Great Neck Record 4/05/23 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

Community: Rabbi’s podium restored (See page 4)

North Hempstead: Operation Clean Sweep to begin on April 24 (See page 6)

Sports: North Shore Hebrew Academy basketball team goes undefeated (See page 12)

School News: Long Island Brain Bee winner from South High (See page 14)

Pilip. (Photo by Julie Prisco)

Standing Together Against Hate Nassau County rallies to condemn racism and celebrate diversity

JULIE PRISCO

jprisco@antonmediagroup.com

On March 16, the Great Neck Chinese Association’s (GNCA) welcome banner hung adjacent to the Middle Neck Road bridge over the LIRR tracks was defaced with a racial slur. The GNCA, local elected officials, and the Nassau County Police Department have immediately addressed this act of hate. Since then, the sign has been replaced with a clean one and the Nassau County Police Department is investigating the hate crime.

On March 23, the Village of Great Neck Plaza and the GNCA hosted a press conference to condemn the hate crime and provide the public with an update on the Nassau Police Department investigation.

Great Neck Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen said, “Let’s make no mistake. This is an act of hatred, and let’s be very clear: there is no room for hatred in the Village of Great Neck Plaza, in the community of Great Neck, in Nassau County, or anywhere in our country. Let’s also be very clear that an act of hatred against any one person or against any one group is an act of hatred against all of us, and we must deal with it as such.”

The Village of Great Neck Plaza prides itself on being a diverse and welcoming community. Earlier in the week, Great Neck Plaza was ranked by Niche.com as the thirteenth best place to live in America. The ranking includes grades for

public schools, housing, jobs, commute, diversity and more. Mayor Rosen shared that he is proud that Great Neck Plaza received an A rating in diversity and hopes it could be an A plus in the future.

GNCA Co-Presidents Dorothy Feng and Steve Chen represented the GNCA at the press conference. Feng said, “The attack on the banner is not a simple act of vandalism, but it is an attack on a group of residents based on our ethnicity. More importantly, this is an attack on the ideas of tolerance, acceptance, and the celebration of diversity. We stand as one community united against racism.”

Government officials, local religious organization leaders, and community members joined the conference to condemn the hate crime together and show the GNCA support.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said, “In Nassau County, our hate crimes are way down, and the reason for that is we have zero tolerance for these types of acts that are done to create fear and terror in people of various ethnic groups, religions and races.”

Blakeman applauded the police department and community for standing together to make Nassau County a diverse area. To ensure that hate crimes continue to be rare or non-existent in Nassau County, Blakeman said that Nassau County will continue to give 100 percent in tracking down and

arresting those who engage in hate crimes and continue to educate the population on our wonderful and diverse community.

Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip (District 10) said, “What happened to the Great Neck Chinese Association banner was vile. Fighting hate is not about Democrats or Republicans. It’s about us. It’s about our children, our community and the future of this county.”

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said, “The town of North Hempstead has worked very hard to help foster a community that values acceptance, respect, and inclusion for all individuals. We have beautiful diversity in the town, and I promise that this will never change. We will always stand here and send the message that hate will not be tolerated here, not in our town.”

Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey spoke about her responsibility to the community in these situations and expanded upon her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.

“Recently, the Asian American Advisory Committee at the Town of North Hempstead responded to concerns raised by the town’s Asian American advisory task force by initiating bystander hate crime training. It was so well received that we plan on offering more in the future,” said Lurvey. “We’re also exploring additional programming, including leadership training, workshops for AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) professionals, government internship opportunities for AAPI, events to celebrate AAPI diversity and targeted assistance for seniors in their languages.”

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and police officers from the sixth precinct are

handling this investigation and gave the village an update on their work. Commissioner Ryder shared that at this time last year, hate crimes against the Asian community was at 15 percent and this year it is at eight percent, meaning a 50 percent reduction.

“We are always going to give a hundred percent no matter what the community is. We’re doing everything we can because of the cooperation we get from the community,” said Commissioner Ryder. “Crime photos have been taken, crime scene has been out here. Detectives are pulling videos in the community. We’re running our license plate readers that are out there. We’re working with our partners in New York City to see if they have anything like that in the city. And then we’re also working with our communities. If you see something, say something, please.”

Former Congressional candidate Robert Zimmerman, ERASE Rascim President Laura Harding, Temple Emanuel of Great Neck Rabbi Dr. Robert S. Widom, and Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti’s representative Christine Liu all spoke in support of GNCA and celebrating diversity. Taking time to not only condemn hateful acts but celebrate differences is important to Great Neck and Nassau County as a whole.

“As representatives for the Great Neck Chinese Association, we are so thankful for the outpouring support from local leaders, the police and our neighbors. I think what makes America great is our diversity. Each one of us brings a little bit of uniqueness to the table,” said GNCA Co-President Chen.

Great Neck Chinese Association Co-Presidents Steve Chen and Dorothy Feng (Photos by Julie Prisco) Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder

Beloved Rabbi’s Podium Restored At Beth-El

The ornate wooden podium that stood center stage on the bimah of Temple Beth-El’s magnificent chapel for more than 50 years, but had been relegated as a display piece in the temple museum, has been beautifully refurbished and will be rededicated and relocated to its former place of honor during the Erev Shabbat Service on Friday, April 7, at 7 p.m.

After years as a showpiece in the museum, the completely refurbished podium will once again serve Temple Beth-El, thanks to the Crisses family. In honor of their children and in support of our holy community, congregants Abby and Andy Crisses generously arranged to have the podium restored and returned to the chapel.

“We always felt a special connection to the chapel, which is where the podium had been,” said Abby and Andy Crisses. “During a major capital improvement campaign for Temple Beth-El in the late ’90s, we chose to endow the podium as part of that project. It was especially meaningful to us, as both of our children, Alexander and Amanda, had become Bar and Bat Mitzvah at that podium.”

For four decades, from 1930 to 1971, Rabbi Jacob Philip Rudin addressed congregants from the historic podium, built during the construction of the chapel—now known as the Rudin Chapel— under his rabbinate. A towering figure during his tenure at Temple Beth-El, Rabbi Rudin established Great Neck’s first temple as a leading synagogue in the American Jewish community. The podium carries a great legacy.

“Knowing that the podium represented an important part of Temple Beth-El history, as it was the platform where Rabbi Rudin gave many of his inspiring sermons as head rabbi of our congregation, we were hoping that it could once again be used by the congregation,” they said. “We knew that the lectern had been replaced and that the podium was not being used, and we were hopeful that a new life could be found for it.”

After speaking with the temple’s current rabbi, Rabbi A. Brian Stoller, it was brought to their attention that the podium needed some refurbishment. The work was supervised and the restoration completed under the direction of Rabbi Stoller and Executive Director Stuart Botwinick.

The Crisses family was honored to fund the process.

“We have had a relationship with Temple Beth-El for more than 40 years,” noted the couple. “Our children attended Hebrew school there; they became Bar and Bat Mitzvah there. Rabbi Jerome Davidson and Cantor Lisa Hest presided over both of our children’s weddings, and they were there when we celebrated the births of each of our five grandchildren. Rabbis Tara and Meir Feldman and Cantor Adam Davis were there for us during our family losses. We have always enjoyed the beauty and sanctity of the High Holy Days services, under the guidance of all the clergy, as well as the joy of Shabbat and holiday services, and the power of yizkor services.”

The temple family is grateful for the continued support of the Crisses family, which previously also endowed a stained-glass window in the chapel.

“Temple Beth-El is a focal point for the life of a family, as it grows and evolves and experiences different life cycles,” the couple explained. “You realize that the

temple is a source of education for children and adults, a forum to share and celebrate joys and milestones, and a platform for reassurance and guidance during times of sorrow. Celebrating Shabbat, experiencing the holidays through song and prayer, and furthering Jewish study only enrich a family.”

The community is welcome to attend the rededication of the refurbished podium on Friday, April 7, at 7 p.m. Temple Beth-El, the peninsula’s first synagogue, which was founded in 1928, is located at 5 Old Mill Rd. in Great Neck. To learn more, call 516-487-0900, visit www.tbegreatneck.org or email info@tbegreatneck.org.

—Submitted by the Temple of Beth-El of Great Neck

Temple Beth-El’s podium has been refurbished and will once again take center stage in the chapel.

Amanda Crisses, with her father, Andy Crisses, spoke from the podium in the chapel during her Bat mitzvah in spring 1996.

(Contributed photos)

This plaque will be attached to the rededicated lectern.

Abby and Andrew Crisses have always felt a special connection to Temple Beth-El’s chapel.

TOWN NEWS

Town Adopts Municipal Climate Action Plan For Mitigation And Adaptation

At the Town of North Hempstead’s March 14 Board Meeting, Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the Town Board unanimously adopted a Climate Action Plan, which included a multitude of actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate within its municipal operations as well as a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.

“The Town of North Hempstead recognizes the detrimental impacts of climate change on our residents and the natural environment, including sea level rise, more intense weather and flooding, higher temperatures, and more frequent droughts,” Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. “We are always looking for ways to imple-

Town’s

ment policies to reduce the Town’s carbon footprint in its own operations, as well as to assist community members in their sustainability efforts through education, legislation, and other measures. The Climate Action Plan will go a long way towards guiding such changes in the future.”

The plan was developed in collaboration with the Town’s Climate Smart Communities Task Force and focuses on the following key categories:

• Decreasing energy use and shifting to clean, renewable energy

• Transportation and fleet

• Resiliency, adaptation, and natural solutions

• Materials and waste management

“With this step we lay the foundation of an ongoing and collective process that demonstrates we are committed to engaging local government, residents, businesses, community stakeholders and the public on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the active role we can play in reducing the impacts of climate change,” stated Councilmember Veronica Lurvey.

“This is an important step towards achieving New York State Climate Smart Communities Certification,” stated Councilmember Mariann Dalimonte. “Completion of the measures and projects outlined in this Municipal Operations Climate Action Plan will help the Town reach our greenhouse gas reduction goals and make

‘Operation Clean Sweep’ To Commence In

our communities more resilient.”

The Town’s Department of Planning and Environmental Protection, with the assistance from staff from all departments, will be responsible for oversight of implementation of this CAP, tracking and monitoring progress towards meeting emission reduction goals, identifying proposed changes in policy, and employee education and engagement.

Residents can access the Town’s Municipal Operations Climate Action Plan along with tools and resources to mitigate climate change at NorthHempsteadNY.gov/ClimateAction

—Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead

North Hempstead Street Sweepers will clean all Town roads starting April 24

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor

Jennifer DeSena and Town Board are proud to announce that starting April 24, North Hempstead’s highway crews will be hitting Town streets to sweep up the winter debris as the annual Operation Clean Sweep gets underway. This two-week initiative is held each spring and aims to sweep North Hempstead’s roads safe and clean.

The Highway Department needs the public’s help to make Operation Clean Sweep a success. They ask that residents refrain from parking vehicles on town roads from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. during their designated sweeping days. Businesses are asked to keep their cars off the road from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. The public’s cooperation will ensure

that the roads are cleaned as thoroughly as possible.

From Monday, April 24 to Friday, April 28, all areas NOT within incorporated villages and south of the Long Island Expressway will be swept. From Monday, May 1 to Friday, May 5 all areas NOT within incorporated villages and north of the Long Island Expressway will be swept (details to come later this month).

Operation Clean Sweep Dates: South of the Long Island Expressway

Monday, April 24

• New Cassel

• Polo Park Section

• Westbury Hills

‘Hop Into Spring’ Event

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Councilmember Robert Troiano, Jr., and the Town Board invite residents to join them as they “Hop Into Spring” for a fun community event at Martin “Bunky” Reid Park in Westbury on Saturday, April 15 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“This free Town event is a great opportunity for our residents to celebrate the arrival of spring with a full afternoon of activities, games, and more that will surely entertain children and adults alike,” Supervisor DeSena said. “I encourage our residents to come down to Martin ‘Bunky’ Reid Park and enjoy the ‘Hop Into Spring’ event and the beautiful spring weather with your family and friends.”

“We are delighted to be hosting this event for families across North Hempstead,” said Councilmember Troiano. “It’s the perfect opportunity for the community to join together to celebrate the spring and enjoy an egg hunt with plenty of activities for children of all ages.”

Children will be treated to an Easter egg hunt with colorful eggs scattered in the park. Additionally, there will be arts and crafts, games, and more. The Easter egg hunt is open for children of all ages and participants are asked to bring their own bag or basket.

The rain location for the event is at the “Yes We Can” Community Center. For more information, please call 311.

—Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead

• Albertson; beginning at Train Station and heading west

• Manhasset Hills section, heading towards City Line

• South Park, (Roslyn Heights)

Tuesday, April 25

• Carle Place

• Searingtown

• New Hyde Park; east of Denton Avenue and north of Hillside Avenue

Wednesday, April 26

• Country Club Section

• Devonshire Section; east of Denton Avenue and south of Hillside Avenue

• West Williston

• New Hyde Park, west of Denton Avenue and north of Hillside Avenue

Thursday, April 27

• Garden City Park, from Mineola High School and heading west

• Stewart Avenue Section; from North New Hyde Park, continuing west of Denton Avenue

• New Hyde Park, west of Denton Avenue., and south of Hillside Avenue, (including Barwick, Willis, Cherry & McKee)

Friday, April 28

Touching up, cleaning up and spot sweeping where necessary

*Please note that dates are subject to change based on weather conditions

—Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead

Town Sponsors 2023 AARP Driving Courses

The Town of North Hempstead is pleased once again offer AARP defensive driving courses at Clinton G. Martin Park in New Hyde Park.

The classes will be held on: Saturday, April 22, Saturday, May 20, Saturday, June 17, Saturday, September 9, Saturday, October 14, Saturday, November 18, and Saturday, December 16 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with a 30-minute lunch break). The cost is $25 for

AARP members and $30 for non-members. Please bring a check made payable to “AARP” on the day of the class. No cash will be accepted. Attendees should also bring: their driver’s license, a bagged lunch, and AARP members should also bring their AARP card.

Please call 311 for more information.

—Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead

THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 DONORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND GENEROSITY

Dr. Abby Greenberg

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Ms. Grayson Braun & Mr. Jamie Walsh

Ms. Julia Collard & Ms. Allison Collard

Ms. Kathleen Corcoran & Ms. Annabelle Corcoran

Abby Kucharczyk

Alice Coughlin

Alice Moss

Alissa Tripodoro

Andrew Whalley

Andriana McMahon

Ann Buggy

AnnMarie Duskiewicz

Anthony Amitrano

Barbara Goldfarb-Seles

Barbara Michel

Beatriz Caputo

Brett Inglesby

Britten Reilly

Bryan Jeffrey

Carol Marcell

Carole Alexander

Caroline Boylan

Jill Licata

Joan Turano

Joan Walter

Joanna G. Giannopoulos

Joanne Kinsey

John Derderian

John Kucharczyk

John Owen

Jonny Thomas

Joseph J. Fennessy

Joseph Mancini

Joseph Nassirian

Joyce Ross

Joyce Viklund

Judith Nelson

Julia Glynn

Julie A. Zier

Julie V. Conklin

Kadeem Howell

Karen Ferby-Guy

Kate Conway

Kate Gibbons

Kate Walker

Katharine Nicosia

Katherine Desloge

Kathleen Shkuda

Keith DeMatteis

Ken Dunn

Kevin Coleman

Khamal Brown

Laura Bruno

Leah Pappas

Linda Winrow

Lori Pietrafesa

Lynn King

Madelyn Flinn

Mara Steindam

Marc De Leeuw

Margaret A. Admirand

Marie Adams

Mary Ellen Bachman

Mary Hallmark

Maryann B Schaefer, PhD

Maryann V. Grieco

Matt Conway

Melissa Maravell

Melissa McGillick

Virginia Madden

William O’Reilly

Yvette Davis

SPONSORS

Amazon Smile Foundation

Americana Manhasset/Fifth Avenue of LI Realty

Annette And Anthony Albanese Foundation

Antis Contracting Corp.

Archer Daniels Midland Company

Benevity Community Fund

Celebrity Moving

Chubb Charitable Gift Matching

Program

Congregational Church Of Manhasset

Endowment Distribution-JP Morgan

Global Charitable

Goldman, Sachs & Co. Matching Gift Program

Greentree Foundation

Gristmill Foundation

Haddad United LLC

IBM

Jacob Marley Foundation

JMI Management Co. Inc. Pond View Homes I, L.P.

Johnson Company

Manhasset Community Fund

Manhasset School Retirees

Marilyn Lichtman Foundation

Network For Good

Nxt Era Marketing LLC

Petras Family Limited Partnership

Plandome Woman’s Club

Pressly Pressly Randolph & Pressly P.A.

Simply Very Nice

Soros Fund Charitable Foundation

State Farm Companies Foundation

Strategic Consulting

The Unitarian Universalist

Congregatio at Shelter Rock

W. P. Carey Foundation Inc.

Winters Bros. Waste Systems of L.I.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

To place an item in this space, send information at least two weeks before the event to editors@antonmediagroup.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 6

Inter-Synagogue Community Seder

6:30 p.m. (Lake Success Jewish Center, 354 Lakeville Rd. in Lake Success) Temple Isaiah of Great Neck, Temple Tikvah of New Hyde Park and the Lake Success Jewish Center will co-host a Community Seder. Cost for the Seder is $65 per person, children under 12 at $25.For more information and reservations please contact 516-466-0569 or info@ lakesuccessjc.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 8

Shed the Meds

8 a.m.-12 p.m. (North Hempstead Town Hall Parking Lot) Pharmaceutical drop-off event hosted by the Town of North Hempstead. Safely dispose of unwanted and expired medicstion. Call 311 for more information.

MONDAY, APRIL 10

Buster Keaton: Comedy Genius

12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. (Main Library Community Room) Presentation by Lawrence Woldd. Buster Keaton is one of the three giants of silent comedy (along with Charles Chaplin and Harold Lloyd) and is an icon in the world of comedy. This presentation

will address his triumphs and the tragedies that led to his fall a few years after the advent of sound. Memorabilia display and period music also included. Registration is required and can be completed online at greatnecklibrary.org, in-person, or via phone at 516-466-8055.

TUESDAY, APRIL 11

Birdwatching Club

5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (Library Levels Teen Center) With teen leader Holly Krause. Join the birdwatching club to learn how to identify and spot the local birds at the library -- in the best season to spot migrating birds! You’ll learn all kinds of tips and tricks to find birds in every landscape and get to know behaviors of many bird species.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12

Womenspace

1 p.m.-2 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, national 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.

An organization in Great Neck is seeking sealed bids for the sale and installation of security cameras and network video recorder installation at two separate locations. Selection will be based on prior experience, adherence to the projected work schedule, and cost. Speci cations and bid requirements can be obtained by emailing andysandler@gmail.com. All interested vendors must provide primary contact, phone, and email address. Bids will be accepted until 4/23/23.

Super Soccer Stars

6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (Main Library Community Room) Learn the basics of soccer and sports fundamentals with Super Soccer Stars!

Minority and Women Owned Businesses are encouraged to apply.

This program is for grades K-5 with an accompanying adult. Please use your child’s library card to register online at greatnecklibrary.org. Please note that registration includes April 12, 19, 26, and May 3

THURSDAY, APRIL 13

AARP Tax Help

10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Parkville Branch Library Programming Room)Please call the Parkville Branch Circulation Department at 516-4668055 x273 or x256 to sign up for a time slot.

Sing Along

12:30 p.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 health benefits for seniors. 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.

Nutrition for the Whole Family

2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (Parkville Branch Library Community Room) North Shore University Hospital’s Registered Dietitian (RD) Colleen Moltzen will discuss healthy eating for busy families with a focus on recipes, reading nutrition labels, grocery shopping tips, and more. We will discuss general concepts of healthy eating. This program is primarily for parents, but children of all ages are also welcome. No registration required; seating preference given to Great Neck Library patrons.

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

Free Health Screenings

10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Clinton G. Martin Park in New Hyde Park) St. Francis Hospital Outreach Bus provides free health screenings. Screenings include a brief cardiac history, blood pressure, simple blood test for cholesterol and diabetes screening. Call 311 or more information.

Personalized advice that fits

your

portfolio.

A financial planning strategy is only right if it’s right for you and your needs. I take the time to get to know each of my clients and their unique goals. Together, we can create a plan that works to help you make the most of today and still be prepared for tomorrow.

Philip P. Andriola, JD

Private Wealth Advisor

Chief Executive Officer of

Halcyon Financial Partners

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2019-2022

Halcyon Financial Partners , Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023

516.345.2600

401 Franklin Ave, Suite 101, Garden City, NY 11530 philip.p.andriola@ampf.com www.philippandriola.com

The 2023 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams list is developed by SHOOK Research and is created using an algorithm that includes both qualitative (in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings; client impact; industry experience; review of best practices and compliance records; and firm nominations) and quantitative (assets under management and revenue generated for their firms) data. Certain awards include a demographic component to qualify. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. This ranking is based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, is not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience and is based on data from the previous calendar year. Forbes magazine and SHOOK Research do not receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information: www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

The Forbes Top Women, Best-in-State Women and Best-in-State Wealth Advisor rankings are developed by SHOOK Research and are created using an algorithm that includes both qualitative (in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings; client impact; industry experience; review of best practices and compliance records; and firm nominations) and quantitative (assets under management and revenue generated for their firms) data. Certain awards include a demographic component to qualify. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. These rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience and are based on data from the previous calendar year. Forbes magazine and SHOOK Research do not receive compensation in exchange for placement on the ranking. For more information: http://www.shookresearch.com/ . SHOOK is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2023 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

What Will You Do with Your Tax Refund?

The average refund in 2022 (for the 2021 tax year) was $3,176 for individual income taxpayers, according to the IRS.1 If you expect to receive a refund in 2023 after ling your 2022 tax return, will you save or spend it? While you may be tempted to indulge, consider using the money to solidify your long-term nancial position. No matter your stage in life or the size of your refund, there are ways you can use it to help reach your current and future nancial goals. Here are a few: For people starting out in their careers:

• Add to your emergency fund. Consider saving enough to have the equivalent of at least three-to-six months’ worth of income in an emergency fund. This could come in handy if you experience a sudden interruption to your income or a major unexpected expense.

• Pay off student loans. If you are carrying college debt or other loans, applying your refund to the balance can help reduce the total interest you pay or eliminate the debt entirely. Once you pay off your loans, allocate the amount you spent each month on student loans to another nancial goal to keep building your nancial foundation.

• Invest in an IRA. Think about starting a habit of investing your tax refund each year into an IRA, where any earnings can accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. While you are limited to contributing $6,500 annually ($7,500 for those age 50 and older), the savings can add up. For example, investing a $3,000 refund each year from age 26 to 65 earning seven percent annually would build to more than $640,000. For those starting families:

• Save for a down payment on a home. A tax refund can make a meaningful impact as you accumulate enough to purchase your rst home. Consider saving enough to cover at least 20 percent of the home’s

value. Doing so will eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance, which will cost you extra in interest payments.

• Start or add to a college fund for your children. With the cost of higher education continuing to rise, starting early and saving often can help you make funding tuition a reality. Certain options may provide tax advantages, so work with your nancial and tax professionals to nd the best strategy for you.

• Invest your refund. Consider adding your refund to your portfolio, using it to accelerate progress toward your longterm goals. Your refund could be used to purchase stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investments that are aligned with your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

• Create or update your legacy plan. Developing a will, trust, or other estate documents is important so that your wishes are clear in the event of your death. If you need to create or update legal matters, use your refund as a reason to take the next step. For those who have a solid financial foundation:

• Apply to home improvements. If you are planning to remodel your home, you may want to use the money to fund speci c upgrades, or to keep as a contingency fund throughout the project.

• Save for starting a new business. If you want to start your own business now or in retirement, the refund can provide a cash buffer to help you get started. It can either replace some of your regular income or be used to fund expenditures required to get the business up-andrunning.

For those approaching retirement:

• Increase your retirement savings. As your retirement date and goals get clearer, maximizing your retirement savings should take priority. Your

refund can help you make an additional investment towards your nancial future. If you are 50 or older and have earned income, current tax laws allow you to invest extra dollars in your IRA and workplace retirement plan. Work with your tax professional to learn about the opportunities and limitations that apply to your situation.

• Pay down your mortgage. Consider using your refund to make an additional principal payment to your home mortgage. Erasing debt prior to retirement can minimize a major nancial burden. For retirees:

• Spend it on your retirement dream. If you plan to travel or pursue a hobby in retirement, use the refund as a trigger to make it happen. Allow yourself to spend the money without guilt – after all, you’ve earned and planned for this opportunity.

• Invest in a Roth IRA. If you have any earned income that allows you to make retirement contributions, your tax refund can likely be placed into a Roth IRA. This vehicle provides potential tax-free growth of any earnings.

• Pay health care expenses. Today’s rising health care costs are often one of the biggest expenses for retirees. Consider applying the funds to Medicare or long-term care policy premiums. If your health care expenses are manageable, save the refund to pay for future expenses.

Review your tax withholding

If you regularly receive a large tax refund, you may want to adjust the withholding on your paycheck. Decreasing your refund may increase your monthly net pay, allowing you to allocate extra income each month to your nancial goals. This strategy isn’t right for everyone. Consult with your tax professional and nancial advisor before making adjustments or deciding how to manage your refund.

Philip P. Andriola, JD, is a Private Wealth Advisor and Chief Executive Of cer with Halcyon Financial Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. He offers fee-based nancial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 25 years. To contact him, www.philippandriola.com 401 Franklin Avenue, Suite 101 Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 345-2600

Ameriprise Financial and its af liates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their speci c situation.

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

A Roth IRA is tax free as long as investors leave money in the account for at least 5 years and are 59 ½ or older when they take distributions or meet another qualifying event, such as death, disability or purchase of a rst home.

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.

Member FINRA and SIPC.

©2023 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Fly Fishing: Fun, Not Fiddly Casting lessons build confidence quickly

AMANDA OLSEN

aolsen@antonmediagroup.com

It’s no surprise that saltwater fishing is productive and abundant on Long Island, since it is surrounded by salt water. What may be unexpected is that, despite our suburban surroundings, there are opportunities for freshwater fishing here as well. Most people would probably reach for a spinning rod, since they can be inexpensive and easy to use. Fly fishing, to the lay person, seems fiddly and expensive. However, the meditative and relaxing practice of fly fishing is both affordable and accessible, and few could guide you better than Paul McCain at River Bay Outfitters of Baldwin, NY.

“People have a misconception about fly fishing when they think expensive, and too they think it’s difficult. And it’s not expensive, not any more than any other fishing, right? And it’s not difficult. It’s different. Once you get the basic mechanics down, you’ll find that it’s just incredibly enjoyable, in my opinion.” McCain said.

Fly fishing is different from other types of fishing because it’s the weight of the line that carries the fly out to the target spot. In spin and bait fishing, the weight of the lure or an added sinker provides casting distance.

Some flies imitate an insect, others a small fish or crustacean, and some attract fish without resembling anything. Flies range in size from a fraction of an inch to more than a foot long, but most are between a half inch to 2 inches. Flies are made by tying hair, fur, feathers, or other materials, both natural and synthetic, onto a hook.

McCain conducts several classes, lessons, and guided trips throughout the year. For one-on-one casting lessons, McCain sets up a set of exercises in the grass at Baldwin Park, just down the road from his fly fishing shop. The first is a length of bright twine where the participant practices keeping the line in the air, moving it forwards and backwards smoothly without tangling it. There are cones to show the range that the rod should move, and the end of the line has a small piece of brightly colored marabou attached to make it visible. The back-andforth motion of keeping the line in the air should be smooth and balanced. The next step is transferring this side-to-side motion into a backward-forward motion that loads the rod with energy and then releases the energy to propel the line (and your fly)

forward.

