The Nassau Observer 1/17/24 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

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Serving Levittown, Massapequa, Farmingdale, Hicksville, Plainview & Bethpage, Old Bethpage Also serving: Island Trees, Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa Park, Plainedge Vol. 77, No. 51

January 17 - 23, 2024

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK Making school affordable

INSIDE

Making school afford able Benefits of a parochial education Open houses

In Levittown: Northwell opens new late-night urgent care locations (See page 4) In Massapequa: Ribbon cutting for brand new business (See page 4)

What’s Disgusting?

Union Busting

Solar firm’s layoffs stir union action in Bethpage (See page 3)

In Hicksville: Students succeed in UNICEF reading challenge (See page 6)

Long Island Weekly: Podcast shares insights from non-speaking, autistic community (See page 14)

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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • ANTON MEDIA GROUP

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TOP STORY

Bethpage Responds To Questionable Anti-Union Practices LAUREN FELDMAN lfeldman@antonmediagroup.com

“W

hat’s disgusting? Union busting!”

This was the cry which could be heard up and down Stewart Ave, where a passionate rally took place on Saturday, Jan. 6. Amidst cloudy skies and below-freezing temperatures, a crowd gathered to support 21 solar-installation employees of EmPower Solar who were recently laid off under questionable circumstances.

Back in December, EmPower’s workforce voted 29-16 in favor of union representation. Shortly thereafter, 40 percent of the company’s employees were laid off, sparking accusations of union busting. On Jan.2 the union filed four charges with the National Labor Relations Board against EmPower.

In an opinion column submitted to Long Island Business News, UAW vice president Mike DiGiuseppe, alongside former EmPower employee Daniel Lozano, composed their case against EmPower. The column states that workers voted to unionize “because of [EmPower’s] labor practices,” among which “low-base wages” and a confusing, opaque bonus-structure were signaled out.

In response, the company claimed that, “EmPower’s wages and benefits are competitive, there is upside mobility... If workers are unhappy, they are free to leave and join one of the other 100-plus solar companies operating in this territory that compete in a thriving marketplace.”

However, it has been hard for UAW and furloughed employees to reconcile the company’s decision to hire a firm notorious for union-busting.

Chief executive and co-founder of EmPower, David Schieren, has made several statements against the accusations, claiming that the furlough of the 21 employees in December was unrelated to union busting tactics. Rather, he noted that the solar market has seen a downturn in recent months, and the layoffs reflect a quarterly decision the company makes based on interest rates, supply costs, and seasonal factors. “We are not anti-union,” he has stated repeatedly to several news sources.

These frustrations came to a head on Jan. 6 when the community rallied outside of EmPower’s offices against union busting. In attendance were fellow pro-union groups,

UAW Local 259 and members of the community gathered to support laid-off EmPower Solar employees. (Photos courtesy of Lauren Feldman)

Scabby the Rat also showed up to support EmPower’s fired workers.

UAW Local 259’s vice president Mike DiGiuseppe also spoke at the rally.

including Jobs With Justice and the DSA, as well as State Senator Kevin Thomas. During the rally there was an open-mic session for attendees to speak their minds.

“This workforce has gone through a brutal anti-union campaign,” said UAW president Brian Schneck. “That workforce stood

up, and won their election [to form a union] in a 2:1 vote. That workforce was then retaliated against, and told on December 29 that they were being laid off... We know what that means, it’s lipstick on a pig.”

Senator Thomas, a long-time partner with UAW, also spoke. “I am so proud to

UAW Local 259’s president Brian Schneck (left) alongside Senator Kevin Thomas (right), who attended in support of laid-off employees. stand with you all today and fight back against greed. EmPower Solar needs to treat their workers fairly. When all of us fight, we win! And this is what we will continue to do until we get what is fair, what is right.”

“This is America,” Thomas continued.

“The middle class is made strong because of unions. They gave us fairer wages, they gave us the regulations which have helped keep workers safe.”

EmPower’s furloughed employees also spoke at the rally, recalling the grueling work they experience as installers. “We’re up on roofs in 90-plus degree heat,” one employee said. “On days like that, a roof can reach a temperature of 150 degrees.

That burns through shoes, it burns though clothes... I’m in my 20s, and I need physical therapy for my back... EmPower Solar does not respect what I have done for them, what my co workers, and fellow employees have done for them. Enough is enough.”

Schieren has stated that he is hopeful negotiations can commence soon, though EmPower has also filed a counter-charge against UAW alleging false and defamation claims about the company have been made, to the detriment of EmPower’s public image. Among these have been claims of false statements regarding employee wages.

While the union is open to negotiations, DiGiuseppe has cautioned, “[EmPower] cannot and will not bully us. These guys don’t know who they’re dealing with if they think we’ll be bullied, or let [workers] be bullied.”

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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • ANTON MEDIA GROUP

NEIGHBORS IN THE NEWS Great Place To Work Awards Bethpage Federal Credit Union Bethpage Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in the Northeast region and the 15th largest in the nation, is the recipient of the Great Place to Work Certification™, a significant business award created

by Great Place to Work®, a global authority on workplace culture.

Based exclusively on confidential employee surveys, 97 percent of Bethpage employees said that when “you join Bethpage, you are made to feel welcome.” 96 percent of the Bethpage team feel good about the way Bethpage contributes to community. 94 percent feel that “people care about each other” at Bethpage. And 91 percent said that Bethpage is a “great place to work.”

Conducted on August 14, 2023 through August 28, 2023, the Great Place to Work survey measured employees’ perceptions of the Bethpage workplace and the quality of relationships therein.

“Our corporate culture fosters a positive work environment that promotes respect, collaboration, growth and inclusivity, so this is a very rewarding achievement for Bethpage,” said Linda Armyn, President and CEO, Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

“I’d like to thank each and every staff

member. We know that our employees are our greatest resource and we are as committed to them as we are to our members,” said Melissa Feeney, Chief Human Resources Officer.

With 800 employees, Bethpage runs employee clubs, lunch-andlearns, wellness engagement activities, and training and development programs. It’s “Bright Ideas” portal invites employees to submit ideas for top executives to read and evaluate. Benefits include tuition reimbursement, gym reimbursement and a pet discount care program.

In 2019, Bethpage launched a mobile communications platform called Connections, that keeps employees up to date on Bethpage Culture and Engagement events and also allows staffers to post newsworthy items as individuals, departments and branches. That same year, Bethpage Federal Credit Union was also voted the Glass Door Top Place to Work for Small & Midsize companies, another significant award based entirely on employee feedback. “Keeping everyone connected to the Bethpage Brand and all that it stands for, is critical to a successful work environment,” continued Feeney.

—Submitted by Bethpage Federal Credit Union

Party In The Park Comes To Massapequa Park Mayor Daniel Pearl, Deputy Mayor Tina Schiaffino, Trustees Dana Durso and Todd Svec joined to help cut the ceremonial ribbon celebrating the opening of Party in the Park on Park Boulevard in Massapequa Park. Pictured here from L-R: Trustee Dana

New Business In Plainview Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) recently joined community and business leaders in Plainview for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of YogaSix. YogaSix is a boutique yoga fitness studio whose mission calls for “changing the way people think and experience yoga” through inclusive, energetic, full-sensory workouts that are “designed to provide the mindbody experience of yoga that everyone deserves.”

“As stressful as the world around us can be, self-care in all of its forms has become more important than ever, and yoga can tremendously benefit the physical and mental health of its participants,” Legislator Drucker said. “I am glad that YogaSix has chosen Plainview for its latest location, and I wish owner Jessica Jackson tremendous success as she embarks upon this exciting venture in our community.”

—Submitted by the Office of Legislator Arnold W. Drucker

(Contributed photo)

Durso, Deputy Mayor Tina Schiaffino, Mayor Daniel Pearl, Owners Jenna and John Biancaniello and their children Johnny and Kaia Biancaniello, and Trustee Todd Svec.

—Submitted by Marcus Povinelli, Deputy Village Clerk

(Photo credit Ed Cox)

Northwell Health Urgent Care Centers Now Offer Late-Night Care Extended hours help patients avoid emergency room visits or postponing medical attention. Responding to community needs, Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care has expanded its late-night services, now with 10 locations providing expanded hours from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

Over the last 18 months, Northwell Health-GoHealth has evaluated the expansion of its late-night hours in Roslyn, one of the first centers to stay open until midnight.

The Roslyn center began to see an influx of late-night visits, improving access to care for nearby residents. That initiative prompted an analysis of other communities that would benefit from expanded hours. Northwell Health-GoHealth has since expanded hours at additional centers, including Mineola on Long Island, and Bulls Head in Staten Island most recently, in December.

“By extending our hours, we are increasing our delivery of care, when and where our community needs it most,” said Vivek Taparia, regional president. “Sore throats, fevers, coughs and minor injuries that require x-rays, sutures or other expert healthcare services don’t wait for a convenient time to

occur. With our late-night hours, we are caring for patients up until midnight, helping families avoid the emergency room or waiting until the next day for medical attention.”

The list of Northwell Health-GoHealth centers that are open until midnight now includes: Roslyn: 1033 Northern Blvd Lynbrook: 683 Sunrise Hwy Levittown: 3631 Hempstead Turnpike Elwood: 1912 Jericho Turnpike Bay Shore: 603 E Main St Mineola: 50 E Jericho Turnpike Additionally, a new center opening in Yaphank in early 2024 will also stay open until midnight. To help patients access any necessary ongoing or follow-up treatment, the centers’ providers can make priority referrals to top Northwell Health specialists.

Patients seeking care can be seen quickly and easily by walking into any of Northwell Health-GoHealth’s 59 centers or by going online to save a spot and pre-register. For details about all Northwell Health-GoHealth locations, visit https://www.gohealthuc.com/northwell.

—Submitted by Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care

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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • ANTON MEDIA GROUP

SCHOOL NEWS Life-Saving Staff Member Honored In Levittown A staff member who went above and beyond to save the life of a student at East Broadway Elementary School was honored at a recent Levittown Board of Education meeting.

Janice Reyes-Luzzi, a staff member at East Broadway, took immediate action when she saw a student show signs of choking. She quickly administered the Heimlich maneuver, which aided the student. At the board meeting, principal Jordan Margolis commended Mrs. Reyes-Luzzi.

“When we send our children to school each morning, we have faith that they will not only be engaged in learning but will be safe and cared for by the adults they come in contact with,” Mr. Margolis said. “As a building leader, having people on my team like Janice, who put children first, makes me proud to be a part of the East Broadway community. While we are highlighting this one brave and selfless act, Janice exemplifies these values on a daily basis.”

—Submitted by Levittown Public Schools

Hicksville Superintendent Dr. Ted Fulton surrounded by Lee Avenue fifth-graders after they enjoyed a pizza party lunch for their successful participation in a recent reading challenge that benefited UNICEF. (Contributed photo)

Lee Avenue Fifth-Graders Earn Pizza Party For A Successful Reading Challenge Hicksville fifth-grade students under the guidance of Hicksville teachers Maureen McMorrow and Jaclyn Svaral at Lee Avenue Elementary School recently won a pizza party lunch for their successful participation in The Learning A-Z Star Donation East Broadway Elementary School staff member Janice Reyes-Luzzi was commended for Challenge through the reading website her efforts in saving a student’s life. (Contributed photo) Raz-Kids. Raz-Kids is an interactive online guided reading program with interactive ebooks, downloadable books, and reading quizzes that allows students to read anytime, anywhere.

As the students completed challenges Seaford Manor Elementary School stubehavior affects others, with the power to throughout the four-week reading event that dents are learning just what it takes to be a build someone up or bring someone down. took place from Oct. 9 through Nov. 3 they Seaford Scholar. Throughout the year, they Ms. DeMieri and Ms. Friedman said that earned over 400,000 stars. Through the chalare getting an in-depth look at the 10 pillars goal was to give them the skills to choose the of the Seaford Scholars profile, an initiative former. that was introduced in September.

All sessions included a video reading of Each grade has The Bad Seed, a picture Students at Saltzman East Memorial partwo social and book by author Jory ticipated in the “Living History Museum”. emotional learnJohn and illustrator ing sessions per Pete Oswald that focus- Historical figures came to life with the push month, which are es on the personal abil- of a button and told visitors their stories.

This unique led by social worker ity of positive change. experience alJennifer DeMieri and Students also left with psychologist Lindsay a toolkit of self-awarelowed students Friedman. Those ness activities, such to learn about two sessions focus as writing in a journal, history in a new on the same Seaford making a gratitude list, and interacScholars trait, in creating a vision board tive way. Each which students learn and doing an emotions student chose a both what it means Seaford Manor Elementary School social check-in. historical figure and how to incorpo- worker Jennifer DeMieri, center, and Ms. DeMieri and Ms. to research psychologist Lindsay Friedman were rate it into their lives.

Friedman will focus and portray for For December, stu- joined by third graders, from left, Liam on all 10 pillars by the the museum dents explored being Waters, Ava Spinelli, Zoie Polyzogopoulos end of the year. Seaford exhibit. They and John Tripodi. mindful, including Scholars are comspent weeks (Contributed photo) how to be present municators, flexible, in the moment, be reflective learners and humorous, innovators, mindful, networkers, preparing understand the power of their words and principled, reflective, resilient and risk takers. for the event, (Contributed photo) actions.

