Memories Destroyed by Sandy

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Nelson Oliveira at 10:56 am

LONG BEACH, N.Y. – When Sandy hit the East Coast on Oct. 29, Long Beach homeowner Chris Maksymowicz had his basement flooded, but he was not worried about the thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to the furnace, heaters and walls.

Maksymowicz said the worst losses were his family photos, some of which dated back to the 1920s, an electrical train set from 1942, his wife’s dissertation work, several documents and other mementos.

“It was all in mud and sand,” he said. “I found some stuff from when I was a kid … my essays, my writings, my awards, my certificates. It’s all gone.”

Maksymowicz, who owns a house right across from the ocean on Broadway in Long Beach, was not alone in his loss. While the hurricane coverage focused on the number of damaged cars, flooded basements and contaminated house appliances, many residents feel like they lost some of their memories along with sentimental objects like photo albums and collectibles.

Continue reading →

Erasable Ink: Tattoo Removal on the Rise

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Philly Bubaris at 1:25 am

On Again, Off Again: Tattoo Removal on the Rise from Philly Bubaris on Vimeo.

A tattoo that reads “Jimmye Boy,” in thick black ink on her right forearm reminds Danielle Serra, 33, of a failed marriage. The tattoo represents regret, wasted time and money.

“It’s not even the pain of the tattoo removal that hurts. It’s the fact that it is a $100 tattoo and it is going to cost like three grand to get it off,” said the Holtsville, N.Y., resident. “That sucks.”

After four tattoo removal treatments, high school math and physics teacher Glenn Habibi, 27, of Port Jefferson, N.Y., still has the word, “Veritas,” which means truth in Latin, rooted under the skin on his right forearm. It is more of a shadow compared to what it once was, but is still very visible. He is hoping by this spring he will be able to wear short sleeves to work.

“[The tattoo] does represent when I was younger and sillier I suppose, but I don’t really want to be reminded of that anymore,” Habibi said.

The U.S. Food and Drug administration estimates that as many as 45 million Americans have at least one tattoo, about 15 percent of the U.S. population. With tattoos increasing in popularity, a secondary trend has sprung up: tattoo removal. Continue reading →

The End of the Road: My Thoughts on JRN 380

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Michael Cusanelli at 5:05 pm

Everyone in the journalism program talks about how JRN 380 is the hardest class in the entire curriculum. I think that answer is only partially correct – like any class, the level of difficulty depends on how much effort you put in from the start.

Granted, this was a difficult class, but I’ve learned so much and grown as a photographer and videographer enough to warrant the amount of work given. Before this class I had only shot video with a dslr camera once or twice; now, I feel confident shooting anything with my dslr.

If you want to succeed in this class, don’t just do what’s required of you – put in some extra hours here and there. Professor Ahmad offers several opportunities for extra credit, and some of them are actually really fun, like shooting pictures at Occupy Wall Street. And having an extra credit laying around means that you’re covered in case you have a really bad shoot and get a lower grade then you hoped.

And remember to go to Professor Ahmad’s office hours. When he says to stop by so he can look at your work, he actually means it. Take 20 minutes out of your week and stop by to talk with him, because you’ll often find out that the shot you thought was really good needs some work, or something you overlooked is worth adding.

Above all else, remember something: If someone doesn’t like your photo or video, it isn’t something to be taken as a personal offense. Too many people get scared off from this class because they know their work is going to be critiqued in front of the rest of the class. But if you’re afraid to hear constructive criticism, you’ll never get any better. Take class critiques as a way to make yourself better, and you’ll be a better journalist for it. After a while, you may actually appreciate it when someone points out something small and seemingly insignificant, because it will help you improve in the long run.

So overall, I thought this was a really interesting class and definitely worth the work. Just remember that your effort is a direct reflection of what you’ll get on your final grade, so don’t expect to skate through this class. If you make it through you’ll look back and realize that everything you did was worth it after all.

JRN 380: demanding but essential

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Nelson Oliveira at 11:08 am

As a very long and hectic semester comes to an end, I look back to the first week of class and one thing comes to mind: how bad my photography skills were. After shooting several photo galleries with my DLSR camera, shooting video with that same camera and watching Prof. Ahmad’s grading podcasts, I am absolutely sure I improved a lot.