McCain puts it this way: “So basically this, it’s not muscle. This is all about the casting the line. The flies are weightless. So you have the end of the line is tapered. You can feel how this line is split here and it gets thicker, thicker, thicker. This is what is transferring the energy. It’s all about timing. You want this rod to load it and release.”

In other words, you are using your arm to load the rod with potential energy in the first part of your cast, then releasing it

as kinetic energy to move the line in the second part. The timing of the motion is critical to get a cast that lands straight out and not in a tangled heap. McCain is not above tying your wrist to the rod if it will help your form.

Next is a test of placement; three hoops are set up on the ground, each one measured to be 15 feet apart. The goal is to land the marabou in each hoop. It isn’t difficult to imagine a fish at those distances and needing to place your fly at just those spots.

Timing and patience are key here as well, but nothing helps so much as practice. Be prepared to try, and try, and keep trying.

Finally, there is a hoop suspended from a frame and a line on the ground about thirty feet apart. With your feet on the line, the goal is to put the marabou exactly where you want it, this time through the hoop. By this time the “feel” has developed; rather than a series of separate steps, the cast seems more like one continuous movement. The hands are working in tandem rather than each performing their part. Here also, be prepared to make a number of attempts. Just reaching the hoop feels like an accomplishment.

River Bay Outfitters is located at 980 Church St, Baldwin, NY. The store is open Wednesday through Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11-4.

Attempting to get the “ y” through the hoop. (Photo by Cory Olsen)

The author discussing casting mechanics with Paul McCain. (Photo by Cory Olsen)

Tying the rod to the author’s arm to improve form. (Photo by Cory Olsen)

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All Of Those Voices

JULIE PRISCO

jprisco@antonmediagroup.com

In late March, Louis Tomlinson’s documentary, All Of These Voices premiered and brought fangirls flocking to the theaters. Tomlinson is one of the five members of the world-famous boy band One Direction, which went on hiatus in 2015. The film takes you on a journey through Tomlinson’s emotional story of self-discovery.

We travel back in time for the opening of the documentary, which shows us Tomlinson’s audition and One Direction’s formation on The X-Factor. Although One Direction placed third place on The X-Factor, the band quickly became one of the most successful boy bands in history with popular hits like What Makes You Beautiful and Night Changes. The group released five albums and performed sold-out stadium world tours in the five years together. On March 25, 2015, Zayn Malik announced he was leaving One Direction. The band continued as a foursome for a few months, releasing one album post-Malik, and then

announced a ‘hiatus.’ Since then, each of the five members has gone on to have successful solo careers, most notably Harry Styles, who recently won ‘Album of the Year’ at the 2023 Grammys for his album Harry’s House.

The opening of the film was a heartbreaking reminder of the last performance of One Direction in December of 2015 when they sang their song History on The X-Factor. We got behind-the-scenes footage of that performance, witnessing the melancholic backstage banter and last group hug. While people may think the band was itching to go their separate ways, Tomlinson expressed how he couldn’t imagine a musical career without the band.

Tomlinson explained how it took a while to find his footing in the band. At the start his solo verses were often cut from songs, which led him to contribute to the band through writing, earning more writing credits than anyone else in the band. After the band’s break-up, Tomlinson had to discover his musical path again, this time navigating it without his four bandmates to support him.

Unfortunately, while trying to figure himself out, Tomlinson’s mother, Johanna Deakin, passed away in 2016 after struggling with leukemia. Tomlinson persevered, performing a tribute for his mother and first

solo performance days after she had passed. About three years later, his younger sister Félicité passed away at the age of 18. Still trying to find his path with a solo career, these brutal hits kept setting Tomlinson back.

Hearing Tomlinson’s raw honesty in the film was a shock to fans as One Direction had always been private about their personal lives. Finding the strength to have a successful career through memories of his mother encouraging him to always move forward and dedicated fans, Tomlinson released his first solo album in 2020 called Walls.

Tomlinson’s fan base gave him much-needed confidence and motivation. He recalled reading supportive tweets and doing performances where fans were lined up for hours and days just to get tickets.

Like many artists, Tomlinson’s tour was postponed due to the pandemic. During this time, Tomlinson bonded with his family. His maternal grandparents, his five siblings and close friends all were featured in the documentary talking about his personal life and career experiences. Fans got to see touching moments between Tomlinson and his son, Freddie, who was born in 2016.

When shows began getting rescheduled in 2022, Tomlinson was lucky to get back to his tour. The relationship Tomlinson has with his fans didn’t dwindle, and he got back

on stage to do what he loves. At each show, Tomlinson has a quote he says to his fans, “I need you and you need me.” The quote perfectly captures the relationship he has formed with the fans that have helped him thrive in his solo career.

By the end of the film, Tomlinson has completed his first world tour, formed a family-like bond with his band and tour staff, and released his second album, Faith In The Future.

For all of those who doubted the members of One Direction would be able to make it on their own, Tomlinson’s documentary is just one example of the hundreds of ways the boys have continued their successful careers.

Louis Tomlinson at his documentary premiere (Photo from Louis Tomlinson’s Instagram | @louist91)

Gold Coast Arts Center Joins The Long Island Arts Education Coalition

Gold Coast Arts is pleased to announce their participation in the newly-formed Long Island Arts Education Coalition (LIAEC), an initiative of Long Island Arts Alliance. LIAEC is comprised of a network of individuals from Nassau and Suffolk counties dedicated to advancing arts education on Long Island and in New York State.

Gold Coast Arts is proud to join the impressive group of arts administrators, arts educators, college and university leaders, and state agency representatives aimed at building capacity within and across the arts education field. Chaired by Regent Roger Tilles, LIAEC will advocate to advance policy change in ways that benefit all youth on Long Island.

The LIAEC has been established to join the growing number of regional and statewide coalitions designed to ensure that our legislators and Governor are aware of the essential need for every school to provide opportunities for kids to express themselves through study in the arts. Where arts programs thrive, students are learning in the arts with high engagement, expressing ideas in a variety of arts languages, and engaging in creative and reflective work. We also see students learning through the arts—meeting objectives in both an art form and another subject area and constructing and demonstrating understanding in highly creative and personal ways.

But quality arts programs don’t thrive on their own. One of the keys to their success has been the active involvement of arts advocates with a powerful and strategic message. “I believe in grass roots advocacy” says Hon. Roger Tilles, Long Island’s representative on the Board of Regents, Founder of Long Island Arts Alliance, and Chairman of LIAEC. “The most effective tool for action is to galvanize leading citizens to affect change as advocates of a common mission. And I have seen in Albany that the loudest voices are those best positioned to win the day. At this crucial time, when our representatives are setting educational policy with long term implications, it is our intent to join with counties across New York to guarantee that children will continue to enjoy the peace and fulfillment that the arts can bring to their lives. We can do no less.”

The LIAEC will work to develop systems and infrastructure that expand and sustain accessible arts education for all students, of all ages, within all 125 public school districts. It will focus on building and strengthening partnerships and collaborations between schools and arts and culture programs led by local arts organizations

and artists.

“For over 25 years, Gold Coast Arts has been dedicated to promoting and supporting the arts and artists through education, exhibition, performance, and outreach” says Regina Gil, Executive Director, and Founder of Gold Coast Arts. “We have seen

first-hand the positive impact that quality exposure to and education in the arts has had on the lives of thousands of children and adults of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities – including an increase in self-confidence, creative problem-solving skills, and the ability to work cooperatively

with others.

Engagement in the arts helps prepare students for jobs that have yet to be imagined. But due to cutbacks in funding and diminished respect for arts education in too many schools, not every child has access to a quality education in the arts. We look forward to working with so many influential arts leaders throughout our region to ensure that the arts remain a priority in the classrooms for all students throughout New York State.”

—Submitted by Gold Coast Arts Center

1199SEIU Members And Allies Arrested Protesting Healthcare Cuts

Hundreds of 1199SEIU healthcare workers and community supporters held a funeral procession through the streets of New York City. Mourners, dressed in black and carrying coffins and tombstones, were accompanied by a brass band in the style of a New Orleans second-line funeral.

Then, a group of 1199SEIU members and allies engaged in an act of non-violent civil disobedience in the street in front of the Governor’s office, holding tombstones illustrating what will happen if New York doesn’t invest in healthcare.

“In the spirt of Dr. King, who recognized that injustice in healthcare is the most ‘shocking and inhumane’ form of inequality, we are prepared to put our bodies on the line to protect access to healthcare in New York,” said 1199SEIU President George Gresham. “Cutting funding to safety-net hospitals, reducing wages of low-income homecare workers, and failing to close the Medicaid coverage gap would be disastrous for our healthcare system still reeling from three years of the pandemic. We need Gov. Hochul to recognize the gravity of New York’s healthcare crisis and the life-anddeath issues at stake.”

Three years to the month that the first COVID case was confirmed in New York, patients and workers continue to face the pandemic’s aftershocks. Safety-net hospitals are on the brink of closure, emergency rooms are overflowing, nursing home residents face interminably long wait times for bedside care, and homecare services are becoming ever harder to come by.

—Submitted by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East

1199SEIU healthcare workers were arrested at the protest.

1199SEIU healthcare workers held a New Orleans-style funeral march. (Photos by Kim Wessels)

PSEGLI Celebrates National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day with $1 Million Milestone

Company increases funding for 2023 grants to support small business owners

PSEG Long Island announced that it has granted $1.09 million over the past five years to help local businesses thrive. The company also said these economic development grants will continue to be funded in 2023 with an additional half a million dollars available. The announcement coincided with National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day (March 29) and was held at the office of a customer who received three sources of funding through PSEG Long Island programs.

“We are proud to announce that PSEG Long Island’s economic development grants have provided more than a million dollars to local businesses in the past five years, and we will continue to fund these very popular programs in 2023,” said John Keating, manager of Economic and Community Development for PSEG Long Island. “We support mom and pop shops and businesses that are enhancing downtowns and shopping districts because they are the backbone of Long Island’s economy. They create jobs and increase commerce. On this day before National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, we encourage the public to support our local economy and our entrepreneurial neighbors.”

The announcement took place at the official grand opening of the law offices of Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh, P.C. in Smithtown, which recently moved into their completely renovated new building on East Main Street. The construction project earned them an $18,750 PSEG Long Island Main Street Revitalization grant.

Main Street Revitalization grants are available for businesses that complete projects to help improve the economic stability and growth of a municipality.

often financially difficult. Since 2018, nearly $204,000 has been provided to more than 100 new businesses under this program.

Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh also received energy efficiency rebates totaling more than $8,500 for installing new LED lighting and sensors in their new building.

The pandemic restrictions have set these small shops back and grants and resources from PSEG Long Island and other institutions can aid in the recovery of our downtown business districts.

Over the past five years, the grants have helped business owners create more than 900 local jobs. For the Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh building, the grant supported the interior infrastructure renovation, outside façade improvements and landscaping. Since 2018, Main Street Revitalization grants have supported renovation projects for 44 local businesses.

The law firm also qualified for another PSEG Long Island small business incentive because they renovated a building that had been vacant for more than a year. PSEG Long Island’s Vacant Space Revival program provides up to $10,000 in electric bill discounts for a new business’ first year, which is

“Congratulations to Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh for saving money while reducing your carbon footprint,” said Michael Voltz, director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables for PSEG Long Island. “You’re not only saving money and energy for your business; you are also doing your part to reduce the energy load for all of Long Island and beyond. We appreciate your commitment to the environment and we’re happy your renovations will help your bottom line.”

“I am so grateful to receive PSEG Long Island’s energy efficient rebates, Vacant Space Revival grant, and Main Street Revitalization grant,” said Timothy Wan, Esq., chief executive officer, Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh, P.C. “The discounts, grants and rebates helped with our renovation costs, allowing us to take our building from ‘safe and clean’ to ‘awesome!’”

“We are happy to help this new business launch in the Town of Smithtown,” said Barbara Franco, executive director of the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce. “We are great partners with PSEG Long Island. They

have provided many grants to the chamber and local businesses here in our main street and neighboring areas, and were very influential in helping us get through COVID-19.”

“It’s great to see an expression of support for local businesses, which are the backbone of Long Island communities,” said Eric Alexander, founder of the LI Main Street Alliance. “The pandemic restrictions have set these small shops back and grants and resources from PSEG Long Island and other institutions can aid in the recovery of our downtown business districts.”

PSEG Long Island’s Outdoor Commerce and Beautification grants, created in 2020 as a direct response to the pandemic, are being combined into one grant this year;

and the maximum amount of the grant has been increased to $10,000. Local chambers of commerce and business improvement districts can use the funding for beautification and downtown improvement projects to help their members.

In the last three years, PSEG Long Island has given out nearly $290,000 under these popular grant programs, including $4,759 granted to Smithtown Chamber of Commerce last year to purchase outdoor patio heaters and umbrellas.

To learn more about the small business support offered by PSEG Long Island, visit https://www.psegliny.com/ inthecommunity/revitalization.

—Submitted by PSEG Long Island

— Eric Alexander, founder of the LI Main Street Alliance

Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh also received energy efficiency rebates totaling more than $8,500.

(Photo by Smith Carroad Wan & Parikh)

Twisted Cow Distillery of East Northport was one of the businesses that took advantage of the Main Street Revitalization and Vacant Space programs. (Photo by PSEGLI)

AMANDA OLSEN

aolsen@antonmediagroup.com

April is a great month for stargazing. There are a number of events taking place, and most are observable without a telescope. Nighttime is still chilly, so be sure to dress appropriately.

April 11: Mercury reaches both

Look Up

its greatest eastern elongation of 19.5 degrees from the Sun and its highest point in the sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.

April 15-16: Saturn. There will be an opportunity to view Saturn overnight. The Moon and Saturn will appear close together. You can observe the planet with the naked eye, but a telescope or binoculars will give you the best chance to differentiate the rings.

