Great Neck Record 1/25/23 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

Attorney General James Visits Great Neck

Temple Beth-El hosts Shabbat Service to honor Martin Luther King Jr. JULIE PRISCO

jprisco@antonmediagroup.com

On Friday, Jan. 13, Temple Beth-El of Great Neck hosted its annual Shabbat Service honoring the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Each year on the Friday of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Temple Beth-El hosts a special Shabbat Service with a keynote speaker to honor MLK Jr. for his involvement in the civil rights moment and commemorate his visit to the Temple in 1967. This year’s keynote speaker was New York State’s Attorney General, Letitia James.

The Temple Beth-El of Great Neck community has always supported equality, freedom and progress. To honor MLK’s social justice movement and his historic speech at Temple Beth-El 56 years ago, the temple hosts this special service to remind people to support important causes.

Recently, public expressions of racism, anti-Semitism, and anti-Asian have been increasing. Hate crimes, hate speech, brutality, violence, and general acts of disrespect have increased in communities across America. The special service gathering not only honors MLK and his work but inspires hope, strength, community and respect among everyone in attendance. Keynote Speaker Attorney General James delivered a powerful and eloquent speech that energized the crowd.

When Attorney General James was elected in 2018, she became the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected Attorney General. She is a powerful, effective attorney and lifelong public servant.

At the Temple Beth-El Shabbat Service, congregation members spoke, beautiful prayers and songs were shared, and people came together to celebrate MLK’s dream. Conductor Nigel Gretton and friends joined the Temple Beth-El Choir to perform music with nearly 350 attendees clapping and singing. Many local and state government officials were in attendence to show support.

Temple Beth-El Rabbi Brian Stoller opened the service by greeting the crowd and expressing his excitement to experience his first special service for MLK at the temple.

“We come together at sacred moments like this year after year to translate history into present and future,” said Rabbi Stoller. “As we listen to the beautiful music, the inspiring prayers, and the passionate words of our honored speaker tonight, let them cause a stir in your soul and inspire you to translate history into future, fate into destiny, and dreams into reality.”

Temple Beth-El Vice President of the Board of Trustees Jordana Levine spoke on behalf of Board of Trustees President Gary Slobin, who could not attend.

“Dr. King’s commitment to social justice, his devotion to service, and his efforts to work towards ensuring that there is equity for all of us is a legacy that continues to inspire and galvanize generations to carry on his mission,” said Levine. “Here at Temple Beth-El, at our core, has always been a deep involvement and commitment to social justice and the intrinsic notion that we must bridge connections with our neighbors from all faiths, backgrounds and denominations.”

Temple Beth-El Cantor Adam Davis sang with Conductor Gretton’s stylings and the Temple Choir to lead the temple in prayer and song. A few congregants and visitors were chosen to read encouraging texts, including Standing On The Parted Shores (By Michael Walzer-Exodus Story) and an excerpt from MLK’s famous I Have Dream Speach (1963).

Past President of Temple Beth-El, Roger Tilles, played an important role in organizing the MLK event. Tilles had the honor to speak and introduce Attorney General James.

“Over the last 25 years that I’ve been involved here with the interfaith Martin Luther King Shabbat Service, I’ve had the pleasure of bringing to our temple speakers such as Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Congressman John Lewis, Reverend Calvin Butts, Congressman Gary Ackerman and Steve Israel,” said Tilles. “Tonight, we’re fortunate to have Letitia James as our keynote speaker. She’s the 67th Attorney General for the State of New York with decades of experience and a long record of achievements. ”

Tilles discussed some of James’ great accomplishments as Attorney General, such as holding individuals and companies that broke state laws accountable, helping remove more than 4,000 guns from New York communities, and taking down dozens of dangerous drug trafficking rings throughout the state. Attorney General James takes on predatory landlords, goes after polluters and companies that fail to follow environmental protection laws and stands up for the vulnerable populations in our state.

The crowd gave Attorney General James a large and loud welcome to the podium at the MLK Shabbat Service. James expressed her joy and gratitude for being invited to speak at Temple Beth-El.

“Many places in the world and even in this country, this is not a normal sight, for Jews and Christians and blacks and whites and young and old coming together for the most basic, yet intimate ritual we do,” said Attorney General James. “And it is important that the very basic idea that we are all together tonight, cannot be overstated.”

James discussed a portion of the Torah that touches on the popular story of two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah. She discussed their acts of civil disobedience when a new Pharaoh rose to power and declared to reduce the Hebrew population. Shiprah

and Puah paved the way for others to be brave when faced with tough decisions, which led to the Pharaoh’s daughter saving baby Moses from the river. Moses went on to free and Jewish people.

“We must follow the lead of those men and women who engaged in civil disobedience in the hope of a better society,” said James. “Fifty-six years ago, Dr. King was here at this congregation speaking about his vision of a nation’s people who would one day learn to live in harmony with one.”

“It can feel like, we are in the eye of a moral crisis, and frankly, at times, I feel overwhelmed by the hate and bigotry that continues to spread in America,” said James. “And I’m sure, based on the love that I’ve received this evening, that I’m not alone.”

James encouraged everyone to confront those who engage in hate because of racial, ethnic or religious differences.

“As an African American, I have a responsibility to speak out against anti-Semitism, just as Dr. King reminded us that it was illegal to aid and comfort Jews in Hitler’s Germany,” said Attorney General James. “Dr. King was certain that had he lived in Germany during that time that he would’ve aided and comforted his Jewish brothers and sisters, even if it was illegal.”

James listed examples of progress throughout our nation in the forms of government action and leadership that have broken social norms and made America a more inclusive and welcoming place for all.

“I’m hopeful that love, acceptance and inclusion will always push out, hate and darkness,” said James. “I’m hopeful because of people like all of you. I am seeing that spark that ignites the fires of change that have always simmered but have never fully flamed throughout our nation’s history. We have individuals to empower, communities to strengthen children, to educate the ceilings, to crack, all a tall task. It all can be accomplished when we work together and invest in each other.”

Great Neck Sewer District Board Elects Commissioner Jerry Landsberg As Chairman

Landsberg to lead district operations through 2023

During the reorganizational meeting of the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District (GNWPCD) on January 5, GNWPCD Commissioner Jerry Landsberg was elected Chairman following a unanimous vote by the District Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Landsberg is currently serving his fifth term on the District Board and will act as Chairman throughout 2023.

“It is truly an honor to have been selected by my fellow Commissioners to act as District Chairman throughout 2023,” said Chairman Landsberg. “As a longtime Great Neck resident, being able to serve my neighbors is an incredible privilege. I take great pride in the work we do here at the GNWPCD, and I am looking forward to leading our District as we continue to advance the ways in which we protect our community’s environment.”

Over the course of his 14-year tenure on the Board, Chairman Landsberg, alongside fellow Commissioners Steve Reiter and Patty Katz, as well as GNWPCD Superintendent Christopher Murphy, has helped oversee some of the most significant technological advancements in GNWPCD history. One of the most recent of the District’s trailblaz-

ing efforts was the completion of the first Grease Receiving Station in Nassau County, which recycles brown grease into energy used to power the GNWPCD facility. Chairman Landsberg has played a significant role in helping these projects come to fruition without additional burden to the taxpayer through the successful pursuit of millions of dollars in state grants during his time on the Board.

About the GNWPCD

The Great Neck Water Pollution Control District (GNWPCD) is a special commissioner-run district within the Town of North Hempstead. The GNWPCD has provided sewage services for the Great Neck area since 1914, and currently serves more than 25,000 residents and businesses in the villages of Great Neck, Saddle Rock, Kensington, and those parts of Thomaston and Great Neck Plaza east of Middle Neck Road; as well as all unincorporated areas north of the Long Island Railroad and a part of Manhasset. The GNWPCD’s mission is to protect human health, our bays and the environment.

—Submitted by the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District

Our Culture, Our History, Our Identity: Culture & History Student Artwork

Acknowledge Our History (AOH) is holding an art exhibition displaying the winning works from AOH’s 2022 Students Art Competition -“Our Culture, Our History, Our Identity”- at the Great Neck Library from Jan. 21 to Feb. 10.

AOH received works of all types. From painting to photography, watercolor to digital art, contestants from all over the world captured ideas that represent their culture, history, and identity. Works that will be displayed at the exhibition include self-portraits, drawings of historical architecture, other objects—cherry blossoms, animals, folklores—symbolizing cultural elements in our daily life.

The theme, integrating culture, history, and identity, facilitated conversation between competitors and those around them. By learning about their culture from parents, neighbors, and mentors, they created artworks reflective of their own identity and the identity of those around them.

Twenty winning works were chosen.

Congratulations: Alex Bai, Alexander Zhang, Alicia Morales, Bohan Jin, Chendan

Zhao, Claire D’ Ambrosio, Henry Yi, Isabella Zhou, Jia Xu, Loretta Liu, Mingshi Liu, Nicolette Polena, Peilin Lü, Roselyn Ho, Sophia Liu, Steve Han, Suyeon Ryu, Zhenran He, Zhiying Liang and Zhiyue Li.

Special Thanks to Manhasset High School for supporting AOH’s Art Exhibition Efforts.

More on Acknowledge Our History:

Acknowledge Our History is a highschool-led initiative for AAPI history (Asian-American and Pacific Islander). With 14 school-based chapters across New York, AOH promotes vital Asian American narratives in the classroom and engages with the community by hosting and participating in seminars, rallies, and competitions. Local representatives such as Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti, Senator John Liu, Senator Anna Kaplan, have helped to support AOH’s mission—empowerment through education.

For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org

—Submitted by the Great Neck Public Library

Great Neck Water Pollution Control District Commissioner Jerry Landsberg, left, was unanimously elected by fellow Commissioners Patty Katz and Steve Reiter to serve as District Chairman throughout 2023. (Contributed photo)

Some winning works from AOH’s 2022 Students Art Competition on display at the Great Neck Public Library. (Contributed photos)

FRIDAY, JAN. 27-SUNDAY, JAN.29

Great Neck House Movies

Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday at 5 p.m. (Great Neck House)

Top Gun: Maverick, 2022, PG-13 (2h 10min) After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN’s elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.

FRIDAY, JAN. 27

State of the Town Address

1:15 p.m. (Clubhouse at Harbor Links) North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena will deliver her second State of the Town address. The speech will be part of a luncheon program hosted by the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Port Washington–Manhasset. She plans to share the Town’s many successes under the first year of her administration and lay out her goals and vision for 2023 and beyond. Visit lwvofpwm.org for more information.