It was not an easy class by any means. This is a 300-level course and I expected it to be demanding. In addition, Prof. Ahmad has very high expectations for the class, which is understandable since we are supposed to come to this class with a good knowledge of photography (taught in JRN 211 and JRN 320).

I encourage future JRN 380 students to try to review all those basic photography concepts before the beginning of the semester to avoid wasting time learning ISO, f/stop and shutter speed all over again. This class will teach you how to use those settings more wisely, how to use a flash, how to shoot portraits and real breaking news stories like Occupy Wall Street and Hurricane Sandy.

As far as the syllabus goes, I think one thing I would have liked to see more is Photoshop and Final Cut editing. We did learn some of that, but I feel like there are so many different settings on those programs that I’m sure I could have made some of my work look better if I had experimented with them.

Overall, this is a demanding but essential class for journalism students who want to be on top of their game when looking for a job after graduation. Don’t take too many credits while taking this class (especially upper-level ones) and use your camera as much as you can. Go out and shoot random events on campus, go to Port Jeff, New York City or wherever and experiment with all possible settings of your camera. That will only make your life easier when working on your class projects.

Passing the Time with Music: An Enviornmental Portrait

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Nick Batson at 10:08 am

Every one of us has something we enjoy doing to pass the time. Some pass the time aimlessly by surfing the web, or watching television. Stony Brook senior Devin Lewis plays acoustic guitar in his free time, he thinks it’s a more constructive use of time.

Lewis, 22, has been playing guitar since he was in the second grade. “I decided one day that I wanted to learn [guitar],” said Lewis. “So my mom and dad took me to a guitar store near my house and I got an acoustic guitar and began taking lessons.”

Despite the amount of time he’s been playing, Lewis never wanted to pursue music as a career. “It’s always just been something that I used to pass the time,” said Lewis. “I’ve found that it helps me relax.”

: Devin Lewis plays guitar in his dorm room on Dec. 03, 2012. Lewis has been playing guitar for 14 years. Photo by Nick Batson

: Stony Brook senior Devin Lewis plays guitar on Dec.03, 2012.

: Lewis, a theater major, enjoys playing guitar in his free time. He says that it’s a great stress reliever and relaxes him when he gets anxious, especially during finals. Photo: Nick Batson

: Devin Lewis,22, A Stony Brook University student plays his guitar Dec. 03, 2012. Lewis has been playing guitar since he was in the second grade. Photo: Nick Batson

: Lewis, a senior at Stony Brook University, is a theater major and hopes to pursue a career in publishing after he graduates. Photo: Nick Batson

Student-Run Organizations Host a Variety Show for Cancer Kids

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Brian Stallard at 8:43 am

: Co-host Ramon Reinoso, Junior, introduces the acts during the “All the World’s a Stage” variety show hosted in Ballroom-A in the Student Activity Center of Stony Brook University, on Monday night, Dec. 3, 2012. The variety show was made possible through the joined efforts of Alpha Epsilon Delta, S.B. SHINE, the Comedian’s Guild, the Hindu Students Council, Phi Chi Epsilon, the Pre-Med Society, and Phi Delta Epsilon. Students were charged $5 for admission, and all proceeds from the event went directly to the Stony Brook University Medical Center Sunrise Fund for children with cancer.

: Kirti Parmar, sophomore, and Arani Nandakumar, sophomore, dance an Indian Classical Fusion during the “All the World’s a Stage” variety show hosted in Ballroom-A in the Student Activity Center of Stony Brook University, on Monday night, Dec. 3, 2012. The duo won second prize at the event for their performance. The variety show was made possible through the joined efforts of Alpha Epsilon Delta, S.B. SHINE, the Comedian’s Guild, the Hindu Students Council, Phi Chi Epsilon, the Pre-Med Society, and Phi Delta Epsilon. Students were charged $5 for admission, and all proceeds from the event went directly to the Stony Brook University Medical Center Sunrise Fund for children with cancer.

