Week in Review: Happening on the Forks

On Immigrant Rights, Working Waterfront & Jazz That Bends Space-Time

Author

Beth Young
August 10, 2025

Welcome to the East End Beacon’s Week in Review!

Happening on The Forks

Crowd Begs Suffolk Legislature to Stand Up for Immigrants

A sea of people wearing white descended on the Suffolk County Legislature’s Aug. 5 meeting at the Riverhead County Center, pleading with the legislature to stand up for immigrants living here.

The quiet protest, organized by the Long Island Immigrant Justice Alliance, came amidst a wave of arrests and raids by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal immigration agencies throughout the county and the country, including several on the East End — two separate raids in Greenport in the last two weeks resulted in the arrest of four people, and many people have reported that their neighbors and friends are afraid to go to work, even if they are working here legally.

Donald Harrison, Chris Severin, Vasti Jackson and Cyril Neville at the 2024 Quantum Leap Festival.

Music

More than a Jazz Spaceship Touching Down in Cutchogue

NoLa to NoFo Makes Plans for the Long Run

When Donald Harrison’s Quantum Leap Music Festival came into Cutchogue like a whirlwind in September of 2024, it seemed like it might be a one-off chance to see some of the best jazz musicians from New Orleans in an intimate setting at the North Fork’s first winery, now Borghese Vineyard.

The festival, organized by NoLa to NoFo, LLC is coming back to Borghese Aug. 14 through Aug. 17, with four afternoons and evenings of what organizers are dubbing “a mind-expanding, soul-shaking sonic experience.”

Across the Waters

Cheers for County Working Waterfront Bill

Greenport, one of the few deepwater ports on Long Island, as seen from the harbor.

The Suffolk County Legislature heard unanimous support for new legislation that would protect working waterfront properties at a public hearing Tuesday evening, Aug. 5. The legislature is expected to vote on the bill at its next meeting Sept. 3.

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The Water Beat

The route of the proposed North Fork Pipeline

RIVERHEAD TO HOLD FORUM & HEARING ON NORTH FORK WATER PIPELINE

Riverhead Town will hold a public forum next Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. to share information regarding the Suffolk County Water Authority’s proposed North Fork Pipeline, which is slated to travel over 8.5 miles of roads, mostly in the Town of Riverhead.

The 24-inch diameter pipeline, as currently proposed, would tie into existing Water Authority infrastructure on Whitebrook Drive in Flanders, traveling up Route 105 to Northville Turnpike, and then east on Sound Avenue to the Southold Town line.

Suffolk County Water Authority CEO Jeff Szabo

REGIONAL VOICES: WE ALL HAVE A ROLL TO PLAY IN PROTECTING OUR WATER SUPPLY

By Jeff Szabo, CEO, Suffolk County Water Authority

In late July, the Suffolk County Water Authority issued a Stage 1 Water Alert for the 1.2 million people we serve across Suffolk County, which is still ongoing. This is not something we do lightly. The alert follows several weeks of extreme water demand that have pushed our system to its limits, particularly during the early morning hours, when automated sprinkler systems turn on across the county.

The Government Beat

Riverhead Board Deems Petrocelli Qualified & Eligible to Build Town Square Project

The Riverhead Town Board unanimously voted Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 5 to designate J. Petrocelli Riverhead Town Square LLC qualified and eligible to construct the new Town Square on East Main Street and an adjacent five-story hotel with restaurants and shops on the ground floor.

LOOKING AHEAD

Land Use & Housing, Across the Forks

The property that had formerly belong to the Skyway Drive-In Movie Theater in Greenport is outside of the Village of Greenport. It’s one piece of land that some believe would be well-suited for affordable housing if Southold Town allows it in its Zoning Update

Zoning in Greenport West

Looking ahead to next week, the Village of Greenport holds a special meeting Monday at 5 p.m. to discuss the Southold Zoning Update and its impact on Greenport West — the area outside the incorporated village that is still in the Greenport zip code (11944).

Hearing on Riverside Apartments

The Southampton Town Board will hold a public hearing on the use of Community Housing Funds for Georgica Green’s proposed 40-unit mixed-use affordable rental apartment complex on Flanders Road in Riverside at its Tuesday, Aug. 12 meeting at 1 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Piano Rites, Transitions & Studios of Shelter Island

Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 16 & 17

ARTSI At 15 Years Old

The Shelter Island Artist membership group ARTSI holds its 15th Annual Open Studio Tour of artist workspaces throughout the island next weekend.

Saturday, Aug 16

Transitions

William Ris Gallery in Jamesport presents a solo exhibition of monotypes and works on plywood by North Fork-based artist Ted Thirlby, opening from 4 to 7 p.m.

Aug 15 & 17

Piano Rites

The Rites of Spring Music Festival holds a series of Piano Recitals at the Unitarian Universalists of Southold Aug. 15 & 17. in collaboration with Fazioli Pano Gran Coda.

ON THE AIR

Behind the Headlines

At this week’s Behind the Headlines on 88.3 WLIW-FM, Beacon editor Beth Young joins a panel bidding Express News Group columnist Carlos Sandoval farewell, as he reflects on several decades covering the changing face of the East End’s Latino population.

Keep Independent News on the East End

The Beacon is able to provide all of our content online free of charge thanks to support from our readers. Be a vital part of keeping our community informed!

A Final Note

“Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.” — John F. Kennedy

See you next Sunday,

Beth