SUNDAY, JAN. 29

Farmers’ Market

10 a.m.- 2 p.m. (Great Neck House) The Great Neck Indoor Winter Market is a collaborative project of Deep Roots Farmers Market and the Great Neck Park District. The market will continue to bring the Great Neck community fresh and local foods and crafts.

on in the world today. We have a cadre of experienced moderators who keep us on topic, even when the discussion gets heated. These superstars are people like Dr. Stan Dacher, Dana Epifan, Susan Healy, Martin Bomser, and an occasional guest moderator. No charge to come. Call 516-487-0025 for more information.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1

tional or global scene they select an expert from their various contacts to come talk about it. For new ideas and friends, see how stimulating and entertaining these active ladies are. Call 516-487-0025 for more information

THURSDAY, FEB. 2

Project Independence

TUESDAY, JAN. 31

Tech Tuesdays

10:30 a.m. (Parkville Branch Library Community Room) Get help with basic tech questions about your tablet, smartphone, laptop, and more. Assistance will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Visit greatnecklibrary.org for more information. No registration is required.

World In Depth

1 p.m. (Great Neck Social Center) Meet a bright, animated group of men and women. They talk and make sense out of what goes

Sing Along 10:30 a.m. (Great Neck Social Center) Sing Along with Mindye and Phoebe. While music is proven to help with memory, actively participating in music has been shown to have many other health benefits for seniors. Listening to music helps improve memory while also reducing the risk of decreasing mental health or depression. Blood pressure improvement and heart health improvement are other results of listening to classical music. Songs are age appropriate and seniors can request songs. This class is no cost to Nassau County residents. Please call 516-487-0025 to reserve your spot.

Womenspace 1 p.m.-3 p.m. (Great Neck Social Center) These seasoned ladies have gathered for a number of years, tuned in to what active folks think about. When this group hears about something on the local, state, na-

10:30 a.m. (Zoom) A Town of North Hempstead event for seniors. Social discussion group via Zoom. Enjoy talking with others and meeting your neighbors. Open to North Hempstead residents age 60 and older. If interested call 311 or 516-869-6311 to register and receive a Zoom link.

FRIDAY, FEB. 3

Intermediate

English Learning Classes for Adults

12 p.m.-3 p.m. (Main Library, Large Multipurpose Room 34) Learn English in this group curriculum-based class, taught by trained volunteer teachers from Literacy Nassau. Classes are three hours each and meet once a week. Please note that this is an intermediate-level class, which runs Fridays, January 20 through March 31 at the Main Library. Registration by appointment only via Literacy Nassau. Visit literacynassau.org to register.

BOOK REVIEW

Tom, Vivien, Ez---And Poetry

Review Of: The Waste Land: A Biography of A Poem,

JOSEPH SCOTCHIE

Ez Po and Possum

Have picked all the blossom, Let all the others Run back to their mothers

---Ezra Pound, 1935

As we noted in a recent issue, the year 2022 was a good one for longtime Long Island resident Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather It turned out well also for T.S. Eliot. His signature poem, “The Waste Land” declared that April is the cruelest month. It was published in October 1922 and so that month, 100 years later, saw a spate of activity, with three new biographies published on the man, those by Robert

Crawford, Lyndall Gordon, and Matthew Hollis’ study of how the poem came to be written, edited, published, and received by the critics.

Hollis’ work takes on a familiar story. There is Eliot’s 100-page manuscript, Ezra Pound’s cesarean operation, Vivien Eliot’s concise additions, the bold vision of Horace Liveright, a small time New York publisher and John Quinn, a Manhattan attorney who arranged to have the poem as the winner of Dial magazine’s annual $2,000 award as the top poetic effort in America.

Pound was il miglior fabbro (“the better craftsman”) of the editing process, eliminating the first section, pruning it down to the “April is the cruelest month” to its “Shanti, shanti, shanti” ending.

Vivien Haigh-Wood, Eliot’s long-suffering first wife, provided critical editing herself. Vivien, who thought the entire London literary scene was full of pretentious snobs applied her own scalpel. For instance:

No ma’am you needed look so old fashioned at me

By Matthew Hollis

Was changed to: If you don’t like it, you can get on with it

While the lines: It’s that medicine I took in order to bring it off

Was tightened up to: It’s them pills I took to bring it off

This volume, however, is the story of the century’s most fruitful literary friendship. Ezra Pound was the great mover and shaker of the modernist era. The two men had much in common. Pound was a classicist who lost a teaching job at Hamilton College in Ohio. An only child doted on by his middle-class parents, Pound set sail for Italy. He self-published his first volume of verse. With volume in hand, he landed in London, determined to capture that literary capitol.

Eliot, the youngest of a large and distinguished New England family, was raised in St. Louis where his father operated a successful brick manufacturing firm. His

see REVIEW on page 4A

A Biography of A Poem

prolonged education took him to England for studies at Oxford. Conrad Aiken, another aspiring poet and Eliot’s classmate at Harvard, set up the fateful meeting between Pound and Eliot. The two clicked. More important, Eliot had a draft of “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” in his baggage. Pound was bowled over, convinced that he had discovered genius. The wheels were in motion.

Pound managed to get “Prufrock” published in Poetry, the leading “little magazine” of its day. Pound gave up the life of an academic for poetry. Eliot, on track for a professorship at Harvard, incredibly enough, did the same. How to keep the man in London? After three months of courtship, Eliot married Vivien Haigh-Wood, a flirtatious woman with a history of poor health. What an epic misalliance that was. Still, the two toughed it out for 17 years of marriage. From that tumult, and the bleak house of postwar Europe thrown in, came “The Waste Land.”

Eliot and Pound were soulmates concerning the craft of poetry. In time, their interests would diverge. Eliot was a fragile man who feared the wrath of God. Pound was part of a mistaken 19th- and early 20th- century view that art and beauty might yet save the world. Hollis gets to the point:

As Pound grew more waspish, Eliot grew more wounded. Economic injustice is what ruins lives and isolates people (Pound). It is a lack of religious engagement that prevents a cohesive society (Eliot). A Christian faith will eradicate the need for inequality (Eliot). A Christian church enforces inequality (Pound).

Such was the beginning of a rupture between the two, one that lasted for nearly a quarter of a century before old

age and a sense of mortality brought the two poets together.

Hollis’ biography is thorough, scholarly, and readable. A poet himself, the author can dissect what Eliot called “the music of poetry” in both men’s verse.

Liveright’s faith in the poem was admirable, so, too, was Quinn’s maneuvering to have the verse win the Dial monetary prize.

Mostly, this is the story of two expatriates destined to bring English verse

into a new century. Both too, were the prophetic artists of out time. Both understood what August 1914 signified. Pound, more than Eliot, seemed devastated over this world and his own failure in trying to save it. By the 1960s, Pound stopped writing, retiring into the world of silence. That helped him keep to his bearings. Eliot’s Christian faith, plus his happy second marriage, was the man’s own road to sanity. Eliot was prolific in all ways. He also accepted that His kingdom is not of this earth.

A favorite of Long Island families for more than 30 years, Hofstra Summer Camps provides campers in grades K through 12 with full access to state-of-the-art classrooms, computer and science labs, acres of professional-grade athletic fields, and so much more.

Learn more: OPEN HOUSE Sunday, February 12, 2023, 12-2 p.m.

Hofstra Physical Education Center RSVP at Hofstra.edu/camp

T. S. Eliot Ezra Pound Vivien Haigh-Wood

Local Internet Provider Files Petition Against Verizon

hard to bring broadband competition that the market has been demanding for so many years.”

Optical Communications Group Inc., a company that provides Internet across Long Island, New York City and New Jersey, has filed a petition against Verizon New York for allegedly acting intentionally and/or negligently in handling OCG’s rightful and legal contract to lease Verizon’s utility poles and underground conduits, which are accessed through manholes.

“Here we have another classic David vs. Goliath story,” said Frank Kanter, the administrative director of the Fire Internet Coalition. “At FIC, we support any endeavor that promotes timely and rigorous broadband competition that is controlled by the free market and economic conditions. This nonsense between OCG and Verizon is a clear product of ineffective or weak laws, rules and regulations. Ratepayers subject to Big Telecom are the ones who suffer. FIC stands behind OCG, and will continue to support this local business that is working

According to a document from the Fair Communications Commission (FCC) titled “A National Broadband Plan For Our Future,” which was released in 2010, Congress, from 1978, first directed the FCC to ensure that the rates, terms, and conditions for pole attachments by cable television systems are just and reasonable. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 expanded the definition of pole attachments to include attachments by providers of telecommunications service, and granted both cable systems and telecommunications carriers an affirmative right of nondiscriminatory access to any pole, duct, conduit, or right-ofway owned or controlled by a utility. In 2010, the FCC revised the pole attachment rules to lower the costs of telecommunications, cable, and broadband deployment and to promote competition.

OCG is alleging that Verizon, on numerous occasions, illegally occupied OCG’s paid-for-space on the utility poles and underground facilities and used OCG’s cables without permission. OCG also alleges that for years Verizon has overcharged and

mishandled bills that were paid, resulting in an overcharge of over $260,000. And now, despite trying to work with Verizon, OCG alleges that Verizon has declared that they will terminate OCG as a licensee of Verizon’s conduits.

This would devastate OCG’s business a press release from the Fair Internet Coalition stated. This action would also hurt the customers relying on OCG’s services and decrease competition outside of Verizon and Optimum.

To fight back, Jesse C. Morris, of Coyle & Morris LLP, is representing OCG. Morris explained that a petition against Verizon has been filed within the New York State Public Service Commission, a New York State agency that regulates telecommunication.

“In a lot of areas on Long Island, the telecom or internet service is either on cable tv or it’s on old copper lines or it’s just poor,” said Brad Ickes, the president of OCG. “There’s a great deal of people, especially with COVID, who are working from home and more and more people are using those particular older networks, and those networks really can’t handle it so this way everyone’s Internet is slow, doesn’t work and a lot of people have an issue from working

from home because of the poor internet service.”

Ickes explained that as OCG deployed out through Suffolk to provide connectivity to various companies and entities, they realized that there were many areas with poor internet service.

“I was at one time a New York City police officer in the Bronx and I worked for their tech unit designing fiber for the police department,” Ickes said. “So as I was building out into Long Island, I would go and speak to the fire houses about their service, some of them were so bad they had to use cell phones to run ambulance calls. So there’s a number of fire houses out in Suffolk County especially that we brought fiber in and connected the different locations together and gave them high speed internet so that... their ambulances can function and it gives better service to those people who live out in more remote areas or even regular areas.”

