Syosset’s Children’s Orchestra Society To Host Gala Concert At Lincoln Center
Conductor Michael Dadap reflects on the importance of music in children’s lives
Syosset Jericho Tribune: When it comes to this concert that’s coming up, what would you say makes it different compared to other concerts?
JENNIFER CORR
jcorr@antonmediagroup.com
On May 22, the Children’s Orchestra Society Young Symphonic Ensemble will travel from Syosset (where they rehearse at Community Church of Syosset) to Lincoln Center in Manhattan.
The 29th Annual Discovery Gala Concert combines the excellence of young musicians with special guests including 24-year-old Yung Li, an internationally recognized pianist; John F. Kennedy Senior High School Senior and cellist Kimon Vontas, an alumni of the Young Symphonic Ensemble; New York City based conductor Yoon Sang Timothy Cho, a faculty member of the Children’s Orchestra Society and Taiwanese-American violinist and conductor Kevin Shue, also a faculty member of the Children’s Orchestra.
Michael Dadap, the Children’s Orchestra Society artistic director since 1984 and an accomplished composer, guitarist, conductor educator and folklorist, will be leading the musicians through this concert.
The Syosset Jericho Tribune spoke with Dadap ahead of the concert as he reflected on his years leading the Children’s Orchestra Society with his wife, executive director Yeou-Cheng Ma, daughter of the orchestra’s late founder, Dr. H.T. Ma, and sister of cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Over the years the orchestra has grown from 35 string players to 125 students, with four orchestras and over six chamber groups.
Dadap: Every single concert, as far as I’m concerned as the artistic director and conductor, is entirely special and different in many senses. It’s hard to compare them, because I’m dealing with children who are ergonomic and fluid, meaning I do not have the same members [at the same concert] that happens every year... I wrote a piece, which is a celebration... that was performed in 1998, 25 years ago. That piece has been revived and it will be performed again at this concert. It will be performed by entirely different members of the orchestra. None of them has heard the piece yet, until the rehearsal. That’s special to me.
Syosset Jericho Tribune: How does this orchestra benefit the children that are a part of it?
Dadap: It’s a chance to express themselves, and everybody can gain more confidence and they can gain a lot of learning opportunities as a performer and as a colleague in chamber music... Those experiences benefit them when they interview for other opportunities in life. It becomes a life skill for them. Music is like a stepping stone for them, a stepping stone for life success. Over the years, we’ve been fortunate that about 35 percent of our graduates go to Ivy League schools.
Syosset Jericho Tribune: How has the move of the rehearsals been to
members see ORCHESTRA on next page
(Flier courtesy the Children’s Orchestra Society)
Passover At North Shore Synagogue
The eight-day Jewish holiday of Passover commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Pesach is observed by avoiding leaven, and highlighted by the Seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus.
On March 29, Rabbi Jaimee Shalhevet of North Shore Synagogue led a wonderful Sisterhood Women’s Seder, connecting the generations of mothers, daughters, friends, and family through prayer and song. The Standard at North Shore provided a delicious dinner and superb hospitality.
And the North Shore Synagogue Religious School children had an amazing morning with a visit from the traveling Model Matzah Bakery. After retelling and acting out the story of Passover, children learned the process of how matzah is made by taking a wheat stalk and crushing it, to separate the wheat grain. Then they were able to grind it with hand-driven
millstones to get whole flour. By then combining the flour with water, children were able to roll out their dough, perforate the matzah, and bake it in the dutch oven in just 18 minutes. The morning ended
with our annual NOSHTY Youth Group Chocolate Seder!
An interactive and engaging second night Seder with family, friends, and guests led by Rabbi Shalhevet was also held. A wonderful
evening was had by all.
These photos captured the memories made by North Shore Synagogue congregates over this Passover.
—Submitted by North Shore Synagogue
Gourmet Meals For Syosset Hospital Patients
Executive Chef Marc Bauer at Syosset Hospital prepared gourmet meals for patients who would not be able to return home to celebrate Easter or the Passover.
Syosset? Have you been getting more students from Syosset and Jericho wanting to join the orchestra?”
Dadap: Syosset is a perfect place right now for us to plant our seeds of musical education. It is a very vibrant community of young immigrants and new immigrants from all over the world. A lot of them are music lovers who love education. And also I must say in the Syosset and Jericho area, it’s fortunate that there’s so many opportunities for children.”
Syosset Jericho Tribune: Can you tell
me about the guests of the 29th Annual Discovery Gala Concert.
Dadap: Our special guest artist is a young pianist, Yung Li. She’s the winner of the Young Concert Artist Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, so I invited her to be our guest artist to perform with the orchestra, and the reason for that is that I always believe the Discovery Concert is fine for our young people to experience performing on the same stage with a world renown artist as Yung Li. On the side, we have an Annual Discovery Artist Competition and the winner, who is a talented student named Kimon Vontas, was given the prize to perform as a soloist
with our orchestra. With the entire program, I have as my assistant conductors. Kevin Shue, who is an alumni with the children’s orchestra, and he graduated in the early 2000s, came back to teach with us... The other young conductor is Yoon Sang Timothy Cho. He’s also my assistant principal conductor and he’s a big part of the Children’s Orchestra Society family. He’s been with us for about five years now.
Syosset Jericho Tribune: “What keeps you sticking around and conductingthe Children’s Orchestra Society year after year.”
Dadap: “Do you ever stop drinking water? I look forward to making music and
to teaching music to children of any kind, of any age, of any color, of any background, because I think when a child learns something new in this life, it transforms him or her into a better individual. That kind of feeling is so refreshing to me, because where in the world can you get a job where I don’t feel like I’m working? I’m working a job where I feel that I’m cultivating something for the good of the young people. Plus, music is my life.”
To learn more about the Children’s Orchestra Society, how to get tickets for the 29th Annual Discovery Gala Concert and how you can get your child involved, visit childrensorch.org.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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FRIDAY, APRIL 21
Movie: Ticket to Paradise
Ticket to Paradise will be shown at the Syosset Public Library Theater from 2 to 3:45 p.m. The plot of the movie is as follows: “Lily sends a message to her parents that she’s going to get married to a local she met while vacationing in Bali. The distraught and long-divorced parents (Julie Roberts and George Clooney) fly to Indonesia to hopefully derail their daughter’s impulsive plan. Howev er, they should learn how to control their scathing animosity toward each oth er if they are to succeed with their own plan.” The movie is rated PG-13 and runs 104 minutes.
SATURDAY, APRIL 22
Introducing Vega Discover
This new catalog from the Jericho Public Library, 1 Merry Lane in Jericho, will help you uncover search results and content with the highest degree of accuracy and relevancy available from their collection. Vega Discover provides the experience you should expect. Using a simple, intuitive
interface, Vega provides a more user friendly, intelligent presentation of library data, rolling all formats into a single display and providing related resources. Come to the library from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and see how Vega works, bring your tech questions and pickup a snack and a gift while supplies last.
Teen Chess Workshop
At the Syosset Public Library, 225 S Oyster Bay Road, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., teens from sixth to 12th grade are invited to learn the rules of chess, develop skills and play against other teens. This event is part of a series. To learn more, and to register, visit syossetlibrary.org.
MONDAY, APRIL 24
Fruits and Vegetables That Can be Grown in Containers
Horticulturalist Paul Levine will be at the Syosset Public Library, 225 S Oyster Bay Road, from 7 to 8 p.m. to talk about nine fruits and vegetables that are perfect for container gardens. He will discuss different types of containers, which soil and fertiliz-
COSMETIC SURGERY TODAY
er to use and different watering methods. You will learn what problems may arise and how to deal with them. Registration is required. Visit syossetlibrary.org.
TUESDAY, APRIL 25,
Afternoon Book Discussion with Virtual Appearance by Author Lisa Scottoline
Join Evelyn Hershkowitz, Readers’ Services Librarian at Syosset Public Library, 225 S Oyster Bay Road, for a special Afternoon Book Discussion of the 2021 historical fiction novel, ETERNAL. This event will take place in-person at the library, including a live, virtual appearance by the author who will discuss the writing of ETERNAL, as well as introduce her newest 2023 release, ALTY. The Zoom link will also be provided on the Calendar of Events at syos setlibrary.org for those who wish to view the presenta tion virtually. In-person attend ees will enjoy an exclusive, extended book discussion following the author’s Zoom visit.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
Memory Training: Fresh and Vital for Aging Adults
Memory Memory Memory
The Community Church, 36 Church St. in Syosset, at 7 p.m., is sponsoring a twohour program called Memory Training: Fresh and Vital for Aging Adults. The program will be presented by Dr. Robert Deming, who has been working in this field at Columbia University and LIU Post College since 2012. The program embraces memory training as a traditional inner activity, as a newfound digital activity, and as a mixture of both. All are welcome, but admission is limited to 50 people, so registration is necessary. Contact Robert Owen at 516-921-2240, or ro.ucc.syosset@aol. com. First come, first served. This program is being offered free of chargemunity Church as part mission to serve the munity, which, oldest church, serving for over
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We provide a thorough evaluation of individual skin needs and design the appropriate treatments and products that address specific areas of concern.