: Comedians Guild member Ryan Reynolds tells the audience about how his grandmother and his drug dealer are now “really good friends” during the “All the World’s a Stage” variety show hosted in Ballroom-A in the Student Activity Center of Stony Brook University, on Monday night, Dec. 3, 2012. The variety show was made possible through the joined efforts of Alpha Epsilon Delta, S.B. SHINE, the Comedian’s Guild, the Hindu Students Council, Phi Chi Epsilon, the Pre-Med Society, and Phi Delta Epsilon. Students were charged $5 for admission, and all proceeds from the event went directly to the Stony Brook University Medical Center Sunrise Fund for children with cancer.

: Children, parents, and volunteers from the Sunrise Fund laugh at a comedic performance during the “All the World’s a Stage” variety show hosted in Ballroom-A in the Student Activity Center of Stony Brook University, on Monday night, Dec. 3, 2012. The variety show was made possible through the joined efforts of Alpha Epsilon Delta, S.B. SHINE, the Comedian’s Guild, the Hindu Students Council, Phi Chi Epsilon, the Pre-Med Society, and Phi Delta Epsilon. Students were charged $5 for admission, and all proceeds from the event went directly to the Stony Brook University Medical Center Sunrise Fund for children with cancer.

: Ulga Glazman of the Circus Club juggles as she rides a unicycle around the stage during the “All the World’s a Stage” variety show hosted in Ballroom-A in the Student Activity Center of Stony Brook University, on Monday night, Dec. 3, 2012. According to her fellow club members, Ulga’s performance won the third place prize for them, with displays of juggling, unicycling, and hula-hoop dancing. The variety show was made possible through the joined efforts of Alpha Epsilon Delta, S.B. SHINE, the Comedian’s Guild, the Hindu Students Council, Phi Chi Epsilon, the Pre-Med Society, and Phi Delta Epsilon. Students were charged $5 for admission, and all proceeds from the event went directly to the Stony Brook University Medical Center Sunrise Fund for children with cancer.

: Professor Thomas Hemmick, Ph.D. plays a whimsical tune on his saxophone, accompanying a slideshow describing the N.F.L. game between the Jets and the patriots last Thanksgiving Night that proved an embarrassment to Jets fans, with a final score of 49 (N.E.) to 19 (N.Y.) and at one point three touchdowns in 53 seconds. His comical performance was given a brief standing ovation, likely by past students, during the “All the World’s a Stage” variety show hosted in Ballroom-A in the Student Activity Center of Stony Brook University, on Monday night, Dec. 3, 2012. The variety show was made possible through the joined efforts of Alpha Epsilon Delta, S.B. SHINE, the Comedian’s Guild, the Hindu Students Council, Phi Chi Epsilon, the Pre-Med Society, and Phi Delta Epsilon. Students were charged $5 for admission, and all proceeds from the event went directly to the Stony Brook University Medical Center Sunrise Fund for children with cancer.

“All-right thats it for pictures. Thanks for coming out guys, but the kids need sleep. Lets all go home.”

After the last few shutters snap and flashes bounce off smiling faces and sparkling trophies, the remaining performers and volunteers of the “All the World’s a Stage” variety show disentangle arms and head away from the stage of Ballroom-A in the Student Activity Center of Stony Brook University, on Monday night, Dec. 3, 2012.

After dismissing everyone, Ramon Reinoso, junior and co-host of the event, stoops down low to say goodbye to a handful of tiny children who are now leaving the room with their parents. They are still smiling, but you can tell it is long-past their bed time. The children, cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their siblings wave their last goodbye to Ramon and the rest of the volunteers and leave the ballroom with their parents. The variety show produced through the joined efforts of Alpha Epsilon Delta, S.B. SHINE, the Comedian’s Guild, the Hindu Students Council, Phi Chi Epsilon, the Pre-Med Society, and Phi Delta Epsilon, was held for them, and children like them who are being supported by the Stony Brook University medical Center’s Sunrise Fund. Continue reading →

Environmental Portraits

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Philly Bubaris at 6:29 pm

So far, taking portraits has been the biggest challenge of my undergraduate career, harder than any final exam or research paper. Taking photos is an art, one that involves not only knowledge of what makes up a good photo, but also an extensive knowledge of how different settings on the camera work. Throw in the use of a flash and things get pretty complicated. I now have a much bigger appreciation for all of the wedding photographers out there. Portraiture is time consuming and frustrating at times, but thankfully, I had two very cooperative subjects. Continue reading →

Down, But Not Out: Mastic Beach Recovers from Hurricane Sandy

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Michael Cusanelli at 9:12 am

Mastic Beach from Michael Cusanelli on Vimeo.