Ickes said that OCG has plans to expand service out into Nassau once it finishes its deployment into Suffolk.

Anton Media Group reached out to Verizon, but did not receive a response.

For more information on this case, visit fairinternetcoalition.org.

The Santos Scandal, One Month In

A range of revelations continues to drop as life goes

Karl V. Anton, Jr., Publisher, Anton Community Newspapers, 1984-2000

Publishers of Glen Cove/Oyster Bay Record Pilot

Great Neck Record

Manhasset Press

Recent Highlights:

on JANET BURNS

jburns@antonmediagroup.com

Roughly a month after U.S. Representative George Anthony Devolder Santos (R, NY-03) made an international splash as the subject of numerous investigative reports, not a whole lot has changed (at least on paper) as a result.

Nevertheless, trickles and streams of new facts or opinions about freshman Rep. Santos have persisted from media outlets and fellow electeds, adding up to a sizable river of information about the 34-year-old congressman. Even for those in media, or in politics, it’s a lot to keep track of.

As such, Anton Media Group will be providing regular roundups of news about our local congressional rep for the foreseeable future, whether about Santos’ past or his closely watched present.

• Rep. Santos has been appointed by the House Republican Steering Committee to two House panels in the U.S. Congress: the Committee on Small Business and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

• On January 17, the group Concerned Citizens of NY-03 held a press conference with Bronx Democrat Ritchie Torres calling on the Federal Election Commission to start an investigation into Santos’ campaign finances.

• Patch.com followed up on previous reporting about Santos’ unregistered and/or failed nonprofit for animals, and revealed that multiple veterans accuse Santos of pocketing $3000 in 2017 that had been crowdfunded with the intent of saving the life of one of the veterans’ service dogs.

• On January 15, House Oversight Committee Chairman James

Comer, a fellow Republican, told CNN, “It’s not up to me or any other member of Congress to determine whether he can be kicked out for lying. Now, if he broke campaign finance laws, then he will be removed from Congress.”

• On January 18, numerous news outlets and social media accounts shared photos and one video that are supposedly from Santos’ younger years in

Finding Warmth This Winter COLUMNS

Brazil, in which a young person who closely resembles Santos appears in drag costume as ‘Kitara Ravache.’ On January 19, Santos denied that he has ever performed as a drag queen, and called the story “the most recent obsession from the media.”

• The listed district office for Rep. Santos is now open, according to Gothamist. The sign outside still identifies former Rep. Tom Suozzi (D, NY-03), and a sole employee was observed inside “scrolling on their phone.”

• On January 11, leaders of the Nassau County Republican Party, including chairman Joseph G. Cairo and fellow Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, called for Santos’ resignation. Later that day, NY Reps. Nick LaLota, Nick Langworthy and Brandon Williams, as well as South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, joined the call for Santos to resign. Santos has repeatedly said that he will not.

Nassau Illustrated News

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Editor and Publisher

Angela Susan Anton

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How do we stay warm in the winter? Comedian Milton Berle, of blessed memory, used to quip that his wife was going to need a new fur coat. Jerry Seinfeld routinely suggests retiring to his parents’ condo in Boca. Yet, we know that the real protection from the raw elements in nature is provided by the Almighty.

Here are several of my own suggestions to hearten the soul, warm the spirit and celebrate the beauty of the season.

1. Pray with fervor!

2. Bake fresh challah.

3. Take a steamy shower or bath multiple times a week.

4. Listen to relaxing music to find inner peace.

5. Drink lots of piping hot chicken soup - the Jewish Penicillin!

6. Increase your metabolism by running to do a good deed.

7. Perform acts of kindness. Warning: May be contagious.

8. Speak loving words to others

RABBI MOSHE WEISBLUM

and watch as it warms their hearts.

10. Tell a great story or joke to perk someone up.

11. Make a blessing over a toasted bagel or hot cocoa.

12. Paint a beautiful scene from nature using vibrant colors.

13. Brighten the world with your smile.

Weathering the storm is nothing new to the Jewish people. As

Mark Twain, the legendary writer, pointed out, our history is packed with examples of overcoming environmental challenges. The famous SADS syndrome - Spirit, Attitude, Determination and Survival keeps us alive and moving forward despite the climate.

Interestingly, our spiritual life is compared to water, which, like falling snow, descends from on high, then trickles down to earth. Likewise, the snow showers that occur during these months can be opportunities for spiritual osmosis, if only we let our Heavenly Creator’s divine teachings touch our souls.

Let’s abide by the proverb which states, “If your life is not as you will it, adjust your will to your life!” After all, true joy comes from within, and we have the power to form our own happiness. The biblical King Solomon tells us “To everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Yes, there will be intense, chilly

weather ahead, but there will also be forthcoming periods of sun and renewal – and that is certainly something to be glad about.

In Deuteronomy (26:11) we are instructed to “Rejoice in all the good that G-d has given [us].” And yet another proverb reminds us how important a good attitude is to our health: “A merry heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” The Talmud tells us that there are three elements that can restore a person’s spirit: beautiful sounds, sights and scents. So, if you are feeling down, imagine the crackling of golden logs in a fireplace or the aroma of fresh kugel floating through your home. Think about the purity of pristine snow or the way that delicate icicles act as prisms of sunlight.

It is my hope that you’ll internalize these insights this winter season, and allow them to both fuel your spiritual life and warm your soul.

Director of Business Administration Linda Baccoli

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Celebrating

1984-2023

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Rep. George Santos’ Twitter profile image.

Are You Ready for Human Composting? COLUMNS

Sometimes, the garbage in my kitchen pail really stinks.

Most of the time, it’s because somebody threw a food item into the pail a few days ago and now it is rotting away. It’s plain and simple. Old, rotting food stinks after a few days, especially during hot weather. We spend hundreds of dollars every year on garbage bags to camou age the odor from rotting food. I don’t believe there is a law against tossing garbage directly into the outside garbage pails without a bag, but no one does that. Even garbage bags, from time to time, break, causing a mess inside the pail. Ignore the garbage, and it will eventually begin to stink.

Long Islanders with large properties sometimes create compost piles to store food scraps and lawn trimmings, allowing Mother Nature to break them down naturally. e process takes a few months, but eventually, composters are rewarded with nutrient-rich soil for use in their gardens. Of course, composting piles are often accompanied by a speci c o ending odor. Most of us, with meager 75 x

100 properties, want to keep our neighbors happy. Composting is usually not an option.

Recently, New York became the sixth state nationally to legalize human composting after death. e process actually has a name, “terramation,” but is also referred to as “Natural Organic Reduction.” Washington State became the rst to allow human composting in 2019, followed by Vermont, Oregon, Colorado, and California.

To set the record straight, you can’t just dump Uncle Leo into your composting bin with apple cores, egg shells, and lawn trimmings. e process

of human composting is quite involved. Recompose, a green funeral home that operates out of Seattle, Washington, o ers human composting as an option, along with traditional funeral services and cremation. According to Recompose founder Katrina Spade, “ e body is placed in a reusable vessel along with plant materials such as wood chips, alfalfa, and straw.” e vessel is then stored at a unique facility to allow the microbes and bacteria to break down the body over a month or so.

When all is said and done, the entire process takes about 120 days as the material needs to be “cured” for another two to six weeks. e result is about a cubic yard of what is described as “soil amendment.” Human composting produces about three times as much material as a bag of potting soil, which you can buy from any nursery. at’s plenty of a composted Uncle Leo to spread around his favorite tomato plants. e cost for human composting is about $7,000, which includes pickup and composting. It’s more expensive than cremation but less

than a full funeral.

When you think about it, returning a deceased loved one to the soil is not that di erent than when we traditionally bury our dead, except it takes up less space. It may be better because a toxic substance like formaldehyde doesn’t replace your body uids. Cremation is how I want to go, mostly because I’m claustrophobic.

But human composting? at’s a little too out there for me. I already hate bugs. e thought of being con ned in a box for two months surrounded by wood chips and alfalfa with no air conditioning sounds more like Hell than Heaven.

I get it. We are running out of

space to bury people, especially downstate and here on Long Island. I also understand how energy-ine cient cremation is, requiring much energy to heat an oven above 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. At least with cremation, your family gets a lovely vase with ashes they can put in the living room. Human composting might be more environmentally friendly, but the last thing I need to leave my loved ones is a lasting odor. ey get enough of that from me when I’m alive.

Besides, I’m already doing my part for the environment by recycling and separating paper from glass. Now they want my body, too?

Originally from Scotland, border collies were made to be their person’s right hand, taking commands and unleashing their hyperfocus on keeping sheep in line. They quite literally can run all day, and their ability to focus and infer meaning from our words is unparalleled.

That intensity is both a blessing and a curse. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “these dogs need a job” in reference to certain breeds, and in this case, it’s the literal truth. If a border collie doesn’t have a consistent outlet for both their physical and mental energy, they will find one, and you won’t like it. Like any bored dog, they may destroy something or they may exhibit anxiety, OCD, and other mental issues.

My dog thinks her job is fetching tennis balls because when she was a puppy, we used fetch as the primary way of burning off her energy. We throw them up into the trees with a chucker and she has to try and figure out where it will fall. By all means, if you and your dog like agility or flyball, get involved. If you want to try canine freestyle (a kind of synchronized pairs dancing with the dog), go for it.

The job doesn’t always have to be active, either. Mental stimulation is just as critical. Another of my dog’s jobs is hitting a mark. I can say “over here” or “over there” and point and she will sit on that spot. In fact, teaching her tricks has been a really special way for us to interact. She knows all the basics, but she will also heel, stay close, find my kids, round up the chickens, go to a particular room and put her nose in the circle of two hands with fingers and thumbs together. We also do a lot of obedience work off-leash. It goes a long way towards keeping her safe when we’re out in public. Just like you, your dog needs space. Every dog can benefit from a yard with a sturdy, solid fence, but for the border collie, it is essential. This is not a breed for an apartment or even a small yard. That’s not to say that you can’t have a border collie in a small space, but it will be exhausting for you and unfair to the dog. You will most likely not be able to walk them often enough, fast enough, or long enough to keep them out of trouble. A dog park might work, but not all dogs are suited to these shared spaces.