“Each session is vital because it is teach- creating costumes, props, and scripts to bring their Ms. DeMieri and Ms. Friedman tailor ing students skills they will need throughchosen character to life. Visitors could walk their lessons for each grade level. For the out their whole lives,” Ms. DeMieri said. mindful sessions, kindergartners learned “The goal is that when they leave here, they through the museum, interacting with the students and their exhibits. Some historical how to exercise personal self-control, while are equipped and ready to navigate the figures represented included Harriet Tubfifth-graders discussed accountability and many challenges of the world.” consequences. They explored how their —Submitted by the Seaford School District man, Amelia Earhart, Martin Luther King

Seaford Scholars Learn Skills And Strategies At Manor

lenge, they earned more stars than any other class in New York state and saw firsthand the power of their hard work and the reward of giving back. For example, 4,000 stars was equal to one healthy snack, 11,000 stars was equal to one healthy meal, 4,000 stars was equal to 10 days of clean water and 11,000 stars was equal to 30 days of clean water, 4,000 stars was equal to school supplies and 11,000 stars would help build a school.

Those stars were donated to the nonprofit organization UNICEF and will make a real-world impact by providing healthy meals, clean water and school supplies to communities in need around the world.

—Submitted by Hicksville Public School

Time Traveling ‘Dalers Jr., and Albert Einstein.

The Living History Museum allowed students to showcase their creativity and knowledge and allowed visitors to learn about important historical figures and their contributions to society.

The event was a great success and a wonderful learning experience for all involved.

For more information about the Farmingdale Union Free School District, please visit the district’s website at https:// www.farmingdaleschools.org and like our Facebook page: @FarmingdaleSchoolDistrict.

—Submitted by the Farmingdale School District

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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • ANTON MEDIA GROUP

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

Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, 999 Old Country Rd. Registration is not required.

THURSDAY, JAN 18

TUESDAY, JAN 23

Healthy Meal Prep 101 6:30 p.m. There’s never been a better time to learn how to meal prep! Making meals in advance can save you time, money, and an enormous number of calories. In this class, you’ll learn everything you need to know with certified nutritionist Marlo Signoracci! Discover: Key staple ingredients you should always have in your kitchen, the best tips for getting started and becoming a pro in a week, which kitchen gadgets and appliances save you time, the benefits of meal prep and why it’s so important for your health (and wallet!)

This is an in-person class taking place in Hicksville Library’s Training Room, 169 Jerusalem Ave. Register to reserve your spot today.

Library Cinema: Gran Turismo (2023) 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Based on the unbelievable, inspiring true story of a team of underdogs - a struggling, working-class gamer, a failed former race car driver, and an idealistic motorsport exec - who risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world. Preference given to UFSD #22 residents. Rated: PG-13, length: 134 Minutes. Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal & Dar Salim. This event is taking place at the Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Rd. No registration required.

Van Gogh in Auvers 2 p.m. Vincent Van Gogh spent the last two months of his life in Auverssur-Oise, FR before his death in July, 1890. He was at his most prolific period in this last residence and some of his best works come from this brief period such as “Wheatfield with Crows,” “Tree Roots,” “Daubigny’s Garden,” “The Church at Auvers,” “View of Auverssur-Oise,” and multiple “Portraits of Dr.

(Wheatfield with Crows, Vincent van Gogh)

Gachet.” This lecture focuses exclusively on the prolific creative burst of life and energy Van Gogh demonstrated just prior to his death at age 37. This is also the subject of an international traveling exhibition that began in Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum in 2023 and will conclude in Paris’s Musee D’Orsay in February, 2024. Professor Thomas Germano will present this visual lecture at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, 999 Old Country Rd.

SUNDAY, JAN 21 Ride: Songs of the West 2 p.m. Marc Berger’s album, Ride, was inspired by his lifelong love affair with the American West. Its ten cuts of original music capture the romance of

Your Traditions.

the West and explore its deep roots in the American psyche, while taking you on a dusty tour of the Great American Frontier. This concert is in-person at the Bethpage Public Library; 47 Powell Ave. Registration is not required.

MONDAY, JAN 22 Pancake Night for Students Studying for Midterms / Regents 6 p.m. Grades 8 and up. Students are invited to take a break from studying and join us for some hot and delicious pancakes. Pancakes will be served from 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm and students may use the use the meeting rooms to study until 8:45 pm. All pancakes will need to be enjoyed in meeting rooms A and B. This event is taking place at the

(Image credit Plainview - Old Bethpage Public Library)v

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ANTON MEDIA GROUP • JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024

FULL RUN

THE

All Hail The King Of Monsters!

PAGE

Godzilla turns 70 in 2024

in Japanese, comes from a portmanteau of the Japanese words for “gorilla” and “whale”.

Originally imagined as an octopus monster, the film makers aolsen@antonmediagroup.com settled on a dinosaur creature. he Godzilla film For those who don’t know, he franchise is recognized lives as a remnant species on by the Guinness Book Odo island, a remote fictional of World Records as island off Japan, until he is the longest running in history, disturbed by underwater nuclear with its most recent iteration bomb testing and is exposed to being Godzilla Minus One, radiation. This causes him to which at the time of this writing grow, gain special powers, and is still in theaters. It invented an become very angry. entire method of special effects, I remember my first Godzilla inspired generations of fans, and movie vividly. I am sad to say, it brought Japanese pop culture was not Godzilla (1954), which to America. Throughout its long was released in Japan 70 years history, the creature itself has ago this year. It was Godzilla been the hero, the villain, and vs. Mothra. TBS used to run even the avatar of nature against Kaiju films frequently for their humanity. weekend matinees; I have read Gojira, the monster’s name that a Godzilla movie ran every

AMANDA OLSEN

T

week somewhere in the United States from 1960 to the mid1990s. I have strong memories of Mothra’s vibrant wings, the twin interpreters, and Godzilla’s blank-eyed stare. It was my first introduction to a foreign film. I remain a steadfast Mothra fan, but as I’ve grown older I have gained an appreciation for all that Godzilla did for cinema and pop-culture in general.

My brother Josh, who is my own personal Godzilla expert, has a completely different origin story for his fandom. He acknowledged Godzilla as a ubiquitous presence in our time growing up in the 1980s

see 70 YEARS on page 2A

Movie poster for the 1954 Japanese film Godzilla.

(Toho Company Ltd. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Production still of either Haruo Nakajima or Katsumi Tezuka portraying Godzilla via suitmation in Godzilla (1954).

(Still by Toho Company Ltd., Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

1A

2A JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • ANTON MEDIA GROUP

FULL RUN

70 YEARS from page 1A and ‘90s, with the TBS matinées and the Marvel comic series. But he cites a specific encounter at the corner store with our dad as his catalyst. There was a tiny VHS rental section at this the most masterful store and one of the videos for of all the dinosaur movies rent was Godzilla Vs. Megalon. because it made you “I saw that there and asked him (our dad) if I could rent it. believe it was And I think specifically because really happening. it was Dad, he said yes. I think —Steven Spielberg, it was a Saturday where dad and I Director were hanging out, and I’m pretty sure he watched it with me. I feel like he did.

So that was the first one that I watched, Haruo_Nakajima taking a Godzilla vs Megalon, which to this day is break from the suit during still my favorite,” Josh told me in a phone shooting of Godzilla Raids interview.

Again (1955) Godzilla (1954) pioneered the “suitmation” technique, where an actor would wear a handcrafted monster suit in a meticulous miniature set, with shots of live actors added in post-production. Haruo Nakajima, who portrayed Godzilla from 1954 to 1972, said the materials used to make the 1954 suit (rubber, plastic, cotton, and latex) were hard to find after World War II. The first suit, weighing more than 220 lb, consisted of a body cavity made of thin wires and bamboo wrapped in chicken wire for support and covered in fabric and cushions, which were then coated in latex. It was held together by small hooks on the back, though subsequent Godzilla suits incorporated a zipper. Prior to 1984, most Godzilla suits were made from scratch, thus resulting in slight design changes in each film appearance.

These special effects details helped my brother and I connect with our Dad. He isn’t as big a fan, but something he does love is special effects. We often talked about stop motion, makeup, miniatures, and camera techniques.

My immediate family members aren’t the only ones who were enamored with the innovations Godzilla brought to film.

The localized version of the original film, released in the United States as Still from the trailer for Mothra.

Godzilla: King of Monsters!, came out in 1956 starring the actor Raymond Burr.

Steven Spielberg cited Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (1956), as an inspiration for Jurassic Park (1993). During that film’s production, Spielberg described Godzilla as “the most masterful of all the dinosaur movies because it made you believe it was really happening.” The movie has also been noted as an inspiration for Tim Burton and Martin Scorsese. There is a metal band from France called Gojira, the Japanese name for Godzilla, and our own Blue Oyster Cult has an iconic song titled “Godzilla.”

Godzilla became, in a strange way, Eiji Tsuburaya (in front of a the gateway drug for Americans to begin Godzilla costume) with his finding Japanese cultural imports acceptspecial effects crew on the able. The movie was released in the United set of Godzilla (1954) States within a decade of the end of World War II, with both Pearl Harbor and the atomic bombs still fresh in minds on both sides. Astroboy and Speed Racer and the birth of Anime were still a decade away.

The localized version of the film, made more palatable for American audiences, allowed them to begin to see the Japanese as other people and not just a faceless enemy. This has progressed to a point where we have an American studio adapting the character for a whole new generation of fans.

Godzilla (1954) is one of the few Godzilla movies that takes itself absolutely seriously. It was partially conceived in response to the Lucky Dragon 5 incident, where a boat full of Japanese fishermen were exposed to radiation from the American “Castle Bravo” nuclear test off Bikini Atoll. It was always a metaphor for nuclear weapons. Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka has stated, “The theme of the film, from the beginning, was the terror of the bomb. Mankind had created the bomb, and now nature was going to take revenge on mankind.” Because of what the people of Japan had gone through, they both feared and sympathized with Godzilla. Yes, it was a rage-filled monster destroying what they had just begun to rebuild, but it was also a victim of this force humanity had unleashed without fully understanding it. He is the avatar of nature wronged by man.

In that way, Godzilla’s most enduring legacy may be its mutability. The character can be a hero, as in Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster, where he protects the earth from the titular extraterrestrial three-headed dragon kaiju. He can be a villain, as he often is in the early days, taking revenge on Japan for being made radioactive and for being disturbed from his resting place. He can be nature itself, wreaking havoc in the name of bringing balance back to the ecosystem, as we saw in the Legendary films and others.

In the course of discussing our shared history with this character, my brother had this to say about Godzilla’s ever-changing persona: “I think that’s one of the most endearing and enduring things about the character is that it keeps being reinvented and fading away and coming back, which gives it a kind of longevity… American studios are making Godzilla movies. You see people like Hideki Anno make his own Godzilla because he loved it when he was a kid.

And then these new films come out and influence kids who are young now. And when they get older, they’re going to talk about how they discovered Godzilla…

People are viewing this character and interpreting it in their own ways. And it becomes a part of their own cultural fabric. And then the next generation makes it their own. So Godzilla, in that way, it’s kind of a modern myth. It’s a worldwide myth that originated from Japan, and we don’t really see a lot of those.”

My oldest son is now also a true Godzilla fan. He got his start watching these films on visits to my brother’s apartment. Long live the king.

—Additional information from Wikipedia

ANTON MEDIA GROUP • JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024

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Now through March 10

An entirely new way to see this legendary period.

The multidisciplinary exhibition brings the era to life through works by John Singer Sargent, William Merritt Chase, Mary Cassatt, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Alfred Stieglitz, among others, plus fashion, sculpture, photographs, furnishings, memorabilia and decorative objects.

The Museum mansion, itself, provides the authentic backdrop as it was both the opulent home of the wealthy Bryce and Frick families - and the livelihood for the work force needed to sustain it.

See It Now

Purchase exhibition tickets at the museum or online NassauMuseum.org/exhibitions

Experience

More as a Museum Member Join at the museum or online NassauMuseum.org/membership

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SCOUT NEWS

T

Girl Scout Cookies Are Back

he Girl Scout cookie program, the world’s largest entrepreneurial program for Girl Scouts, is back in full swing – cookies are on sale now. Girl Scouts of Nassau County announced that the Girl Scout Cookie Program® is returning to communities throughout Nassau County now through March 28, 2024. During this highly anticipated time of the year, Girl Scouts flex their entrepreneurial muscles and acquire important life skills like money management, team building, public speaking and decision making. All proceeds from cookie sales stay with local councils and troops to power Girl Scouts’ amazing experiences year-round.

“When you see Girl Scouts selling their iconic cookies, you may see a tasty treat, but we see Girl Scouts who are gaining important life skills. Girl Scouts who are learning how to set

goals and explore innovative ways to reach those goals. Scouts who are creating business plans and thinking outside the box to market their products,” said Randell Bynum, CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County. “When you purchase cookies, you are supporting Girl Scout adventures, troop travel, summer camp experiences, and community service projects, while teaching them invaluable skills that they will use for a lifetime.

Support your local Girl Scout by buying a box or two today!”

Between January 5 and March 28, Girl Scouts from across Nassau County will be selling boxes of Girl Scout Cookies in-person to family and friends and online through their digital storefronts. Beginning February 24, Girl Scouts will also be selling cookies at booth sales in front of local stores and community centers. All proceeds from the cookie program go toward

Girl Scout Brownies and cookies.

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of Nassau County is proud to bring back Operation Cookie and Hometown Heroes as its 2024 annual Gift of Caring Program. Through a partnership with DHL Express, customers can donate boxes of Girl Scout Cookies which will be sent to active-duty members of the United States military stationed both overseas and on Long Island, in addition to local essential workers and first responders.

“Each box purchased is a new door opened for a young girl in the community; an opportunity for them to explore

their leadership potential, practice their creativity, build lifelong friendships and help make the world a better place,” said Bynum.

This year’s cookie line-up includes all the long-standing favorites— Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Trefoils, Lemon-Ups, Girl Scout S’mores, Toffee-tastic and Adventurefuls.

Girl Scout Cookies can only be purchased from a registered Girl Scout. Customers who would like to support their local Girl Scouts can purchase cookies in-person or online via the Digital Cookie platform that includes direct delivery. To find Girl Scouts selling cookies near you, visit www.girlscoutcookies.org.