The town of Mastic Beach was broken by Hurricane Sandy. Seaside homes lay in ruins, their siding torn off by powerful waves, hardwood floors covered in black mold. Piles of garbage stood in heaps on the street, filled with insulation foam, bedding, and clothing that had been soaked during the storm. Several massive trees lay in splinters, their trunks ripped apart by hurricane-force winds.

And more than three weeks later, residents continue to repair the damages done to their homes and their lives after the ocean tried to reclaim the small town on Long Island’s south shore.

“We got five feet of water here and we had to evacuate,” said Eddie Jansen, a homeowner in Mastic Beach who has lived in Mastic for over 20 years. “It blew down the double doors on my basement and just poured in. I used to have bayview property, and now I’ve got bay and ocean view.”

For Mastic Beach residents living directly on the coast, the worst flooding occurred when the initial storm surge broke through several sandbars off of the coast, flooding many of the homes directly in its path. Without the sandbars to keep the water of the Atlantic Ocean at bay, many homeowners received anywhere from several inches to eight feet of water.

“I took on a foot of water and had my backyard full of everybody’s debris from anywhere from Moriches to locally,” said Bruce Summa, whose home on Riviera Drive was rolled off of its foundations by the waves. Summa and his wife, Lorraine, were allowed to remain in their home, but were forced to remove all insulation and flooring from the house to prevent mold.

“Basically we’ll be left with a shell that will be down to the studs and the outer wall,” Summa said.

Many of the communities hit the hardest during Hurricane Sandy are also areas of relatively low income, according to the most recent US census data. Communities like the Rockaways, Lindenhurst, and Mastic Beach, averaged a lower than average median income per household, according to the 2010 census.

The average household income from Mastic Beach totalled just over $23,000 a year, with households in the Rockaways and Lindenhurst averaging $31,275 and $25,553, respectively.The median income of New York State residents was cited at $30,948 for 2010.The effects of the storm will most certainly make the cleanup and renovations in these areas more difficult for residents.

According to a report by Fios1 Long Island, over 100 Mastic Beach residents had to be rescued from their homes after Hurricane Sandy, while 200 more homes have been condemned for the foreseeable future. Many of the evacuees will never be able to move back into their original homes, while others will have to work for weeks in order to eliminate the remnants of the deadly mold created by the stagnant waters which invaded their homes.

“TV doesn’t give it justice, what people have been going through,” said Dimitri Katrivanos, a landscaper from Ronkonkoma, who was in Mastic Beach cleaning up the home of one resident. “I’ve been doing this [landscaping] for 15 years and I’ve never seen anything like this. It scared me to be honest.”

But while the damage to many homes was extensive, several residents were confident that they would recover from the storm, despite the terrible circumstances.

“We were hit pretty bad, but fortunately we feel we are the lucky ones,” said Lorraine Rimmelin, as she sorted through the remains of her waterlogged home. “So many people have it so much worse. We have something to build on, and we will build.”

A home in Mastic Beach still shows signs of flooding on Nov 10, two weeks after Hurricane Sandy devastated the Long Island area. Photo by Michael Cusanelli

Gus Hudo, a homeowner in Mastic Beach, prepares to go under his house to begin stripping away insulation foam covered in mold on Nov. 17, 2012. Gus’ home was invaded by two feet of water during Hurricane Sandy just three weeks earlier. Photo by Michael Cusanelli

Jim Brustad pauses inside his brother-in-law’s home in Mastic Beach on Nov 17 as he works to help remove the debris that flooded the home. During the storm, two feet of water invaded the lower floor, destroying the insulation under the house and causing mold to grow in the weeks after. Photo by Michael Cusanelli

A Mastic Beach home and its contents lie in ruins after the Atlantic Ocean rushed through it during Hurricane Sandy. Photo by Michael Cusanelli