Border Collies are not gregarious like a lab or golden. They do not like a great deal of intense stimulation and may shut down or lash out if pushed too far. They can be shy of strangers and need a great deal of careful socialization throughout

their lives. If you are the type of person who enjoys throwing loud parties with lots of guests or if you frequently have new people coming to your home, this might not be the breed for you.

However, if you enjoy canoeing, camping, or if you have a farm or large acreage with lots of room to run, the border collie might be the perfect companion for you. We have taken our dog camping in the canoe in the Adirondacks multiple times. She loves being outside with her people. When we can’t go someplace that remote we take her to the beach or hiking on state or county land. She also loves running in our yard.

One of the best

traits of this breed is their desire to please. It goes a long way towards making training and general living together easier. For some dogs, combining this with some food motivation is all you need to get your dog focused on you and what you are asking for.

Border Collies can be great companions, but you need to be realistic with yourself. Do you have everything this very demanding breed needs in order to be living up to their potential? Can you commit the time and energy it takes to keep them tired? A tired dog is a content dog. You have to wear them out to keep them sane, or you’ll be the one going crazy.

Kipper, my red tri-color border collie. (Photo by Amanda Olsen)

Leaves Are Supposed To Fall, People Aren’t

BY ALLISON SIMMS specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

Falls may not be at the top of our minds as we consider health goals for the new year, but the probability it may happen to someone you know is high—especially if that person is an older adult. As the CDC has found, roughly 25 percent of individuals 65 or older experience a fall each year.

While falls are common, so is the tendency to underreport them to a clinician. Less than half of all people who have had a fall ever let their doctor know. There’s often a sense of shame around taking a tumble, but losing your balance or having a fall is nothing to be embarrassed about. All of us need help sometimes. As common as they are, falls should be taken seriously.

As I tell our patients and their families, “Leaves are supposed to fall. People aren’t.”

Taking preventative measures and getting help quickly if a fall does occur can make a world of difference.

In my role as associate director of rehabilitation services at VNS Health, my colleagues and I see this firsthand when we visit patients in their homes following a fall. As home-based clinicians, we work closely with them to address their concerns and create a plan of care where they can recover and prevent future falls.

With that in mind, here are some simple tips for preventing and—if need be—recovering from a fall:

• Home, safe home: Most falls occur in a patient’s home. So, the very first thing we do when visiting a new patient is assess the safety of their home environment. This means ensuring that the home is clear of obstruction and screened for fall risks, like loose cords or throw rugs that might slip underfoot.

• The proper fit: If someone has lost weight during the pandemic but is still wearing the same-size clothes as before, they could be at greater risk of tripping over those clothes and falling. A pair of shoes that are too big or too tight can pose a similar risk—so make sure you are wearing comfortable clothing in the right size, with a fit that helps you feel and stay secure.

• Sleep tight: Adjust your sleep positions to minimize fall risk at night. Patients who sleep on the edge of the bed are more likely to fall out of bed than those who sleep in the middle.

• Keep moving: Keep yourself as active as possible—it can help reduce falls. Staying physically active doesn’t have to mean

Keep yourself as active as possible to help reduce falls.

going to the gym. It could be as simple as walking to the mailbox every day or boosting circulation and flexibility by stretching your feet and ankles while you’re watching your favorite TV show.

• Monitor medications: Closely monitor yourself when taking medications that may cause dizziness or lower blood pressure, for they can increase the chances of a fall happening.

• When coming back after a fall, don’t give up! Recovering from the physical and emotional trauma of a fall can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that physical therapists, occupational therapists,

speech-language pathologists, and many other clinicians are here to help you regain function and find a way to move towards a healthy future. Staying motivated is half the challenge. Fortunately, your care team and loved ones will be by your side cheering you on—ready to help when you have setbacks, and to congratulate you when you finally reach your destination.

Visit www.vnshealth.org/home-care/rehabilitation-therapy for more information about VNS Health’s Rehabilitation Services, which include physical therapy, speech pathology and occupational therapy. VNS Health is formerly known as Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY).

—Allison Simms is the associate director of rehabilitation services at VNS Health

Golden Tones Entertainment Group Seeking New Members

Oyster Bay Town’s ‘Golden Tones Entertainment Group’ is seeking new members. This chorus is a social group open to town residents over the age of 60 who have an interest in singing, dancing, or entertaining. Anyone 60 and older is welcome to join; a great singing voice is not required to participate in this social group.

Meetings will be held every Friday, beginning on Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. at the North Massapequa Community Center (214 North Albany Avenue, North Massapequa). There are two planned shows in the upcoming year, scheduled to be performed at the North Massapequa Community Center.

Senior citizens interested in joining the Golden Tones of TOBAY Entertainment Group should call 516-797-7916 for more information.

Most falls occur in a patient’s home. Photos courtesy of VNS Health

Allison Simms, associate director of rehabilitation services at VNS Health.

Social Security Administration Launches Redesigned Website

Visitors to SSA.gov will experience a fresh homepage and a new design to help them find what they need more easily.

“SSA.gov is visited by more than 180 million people per year and it is one of our most important tools for providing efficient and equitable access to service,” said Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. “Whether providing service in person or online, our goal is to help people understand what they may qualify for and seamlessly transition them to an application process.”

Improved self-service capability allows people to skip calling or visiting an office, which helps Social Security staff focus on those visitors who need in-person assistance. Part of ongoing efforts to improve how the public can do business with the agency, the redesign is intended to provide a clear path to the tasks customers need to accomplish. Many of the most visited sections of SSA.gov are now live with a more user-friendly and task-based approach. New pages and improvements based on public feedback will continue to be unveiled in the coming months.

Visitors to SSA.gov can use interactive tools to:

Check eligibility for benefits

The new benefit eligibility screener is a convenient and simple way for people to learn if they might be eligible for benefits. Save time on Social Security Number (SSN) and card online services

If a person loses their SSN card, they may not need a replacement. In most cases, simply knowing their SSN is enough. If a person does need a replacement card, they may be able to request it online by visiting www.ssa. gov/ssnumber. Individuals can also start an

application for an updated card or request an SSN for the first time. People may never need to visit an office and, if they do need to visit an office to complete the application, they will save a lot of time by starting online. Start an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

People can start the application process online and request an appointment to apply for SSI benefits by answering a few questions at www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/.

Apply for Social Security benefits and other online services

For most benefits, people can apply online

or start an application online. In many cases, there are no forms to sign. The agency will review the application and reach out with questions or for more information. Visit www.ssa.gov/onlineservices to apply for retirement, disability, or Medicare.

Many Social Security services do not require the public to take time to visit an office. Using a my Social Security account, a personalized online service, people can start or change direct deposit, or request a replacement SSA-1099. For individuals already receiving Social Security benefits, they can print or download a current Benefit Verification Letter if they need proof of their benefits.

People not yet receiving benefits can use their online account to get a personalized Social Security Statement, which provides their earnings information as well as estimates of their future benefits. The portal also includes a retirement calculator and links to information about other online services.

The agency encourages people without a my Social Security account to create one today at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.

—Social Security Administration

NYSOFA Shares Resource Guide For

Drivers

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) encourages older drivers and their families to utilize several resources that can help avoid safety risks behind the wheel, including NYSOFA’s guide Are You Concerned about an Older Driver?

“There are many factors affecting driver safety for older adults. But age alone is not a predictor of risk,” said NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen. “In fact, research shows that older adults, as a group, successfully adjust for age-related changes that otherwise affect safe-driving practices.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drivers aged 55 and older are involved in fewer crashes than other groups. However, they are also more likely to be killed or injured in traffic crashes due to conditions like fragile bones, prescription medication use, visual impairments, and chronic medical issues that often accompany the aging process.

“There are several factors that can lead to unsafe driving conditions for older adults, including medical issues that increase susceptibility to injury, as well as impairment caused by prescription medication,” Olsen said. “Many resources are available to help individuals adapt to these new realities in their lives or find alternatives to driving,

when necessary.”

Caregivers are a vital set of eyes and ears as well as a trusted source for family conversations or interventions that can resolve unsafe driving situations. If you are a caregiver or a concerned family member, please see NYSOFA’s guide Are You Concerned about an Older Driver? It offers background about

safety risks, how to assess these risks, conversation starters for helping a loved one accept or cope with changes in their driving status, adaptive vehicle equipment, educational resources and more.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe on the roads is one of our top priorities,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, commissioner of the

Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. “Getting older does not mean you have to stop driving, but you do need to be aware of anything that might impact your safety and the safety of others and take action. We are happy to partner with the Office for the Aging to help raise awareness of this important topic.”

In 2015, NYSOFA and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee launched the Safe Driving Tips for Older New Yorkers website to promote older driver safety. The site encourages online and in-person safety training and car safety check programs; provides information to help older drivers understand options for roadway safety; and offers a user-friendly guide about preventing adverse drug interactions that can affect one’s ability to drive.

Other Resources

• Offices for the Aging and their community partners are also a resource to help older drivers, including safety assistance or alternative transportation options. To reach local assistance, call the NY Connects helpline at 1-800-342-9871.

• The American Occupational Therapy

Existing

Association (AOTA) also brings attention to a different aspect of older driver safety, including tips on anticipating changes that can affect driving, family conversations, screening and evaluations, and interventions that can empower older drivers and help them remain engaged in their communities. Visit www.aota.org to learn more about the association.

• The Department of Motor Vehicles’ Older Driver Resources webpage (www.dmv. ny.gov/older-driver/older-driver-resources) provides information about driving skills and programs, health tips, license FAQs, vehicle safety tips, and more.

• CarFit (www.car-fit.org) is an educational program that provides older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles ‘fit’ them, as well as information and materials on community-specific resources.

About the New York State Office for the Aging

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) continuously works to help the state’s 4.6 million older adults be as independent as possible for as long as possible through advocacy, development and delivery of person-centered, consumer-oriented, and cost-effective policies, programs, and services that support and empower older adults and their families, in partnership with the network of public and private organizations that serve them. Stay connected—visit the NYSOFA Facebook page; follow @NYSAGING on Twitter and NYSAging on Instagram; or visit aging.ny.gov.

—New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA)

Leaving A Legacy

When approaching or in retirement, it’s very common to have a desire to leave something behind. While legacy planning is often thought of in financial terms, it can include so much more.

For retirees looking to leave a legacy, options abound. Some people may choose to share their skills and knowledge with others, either through teaching or writing. Others may opt for financial support, whether through direct giving or by setting up a trust or foundation. And still others may choose to build something tangible that will benefit future generations, such as a park or community center.