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Whether you are seeking the most advanced laser hair removal treatment, wrinkle reduction, skin tightening, cellulite reduction, fat reduction, acne treatment or injectable services such as Botox®, Restylane® or Juvederm®, we are truly dedicated to meeting the needs of every client. In addition, the latest anti-aging solutions, our med spa offer includes the hottest treatments such as Morpheus8 and CoolPeel to bring you everything you need to resurface, restore and rejuvenate your skin.
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A nonpro t organization on North Shore Long Island is seeking sealed bids for sales and installation of security related enhancements. The project includes:
Door replacement and hardware, access control systems, security glass and lm, alarm systems, CCTV systems, and training, in various locations around the facilities and campuses. Selection criteria will be based on knowledge of products and security, adherence to work schedule, prior experience and references and cost. Speci cations and bid requirements can be obtained by contacting us at gmoore@mjc.org
All interested rms will be required to sign for the proposal documents and provide primary contact, telephone, fax and email address. Bids will be accepted until May 5, 2023.
Nassau County Youth Wellness Summit A Success
Going strong after three years, program looks to expand
Adolescent mental health has become a greater concern over the last 25 years, and this trend has only accelerated since the pandemic. The teens themselves are breaking the stigma and demanding better resources. The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, or SPTS, a national organization based in New Jersey, recognized this need in Nassau County and created the Nassau County Youth Wellness Summit. The summit is organized by Susan Brief, a school social worker and private practice therapist, who has been involved with SPTS since her own teen years.
“When I was about 15, I was going through a hard time as a teenager. My parents knew someone that was on the board of SPTS, and I ended up doing a little fundraiser for them. The more I got to know about them, the more purpose it put to what I was struggling with. And since then I’ve just been getting more and more involved in all the different programming that they do. Now I am their event coordinator,” Brief said.
The single-day summit, begun in 2019 and now in its third year after a one year break during COVID, focuses on mental health and suicide prevention, something sorely needed for today’s teens. According to SPTS, Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death for youth aged 10 to 24. And the CDC reports that 36.7 percent of high school students reported feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year. This percentage is higher for females, Hispanic students, and lesbian, gay or bisexual students.
The summit hosted staff and students from 33 different high schools across Nassau County and two Suffolk county high schools. All of the attendees were introduced to coping strategies, overall wellness practices and leadership skills to help them take care of themselves and their friends. These skills will equip them to be mental health leaders in their communities and best support their own mental wellness. The hope is to open dialogues about mental health and break down stigma so that they can continue to talk about these issues in their home schools.
Brief stated that invitations are sent to
the participating schools, but it is the staff and teachers who choose the participants. “We advise them to send students that they feel will be empowered to take what they’ve learned from the day and bring it back to their community. So whatever that looks like, whether it’s a student that’s struggling themselves, or whether it’s a student that’s kind of a leader among their peer group. So we kind of have a mix of student profiles throughout the day.”
The day began with an open discussion panel with people directly affected by teen suicide. “We have three young adults who spoke to their lived experiences losing a loved one to suicide or experiencing suicidal ideation and behaviors... That was a really good outlet for the teenagers to be able to ask questions like whatever was on their mind. And that’s something that we got feedback was really powerful for them.”
The selected students are all sophomores and juniors, and there are workshops geared towards those groups specifically. Sophomores participated in a workshop called “Knowing Your Worth”, which was about self esteem and empowerment. This encourages them towards self-exploration, expressing themselves confidently and using kind words towards one another. This class touches on social media that as well.
The juniors participated in a workshop called “Through My Eyes” which
addressed the stigma of mental health, what assumptions people may hold, how to break through barriers and how to form better connections. This workshop also talked about bullying and cyber-bullying, a huge issue for teens in the age of social media.
Adolescence has always been a time of transition, both mentally and physically, but today’s teens have gone through a massive disruption in the past few years. The pandemic created gaps in the normal progression of self-discovery and development. “With a pandemic would happen for a lot of young teens is they missed that part of social connection and interaction as a big part of trying on different skins and figuring out who I am and what feels right. And they kind of jumped into a later stage and adolescence where they feel like they don’t know who they are yet. They’re not ready for the next stage in life when they’re very close to graduating and moving on. And those who were already you know, in mid- adolescence have been pushed into early adulthood not feeling prepared.” Brief said.
Brief noted changes, not only in suicides, but also in issues of body image and self-harm. “With that we see a big rise in eating disorders have been an incredible rise since the pandemic. substance use and... self-harm rates are up. So just all in all, the mental and emotional wellbeing of our teens is suffering, and it calls for
more attention and more support. Not just for the teenagers but for the staff who are around the teens. Being aware that how they’re feeling emotionally is going to impact how they show up at school and their performance. And also (support) for the parents who might not be sure what the warning signs are at home or how to start a conversation if they’re noticing that their teenagers are acting differently.”
In the future, SPTS plans to bring another of their programs, the Youth Council, to Long Island. “The youth council is for any teenager from ninth through 12th grade in Nassau County who’s interested in remaining involved in mental health. We will have monthly meetings and the meeting location will travel across Nassau County. They’ll be learning more about something called the wellness wheel and it covers eight different components of wellness. They’ll learn more about the warning signs of depression and suicide and how to recognize that in their peers, different engagement skills, more about the local resources so they really can be someone to create change in their school environment and be someone who knows how to support others in their school who may be struggling.”
For more information about the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, their programs, and how to get involved, visit sptsusa.org.
Hiking Up Harriman And A Relaxing Salt Cave Experience
JENNIFER CORR
jcorr@antonmediagroup.com
Harriman State Park
I have been itching to get out there and hike up a mountain since the weather started getting just a little bit warmer.
And on April 2, I just did that. The great part about living on Long Island is that you have so many great attractions that can take you away from your everyday life that can be seen with just a day trip. So on that Sunday, my boyfriend and I, joined by his sister, got up early and headed out to Rockland County, NY to visit Harriman State Park, which was less than two hours away. I’ve personally never been there before.
Once we got there, we realized we would have to park on the side of the road, but there was plenty of distance between the left of the car and traffic. I had downloaded
the Long Path, Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail trail map on the app AllTrails, which made the whole experience so much easier. It keeps you on track and acts like a GPS, even if there’s very little internet.
Throughout the moderate hike, we faced some steep incline, had to climb up or down some boulders, crossed streams by hopping on
rocks and we saw some beautiful sites. It was also interesting to see all the cell phone towers that were there, as well as the underground fiber optic cables. We had been out there for about six hours, gained 1,171 feet in elevation and walked about nine miles.
We celebrated the day by going to Golden Corral in The Bronx, NY. I would only recommend this
on a week day afternoon, as it was extremely busy.
Jeff Salt Cave
On March 30, I was coming off of a mild cold, but was feeling a lot of tension in my eyes, so I looked into some solutions online on how to relieve this tension, and a salt cave was recommended.
The closest one to me was in
Port Jefferson, so I decided to book it for $45, which gave me a 40-minute session.
I went there having no idea what to expect. But once you’re there, the staff takes you through the process. I took off my shoes and my jacket and walked in. The ground is covered in Himalayan salt. Once I sat down in the gravity chair provided, I realized there was pink salt all around me. There was one other woman in the room with me on the other side of the room, and I was given a blanket to keep me warm.
After the both of us picked a meditation to listen to, which played on a loud speaker, a staff member brought us some crystals to hold.
Overall it was a nice way to pass the time, and the meditation was very relaxing. The other woman even fell asleep.
It’s certainly something I would do again! And I’d say it even helped relieve some of that tension and I felt pretty good afterwards.
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Ever since my husband retired, we have found ourselves seeking new adventures on the daily. Whether we take a drive to the East End or explore a new hiking trail, these excursions have brought new life to the doldrums that can easily make one feel as though they are in a “rut”.
During our treks through nature, we’ve been blessed to find interesting articles of yesteryear. Several years ago, I found an old bottle of “Minck” that was buried beneath the leaves. The journalist in me loves a good investigation, and so I proceeded to research my subject.
As it turned out, Minck Brothers was a mineral water manufacturer who bottled beverages that were considered better than what was on the market from the 1870s through the 1950s. They were located on Beaver Street in good old Brooklyn, NY. The bottle, sadly, was cracked on the top and would have injured whoever carried it back to the car. We buried it to prevent forest wildlife from injury.
We have collected beach glass, also known as “Mermaid Tears” or “sea glass” for decades. Over the years, our finds became jewelry created by our daughter, a hobby that was short lived thanks, in part, to the cost of creating. She continues to search with her fiancé along the shore and places her finds into the window above her kitchen sink where they glint and gleam in the sunlight.