A jungle gym lays on its side after being knocked down by the storm surge caused by Hurricane Sandy in late October. Homeowner Olivera Sagarese and her family were forced to relocate after their home was deemed condemned by building inspectors. Photo by Michael Cusanelli

A massive tree lays split in half next to a Mastic Beach home after falling during Hurricane Sandy. According to a report from Fios1 Long Island, over 100 Mastic Beach residents had to be rescued from their homes after the storm destroyed many homes in the south shore town. Photo by Michael Cusanelli

Furniture and bedding sit in a huge pile outside of a Mastic Beach home after Hurricane Sandy flooded dozens of coastal homes in late October. Photo by Michael Cusanelli

Hurricane Sandy Shakes Up the Tri-State Area

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Philly Bubaris at 7:14 pm

On Staten Island, a Tanker ship was beached on the shore. In Queens, over 100 homes were burnt down. On Long Island, waterfront areas were completely submerged.

Hurricane Sandy, a hybrid storm that combined two other storm systems, was expected to hit New Jersey late Monday night and last until Tuesday evening. In preparation for the storm, Subways in New York City were shut down, low-lying waterfront areas were evacuated and schools were closed. Shelves in every grocery store were wiped clean and residents prepared for devastation.

An enormous tree is torn from the ground on Burgundy Lane in Nesconset, N.Y., on Oct. 30, 2012, just missing the resident’s home. Hurricane Sandy, also known as ‘Frankenstorm,’ shook up the Tri-State area killing 10 people and leaving more than a million without power. Photo by Philly Bubaris.

After a night of 70-mile-per-hour winds and the sound of sirens out the window, the storm was over. People emerged from their homes in pajamas looking tired and concerned. They saw sheds crushed by trees, roads blocked and live wires on the lawn. Clean-up began, but still, there is a long way to go. Continue reading →

Environmental Portraits

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Michael Cusanelli at 2:57 pm

Aaron Kapner and his sister Jen have been around motorcycles their entire lives. The Kapner family is the owner of Fun Wheels LTD., the largest and oldest Honda bike dealership on Long Island, which opened in 1962.

From a young age, Aaron and his sister have grown up around bikes and motorcycle culture. Today, they both ride and fix bikes for a living in their father’s shop.

Jen, 25, is a bike mechanic and cosmetologist. The Yaphank native says that each day at the bike shop offers her the opportunity to learn something new about biking.

Aaron, 34, is the co-owner of Fun Wheels LTD., and works as a commercial fisherman in addition to his duties at the shop.

About a year ago, Kapner invented a unique biodegradable bait-delivery system designed to attract fish while eliminating the mess and odor of traditional fishing chum.

The pellets are made from kelp and seaweed, which dissolve naturally and also release fertilizing and oxygenating agents when dropped. Kapner hopes that his new product will create a safe, fun, and environmentally friendly solution to traditional chum and animal bates.

Kapner is the owner and CEO of the GreenKap Corporation, and plans to expand his business into the hunting industry as well.

Yaphank native Aaron Kapner, 34, poses on a motorcycle at Fun Wheels LTD on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 in Medford. Kapner is the co-owner of Fun Wheels LTD., a Honda bike dealership in Medford, N.Y. Kapner is also the inventor of a bio-degradable bait pellet which is designed to deoxygenate and fertilize ocean waters. Photo by Michael Cusanelli.

Jenifer Davis, 25, poses on a motorcycle at Fun Wheels LTD on Saturday, October 27 2012. Davis is a mechanic at Fun Wheels LTD, which has been owned and operated by her family for 50 years. Photo by Michael Cusanelli

Journographica Class Blogs

Class blogs for Stony Brook University's JRN320, 380 and 381

Tag Archives: JRN 380

Memories Destroyed by Sandy

Erasable Ink: Tattoo Removal on the Rise

The End of the Road: My Thoughts on JRN 380

JRN 380: demanding but essential

Passing the Time with Music: An Enviornmental Portrait

Student-Run Organizations Host a Variety Show for Cancer Kids

Environmental Portraits

Down, But Not Out: Mastic Beach Recovers from Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy Shakes Up the Tri-State Area

Environmental Portraits