Sharing skills and knowledge

One of the most valuable things anyone can offer is their skills and experience. Retirees may choose to pass their knowledge on by leading formal classes or workshops, or informally through mentoring or coaching. Whatever the method, it’s a way to share knowledge and experience and help others reach their potential.

Writing it down

Another way to leave a legacy is through writing. The writing could be in the form of a memoir, autobiography, or even just a simple letter to be passed on to future generations. Whatever the format, it’s a way retirees can share their lives and experiences with others.

Financial support

For some retirees, leaving a financial legacy is important. This can be done in several ways, such as setting up a trust or foundation or making direct gifts to family members or charities. Permanent life insurance, like universal or whole life insurance, is an easy way to leave a financial legacy for family or even to an organization that was important to them.

Building something

Another way to leave a legacy is to build something that will benefit future generations. This could be a physical structure like a park or community center or something less tangible like a scholarship fund.

Sharing their time

Retirees have wisdom and experience to offer, and one of the best ways to pass it on it is by sharing their time. This could be volunteering with an organization, or simply spending time with family and friends.

A lasting legacy

Retirees hoping to leave a lasting legacy should consider all of their options and choose the one (or ones) that best suits their goals, values, and abilities. Whether they decide to teach, build, write, or donate, it’s important to do what feels right. What matters most is that they take the time to consider what they want their legacy to be and how best to achieve it.

—Northwestern

Mutual

Legacy caption goes here.

Many retirees see retirement as a time to travel and see new places.

Eight Things Retirees Should Know

Retirement can be a time to slow down, relax, and enjoy life, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges. For anyone embarking on their retirement journey, here are eight financial and lifestyle considerations to keep in mind:

1. Budget

Retirees will want to have a good idea of all their retirement finances, including both their yearly and monthly budgets. This can help them make informed decisions about their spending and figure out how much they can afford on things like travel, new hobbies, and other activities.

2. Money

Many retirees worry about whether they are making the most of their retirement savings. Retirees may want to consult a financial advisor to help sort out this information and provide guidance on how to make the most of one’s money. From tax-efficient withdrawal strategies and a plan to weather market volatility, financial advisors can help turn a lifetime of savings into guaranteed income retirees don’t have to worry about.

3. Downsizing options

For some retirees, downsizing is a great way to simplify their life (and save money). Understanding what the options are for relocating to a smaller home can help retirees make an informed decision about what is best for them. It can help to get in touch with a real estate agent and discuss what options are available.

4. Travel plans

Many retirees see retirement as a time to travel and see new places. For retirees who want to prioritize travel, it can help to plan ahead and research different travel options.

Advance planning can allow retirees to keep an eye out for the best deals and make the most of their time.

5. Plan your free time

Retirement can be a great time to pursue new hobbies and interests. Some retirees may want to volunteer, take up a new sport, or join social clubs. Having a rough plan for how they want to spend their time can help retirees make the most of their retirement.

6. Social circle

For some people, retirement can be a time to reconnect with old friends and family. Others may find that their social circle changes as they meet new people. Understanding how they prefer to socialize can help retirees make conscious decisions and plan for their retirement years.

7. Retirement hustle

Some retirees find that they want to stay active and busy in retirement by starting a small business or working part-time. A job or small business can also provide a source of supplemental income. Retirees who choose to have a retirement hustle will also want to consider how to set up their business and whether they prefer to live close to work.

8. Estate plan

Retirement can be a good time to review one’s estate plan and make sure that it is upto-date. This can include things like wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents, and updating beneficiaries for any permanent life insurance policies, like universal life insurance and whole life insurance. Talking to an attorney about these matters can help retirees ensure that their wishes are carried out.

—Northwestern Mutual

Free Support Group For Grandparents Of Autistic Kids

When a child faces a mental health challenge, the entire family is impacted. But while people may sympathize with parents and siblings, they often forget that grandparents also struggle with feelings of sadness and helplessness.

That’s why North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center (the Guidance Center) runs a free support group just for grandparents whose grandchildren are on the autism spectrum: GASAK, for Grandparent Advocates Supporting Autistic Kids.

GASAK’s mission is to support, inform and advocate for grandparents with autistic grandchildren. At meetings held on the last Thursday of each month, GASAK participants network and share information on issues critical to families impacted by autism. New members are welcome to join at any time.

While the program isn’t new, it recently returned to in-person meetings at the Guidance Center’s Marks Family Right from the Start 0-3+ Center in Manhasset after being virtual since the start of the pandemic.

While there are many programs for parents of autistic children, few if any address the specific issues that come up for grandparents, said Dr. Sue Cohen, director of clinical services at Right from the Start.

“Sometimes the parents are overwhelmed dealing with their children’s needs,” Cohen said. “At GASAK meetings, grandparents can share their own concerns with their peers.”

One GASAK member said, “A lot of times your friends can’t relate to what you’re going through, but when you walk into

the GASAK group, you feel comfortable instantly. Nobody judges you.”

The program occasionally features guest speakers, including education lawyers, social workers, special education advocates and others.

“When a grandparent leaves a meeting,”

said Cohen, “they walk away with information that can make a huge difference in the lives of their children and grandchildren.”

But the camaraderie members experience is perhaps the most important benefit of the group. Case in point: one grandmother who has two autistic grandsons who were nonverbal until they were three years old. When one of them said “Mom” for the first time, the GASAK group celebrated her good news.

“There is such compassion among members,” Cohen said. “And by sharing our worries as well as our joyful moments, we give new members hope.”

In addition, the Guidance Center provides a variety of therapeutic services for children on the autism spectrum, as well as their parents and other family members. They also provide testing for preschool-age children to young adults.

To learn more about the GASAK group and the testing services, contact Cohen at 516-484-3174 or email scohen@ northshorechildguidance.

For more information about the Guidance Center, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call (516) 626-1971.

—North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center

North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center supplied/Adobe stock by liderina

New York Ranks Among Top States To Retire

Affordability is the key determining factor for adults 55 and older

Caring.com, a leading senior care referral service and the nation’s top site for senior care review, announced the Best and Worst Places for Senior Living in 2022. The list is based on Caring.com’s annual Senior Living Report, which relies on in-depth expert analysis and survey findings from 1,000 Americans over the age of 55 to develop a comprehensive set of ranking criteria based on 46 key metrics. All 50 states and 300 cities in the U.S. were graded across five categories, including affordability, healthcare, senior living and housing, transportation, and quality of life.

According to the study, Vermont earned the best overall score and ranks first in the healthcare category. Minnesota, Maine, Nebraska, and South Dakota are among the top five states for retired Americans. New York is the 6th best place for seniors but ranks number one for senior living, transportation, and quality of life. Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Massachusetts also made the top 10.

In comparison, California ranks as the worst overall state and least affordable. Similarly, Florida, Arizona, Mississippi, and Louisiana are also among the five worst states for retirees. Texas and Georgia are number six and number seven from the bottom and receive the lowest scores for transportation.

“Our research shows that affordability is a top priority for seniors and adults approaching retirement,” said Jim Rosenthal, CEO of Caring.com. “While many people associate good weather and sunshine with the best places for retirement, our 2022 Senior Living Report offers a broader perspective on a range of factors that impact the wellbeing of seniors. We’ve compiled this guide to help seniors and their families identify places that address the needs and socio-economic conditions of older populations, particularly as they transition to retirement and consider making a move to a new area of our nation.”

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau

shows that the senior population is fast-growing, and almost 20 percent of Americans will be 65 or older by 2023. This year’s Senior Living Report focuses on identifying places that offer the most affordable lifestyles and opportunities for older adults. Affordability makes up 33 percent of the final score and this category measures the cost of housing and job availability for seniors. West Virginia, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Indiana are among the most affordable states for seniors to retire.

After affordability, the quality and availability of healthcare is the next largest factor that Caring.com’s panel of experts and survey respondents evaluated to determine the suitability of a given area for seniors. Additional categories like transportation focus on access to public or private transportation services, and quality of life includes the availability of neighborhood amenities like museums, libraries, parks and fresh markets. The senior living and housing

category is based on several metrics, including the percentage of multifamily homes and houses with no steps at entrances. The unique methodology analyzes a total of 46 metrics across all five categories.

The 2022 report also highlights the best and worst cities for seniors to live. Hartford, Pittsburgh, Burlington, Portland and Minneapolis are listed among the best cities. In contrast, Rancho Palos Verdes, Palm Beach, Alamo, Brookhaven and Murrieta were ranked as the worst places for retirement.

Top 10 Best States for Senior Living in 2022

1st – Vermont

2nd – Minnesota

3rd – Maine

4th – Nebraska

5th – South Dakota

6th – New York

7th – Iowa

8th – Wisconsin

9th – North Dakota

10th – Massachusetts

Top 10 Worst States for Senior Living in 2022

50th – California

49th – Florida

48th – Arizona

47th – Mississippi

46th – Louisiana

45th – Texas

44th – Georgia 43rd – Nevada

42nd – Alabama

41st – New Jersey

Top 10 Best Cities for Senior Living in 2022

1st - Hartford, CT

2nd - Pittsburgh, PA

3rd - Burlington, VT

4th - Portland, OR

5th - Minneapolis, MN

6th - Madison, WI

7th - Lancaster, PA

8th - Wilmington, DE

9th - Wisconsin Rapids, WI

10th - Boston, MA

Top 10 Worst Cities for Senior Living in 2022

302nd - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

301st - Palm Beach, FL

300th - Alamo, CA

299th - Brookhaven, NY

298th - Murrieta, CA

297th - Bakersfield, CA

296th - Carlsbad , CA

295th - Port St. Lucie, FL

294th - Newport Beach, CA

293rd - Torrance, CA

With millions of website visitors, Caring. com is a leading senior living referral service and the nation’s top site for senior care reviews. Founded in 2007, Caring’s mission is to help as many seniors and their caregivers as possible through empathetic, expert guidance. Applying cutting-edge technology to this humane mission, Caring provides relevant senior care information and support, as well as comprehensive senior living and senior care directories for the United States, including more than 350,000 consumer reviews. Through a tollfree referral line (877-630-3480), Caring’s trustworthy, nationwide team of family advisors help seniors and their families research and connect to the most appropriate services and support for their specific situations. Visit www.caring.com for more information about the organization and its free services for seniors and their families.