Hubby and I continued to search for glass and challenged each other to find the most unique specimen to bring home and clean up before it was placed in a vase in the window. Sometimes we found beautiful cobalt and other times we found the frosted remnants of old Coca-Cola bottles that were smoothed by years of natural tumbling along the ocean floor. We collected enough glass to fill two small vases for our daughter, two
Fun Finds Along The Shore
of a green bottle with the word “Duraglas” etched into the bottom. Duraglas was a style of glass that was manufactured in the 1940s and 1950s and was touted as being stronger than the average glass bottle.
SEE YOU AROUND THE TOWN
medium vases for ourselves, and even more glass that is currently scattered upon my dining room table. We have discovered red, orange, cobalt, teal, cerulean, bright lime and even frosted white pieces that can be found along the shore. We’re always grateful for a good find and we’re amazed by the amount that continues to wash up along the shores of Long Island. Recently, Hubby and I opted to hike along the northern shores of Western Suffolk County, where we saw a gray seal as he sunned himself upon a large rock formation in the surf. We strolled along the shoreline as we enjoyed the sound of surf, sea birds and the occasional sound of a buoy clanging in the changing tide. As the tide was quite low, we decided to walk out further to search for seashells and other treasures that may have been stuck in the mud.
Lo and behold, Hubby found a broken piece of milk glass. Our reading glasses weren’t strong enough to read the print in the bright sunlight, so we brought it back to the car for further inspection. As luck would have it, Hubby had stumbled upon a large chunk of a milk glass container from MacLaren’s Imperial Cheese, which was manufactured between 1893 and 1920. Hubby pulled a few more pieces from his pockets and proudly showed me the base
Hubby also found a piece of “Trademark Lightning” glass made by the Putnam Glass company, which had been made to hold jarred fruits. Manufacturing of the Trademark Lightning glassware began in 1882; most jars were created in the early 1900s as well. The color of the glass almost appeared to be iridescent as it shone in the light.
Finally, I showed him my find. It was a piece of pottery with the word “warranted” on the back, along with a unicorn on his hind legs and a small black star beneath him. I did a little research and consulted an expert, who advised me that the pottery was a piece of ironstone that was made by the William Brunt Pottery Company, which dated circa 1880s or 1890s. It was made in East Liverpool, Ohio. It was a “Royal Warranted” item, which meant that it was created for use by the royal family. Most of the experts on ironstone advised me that the piece was either from a shipwreck or “dumping along the shore”. Either way, they told me that it was a lucky find and it would be nice to go back and look for an intact piece of ironstone. Sadly, the tide rose, and we were unable to complete our search. For those who are unfamiliar with ironstone, it is a glaze-covered piece of
earthenware. Most ironstone was manufactured in England, France and the United States.
A friend of mine advised me that there is a television show on BBC known as “Mudlarkers”. Mud larking is a pastime in England, where folks of all ages head out to the mud flats and shorelines at low tide to search for “buried treasure”. It has recently seen popularity in the US, and some mud larkers have found items that are worth anywhere from several hundred to several thousands of dollars. My friend called me her “little mud larker” and hoped I would find something of value in my escapades. I was only too happy with my little broken piece of pottery. Hubby still wants to collect “Mermaid Tears”, and that is just fine with me. I’m not out there to possess the greatest collection, nor do I want a trip to the shore to be just about looking for something, because the joy of being in the moment would truly be lost. We continue to search for sea glass because Hubby plans to create something special with the finds. There is something so special about searching through the sand to find that perfect piece of frosted treasure that feels smooth and cool against the skin and winks in the bright sunshine. While we have even trekked into the water to obtain larger pieces, the thrill is truly in the hunt. I’m not sure what we will find next, but I’ll be sure to share it here. For those of you who also feel the thrill when finding something rare, unique and beautiful, I wish you all the joy of the search!
OPED
Nassau Hub Casino Is Not A Good Bet
BY PETER CAVALLAROI have read with interest various recently published opinion pieces related to the potential casino siting in Nassau, one by Hofstra President Susan Poser and the other by RXR Chairman Scott Rechler. As mayor of the Village of Westbury, and someone caught in the middle of Nassau County’s last potential foray into casino gambling, I do not relish that the county will again potentially be the site of one of the state’s several newly authorized, full-blown gambling parlors in the downstate area.
From that last tussle I, and those who fought hard to prevent the siting of a casino at the former Fortunoff site in Westbury, did a great deal of research and learned much about the long-term impacts on local areas from casino siting. Much that we learned was decidedly negative. I certainly agree with Ms. Poser that a casino in the midst of two colleges and tens of thousands of college-age young adults is a uniquely bad idea. I am left with the sense that after literally decades of talk, and stops and starts, no one has
yet offered the clear vision or had the political will or clout, or whatever else it takes, to actually bring to fruition a truly beneficial, appropriate and accretive project to transform the Hub area.
The Hub project that Mr. Rechler and his group have been working on for the past several years offered, I thought, the potential starting point for a very good transformation of that area, and I and my staff had met with and had many discussions with the RXR team, as well as county officials regarding the Hub
development. We provided input on the development’s impacts on surrounding communities, as well as transportation.
But it now seems that Mr. Rechler’s business instincts tell him that he has the chance to take big development risk off the table for himself and his investors. This late shift seems like a bait and switch (intended or otherwise) that now requires a step back and the consideration of all sorts of additional matters, impacts and mitigations to be considered.
Sadly, the casino proposal represents low-hanging fruit for policy makers seeking to grab more revenue, and developers looking to de-risk a very largescale project in a drastically changed real estate environment. I do not blame them for that since their mission is to make money for their ventures above all else.
But, it is up to our government officials to regulate that profit-only desire to make sure that the development meets the needs of the county and surrounding communities. The lack of political will, vision and leadership over decades regarding the Hub is
astounding. It has the same echoes of another long-term Nassau issue—the assessment debacle that also has been a decades-long political football—where fear of partisan electoral losses prevails over creative problem solving. In the end, very few people really believe that a casino proposal at the Hub offers the best long-term vision for the future of Nassau. And the assertions that have been made by various proponents— that this “opportunity” is in any way equivalent to the in-fact
tremendous Amazon opportunity frittered away in Queens several years ago is simply public relations speak that is frankly absurd and offensive. In the end, casino gambling is not going away. But that is not the issue for our policy makers. Nassau residents and taxpayers deserve a project at the Hub that is thoughtful and in their best interests. This casino proposal is lazy and self-serving. Not a good combination.
THE SHIN COLLECTION AND
It is astounding to think that a private collection of masterworks as wide-ranging and important as these could be assembled by a 32-year-old connoisseur, but Hong Gyu Shin is an internationally recognized figure in the global art world. He shares more than a hundred of his treasures with us by such greats as Whistler, Lautrec, Boucher, Daumier, Delacroix, Derain, Balthus, de Kooning and many other top-tier names from art history. Shin is a synthesizer. His credo: “Avant-garde visual culture, irrespective of traditions, is timeless.”
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Better Assignments For Subway Station Booth Attendants
NYC Transit President Richard Davey previously announced his agreement with the Transit Workers Union Local 100 to preserve 2,000 station agents primarily assigned to subway station booths makes no sense. Worse, is his commitment to hire several hundred more. Now they have become “Station Ambassadors” to help riders navigate the system. As NYCT completes conversion to One Metro New York (OMNY) cards, staffing of station booths becomes obsolete. Converting former subway booth attendants to station ambassadors represents featherbedding. We have entered the digital age of OMNY fare-payment system which lets riders go through turnstiles by tapping credit cards, debit cards or smart phones.
Giving former station agents cell phones to use when observing criminal activity to notify transit police will not be meaningful. Those committing criminal acts are not going to wait around for transit police to arrive. Having former station agents periodically walk the platform several times an hour and be available to answer questions or provide directions does little to enhance service. More riders use apps to obtain this information.
The public’s priority is safety and security, open bathrooms and curtailing $500 million yearly fare evasion. Real management would not hire more station agents to perform these new functions outside obsolete token booths. Why not assign station agents on payroll to stand by turnstiles and emergency exit gates and attempt to curtail fare evasion? This would save $1 million a month currently spent in hiring 200 private security guards assigned to deter fare evaders. Let the existing station agents keep their jobs. With attrition as they retire in coming years, reduce the headcount. Start eliminating Station Ambassadors one station at a time based upon those with the least ridership. Keep Station Ambassadors at high volume stations with significant numbers of out of town commuters or tourists. This might include Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station 7th and 8th Avenue, Port Authority Bus Terminal 42nd Street, Times Square, World Trade Center Fulton Street, Flushing Main Street, Jamaica Center Parsons/Archer, Sutphin Blvd. Archer Avenue JFK Airport, Atlantic Avenue Barclay Center, Coney Island Stillwell Avenue, Yankee Stadium and Mets Willets Point (game days) and a handful of other subway stations with high ridership volumes. Cross train existing subway station and end of line terminal subway
station car cleaners to perform many of the same functions as a Station Ambassador. This might include reporting crime, sick passengers or delay in service. Do the same for the new 800 station and subway car cleaners to be hired over coming months as announced by Davey. Issue them cell phones as appropriate. Re-allocate funding saved by reducing the numbers of Station Ambassadors over coming years at they retire to pay for more transit police. They can be assigned to support safety, security and curtail fare beating station by station. This would go further to enhance ridership comfort on the subway system and for those concerned about criminal activity.