April 20: New Moon April 16-25: Lyrids Meteor Shower. The Lyrids meteor shower produces about 20 meteors per hour at its peak on the night of the night of the 22nd into the morning of the 23rd. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. The crescent moon will set early in the evening, leaving dark skies for what should be an excellent show. The best viewing will be from

COLUMNS The Passover Story

In a short time, during the holiday of Passover, we will celebrate the Exodus of the enslaved Israelites from Egypt. We will retell an enduring story about the Jewish people’s quintessential quest for freedom and redemption. It’s a story that has brought solace and a sense of promise to Jewish communities throughout their history, as they endured acts of persecution, pogroms, and even genocide. Its also a story that has inspired and empowered oppressed people everywhere who, even in their deepest despair, sensed that their own liberation was not beyond reach.

We Jews have always been storytellers. After all, the onset of Judaism does not begin with Shema Yisrael, (“Hear O Israel”) or “You shall have no other Almighty before me.” It starts with a story: “In the beginning, the Creator created heaven and earth. On Passover, too, we are regaled with tales, namely one that begins “I am the Creator who took you out of Egypt.”

The Zohar, the basic text of Jewish mysticism, suggests that when we tell the story of the Exodus on the eve of Passover, we adorn our Creator with jewels and beautify the Almighty. Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel reminds us: “Our Creator created human beings because He

loves stories…”

Stories help us to figure out who we are and what we should be. They reassure us – that life does not end at the grave, and that a part of us lives on in the stories others tell about us.

Isaac Bashevis Singer put it this way: “When a day passes, it is no longer there. What remains of it? Nothing more than a story. If stories weren’t told and books weren’t written, human beings would live like beasts, only for a day. The whole world, all human life, is one long story.”

Stories are more than entertainment: they are the language with which we come to understand our place in the world. The late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of Britain, writes: “As we sit

around the Seder table on Pesach rehearsing the journey from the bread of affliction to the wine of freedom, we commit ourselves to a momentous proposition: that history has meaning.” Passover isn’t so much about history as it is about memory. Rabbi Sacks puts it this way: “History is ‘his/her story.’ Memory is ‘my story.’” As it’s written in the Passover Hagadah, “Each person is obligated to see himself or herself as if he or she personally left Egypt.” We’re not supposed to just retell the story of our liberation, but to attempt to experience it and personally identify with it so that it becomes part of our consciousness. As the Torah repeats no less than thirty-six times, we must be kind to the stranger in our midst, because “[we] were strangers in the land of Egypt.” As such, our story should affect not only how we see ourselves, but how we treat others.

The story of our departure from Egypt is not a pretty one. We were slaves; we suffered, we were humiliated, and we were nearly lost. But our history as a people did not end that way. We are still here because we’ve persevered.

The Koran refers to the Jewish

a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Lyra, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

April 30: Asteroid 7 Iris. The asteroid will be in the constellation Libra, well above the horizon for most of the night. Here in New York, it will be visible between 11:33 P.M. and 02:59 A.M., reaching its highest point in the sky at 12:46 A.M., just above the southern horizon.

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

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people as the “People of the Book,” but I think a more apt moniker would be “People of the Story.” We are part of a great narrative that began with our ancestors and continues to this day. In some ways, we are currently creating the greatest chapter of all – the continuance of our Jewish homeland and the flourishing of a nation reborn. It is a complicated narrative, unpredictable in nature, but we have not really fulfilled our duty as Jews unless we contribute to it somehow.

At this very moment, we are also writing our own personal narrative. What will our children say about us? Will our stories be worthy of repetition to future generations? How will others remember us? Will it be with laughter, with pride, with love? Just something to think about as we get ready to tell over the most ageless story of them all.

Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy Passover.

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RABBI MOSHE WEISBLUM

COLUMNS

Is Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Worth $7.69 Billion?

In April 2019, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Office of Capital Construction President Janno Lieber claimed that the MTA could save between $500 million to $1 billion in costs for the proposed Second Avenue Subway Phase 2. This would have reduced the overall tab down to almost $5 billion. Promised cost savings were based upon reduction in excavation for the 125th Street Station and building the 116th Street Station in space no longer needed for other project work. Fast forward to February 2022, and instead the cost increased to $6.9 billion, Under the $51 billion 2020 - 2024 Five Year Capital Plan, the cost increased by $1 billion. The previous federal share of $2 billion or 33 percent has now been assumed to be 50 percent or $3.4 billion. There is no guarantee that the final cost could not end up billions more. This is based upon future advancement of design and engineering, construction contractors responses to the procurement process for contract(s) award followed by change orders during construction due to unforeseen site conditions or last minute changes in scope.

The March Federal Transit Administration Annual Report on

PENNER STATION

Larry

Penner

Funding Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2024 now estimates the project cost of $7.69 billion. A significant portion of this cost increase is attributable to financing debt service costs and programming of contingency funding to deal with unforeseen costs. The MTA has a history of lowballing project costs by hiding both financing and debt service payments under the agency operating rather than capital budget. They also frequently program insufficient contingency funding. These funds are needed to cover costs when contractor bids come in higher than the engineer’s cost estimate. They also pay for contract change orders during the course of construction

due to unforeseen site conditions or scope changes requested by various maintenance, operations and other user groups.

New York Senator Charles Schumer claim that the $496 million under this bill can quickly be used to start construction once the FTA and MTA come to terms on a Capital Investment Grant Full Funding Grant Agreement is wishful thinking on his part. A legal Federal Transit Administration Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) to fund Second Ave Subway Phase 2 which would cap federal participation at $3.4 billion still remains an open question. The FTA has yet to identify the remaining $2.9 billion balance which would make up the full federal commitment. The MTA would be legally responsible to pay for any cost increases above $7.69 billion. The FFGA for Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 remains one to two years away from approval. All the FTA has provided to the MTA is permission to advance final design and engineering. The project still faces a myriad of hurdles. It will cost hundreds of millions per block to advance the subway from 96th to 125th Street. Is this a sound investment for commuters and taxpayers? MTA Chairman

Janno

Lieber has made clear that without both the proposed $3.5 billion new financial bailout from New York State plus implementation of Congestion Pricing, the money is just not there to begin work on the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2. Fully funding the $51 billion MTA 2020 - 2024 Five Year Capital Plan is dependent upon receipt of $15 billion generated by Congestion Toll Pricing. There is no guarantee that this will be implemented by June 2024, which would be 4 1/2 years later than previously assumed. The Federal Highway Administration has yet to complete the National Environmental Protect Act (NEPA) project review process. It will be finished when FHWA issues a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The MTA Traffic Mobility Review Board has yet to meet. They will determine who will pay how much in tolls for those driving south of 60th Street in Manhattan. Various constituencies will be lobbying for exemptions or reductions. The current Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 budget is still evolving. The most critical issue to be resolved is identifying and securing the $4.35 billion local share toward the total project cost. It is a basic legal requirement to leverage

Birds And Native Plants, Part 2

If you want to help birds survive use native plants. Also if you want to observe birds go where there are native plants. You should visit Planting Fields Arboretum’s extensive native plant garden called a bird garden. It’s also worth a visit to one of the best native plant gardens, the NY Botanical Garden in the Bronx, which has a large stunning native plant section. On Long Island there are native plant gardens at Science Museum of Long Island, The Manes center at Nassau County Museum of Art, Garvies Point Museum and Preserve, Cow Neck Peninsula Historic society, Dodge House in Port Washington, TR Bird Sanctuary in Oyster Bay and Manorhaven Preserve. Visit in each different season to see what plants you like. That will help you decide what native plants you want to grow to help birds. April is a good time to plant which is why I am writing about it now. Birds and insects such as bees and butterflies depend on native plants for many reasons and discussing native plants now may be helpful for

ALL ABOUT BIRDS

readers who want to remove some lawn or non-native, invasive plants and replace them.

You also need to know what conditions the plants you choose prefer. Do they want a wet or dry area, sun or shade or partial sun or shade? You also want to spread the blooming season over three months so you want plants that bloom in Spring, Summer or Autumn. Some native plants are better for birds than others. The best plants are oak trees, which support over 500 insects. The next

best is a very under-appreciated wild or black cherry tree. The best perennials are goldenrod and aster because they support many insects. To get more help in choosing plants you can go to a professional such Anthony Marinello, who lives and works on Long Island, and can be contacted at anthony@ dropseednativelandscapesli.com. Two other organizations that have volunteers who are glad to help you choose plants are Rewild and North Shore Audubon Society.

Native plants are sold at Bayles Garden Center in Port Washington and there are several plant sales run by non-profit organizations such as Rewild at Dodge house and other locations, North Shore Audubon Society at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve and at TR Bird Sanctuary in Oyster Bay. Check their websites soon because the plant sales are in April or the beginning of May. The Town of North Hempstead is offering to give a stipend of at least $300 to purchase native plants. Contact them for more information.

Lawn grass is not native and

future FTA capital funding under an approved FFGA to support advancement of the project. The MTA must also demonstrate that they have the financial capacity to pay for any unanticipated cost increases or funding shortfalls. How do they do this when the agency continues to face a multi year multi billion dollar financial shortfall? The MTA must also demonstrate that they will have sufficient operating and maintenance funds to support the next phase of proposed new subway service.

The MTA $51 billion 2020 - 2024 Five Year Capital Plan was adopted in late 2019 under the assumption that $15 billion would come from Congestion Price Tolling. Not a dime will appear until June 2024 or the last six months of the current MTA Capital Program. How will the MTA raise $15 billion over six months rather than five years? Will the MTA still be able to provide $4.35 billion in local funding to leverage $3.4 billion or more from Washington to pay for the $7.9 billion Second Avenue Subway Phase 2?

The odds continue to grow favoring Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 being postponed until the next MTA 2025 - 2029 Five Year Capital Plan is adopted.

not beneficial at all for insects and birds. If you want to remove part of your lawn there are techniques to do this before you plant. You can put cardboard over a section of lawn and cover with mulch or wood chips. You can plant right in that area after a few weeks. I also have a huge list of invasive , non-native plants that you should remove such as English ivy, vinca, mugwort, Norway maples, burning

bush, barberry and garlic mustard.

To read why you should plant native plants go to NorthShoreAudubon.org but there are many other resources as well.

A great facebook page is Long Island Native Plant Gardening Group with thousands of members, all very helpful. Contact me at nsaudubonsociety@gmail.com if you want to read more or have questions.

Native plants at the Guggenheim Preserve. The preserve is one of the last undisturbed patches of the original Hempstead Plains.

(photo by Alex Nuñez)

Peggy Maslow North Shore Audubon Society

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

In his first time performing on Long Island, Davide Cerreta, a world renown jazz singer, will be performing traditional jazz standards, swing, hard bop melodies and contemporary original compositions. He will be performing in a duo at Oulala Café & Lounge in Lynbrook with guitarist James Zitto. The performance will be held on April 8 at 7:30 p.m.

According to his publicist: “Cerreta was born and raised in Roma, Italy and for the past 13 years has toured throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Central America. He moved to the United States to continue his studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, in which he won a fellowship to teach at the Danilo Perez Foundation. Soon after, Cerreta went on to lead collegiate level workshops and become an Assistant Professor for the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music. In November 2023, he married Long Island native, Chastity Seda, which later then resulted in him discovering Oulala Cafe in Lynbrook, Long Island. Oulala Café is one of the very few jazz clubs in Nassau county. Oulala Café not only offers live entertainment, but also has exquisite dishes and drinks from the Caribbean.

Cerreta is currently based in New York City, performing, composing, and arranging for an upcoming project. His sound has evolved as he continues to be inspired by Kurt Elling, Jon Hendricks, and Frank Sinatra.”

Long Island Weekly spoke with Cerreta ahead of his performance about his experiences performing around the world and what attracted him to jazz in the first place.

Long Island Weekly: Can you tell me what attracted you to jazz in the first place?

Cerreta: It’s a funny story. I was looking at The Jungle Book when I was little. There are these little monkeys that scatting and

Bringing The New York City Jazz Scene To Long Island

improvising vocally, and that was my first approach to jazz and when I first fell in love with it without even being able to name it. I didn’t know it was jazz, I didn’t know they were scatting and I thought that it was really cool, and I wanted to do that. Later on, I discovered that was jazz by listening to all the greatest: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, to earlier Christmas albums my parents were listening to. And slowly I got more into jazz.

Long Island Weekly: Can you tell me about touring all these different countries throughout the world. It must be amazing to know that your love of music has taken you to so many amazing places.

Cerreta: It’s amazing that music brought my so far. I would have never imagined that as a kid. It was always my dream to travel the world through music and I would have never had imagined that I would have gotten me so far. I have so many other projects and ideas and dreams I would like to do. I started

in Avellino, which is close to Napoli. which is where I lived when I was 15. I moved there from Roma, where I was born. And I moved to Napoli. That’s where I started to sing around bars, cafes, little clubs. And then I studied at the [Domenico Cimarosa] Conservatory and during that time I had the opportunity to perform on a television show called Rai Uno Mattina In Famiglia. It’s a variety morning show that’s very famous in Italy. I performed there in my quartet. From there, I started to perform more and more around Italy, and then I moved to Germany where I worked and traveled back and forth between Italy and Germany playing in festivals, jazz clubs, theaters. Then I went back to Rome for a while, where I owned a jazz club called The Wolf Tree. And after that, I traveled to South America where I sang and played piano all over South America. I was in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil. Then I went back to Germany where I did X-Factor Germany. And I got to the top nine of X-Factor

Long Island Weekly: You’ve been to so many places and have met so many people. Would you say this has impacted your music?

Cerreta: I sing in Spanish, French, German, Italian and in English. And when I was living in Paris, that’s where I started to sing French... All those cultures I’ve experienced have influenced my music to this day. My own compositions are a mix of all these cultures, sounds and experiences.

Long Island Weekly: What stands out to you about the iconic New York jazz scene?

Cerreta: It is amazing. It’s beautiful to be a part of this jazz scene because it’s unique in the world. It’s where everything started, in a way. It has such a huge history and this is the real sound. That’s where you really meet the people that created this music and keep on expanding the meaning of jazz.

To learn more about Cerreta, hear his music and find out how you can see him live, visit www.davidecerreta.com.