—Caring.com

The things you love doing are more than just passions. They’re what make you “you.” This is why at The Bristal, our expert team members dedicate their time, attention, and energy to creating customized social activities that ensure each resident continues being the unique person they are. And, in the process, create the one-of-a-kind community we are, too.

See for yourself. Explore all of our locations in the tri-state area.

thebristal.com

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care

Licensed by the State Department of Health. Eligible for Most Long Term Care Policies. Equal Housing Opportunity.

HOMES

Recently Sold

This beautiful ranch built from the ground up in 2010 by renowned architect Brian Shore at 1083 Wolver Hollow Rd. in Upper Brookville sold on Dec. 22 for $1,550,000. This home boasts soaring ceilings with tons of natural light through oversized windows with multiple skylights throughout the property. The home is 4,000 square-feet and has meticulous detail throughout. It has a perfect layout design for indoor outdoor living. The home features three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It is situated on more than two acres of land and has a second floor ready for expansion. The home has a central vacuum system, an inground sprinkler syster and is completely handicapped accessible. The home is on flat ground and has tons of yard space with a beautiful in-ground heated pool.

HOME & DESIGN

As Mortgage Rates Rise, So Does Popularity Of Home Buying Abroad

As a global real estate industry expert, Esther Muller knows which markets are hot right now, and she said that Israel is one such market.

“The housing market has turned in extreme directions in the past few years, which has left prospective homeowners feeling more hopeless as time goes on,” Muller said. “While it may seem near impossible to find a great home for a decent price in the United States, that’s not the case in other places abroad.”

More people are discovering a much better experience in other markets, such as Israel, she added. How exactly are they finding these kinds of opportunities? Only with an expert like Muller.

This home that is situated in the Village of Upper Brookville at 15 Centre View Dr., just off Mill River Rd. sold on Dec. 6 for $2,050,000. It sits on more than two acres that are private, secluded level land. This home has an impressive grand entrance with 22-foot ceilings. It has a contemporary design and an open-concept floor plan. The floors are Brazilian granite. The home has three fireplaces, six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The recent updates to this home include a new kitchen with breakfast seating and panoramic views. New utilities and features include WiFi-controlled heat, air conditioning, hardwood floors, a blue stone balcony, a sunken great room and formal tea, living and dining rooms. The first floor has a master bedroom en suite wing with a spiral staircase to a loft and study area balcony. The lower level includes laundry, a sunken great room lounge, a library, media room, full eat-in-kitchen and a dining area. The entry to the resort-like grounds includes an in-ground pool with a waterfall and a hot tub. There are two electric awnings, an outdoor kitchen, a renovated tennis court, a garden and a half-basketball court. Taxes are $27,432 and the homeowner’s fee is $1,500 per year.

Muller’s main mission is to connect people looking to buy property with a solid place to be able to do that: Israel. She is striving to make the process smooth for people interested in buying property in Israel, where it’s financially viable to do so.

“It’s the best investment and legacy for our children,” she said.

Muller is passionate about helping her clients find the right fit.

“As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, I have

always strived to make the world a better place to live,” Muller said. “My business vision is to advise you on how to achieve your mission to find a perfect home in a safe and solid investment.”

Muller is a global real estate industry expert with more than 30 years of experience in the real estate market. As an owner, broker, investor, author and coach, Muller has established herself as a trusted authority in the industry. She has authored two books: Tips from the Tops and Success is the Destination. Her current mission is making the home-buying process in Israel smooth for her clients.

Visit www.esthermuller.com for more information.

Homes shown here represent closed sales, sold by a variety of agencies and are selected for their interest to readers by the Anton Media Group editor. Except where noted, data and photos are provided courtesy of Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, Inc. and Zillow.

Nachlaot is a courtyard neighbordhood in Jerusalem.

Go Take A Hike

Dog owners are welcome to bring their four-legged friends to the Sands Point Preserve, provided the dogs are kept on a leash at all times. This is a strictly enforced law in the Village of Sands Point, and there are no exceptions as the safety and well-being of all visitors, including adults, children, and animals, are of paramount importance. Dogs are not permitted on the beach at any time. There are miles of trails for you and

your pooch to explore.

The fenced-in dog run—also known as Charlie’s Run—offers two large spaces for pups to romp and socialize. One area is designated for small dogs (less than 25 pounds), and the other is accessible for all dogs. Dogs must be accompanied by their owners at all times.

Visit www.sandspointpreserveconservancy.org for trail maps, hours and admission.

Loretta Lynn, a Great Pyrenees puppy from New Hyde Park, is looking smartly prepared in her hiking goggles in front of Castle Gould. Photo by Christy Hinko

JENNIFER CORR

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

Beginning on Jan. 6, Long Islanders had their chance to escape reality by stepping into the Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium in East Northport. With Feb. 3 and 5 being the last days “Mesmerica” will be shown, Long Island Weekly caught up with the musical artist behind the show, James Hood.

First, what is “Mesmerica?”

According to its website, it is a “visual music journey that brings the mesmerizing music of Grammy-nominated composer and percussionist James Hood together with visually-hypnotic, 3D animated art curated from artists around the world, creating an immersive experience designed to transcend time, relax, soothe, and stimulate your mind and senses.”

One of the instruments Hood plays is the hand pan, and the music in “Mesmerica” is constructed around that instrument. Hood said he is fascinated by the instrument’s ability to fill a room with a relaxing energy.

“The music goes well with the intention of the show, which is to give people an experience of peace within themselves without ascribing it to any meaning besides what we do as humans, to lose track of time when we’re enjoying ourselves,” Hood said.

The “Mesmerica” show started in

“Mesmerica” will be playing on Long Island for two more nights.

2019, and was playing in about 27 planetariums when the pandemic started. Hood said the show went dark for two years, and began showing again in October.

“‘Mesmerica,’ the word is a play on words between the old fashioned word for mesmerized, and obviously America,” Hood, of Los Angeles said. “My mission is to give people an opportunity to experience the spaciousness that’s inside their mind that people who can meditate say is so wonderful, that feeling.”

And, Hood explained, planetariums are the perfect spaces for these shows, because with high definition, three-dimensional images coming his way, he finds he can sit still for a long time without a single thought entering his mind. Hood first became interested in planetariums when he attended shows there and was inspired by the endless possibilities of the dome.

“We are transcendent beings that lose track of time whenever we’re enjoying ourselves,” Hood said. “And we’ll sit and watch a sunset without saying anything for a long time and in some ways, this is an experience a bit like that, to just be overwhelmed with

the visual and musical program that you actually give the meaning to.”

There’s flexibility in this show, as each audience member can personalize their experience with it.

“It meets you wherever you are,” Hood said. “But it doesn’t give you a narrative to lock your logical mind onto... But it does feel like you’re going on a journey and you’re making it up as you go along in a lot of ways. But you only go as far as you want. So in some ways, you are the star... because everyone’s going to meet it differently.”

About Hood’s artistry

Hood was formerly a rock drummer in London. He played for various groups, including The Pretenders. But then, Hood decided to hang up his drum sticks and become a composer. “It was a great idea, but not the easiest thing to do when you don’t know how to play any instrument other than the drums,” Hood said. “I knew percussion and rhythm, but I had a head full of music. The computer came along to enable me to create composition, because I was able to make a lot of mistakes and learn.”

Hood moved to the United Stated after the millennium, feeling that America would be the right place for Hood’s next step in his musical journey.

“As it turns out, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do anywhere else,” Hood said.

To get $12 tickets for “Mesmerica” at the Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium, visit tickets. mesmerica.com.

Artist James Hood created the music for the “Mesmerica” show, partnering with artists all around the world for visuals.

(Photos courtesy James Hood)

HOROSCOPES

By Holiday Mathis

By Holiday Mathis

By Holiday Mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19). What people call an invention is so often more of a reinvention -- the old thing with a twist. is week, an inventive mood prevails. You’ll look around for a problem to solve, a need to ll or interesting elements to combine in a novel way. You won’t have to look very far to nd it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re drawn to powerful people who have earned their place just as you have. Even so, don’t underplay luck’s role. e headwinds and tailwinds of life can lift or thwart. is week brings reminders to respect the ckle hand of fate and help those around you who do not currently nd themselves in her favor.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Usually, you try to give information on a need-toknow basis and answer only when asked. is week, just say it. e world needs your take. And don’t worry about being original either. “Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens, we have to keep going back and beginning all over again.” -- Andre Gide

CANCER (June 22-July 22). People tend to love along certain grooves and styles they learned early in life. With awareness, these patterns can be optimized or changed. You’re more aware of relationship dynamics this week. You’ll notice new things about the way you love and are loved, and the information will be applied to improvements.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). e adage suggests it’s not what you know but who you know that matters. Neither will make a di erence this week. No amount of “knowing” -- who, what, how or otherwise -- will improve the situation. Most solutions, improvements and successful actions will have to do with feeling, giving and simply being.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Do not be dissuaded by your loved one’s discomfort. To discomfort loved ones is as much a duty as the duty to comfort your loved ones. It weakens a person to live with only softness. One of the great bene ts of honest relationships is that we are strengthened and improved inside them.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your choices can be surprising even to you. It’s like one part of you has to live with decisions made by another part of you. is week, the phenomenon will inspire a feeling that you’d like to get to know yourself a little better. “Nothing we do is inevitable, but everything we do is irreversible.” -- Joy Williams

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re not trying to intimidate anyone and yet your very presence can strike a note of fear in those who want you to like, hire or approve of them in any way. e question is, do you want people to be themselves around you, or would you prefer them to reach a bit to be the person they think you want?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Even though people have unusual qualities or things about them that are not ideal, you readily make room in your heart for the many facets of others. Self-acceptance isn’t as easy for you at times. Try to let yourself be who you naturally are. Don’t change the very things that make you stand out as an original.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). ere’s a particular pattern of yours you’ve noticed -- not exactly an unhealthy habit, but it’s not helping. Your reason to quit will be obvious and unavoidable. You can see two distinctly di erent futures before you -- the one where you continue and the one where you change.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You don’t have to be reminded the accumulation of material items can make life cumbersome. It’s not that the old stu has to go, nor do you need to refrain from getting anything new, rather there’s a sense that some of these possessions no longer represent or delight you. You’ll maximize by minimizing.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). No one knows what you can do, not even you, not yet. People will want to de ne you, and you may feel like you’re being asked to come up with the de nition, but don’t. With a de nition comes a limit. By saying what you are, you say what you aren’t. Instead, throw yourself into the work and your actions will form you.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS

Your cosmic birthday gift is the sense that unseen forces are in your corner. You can’t go wrong with the kind of full support you have this year, so don’t waste the feeling by playing it safe. Invest in the upgrades and improvements you feel drawn to. Your most favored risks will be social, creative and loving. More highlights: a chance meeting that turns into a lucrative arrangement, an excellent and inventive use of resources and the unexpected good fortune that graces your family.

the

WORD FIND

After the HSC

In April 1989,

between an all-male team and an all-female team, playing the same hands simultaneously at the two sites, ended in a narrow victory for the men.