Funds can also be reallocated to open many of the still closed subway station bathrooms. NYC is a 24/7 town just like our NYC Transit subway system. Bathrooms need to be opened 24/7, not just 7 AM to 7 PM. There are significant numbers of transit riders with full bladders after 7 PM who desire a bathroom to relieve themselves. All of this needs to be dealt with if the MTA wants to see a return to the pre-COVID 19 five million plus ridership.
It is time to return to the days when a transit police officer was assigned to ride each train and patrol subway stations. Along with installation of security cameras on trains and stations, this might help to reduce vandalism and crime. The longterm NYC Transit management goal over time should be to convert all NYC Transit station agent positions serving as “Station Ambassadors” to finance increasing police protection and opening bathrooms 24/7 in our subway system.
Larry Penner is a transportation advocate,
LIW IW
John Pizzarelli’s Fave Stage & Screen Scores
Somewhere around June 2020, the music union in New York, the Local 802, was sponsoring hour-long lunchtime concerts for all of the first responders and hospital workers,” he recalled. I wasn’t even on Facebook. I hadn’t been on for a bunch of years and they said I had to go to my official page, click on a button and everyone would know and it would happen. I got all my passwords back and did this hour-long thing. That was something and then I decided to try and do that [on a regular basis]. Thursdays are good because it gives us Fridays off—not like I had anything to do on Friday anyway. We decided Thursday nights would be fun and my wife suggested we call [the show]
‘It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere’ and it just blossomed into something that was another thing that saved our lives during the pandemic—the response of the people. Eventually it went to all requests.”
Given the theme of the Garden State native’s latest outing, it only seemed fair to have him list a few of his favorite scores from the silver screen and stage.
Casablanca (1942)
“I’ve always loved it because it’s a perfect movie. But also because the music is so well-done. There’s also something unusual. The band will play ‘Avalon’ at one place and all of a sudden we see Ingrid Bergman and all of a sudden the song is ‘The Very Thought of You.’ There is a way that they use the underscoring to signal what is going on. That’s a really cool part of the movie and I think the movie is special for many reasons.”
BY DAVE GIL DE RUBIO editorial@antonmediagroup.comAlong with being a world-renowned jazz guitarist, John Pizzarelli is an artist quick to pay tribute to his influences via his recorded work. Among the inspirational nods he’s given are to the Chairman of the Board (2006’s Dear Mr. Sinatra, 2017’s Sinatra & Jobim @ 50), the Fab Four (1998’s Meet the Beatles, 2015’s Midnight McCartney), Duke Ellington (2010’s Rockin’ in Rhythm: A Tribute to Duke Ellington) and most notably, Nat King Cole (1994’s Dear Mr. Cole, 2019’s For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole). For his new effort, Stage & Screen, Pizzarelli turned to a collection of classic songs from Broadway and Hollywood. The idea to go down this path came out of a weekly live stream the guitarist had been doing shortly after the pandemic lockdown started.
Joined by bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson, Pizzarelli leads his new trio through a gamut of ear worms ranging from “I Want to Be Happy” and “Tea For Two” from the 1925 musical No, No Nanette to “I Love Betsy” from Honeymoon in Vegas, a stage musical adapted from the 1992 film of the same name. It all wound up being a breezy three-day session cut back in November 2021 that had Pizzarelli pleased with the end result. “When we started to go back to work, we were just picking things out of the air,” he explained. ‘I Want to Be Happy’ was just a tune that we decided to play. I’ve always liked that tune—it’s a great little jazz song. And then I heard Blossom Dearie sing ‘Tea for Two’ and she sang it as a ballad. I decided to do it that way and the more we did it, the more comfortable we got with it. And then we had a number of tunes that came out of the Thursday night set. The idea was that I had all these songs and when I looked at them, some of them were from movies and some I had in my back pocket like ‘Coffee in a Cardboard Cup.’ Stage and Screen just seemed like a nice idea for lack of a better title. We put everything together and thought it would work, so that’s what happened.”
WHERE LONG ISLAND WINS!
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) “This is a great movie. Hugo Friedhofer did the score. I actually own the record of the movie. It’s well-done from a cinematic point of view because of what it is about— veterans returning from World War II. I have a soft spot in my heart for Teresa Wright, who is also Mrs. Lou Gehrig in another movie.”
The Bridges of Madison County [musical] (2014)
“One of the greatest things I heard was Steven Pasquale and Kelli O’Hara sing the score of The Bridges of Madison County, the Jason Robert Brown show. It absolutely stunned me. That’s why I did one of Jason’s tunes. I love his work and wanted something that was current.”
The John Pizzarelli Trio will be appearing from April 25-29 at Birdland, 315 W. 44th St., NYC. Visit www.birdlandjazz.com or call 212581-3080 for more information. Visit www.longislandweekly.com to read a full feature on John Pizzarelli.
What Is ChatGPT? The capabilities and limitations of artificial intelligence language bots
BY CHATGPT specialsections@antonmediagroup.comChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI based on the GPT-3.5 architecture, which stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3.5. It is one of the most advanced language models available, capable of generating human-like responses to natural language queries.
The primary purpose of ChatGPT is to provide an automated conversational agent that can understand and respond to human language in a natural and intuitive manner. This makes it an ideal tool for a wide range of applications, including customer service, language translation, and chatbot development.
One of the key strengths of ChatGPT is its ability to generate responses that are not only accurate but also contextually relevant. This is achieved through the use of deep learning algorithms that analyze large amounts of text data to identify patterns and relationships between words and phrases. This enables ChatGPT to understand the meaning behind the words and respond in
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a way that is both meaningful and relevant to the context of the conversation.
Another important capability of ChatGPT is its ability to generate text that is indistinguishable from human-written content. This is achieved through the use of a large neural network that has been trained on a vast amount of text data from various sources, including books, websites, and social media. This enables ChatGPT to generate responses that are grammatically correct and free of errors, and that closely mimic the style and tone of human-written content.
However, despite its many capabilities, ChatGPT also has some limitations. One of the biggest challenges is its lack of real-world experience and knowledge. While it is capable of generating responses based on patterns and relationships in language, it does not have the same level of understanding of the world as humans do. This can sometimes result in responses that are factually incorrect or do not fully address the user’s query.
Another limitation of ChatGPT is its susceptibility to bias. Like all machine learning algorithms, ChatGPT is only as unbiased as see CHAT GPT on page 4B
CHAT GPT from page 3B
the data it has been trained on. If the training data is biased or contains stereotypes, then the responses generated by ChatGPT may also be biased or contain stereotypes. This can be a significant issue, especially in applications such as hiring or healthcare, where bias can have serious consequences.
Despite these limitations, ChatGPT is a powerful tool that has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with machines. As machine learning algorithms continue to advance, we can expect to see even more sophisticated language models that are capable of understanding and responding to human language in increasingly sophisticated ways. With proper training and development, these models could potentially be used to create automated conversational agents that are almost indistinguishable from human interaction, opening up new possibilities for human-machine collaboration and communication.
Editor’s note: The above article, in its entirety, minus the headline and byline, was generated by ChatGPT with the prompt, “write a 600 word explanation about ChatGPT and include the capabilities and limitations.” It was generated in 20 seconds. The above response was not corrected for grammar, spelling or context in order to give the reader an understanding of what the ChatGPT bot and other similar artificial intelligence language machines are capable of. Visit www.longislandweekly.com/ chatgpt-april2023 to read more from local education officials and research librarians.
—Christy HinkoCampus Visit Checklist
Visiting a college campus helps you get a sense of what a college — and life at that college — is like. This can help you decide whether the college is right for you.
When planning your campus visits, make sure to allow time to explore each college. While you’re there, talk to as many people as possible. These can include college admission staff, professors and students. Below are some other things you can do while visiting. Note that some activities, such as meeting with an admission officer or staying overnight in a dorm, might need to be set up in advance.
Gather Information
Find out what you need to do to apply and see if the college’s class and major offerings are what you want:
• Take part in a group information session at the admission office.
• Interview with an admission officer.
• Pick up financial aid forms.