Girl Scouts in grades K–12 can start their journey to fun, friendship and new experiences by joining the world’s largest entrepreneurial organization for girls at any point in the year. Girls can join and adults

can become a volunteer at www.gsnc.org/join. For more information about Girl Scouts of Nassau County, visit www. gsnc.org.

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs in Nassau County, across Long Island and from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want

to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alumni, Girl Scouts leads the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.

To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org.

—Submitted by Girl Scouts of Nassau County

Girl Scout Juniors holding cookie boxes at their booth sale. (Photos by Girl Scouts of Nassau County)

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Classes Start Second week in September.

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funding exciting and engaging Girl Scout experiences, activities, and initiatives.

With the return of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, Girl Scouts

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COLUMNS

A Trip To The Supermarket Makes Me Angry I consider myself a pretty calm and reserved person. It takes a lot to get me angry and I think that has helped me to be a very stable individual. But I have come across some news that could make any citizen angry. It deals with a company named Carrefour.

Carrefour is one of the largest grocery chains in Europe. It has enormous buying power, which makes it a threat to any company that sells its grocery products. According to The Wall Street Journal, Carrefour, which does business in 30 countries, has told PepsiCo the owner of such products as Pepsi, Lays, Quaker Oats, Lipton Tea and Doritos, that it will no longer sell their products because of “unacceptable price increases.”

During the worldwide COVID pandemic, many large companies took advantage of

INSIDE POLITICS Jerry Kremer

homebound consumers and raised their prices dramatically.

Some blamed it on supply chain issues and others came up with their own excuses. The net result of the large consumer prices was that hundreds, if not thousands, of companies

reported obscene income, which made their stock prices explode upward.

The COVID disaster is long gone, but that has not stopped many of the major companies from continuing to raise their prices, out of nothing but pure greed. If they didn’t raise the price of your favorite product, some found a way to increase profits by reducing the package size.

As a typical example of price inflation, France reported that as of March, 2023, food price inflation hit 16 percent. Overall, during this past year food prices in that country went up 7.1 percent over 12 months. Happily for U.S. consumers, inflation has been going down dramatically, but that has not stopped many companies from continuing to raise prices to appease stockholders.

You don’t have to be a specialist to take a trip to the nearby supermarket and go aisle by aisle, looking at some of your favorite products. You will find, as I did, that the box of my favorite cereal is two ounces lighter, but the same price. My favorite candy bar shrank in size, but costs the same.

I am not advocating a nationwide consumer revolt because that is above my pay grade, but maybe the next time you go shopping and you have the same experience I did, ask for the manager and tell that person how upset you are with the costs of your favorite products.

That kind of feedback might motivate some manufacturer to start thinking about price reductions. If you say nothing then you are giving up the fight at a time when a fight is required.

Karl V. Anton, Jr., Publisher, Anton Community Newspapers, 1984-2000 Publishers of Glen Cove/ Oyster Bay Record Pilot Great Neck Record Manhasset Press Nassau Illustrated News Port Washington News Syosset-Je richo Tribune The Nassau Observer The Roslyn News Editor and Publisher Angela Susan Anton President Frank A. Virga Vice President of Operations/ CFO Iris Picone Director of Sales Administration Shari Egnasko Editors Janet Burns, Jennifer Corr, Lauren Feldman, Christy Hinko, Amanda Olsen, Julie Prisco, Contributing Editor Joe Scotchie Advertising Sales Ally Deane, Mary Mallon, Sal Massa, Maria Pruyn, Jeryl Sletteland Director of Circulation Joy DiDonato

The Other “R” Word For January 2024 Since January 2017, I’ve been sharing a listing of New Year’s Resolutions I intend to keep over the next 12 months.

Studies have shown that by the time pitchers and catchers report to Spring training in mid-February, most people have failed miserably in their quest to keep their resolutions. As promised in previous years, I’m not eating healthier or losing weight; I’m happily spending my children’s inheritance; I’m procrastinating more, and I have not eaten any man-made concoctions pretending to be meat.

That said, resolutions are for people who have responsibilities in life and need to stay on the straight and narrow. I am proud to announce that this moniker no longer applies to me.

You see, I no longer have any responsibilities. I’m no longer required to go to bed early on a Tuesday night or get up early in the morning. Our children are grown and standing on their own two feet without our assistance. For me, January 2024 represents a different “R” word other than resolutions.

I’ve Retired.

After more than 50 years, beginning with odd jobs and culminating with a career as a Healthcare IT Professional for

LONG ISLAND LIVING Paul DiSclafani pdisco23@aol.com

Northwell, I’ve decided to hang up my spikes and call it a career.

It all started when I needed my own money the summer I turned 15. My father suggested I see if they needed any help in the pizza parlor (that’s what we called it back then) down the block from our home in Massapequa.

It was owned by an elderly couple that reminded me of my grandparents. I was nervous, not at the thought that my prospective employer would say “no,” but that they might say “yes.”

The first question he asked was, “Are you sure you will show up when you are supposed to?” I thought it an odd question, but it proved to be a tenant for the rest of my life. It was all about personal responsibility. You

agree to something, and you stick with it.

We agreed to a few days a week that summer for a dollar an hour.

I learned the fine art of floor sweeping, counter wiping, and washing pots and pans. They wouldn’t let me near the oven, but I could have all the Italian ices I wanted.

Most of all, I learned the value of earning (and spending) my own money. They paid me cash, and I worked hard for those 20 or so dollars each week. Who knew anything about taxes or W2s back then?

Unlike retiring athletes, regular people haven’t made a fortune plying our trade. We depend on Social Security and pensions or 401K plans to get us through the next 25 or so years.

Now that I’m turning 67, my reflection in the mirror confirms my future is now.

So, instead of resolutions, how about a few proclamations for 2024?

• I’m going to smoke more cigars. I know it’s a disgusting habit, and I would never do it in my house, but there are no rules outside or in a local cigar lounge.

• No more alarm clocks. If I’m retired, so is my alarm clock.

Other than to ensure I wake up

early to go fishing or catch a plane, fuggedaboutit.

• I’ll help with the laundry by wearing the same clothes the next day if possible. Of course, I’ll always have fresh underwear; that goes without saying.

But there is no reason I can’t wear the same pair of jeans or a shirt two days in a row. I’m not digging ditches or putting up sheetrock. I’m typing on a laptop or driving in my car to get lunch.

• My days of reaching for the check when out with my friends who have already retired are over. Now that we are all on a fixed income, get ready for separate bills, gents.

Retirement means I’ll have more time to hang out with my wife, write this column, work on my next book, or do just about anything I want. My life no longer has any rules, and I no longer have a boss to tell me what to do.

Wait, what’s this? A list of chores from my wife? Straighten out the basement? Fold a load of laundry? Vacuum the living room? Oh, no - it’s the dreaded “Honey-Do” list! Wait, I’m retired! I’m retired!! I don’t have to…

Does anybody know the telephone number for Northwell Human Resources?

Director of Production Robin Carter Creative Director Alex Nuñe z Art Director Catherine Bongiorno Senior Page Designer Donna Duffy Page Designer Christina Dieguez Director of Business Administration Linda Baccoli Director of Accounting Darrie Dolan

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by Anton Media Group.

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All letters must include an address and daytime telephone number for verification. All material contributed to Anton Media Group in any form becomes the property of the newspapers to use, modify and distribute as the newspaper staff assigns or sees fit. Letters to the editor can be mailed to: editors@ antonmediagroup.com Additional copies of this and other issues are available for purchase by calling 5 16 -403 -5 120.

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COLUMNS

NYC Transit Subway Rail Car Derailments And Disruptions Will Continue It was disappointing to read about the latest NYC Transit Subway Car derailment.

Periodic derailments, signal problems, vandalism, third rail, flooding, crime and other issues continue to plague the system.

All result in significant disruption of day to day service that over 4 million daily NYC Transit subway riders count on. This latest incident took place on the Manhattan upper west side NYC Transit #1 local subway line.

This route runs from the South Ferry, Manhattan station to the Bronx Van Cortland Park 242nd Street station. It appeared to have been based upon an out of service subway train being vandalized. It was found that several emergency cords had been pulled by a rider. NYC Transit employees were able to reset all but one. This resulted in the train not being easily able to be moved from the station. Pulling the emergency cord continues to be an every day occurance. This results in service disruptions and periodic removal of trains from passenger service. There

PENNER STATION Larry Penner

is also periodic soiling of trains by passengers, vandalism of car windows, doors and excessive graffiti both inside and outside of trains. These also contribute to removal of trains from passenger service.

There are solutions to these problems. It requires the MTA & NYC Transit to allocate billions in additional funding and making proactive investments a priority over other multi-billion dollar capital expansion projects.

Installation of cameras inside

and outside of all 6400 subway cars would help. This would assist both the motorman and conductor in monitoring activity both on the tracks and within the train. Video recordings would be invaluable in assisting the MTA police to more easily identify the culprits who pulled emergency cords, soiled subway seats or floors, vandalized both subway car doors and windows.

The annual loss of several hundred million to fare evaders must also be dealt with. How many fare evaders also commit these crimes?

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber and NYC Transit President Richard Davey must lobby Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Steward Cousins, State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and the NYC Council for stronger legal penalties for those committing these acts. Cashless bail must end. Serving real jail time combined with several hundred hours of community service to clean and scrub

damaged subway cars is a must.

All five NYC District Attorneys must be instructed to enforce these new laws.

Successful implementation of Communication Based Train Control (CBCT) has improved both safety and reliability for the Flushing #7 line. It runs from Main Street Flushing Queens to Manhattan Hudson Yards and also the Canarsie L line that runs from Rockaway Parkway, Brooklyn to Manhattan crossing the 14th Street corridor from 1st to 8th Avenue Introduction and complete installation for Communication Based Train Control must be a priority for funding in the upcoming MTA 2025 - 2029 Five Year Capital Plan. The same holds true for bringing all signal systems, interlockings and third rail power for all 26 NYC Transit subway lines up to a state of good repair. Too many are decades old and sometimes beyond their useful life Riders can’t afford to wait for completion of the next MTA 2025 - 2044 Twenty Year and the following

2045 -2064 Twenty Year Capital Plan before all of this is accomplished. These investments will collectively reduce the number of derailments, providing riders with a more safe and reliable system. There should be far fewer derailments and delays in service.

Any system expansion projects such at the $7.7 Billion Second Avenue Subway Phase 2, $3.1 billion Metro North Bronx East Penn Station Access, $8 Billion Penn Station Upgrade or $5.5 Billion Brooklyn to Queens Light Rail Connector must be placed on hold. It is a higher priority to allocate any of these funds to provide safe, daily reliable service to the 5.5 billion pre COVID-19 subway riders. These other four projects collectively benefit far fewer riders.

Safe and reliable service for the existing 26 subway lines, which are serving 472 stations and currently 4 million plus daily NYC Transit subway riders, should be the watchwords of the day for MTA & NYC Transit Management.

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Paws Of War Helps Soldiers And Dogs Come Together

special Christmas came early for two dogs, a US Army veteran and soldier. Long Island based Paws of War recently hosted a special event in NYC with Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw. DeGraw and Paws of War reunited a soldier with her dog that she befriended while serving in the Middle East and gave a service dog to a LI veteran from Glen Cove.

Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw joined Paws of War for a special “Heroes Home for the Holidays” event. Paws of War and DeGraw welcomed home U.S. Army First Lieutenant Alyse Schnurr and reunited her with her dog Kucik, who befriended her when she was stationed in the Middle East. Paws of War rescued Kucik and brought the dog to the United States for the emotional reunion.

DeGraw also presented U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Brustien from Glen Cove

with a service dog, Sadie, courtesy of Paws of War. Brustien has faced many challenges since his years in the service and Sadie will play an important role in helping him enjoy life.

DeGraw performed original songs and Christmas carols from his recently released Christmas album A Classic Christmas.

The event took place at The Wilson in Manhattan where Paws of War supporters, veterans, first responders and active military service members enjoyed an evening with DeGraw.

Rescuing animals from overseas and placing service dogs with our heroes is a costly expense. Paws of War needs support to complete its important mission of providing support to veterans and first responders. To donate, please visit https:// pawsofwar.org/donate.

—Submitted by Paws Of War

Paws of War and singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw gifted U.S. Army Staff Sargeant Matthew Brustien with a new service dog at the organization’s Heroes Home for the Holidays event.

(Photo by Paws of War)

Governor Hochul Announces New Initiatives To Fight Crime, Improve Public Safety Governor Kathy Hochul announced several initiatives to keep New Yorkers safe as a part of her 2024 State of the State address. As New Yorkers remain seriously concerned about crime and public safety, Governor Hochul announced the launch of a joint operation of law enforcement agencies to crack down on retail theft to support small businesses and provide peace of mind to customers. State investments will also support the successful prosecution of domestic violence perpetrators and keep guns out of the hands of offenders. Governor Hochul is also directing the Department of Health’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention to implement a comprehensive set of strategies aimed at preventing gun violence.

Building on the Governor’s continued efforts to combat hate crimes, Governor Hochul will propose legislation to expand the list of offenses eligible for prosecution as hate crimes.

“If government can’t keep New Yorkers safe, nothing else matters,” Governor Hochul said. “In the past year, we’ve reduced gun violence and brought shootings down by more than a third statewide.

Our success in bringing down gun violence proves that targeted strategies work — and changing trends is possible.”

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has continued to prioritize initiatives and

investments to make New York safer. In 2023, shootings were down substantially from their pandemic peak, both in New York City, down roughly 38 percent from 2021, and down roughly 35 percent in jurisdictions around the state. New York City has now returned to 2016 levels of shootings and other jurisdictions have returned to 2017 levels.

