Dear Friends,

We’re excited to cordially invite you to a BBQ/Open House in celebration of the Grand Opening of our All Ages Music School. So mark the date: Saturday August 27 at 1PM. WBLI will be on site giving away t-shirts, prizes and much more. Our friends the Rockabilly Barbers will also be there providing rock hair cuts for kids. Also, you’ll be able to share in the rock and roll experience that we offer as our kids and adults will be performing live music throughout.

See you there!!!

The Rock Underground
6067 Jericho Tpke
Commack NY 11725
Tel: (631)499-ROCK

Understanding the importance of taking the time to support the local businesses within the Huntington Village and Huntington Station communities is vital for all of us.

It's an individual choice to make that commitment but collectively we can make a tremendous difference for these businesses and merchants, our neighbors.

To survive and ultimately flourish in business it is incumbent upon the businessperson to be flexible. The economic conditions of today differ from those of a decade ago. The marketplace and customer base that one serves has changed in 10 years as well. Quite often to survive or stay relevant in a tough economy one has to totally change the direction, the product mix and maybe even the purpose of a business. This metamorphosis or change in business is vital and important in an ever changing economy.

Government at all levels spends our money.

Unlike businesses, government for the most part does not make a profit on the services it provides. Any service provided by government, is funded by guess who? That's correct, you and me. We fund the day to day operation of government.

Do you think that government overspends, and that it does not use your money wisely? You are not alone in thinking this way, but we [ you and i] have allowed this to happen over years. We have permitted government to grow into areas better served by private industry.

We have all heard the old adage, "Don't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs."

As simple as that sounds, think about it. If you are receiving golden eggs, even plain old edible eggs from your goose, why kill her? Our egg-producing goose is our local economy.

Our local economy depends on healthy, vital shopping areas and villages that attract consumers. Locally we do not have numerous factories or even the defense-related industries that supported Long Island for many years. We do have many towns, villages and hamlets with wonderful shopping areas which are our economic engine or our goose that lays the golden eggs.

For years boaters have keyed their VHF on their home club's working channel or gone to channel #09 or #16 which is the US Coast Guard's hailing and distress channel to see if their radio is working properly. This usually leads to a friendly reminder from the Coast Guard that the checks are improper use of this channel. There is a new way so that you do not clutter the Coast Guard's working channel.

Sea Tow Huntington's Mike Langenbach has just announced a first of its kind public service for the safety of boaters in our area. Boaters are now able to conduct 24/7 automated radio checks on VHF channel #28. This is unique in that it does not require the response of other boaters or watch standers in order to work. This free service is available through Sea Tow's ongoing partnership with MariTEL.

To conduct an automated radio check, turn a VHF radio to channel 28, key the mic, and ask for a radio check, just as you would on channel 09. The system will respond with an automated reply and replay your original radio transmission, letting you know exactly how well your radio is working.

The Sea Tow antenna is located in Huntington Harbor. www.seatow.com - Try it, you'll like it!

Ten Haagan is commodore of the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht & Boating Clubs.

Memorial Day, one of America's most solemn holidays is a day of remembrance. Freedom like we know in America has always come at a profound cost, namely the lives our best and brightest young men and women.

Islander fan favorite Kyle Okposo received a nice 5-year, $34 million contract this on May 25. Many fans believe he has a chance at becoming the next captain of the team. The contract is structured in a similar way to recently signed speed demon Michael “Gremlin” Grabner. The salary structure of the contract goes from first season to the fifth season – from $1 million to 4.5 million, just shy of the $35 million Grabner signed for earlier this month.

Kyle was the 7th pick of the 2006 NHL entry draft, and has shown signs of being a talented offensive forward. He had a high of 50 points in 80 games for the 2009-10 season. Unfortunately, Kyle’s serious shoulder injury in the preseason caused him to miss the majority of games last season. With 20 points in 38 games, in my opinion, Okposo never seemed to really find his groove.

You might say his point total was decent, and I’d agree all things considered, but he did have 34 goal scoring Michael Grabner on his line so I believe that padded his assist total as he and Frans Neilsen always looked for the “Hail Mary” pass up the middle to lead Grabner on a breakaway. On one hand it was nice for the team to finally have a second line scoring threat, on the other hand, it would have been nice to see Okposo score more goals. Next season he will have additional pressure on him because of his new contract and the shoulder will be at 100%, so Islander fans should really see what Okposo is made out of this coming year.

The structure of the last two contracts gives me the feeling that the team really believes something great is going to be happening for the team in three to five years because the contracts are heavily loaded to the future years. It could be a new coliseum, a playoff caliber team, or hopefully both. If things should really bomb though, Wang could also sell the team and be off the hook for the latter, more expensive years of the contracts. These do seem like good business decisions; like he is hedging his position with the coliseum, team, and fans.

I really like the latest contract extensions. They fit well with the overall scope of what the team is doing now and into the future. The length of Okposo’s deal, just as it was in the Grabner contract, is the only issue I have with them. If Okposo can remain healthy and get back into form I’d like to think he can remain in the 50 to 60 point plateau for the length of the contract. If either player digresses the team will be left holding the bag for up to five years. It’s the type of gamble the team is known for now. Somewhat long, lower salary per year averaged contracts to young promising players looking for stability.

Businesses must make a profit.

This sounds reasonable doesn't it? Businesses offer products or services for a price, hopefully for more than they paid for them and the actual selling price should include their profit.

In today's economy it is difficult for small businesses to compete with the large box stores or with internet sellers who operate virtually, however if our small businesses are to survive and stay strong they must be competitive and offer something extra and that extra may vary from store to store or from one professional office to another and still make a profit. If the small business or professional offers nothing competitive, or different and does not have the personal touch, in this tough economy it will be difficult for them to survive.