• Sit in on a class that interests you. If classes aren’t in session, just see what the classrooms
are like.
• Meet a professor who teaches a subject that interests you.
• Talk to students about what they think of their classes and professors.
• Get the names of the people you meet and their business cards so you can contact them later if you have questions.
Explore the Campus
Get a feel for student life and
see if this college is a place where you will do well:
• Take a campus tour.
• Talk to current students about life on campus and the college.
• Check out the freshmen dorms and stay overnight with a student, if possible.
• Visit the dining hall, fitness center, library, career center, bookstore and other campus facilities.
• Talk to the coaches of sports that you may want to play.
• Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus.
Check Out Campus Media
Tune in to learn what’s happening on campus and what’s on students’ minds:
• Listen to the college radio station.
• Read the student newspaper.
• Read other student publications, such as department newsletters, alternative newspapers and literary reviews.
• Scan bulletin boards to see what daily student life is like.
• Go to the career center and learn what services it offers.
• Browse the school’s website and any campus blogs.
Questions to Ask During Your Visit
Here are some questions you may want to ask your tour guide or students you meet on campus:
• What are the best reasons to go to this college?
• What’s it like to go from high school to college?
• What do you do in your free time? On the weekends?
• What do you love about this college?
• What do you wish you could change about this college?
• Why did you choose this college?
• What is it like to live here?
—College BoardAcademy Students Prep For Regeneron Talent Search
BY DR. STEPHEN J. SULLIVAN specialsections@antonmediagroup.comIt’s 7:05 a.m. I’ve been at school for a half hour, so I slip out of Sacred Heart Academy’s (SHA) Science Research Lab for just a moment to brew myself a cup of tea. Upon my return, a half-dozen young women in blue blazers and plaid skirts have appeared seemingly out of nowhere. They are already excitedly chatting about…one senior’s recent research project on the topic of absorption spectroscopy and how it can be applied within atherosclerosis.
You’d think they owned the joint—because, well, they kind of do. And that’s just a typical Tuesday here at SHA. I love how comfortable the girls feel in a room assigned to the department chair and the research director.
According to a recent survey conducted by Junior Achievement and the research group Engine (www.ja.org), only nine percent of girls between the ages of 13 and 17 are interested in careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). But here at SHA, an all-girls, college-preparatory high school founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, just shy of 100 students practically
“live” in the Science Research Lab throughout the school year. As director of research, I mentor students as they tend to crayfish, weigh earthworms, test the starch content of pea plants or explore colleges with outstanding STEM programs. I encourage our students to challenge themselves academically, to ask tough questions and to dare to dream big. We define STEM broadly; each SciRes girl will work across the life, physical and natural sciences during her four years under our care. STEM
involves thinking critically, logically, and analytically. It also requires approaching problems persistently and creatively. SHA students are doing just that by participating in local, regional, national and international science competitions each year. Supported by gifted colleagues, I seek innovative and unconventional ways to expose these young women to the possibilities in STEM, both in college and beyond. Sure, it’s hard work for the girls. All three of my own children (Christine, Michael and Arthur) were Intel
(now Regeneron) Science Talent kids (2006, 2009, 2012), so I understand exactly what I’m asking of the girls—and their parents. The Regeneron Talent Search (Regeneron STS) is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school seniors, providing an important forum for original research that is recognized and reviewed by a national jury of professional scientists. Each year, approximately 2,000 student entrants submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study
Classes Start
and are judged by leading experts in their fields. Unique among high school competitions in the U.S. and around the world, the Regeneron Science Talent Search focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the nation’s most promising young scientists who are creating the ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges.
But students hardly enter their senior year of high school and suddenly decide to submit a six-week research project at a nationally competitive level. Here at Sacred Heart Academy, research is a four-year program, beginning with Introduction to Research 9 and including the AP Capstone Program. The SHA Research Program offers a unique opportunity for students to experience the rigor and rewards of authentic research while still in high school. This sequence of courses is directed to those students who have a keen interest in the physical, natural, and social sciences and would like to pursue excellence in areas of hands-on, original research. Students begin the program in ninth grade with the Intro to Research 9 course. Ultimately, students who continue with Research for four years will not only earn a SHA Diploma but will also have the opportunity to earn a AP Capstone Diploma, issued by the College Board and valued highly by colleges and universities around the nation and the world. Many students in the program showcase their research in publications and participate in internships with some of the nation’s top research facilities and universities.
And all of that hard work pays off. In
the last four years alone, I have mentored students who submitted 49 Regeneron proposals. Additionally, 13 girls have had research articles published in peer-reviewed journals since 2020. And since 2019, 51 girls have been invited to present original research at the prestigious (adult) Association for Psychological Association Convention; less than 250 precollegiate researchers have ever been invited in the conventions’ 35-year history.
Significantly, SHA students are comfortable explaining their work to their peers, faculty, science fair judges and journalists. Recently SHA’s principal, S. Jean Amore, CSJ explained, “In the middle of a terribly stressful time – an era of political polarization, global pandemics, European wars, and so on—Drs. Sullivan & Feinman make hard work and academic excellence ‘fun’ for seventy to ninety adolescent girls each year. Alumnae frequently write to share success stories from university, success that they consistently attribute to the influence of Science Research and the support they receive from their SHA family. It’s really quite lovely.” I couldn’t agree more. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your students succeed at university—not just gain admission to university—but truly excel upon matriculation because they were confident and prepared.
—Dr. Stephen J. Sullivan joined Sacred Heart Academy in 2018 as the Director of Research and faculty member. In addition, Dr. Sullivan is a respected senior lecturer at Columbia University.
Molloy College is now Molloy University.
With over 50 undergraduate degree programs, we combine academic excellence and leadership with personal mentoring. Molloy’s programs in healthcare, education, business and arts and sciences will lead you to an exciting career. Here, you’ll think about your future in a whole new way.
Fighting For Student Debt Relief At The Supreme Court
A message from Secretary Cardona on student debt relief
Recently Biden-Harris Administration mounted a powerful case for student debt relief in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The student debt relief program will provide critical support to more than 40 million borrowers most at risk of delinquency or default when the student loan payment pause ends.
Our Administration is confident in our legal authority to adopt this plan, and today made clear that opponents of the program lack standing to even bring their case to court. While opponents of this program would deny relief to tens of millions of working- and middle-class Americans, we are fighting to deliver relief to borrowers who need support as they get back on their feet after the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
While we await the Supreme Court’s decision, the pause on student loan payments remains in effect. Payments will resume 60 days after the Supreme Court announces its decision. If it has not made a decision or resolved the litigation by June 30, payments will resume 60 days after that.
In addition to this one-time debt relief program focused on counteracting the negative impacts of the pandemic, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and I will continue to put the needs of students and borrowers ahead of special interests, invest in college affordability, hold colleges accountable for runaway costs and unaffordable debts, and pursue historic changes to student loan repayment that will cut costs and reduce the crushing burden of student debt for millions of working families.
We will continue to provide you updates and will notify borrowers directly before payments restart.
Visit Student Aid for the latest information on student debt relief, the payment pause, and additional programs from the Department of Education to make college more accessible and affordable.
—A statement released by Miguel A. Cardona, Ed.D., Secretary of Education on Feb. 28, 2023.
Recently Sold HOMES
This stunning colonial home at 4 Pinewood Rd. in Old Westbury sold on April 4 for $2,300,000. It sits on 1.63 acres in the heart of Old Westbury and has more than 5,000 square-feet of living space. The home has six bedrooms and four bathrooms. The kitchen is an open concept and has a combination of VIking and Sub-Zero appliances. The first floor offers multiple entertaining areas including wood-burning fireplaces throughout the house. The den is bright and offers access to the deck. The bedrooms are generously sized and have a lot of closet space. The primary suite includes a fireplace, a walk-in closet and a bathroom suite complete with a clawfoot tub and a stand-up shower. The home has a three-car attached garage, a generator connection and a fenced-in in-ground saltwater heated pool. The home has six-zone gas heat and cooking, two-zone central air conditioning, a new roof and in-ground sprinklers.
This colonial home on two level acres at 3 Bridle Path Dr. in Old Westbury sold on March 30 for $1,570,000. It has a gated entrance and three quarters of the property is fenced in. The home has four bedrooms and six bathrooms. It has a finished basement and a free-form Gunite heated saltwater pool. There is also a poolhouse and a greenhouse on the property. The home was built in 1970. It has a huge detached three car garage and an attached two car garage. The home has central heat and air conditioning. It is a perfect home to entertain guests and is centrally located to many local amenities.
HOME & DESIGN
Pay Attention To Safety When Using Lawn Mowers
Spring is here and as we get our lawn mowers and other outdoor power equipment out from storage to work in our yards, businesses and other green spaces, it’s important to keep safety in mind.