Davide Cerreta performing on X-Factor Germany. (Photo courtesy Davide Cerreta)

Casino

Seasonal gardening

Ellis Island by boat

The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage Is On View Through April 23

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

The 20th annual Orchid Show returns to The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) with landscape artist Lily Kwong as the guest designer. Featuring immersive installations of thousands of orchids, Kwong’s design of the exhibition transports guests to ethereal, reverent landscapes inspired by ancient Chinese garden design and artistic principles. The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage is on view through April 23, in NYBG’s historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage by Kwong explores the diversity, adaptability, and worldwide cultural significance of these formidable flowers. Inspired by classic paintings of Chinese mountainscapes passed down through her family from Shanghai, Kwong utilizes an extraordinary array of orchids—including iconic and rare specimens—enveloping visitors

in towering mountainous forms that blend ecology, culture, and fantasy. Influenced by Kwong’s own heritage, medicinal traditions, and her artistic interpretation of nature as a healing force, the resulting experience beckons visitors into an immersive world in which humanity and nature coexist peacefully.

Working in collaboration with Kwong to bring her vision to life,

horticulturists and exhibitions

staff at NYBG have identified and assembled spectacular selections of orchids that are native to Asian countries and companion plantings. These flowers have been assembled to create dynamic displays that are not only visually dramatic and striking, but emotionally evocative, inspiring see ORCHID SHOW on page 5B

BY VALERIE SMITH specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

With the first day of spring approaching, warmer weather signals plants to come out of dormancy and start flourishing again. The time for spring lawn care tips is right around the corner. Even if your lawn and garden never went fully dormant, you can still expect your home landscape to begin thriving with warmer temperatures.

1Mow your lawn at the proper height again

The timing for which the first mow of the spring for your mature, established turfgrass widely varies depending on the area you live in. Grasses come out of dormancy differently depending on the environment and temperatures your area encounters. Generally speaking, however, mid-March is about the time for you to begin your regimen for spring green-up and

Spring Lawn Care Tips

mowing. It’s important to note that the first mow of the spring shouldn’t take place while warm season grass is dormant.

2Start with the appropriate fertilizer

Spring is one of the most important times of the year to use fertilizer. Warm season grasses are coming out of dormancy, so you will want to promote healthy roots and the return of green leaf blades. Be careful when making your first fertilizer application of the year. A lot of homeowners see their grass green up and immediately pull out the fertilizer and lawn mower. Wait until the last frost has hit.

3Set up a spring irrigation schedule

Dormant, warm season turfgrass

doesn’t need much water until the active growing season kicks in and your grass starts to green up. If you have a dormant, warm season lawn, it is not dead—it’s just “sleeping”.

in the spring.

Apply post-emergent herbicides throughout the spring as needed to control summer annual and perennial broadleaf weeds like crabgrass, dandelion, chickweed, white clover and knotweed.

6Prevent disease as temperatures warm up

4Control

weeds with a pre- or post-emergent herbicide

Pre-emergents should be applied during the spring when ground temperatures reach about 55 degrees. A pre-emergent herbicide functions to prevent weeds from emerging from the surface of the soil, as its name suggests. The exact dates for these applications differ depending on the area you live in, but generally speaking, pre-emergents should be applied between the beginning and middle of March

5Watch out for insects that may begin coming out

If your lawn has suffered from insect damage around this time in the past, it is a good idea to apply a broad-spectrum insecticide at this time to prevent them from coming back again.

If the insecticide is a granular product, be sure to water it in so that it soaks into your soil. On the other hand, if it’s a liquid product, you will either need to attach it to the end of your garden hose or tank mix it.

As previously mentioned, if you have a warm season lawn, circular brown or yellow spots, also known as spring dead spot, may start to show up as it comes out of dormancy.

Other potential disease outbreaks include brown patch and gray leaf spot. If you notice any disease outbreaks, you may need to make applications of a systemic fungicide. Even if you don’t have disease in your lawn, it’s still good practice to apply it preventively to keep disease from taking over— especially if you’ve had disease in the past around this time.

—Valerie Smith is a content strategist for Sod Solutions (www. sodsolutions.com)

It is time to wake the garden.

ORCHID SHOW from page 3B

visitors to reflect on their own plant heritage and ancestry. The exhibition’s varied installations evoking ancient mountainous topographies invite visitors to experience the boundlessness of nature’s creativity and imagine a future where environmental harmony is restored.

“I am deeply honored by the invitation to be the guest designer of NYBG’s historic, 20th annual Orchid Show. The garden’s conservatory, greenhouses, and educational programs inspired my early career. This exhibition’s design is my most autobiographical work to date, and the piece took shape through meditation and exploration of my ancestral roots stretching back generations to Shanghai,” said Kwong. “As the first woman of color to step into the role as guest designer, it felt urgent to celebrate an Asian-centered perspective in the midst of this charged and precarious moment,” she said. “The piece is meant to offer a bridge of cultural understanding across the valley between us, and act as an invitation to celebrate the diverse lineages that make up our country.”

“At a time when we are all starved for connection, the prayer of this installation is to offer a sense of community, reciprocity, and grounding into ancient wisdom and traditions that have guided us for millennia,” Kwong continued. “In traditional Chinese culture, flowers are the carriers of rich cultural information and have been revered by scholars for representing integrity, peace, and refinement. These beautiful and often elusive flowers invoke poetry and admiration, inspire entire scientific careers, and are a critical part of our ecosystems. Orchids are the perfect plant to draw people into the complexities of our relationships with the natural world and our vital roles nourishing those connections.”

Kwong tapped acclaimed composer, Gary Gunn, to create a 30-minute soundscape which plays on a continual loop throughout the Haupt Conservatory’s Seasonal Exhibition Galleries. Consisting of field

recordings interspersed with subtle musical moments created by traditional acoustic instruments native to areas in which orchids are most closely associated, these elements are interwoven to induce the feeling of traveling these natural terrains: footsteps wandering the forest of the Himalayas, the shakuhachi flute imitating the sound of wind blowing through bamboo, the guqin instrument evoking the sound of flowing water, children playing in a field adjacent to a nearby temple. While these aspects capture the external environments, abstract elements are also introduced to help convey an imagined inner-world of the orchid itself. Visitors will hear sporadic, and at times unfamiliar sound beds and spatial accents that play on the “otherworldly” qualities of the provocative plant.

Guests will also hear melodic/rhythmic structures composed of whispers and breathing, and vocal pads inspired by the “divine feminine energy” notions associated with orchids across many mythological/mystical traditions.

“We are thrilled to have Lily Kwong join us as the guest designer for The Orchid Show, sharing her artistic insight and perspective with our audiences,” said Jennifer Bernstein, chief executive officer and The William C. Steere Sr. president of The New York Botanical Garden. “Orchids are one of the largest families of flowering plants and the second most diverse plant family in the world. Lily’s meditative and captivating designs will reveal the importance of plants in reconnecting people to nature and as a powerful source of healing and self-discovery.”

On select evenings during the show, adults 21 and over can experience the exhibition through Orchid Nights, with music, cash bars, and food available for purchase. At NYBG Shop, visitors to The Orchid Show may browse thousands of top-quality orchids, from exotic, hard-to-find specimens for connoisseurs to elegant yet easy-togrow varieties for beginners, along with orchid products and books.

The New York Botanical Garden is located at 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx. Visit nybg.org for details.

Show artist Lily Kwong Gesi Schilling

New York Explorers:

BY LAUREN FELDMAN lfeldman@antonmediagroup.com

Spring is a chance for intrepid explorers to once again venture from their homes into the wide world. Long Island residents are particularly lucky, being so close to a plethora of exciting events, opportunities, and travel destinations. Whether you’re a family on spring break, a newcomer to the area, or are looking to get more in touch with the history of New York, the Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty Island tour offers something for you.

This editor, a lifelong Long Island resident, recently embarked with Statue City Cruises, the only authorized ferry service to visit these islands, for the very first time. Tours recently reopened to the public for Spring and Summer. Departing straight from The Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan—or Liberty State Park in Jersey City—a quick ferry ride delivers visitors to the shores of Lady Liberty. Perhaps the most popular and

sought after experience is the ability to climb up the Statue of Liberty. In recent years, much of the statue has been closed due to maintenance and safety concerns. Visitors will be pleased to note that this season currently allows visitors to ascend Lady Liberty’s pedestal, as well as her crown. Pedestal and crown climbs offer visitors a unique and exciting view of both the New York City and New Jersey shorelines. These

tickets must be purchased online in advance, and often sell quickly. Interested visitors should be sure to book their pedestal climbing tickets as soon as possible to ensure they can partake in this experience. For those who are unable to climb the statue, however, do not suppose that your trip will be lacking. There is much to do on the island besides.

This island, while small, offers an in depth, dynamic, and interactive exploration of the history of New York’s famous statue. From its conception by French designer Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi to the complicated scaling process and several construction challenges, visitors to the Statue of Liberty Museum can follow along all stages of Lady Liberty’s own immigration to the United states. Highlights from the museum include interactive models of the statue, many to scale with the real-life version—such as her foot, face, and ear—as well as a brief film on her history, and fun facts about aspects of her development.

Inside Lady Liberty’s crown

(Photo credit Alex Nuñez)

The Statue of Liberty as viewed from the island main level.

(Photo credit:Alex Nuñez)

Visit Ellis Island And Lady Liberty

This includes details on funding the statue, the trickiness of sending her overseas, and even how various citizens—themselves immigrants, working class, even poor—helped fund the completion of the statue.

Another brief ferry ride then carries visitors to the second element of the tour: Ellis Island. The nicknamed “Island of Hope, Island of Tears” passed 12 million immigrants through its halls between 1892 and 1954. It is common for visitors with immigrant histories to walk the halls of the Ellis Island Museum and seek out family names and dates of arrival. This is one of the most exciting elements for many. For those who do not have immigration history logged in Ellis Island, there is still much to explore. This beautiful island museum was given a fresh face in the 1980s to better preserve and capture the experiences of hopeful U.S. citizens. The museum’s three floors unveil a complicated and emotional history of individuals and families hoping for a better life.

The museum’s first floor features a walkthrough of the reality of

immigration to the United States and reasons why various groups found themselves here. This exhibit does not shy away from discussing complicated topics such as slavery or indentured servitude, but also acknowledges many of the hopes and dreams of immigrants to the United States prior to the opening of Ellis Island. A smaller exhibit to the side also explores immigration from 1945 to today, and what the process looks like for modern citizen applicants.

Mounting the stairs to floor two, visitors enter the registration room: a grand hall which truly captures the momentous occasion upon which many immigrants entered. This room allows visitors to experience what immigrants coming to the United States would have felt while they awaited clearance to enter the country. Two sets of museum exhibits on this floor break down the immigration process: health screening, education and wellness tests, as well as reasons why an individual or group might be turned away and sent back to their countries of origin. These

are touching displays which help demonstrate the challenges faced by immigrants in the early-to-mid 20th century, as well as the reality of how Ellis Island was able to operate such a large and successful facility for so many years.

For those who have taken this tour before, recent restorations to both islands have vastly improved and eased the experience and might

make another trip worth your while. For those who have never been, this editor can only encourage an expedition to two momentous staples of United States history which, while perhaps not as flashy as other destinations, offer a soulful and enlightening tale of the American dream and what it meant to so many. This tour is certainly a must do, and Spring is the perfect time to embark.

The Statue of Liberty Museum explores American ideals of free speech, independence, and suffrage. (Contributed photo)

The Wall of Passports, documents from a number of immigrants passing through Ellis Island. (Contributed photo)

The Ellis Island Museum allows visitors to explore the history of people immigrating to the United States, and even look for their own family records. (Photo credit: Marcia Levine)

HOMES

Recently Sold

This beautiful Flower Hill Ranch at 399 Stonytown Rd. offers a rare and unique opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet tucked away in your own private, beautifully landscaped oasis complete with luxurious in-ground pool with spa and imported marble pool deck. A true hidden gem, this four bedroom and four bathrooms home offers more than 5,000 square feet of total living space with a versatile layout. It sold on March 17 for $2,500,000. It has the potential for a fifth bedroom or an extended family room. The expansive full finished walk-out basement has a full bathroom, lockers, recreation area, wet bar and access to the pool. Other features include a stunning chef’s kitchen with new quartz countertops and Wolf and Sub Zero appliances. The bathrooms are updated. The primary suite is complete with light therapy, an aromatherapy steam shower and a spa bath. The home has new Pella windows, built-in blinds throughout, a water filtration system and security cameras.

HOME & DESIGN

New 363 Area Code Takes Effect In Nassau County

The New York State Department of Public Service announced that customers in the 516-area code region requesting new mobile or landline telephone service, an additional line, or a move in the location of their service, may be assigned a number in the new 363-area code. The new area code will provide additional much-needed phone numbers for residents and businesses in the existing 516-area code region.

The new 363-area code will be superimposed over the same geographical area as the existing 516-area code. The 516-area code is located within the boundaries of Nassau County and includes the city of Long Beach, and the towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay.

The area code overlay requires consumers to continue to dial 10 digits for local calls (area code + 7-digit telephone number) in the 516/363 area or 1 + 10 digits for calls to other area code regions. Customers in the 516-area code have already been completing local calls by dialing 10 digits since the July 16, 2022, national implementation of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Important facts to know about the new area code:

• Current phone numbers’ area codes will not change

• All calls within and between 516/363 must be dialed with 10 digits

• Consumers will continue to dial 1+ area code + telephone number for all calls to other area codes

• The price of a call, and the price of other telephone services, will not change due to the new overlay area code and what is a local call will remain a local call

• Calls to reach 911 Emergency Service will remain three digits

• If 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811 services are currently available in the community, consumers will still dial these codes with just three digits

This sprawling ranch on a third of an acre of flat land at 20 Oaktree Lane in the Manhasset village of Flower Hill sold on Feb. 13 for $1,750,000. This four bedroom home features a ground floor primary suite with a full bathroom and two walk-in closets. The spacious living room has a fireplace. The large and sunny den has lots of windows and sliding doors that lead to the backyard. There is a screened in porch. The home has an eat-in-kitchen. There is a huge, walk-up attic and an additional bedroom. The two-car garage is attached. This home’s easy floor plan is ideal for modernizing. This home is in the Port Washington School District. It is conveniently located near the park, schools, shopping, train station and major highways.

