Back at the end of 2007 the Long Island Business News announced their list of Long Island influentials. The LIBN staff issued their annual presentation of Long Island’s most influential people in business, government, education, philanthropy and civic life. The people on the list may not have a formal role or position in a business organization or public institution but they are seen as the local movers and shakers.

Katherine Heaviside, President of Epoch 5 Public Relation, was recognized among the leading figures in media and public relations firms on Long Island.  The LIBN staff described her accomplishments through the company she keeps:

“Look at the client list of Huntington’s Epoch 5 Public Relations and it seems every single organization, either for-profit or not, is represented by the firm Katherine Heavisde founded. In 25 years, Heaviside has been in the hunt, bagging big game such as Brookhaven National Laboratory, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, King Kullen, Cablevision, HIP Health Plan of New York and too-many-to-list power packed law and accounting firms. “

Anyone who knows business here knows that Heaviside has guided and influenced the most prominent corporations and institutions on Long island.  LIBN  also praise her service to local nonprofits and community organizations.

Epoch 5 Public Relations, located in Huntington NY, is Long Island’s largest public relations firm.  They provide a full range of media relations and PR services.  Epoch 5 represents leading firms in health care, real estate, energy, media, education, nonprofits, and professional services.

New York State just formulated a task force their focus being Mold. Here you can find government (Huntington) offices and websites that maybe helpful in obtaining more information on what your local government may be doing Nassau Suffolk. With the humid weather conditions especially on Long Island mold and mildew are problems with which almost every homeowner is faced and is not an issue to be ignored as it can be a hazard to you and your families health and eventually force you and your loved ones out of your home.

Mold is has many nuisances as well as uses. As many organisms Ecosystems are established on different organisms each interacting through different forms of symbiosis , amensalism , commensalism , mutualism, and parasitism.
Some prevention options include air purification systems or contacting a contractor who has knowledge in the rectification and prevention procedures in the treatment of mold susceptible residences. as well as Resources such as private testing contractors, environmental testing labs, and environmental agencies can be a good starting point for your battle against mold. When you have already lost your battle against mold your next most important step is the cleanup. Some options include cleaning services and carpet cleaning services.
Rectify your mold problem ASAP as they can be deadly to you and your loved ones!!

The price of heating your home with oil heat this year is expected to go up by 22 percent.  This estimate was annouced today by the federal Energy Information Administration. It is widely covered in the print, radio, tv and online media today.   The offical EIA press release is titled “Short-term energy and winter fuels outlook“.  The report notes that 32 percent  of the homes in the northeast use oil heat for winter fuel. The estimate of a 22% increase couldbe quite a shock to the local economy on Long Island for the first quater of 2008.  So far Long Island and the metro New York City area have not suffered as much as many regions from the economic impact of the sub-prime lending crisis.  But the difficulties in the local housing market are starting to hit now.  Sub-prime mortgages with variable interest rates are kicking in and many new home owners will feel double dsitress from raising monthly mortage payments and higher home heating costs this winter.

The EIA report states that natural gas prices will increase by about 10% nationwide.  Part of the expected cost increases for home heating this winter is due to overall demand going up.  The winter season is expected to be about 4% colder than last year. 

But it is important to note that part of the impact on your personal budget depends on the home energy saving steps you take in the next two months.  It is not too late to do simple home improvement and repair projects to winterize your home.  In the past few weeks we have update the business listings and information on our local Long Isalnd directroy category for home heating energy saving tips. You will find information there for county programs and New York State programs that help  Many of these resources will aslo refer you to LIPA’s web resource for Energy Saving Tools so that is a good site to visit first.

The LIPA web interactive tools ask you questions about your home, heating types, appliances and other basic questions.  The top ways to save on energy costs are provided in the areas of weatherization, water heating, lighting and appliances.  Once you have evaluated your home you can plan the home improvement or repair projects that will best help you save money this winter.  You can find other helpful resources and businesses in these related categories in our yellow pages style online directory:
Long Island home heating systems
Long Island home heating oil
Long Island natural gas
Long island solar heating
Long Island wood stoves
Long Island home improvement contractors

It is inspiring to discover the Long Island Idea Factory a local Long Island blog that asks the big questions and offers a unique blend of critical analysis and commentary.  The common theme that unites many of the individual posts is simple enough: adapt the latest web information technology and social media to help solve Long Island’s regional problems.  Of course, the devil is in the details and as people in technology would say - in the implementation.  The first step though is bringing some of these Internet technolgy tools to the attention of Long Island’s business leaders, nonprofit leaders, community organizers, and cconcerned citizens.  There is increasing recognition that persistent problems like affordable housing and the so-called “brain drain” (the migration of young adults from Long Island to other states) must be solved on a regional basis. It will be interesting to see how the Long Island Idea Factory can help organizations and communties move forward toward common solutions.