“Think safety first,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing outdoor power equipment, small engine, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. “I can’t stress enough to review manufacturer’s safety guidance before starting up any equipment—especially your lawn mower. Review your owner’s manual and do maintenance on your equipment.” Tips for readying and using your equipment:
• Know not all lawn mowers are the same. Whether your mower is a garden tractor, zero turn mower or other, it has a unique design, requirements, weight classification, and other differences that impact how to use it safely. The newest machines have the latest safety standards.
• Know your specific machine. Many mowers may look similar but the technology is ever evolving with evolving safety systems. They vary in design, power supply, performance, operating parameters, and more. Your manufacturer-supplied owner’s manual will guide you in these differences. Read your owner’s manual.
• When using mowers on slopes follow the manufacturer’s guidance to the letter.
• Do not disable or alter manufacturer-installed safety equipment.
• Walk your yard before mowing. Slopes, wet grass and weather may impact equipment performance, as well as safe handling procedures. Pick up sticks and limbs that may have fallen to the ground and any loose objects that could be hit by a mower.
• Look over equipment before use. Check the air filter, oil level and gasoline tank. Watch for loose belts and missing or damaged parts. Replace any parts needed or take your equipment to a qualified service representative.
• Protect your power. Use only E10 or less fuel in gasoline-powered outdoor power equipment if it is not designed for higher ethanol blends.
• Keep children and pets away from machines during operation.
• Keep your mower clean. It will run more efficiently and last longer. Always remove dirt, oil or grass before using and storing. Store equipment in a dry place, avoiding damp or wet environments. Visit www.opei.org for more safety information.
—Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
Alzheimer’s Foundation, Mount Sinai Host Free Memory Screening
To help Long Islanders be proactive about their brain health, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) and Mount Sinai South Nassau will be hosting a free memory screening event on Tuesday, April 25 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm in the atrium of Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital (One Healthy Way, Oceanside). No advanced registration is required, and there are no minimum age or insurance prerequisites. Parking is available in the visitor’s lot.
Memory screenings are quick (approximately 10-15 minutes), noninvasive, and consist of a series of questions to gauge memory, language, thinking skills and other cognitive functions. They are similar to other routine health screenings, such as those for blood pressure, cholesterol and skin checks. Screenings are administered one on one by a qualified professional, and results are confidential. Results are not a diagnosis, but a memory screening can suggest if someone should see a physician for a full evaluation.
“Annual memory screenings should be part of everyone’s health and wellness routine, regardless of whether you’re experiencing memory problems. Just as we regularly check other facets of our health, we need a checkup from the neck up too,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “We are pleased to work with Mount Sinai South Nassau to provide this free service to the community.”
“The information from the screening helps
you and your physician take charge of your brain health and plan for and implement lifestyle changes as well as take advantage of treatments that will slow memory loss and the decline of thinking skills,” said Adhi Sharma, MD, President of Mount Sinai South Nassau. “My colleagues I and strongly encourage residents to get screened and take advantage of this free and essential screening.”
Early detection of memory impairments is extremely important. Many different conditions can cause memory issues, including treatable or curable conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, urinary tract infections, sleep apnea, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Even in the case of a dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer’s, early detection can provide greater opportunity to begin treatments that can help slow the symptoms of the disease, as well as taking part in a clinical trial. In addition, it affords the person the chance to take advantage of community services, such as support groups and therapeutic programming, that can help maximize quality of life, as well as have a greater say in making legal, financial and health care decisions.
For more information about the free memory screening program on April 25, please contact Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Education Department at 516377-5333 or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at 866-232-8484.
—Submitted by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
Music And Entertainment Hall Of Fame Offers Scholarship
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHoF) will award $500 scholarships to graduating students. These scholarships will provide funding for eligible graduating high school students from Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens, or Kings (Brooklyn) counties who have shown an interest in pursuing a career in music. To apply and to read the eligibility requirements, please download the scholarship application (https://www.limusichalloffame.org/scholarshipsgrants/).
Student Scholarships Applications
Deadline: Friday May 12th, 2023
All applications must be postmarked by the application due date in order to be accepted.
The LIMHOF Education Committee will base selections on the completed application and the following:
• 400 to 500-word essay on education and career goals
• High school transcript
• Letter of recommendation from an individual who can attest to the applicant’s commitment to a music career
Eligibility criteria:
• Graduating high school senior from Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn (Kings) or Queens counties
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• Accepted full-time at an accredited college or university
• Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in music
• Demonstrate Financial need
• U.S. citizen or legal resident with I-55 permanent residency
More information and applications may be found at https://www.limusichalloffame.org/scholarshipsgrants/
—Submitted by the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame
The Home Of Giants: More Thrills At Yankee Stadium
JOSEPH SCOTCHIE
jscotchie@antonmediagroup.com
By the 1920s, baseball and prizefighting were the two major American sports. College football was huge. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1950s and the advent of television that the pro game took hold.
Whatever the attraction, Yankee Stadium was where history was made.
Starting in the Twenties, the Stadium was host to many great fights.
They included such championship brawls as the 1939 Joe Louis-Max Schmeling fight, in which Louis avenged an earlier defeat; plus those between Tony Zale and Rocky Graziano, Sugar Ray Robinson and Kid Gavilan, Sandy Sadler and Willie Pep, Rocky Marciano and Ezzard Charles, and Ingemar Johansson and Floyd Patterson.
A favorite was the June 28, 1939 bout between Louis and Tony “Two-Ton” Galento. The latter was known as “the Battlin’ Barkeep” as he tended bar in The Bronx in between ring dates. Imagine the conversation.
GALENTO: Got to take the night off, boss.
BOSS: And why?
GALENTO: Gotta take the train to the Stadium.
BOSS: What for?
GALENTO: The fights!
BOSS: Yeah?
GALENTO: Gotta step into the ring with Joe Louis. See you when it’s over!
(Louis won in a fourth-round TKO, even though Galento staggered the champ with a second-round haymaker.)
By the 1950s, the Yankee Stadium neighborhood was changing rapidly. The flight to Queens and Long Island was in full swing. Plus, fights were now televised.
On Sept. 28, 1976, at the newly-refurbished Stadium, defending heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali took on challenger Ken Norton. By now, Ali was 37. His best days were behind him. Ali won in a decision, one hotly disputed in the media and by the fans. By 1976, the crime situation in The Bronx was becoming out-of-control. A disparaging article on the fight in Sports Illustrated trashed the building as “Junkie Stadium,” while observing local thugs pawing the ladies in attendance. Prize fights would have to
take place elsewhere.
But not football games. New York, in the early and mid-1900s, was a capital for Ellis Island immigrants and their offspring. The most famous college team in America was the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. The Irish often played at Yankee Stadium and the “D” train and Number Four trains were packed with the “subway alumni,” those ethnic Catholics came to cheer the Irish of Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy and such Heisman Trophy winners as Angelo Bertelli, Johnny Lujack, Leon Hart, Johnny Lattner, and Paul Hourning.
A zenith was reached on Nov. 9, 1946. Both Notre Dame and the Army squad
coached by Earl Blaik were undefeated. It was more than a game. The postwar era represented an unprecedented peak of American history. Victorious in the European and Asian theaters of World War II, the game showcased the pride and greatness of this now-invincible nation. The game was the most anticipated match in college football history, ending in a thrilling, but inconclusive 0-0 tie.
With the nationally-televised Dec. 30, 1958 National Football League title game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts, pro football made its debut as the new national pastime.
The game, naturally, took place at Yankee Stadium. The daylight turned from dusk to darkness as the two teams battled each other to a heart-stopping overtime barn burner, with the Colts and their quarterback great, Johnny Unitas, winning on a one-yard touchdown run by Alan Ameche.
That day, the Giants were led by quarterback Y.A. Tittle, plus Kyle Rote and matinee idol Frank Gifford in the backfield. The Giants were on a roll of their own. Two years earlier, while also playing at Yankee Stadium, the Giants defeated the Chicago Bears in the “tennis shoes’” game to capture the NFL crown. (The field was covered with ice. Head coach Jim Lee Howell instructed his charges to play in sneakers, an idea that worked swimmingly.)
At Yankee Stadium, the Giants, under
Allie Sherman, won consecutive Eastern Conference titles in 1961, 1962, and 1963, only to lose to the Vince Lombardi Green Bay Packers and the George Halas Bears in the title games. By 1972, the Giants were through with the House That Ruth Built, settling eventually in the swamps of New Jersey.
The year 2008 was the final one for the 1923 Yankee Stadium. The team stayed in The Bronx, which was great news. It’s not the same. The players, then and now, are not sentimental about these matters. In the old Yankee Stadium, however, players knew they were competing on turf where legends had roamed.
Today’s Yankee Stadium is just another ballpark hosting just another team. The old Yankees were under unbearable pressure, year after year, to win pennants and World Series titles. Managers and players suffered from ulcers, drinking problems, failed marriages. In 1961, while chasing Babe Ruth’s single season home run record, Roger Maris got so nervous that his hair began falling out. That pressure is no longer there.
