It has been an exciting start to 2009 in the USGBC-LI chapter. We are about to go live with our new website which will focus on the LEED projects occurring here on Long Island. We have just celebrated the first LEED Gold retail grocery store to receive it's plaque in all of New York State. Wild by Nature, a division of King Kullin received their Gold plaque in April and the ceremony was an affirmation of all things built green. We also attended the LEED plaque ceremony for the first public school in the state to attain LEED status, Hampton Bays Middle School in February. From Stafford Associates new headquarters located in East Setauket to the Levitton project in Huntington, Long Island is brimming with LEED projects. It is with great enthusiasm that I applaud all the professionals, trades people, and developers who are leading the charge to a new, better and greener Long Island. What all started with Russell Albanese and the Abanese Organization on Franklin Ave. in Garden City has expanded to the Bartone Family in Farmingdale, the Blumenfelds in Deer Park and the Staffords in East Setauket. I congratulate all those involved, most of all our chapter members who give of their time and talent to make these projects successful Lastly, I want to recognize our municipalities led by Babylon town supervisor Steve Bellone. His energy and enthusiasm has led to the formation of the Babylon Project. A foundation whose mission is to promote energy retro-fits to towns and cities across this great country. To one and all lets keep up the great work and push ourselves to be leaders in "Building Green, where everyone Profits." Art Desin Jr. is chairman for USGBC-LI, Hauppauge, N.Y.