Governor Hochul is proposing a

comprehensive plan to tackle property crime, provide relief to small businesses, and bring peace of mind to New Yorkers while they shop. Across the state, property crime has risen exponentially since the pandemic. From January to June 2023, larceny in New York City was up 12 percent over the same period in 2022 and up 58 percent compared to the first six months of 2017. In the rest of the state,

although 2 percent down from 2017, larceny has risen 3 percent year over year, trending upward. As a result, business owners and retail workers are facing increased stress and financial strain, and New Yorkers are concerned and frustrated running simple errands at a local pharmacy, grocery story or retail shop.

—From the office of Governor Kathy Hochul

No Kid Hungry New York Applauds Commitments To Fighting Child Hunger Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed in her State of the State that New York has opted-in and will prioritize funding for Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), a new federal program that could provide approximately $200 million in food aid to as many as 2 million vulnerable children across the state. The Governor also announced a commitment to screen more families for WIC, a federal nutrition program designed specifically to help pregnant women and new moms afford essentials like formula, milk and fresh

produce. The following is a statement from No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella: “Hunger is on the rise in New York, and we applaud Governor Hochul for taking action to keep children healthy and nourished. Locking in Summer EBT represents a historic opportunity to dramatically reduce hunger for kids across New York by helping their families afford groceries when schools close for summer break. We are also pleased the State is taking steps to expand access to WIC, a critical resource

for the health and development of our youngest New Yorkers, as well as other key programs that support families facing hunger and poverty across the state.”

As rising inflation has driven up grocery prices, families are struggling more than ever to afford essential staples. No Kid Hungry’s 2023 poll showed 2 in 5 New York families experiencing a symptom of food insecurity, and nearly 3 in 4 New Yorkers reported it harder to afford groceries last year than in 2022.

—Submitted by No Kid Hungry

AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

JANUARY 17 – 23, 2024

INSIDE

Making school affordable Benefits of a parochial education Open houses

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2B JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

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OPEN HOUSE 1/28 12:00 - 2:00 PM Featuring four distinct levels including a unique dedicated building for Grades 6-8

• Cherubs (Ages 2+) • Early Childhood (N-K) • Elementary School (Grades 1-5) • Middle School (Grades 6-8)

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SAINTMARYSES.ORG | 516-627-0184

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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK • JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 3B

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK JANUARY 28 – FEBRUARY 3, 2024

Catholic Schools Week 2024 Open House Directory The following is a listing of Catholic elementary schools across Long Island St. Martin of Tours School Amityville www.smtschool.org

St. Joseph School Garden City www.st-josephschool.com

St. Rose of Lima School Massapequa www.stroseschool.net

St. Patrick School Bay Shore www.spsbayshore.org

Holy Family School Hicksville www.hfsli.org

Notre Dame School New Hyde Park www.ndsnet.org

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School Bellmore www.steas.com

St. Patrick School Huntington www.stpathunt.org

Holy Child Academy Old Westbury www.holychildacademy.org

Our Lady Queen of Apostles School Center Moriches www.olqany.org St. Mary School East Islip www.saintmaryschoolei.org Trinity Regional School East Northport www.trinityregional.org Our Lady of Victory School Floral Park www.olvfp.org St. Anne’s School Garden City www.stannesgcschool.org

Long Beach Catholic Regional School Long Beach www.lbcrs.org Our Lady of Peace School Lynbrook www.olpschoollynbrook.org Our Lady of Lourdes School Malverne www.ollmalverne.org St. Mary’s Elementary School Manhasset www.stmary11030.org Our Lady of Grace Montessori Manhasset www.olgmanhasset.com

St. Dominic Elementary School Oyster Bay www.stdomsob.org Holy Angels Regional School Patchogue www.holyangelsregional.org St. John Paul II Regional School Riverhead www.sjp2regional.org St. Agnes Cathedral School Rockville Centre www.stagnes-school.org

St. William the Abbot School Seaford www.stwilliamtheabbot.net St. Patrick School Smithtown www.spssmith.org Our Lady of the Hamptons Regional School Southampton www.olhamptons.org St. Edward the Confessor School Syosset www.stedwardconfessor.org St. Martin De Porres Marianist School Uniondale www.stmartinmarianist.org Holy Name of Mary School Valley Stream www.hnomschool.org

Sts. Philip and James School St. James www.sspjschool.net

St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional School Westbury www.stbolh.org

Maria Regina School Seaford www.mariareginaschool.org

St. Aidan School Williston Park www.staidanschool.org

Note: Some schools will conduct private tours for families and/or small groups. These will be done by appointment. Appointments can be scheduled on each school’s website.

Visit www.licatholicelementaryschools.org to see more details about all school open houses and tour instructions.

4B JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

The Benefits Of Catholic School

By Amanda Maroney

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

T

he decorum of a Catholic school student can be seen with bare eyes.

As I complete my last year of Catholic high school, I have discovered the many benefits that Catholic school has provided to me thus far in life. Whether it be the mannerisms that I have obtained, or the plethora of knowledge on various topics, Catholic school has built me to be the person I am today.

It was in kindergarten that I first began my journey into Catholic school at Notre Dame School [in New Hyde Park]. From first learning the “Our Father” prayer, to ending my years at Notre Dame studying scripture in the Bible, my knowledge expanded greatly before entering high school.

At Kellenberg Memorial High School, I have a better understanding of the content being taught, and now I have such a great interpretation of my faith. Having the roots of Catholicism developed at such a young age no longer makes attending mass a series of motions. I have come to understand what is occurring, and how Jesus becomes present in my life weekly.

Catholic school has not only helped me grow in my faith life, but it has also molded me into a well-rounded, responsible, and respectful woman. I have found confidence in myself, through public speaking and

Amanda Maroney leadership roles that I was given. It has taught me that the classroom is not the only place you learn. It is through the readings you do at mass, the solos you have in chorus, or the position of being class president that shape you to become wiser, not solely “book smart.”

In addition, the simple acts of respect become expectations when attending Catholic school. The sense of regard towards adults from the younger generation is quickly diminishing, due to the lack of discipline. At Catholic school, it is taught

how to be polite and homage towards all people around you, no matter the age. A simple “Mr.” or “Mrs.” before a name, or an extra second to hold the door, are small lessons that will last a lifetime for me.

These are small lessons that are now big differences in this generation.

I would not be writing this if I truly did not believe that being in Catholic school has changed my life. Catholic school does not necessarily mean that I am smarter than everyone else, or that I will be more successful than others. It does however mean that I have adapted a lifestyle that will positively impact me and this world in the future. A lifestyle of respect, mannerism, and etiquette has become something I will continue to pursue, with thanks to Catholic school.

Amanda Maroney is a senior at Kellenberg Memorial High School, and attended grammar school at Notre Dame R.C. school. She has always been a student athlete, beginning in grammar school being involved in CYO swimming, volleyball, basketball, and travel soccer. Currently, she is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as a member of the varsity volleyball team, and captain of the varsity diving team. Amanda is also a religious education teacher at St.Anne’s Parish for the past two years, teaching both third and first grade.

Outside of school, she plays travel and

(Getty Images)

beach volleyball, she is a lifeguard and a swim coach, and she babysits. She loves traveling, and has a goal of visiting as many countries as possible during her life. Although she is unsure of her career, she would like to pursue something that provides an opportunity to write, possibly in communications, law, or journalism. Her parents, Cristina and Matthew Maroney, are the two people whom she gives the utmost credit for her success and support in all of her achievements. She is very family-oriented, as she was raised living next to her best friend, her grandmother, in New Hyde Park. Her brother, John Patrick Maroney, is her role model, as he is a Division 1 swimmer at Iona University, a high-achieving student, and a volunteer firefighter.

Lastly, she could not fail to mention her mini goldendoodle, Buddy, that she loves with all of her heart.

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6B JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Creative Strategies For Affording A Catholic School Education

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

Fundraising Initiatives

Sibling Discounts and

Tuition Assistance Programs

Utilize Employer

Get involved in the school’s fundraising Referral Programs nvesting in a Catholic school education for efforts. Many Catholic schools organize events, Some Catholic schools offer sibling disyour children can be a rewarding decision, such as galas, auctions, and community counts for families with multiple children but it often comes with financial consider- outreach programs, to raise funds. Parents can attending the same institution. Additionally, ations. While the costs associated with private contribute by volunteering their time, skills, or inquire about referral programs that may resources to these initiatives. Additionally, they provide incentives for current families who education may seem daunting, there are creative strategies and resources that parents can explore creative fundraising ideas within refer new students. These programs can be a can explore to make this valuable investment their own networks, such as hosting themed win-win, benefiting both the school and the events or online crowdfunding campaigns. more manageable. referring families.

I

Scholarships and Financial Aid

or deductions that may apply to private school tuition. In some regions, families may be eligible for tax benefits based on education-related expenses. Consult with a tax professional to understand the specific options available in your area.

Some Catholic dioceses or archdioceses Online Learning Resources Benefits administer tuition assistance programs to Many Catholic schools offer scholarships Check with your employer to see if they offer Consider supplementing your child’s and financial aid programs to assist families in support families seeking a Catholic education. any educational assistance programs. Some education with online courses or resources.

These programs may be funded by local need. Investigate the available options at the companies provide tuition reimbursement or While this may not replace the entire Catholic schools you are considering. These programs parishes, charitable foundations, or communi- assistance for employees’ children attending school experience, it can help reduce costs ty organizations. Inquire about the availability private schools. Understanding and taking ad- associated with certain subjects or extracuroften take into account both academic of such programs and the eligibility criteria for vantage of these employer-sponsored benefits ricular activities. achievements and financial circumstances. assistance.

Don’t hesitate to inquire about application Affording a Catholic school education for can significantly ease the financial burden. processes and deadlines. your children requires creativity, resourceEducational Savings Accounts Flexible Payment Plans fulness, and strategic planning. By exploring (ESAs) Work-Study Programs Many Catholic schools offer flexible payscholarships, financial aid, work-study Investigate the possibility of setting up Some Catholic schools provide work-study ment plans that allow families to spread out programs, fundraising initiatives, and other Educational Savings Accounts, which allow opportunities for students or parents. This tuition payments over the course of the school available resources, parents can make this parents to save money for qualified education year. This can make budgeting more mancould involve volunteering at the school, significant investment in their children’s edassisting with administrative tasks, or contrib- expenses, including private school tuition. ageable and alleviate the immediate financial ucation more feasible. The commitment to uting to maintenance and landscaping efforts. Contributions to these accounts may have tax strain associated with a lump-sum payment. providing a values-based education can be advantages, providing a financial incentive These programs not only help offset tuition realized through a combination of financial Educational Tax Credits for families to plan ahead for their children’s costs but also foster a sense of community strategies and community engagement.

Explore available educational tax credits education. involvement.

Holy Child Academy Open House Sunday, January 28 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Monday, January 29 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

An Independent Catholic School holychildacademy.org admissions@hcali.org

Toddler through 8th Grade 25 Store Hill Road Old Westbury, NY 11568

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LONG LIVE LONG ISL AND

™

When we see Long Island, before all else, we see you—every unique, astounding one of you.

(866) MY-LI-DOC | chsli.org 244759 M

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Vincent Albrecht Named Principal

he Diocese of Rockville Centre Department of Education (www. drvcschools.org) has announced that Vincent Albrecht has been named principal of Saint John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip (stjohnthebaptistdhs. net).

“Along with the entire Saint John the Baptist High School family, the Diocese of Rockville Centre expresses its sincere gratitude to Biagio Arpino for his years of dedicated service as principal and for his many years of service to the administrative team within the Department of Education,” said the Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Centre.

“The Diocese joins the students, families, faculty and staff of Saint John the Baptist in welcoming and prayerfully supporting Mr. Albrecht. His leadership as principal of Saint Edward’s has been marked by innovation and a deep commitment to the well-being of his students and their families. He is a true role model for educators and a beloved figure in the Saint Edward’s community. We look forward to Mr. Albrecht bringing his love for Jesus Christ, an evangelizing missionary Catholic spirit and his extensive professional experience to Saint John the Baptist to help build upon its tradition of excellence.”

Albrecht currently serves as principal

Vincent Albrecht (DRVC) of Saint Edward the Confessor Catholic School, Syosset. Albrecht will complete the 2023-2024 academic year at Saint Edward’s and begin his new role with Saint John the Baptist Diocesan High School in August, following the retirement of Biagio M. Arpino, current principal.

“I am very excited about guiding Saint John’s into the next chapter of its storied

history,” said Albrecht. “I firmly believe in the transformative power of a Catholic education, one that nurtures not only academic excellence but also faith, service, and a strong moral compass. I am excited to work with the talented faculty and staff, the dedicated parents, and most importantly, the wonderful students of this community to build upon that rich legacy of excellence.”

Under Albrecht’s leadership, Saint Edward the Confessor Catholic School has achieved remarkable success, being named Best Catholic School on Long Island four times (2018, 2021, 2022, 2023) and the best private school in Syosset in 2022. His dedication to innovation in technology education earned him the prestigious 2023 NASTECH NASTAR Award. He also serves as the Confirmation director for the Parish of Saint Edward the Confessor, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his faith and the community.

Albrecht, a man deeply devoted to his faith, family, and the education of young minds, has served for 12 years as the principal of Saint Edward the Confessor Catholic School. His unwavering commitment to excellence has earned him recognition as Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s Best Principal on Long Island in 2017, 2018, and 2023.

Before joining the Saint Edward’s family, Albrecht served as an assistant principal in the East Meadow School District during the 2011-2012 school year. His passion for education led him to serve as principal of Holy Family School in Hicksville from September 2007 until July 2011. Before that, he served as assistant principal of Holy Angels Regional Catholic School, Patchogue.