• Numbers in the 363-area code will not be available for assignment until remaining numbers in the 516-area code are exhausted. Customers should ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, applications, software, or other types of equipment recognize the new 363-area code as a valid area code. Some examples include life safety systems, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, alarm and security systems, gates, speed dialers, mobile phone contact lists, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and similar functions. Business stationery, advertising materials, personal checks, and personal or pet ID tags should be updated as necessary to ensure each includes the 363-area code. All automatically dialed calls within the 516/363 area must be programmed to dial using 10-digits and the digit prefix “1” must be included for all calls to other area codes.

—New York State Department of Public Services

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.

Dodgers Tried To Hide Clemente: They Couldn’t

JOSEPH SCOTCHIE

jscotchie@antonmediagroup.com

Roberto Clemente was almost a Brooklyn Dodger. The man could have played in the same lineup as Duke Snider, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson, Carl Furillo, Roy Campanella and later, as a Los Angeles Dodger, with Frank Howard, Willie Davis, Maury Wills, and Tommy Davis.

It didn’t happen. In early 1954, Clemente, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, was signed as an unprotected bonus baby by the Brooklyn Dodgers. During the 1954 season, Clemente played for the Dodgers’ Triple-A farm team in Montreal. However, the youngster saw little action. The Pirates had an interest in Clemente. The Dodger brass knew it and Clemente played sparingly. He hit in batting practice with the pitchers and Dodger coaches ran down Clemente’s prospects when in conversation with scouts from rival teams. It didn’t work. Pirates scouts had already seen Clemente play in

fielding drills. They made him their first pick in the November 1954 rookie draft. For Clemente, it was off to Pittsburgh. He was a 12-time All Star, the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1966 and a fourtime batting champion, winning the title in 1961, 1964, 1965 and 1967. In the field, Clemente won 12 consecutive Gold Glove awards. Clemente was a top star in an era that included such greats as Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Henry Aaron.

Clemente played on the 1960 “Beat ‘Em Bucs” squad, which upset the New York Yankees in that year’s World Series, thanks to the dramatic game seven, ninth-inning home run by Bill Mazeroski. It would be another 11 years before the Pirates made it back into the Fall Classic. Clemente made the most of it. In 1971, the Pirates won the National League pennant. In the World Series, they were underdogs against the Baltimore Orioles, the defending World Champions who boasted a starting rotation with four 20-game winners. At age 37, Clemente stole the show. He batted .414, knocking out 12 hits in seven games and

homering in the decisive 2-1 Game Seven win at Baltimore over the Birds. Clemente was named Series MVP, accepting the award in an emotional, nationally-televised interview.

The next year, Clemente would cap his

Hall of Fame career by belting his 3,000th hit, a double on the last day of the regular season. Then tragedy struck. On New Year Eve’s 1972, Clemente organized a relief program for Nicaraguan residents victimized by an earthquake. Tragically, the cargo plane

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carrying Clemente crashed and a stunned Western Hemisphere mourned the passing of a baseball great, now dead at age 38.

Clemente’s legacy lives on. Following his untimely death, Clemente was immediately voted into the Hall of Fame as the directors bypassed the five-year waiting period rule. An annual Roberto Clemente Award is given to the big leaguer who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.” Pittsburgh has a bridge named for Clemente and a monument to the man outside of PNC Stadium.

Clemente was about more than statistics. He was a terror on the base paths, stretching singles into doubles and galloping from first to third on base hits. Clemente had a cannon for an arm and he often snagged fly balls, basket-catch style, a la Willie Mays.

At the plate, Clemente hit all fields. For his career, he had 440 doubles and 166 triples. Four times he had over 200 hits in a season. In 1964, the Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies stopped off in bucolic Asheville, NC for a pre-season exhibition game. A Phillies hurler served an outside fastball to Clemente who promptly drilled it into the right field bleachers, the exact spot where Babe Ruth, in a 1925 exhibition in the same ballpark had hammered home run after home run. Why did they pitch Clemente outside? If a pitcher came inside, he would rifle it down the left field line for a double. Across the plate or on the outside, the same result. He was one of those ballplayers without a weak part in his game.

Espaillat To Honor Roberto Clemente

Espaillat urges Major League to retire the number 21 in honor of Clemente’s life and career

Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) recently reintroduced his resolution recognizing the significant human rights activism and baseball stardom legacy of Roberto Clemente, the first Puerto Rican and first person of Latino heritage to win a World Series as a starter, be named Most Valuable Player Award (MVP), be named World Series MVP, and be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

“Roberto Clemente was a trailblazer in the fight for Puerto Rican civil rights and utilized his stardom to advocate and defend the rights of Black and Brown communities around our nation,” said Rep. Espaillat. “Clemente was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visionary leadership, which spurred his own actions to demand equity for communities of color, better working conditions for MLB players, and his work to help level the playing field through training clinics for minority youth.

“Roberto Clemente was a model player

and social advocate, and I am proud to reintroduce a resolution to this Congress to honor his life’s work by urging the Major League Baseball (MLB) to permanently retire the number 21 and expand Roberto Clemente Day to include all ballparks requiring players, coaches, managers, and umpires to wear Clemente’s uniform number, 21, on that day.

“My legislation is a show of respect for the tremendous impact Roberto Clemente had on the lives of others through his humanitarian efforts around the world and his legacy that continues to inspire each of us,” Espaillat concluded.

Clemente became a union leader in the incipient Major League Baseball Players Association and defended players’ rights to demand better working conditions and benefits. In every city where the Pirates played, Clemente visited sick children in hospitals. He put his heart and soul into training clinics, providing baseball lessons and fun for boys and girls in Pittsburgh, his

home island of Puerto Rico, and throughout Latin America.

As the League did with Jackie Robinson’s iconic 42 in 1997 on the fiftieth anniversary of his breaking the color barrier in professional sports, the Espaillat Resolution is urging the MLB to retire the number 21 league-wide in recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of Roberto Clemente’s tragic yet heroic death.

Since 1973, Major League Baseball has presented the Roberto Clemente Award to one player in the league who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team. In 2002, Major League Baseball declared the first annual Roberto Clemente Day and in 2021,the MLB announced September 15th would be the permanent date of Roberto Clemente Day to coincide with the beginning of Hispanic Heritage month each year.

—Submitted by the Office of Adriano Espillat

Seal Season Is Here

Keep a safe distance away from seals

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is reminding New Yorkers to share the shore with seals. The height of seal season in New York is upon us, and that means there is an increase in the potential for seal and human interactions as well.

It is very normal to see a single seal, even quite young, on the beach alone. Seals are at home on land just as much as they are in the water and do not require any assistance from us—except maintaining a safe and legal distance.

Please always keep at least 50 yards away from seals. Remember, if the seal is aware of your presence, you’re too close. Other signs that a person or pet are too close include raising flippers, yawning, eating sand and/ or rocks, and showing their teeth, as the seal pictured here is doing.

Seals and other marine mammals are protected by federal and state law. Only federally permitted individuals may handle them. If a seal appears injured or sick, call the 24-hour New York Stranding Hotline at 631-369-9829. Trained responders will administer any and all care the animal might require.

If you observe an individual harassing or endangering protected species like

seals, please contact DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) to report the incident by calling 1-844-DECECOS for 24-hour dispatch or emailing central.dispatch@dec.ny.gov (for non-urgent violations). For urgent violations involving physical interaction, please use the Stranding Hotline.

For more information on keeping a safe distance from marine mammals, visit DEC’s website (www.dec.ny.gov/press/126948. html).

—New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Invest In Our New York Members Removed From Capitol For Protesting Budget

After the Invest in Our New York Campaign’s sleep-in was disbanded by State Police and members were removed from the Capitol Building War Room, Carolyn Martinez-Class, IONY Campaign Manager, released the following statement:

“The Invest in Our New York Campaign, and our partner organizations and allies cannot buy influence the way billionaires like Michael Bloomberg can. What we can do, however, is use our collective people power to hold space so Governor Hochul and legislators are forced to look the very people who depend on their representation in the eye during budget negotiations.

“We are extremely frustrated that Governor Hochul has decided to remove us from “the people’s house.” It’s a wellknown fact that negotiations happen in the dead of night. The $230 billion budget will impact our members’ daily lives; lawmakers will decide who will thrive and who will continue struggling to make ends meet. We deserve to be here and

to remind them of their responsibility to enact a budget for the people, not ultra-rich donors.”

—Submitted by Invest In Our New York

Invest In Our NY protesters at the capitol protest. (Photo by Invest in Our NY)

CB American Homes Acquires Leading Real Estate Agency Little Bay Realty Minority Caucus Honors Corinne Kaufman’s Fentanyl Fighting Crusade

Coldwell Banker American Homes, one of the largest residential real estate brokerage firms in the New York metropolitan area, has announced the acquisition of Little Bay Realty, a leading real estate agency located at 6324 Rt. 25A in Wading River, NY.

The strategic merger adds the talented team of agents from Little Bay Realty to the Coldwell Banker American Homes family. The company is excited to welcome the experienced and skilled agents to their team, as they share the same values of “Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back!”.

The acquisition of Little Bay Realty extends Coldwell Banker American Homes’ market share and exposure towards the North Fork of Long Island, allowing them to better serve the real estate needs of clients in the region, providing them with a wider range of services and expertise.

Mike Litzner, Broker of Coldwell Banker American Homes, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Little Bay to our American Homes family. Their team of agents is well-respected in the industry,

and we look forward to working with them to deliver the best possible experience for our clients.”

The acquisition of Little Bay Realty is the latest example of Coldwell Banker American Homes’commitment to growth and expansion in the real estate market. The company continues to explore opportunities to extend its reach and provide its clients with the highest level of service.

Little Bay Realty was founded in 1974 by Belinda Bender, who was among the first to recognize the unique appeal of the North Fork and Shelter Island areas of Long Island. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the most respected real estate brokerages in the region, known for its deep knowledge of the local market, commitment to customer service, and dedication to ethical business practices. Under Belinda’s leadership, the company continued to thrive, helping clients navigate the complexities of buying or selling a home with confidence and ease.

—Submitted by Coldwell Banker

During the Nassau County Legislature’s annual Women’s History Month Trailblazers ceremony at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building on March 20, Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) led the Minority Caucus in saluting Glen Cove resident Corinne Kaufman for her relentless advocacy in the fight to prevent fentanyl overdoses on Long Island.

Corinne and her family have first-hand knowledge of the devastation that is wrought by this deadly drug on a daily basis. Her granddaughter, Paige Gibbons, died on Nov. 20, 2022 – just four days after her 19th birthday – after she consumed a small piece of what she thought was a Percocet pill at a sleepover with friends. It turned out to be entirely fentanyl, and she died later that night.

In the aftermath of Paige’s tragic and sudden death, Kaufman has launched the Families Against Fentanyl campaign and is advocating for Narcan kits to be available in every middle and high school nurse’s office on Long Island. She is also urging Nassau County to distribute fentanyl test strips by bundling them with Narcan kits and distributing them directly to all who seek them; she

furthermore wants to increase awareness about fentanyl through campaigns in public schools and by asking the media to regularly publish fentanyl overdose death statistics.

“Four months ago, Corinne lost her beautiful granddaughter Paige to the scourge of fentanyl. Sometimes life puts you in a place that you never would have imagined, but what you’re doing in Paige’s memory is making such a difference,” Legislator DeRiggiWhitton told Kaufman during the ceremony. “I know the worst feeling for a mom or a grandma is not being able to do anything, but you are doing something extremely powerful.”

—Submitted by the Nassau County Minority Caucus

Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton pictured with Women’s History Month Trailblazer honoree Corinne Kaufman on Monday, March 20.

(Photo by Nassau County Minority Caucus)

WORD FIND

HOROSCOPES By Holiday Mathis

HOROSCOPES By

This 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 17 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Holiday Mathis

HOROSCOPES By Holiday Mathis

RIES (March 21-April 19). Your days will be enhanced by a fresh ritual you stumble upon or create. e repetition will calm and center you, giving you one more thing to be certain about in an uncertain world. Simple rituals are best, like having the same morning, night or exercise routine.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your opinion of yourself will uctuate quite a lot over the course of the week, but don’t let it worry you. Self-esteem doesn’t determine self-worth, and it’s not necessarily healthier to have high self-esteem either. Your success-move is to get curious about your thoughts and determine which ones help or hinder you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You may feel that someone is humoring you or not taking your work as seriously as they should. However, the joke is on them. ey’ll catch up to what you’re doing eventually. Until then, seek the company and feedback of the like-minded and the open-minded. Once you start looking for them, they’re everywhere.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Sure, you like to win, but you also know that winning all the time (or acting like you are) is neither useful nor fun. is week, you’ll take that pressure o yourself. You nd out what you’re capable of the same way everyone does: by trying and sometimes missing. You’ll progress joyfully.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll be in an existential mood, and you’ll think about the kind of person you want to be and what it will take to move toward that. You’ll have greater control over your time this week, which allows you to focus where you’d prefer to instead of reacting to the demands of others.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). People tend to think that anyone trying too hard is covering something up. e power move is to believe in your own inherent worth so you’re not overly concerned with pleasing anyone else. Do what it takes to feel con dent. Prove things to yourself so you don’t have to prove them to anyone else.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Staying on task and focusing on the priorities of the moment will be your forte this week. Being motivated to tend to the right thing is a gift you don’t take lightly. e ability to apply yourself in this way will bring you many rewards, including a lucrative o er and a fun social opportunity.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Of course it would be weird and boring if everything went the way we wanted it to. While dissatisfaction is a normal part of life, chronic discontent brings everyone down. is week, you’ll gravitate to sunny personalities, and you’ll add to your network of easygoing types. ey’re usually more interesting, as they have better things to do than complain.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Making mistakes doesn’t mean you are a mistake. Be careful not to overidentify with the things that happen this week. Problems are something you have, not something you are. Whether it’s good luck or bad luck, don’t assume you earned it, but do take your good fortune and run with it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ve a keen sense of the energy in people, places and things. You’ll immediately sense good and bad vibes. You’ll spend some of your week making this talent work for you by favorably arranging the elements of your environment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). ere are many reasons you might choose to x a thing -- for instance, a sense of responsibility, to satisfy your curiosity or to prove that you can. Beware of the fear-based reaction of “anxious xing.” Be willing to sit with a circumstance for a moment. You’ll nd felicitous success on the other side of acceptance.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). In life and bu ets, your eyes can be bigger than your appetite, and not everything tastes as good as it looks. Processing events is easier when you do it in small bites. Too much too fast can be upsetting. Portion your week modestly. You can always return for more.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS ough you’ll see new places, not all adventures involve crossing rugged terrain or taking o in a plane. e greatest adventures of this season will be ights of the intellect. You’ll leap into new modes of thought. Experience will mature, teach, challenge and shape you. By this time next year, you’ll be a person with many more exciting options and a clear direction of which ones are right for you. More highlights: You’ll make a change working in a small group. You’ll be voted to a position. You’ll be embraced by a new family and show up strong at the requisite social events.

