummer of Smithtown are both moving ahead with plans to renovate the design of their dealerships as part of a...

Rich Haugh, the self-professed "Hauntrepreneur," creates haunted palace at Sports Plus.
October 1, 2004... Byline: David Reich-Hale Nothing depresses Rich Haugh like Nov. 1. To him, it's more upsetting than the first day of school, a dentist's appointment and a LIPA bill all rolled into one. "It's the worst day. It's terrible," said Haugh,...

Islanders team owner launches campaign to refurbish aging Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
October 1, 2004... Byline: David Reich-Hale Islanders team owner Charles Wang launched yet another campaign this week to refurbish the aging Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Excuse Islanders fans if they roll their eyes. It's just that, well, they've heard...

Austin Vali leaves Hawaii for job as general manager of Cox Radio Long Island.
October 1, 2004... Byline: David Reich-Hale The view from Austin Vali's office in Hawaii was to die for. In one direction, dark green mountains jutted 2,000 feet toward the sky. In the other direction, Diamond Head Volcano, a mile-wide ring of tuff rock,...

Increased interest in gel caps fuel NBTY growth in Bayport.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Nick Anastasi Responding to greater interest in gel caps for supplements ranging from vitamin E to cod liver oil, NBTY Inc. is planning an $18 million, 38,000-square-foot expansion of its gel-cap manufacturing facility. The...

Carmakers hope auto sales financed by balloon loans will offset decline in leasing.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik Back in April 2003, General Motors became the first carmaker to put the brakes on its traditional automobile leases in New York State. The world's largest auto company said the move was in response to the state...

Public companies adopt rapid-fire review policies in wake of new SEC disclosure rules.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Ken Schachter Public companies are adopting rapid-fire review policies in the wake of new federal rules designed to put John Q. Investor on an even footing with executives in the boardroom, experts say. The Securities and...

Commentary: The changing face of political diversity.
October 1, 2004... Byline: Joseph Mondello For political parties to remain relevant each Election Day, they must reflect the society they seek to represent and, by doing so, intuitively understand the demographic changes taking place around them. For the...

Banks prepare for Check 21 to take hold.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Holly Miller Next month banking customers will lose a friend called float. When the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act goes into effect Oct. 28, bank customers will no longer have the unofficial grace period - known as the...

Audiovox cellular unit to roll out video phone.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Ken Schachter If snapping pictures isn't enough, how about shooting video with your phone? Audiovox Corp.'s cellular unit and Verizon Wireless have launched a phone that lets users take still pictures and 15-second video clips. The...

Stop & Shop sponsors Rockettes.
October 8, 2004... Byline: David Reich-Hale For 70 years, the Rockettes have put on their Radio City Christmas Spectacular. This year, Stop & Shop is a major sponsor. As part of its marketing campaign for the event, Quincy, Mass.-based Stop & Shop has a...

Bank of America to roll out new online feature.
October 8, 2004... Byline: LIBN Staff Bank of America is beefing up its online banking services. With BoA's latest money-transfer feature - available online for free - customers can move money from their personal checking, savings, line-of-credit and...

Bank of America merges with FleetBoston Financial.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik Say hello to banking's latest couple: Bank of America and FleetBoston Financial. After a long courtship, the two banks made it official, spawning an institution with about $990 billion in assets, 1,600 ATMs and...

Oil's too hot for some investment officers.
October 8, 2004... Byline: David Reich-Hale James G. Dempsey, senior vice president and chief investment officer of U.S. Trust in Garden City and Melville, decides where Long Island's wealthiest invest their money. Ask him about the market lately and...

HSBC Bank targets small businesses.
October 8, 2004... Byline: David Reich-Hale HSBC Bank announced the launch of BusinessSmart, a program designed exclusively for its small-business customers. BusinessSmart will offer small businesses an enhanced range of products and services, as well as...

Sculptor donates to health center.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Norman Mercer, 88, donated "Victory," one of his sculptures, to the Fortunato Breast Health Center. Mercer, whose art will be housed at the center, made the gesture at the 8th annual Victory Day Celebration at Mather...

LI realtors group helps Florida victims.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman The Long Island Board of Realtors made a $10,000 donation to the Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund established by the Florida Association of Realtors. The fund was established in August after Hurricane Charley...

Patent feud boils over into courts.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Claude Solnik Things appeared to be going great for WaterFilm Energy Inc., until last month. In September, the company filed for bankruptcy and announced that it's suing York, Pa.-based Doucette Industries, the manufacturer of...

American Cancer Society holding annual breast cancer walk.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman On Oct. 17, the American Cancer Society is holding its "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk. Five-mile walks will take place at a variety of Long Island venues, including Jones Beach State Park. Last year...