Albrecht’s dedication to education extends beyond his administrative roles.

He has a rich teaching background, having taught 9th and 10th-grade theology and Global Studies at Holy Cross High School, Flushing; Middle School Religion and Social Studies at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy, South Ozone Park, and fifth grade at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy, Astoria.

Albrecht’s commitment to faith and community is evident in his ten years as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the Church of Saint Aidan, Williston Park, and his three years in the same role at the Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi, Astoria.

Albrecht possesses an M.S. in School Administration and Supervision from Capella University, Minneapolis, and a B.A. in History from Queens College, CUNY. —The Diocese of Rockville Centre

Chaminade High School Announces New Varsity Football Head Coach Chaminade High School recently announced the appointment of Thomas Claro (Class of 1992) as head coach of its varsity football team.

Claro has spent the last several seasons as offensive line coach at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains.

Prior to his tenure at Stepinac, he coached at Fordham University as the tight ends coach and assistant offensive line coach.

Claro brings a wealth of high school and college coaching experience. He served as the offensive coordinator/ offensive line coach at Xavier High School in Manhattan from 2001-2003 and as the offensive line coach at Chaminade from 1997-2001.

A 1996 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Claro was named a First Team Associated Press I-AA AllAmerican as a senior in 1995. He also was a First Team AllNew England selection as a senior and was a three-time First Team All-Patriot League lineman (1993, 1994, and 1995). Following graduation, Claro was a member of three NFL teams (Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, and Arizona Cardinals) and played for the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe. A 2003 Brooklyn Law School graduate, Claro practices law in New York.

“We are excited to start the next chapter of Chaminade football,” said Athletic Director John Honerkamp (Class of 1993). “I am looking forward to working with Coach Claro and the rest of the team. Go Flyers!”

—Chaminade High School

Thomas Claro (Chaminade)

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK • JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 9B

SAINT ANNE’S SCHOOL Sacraments

Service

Saints

Spirit

Scholarship

Welcome home to the tradition and nostalgia of your Catholic Values Education!

We invite you to visit our school so that we can feature our outstanding academic programs, religious education and service opportunities.

Catholic Schools Week Mass and Open House Sunday, January 28th, 10 am Mass Open House and Refreshments, 11 am to 12:30 pm

Join Us… All are Welcome, bring a friend!

NURSERY – 8th GRADE

Catholic education is truly an investment in the future!

St. Anne’s is a comparable, local choice for a fraction of your Middle School tuition dollars!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Call 516-352-1205 • Visit our website https://stannesgcschool.org/ Questions regarding September enrollment 2024, please email: Ann-Marie Zino, Assistant Principal - annzino@stannesgcschool.org

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Report: Morning Star Initiative Improves LI Schools

ignificant progress has been made in the renewal and transformation of Catholic elementary school education on Long Island. This is the finding from a new impact report by the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Morning Star Initiative (MSI). The impact report cites progress made against the Morning Star Initiative’s four success pillars: academic excellence, robustly Catholic culture, safe and supportive communities and fiscally sustainable schools.

“Since the Morning Star Initiative was launched in early 2020, we have strengthened the academic rigor of our schools and stabilized enrollment despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy,” said Brother Thomas Cleary, S.M., chief revitalization officer, Morning Star Initiative.

With more than $3.5 million in funds raised by the Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation for the Morning Star Initiative and then invested in Catholic education, the Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Rockville Centre have achieved significant academic improvements, safe in-person instruction, strong remote learning, strong marketing and recruitment efforts, innovative new academic programs and stabilization of nursery-8th grade enrollment.

In the area of strengthening the pillar that Catholic schools are here to stay, the Diocese of Rockville Centre Department of Education, along with the Morning Star Initiative constantly works to increase enrollment.

In the area of academic excellence, philanthropic support of the Morning Star Initiative has enabled the Diocese of Rockville Centre to enhance the academic rigor in its elementary schools by investing in technology, teachers and academic programs.

The Curriculum Associates i-Ready assessment system implemented in each school is a new state-of-the-art tool enabling educators to better understand how individual students are progressing throughout the school year. i-Ready offers teachers criterion-referenced and normative data to deliver impactful, equitable learning experiences in real time. More than 8,000 students have received personalized i-Ready math and reading instruction.

When receiving 30 minutes or more of personalized instruction per week, the median

student was eight percent above year-end expectations “typical growth” in math and 28 percent above year-end expectation in reading.

In the area of building a robustly Catholic culture, the Diocese has sharpened and enhanced its spiritual, intellectual, sacramental and liturgical capabilities.

In the area of providing safe and supportive communities. The Diocese was able to respond to unprecedented challenges by (Getty Images) providing a safe and supportive community that recognizes the dignity of every person Island. Visit www.morningstarinitiative. com for more information. and promotes human flourishing.

About Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation About the Morning Star Initiative The mission of Tomorrow’s Hope Approaching its third year of existence Foundation is to ensure the excellence as (January 2023), the Diocese of Rockville well as the continuance of Catholic schools Centre’s Morning Star Initiative is a bold plan of Catholic evangelization (living and on Long Island by increasing awareness sharing the Gospel) for the revitalization of and by providing scholarship and program funding for the needs of students and Catholic elementary education. In partschools. Visit www.tomorrowhopefoundanership with the Marianists and with the tion.org to donate. support of Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation, Visit www.drvc.org/wp-content/uploads/ the Morning Star Initiative aims to position Catholic education for a bright future, with MSI-impact-report.pdf to read the full impact report. a community of strong, expanding and —The Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre sustainable schools spread across Long

Why Do Parents Choose Catholic School For Their Children?

While everyone has their own reasons, a number of significant themes are identified when you speak to parents about why they selected a Catholic elementary school for their children:

1

Catholic elementary school offers an education that combines Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence.

2 3

We provide a safe and welcoming environment for all.

We partner with parents in the education and faith formation of their children.

4 5

We teach children respect of self and of others.

We instill in students the value of service to others.

6 7 8 9 10

We effectively use technology to enhance education.

We emphasize moral development and self-discipline.

We prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders.

We provide a balanced curriculum that integrates faith, culture and life.

We cultivate a faculty and staff of people who are dedicated, caring and effective.

11

We set high standards for student achievement, which helps each student succeed.

12

Virtually all of our students graduate to attend a prestigious Catholic high school and 99 percent go on to college.

—Diocese of Rockville Centre

St. Mary’s Teens Enjoy Manhattan Experience Fifteen students from St. Mary’s High School in the Manhattan Experience Club, their moderator Mrs. Lipani, and faculty member Mrs. Curran recently visited New York City to delight in the Christmas season. Their first stop was Bryant Park, where they enjoyed hot chocolate and snacks while browsing the many retail kiosks. Afterward, they visited Rockefeller Center to see the famous Christmas tree and the stunning Saks Fifth Avenue storefront windows. Lastly, they visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where they toured the church and lit candles in prayer. Everyone returned tired but in high spirits for Christmas. The Manhattan Experience Club is a new after-school program that meets to learn about iconic places, both new and old. They research and plan trips to visit landmarks and points of interest in New York City. They plan to embark on four trips this year and are off to a great start.

—St. Mary’s High School, Manhasset

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Our Students are Thriving!

School Tours & Open Houses Happening During Catholic Schools Week in January 2024!

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St. William the Abbot

2001 Jackson Ave., Seaford, NY 11783 516-785-6784

Catholic School Seaford, NY

est. 1954

We are St. William's!

Mass Attendance and Daily Prayer

Living Environment and Algebra Regents

National Junior Honor Society and Student Council

Middle School Sports including Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Cross Country, Bowling, Cheer, Flag Football, Softball, and Baseball

Extended Care Program to assist Working Parents (Grades N-8) Spanish Instruction Grades K-8 Middle School Latin Instruction Choir, Art, and Music

Art with STREAM Instruction in our state-of-the-art Makerspace Band Grades 1-8 Drama Club

After School Enrichment Clubs Grades K-8 Field Trips in support of Curriculum

Parent Involvement - Home School Association, School Board, Father’s Club

"Sending our daughter to St. William's is a decision my husband and I can feel good about every day. We know that from the moment we drop her off to the moment she comes back home, she is loved, safe, supported, and challenged. We have been welcomed with open arms into a community that shares our values. We know that sending our daughter to SWS will set her up for success – academically, socially, and spiritually- for the rest of her life. It’s the best gift we can give her." ~ The DeBardelaben Family

stwilliamtheabbot.net

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9A

HOME & DESIGN

Lung Association: High Levels of CancerCausing Radon Gas Detected in New York

R

adon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals that it is detected at high levels in about 13.9 percent of homes in New York State. During January for National Radon Action Month, the American Lung Association in New York is urging everyone to help save lives by testing their home for radon and mitigating if high levels are detected.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the ground. Radon is odorless, tasteless and colorless, and can enter a home through cracks in floors, basement walls, foundations and other openings. Radon can be present at high levels inside homes, schools and other buildings. It is responsible

for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked.

Here in New York about 13.9 percent of radon test results equal or exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level of 4 pCi/L, according to the Lung Association’s “State of Lung Cancer” report.

“Radon in homes is more common than you think. In fact, high levels of radioactive radon gas have been found in every state but most places in the country remain undertested, so this isn’t something that should be taken lightly. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States,” said Trevor Summerfield, director of advocacy for the Lung Association.

“Testing for radon is the only way

to know if the air in your home is safe. The good news is that it is easy to test. Do-it-yourself test kits are simple to use and inexpensive.”

After high levels are detected, a radon professional should install a radon mitigation system, which is easy and relatively affordable.

A typical radon mitigation system consists of a vent pipe, fan and properly sealing cracks and other openings. This system collects radon gas from underneath the foundation and vents it to the outside. Contact your state radon program for a list of certified professionals in your state.

Some state health departments offer financial assistance or low interest loans for radon mitigation.

Visit www.Lung.org/radon to learn more about radon testing and mitigation.

HOM

ES

This charming cape at 906 North 6th St. in New Hyde Park is an oasis near the city. It sold on Jan. 8 for $690,000. It has everything a homeowner would need and more, huge living and dining rooms, hardwood floors throughout and two bedrooms on each floor. This home has a gorgeous, private yard with lush landscaping and a screened-in patio that makes entertaining a breeze. It has access to the finished basement from the

Recent ly Sold

patio, allowing guests to ecape the heat to grab a drink from the wet bar or to use the bathroom without entering the main living areas. This home has two bathrooms. It is located in close proximity to everything that the city and Long Island have to offer, near highways, shopping, schools, the train station and all municipal amenities.

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.

New Year, New Home?

Inventory is low and buyer demand is high which means it may be the ideal time to sell.

Call us, let’s get started!

Alyce Tucker

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Leading Edge, Top 20% of agents companywide in 2022* O 516.669.3600 | M 516.456.9333 alyce.tucker@elliman.com © 2024 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

Ashley Tucker

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson O 516.669.3600 | M 516.348.5201 ashley.tucker@elliman.com

elliman.com

110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY11746. 631.549.7401. *AT DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE.

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DEC Seeks Input On Proposal To Further Protect Freshwater Wetlands

N

ew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today encouraged New Yorkers to review and comment on the development of proposed regulations that would further protect freshwater wetlands statewide. DEC released the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to begin developing regulations to implement the new law that expands the number of wetlands regulated

by DEC to further protect water quality and wildlife habitat. Public comments on New York State’s ‘Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking’ will guide development of new wetland regulations.

“Wetlands are critical environmental and economic resources that protect water quality, provide essential habitats, mitigate flooding, and promote the resilience of New York’s communities,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Through Governor Hochul’s leadership, this new law is greatly enhancing the state’s stringent freshwater wetland protections already in place, and I encourage New Yorkers to review this initial proposal and provide input to help DEC develop regulations that will modernize protections of wetlands and ensure the long-term health of these vital ecosystems.”

Freshwater wetlands are lands and submerged lands, commonly called marshes, swamps, sloughs, bogs, and flats, that support aquatic or semi-aquatic vegetation. New York’s Freshwater Wetlands Act was enacted in 1975 to regulate activities near larger wetlands, greater than 12.4 acres, and smaller wetlands considered to be of unusual local importance.

Consistent with Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to protecting New York’s wetlands, the 2022-23 Budget included

significant improvements to the State’s wetlands protection program, safeguarding an estimated one million additional acres of unprotected wetland habitat and helping New York adapt to increased flooding and severe storms fueled by climate change.

Starting in January 2025, the scope of regulated smaller wetlands of “unusual importance” will be expanded to wetlands that meet one of 11 specific criteria in order to provide additional fish and wildlife habitat and to protect communities from flooding.

The ANPR seeks feedback on the potential criteria that will be used to classify these newly protected wetlands.

The purpose of this ANPR is to solicit stakeholder input through written comment so that DEC can refine potential changes to 6 NYCRR Part 664 as part of a future rulemaking. The ANPR is arranged into eight sections that correspond to specific areas where DEC is seeking feedback. In addition, the advanced notice contains a draft of the potential regulatory updates that DEC is considering. DEC staff are seeking answers to specific questions, as well as general comments and suggestions on the potential updates. Input on the ANPR will help develop a regulatory proposal that will go out for public review and comment later this year.

The ANPR can be viewed in the New York State Register or on the DEC website.

Comments can be submitted by Feb. 19, 2024 via email to WetlandRegulatoryComments@dec.ny.gov (subject: “ANPR Freshwater Wetlands Protection”) or sent to Bureau of Ecosystem Health, Freshwater Wetlands Unit, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4756.

—From the DEC newsletter

SCAN FOR TICKETS

Get tickets now at LiveNation.com or the Box Office.