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

Big day out

Solution: 17 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 17 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Big day out

Baby Bait Ball

FROM KING FEATURES SYNDICATE, 300 W. 57th STREET, 41st FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10019

CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. 236

CONTRACT BRIDGE — BY STEVE BECKER

FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2023

CONTRACT BRIDGE

Silence is golden

have gone down two.

Solution: Just a quick

By Steve Becker

Having gotten safely over the bidding hurdle, Doub now had to find a way to make 12 tricks. With only 11 winners and the A-Q of hearts certain to lie over the K-J, it was not immediately apparent where an extra trick might come from.

It didn’t take Doub long to work out the solution. He won the opening spade lead with the ace and cashed four more spades and four diamonds to produce this position with the lead in the South hand:

North

♥ 8 5 4 2 West East

♥ A Q Immaterial

♣ K J

South

♥ K

♦

9

Opening lead — seven of spades.

This deal arose in the New England final of the 1991 North American Open Pairs. It features excellent bidding and play by Doug Doub.

Doub held the South hand and opened two clubs, planning to rebid two notrump to show a 22-24 point balanced hand. But when his partner bid two spades after West’s twoheart overcall, Doub decided to raise spades and await further developments. When North next bid diamonds, Doub leaped to six notrump to protect his king of hearts on the opening lead. This proved a wise choice, as a slam in spades or diamonds with North as declarer would

♣ A Q

The lead of the diamond nine left West without recourse. If he discarded the heart queen, Doub would concede a heart to the ace to force a club lead into the A-Q. When West in fact discarded the club jack, Doub plunked down the club ace, caught the king and so made the slam.

Of course, if West had had the foresight to keep his mouth shut during the bidding, it is doubtful Doub would have found the winning line of play. West therefore had good reason to kick himself when the play was over. I know, because I was West.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS EMPLOYMENT

The Syosset Library is accepting bids for a 17-year old dark cherry color conference table and chair set. The particleboard table measures 12’ L X 3.5” W X 2.5’ H and has light damage. 12 gold/red upholstered chairs come with casters and arms. The set will be sold as-is, buyer must disassemble the table. Bids accepted by email only until noon, April 14th at spladministration@syossetlibrary.org. Bidders must include name, phone number, bid amount. The library reserves the right to reject any bid. Payment accepted by cash or money order only.

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GREAT NECK

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF BUDGET

HEARING, BUDGET

VOTE AND ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

ELECTION OF THE GREAT NECK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD

COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual election of the qualified voters of the Great Neck Union Free School District Nassau County, New York will be held on May 16, 2023 in the following election districts:

ELECTION DISTRICT

NO. 1: Great Neck E.M. Baker School, 69 Baker Hill Road, Great Neck, N.Y.

Western Boundary: Middle Neck Road from Long Island Rail Road Tracks (LIRR) to Wildwood Road, to Cherry Lane, to Horizon Way to the Long Island Sound.

Southern Boundary: Long Island Rail Road Tracks (LIRR) from Middle Neck Road to East Shore Road.

Eastern Boundary: East Shore Road and Manhasset Bay to the Long Island Sound.

Northern Boundary: Long Island Sound.

ELECTION DISTRICT

NO. 2: Great Neck South High School, 341 Lakeville Road, Great Neck, N.Y.

Northern Boundary: Long Island Rail Road Tracks (LIRR) from South Middle Neck Road to East Shore Road.

Western Boundary: Stewart Avenue from Hillside Avenue along the NYC/Queens Border to the Long Island Expressway (LIE) to Lakeville Road to South Middle Neck Road to the Long Island Rail Road Tracks (LIRR).

Eastern Boundary: New Hyde Park Border from Hillside Avenue to Union Turnpike to Continental Drive and the Herricks Border to the Manhasset Border to the Long Island Rail Road Tracks (LIRR).

Southern Boundary: Hillside Avenue from Stewart Avenue to the Herricks Border.

ELECTION DISTRICT

NO. 3: Great Neck Saddle Rock School, 10 Hawthorne Lane, Great Neck, N.Y.

Northern Boundary: Horizon Way to Cherry Lane to Wildwood Road from the Long Island Sound to Middle Neck Road.

Southern Boundary: Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) tracks from Little Neck Bay to Middle Neck Road.

Western Boundary: Little Neck Bay/Long Island Sound from the Long Island Rail Road Tracks (LIRR) to Horizon Way.

Eastern Boundary: Middle Neck Road from the Long Island Rail Road Tracks (LIRR) to Wildwood Road.

ELECTION DISTRICT

NO. 4: Lakeville School, 47-27 Jayson Avenue, Great Neck, N.Y.

Southern Boundary: Long Island Expressway (LIE) from the NYC/Queens Border to Lakeville Road.

Eastern Boundary: Lakeville Road and South Middle Neck Road from the Long Island Expressway (LIE) to the Long Island Rail Road Tracks (LIRR)

Western Boundary: NYC/ Queens Border from the Long Island Expressway (LIE) to the Long Island Rail Road Tracks (LIRR).

Northern Boundary: The Long Island Rail Road Tracks (LIRR) from the NYC/ Queens Border to South Middle Neck Road. The annual election on May 16, 2023 shall be held for the following purposes:

A) To vote upon the annual school budget for the school year 2023-2024 and to authorize the levying of a tax upon the taxable property of the district for the foregoing purposes (PROPOSITION NO. 1).

B) To vote upon the following proposition (PROPOSITION NO. 2): RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Great Neck Union Free School District, Nassau County, New York, shall pay to the Great Neck Library, Great Neck, New York, a sum to be requested by the Board of Trustees of the Great Neck Library, Great Neck, New York, such sum to be raised by tax on the taxable property of said district for the support of said Great Neck Library for the year beginning January 1, 2024.

C) To elect for a three-year term, a member of the Board of Education to fill the vacancy occasioned by the expiration of the term of Rebecca Sassouni, the new term to begin July 1, 2023.

D) To elect for a three-year term, a member of the Board of Education to fill the vacancy occasioned by the expiration of the term of Jeff Shi, the new term to begin July 1, 2023.

E) To vote upon such other propositions as may properly come before the meeting.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the Board of Education will hold a public budget hearing on May 3, 2023 at 7:30 p.m., at Great Neck South Middle, 349 Lakeville Road, Great Neck, NY 11020, (a Zoom link will also be posted on the District website homepage www.greatneck. k12.ny.us) for the purpose of discussing expenditure of funds and the budgeting thereof relative to the appropriation of necessary funds to meet the necessary expenditures of said school district for school year 2023-2024 at which time and which place all persons interested in the subject matter thereof will have an opportunity to be heard.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN

LEGAL NOTICES

that the annual election shall be conducted by voting on propositions and candidates on voting machines on May 16, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes (school budget) exclusive of public monies, and copies of propositions involving expenditure of monies for the operation of the school system for the ensuing year, may be obtained by any resident in the District during the 14 days immediately preceding the annual election, on the District website or by contacting the office of the District Clerk by phone (516)441-4007 or email districtclerk@greatneck.k12.ny.us. The aforesaid budget statement shall contain the amount of money to be paid to Great Neck Library for library services for the year beginning January 1, 2024.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payment in lieu of taxes and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that nominations for members of the Board of Education shall be made by petition signed by at least 140 qualified voters of the District and filed in the office of the District Clerk between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m, not later than the 30th day preceding the election at which the trustees shall be voted upon, except that on the 30th day, this year, April 17, 2023, such propositions may be submitted between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Such petition shall state the residence of each signer and shall state the name and residence of the candidate and must describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated, including the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent. The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each specific vacancy shall be considered elected to office. However, a nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his or her unwillingness to serve.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that registration is permitted at the office of the District Clerk on school days, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mon-

day through Friday, up to and including May 11, 2023. A register will be prepared and will be filed in the office of the District Clerk, 345 Lakeville Road, Great Neck, NY, and such register will be open for inspection by any qualified voter between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on each of the five (5) days prior to the day set for voting on the budget and election, except Sunday, and between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on Saturday by appointment only, and at each polling place on election day.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a person shall be entitled to vote at the annual election who is a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age, a resident of the School District for a period of 30 days next preceding the election at which he/she offers to vote and registered to vote for said election. A person shall be registered to vote if he or she shall have permanently registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections or with the School District’s Board of Registration. Only persons who shall be registered shall be entitled to vote. Said register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the District who shall present themselves personally for registration, and (2) all voters previously registered for any annual or special District election and who shall have voted at any annual or special District election held or conducted at any time within the four calendar years (2019-2022) prior to preparation of said register.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the Board of Registration will meet during the hours of voting at the Annual District Election on May 16, 2023 at the polling places in each of the election districts to prepare a register for District elections to be held subsequent to May 16, 2023.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within 24 hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written report of the results of the ballot for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots for the school district election are to be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and may be obtained from the New York State Education Department’s Website ( http://www.counsel.nysed. gov/common/counsel/files/ absentee-ballot-application-and-instructions-english. pdf. http://www.counsel. nysed.gov/common/counsel/ files/absentee-ballot-application-and-instructions-spanish. pdf), or by contacting the office of the District Clerk by email districtclerk@ greatneck.k12.ny.us or phone (516-441-4007). Completed applications must be received at least seven (7) days before

the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the applicant, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the applicant or to his or her designated agent. Absentee ballot applications will not be accepted by the District Clerk before April 17, 2023. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots have been issued will be available at the office of the District Clerk on each of the five days prior to the day of the election except Sunday, and between the hours 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on the Saturday prior to the election by appointment only.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2018-d, any person serving in the military, including spouses and dependents, may register to vote in the upcoming school district election. A military voter who is a qualified voter of the school district may obtain a registration form by visiting the District website ( http://www.greatneck.k12. ny.us/voting) or contacting the office of the District Clerk by phone (516)441-4007, facsimile (516) 441-4994, email districtclerk@greatneck.k12. ny.us, mail at Great Neck Public Schools, 345 Lakeville Rd, Great Neck, NY 11020, or in person during regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A military voter who is duly registered may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application by also visiting the District website or contacting the office of the District Clerk. Completed registration applications and completed military ballot applications must be personally delivered or mailed to the District Clerk and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 20, 2023. Military ballots must be received by 5:00 p.m. on May 16, 2023 if signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto with a date which is not later than the day before the election, or not later than the close of the polls on May 16, 2023 if postmarked or endorsed by an agency of the United States government. A military voter may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration form, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile or electronic mail in the request for such registration, ballot application, or ballot. For purposes of this school district election, a military voter is a qualified voter of New York State, who: (i) is in actual military service, and by reason of such military service is absent from the school district in which he or she is qualified to vote on the day of registration or election; or (ii) is discharged from such military service within 30 days of an election; or a spouse, parent, child or dependent of a such voter, accompanying or being with such voter, if a qualified voter of New York State and a resident of the same school

district as such voter. NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the Board of Education has adopted rules governing the election, which include the following:

a) Any proposition or question to be placed upon the voting machines (except propositions or questions which are required to be stated in this Notice) shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 351 qualified voters, and filed in the office of the District Clerk between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., not later than the 30th day preceding the election at which such question or proposition shall be voted upon, except that on the 30th day, this year, April 17, 2023, such propositions may be submitted between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

b) All petitions submitting questions or propositions shall clearly and concisely state the proposition or question to be submitted to the election, but the form and language of such question or proposition shall be determined by the Board of Education.

c) The Board of Education shall examine each petition filed with the office of the District Clerk for the submission of questions and propositions and may reject said petition if its purpose is not within the power of the voters, or where expenditure of money is required by the petition, if the proposition fails to include the necessary specific appropriation.

Dated: March 8, 2023

Great Neck, New York BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

GREAT NECK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT PATRICIA McSHANE, DISTRICT CLERK 5-3; 4-19-5; 3-29-2023-4T#239955-GN

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF8 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JAKLIN MECANIK, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 20, 2018, 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 11501 on May 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 57 Steamboat Road, Great Neck, NY 11024. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Great Neck, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 1, Block 199 and Lot 55. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,485,397.85 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provi-

sions of filed Judgment Index #010144/09. 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. John McFaul, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 202911-4 4-19-12-5; 3-29-2023-4T#239893-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NA240014

SSAU

BOARD OF MANAGERS OF PORTICO AT GREAT NECK CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff -against- GUOCAI YANG, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 23, 2023 and entered on January 26, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on May 2, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being a part of a condominium in Great Neck, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as Unit D-10 and also known on the Nassau County land and Tax Map as Section 2, Block 212, Lot 167, Tax Unit 536, together with a 1.9992% undivided interest in the common elements.

All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction.

Said premises known as 4A NASSAU DRIVE, UNIT D10, GREAT NECK, NY Approximate amount of lien $12,924.75 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 613537/2020.