The event, the brainchild of former New York Times bridge columnist Alan Truscott, established many records, including the longest continuous match (2,352 deals) and the most players participating in a match (more than 1,000). It also

raised more than $15,000 for charity.

This deal, played by R. Jay Becker (no relation to this writer) in New York, contributed to a strong comeback by the men after they had fallen behind. Becker reached four hearts as shown. East won the opening diamond lead and shifted to a trump. Declarer won and smoothly led the spade three, which rode to East’s ten. The defense was now helpless.

In practice, East returned a diamond to dummy’s king. Becker then drew the last trump and led another spade to East’s king, endplaying her. Whether she returned a diamond or a club, declarer had the remainder.

If instead East had cashed the king of spades before returning a diamond, declarer would simply ruff a spade, draw the last trump, cross to the eight of hearts and ruff another spade to establish a discard for his losing club.

The only chance for the defense is for West to put up the spade ace at trick three and shift to a club, playing for East to have both black kings. This is not unreasonable, since if South has the club king, he already has at least 10 tricks, while at the same time he is hardly likely to lead a low spade from his hand if he holds the king.

The same contract was defeated when the deal was played in Paris, so the men gained 10 IMPS.

Weekly Sudoku Puzzle

Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

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Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status, age, marital status, sexual orientation or disability in connection with the rental, sale or financing of real estate. Nassau also prohibits source of income discrimination. Anton Community Newspapers does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination, call Long Island Housing Services’ Discrimination Complaint Line at 800660-6920. (Long Island Housing Services is the Fair Housing Agency of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.)

GREAT NECK

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HOLDERS OF THE FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-FF7, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FF7, Plaintiff, vs. ORNA NACHIMOVSKY, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 3, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 14, 2023 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 23 Gilchrest Road, Great Neck, NY 11021. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Great Neck in the Town of North Hempstead , County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 2, Block 334 and Lot 60. Approximate amount of judgment is $2,231,217.90 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #100/2014. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Richard Langone, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 2-1; 1-25-18-11-2023-4T#237010-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF TAX ROLL AND WARRANT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the undersigned collector of taxes of the Village of Thomaston, in the County of Nassau, State of New York, has duly received the tax roll and warrant for collection of taxes within the Village of Thomaston for the year 20232024, and that I will attend for the purpose of collecting taxes listed on the tax roll at the Village Hall, 100 East Shore Road, Great Neck, New York 11023, from March 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 during regular business hours.

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that taxes will be received without interest by the collecting officer on or before March 31, 2023, or within thirty days of the date of first publication of this notice, whichever is later. On all taxes received after such

date, there shall be added interest as provided by law until such taxes are paid. No partial payments of taxes may be made.

Section 987(1) of the Real Property Law requires the collector, on or after the thirty first day following the expiration of the period during which taxes may be paid, without interest, to mail a notice to each owner of real property upon which taxes remain unpaid on the tax roll. Such notice must state, among other things, that the taxes on the property have not been paid. The expense of mailing such notice shall be an additional penalty of One Dollar ($1.00), chargeable against the parcel.

Dated: January 18, 2023 Denise M. Knowland Village Administrator Village of Thomaston 1-25-18-2023-2T-#237388GN

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., f/k/a The Bank of New York Trust Co., N.A., as Trustee, for Chase Mortgage Finance Trust Multi-Class Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-A1, Plaintiff AGAINST Elham Aghajani, Shahram Aghajani, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 4, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 28, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 62-64 Forest Row, Great Neck, NY 11024. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Great Neck, Town of North Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, SECTION: 1, BLOCK: 106-02, LOT: 110. Approximate amount of judgment $741,441.54 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #24422/2009. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2. nycourts.gov/Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Todd E. Houslanger, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY

LEGAL NOTICES

11706 01-080470-F00 74613 2-15-8-1; 1-25-2023-4T#237384-GN

LEGAL NOTICE Public Notice

Architectural

Review Board

PLEASE BE ADVISED that the Architectural Review Board of the Village of Kensington will hold a public hearing on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall located at 2 Nassau Drive, Great Neck, NY on the following application:

3 ARLEIGH RD., Tsang also known as Section 2, Block 214, Lot 47-52 (Installation of 28 windows, a sliding door at the back of the house and installation of a new front door).

85 NASSAU DR., Mirza also known as Section 2, Block 227, Lot 204 (Installation of 49 windows)

All persons will be heard at the time and place above stated. Copies of the application are available at the Village Hall for inspection during regular business hours of 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

Andrea Dennett, Chairperson Joyce Cheung, Co-Chairperson

Architectural Review Board Dated: January 5, 2023 1-25-2023-1T-#237554-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER’S

SALE OF TAX LIENS

ON REAL ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 21st, 2023, will sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 16th, 2023 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property.

Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six-month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code.

Effective with the February 2019 lien sale Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale.

Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased. Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online.

Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County

Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucountyny. gov/526/County-Treasurer Should the Treasurer determine that an in-person auction shall be held, same will commence on the 21st day of February 2023 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.

A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucoun tyny.gov/527/AnnualTax-Lien-Sale

A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 08th, 2023.

Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audio-tape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 1-3715.

Dated: January 25, 2023

THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, NewYork

TERMS OF SALE

Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.

However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same.

Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act(FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss

1811 et.seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC) receivership. The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed. The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf, covering their investment in said tax lien. The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk.

The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase shall be of no further effect. Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale.

Furthermore, as to the bidding, 1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result

in a rotational award of tax certificates.

2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.

3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.

4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made in connection with said bid shall be forfeited.

Dated: January 25, 2023

THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York 2-1; 1-25-2023-2T-#237560GN

LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Great Neck Plaza will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 7 P.M. at the Village Hall, Gussack Plaza, Great Neck, NY to consider a local law to repeal the local law to override the tax levy limit established in General Municipal Law 3-c.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all people interested with regard to the above will be given an opportunity to be heard at said public hearing.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF GREAT NECK PLAZA

Ted M. Rosen, Mayor Patricia O’Byrne, Clerk-Treasurer 1-25-2023-1T-#237638-GN

LEGAL NOTICE BOARD OF EDUCATION

GREAT NECK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT 345 LAKEVILL ROAD

GREAT NECK, NEW YORK 11020

The Board of Education of the Great Neck Union Free School District, Great Neck, New York, (hereinafter the “School District”), in accordance with Section 103 of Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law, hereby invites the submission of sealed bids from reputable and qualified bidders for the provision of

labor, materials and services for the following contract: BID # 2022-23-7

Coach Bus Services for Athletic Trips, Field Trips, & Other Events

Bid Opening: Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

Bids for the Coach Bus Services for Athletic Trips, Field Trips Other Events Contract will be received until the above stated hour of prevailing time and date at the Great Neck Union Free School District, Phipps Administration Building, located at 345 Lakeville Road, Great Neck, New York 11020, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained in the Purchasing Office located at the same address beginning on Wednesday, January 25, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

Bids must be presented on the standard proposal form in the manner designated therein and as required by the Specifications. All bids must be enclosed in sealed envelopes, which are clearly marked on the outside: Bid for: “BID # 2022-23-7 Great Neck UFSD Coach Bus Services.” All bids shall be addressed to the attention of Jason Martin, Purchasing Agent, Great Neck UFSD, 345 Lakeville Road, Great Neck, New York 11020. Bids shall remain firm for a period of forty-five (45) days following the date of the bid opening. No phone, fax or email bids will be accepted. The School District is not responsible for delays occasioned by any delivery service, the internal mail delivery system of the School District or any other means of delivery employed by the Bidder.

The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject any or all bids, or to accept that bid which, in the Board of Education’s judgment, is in the best interest of the School District. The Board of Education further reserves the right to consider experience, service, and reputation in connection with the services to be rendered. In addition, the Board of Education reserves the right to consider the financial responsibility and specific qualifications as set forth in the bid specifications, of the prospective bidder in its evaluation of the bids and award of the contracts.

BOARD OF EDUCATION, GREAT NECK UFSD Phipps Administration Building 345 Lakeville Road Great Neck, New York 11020

By: Jason Martin, Purchasing Agent 1-25-2023-1T-#237665-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of

THREE GNPS STUDENTS NAMED REGENERON STS SCHOLARS

Three South High School students have been named 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Scholars. Dana Kagan, Amit Saha, and Amber Sun are among 300 students to achieve this honor in one of the nation’s most prestigious science competitions.

Great Neck’s three scholars are among 300 semifinalists nationwide, who were selected from an applicant pool of 1,949 high school seniors. Each Scholar will receive $2,000, with a matching amount for their school. South High science research teachers/advisors are Nicole Spinelli and Dr. James Truglio.

Dana Kagan’s project is titled, “Employing CRISPR Cas9 Editing in Combination With DNA Polymerase To Correct the DELTA F508 Mutation of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Gene in HEK293T Cells.” This study utilized CRISPR Cas9, an RNA-guided enzyme, to precisely target a specific region of DNA in order to correct a genetic mutation associated with cystic fibrosis. This method showed higher percentages of correction as compared to previous studies.

Amit Saha’s project is titled, “Deep Learning Accelerated Lattice-Boltzmann Simulations for Multiscale Modeling of Thrombosis.” Thrombosis—abnormal blood clotting—is the leading cause of heart attack and stroke. This study sought to utilize deep-learning accelerated molecular simulations to develop a more effective model of thrombosis.

Amber Sun’s project is titled, “Neuropro-

tective Effects of Red Raspberry Extract and Broussoflavonol B in Alzheimer’s Disease Models.” Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia worldwide and has no current cure. This study elucidated Raspberry Extract and plant compound Broussoflavonol B as potential treatments, with Raspberry Extract ameliorating behavioral symptoms in an Alzheimer’s fruit fly model and the Broussoflavonol B mitigating effects in an Alzheimer’s afflicted cell model.

