The Chamber sent representatives to the press conference at  the Port Jefferson Village Center June 25th to witness the groundbreaking technology and launching of the new app-Port Jeff Portal. It allows users to take a unique, historical look into areas around the Village of Port Jefferson narrated by local historian, Ken Brady. The augmented reality app is the result of collaborative efforts with the Port Jefferson Conservancy, President of YourPastPortal.com, John Rago, the Village of Port Jefferson, Cablevision's Optimum WiFi and Ken Brady. Imagine if you could be transported back in time and experience a familiar place as it was 30, 50, or 100 years ago...the buildings...the people...the history. The app will feature 7 points of interest centered in Mayor Jeanne Garant Harborfront Park and will bring historical content to life. Over time, digital "walking tours" will be added and updated giving fresh new looks at different historical and chronological points. The free mobile application available to most major devices will be the gateway into the past of Port Jefferson going back up to 100 years. You can simply install the application by going to www.portjeffportal.com and begin discovering the rich maritime history of Port Jefferson.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER!

This annual, community-wide event was free and open to all who want to learn more about how to lower our carbon footprint and help make our community a healthier place to live! Environmental organizations, participants with earth-friendly messages, our library, and our local school helped this year in making a difference in our community, TOGETHER!  Our commitment was and is for a green future which was visible everywhere around the Village Center.  Exhibits and vendors promoted the reduction of our carbon footprint to advocating recycling and using recycled materials whenever possible and using alternatively fueled transportation.

This year our 'Green Market' promoted 2 new Chamber Partners who contributed with attendees dropping off old electronics and gently used clothing. This added a new and useful dimension to the Fest.

We again had for the second year a mini 'Farmers Market' with offerings from plants to organic baked goods. For some entertainment, there were demonstrations using 'reclaimed' wood with the making of flutes, and magic wands. Guests could watch a craftsman turn the wood on a wood lathe. Also not to forget Jungle Bob with his GREEN reptiles!  

There were also our hybrid vehicles, 4 bands, powered by Go Solar, and a gorgeous weather day that made this event very successful! Green Fest is made possible through the contributions of our generous sponsors and collaborators.  Many thanks to our hometown newspaper, The Times Beacon Record, who co-sponsored this event with our Chamber.  We are so very grateful to all! Visit our website www.pjgreenfest.com. "Like" us on www.facebook.com/pjgreenfest.

See you next year...

Jolie Powell-Chair, PJ Chamber of Commerce 1st VP

Well May was a very busy month in the Chamber. We were contacted by a travel agent in California about a delegation from the Province of Shandong in China who wanted to 'tour' Port Jefferson. After many conversations the delegation arrived at the Chamber. All the delegations were officials involved in the business of transportation and shipping. They took a 1 ½ hour walking tour with Director of Operations Barbara Ransome and a Chinese Interpreter. Afterwards they gifted the Chamber 2 beautiful books made up of 'paper cuts' of the facial makeup of the Peking Opera.

Keeping the cultural theme going, a Japanese travel writer from a weekly NYC Japanese newspaper, 'Chopsticks NY' spent 1 night and 2 days visiting PJ village. With help from the Chamber staff, a 2 day itinerary was created. It included Chamber partners, East End Shirt Company, Sea Creations, Celtic Quest Fishing Charter, Danfords, Schafer's, Kimi, and Port Jefferson Ferry. Many thanks to all that so warmly welcomed 'Masako' and a special thank you to Therese at Danfords who gave a very nice discount for Masako's overnight accommodation. All of this effort actually paid off...2 weeks later Joy owner of East End, had 3 sets of tourists visiting from NYC who actually had the newspaper article in hand. They had deliberately gone to her store because of the article and one set had reservations on the Celtic Quest for a fishing trip!