JANE SHRENKEL, ESQ., Referee

Schneider Buchel LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 666 Old Country Road, Suite 412, Garden City, NY 11530 4-19-12-5; 3-29-2023-4T#239946-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR WELLS FARGO AS-

Continued on page 13

Great Neck Martial Arts Studio Expands To Glen Head

to go to practice and I wanted to go with my friends,” Sabri said. “He was the one who pushed me to keep the ball rolling... I’m Egyptian-American. I grew up in Egypt.”

A+ Martial Arts studio in Great Neck is home to champions. And now, prospective students can learn from the experts in Glen Head.

Adham Sabri, the owner and teacher of A+ Martial Arts, and a resident of Great Neck, is a world medalist and professional karate fighter of Karate Combat, a full contact striking league.

And his wife, Ashley Davis, also an owner and teacher at A+ Martial Arts, has medals of her own. She is a member of the U.S. Olympic National Team and a world medalist. As previously reported by the Great Neck Record, Davis has been participating in karate since she was 4-years-old.

“My dad was really into Bruce Lee, and he wanted us to learn martial arts,” said Davis. “I instantly fell in love with karate.”

Similarly, it was Sabri’s father that also got him into karate. Sabri said his dad taught him to stay in it and never give up.

“As a teenager, sometimes I didn’t want

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We o er short-term leases, catering to your needs, whether it’s a temporary workspace or a long-term solution. Our team of professionals is available to answer any questions you may have and provide more information about our space.

And as an Egyptian-American, Sabri holds national titles in both Egypt and the United States.

When asked how he and his wife met, Sabri said that once he moved to the United States, Davis said she reached out to him to see if they could practice together.

After Davis went to compete at the Pan American Championship in 2017, winning Gold, she returned home and celebrated with Sabri. Then, they got married.

They opened up A+ Martial Arts five years ago, and they are now expanding to Glen Head.

“I used to work in Glen Cove,” Sabri said. “And we have so many clients from Glen Head, that used to drive all the way to Great Neck.”

So what makes A+ Martial Arts unique compared to other studios?

“What makes us different is that the people who are teaching in our skill are the highest level athletes of the world,” Sabri said. “Also we follow the Shudokan curriculum, which is a Japanese style of karate.”

Ashley Davis and Adham Sabri, owners of A+ Martial Arts.

(Photo courtesy A+ Martial Arts)

North Shore Hebrew Academy High School Boys Basketball Team Has Undefeated Season

The North Shore Hebrew Academy High School Boys Basketball team slam dunked their season, winning 14 games and clinching the Metropolitan Yeshiva High School Athletic League for the championship for the first time since 2014. The team was undefeated this season and was seeded third in the country ahead of the Yeshiva University Red Sarachek national tournament.

A special congratulations to junior Ben Abizadeh, who was named MVP in the Regional Championship game and David Orbach who was season MVP.

Coach Shalom Babayev, who is coaching his first year at NSHAHS, said the secret to the team’s success is carefully preparing for each game, rather than thinking about their undefeated season. “It’s about looking at the tree, rather than the forest,” he said. “We did our best to prepare for each game individually, and we didn’t get caught up in thinking about our record.”

A championship team years in the making

“Over the past couple of years, we’ve been building a strong core of really talented kids,

and this year, everything just clicked,” said Billy Muir, the NSHAHS Athletics Director since 2019. In fact, the JV boys basketball team won the championship last year.

Babayev said that the team had a lot of challenges with injuries early in the season, forcing each of their key players to miss multiple games. But the injuries forced the team to gel together as a unit and rely on each other. A tournament loss at the HAFTR tournament mid-season was also a wake-up call and allowed the team to learn from their mistakes, Muir said.

“Many times over the season, they got off to an early lead, but then the other team would slowly catch up to them as the game went on,” said Muir. “Sometimes, that kind of pressure can make a team turn against each other, or freeze and get into their heads too much. But one of the things that really set the team apart is that when things became dicey, they really worked together to protect their lead.”

He also credits Babayev with being a great role model for the players, by showing up early to pray with the team before games and building community in various ways.

CONTINUES

The North Shore Hebrew Academy Basketball team (Contributed photo)

Temple Isaiah And Great Neck Lions Co-Sponsor Program On Long Island Homeless

Temple Isaiah of Great Neck and the Lion’s club of Great Neck will co-sponsor a presentation by Greta Guarton, executive director of the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless on April 16, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. The two organizations invite the community to discuss what homelessness looks like on Long Island, how the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless is working to end it and what we can do to help.

The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless was founded in 1985 as a grassroots

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

Champions again

This is the first time NSHAHS has won the boys basketball championship since 2014. The NSHAHS coach at the time, Elliot Steinmetz, left after the 2014 season to become the head men’s basketball coach at Yeshiva University, and led the YU Maccabees team to its 50 consecutive wins in 2021, the longest active winning streak in men’s college basketball.

The MVP of NSHAHS’s 2014 season, Cody Cohen, is now the assistant coach for the

local advocacy effort to bring non-profit organizations and other community partners together to unite around the cause of homelessness. The Coalition seeks to expand and enhance services to meet local needs. Their mission statement is, “To end homelessness on Long Island and alleviate the issues associated with homelessness and poverty for homeless and at-risk persons in Nassau and Suffolk Counties”.

The presentation is free and open to the public but donations of necessary toiletries for the families served by the Coalition are

boys’ basketball team. “Coach Cohen was really integral to our success, because he has the experience and knowledge about what it’s like to be on a winning team,” said Babayev. “When I took this job, one of my requests was to have an assistant coach who was also an alumnus and can be someone the students look up to.”

One of the challenges for student athletes at NSHA is that the dual-academics program is so rigorous it doesn’t leave a lot of free time for athletics, Muir said. The basketball team, like all the other sports

welcome and appreciated. Though not a complete list, some of the needed items include toothbrush/toothpaste, mouthwash, body wash, deodorant, washcloths, lotion, shampoo/conditioner, razor/shaving cream and toilet paper.

The program will take place at Temple Isaiah of Great Neck, located at One Chelsea Place, Great Neck, New York 11021 on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 2 p.m. The telephone number is 516-487-5373 for further information.

—Submitted by Amy Gorman

teams, practices about three times per week, while other public and private school teams practice up to six times per week. But Muir said the basketball team members were so motivated they would spend their own time studying film of past games and practices, learning about their opponents, and brushing up on strategies.

Babayev said the students’ dedication helped them become a championship team both on and off the court.

“I always tell them, we represent three things — the name on front of your jersey,

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

SET SECURITIES CORPORATION, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003M, Plaintiff, vs. AVRAHAM AGAGI, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 17, 2018, 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 11501 on May 3, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 118 Colonial Avenue, Great Neck, NY 11021-2730 a/k/a 118 Colonial 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 in the Incorporated Village of Thomaston, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 2, Block 207 and Lot 32. Approximate amount of judgment is $822,645.65 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 2737/2013. 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.

Kevin O’Brien, Esq, Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 223675-3 4-19-12-5; 3-29-2023-4T# 239976 GN

LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Village of Great Neck Plaza will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 7:00 PM at the Village Hall, Two Gussack Plaza, Great Neck, New York to consider a Conditional Use

Permit for Evan Chen to operate a Bubble Tea and Dessert Shop to be known as Yaaas Tea, located at 62 Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all persons interested in this matter will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public meeting.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

VILLAGE OF OREA

NECK PLAZA

Ted Rosen, Mayor Patricia O’Byrne, Clerk-Treasurer

4-5-2023-1T-#230014-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Village of Great

Neck Plaza will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 7:00 PM at the Village Hall, Two Gussack Plaza, Great Neck, New York to consider a Conditional Use

Permit for Tammy Huang to operate a Physical Therapy and Acupuncture Office to be known as Angel Alliance PT & AC PLLC, located at 38 S. Station Plaza, Great Neck

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER

NOTICE that all persons interested in this matter will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public meeting.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

VILLAGE OF OREA

NECK PLAZA

Ted Rosen, Mayor Patricia O’Byrne, Clerk-Treasurer 4-5-2023-1T-#240115-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of the Inc. Village of Russell Gardens’ Public Meeting on the 13th day of April 2023 at 8:00 P.M. is Cancelled

The Board of Trustees will hold a Special Meeting on the 10th day of April 2023 at 8:00 P.M. at Village Hall, located at 6 Tain Drive, Great Neck, New York to address annual resolutions and appointments. Please check the Village website for updated information.

Dated: 4/5/2023

By Order of the Board of Trustees Inc. Village of Russell Gardens David M. Miller, Mayor Danielle Pennise, Village Clerk Treasurer 4-5-2023-1T-#240215-GN

which is NSHAHS, the name on back of your jersey, which is your family, and the kippah on your head, which is for Hashem, who runs everything and makes sure that everything goes according to plan,” Babayev said. “The most important thing for students to keep in mind is that this is greater than their basketball career — it’s about holding ourselves to a higher value.”

—Written by Rachel Sales from North Shore Hebrew Academy

Greta Guarton (Contributed photo)

SCHOOL NEWS

LONG ISLAND BRAIN BEE WINNER

South High School sophomore Erin Wong is the winner of the fifth-annual Long Island Brain Bee, hosted by the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell on March 4. As the regional winner, Erin has earned a spot in the USA Brain Bee Championship at the University of California in April.

Erin is the first student from South High to ever win the LI Brain Bee at the Zucker School of Medicine. This year’s competition included over 70 students representing more than 25 Long Island high schools.

The LI Brain Bee is a one-day competition and the first leg of a nationwide competition. As the first-place finisher at this regional contest, Erin will advance to the USA Brain Bee Championship at the University of California, from April 21-23, and vie for a chance to compete on the worldwide stage at the International Brain Bee in Washington, DC, from August 1-5.

The annual LI Brain Bee exposes high school students to the study of the brain and encourages

SOUTH HIGH TEAM WINS REGIONAL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD; ADVANCES TO STATE TOURNAMENT

A Science Olympiad team from South High School is headed to the state tournament following their first-place win at a regional tournament in February. The team competed in the New York State Science Olympiad from March 17–18 at Le Moyne College in Syracuse; results pending.

A total of three teams from South High participated in the Nassau

West Regional Science Olympiad on Feb. 4. Team A won medals in 22 out of 23 events, earning first place in the regional tournament and a ticket to the New York State Science Olympiad. Teams B and C finished in third place and seventh place, respectively.

Team A, which will advance to the State Tournament, is comprised of Luke Huang, Colin, Hu, Brandon

Kim, Caden Li, Kira Nguyen, Keon Woo (Richard) Oh, Yida (Aiden) Pan, Amit Saha, Lauren Siong Sin, Emily Tsui, Erin Wong, Rachel Woo, Maggie Wu, Laura Zhang, and Richard Zhuang. The South High Science Olympiad co-advisors are science teachers Nicole Spinelli and Dr. James Truglio.

–Submitted by the Great Neck Public School District

early career interest in the fields of neuroscience research and clinical sciences. Participants also learn about the importance of scientific discovery to advance understanding of the brain and the treatment of neurological disorders.

—Submitted by the Great Neck Public School District

SOUTH HIGH STUDENT’S RESEARCH PUBLISHED IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL

Research conducted by South High School senior Richard Zhuang has been published in Journal of Emerging Investigators, a peer-reviewed journal for advanced high school projects. Richard is a member of the South High science research program and he conducted his research last year in the Honors Research Class led by teacher Nicole Spinelli.

Richard’s published research examines the impact of aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), a metabolite of the commonly used herbicide Roundup, on planaria. By monitoring the planaria’s health following exposure to AMPA, he discovered that it was toxic to these organisms. He further investigated possible mechanisms for toxicity by performing molecular docking simulations on targets from within a pathway involved in the dysfunction observed. Richard’s findings imply that AMPA could potentially be harmful to human health, and it is thus crucial to reduce

at South High School. (Contributed photo)

herbicide usage to prevent any adverse effects on humans.

Toxicity of Aminomethylphosphonic Acid via the Wnt Signaling Pathway, authored by Richard Zhuang and Ms. Spinelli, is featured in the March 8, 2023 edition of Journal of Emerging Investigators.

—Submitted by the Great Neck Public School District

MIDDLE SCHOOL LONG ISLAND SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR

Twenty-three students representing North Middle School and South Middle School presented their impressive research at the 2023 LISEF Thermo Fisher MASTERS Middle School Science Fair, held at Crest Hollow Country Club on March 7.

In total, Great Neck students received 8 of the 21 awards presented at this year’s fair. Submissions were adjudicated based on experimental design, data, conclusions and presentation, with top research projects awarded first place, second place, third place, and honorable mention.

Research conducted by North Middle students Melissa Baires, Ella Friedrich, and Sophia Rastegar that focused on the effectiveness of various hand sanitizers was awarded first place and nominated to advance to the 2023 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovator Challenge, the nation’s premier STEM research competition for middle school students.

North Middle School participants, with research partners listed together, were: Melissa Baires, Ella Friedrich, and Sophia Rastegar (first place award); Harrison Albin and Bo-chou (Stanley) Tsai (second place); Regina Cho, Keshin Huang, and Abigail Podwall (second place); Adriel Berookhim and Jaden Kahen (honorable mention); Liam Pilip, William Forrest, and Tiger Lian.

South Middle School participants, with research partners listed together, were: Jenny Chen (second place); Eric Bord and Edan Liahovetsky (second place);

Jackson Ranada-O’Mara and Issac Zheng (third place); Sarah Kyi, Mihou Tatsumi, and Josephine Wong (honorable mention); Zoe Gitman and Olivia Zhen.

Students conducted their research in science research classes led by teachers Elizabeth Leone at North Middle, and Brian Pernice and Hayley Trotta at South Middle.

—Submitted by the Great Neck Public School District

Three teams from South High competed at the Nassau West Regional Science Olympiad, earning first, third, and seventh place out of 42 teams. (Contributed photo)

First place students

Richard Zhuang is congratulated by Nicole Spinelli, science research teacher/ advisor

Erin Wong (Contributed photo)

South Middle participants.

North Middle participants. (Contributed photos)