Dr. Matthew Marullo, a native Long Islander, has just published his first novel, entitled The Octave Displacement ($17.95/iUniverse). This exciting 276-page sci-fi novel relates the strange adventures of Mike Chessel, a genius composer, who discovers "Cosmic Notes" - a unique set of musical notes that open up a passage to Antiearth, Earth's cosmic twin. But these notes can also unleash a destructive force, as evidenced by the cataclysmic event that occurred in Tunguska, Siberia in 1908. FULL STORY

Plainedge High School senior Kaitlyn Duncan was named one of 40 finalists from around the country in the INTEL National Science Talent Search. She is one of six finalists from Long Island and one of 12 from New York. FULL STORY

Spring is right around the corner. It's time to plan your garden and what better way than by learning how to grow dahlias, which are the backbone of the late summer/fall garden. The Long Island Dahlia Society will hold a special dahlia beginner's class at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 15 in the Carriage House at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum on Montauk Highway in East Islip. There will be refreshments after the class and admission is free. All are welcome. In addition, after refreshments there will be a lecture about dahlia propagation. For information, visit www.LongIslandDahlia.com or call Joe at 1-(631) 754-1002 in the evening or 832-3652 during the day. FULL STORY

Join the South Shore Audubon Society on a winter bird walk at Jones Beach Zach's Bay on Sunday, Feb. 25. FULL STORY