Leeds Pond, a fresh water body in Manhasset (Photo by Daniel Greilsheimer) 244012 M

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Ultrarunner Treks From Montauk To Manhattan For Mental Health

O

n January 6th, Christopher start training as an ultrarunner. As a Long LaMagna - Executive Chef at Babylon Islander himself, he also decided to use his Mercantile - conducted his third running skills to raise awareness around the annual Montauk to Manhattan: 130 Miles importance of mental health and give back for Mental Health ultrarun to a local organization that fundraiser to bring awareness provides lifesaving services to mental health and support to the community. the lifesaving services of Long LICC has been in operaIsland Crisis Center (LICC). tion as a confidential 24/7 LaMagna started his day at crisis intervention hotline the Montauk Lighthouse at service since 1971. They 4:00am, running all day and also provide the 988 Lifeline into the night ending in the services for this region since Strawberry Fields section of its inception in 2022. Their Central Park in Manhattan mission is to provide 24/7, at 2:19am early Sunday free, high quality, confidenmorning. He beat last year’s tial and non-judgmental Montauk to Manhattan time programs and services to by 10 minutes. support and empower Long LaMagna began running Islanders at critical times in in 2020 as a means of coping their lives. with the COVID pandemic, LaMagna was honored as well as some of his own as LICC’s Person of the Year Christopher LaMagna personal mental health strugin 2022 for his outstanding gles. He found running to be an effective efforts. This year’s fundraiser has brought in and cathartic way of getting through a tough over $6,000 to date. time, and ultimately made the decision to —Submitted by Long Island Crisis Center

Christopher LaMagna and his support team at the finish line. He beat last year’s time by ten minutes.

(Photos by Long Island Crisis Center)

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ProtectingYour YourFuture Future Protecting Your Future Protecting Protecting Your Future withMichael Michaeland andSuzanne Suzanne Ettinger Ettinger with withMichael Michaeland andSuzanne Suzanne Ettinger Ettinger with Attorneys-at-Law Attorneys-at-Law Attorneys-at-Law Attorneys-at-Law

TAX AND MEDICAID LAW CHANGES FOR 2024 For 2024, the exemptions for estate taxes rise to 6.94 million for New York estate taxes, and to 13.61 million for Federal estate taxes. The annual gift tax exclusion rises to $18,000.

If your estate is, or may become, greater than the New York threshold, early intervention can avoid the hefty New York estate taxes, which start at over $500,000. Some of the techniques are (1) setting up two trusts, one for husband and one for wife, and using them to double the New York exemption, (2) gifting out so much of the estate so as to reduce it below the New York exemption, at least three years before the death of the donor, and (3) using the “Santa Clause” providing that the amount over the threshold be donated to a charity or charities of your choosing so as to reduce the estate to no more than the exemption.

For Medicaid, the house is an exempt asset so long as a spouse is residing there, up to $1,071,000 of equity for 2024. Seeing as over 80% of nursing home residents do not have a spouse, it is better to plan ahead with a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) to get the five year look-back for nursing facility care. In that case, the house would be protected by the trust rather than the unreliable spousal exemption. Unless your other assets have been protected by the MAPT, an individual may keep only $30,182 and a spouse can keep up to $154,140.

The major change to Medicaid is the often-delayed imposition of the new two and a half year look-back for home care, commencing April 1, 2024. Previously, there was no look-back for home care. This resulted in people not having to worry about getting home care until they actually needed it. With the law change, the MAPT now becomes far more important as a tool to qualify you for home care than to simply protect your assets from a nursing home. Assets will have to be moved into the MAPT years ahead of time if you want to be able to afford to stay in your own home and get home health aides for assistance with the activities of daily living, should the need arise.

ETTINGER LAW LAW FIRM ETTINGER FIRM ELDER LAW ESTATE PLANNING SINCE 1991 ELDER LAW ESTATE PLANNING SINCE 1991 trustlaw.com

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman honored Vincenza Benedetto who turned 110 years old earlier this month. The County Executive presented her with a citation and proclaimed a day in her honor. The event was celebrated at the Monthly Senior Birthday Party hosted by Blakeman and The Office for the Aging at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

(Photos by the Nassau County Executive’s Office)

Trusts & Estates • Wills &trustlaw.com Probate • Medicaid • Estate Tax Planning Trusts & Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid • Estate Tax Planning Free consultation: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com Free consultation: 516-327-8880 info@trustlaw.com Visit us at trustlaw.com to learnx117 moreororemail search Ettinger Law on Visit us at YouTube trustlaw.com toelder learnlaw more or search Ettinger for our estate planning videosLaw on YouTube for our elder law estate planning videos Huntington • Islandia • Lake Success • Melville • Rockville Centre 3000• Lake MarcusSuccess Avenue, Lake Success• Rockville Centre Huntington • Islandia • Melville 3000 Marcus Avenue, Lake Success

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WORD FIND

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This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direct always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you hav

By Holiday Holiday Mathis pleted the puzzle, there will be 17 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

By Holiday Mathis By Mathis

HOROSCOPES HOROSCOPES

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND 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.

Future champions Solution: 17 Letters

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It comes in many forms, from water-cooler talk to major media -- groups of people talking about how bad things are. You’ll either avoid it or elevate the scene as you focus on more constructive things, such as solving a problem or engaging in the sort of lighthearted play that creates a sense of safety, normalcy and joy.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your beliefs change because you’re constantly learning. But your values change very little. One of your main priorities is to put people first and prize relationships above many other things. You’ll change focus and update your point of view to help you get where you need to go to take care of your people.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). When you were small, you noticed where the attention was flowing. You feared any competition that came along to threaten the help, love and support you needed. Now you have many resources to meet your needs. This week, you will sometimes revel in attention, but more often enjoy the benefit of not having it on you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It will feel like you’re in a contest. Showing off seems to be the norm in this game. Arrogance will be tolerated, and perhaps even extolled by some. You’ll take a different route, one of humility, and this will serve you in both the long and short term. “Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.” -- Confucius SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll honor the voice of your intuition and follow its urgings to do things such as talk to strangers, make a bid for opportunities or express yourself. These acts take courage, though the more you put yourself out there, the easier it gets, which is why eventually you never have to put on a brave face because you’re just genuinely brave.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Because you’ve decided to make a change, the things that are already going on in your life will make a case for why they should stay. Even the bad habits will present their case, and their reasons for being might surprise you. Ultimately, it’s instinct that guides your judgment, which will be swift and final.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You go into the new year confident in the knowledge that you don’t have to have strong opinions to be a strong person.

Knowledgeable people will be open to your inquiry and respect what your curiosity brings to the equation. You’ll apply your skill for seeing things from different perspectives to good effect.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People observing the same phenomenon at the same place and time will have completely different stories of the event because experience happens in the mind, and our minds vary so much. This week features an investigation of sorts. Accept other people’s stories as being true for them, as untrue as they may be to you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Just as it is possible to know where you are and still feel lost, it is also possible to be utterly unsure of your position and yet feel found. You’re in the right place -- the place you belong. When you take the next step, that will also be the right place. Onward with confidence!

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS

You are loyal down to the bone and do not require or expect a return for your devotion, and yet this year, you’ll be repaid many times over for the sacrifices and efforts you made in the past to honor the loves of your life. Fresh adventure sparkles up your world, the sort you don’t have to seek, only agree to. A financial reorganizing will eliminate stressors. You’ll help someone through a passage and get all the inspiration you need to achieve a goal of greatness.

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FROM KING FEATURES SYNDICATE, 300 W. 57th STREET, 41st

Solution: At Little athletics Solution: At Little athletics

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You have unpretentious views of yourself, and others tend to feel comfortable in your presence, though sometimes a little too comfortable.

This week’s events and scenarios will set the bar a little higher, lending a sense of fun and competition to your scene, ultimately bringing out the best in people.

© 2024 Australian Word Games Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll make people happy -- usually when you’re not trying. You can’t control the responses of others, but when you bring harmony to your own environment, the ease turns to joy, which leaks out and colors everything. Go ahead and focus on what you need and want, and you’ll naturally end up bringing good to all you touch.

Future champions

© 2024 Australian Word Games Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your creative impulses and your intention to entertain and delight people have you opening the year with a strong project.

This starts with your purpose and will eventually achieve quite a few at once.

Keep your mind open and go at an easy pace. This will continue to evolve in the weeks and months ahead.

FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY tors 10019 Creators Syndicate Crea Syndica te

Date: 1/17/24 Date: 1/17/24 737 3rd Street • Beach, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 3rd Street • Hermosa CA 90254 CUSTOMER737 SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. 236 310-337-7003 • info@ creators.com 310-337-7003 • info@ creators.com CONTRACT BRIDGE — BY STEVE BECKER

By Steve Becker

CONTRACT BRIDGE

FOR RELEASE THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

Zigzag South dealer.

Both sides vulnerable.

NORTH ♠A84 ♥7 5 ♦KJ982 ♣9 7 6 WEST EAST ♠ 10 7 2 ♠KJ63 ♥ Q J 10 8 ♥9 6 4 2 ♦76 ♦AQ3 ♣ J 10 4 2 ♣8 3 SOUTH ♠Q95 ♥A K 3 ♦ 10 5 4 ♣A K Q 5 The bidding: South West North East 1♣ Pass 1♦ Pass 2 NT Pass 3 NT Opening lead — queen of hearts.

When the declarer zigs, a defender should zag; when the declarer zags, a defender should zig. This principle is based on the concept that a declarer is always presumed to be doing things in his own best interest. It follows, therefore, that whatever is good for declarer must be bad for the defender, and vice versa.

Take this deal where West leads

the queen of hearts against three notrump. Declarer wins with the king, plays the ten of diamonds and follows low from dummy. Let’s assume East also plays low but wins the next diamond with the queen.

East is now at the critical point of the play. If he returns a heart, South makes nine tricks, losing only two hearts and two diamonds.

But if East is truly inspired, he returns the king of spades instead!

The object of East’s unusual spade play is to kill dummy’s entry to the diamonds, which are on the verge of being established. East can see what declarer is trying to do, and he should attempt to counteract it. East zigs when declarer zags.

The king-of-spades play puts South out of commission. If he wins the king with the ace, he cannot make more than eight tricks.

And if South elects to duck the king of spades in an effort to retain his only entry to dummy, East has an answer. He reverts to hearts, forcing out South’s ace, and the defenders wind up scoring one spade, two hearts and two diamonds to set the contract one trick.

Tomorrow: Test your play. ©2024 King Features Syndicate Inc.

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Answer to last issue’s Sudoku Puzzle

Answer to last issue’s Crossword Puzzle

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FARMINGDALE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, d/b/a Christiana Trust as Trustee for PNPMS Trust II, Plaintiff AGAINST Raymond Sellitti AKA Raymond F. Selletti, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 15, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 26, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1 Sullivan Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION: 49, BLOCK: 167, LOT: 48. Approximate amount of judgment $534,945.62 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #605048/2017. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov/ Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. Harold F. Damm, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-034061-F01 78765 1-17-10-3-2024; 12-27-20-23 5T# 243984 NOB/FARM LEGAL NOTICE SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Mortgaged Premises: 1-79 ATLANTIC AVENUE, FARMINGDALE, NY 11735 Section: 49, Block: 297, Lot: 1 INDEX NO. 608197/2023 Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR MORGAN STANLEY HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2007-1, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 Plaintiff, vs.

MALEK ABI RAFEH A/K/A MALEK ABIRAFEH, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF HANON ABIRAFEH A/K/A HANON ABI RAFEH;

WILL ABI RAFE A/K/A WILL A. RAFEH, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF HANON ABIRAFEH A/K/A HANON ABI RAFEH; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF HANON ABIRAFEH A/K/A HANON ABI RAFEH, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; BOARD OF MANAGERS OF SPRINGDALE AT FARMINGDALE CONDOMINIUM; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; CHERYL RAFEH, “JOHN DOE #2” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last eleven names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.

To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF

LEGAL NOTICES SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $200,000.00 and interest, recorded on November 02, 2006, in Liber M31162 at Page 715, of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York., covering premises known as 1-79 ATLANTIC AVENUE, FARMINGDALE, NY 11735.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

NASSAU County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND

BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: December 20th, 2023 ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff Orit Avraham, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 1-24-17-10-3-2024-4T#244342-NOB/FARM LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at a regular meeting held on the 9th day of January, 2024, the Board of Commissioners of the South Farmingdale Water District duly adopted a resolution, an abstract of which follows, which resolution is subject to a permissive referendum pursuant to Town Law Article 7: RESOLUTION authorizing the Business Manager to appropriate funds from the Capital Reserve MTBE Treatment Fund for the purpose of funding the design and construction of water treatment facilities to house and protect existing filters and equipment at various plant sites, together with requisite engi-

neering, administrative, legal and contingency amounts associated therewith, for an estimated cost not to exceed $1,073,074.42.

This resolution is adopted subject to permissive referendum as set forth in Town Law Article 7 and shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption, or, if a referendum is held, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the issuer voting on the referendum.

Dated: January 9, 2024 Board of Commissioners South Farmingdale Water District 1-17-2024-1T-#244818NOB/FARM

HICKSVILLE LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Formation: G&J HICKSVILLE LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/06/2023.

Office loc: Nassau County.

SSNY designated for service of process.

SSNY shall mail copies of any process served against the LLC to 12 Prose Street, Hicksville, NY 11801.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose or activity 1-17-10-3-2024; 12-27-2013-23 6T# 243942 NOB/HIX LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for American Home Mortgage Assets Trust 2007-5, Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates Series 2007-5, Plaintiff AGAINST James F. Kelly; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 15, 2023 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 15, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 203 Acre Lane, Hicksville, NY 11801.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Levittown, Hicksville, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 45 Block 354 Lot 33. Approximate amount of judgment $626,846.08 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 616196/2022. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain

or Shine.”