There’s no need to despair. A century hence, the current Yankee Stadium, glorious as it is now, will grow old. A new Yankee Stadium, one constructed on ground where the 1923 Stadium once stood, will be constructed. History wheels will churn again. Let’s just hope that no youngster says to his pop, “Daddy, who was that man, Babe Ruth?”
WORD FIND
HOROSCOPES By Holiday Mathis
HOROSCOPES By
HOROSCOPES By
Holiday MathisThis is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have pleted the puzzle, there will be 20 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.
Holiday MathisARIES (March 21-April 19). You don’t idolize anyone, and neither do you demonize anyone. You really have a balanced view of who people are and why they do what they do, which will serve you well this week. You’ll interact with new people, nd common ground and come out with some real treasures.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). So many come to you with outstretched hands. If only you could help them all... Who knows? Maybe you will! If you do, it will be a byproduct of you following the impulses to help yourself. What do you want? If you don’t know yet, you will by the end of the week.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Accept what you want and accept what you don’t want. Acceptance is crucial to change because you cannot change that which you don’t take on. ink of your current situation as a vehicle. You can drive this wherever you want, but you have to get inside it rst. Acceptance puts you in the driver’s seat.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ve been known to do amazing things even when you’re tired, not in the mood, under the weather or otherwise encumbered.
Bottom line: You’re the kind of person who comes through to the best of your ability no matter what. Quietly celebrate your strength and others will celebrate you far less quietly.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s easier to wake the sleeping than it is to wake the ones who think they are already awake. Luckily, it’s not your job to be the alarm clock. It will be enough for you to simply note the alertness of those around you, meet them where they are and then raise awareness.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). If you want someone to love you back, that’s a less optimal goal than wanting to see their smile. Focusing on others comes easy to you this week. e attention you give them brings you out of your own mind and into the heart of the world.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Needing to know the reason for things is only human. e moment the mind lands on a reason (any reason at all, really), cognitive dissonance resolves. Until that point, agitation drives us forward. is week, provide reasons for people and for yourself. If you don’t, you leave yourself open to speculative ction.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You keep putting yourself in new situations because they always lead to self-discovery. If there isn’t enough novelty around you, a change of location will help. Travel is an especially e ective way to jump-start your energy. If it doesn’t work for this week, at least get something on the books. Looking forward to travel can be half the fun.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). “ e more the merrier” only works up to a point. And for most of what you’re doing this week, merriment isn’t the point anyway. Small groups are better for keeping everyone accountable. When too many get involved, there’s a di usion of responsibility. You’re the leader who helps everyone see how much they count. Together you’ll move mountains.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). No one can get you to move if you don’t want to today. You are self-directed. You follow your whims and do what you tell yourself to do. Follow-through matters much more than what you actually follow through with. It could be anything. e important thing is to trust yourself and know that you are compliant with your higher wishes.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). No one wants you to feel obligated to them, and they will give of themselves freely without strings attached. ey may appreciate reciprocity, but they don’t expect it. ey know it comes in many forms. Know that when people consult you and prioritize you, it’s happening for a good reason. To understand that reason is to appreciate your own inherently lovable qualities.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll watch everything closely and extract abundant joy from minutiae: a toddler playing, a bird feeding, the patterns of passing clouds. Take on a disorganized area of your home, as it could be stopping the ow of energy through your world and preventing you from receiving money. Clean, clear and organize your way into a weekend payo .
THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS
Welcome to your pickup year when you’ll have opportunities to swing back and pick up what you might have lost along the way. Some will nish a degree, others will take another whirl at a relationship that didn’t work out the rst time. Among the found items will be material objects such as jewelry as well as things of emotional value, such as the respect of an authority gure or the acknowledgement of a group. More highlights: complex relationships that get simple and lovely, a winning to please your inner child and a physical breakthrough.
INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND
INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND
Favourite foods
Solution: 20 Letters
WORD FIND
This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction but always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have completed the puzzle, there will be 20 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.
Favourite foods
Solution: 20 Letters
Ales Apple
Banana Bars
Basil Beans
Beer
Bites
Brawn
Broccoli
Buns
Cake
Cherry Chips
Chops
Cocoa Cut Duck
Ales
Flavour
Gingerbread
Glutton
Gravy
Jams
Layers
Leg ham
Licorice
Mint
Mixed
Mousse
Pasta
Pate
Peas
Pieces
Pork
Sausages Scones
Spaghetti
Stew
Sugar
Sweet
Syrup
Taco
Tarts
Tomato
Trifle
Varieties
FROM KING FEATURES SYNDICATE, 300 W. 57th STREET, 41st FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10019
CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. 236
Creators Syndicate
Solution: Not much that I don’t like Date: 4/19/23 Creators Syndicate 737 3rd Street Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 info@creators.com
Solution: Not much that I don’t like
Date: 4/19/23
CONTRACT BRIDGE — BY STEVE BECKER FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023
CONTRACT BRIDGE
737 3rd Street Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 info@creators.com
By Steve BeckerThe fickle finger of fate
of 1,460 points. He won the diamond lead with the ace, finessed the jack of spades at trick two, led another spade and collected the rest of the tricks without even breathing hard.
At the second table, with France North-South this time, the same contract was reached, and again the opening lead was a diamond. But at this table the French declarer played the hand more scientifically and went down as a result.
king of
It is possible to play a hand correctly and get a bad result, and to play the same hand incorrectly and get a good result. Consider the accompanying deal from a European championship match between Norway and France.
At the first table, with a Norwegian pair North-South, six spades was reached on the bidding sequence shown. West led the king of diamonds, and declarer breezed through the play to bring in the slam with an overtrick for a score
After taking the diamond with the ace, he was unwilling to settle for a mere 50% chance of making the contract by relying exclusively on a trump finesse. Instead, he decided to play the A-K-Q of hearts in the hope that the opposing hearts were divided 3-3 (a 36% chance), in which case he could discard his diamond loser on the third round of hearts.
He also had the added chance that even if the hearts broke 4-2, he could still fall back on the trump finesse. All factors considered, this gave him about a 2-to-1 chance to make the slam.
Unfortunately, West ruffed the second heart lead and cashed the queen of diamonds, and South went down one.
Sometimes, a little superior knowledge can be a dangerous thing!
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.
Answer to last issue’s Sudoku Puzzle
Answer to last issue’s Crossword Puzzle
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Get Into The Garden, No Green Thumb Required
For students and adults passionate about the environment, ReWild Long Island has a message: Interns and Volunteers wanted
people or about earthworms or about butterflies or about plants or about climate change or something in the community.”
AMANDA OLSEN
aolsen@antonmediagroup.com
After the resounding success of the previous three years, ReWild Long Island is again hosting the 2023 Summer Program. The program is run by an organizing team that includes ten student organizers from the 2022 program. Aimed at high school students and adult volunteers who are motivated to further biodiversity, climate resilience, and food security in North Shore communities, the program is scheduled to begin June 24 and continue through October 8.
When asked about the origins of the highly successful program, Raju Rajan, president of ReWild Long Island, credited the COVID-19 pandemic. “This program came out of COVID, because there was very little that we could do in indoor spaces. So we had a program in Port Washington where we partnered with Plant A Row For the Hungry, where they were collecting vegetables from people’s homes to donate to the food pantry, and that was not possible during COVID. So we have to completely rethink how we would support you know, the folks that are food insecure, while at the same time creating something about climate anxiety and biodiversity. And that’s really how the program was born.”
The Summer Program takes place at multiple locations throughout the Town of North Hempstead. Some of the areas covered are designing and presenting a sustainable garden with a team, organic and regenerative food production for local pantries, rewilding, sustainable landscaping, nature walks, bird banding and monarch butterflies release. All of the activities are outdoors and in-person.
Rajan stated that the program is designed to help interns and volunteers explore and broaden their environmental experience. “The cool thing about this program is we encourage students to rotate and do a little bit of everything because we don’t want them to just go and get a narrow perspective on sustainable landscaping. There’s so many different sustainable ways of building sustainability in our landscape. And we want our students to experience it all. At the same time, we realize that students have
schedule issues and you know, they may be going away for a week. In summer, sometimes you don’t have complete control of your schedule. So we allow them to sign up for things that maybe are closer to them.”
There are two things Rajan and the organizers are looking for from potential interns: passion and commitment. Rajan said, “you should fundamentally care about (something), whether it’s feeding hungry
As far as the commitment goes, it should be something the individual is looking forward to, rather than another item to fit into their schedule. “If you’re scheduled and you have like a summer camp, and this, and that, and everything else, it’s very hard for you to put that time and effort. It becomes a chore. I don’t want it to be a chore; I want it to be a joy and a passion.” Rajan said.