LI Coalition on Child Abuse and Neglect, Secure Path Networks team up.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman The Long Island Coalition on Child Abuse and Neglect has teamed up with Plainview-based telecommunications company Secure Path Networks to create a way for Long Island companies to raise money for nonprofit...

State Bank of Long Island issues grant.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman State Bank of Long Island has awarded a $3,000 grant to North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center. The money will benefit the organization's Hispanic Family Life Program, which offers counseling, advocacy and...

Local center offers safe haven for troubled kids.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Ken Cerini In 1953, families began flocking to the suburbs. Schools and libraries sprang up, but there was really no place to go for families with a child who was troubled, in trouble or causing trouble. Concerned parents got...

Dowling College to present literacy symposium.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman The Literacy Department at Dowling College will present "Literacy Matters" at the Oakdale Campus Oct. 15. The symposium will address issues affecting children's literacy and education. The keynote address, "The...

Children's hospital patients create holiday cards.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Patients at Schneider Children's Hospital in New Hyde Park and Schneider Children's Hospital at North Shore have created a line of holiday cards. The new leadership division of the North Shore Long Island Jewish...

Long Island real estate firms announce personnel changes: October 7, 2004.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Jeffrey Schwartzberg was appointed chairman of the zoning board for the Village of Roslyn Estates. He is a senior director at Lake Success-based commercial real estate firm Sutton & Edwards. He specializes in the...

New public relations firm launched in Garden City.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Michael S. Kornfeld and Elaine De Luca Byrnes have launched Kornfeld De Luca Byrnes Creative Communications Strategies, a public relations and marketing communications firm based in Garden City. Kornfeld, who...

St. Louis transplant brings home, office consultation biz to local offices.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Adina Genn Shirley Marvin decided to follow her heart and relocate from St. Louis to Long Island to be with her fiance, whom she plans to marry in February. For Marvin, it's a series of new beginnings, including her fledgling...

Berkmank, Henoch, Peterson and Peddy adds to staff.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Leslie Bennett was appointed counsel at the Garden City law firm of Berkman, Henoch, Peterson and Peddy, where he will focus on cases tied to employment, civil rights and the environment. Previously, Bennett was...

Mercy Medical behavioral health associate earns award.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Randolph Ellis, behavioral health associate at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, earned the Gold Star Service Award presented to outstanding employees who promote a pleasant work environment and are role...

Long Island nonprofits announce staffing changes: October 8, 2004.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Roberto Viceconte and Paul Gold were named to the board of directors of the American Red Cross in Nassau County. Both men will serve a three-year term. Viceconte is a tax manager at Weiser LLP with concentrations...

National Multiple Sclerosis Society's LI Chapter names elects new chair.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Mindy Alpert was elected chair of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Long Island Chapter. She will oversee fund-raising and programming efforts. Alpert, a former senior vice president at Smith Barney, was...

Long Island accounting firms announce staffing changes: October 8, 2004.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Thomas J. Murray, managing partner of Albrect, Viggiano, Zurek and Co., was appointed worldwide vice chairman and treasurer of BKR International, a worldwide consortium of business advisory and accounting firms. ...

Sterling National Bank names VP.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Michael Gullo was appointed first vice president of Sterling National Bank's middle-market lending unit at the Nassau County corporate banking office in Great Neck. He will lead Sterling's middle-market corporate...

How to avoid that awkward networking moment.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Adina Genn Another networking event, another hors d'oeuvre plate of cheddar cheese cubes, crudites and dip. You know the routine by now: offer up a hearty handshake, a surefire elevator speech and move on to the next prospect....

Coaching Insight offers e-classes.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Adina Genn How'd you like to build your revenue stream while catching some z's? Andrea Feinberg is doing just that through her company, Coaching Insight in Port Jefferson Station. If you'd like to get in on that kind of action,...

200,000 businesses barter for services.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Adina Genn Here's another method for sticking to your budget: bartering. According to the Ohio-based National Association of Trade Exchanges, or NATE, approximately 200,000 businesses barter for printing, office furniture and...

Nassau Univ. Medical Center reopens hyperbaric chamber.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow has reopened its hyperbaric chamber. According to Dr. Louis Riina, medical director of wound care services at NUMC, the center was closed for eight weeks for...

New surgery relieves achy backs.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Neurosurgeons at North Shore University Hospital are treating patients' achy backs with new, less invasive surgical procedures. The neurosurgery team at North Shore has made those techniques a routine practice,...

East Neck Nursing and Rehabilitation launches Web site.
October 8, 2004... Byline: Wendy Friedman Families seeking to place their relatives in a nursing facility now have easy access to information about the East Neck Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Babylon, which launched a new Web site,...