Scott H. Siller, Esq, Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: January 9, 2024 2-7; 1-31-24-17-24 4T# 244750 NOB/HIX

LEVITTOWN LEGAL NOTICE Notice of formation of Innovatedge Solutions LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY(SSNY) on 10/26/2023. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 2530 Oak St. Bellmore NY, 11710. R/A Republic Registered Agent Services Inc., 54 State St. Ste. 804, Albany NY, 12207. Purpose any lawful act.

1-17-10-3-2024; 12-27-2013-2023-6T-#243841NOB/LEV LEGAL NOTICE J&T MUNSON LLC Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company (“LLC”), Articles of Organization filed with the Sec. of State of NY (“SSNY”) on 11/29/2023. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY may mail a copy of any process to the LLC, 11 Woodpecker Lane, Levittown, NY 11756. Purpose or Character: To engage in any lawful act or activity. #101000 1-17-10-3-2024; 12-27-2013-2023-6T-#243890NOB/LEV LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUST FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF LONG BEACH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-6, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-6, Plaintiff AGAINST LORI MAURO A/K/A LORI PUPA MAURO, MICHAEL C. MAURO, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 27, 2020, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 29, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 84 ROPE LANE, LEVITTOWN, NY 11756. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Hicksville, Town of Hempstead, County

of Nassau and State of New York, Section 51, Block 207, Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment $621,533.02 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #613177/2018. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Michael Alpert, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-003524 78605 1-17-10-3-2024 ; 12-27-2023 5T# 243956 NOB/LEV LEGAL NOTICE Notice of formation of TITOSTRAVEL LLC. Arts filed with Secy of state of NY (SSNY) on 10/20/2023.

Office Location : Nassau County. UNITED STATE CORPORATION AGENT, INC designated as agent upon whom process may be served and mail copy of process against LLC. 247 Concord Ave East Meadow NY 11554.

Purpose : any lawful act.

2-7; 1-31-24-17-10-3-20246T-#244332-NOB/LEV LEGAL NOTICE SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A TAX LIEN INDEX NO.: 615167/2021, CHRISTIANA TRUST AS CUSODIAN FOR GSRAN-Z LLC, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, LEGATEES, DEVISEES AND/ OR REPRESENTATIVES OF SHERYL SCHMIER AND ALL PERSONS THAT MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY REFERRED TO IN THE COMPLAINT BY, THROUGH OR UNDER ANY OF THE FOREGOING (THE AFORESAID UNKNOWN HEIRS, LEGATEES, DEVISEES AND/OR REPRESENTATIVES BEING ALL SUCH HEIRS, LEGATEES, DEVISEES AND/OR REPRESENTATIVES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFICALLY NAMED AS A DEFENDANT HEREIN— THE IDENTITY AND ADDRESSES OF ALL THE FOREGOING NOT BEING KNOWN TO PLAINTIFF), Defendants.

PREMISES SUBJECT TO TAX LIEN: 53 CARNATION RD., LEVITTOWN, NY 11756, Section 45, Block 174, Lot 19. TO THE ABOVE

9

NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with the summons, to serve notice of appearance, on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exc1usive of the date of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York), and in case of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.PlaintiffdesignatesNassauCountyastheplaceoftrial.Thebasisofvenueisthelocationofthe subject property.

NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the tax lien holder who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgmentmay be entered and youcan lose your home. Speak to anattorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protectyour property. Sending a payment to the tax lien holder will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THECOURT. Dated: January 4, 2024.

Michael Ehrenreich, Attorney for Plaintiff, 555 Willow Ave., Cedarhurst, NY, (516) 942-4216. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an orderof HON. JEFFREY A. GOODSTEIN of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated December 18, 2023. Such order and the Complaint in this action are filed in the office of the Nassau County Clerk, in Mineola, NY. The object of this action is to foreclose a tax lien on the premises identifiedabove.

2-7; 1-31-24-17-2024-4T#244725-NOB/LEV LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK, N.A., SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I TRUST 2006-HE6, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-HE6, V. JOSE ORELLANA, ET AL. Continued on page 10

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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • ANTON MEDIA GROUP

LEGAL NOTICES Continued from page 9 NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated February 24, 2020, and entered in the Office of the Cler of the County of Nassau, wherein U.S. BANK, N.A., SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I TRUST 2006-HE6, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-HE6 is the Plaintiff and JOSE ORELLANA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 20, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises nown as 60 IWINKLE ROAD, LEVITTOWN, NY 11756: Section 5, loc 1 , Lot : ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT HICK SVILLE, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment ndex 605559/2017. William R. Boccio, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, estbury, New or 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *L OCATION OF SALE SUBJE CT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES. 2-7; 1-31-24-17-2024-4T2 7 7-NO /L

MASSAPEQUA LEGAL NOTICE Notice of formation of 266 roo side LLC filed with Secy of State of NY on 12/15/2023. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 1511 WOODSIDE AVE NORTH BALDWIN NY 11510. Purpose: any lawful act.

2-7; 1-31-24-17-10-3-20246 - 2 2 7-NO / ASS LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. DOREEN REILLY A/K/A DOREEN J. REILLY, ET AL., Defendant(s).

LEGAL NOTICES

Pursuant to a Default Judgment and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 17, 2019, an Order xtending Sale eadline and Other Relief duly entered on December 9, 2022 and an Order duly entered on August 10, 2023 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 February 6, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises nown as 236 oundary Avenue, assapequa, N 1175 .

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New or , Section 52, loc 16 and Lot 67. Approximate amount of judgment is $292,714.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment ndex 6125 /201 . his 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.

Mary Ellen Divone, Esq., Referee riedman artolo LL , 5 Broad Street, Suite 501, New or , New or 1000 , Attorneys for Plaintiff irm ile No.: 2009 7-1 1-24-17-10-3-2024-4T2 252-NO / ASS LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, V. FRANCESCO VIRZI, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated May 1, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Cler of the County of Nassau, wherein NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC is the Plaintiff and FRANCESCO VIRZI, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 6, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises nown as 11 A VARD STREET, MASSA A, N 1175 : Section 53, loc 1 7, Lot 9: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT MASSAPEQ UA, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE vSUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Mortgaged Premises: 79 GRAND BOULEVARD, MASSAPEQUA PARK, NY 11762 Section: 48, B lock: 139, Lot: 4, 5 & 6 INDEX NO. 603260/2023 Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SOUNDVIEW HOME LOAN TRUST 2005-OPT1, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-OPT1 Plaintiff, LEGAL NOTICE vs.

SUPREME COURT JEANNINE SIMPSON, INCOUNTY OF NASSAU. CITIBANK, N.A., Plaintiff DIVIDUALLY AND AS -against- JOHN BIALOUS; HEIR AND DISTRIBUCATHERINE HUMIECKI, TEE OF THE ESTATE OF et al Defendant(s). Pursuant ROBERT G. GRIMMER; to a Judgment of Foreclosure WAYNE GRIMMER, AS and Sale entered herein and HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE dated November 13, 2023, I, OF THE ESTATE OF ROBthe undersigned Referee will ERT G. GRIMMER; MAsell at public auction on the RISSA BELASCO, AS HEIR North Side steps of the Nas- AND DISTRIBUTEE OF sau County Supreme Court THE ESTATE OF ROBERT “Rain or Shine” located at 100 G. GRIMMER; UNKNOWN Supreme Court Drive, Mine- HEIRS AND DISTRIBUola, NY on February 5, 2024 TEES OF THE ESTATE OF at 2:30 p.m. premises situate, ROBERT G. GRIMMER, lying and being at Mass- any and all persons un nown apequa, in Massapequa, in the to plaintiff, claiming, or who Town of Oyster Bay, County may claim to have an interof Nassau and State of New est in, or general or specific or , bounded and described lien upon the real property as follows: BEGINNING at a described in this action; such point on the easterly side of un nown persons being hereMassapequa Avenue, distant in generally described and 1 0. feet northerly from intended to be included in the the corner formed by the in- following designation, nametersection of the easterly side ly: the wife, widow, husband, of Massapequa Avenue and widower, heirs at law, next of in, descendants, executhe northerly side of erric Road; being a plot 250 feet by tors, administrators, devisees, 75 feet by 250 feet by 75 feet. legatees, creditors, trustees, Section: 57 loc : 2 Lot: 66, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, 67 and 6 .

All bidders must wear a face any and all persons derivmas /shield at all times and ing interest in or lien upon, social distancing must be or title to said real property observed by all bidders at all by, through or under them, times. Bidders who do not or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, comply with the face mas and/or the social distancing husbands, widowers, heirs at mandate will be removed law, next of in, descendants, executors, administrators, from the auction.

Said premises nown as 307 devisees, legatees, creditors, MASSAPEQUA AVENUE, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and ASSA A, N 1175 Approximate amount of lien whose names, except as stated, are un nown to plaintiff 16,557. 0 plus interest U.S. BANK NATIONAL AScosts.

Premises will be sold subject SOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE to provisions of filed Judg- FOR SECURITIZED ASSET SECURITIES CORment and Terms of Sale.

If the sale is set aside for any PORATION MORTGAGE reason, the Purchaser at the PASS-THROUGH CERTIFsale shall be entitled only to ICATES SERIES 200-S5; a return of the deposit paid. NEW YORK STATE DEThe Purchaser shall have no PARTMENT OF TAXATION further recourse against the AND FINANCE; UNITMortgagor, the Mortgagee or ED STATES OF AMERICA; GEORGE SIMPSON; the Mortgagee’s attorney. ndex Number 615209/2022. “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED RONALD J. FERRARO, NAME), JO N O 3 through ESQ., Referee 12, the last David A. Gallo & Associates JO N O ten names being fictitious and LLP un nown to plaintiff, the perAttorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd sons or parties intended being Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, ile 7777.195 1-24-17-10-3-2024-4T- having or claiming an interest 2 320-NO / ASS in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants. filed Judgment ndex 00 96 /2016. eorge sernio, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, estbury, New or 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *L OCATION OF SALE SUBJE CT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES. 1-24-17-10-3-2024-4T2 31 -NO / ASS

LEGAL NOTICES

To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty 60 days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJE CT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $420,000.00 and interest, recorded on May 11, 2005, in Liber M 28794 at Page 36, of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York., covering premises known as 79 GRAND BOULEVARD, MASSAPEQ UA PARK , NY 11762.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

NASSAU County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND

BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. ated: ecember 1 th, 2023 ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff Orit Avraham, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310

LEGAL NOTICES

Westbury, NY 11590 516-2 0-7675 1-24-17-10-3-2024-4T2 33 -NO / ASS

PLAINVIEW LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Self Storage Sale lease ta e notice Safeguard Self Storage 190116 located at 1522 Old Country Road lainview N 11 03 intends to hold a sale of the property stored in the below listed Storage Spaces. The public sale shall occur as an online auction via www.storageauctions.com on 1/29/2024 at 12:00PM. Unless listed below, the contents consist of household goods and furnishings. Irwin L Salomon unit 213 ahshiema olland unit 31 . his sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. See manager for details.

1-17-10-202 -2 - 2 7 NOB/PLV LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU CITIBANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 20171, V. ROBERTA HANEY, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated November 14, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Cler of the County of Nassau, wherein CITIBANK, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2017-1 is the Plaintiff and ROBERTA HANEY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 20, 2024 at 3:00 , premises nown as 4 QUEENS COURT, PLAN , N 11 03: Section 6, loc 1 3, Lot 62: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT BETHPAGE, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment ndex 616642/2019. Peter Kramer, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, estbury, New or 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited

to, social distancing and mask wearing. *L OCATION OF SALE SUBJE CT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES. 2-7; 1-31-24-17-2024-4T2 72 -NO / L

PLAINVIEW/ OLD BETHPAGE LEGAL NOTICE Notice of formation of S. GOLDSTEIN SOLUTIONS LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/11/23. Office location: Nassau County NY. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 3 Dahill Rd. Old ethpage, N 11 0 .

Purpose: any lawful act.

1-24-17-10-3-2024; 12-2013-23 6 2 050 NO / PLVOB LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY, Plaintiff -against- LOUIS ESSMAN A/K/A LOUIS T. ESSMAN, SYLVIA ESSMAN A/K/A SYLVIA B. ESSMAN, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated February 14, 2020, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 1, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Plainview, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New or , nown and designated as and by Lot 17 in loc 92 on a certain map entitled, “Map of Woodbury Acres, Section No. 3, situated at Plainview, Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New or , December 15, 1961, Louis K. Mclean, C.E., and S., Wantagh, N and filed in the Office of the Cler of the County of Nassau on August 23, 1962 as ap and Case No. 762 .

Section: 13 loc : 92 Lot: 17 All bidders must wear a face mas /shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mas and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction.

Said premises nown as 93 HARVARD DRIVE, PLAIN, N 11 03 Approximate amount of lien 10,799.16 plus interest costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid.

The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Continued on page 11

ANTON MEDIA GROUP • JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024

LEGAL NOTICES Continued from page 10 Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.

Index Number 0007468/2016.

ARZA R. FELDMAN, ESQ., Referee David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 9024.11 1-24-17-10-3-2024-4T#244321-NOB/PLVOB LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF FIRE INSPECTION Notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for 2023 of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District for fire hazards which might endanger the lives of students, teachers, employees therein, has been completed and the report thereof is available at the acilities Office at Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School for inspection by all interested persons.

1-17-2024-1T#244629-NOB/PLVOB LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS Public Notice is hereby given that separate sealed bids for PLAINVIEW OLD BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY CAPITAL IMPROVE-

LEGAL NOTICES

MENT PROGRAM INTERIOR RECONSTRUCTION project will be received until 11:00 AM prevailing time on February 6, 2024 at the Administrative Offices at the PLAINVIEW OLD BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY located at 999 OLD COUNTRY ROAD, PLAINVIEW, NY 11803 which time they will be received, opened, read aloud and will be made available to the public.