Annie Yao of Great Neck, an intern from 2022 who has returned this year as an organizer, certainly has that passion. She expressed her satisfaction in helping build community and seeing the results of her hard work. “(My favorite part) really has to be community, I think. Being around so many people who are also kind and welcoming. They care about the same things and are so willing to help you and teach you. I personally didn’t have a lot of experience gardening just because where I used to live was mostly urban. It was really cool to have everyone help you with hands on work. And especially seeing the literal and metaphorical fruits of your labor at the end of everything. It was so rewarding, especially when you’re planting it and then you’re harvesting it by hand and knowing that it goes to a good source after.”
Sisters Tiffany and Cynthia Zhang, also 2022 interns from Great Neck who have returned as organizers, were similarly imbued with a sense of accomplishment. Cynthia said that pulling out invasive morning glories was particularly satisfying for her. “It just felt like I was just saving the vegetables and new plants from like being strangled. And it was really fun, and I felt like I was doing something that was helping the garden too, even though it was a really small task.”
Tiffany also enjoyed weeding the garden, saying that it made her feel powerful. Another of her favorite experiences was helping to care for monarch butterfly caterpillars. “We had someone come in who helps, who kind of who takes the monarch butterfly eggs and takes care of them. They brought these monarch butterflies (in) and we saw three caterpillars become a chrysalis, and I thought that was really cool being able to see that with my own eyes.”
Intern and volunteer applications opened April 1. Completed applications are due May 1. Interviews begin in early May. Students of all abilities are encouraged to see ReWILD on page 8
ReWILD from page 7
apply. We seek to ensure diversity and representation across all categories, including gender, race, socio-economic status, and ability. You can apply to be a student intern or a student volunteer. Those selected to be interns must complete 60 hours of work, including training. They receive a $300
stipend and a certificate of completion. Volunteers must complete 30 hours of work, including training. There is no stipend for volunteers but they do receive a certificate of completion. This is a good option for those with limited availability.
For more information, visit https:// www.rewildlongisland.org/summer-program-2023.
House Fire In Brookville
The Nassau County Police Department Arson Bomb Squad reports the details of a fire that occurred at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 9 in Brookville.
According to detectives, officers responded for a house fire located at 63 Fruitledge Road. Upon arrival, it was determined that the residents had evacuated the home prior to Police arrival and the house had sustained major structural damage. Assisting to extinguish the fire were ten local fire departments and eighty firefighters.
One firefighter sustained a knee injury and was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. No additional injuries were reported. Assisting Arson Bomb Squad Detectives on scene were NCPD Investigator Giardino and Fire Marshall Lieutenant Maickel. Subsequent to the investigation a contributing factor of a faulty chimney led to the cause of the fire, however the investigation is ongoing.
—Submitted by the Nassau County Police Department
Road Rage In Jericho
The Nassau County Police Department Second Squad reports the arrest of an Elmhurst man for an incident that occurred on Monday, April 3 at 7:05 p.m. in Jericho.
According to detectives, police responded to a 911 call from a 49-yearold male victim and his 12-year-old son, who were involved in a road rage incident with another driver. The victim stated that while in the HOV lane of the Long Island Expressway the subject stopped his vehicle, exited his 2012 Subaru, and began damaging the victim’s car with his head and fists. The victim was in fear for his safety so he drove away and called police. No inju-
ries were reported from either victim. A short time later, Officers located defendant Panagiotis Orkopoulos 42, of 84-15 55th Avenue and placed him under arrest without further incident. He was transported to a local area hospital for evaluation.
Defendant Orkopoulos is charged with Criminal Mischief Second Degree, Reckless Endangerment Second Degree, Menacing Third Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) infractions. He will be arraigned when medically practical.
—Submitted by the Nassau County Police Department
New Pickleball Courts Coming Soon
To Town Of Oyster Bay
Parks
Pickleball Courts to Open in Bayville, Farmingdale, Massapequa, Plainview, Woodbury
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Steve Labriola announce that new Pickleball Courts are coming soon to parks throughout the Town of Oyster Bay. Due to popular demand, the Town is constructing new Pickleball Courts at John Burns Park in Massapequa, Field of Dreams
and Anchor Park in Massapequa, Allen Park in Farmingdale, Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, and Centre Island Beach in Bayville. Courts are anticipated to open to the public in September 2023.
“Pickleball is a fun sport for all ages that combines elements of tennis, badminton,
and ping pong. It’s become incredibly popular in our town, with seniors and families playing daily at our existing courts in Massapequa and Bethpage,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Due to this popular demand, I’m proud to announce that the Town of Oyster Bay is building new Pickleball courts for all residents to enjoy.”
Pickleball is played with a wooden paddle and lightweight plastic ball and can include two, three, or four players. The dimensions and layout closely resemble a badminton court, which is considerably smaller than a tennis court. Rules of the game are somewhat similar to tennis. These new Pickleball courts come in addition to existing Town courts located at H.
Garrick Williams Park in Massapequa and behind the Bethpage Library in Bethpage.
“Pickleball is a very fun, social and healthy activity for the whole family and these new courts will be a welcome addition to the community. So, grab your sneakers and paddle, and get ready to play one of the world’s fastest growing sports at a new court near you!” added Councilman Labriola.
—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay
From Lacrosse Victory To Teaching History
BY JASON WU OF JERECHO editors@antonnews.comMichael Engelke took an interesting path to becoming an educator. After being admitted to college with a lacrosse scholarship, he worked in multiple summer camps where he discovered his passion for working with young people. Since history had always been one of his favorite subjects, he combined his two passions by becoming a social studies teacher.
Before coming to Jericho, Engelke had experience teaching in Brooklyn and Syosset, and for the past nine years he taught in Seaford. Engelke got his bachelor’s degree at Towson University and his master’s at Hofstra.
Three Syosset High School Students Qualify For National Math Olympics
Syosset High School students Maximus
Lu, 12, Katherine Li, 11, and Grace Lu, 9, qualified to participate in the Mathematical Association of America’s (MAA) USA Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO).
The USAMO is a six question, two-day, 9-hour essay/proof examination for qualifying students who excelled on the previous round of MAA exams, the AMC 10/12 and the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME). Only 558 students across the United States qualified to take this exam. A high score on this exam will qualify these students to attend the summer Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP) at Carnegie Mellon University. The MOP program is a three week intensive camp that prepares students for the International Mathematical
Olympiad.
Maximus, Katherine, and Grace were among eighteen Syosset High School students to qualify to take the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME). To qualify to take the AIME, students must score in the top 5 percent of all students tested on the American Math Contest 12 or top 2.5 percent on the American Math Contest 10. The MAA’s American Mathematics Competitions program is a series of exams and curriculum that helps America’s educators identify and foster a love of mathematics in their students by building problem-solving and analytical skills in middle and high school students.
—Submitted by the Syosset Central School District
Jericho High School To Induct New Alums
The Annual Jericho High School Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held later this April at the Jericho Public Library.
The 2023 inductees are as follows:
Dana Arschin Kraslow Class of 2005 Holocaust storyteller, 2X Emmy award winner Robert Hahn Class of 1970 Professor of Philosophy and Greek studies, author Chris Kelly Class of 1992 Doctor, Chief of Pediatric Emergency medicine Blake Zeff Class of 1995 Filmmaker, journalist, political advisorCongratulations to the inductees!
—Submitted by the Jericho Union Free School District
Engelke knew of Jericho’s extraordinary reputation, and is excited to be part of the Jericho High School faculty. “The reason why I decided to come here is that Jericho has a very good reputation in the educational world, being ranked one of the top public schools in the whole entire country. It has a reputation for commitment to high academic achievement from teachers as well as students,” he said.
Curriculum Associate for Social Studies, Business & Libraries Dr. Eric Sundberg was impressed with Engelke’s résumé. “Mr. Engelke stood out due to his experience with
coaching students in research,” he said.
Engelke is dual certified which demonstrates his flexibility with different teaching methods. One of his proudest achievements is the leadership role he took in facilitating the establishment of the AP Capstone program in Long Island high schools.
Every teacher has their own unique ways of teaching students and Engelke certainly does as well. He believes that getting students excited to come to his class is one way to make learning fun and meaningful.
Junior Evelyn Z. admires Engelke’s classroom dynamic. She said, “I have always enjoyed Mr. Engelke’s class, and was energetic coming to his class due to the amount of energy Mr. Engelke gives.”
Engelke enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his friends who he has known since the sixth grade. True to his love of history, Engelke likes to travel all around the world. He has visited Tokyo, the Rainbow Mountains, and Machu Picchu. Closer to home he fondly remembers his cross-country trip that started on Long Island and ended in California after he visited 13 cities. When the weather turns too harsh for being outdoors, Engelke stated how he doesn’t mind staying home and watching some Netflix.
—Submitted by JerEcho