“We celebrate this year’s scholars for their exceptional work and unmatched motivation to use the power ofscience, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to make a meaningful mark on the world,” said Christina Chan, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & Citizenship at Regeneron. “We commend the scholars’ inspirational and thought-provoking projects and look forward to what the future has in store for each of these budding innovators.”

The Regeneron competition is the former Westinghouse and then the Intel Science Talent Search. The Talent Search, begun in 1942, is the nation’s oldest, and often considered its most prestigious, science and mathematics competition for high school seniors. It is owned and produced by Society for Science. On Jan. 24, 40 of the top 300 scholars will be announced as finalists and will advance in the national competition.

—Submitted by the Great Neck Public School District

DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR TEACHER AWARD NOMINATIONS

The deadline for Great Neck Public Schools alumni to nominate a GNPS educator for the Christa Fulton Memorial Teacher Award is quickly approaching. Nominations for this annual award must be received by Tuesday, Jan. 31.

The sole purpose of this award is to recognize GNPS educators who have had a profound impact on the lives of students. Alumni from North High School, South High School, and Village School may nominate an elementary teacher, a secondary school teacher, a guidance counselor, or a social worker for this award.

Nominations detailing how the selected teacher has had an impact on the individual’s life must be submitted to christafultonaward@gmail.com by Jan. 31. Authors should identify themselves only by their

student number, which may be obtained from the guidance office at the high school they attended (or for Village School graduates, the middle school attended). Please also include the name of the high school attended and the year of graduation.

A five-member award committee will carefully consider all nominations and select two recipients based on the perceived impact that the teachers had on their students’ lives.

For additional information about this award, including the nomination and selection process, contact Dr. Stephen C. Lando, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, at slando@greatneck. k12.ny.us.

—Submitted by the Great Neck Public School District

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

YOUR SILENCE IS DEAFENING

You voted for George Santos thinking he was the best candidate given your political inclination and those votes won him the election. But then the many lies came to light. Outrageous falsehoods about his education, his business career, erratic finances, questionable philanthropy, and a fabricated twisted family heritage. Brazil seeks remedy for his writing of bad checks.

Each passing day, more and more Republican leaders disavow him and insist he resign because of flagrant misrepresentation to the voting public. The Santos response: He doesn’t answer to Republican leadership. He answers to the voters who elected him to do the people’s work. So, people who voted Santos, with truths now revealed are you not mad as hell? You have the power to right this wrong. But where are you?

Democrats are rightfully outraged as this election was decided under false pretense. Is your indefensible reticence to protest his deceit a tacit win-at-any-cost endorsement of Mr. Santos’ bizarre “embellished” behavior? Clearly, you’ve been played. You’re okay with that?

New York Republican leadership has made an ethical decision to censure this man. This is not done lightly. They’re angry and one would think you’d be as well. Those of you who voted Santos have that same ethical consideration to act. You are the voter, and you have a powerful voice. Santos says he answers to you. We’re all waiting to hear from you.

However, your silence is deafening.

Regeneron STS Scholars Amber Sun, Amit Saha, and Dana Kagan are congratulated by science research teachers/advisors Dr. James Truglio and Nicole Spinelli, South High science department head Michael DiPasquale, South High Assistant Principal Adam Hopkins, and Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education Dr. Stephen C. Lando. (Contributed photo)

Boy Scout Troop 10 Practice Survival Skills And Ride Horses

Troop 10 recently completed a weekend overnight camping trip on an unusually warm November weekend at camp NoBeBoSco in Blairstown, New Jersey. Twenty-six scouts and seven adult leaders got to camp by mid-morning and set up the tents, and then travelled to Pennsylvania where they had a horseback riding event.

After eating lunch and riding horses, scouts returned to camp for skill session competition including making a stretcher, shooting targets with Nerf darts, and a tent set-up challenge. Scouts made a large fire which burned down to a bed of hot coals for cooking. Each patrol picked his own menu for individual foil packets cooked on the hot coals. The adults also had a dessert of baked apples in foil baked on the hot coals of the fire. Although it rained overnight, tarps were set up to protect our tables. The rain conveniently stopped at about 7 a.m. After cooking breakfast on camp stoves and cleaning up, they left for home.

Troop 10 meets at the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department on 25 Prospect Street on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on school days. If you are interested in joining Troop 10, please contact Dr. Dwight J Rosenstein at djrosenstein@gmail.com.

LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES

the Inc. Village of Russell Gardens will hold a Public Meeting on the 2nd day of February 2023 at 8:00 P.M in the evening at Village Hall, located at 6 Tain Drive, Great Neck, New York.

Dated: 1/25/2023

By Order of the Board of Trustees Inc. Village of Russell Gardens David M. Miller, Mayor Danielle Pennise, Village Clerk Treasurer 1-25-2023-1T-#237701-GN

LEGAL NOTICE INC. VILLAGE OF RUSSELL GARDENS ADOPTS BUDGET

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

that a Public Hearing was held on January 5, 2023, in which the Board of Trustees of the Inc. Village of Russell Gardens adopted its budget for the Fiscal Year commencing March 1, 2023, with appropriations for estimated expenses and estimated revenues for said year. A copy of the budget is available on the village’s website https://www.russellgardens.

com and at the office of the Village Clerk, Village Hall, 6 Tain Drive, Great Neck, NY; where it may be reviewed by any person during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00

a.m. to 3:00 p.m. By Order of the Board of Trustees

Danielle Pennise, V illage Clerk Treasurer

Dated: 1/25/2023 1-25-2023-1T-#237702-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF TAX ROLL AND WARRANT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the undersigned collector of taxes of the Inc. Village of Russell Gardens, in the County of Nassau, State of New York, has duly received the tax roll and warrant for collection of taxes within the Village of Russell Gardens for the Year 2023-2024, and that I will attend for the purpose of collecting taxes listed on the tax roll at Village Hall,

6 Tain Dr., Great Neck, New York 11021, from March 1, 2023 to April 1, 2023, during regular business hours: Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. except legal holidays.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that taxes will be received without interest by the collector officer on or before April 1, 2023. On all taxes received after such date, there shall be added interest of Five percent for the month of April and one percent for each month thereafter until paid. No partial payments of taxes may be made.

Dated: 1/25/2023

Danielle Pennise, Village Clerk Treasurer Inc. Village of Russell Gardens 1-25-2023-1T-#237703-GN

—Submitted by Dr. Dwight Rosenstein, Scoutmaster

Boy Scout Troop 10 crossing a stream on horseback.

Boy scouts feeding the fire. (Contributed photos)

A Journey, Not A Trip

North Shore Hebrew Academy twelth-graders learn about history and themselves across Germany, Poland and Israel

The passports belonging to North Shore Hebrew Academy High School’s (NSHA) twelth-graders show the physical journey that the students recently undertook, with stamps from Germany to Poland to Israel. But the really important journey doesn’t have stamps to mark the destinations, or entry and exit dates. The real journey happened internally, inside each of the 42 participants, who stood witness to the darkest chapters of human history and found hope for the future.

“This isn’t a trip for tourism, it’s a trip where we’re really able to break kids out of their shells and open them up to reclaiming themselves,” explained Rabbi Dr. Noam Weinberg, who led his 13th Poland/Israel trip for NSHA. “We do months and months of work beforehand, and we make sure the trip is tailored to fit the students who are coming.”

The group recently returned from a trip that saw them spending a day in Germany, a week in Poland, and a week in Israel, each day packed with activities, prayer, and nightly reflections.

One of the most meaningful experiences was cleaning and praying at the grave of the mother of Mrs. Cywiak, who shared her experiences in the Lodz ghetto with the class before their trip. While the group was in Lodz, they visited Mrs. Cywiak’s mother’s grave. Her mother perished from typhus while they were imprisoned in the ghetto.

Weinberg likes leading the trip in the winter, when there are fewer visitors in Poland, to give the students time and space to reflect on the difficult things they are seeing at ghettos, sites of mass graves, and concentration camps.

“You have to be able to give the kids their own time and their own moment, so they can cry freely if they want to cry,” said Rabbi Dr. Weinberg. “We are very clear with the students that there’s no right or wrong way to emote. I want to give the kids the opportunity to express their emotion and do so without feeling any inhibition.”

A large part of that emotional growth happens during the nightly reflection sessions, which are completely confidential. Weinberg said that it’s so essential to ensure the participants have a safe space to verbalize their feelings. As the trip progresses and the relationships deepen, participants start sharing difficult challenges that may not be directly related to the Holocaust but are very much on their minds.

“During these sessions, the students get emotionally vulnerable and learn how to express that emotional vulnerability, allowing them to break the plaque off themselves and their identity,” said Rabbi Dr. Weinberg, who is a therapist and has a doctorate in adolescent religious development.

Throughout the trip, the group prayed in dozens of inspiring locations, including an abandoned shul in the town of Prushischa,

breathing Jewish life into places where Judaism had almost been extinguished.

The Israel part of the trip concentrates on the land itself, with opportunities for biking, hiking, bird watching and simply being outside in the Mediterranean sunshine.

“When we prayed in the Hula Valley, with the sun setting over the mountains, hundreds of migrating birds around us, surrounded by the peace and quiet, it felt just like it must have for our forefather Abraham” Weinberg recounted to the parents of participants.

In Israel, the students used the same candle for Havdalah - the prayer that distinguishes the end of the Shabbat from the beginning

of the week- that they used in Poland. For the students, it was a stark reminder of how much they had seen in the past week, and how much had changed since the Holocaust.

“When we said the Havdalah prayer at the end of Shabbat in Israel, it took on a very different meaning,” Rabbi Dr. Weinberg said. “We weren’t just separating from the holiness of Shabbat to the rest of the week, but it was a separation between the holiness of Israel, and the bloodstained land of Poland.”

It’s Rabbi Dr. Weinberg’s hope that students will start to see themselves as part of the larger story of the Jewish people. He hopes they see that each participant is a link in the

chain that stretches back past the horrors of the Holocaust, beyond a thriving Jewish life in Europe, towards the earliest days of Judaism in Israel when Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob walked the land themselves.

“This is not a trip, it is a journey,” Weinberg told the parents, just before the group returned to New York. “It’s 42 individuals who are soul-searching and learning how to connect with themselves, how to connect with others, and how to connect with God.”

Rabbi Dr. Weinberg is already working on next year’s itinerary with details being shared in the spring for the senior class of 2024.

by Rachel Sales, NSHA

—Written

NSHA students in Israel.

NSHA students visiting a historic monument. (Contributed photos)

Rabbi Dr. Weinberg and NSHA students.

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