The work shall be as follows: SINGLE PRIME TRADE Contract #1- GENERAL CONSTRUCTION SED # 28- 05- 04-06- 6- 007019 Complete digital sets of the Contract documents may be obtained online (with a free user account) as a download for a nonrefundable fee of Forty Nine Dollars ($49.00) at the following website www.jagplanroom.com under ‘ public projects’ beginning on JA NUARY 8, 2024.

Optionally, in lieu of digital copies, hard copies may be obtained directly from Island Digital Reprographics 200 Broadhollow Road Suite One Farmingdale New York 11735 (631-753-3000) upon a deposit of Fifty ($50.00) Dollars for each complete set. Checks for deposits shall be made payable to the PLAINVIEW OLD BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

LEGAL NOTICES

All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at the above referenced websites. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with the printer and pay for all packaging and shipping costs. Plan holders who have obtained hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use, and coordinate directly with the printer for hard copies of addenda to be issued.

There will be no charge for registered plan holders to obtain hard copies of the bid addenda. The bid deposit shall be refunded to each Bidder only if the plans and specifications are returned, in good condition, with no handwritten notations thereon within (30) calendar days after the bid opening date. All deposits shall be forfeited to the LIBRARY after the (30) days have elapsed.

ANY PERSON OR CORPORATION WHO FAILS TO SUBMIT A BID SHALL FORFEIT THEIR HARD COPY PLAN DEPOSIT IN ITS ENTIRETY. Each Bidder must deposit, with their sealed bid, security in an amount not less than 10% of the base bid and all Alternate Bids in the proper form subject to the conditions

set forth in the Instructions to Bidders (Page 3).

Attention of the Bidders is specifically directed to the minimum wage rates to be paid under the contract, as well as to other provisions set forth in the bidding documents.

Bidder will also be required to show, to the satisfaction of the PLAINVIEW OLD BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY that they are carrying Workers’ Compensation Insurance as required by law and all other Insurance in amounts not less than that specified under the eneral Conditions.

Performance Bonds and Labor/Material Bonds, as called for in the General Conditions are a requirement of each contract.

The PLAINVIEW OLD BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY reserves the right to reject any or all bids submitted, to waive any informality or irregularity in any bid, and/ or to accept any bid in whole or in part and/ or to award or not award the contract, if in the opinion of the PLAINVIEW OLD BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY, the best interest of the LIBRARY will thereby be served. This invitation is an offer to receive bids for a contract. The successful Bidder will be required to execute a formal contract in the form contained

LEGAL NOTICES

in the Contract Documents.

All bids received after the time stated in the Notice to Bidders will not be considered and will be returned unopened to the bidder. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail or in the handling of the mail by employees of the LIBRARY. Whether sent by mail or by means of personal delivery, the bidder assumes responsibility for having its bid deposited on time at the place specified.

Each Bidder shall agree to

LEGAL NOTICES

hold their bid price for (45) days after the formal bid opening.

Per Article 8, Section 220 of the New York State Labor Law, every contractor and sub-contractor shall submit to the LIBRARY within (30) days after issuance of its first payroll, and every (30) days thereafter, a transcript of the original payroll record, as provided by this article, subscribed and affirmed as true under penalties of perjury.

The LIBRARY shall be required to receive and main-

tain such payroll records.

The original payrolls or transcripts shall be preserved for (5) years from the completion of the work on the project.

BY ORDER OF: BOARD OF TRUSTEES PLAINVIEWOLD BETHPAGE LIBRARY 999 OLD COUNTRY ROAD PLAINVIEW, NEW YORK 11803 MARYANN FERRO DIRECTOR 1-17-2024-1T-#244752NOB/PLVOB

To Submit Legal Notices for LLPs, LLCs, Summonses, Orders to Show Cause, Citations, Name Changes, Bankruptcy Notices, Trustees Sales, Auction Sales, Foundation Notices

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JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • ANTON MEDIA GROUP

COLUMN

One Resolution I Will Stick To We’re just a few days into 2024 and besides saying “Happy New Year” I really don’t have too much to say about it. So far things don’t feel all that much different than 2023. Maybe that’s because they aren’t. Aside from making a few half-hearted resolutions and seeing a lot more ads for fitness centers and diet pills, has anything really changed? Will anything really change? Not on my end of things, they won’t. The one really discernible difference between December and January and any other two months is that, if anything, we tend to start January a lot deeper in the hole than any other time of year.

We’ve overspent and over indulged throughout the holidays (filled with anticipation, generosity and good cheer) and now the piper must be paid. Now we sit back and ponder, Boy, what the heck was I thinking? But we can’t help it. We want to celebrate. We want to give. We seem never to remember the Big January Hangover will not be denied. It is a slow train coming and we KNOW it is coming but we still somehow creep ever closer to the tracks. Human nature is indeed a wondrous thing. Because if the New Year is supposed to be a time for rejuvenation, reflection, resurrection and renewal, a shiny black slate upon which to start anew and correct the mistakes of the past year—we sure do suck at it.

or five hours until, wait for it—an electric ball drops and we all shout and fight our way back down into the bowels of Manhattan and back home. Won’t that be a gas?!”

They’d look at you like you were crazy.

Because it IS crazy. It’s as crazy as the many weeks leading up to it, where we max out our credit cards and eat way too much and are suckered in by the snake oil fallacies that Black Friday or Black Monday or Black Another Day will save you tons of money on stuff you can buy any other day after, anywhere, for the same price or, in many cases, cheaper. Yet, we are drawn

DELANEY AT LARGE Douglas Delaney

Case in point: The New Year’s Celebration in Times Square. If that little piece of insanity doesn’t illustrate our absurdly human optimism that this is gonna be great… nothing will. At any other time of the year if you turned to your spouse or friends and said …“Hey, I got an idea. It’s cold and wet outside. Let’s take the LIRR out of Mineola, stand on the platform in the freezing rain, rumble into Penn Station and take the subway uptown to Times Square. We can stand packed like canned hams in the rail cars, the whole place reeking of stale beer and wet wool, and when we emerge from the station there will be about a million like-minded people jostling and shivering and just dying to find a place to pee for four

to these shiny promises like moths to the flames, like a million morons ogling a descending ball of light…and really needed a place to pee.

So, Happy New Year! If this piece sounds like a bit of a downer maybe it’s just my own post-holiday depression. But I will recover. I will slog through January and pay dearly for my over-indulgence and in a few weeks all will be right with the world again.

And I will make one resolution I will stick to: From now on my New Year will begin sometime in March. Till then…I got bills to pay.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Maier Announces Toddler Sports Program For Winter 2024

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yster Bay Town Councilwoman Laura Maier announced that the Toddler Sports Program will return this winter, beginning January 30th. This 6-week program offers sports classes at the Hicksville Athletic Center for children ages 3 and 4.

Registration began online, January 8th.

“The Town’s Toddler Sports Program is a fantastic way to teach your toddler the fundamentals of sports in a fun and social environment,” said Councilwoman Maier. “This program is sure to be a hit with children and parents alike, as youngsters are given the opportunity to learn the basics of various different sports such as tee-ball, flag football and more along with children their own age.”

The Toddler Sports Program begins January 30th and is 6 weeks in duration.

Residents who sign their toddler up for the program must choose one class per week, per child. Classes will take place on: Tuesdays at 10am or 11am at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville; and Thursdays at 10am or 11am at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville.

Registration will take place ONLINE through the Parks Portal available at oysterbaytown.com/portal beginning on January 8th at 9:00 am. Space is limited- first come, first serve. Registration will close when the

(Contributed image)

program reaches full capacity.

Each class is approximately 50 minutes.

The cost of the program is $75 per child who is a Town resident, and $90 per child whose care giver is a Town resident but not the

child. The child’s birth certificate and a tax or utility bill will be required to validate age and proof of residency. A guardian must be present during the class. The child MUST be 3 years old by the start of the program.

The Toddler Sports Program is run by the Town’s Parks Department, Recreation Division. For further information, please call (516) 797-7945.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

Phys. Ed. Leadership Earns Award For Wantagh Pair For their active participation in physical education classes and personal commitments to health and fitness, Wantagh High School seniors Joseph Robbins and Isabella Witte are the 2023 recipients of the Nassau Zone Outstanding Student Award.

The recognition is presented to one male and one female student at every high school from the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Students are nominated by their physical education teachers for best exemplifying the New York State learning standards for health and physical education.

“I’m always participating and making sure that everyone is involved and having a good time,” Isabella said.

Added Joseph, “I’m always trying my hardest and also trying to get other students to match my effort.”

The award recognizes students who exhibit physically active lifestyles; value healthy choices; demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior including good character, citizenship and sportsmanship; show leadership; and are positive influences on their peers.

Isabella is a member of the varsity soccer team and Joseph plays football. Both of them want to pursue careers that promote health and fitness, as Isabella hopes to become a nurse and Joseph aspires to teach physical education.

—Submitted by the Wantagh School District

Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics Jennifer Keane and Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone congratulated Isabella and Joseph on the award. (Contributed photo)

Field Upgrades Coming To Pop’s Field In Farmingdale Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Steve Labriola announce that field upgrades are coming soon to Pop’s Field in Farmingdale. A synthetic turf infield will be replaced to improve the playing experience and safety for youth athletes who utilize this facility.

“My administration is committed to ensuring the Town of Oyster Bay is the best place

to live, work, and raise a family. That means ensuring our parks offer the best playing experience for all who use them, especially our young athletes,” Supervisor Saladino said.

“I’m proud to announce that upgrades are on the way to Pop’s Field in Farmingdale in the most cost-effective manner possible.”

Artificial turf fields have a general useful life of up to 10 years, however they are less

expensive than the long-term cost of maintaining natural grass and a dirt surface. Turf fields also provide the potential for fewer cancellations of games due to inclement weather, as the field is able to absorb rain storms in a manner that is not possible on a fully-dirt infield.

“These upgrades will extend the play time for local little leaguers,” said Coun-

cilman Labriola. “We are pleased to bring these enhancements to the Farmingdale community while keeping a watchful eye on our bottom line.”

For more information about Town parks, including local programs and events, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown. com/parks.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

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14 JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • ANTON MEDIA GROUP 10 JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024 • ANTON MEDIA GROUP

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ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

LONG ISLAND WEEKLY

Podcasts Share Poems From Non-Speaking, Autistic Community senior vice president and account leader, began publishing his podcast, My Words Are My Voice, in May 2023.

“Since I’ve done this podcast, I had no idea where this thing was going to jcorr@antonmediagroup.com go,” Specht said.

The podcast, My Words Are My Voice, nce I sluggishly died to the idea of talking, my mind was is now listened to in 17 countries.

Currently, it has nine episodes, consistfree to roam.” ing of poetry from non-speaking indiThose words begin a poem written viduals, as well as Specht’s commentary.

by Richie Specht, 27, using what is known One episode is released each month. as the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM).

This month’s episode features a The poem was written when Richie was 20. conversation between two men “It is a methodology used by a facilwho are non-speaking. itator or a communication partner to “They’re over 50 years old,” assist the individual by either pointing, Specht said. “They probably only typing or writing,” said Richard Specht, started communicating somewhere Richie’s father. “Typically the lessons in their 40s through the letter board, last anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. In and now they’re having a this particular session, my son conversation… Now, they’re pointed using one letter at conversing and sharing a time on a laminated their thoughts and their 8 ½ in. x 11 in. letter feelings.” board.”

RPM was created by East Islip resident They’re in tune with Soma Mukhopadhyay, Specht became something we’re not who created the method introduced to the in tune with, to speak with her son. In world of autism when Richard Specht, creator of the 2003, she was asked to Richie, who was born My Words Are My Voice join the Halo Clinic, based at 27 weeks old and in Austin, Texas. When weighed one pound and Specht’s wife, Rose, learned 13 ounces, was 18 months. about RPM, it took about a year “It wasn’t until 18 months to get on Mukhopadhyay’s calendar. that my wife suspected something,” Finally, the family was able to come to Specht said. “He lost eye contact.” the clinic in Texas for four days, with Richie was brought to the now-closed Long Island College Hospital and in less two sessions each day.

“Soma would see my son,” Specht than five minutes, the doctor mentioned said. “My wife and I would participate autism. just to observe what this methodology “I had no idea what autism was, was. And by the second day, my son was and quite frankly, looking back, I was doing three-digit multiplication. Being probably in denial for at least five or six a New Yorker, I was like, ‘I don’t believe years,” Specht said. it.’”

The Spechts spent a lot of time doing He was solving these math problems research in order to provide the best life without a calculator and getting 80 perfor their son, and, wanting to further cent of the questions right. Specht said serve his son and the community, he was also impressed by Richie’s ability Specht, for nine years, joined the Long to correctly spell and answer questions.

Island Chapter Board of Autism Speaks, “But after the third day of each seswhich he says was therapeutic because sion, I just sat back and I was absolutely he was able to talk to other individuals stunned,” Specht said. “Now, we come in the autism community. back to New York. My son was 16.

Specht, now retired from financial There’s no communication partners to technology company Broadridge as a

Richard Specht is the founder of the My Words Are My Voice podcast.

JENNIFER CORR

(Photo by Jennifer Corr)

“O

help guide my son, so through this community of women, they started flying Soma up to New York with her son to basically provide sessions for their kids. So we were part of that.”

Oftentimes, Specht explained, non-speaking individuals are also diagnosed with apraxia, a disorder of the brain and nervous system that makes it difficult to perform tasks or movements when asked despite understanding the request.

“I think [RPM] opens up their lives, to saying ‘okay, you know what, you finally have recognized that I’m an intelligent individual,” Specht said.

When asked what Specht has learned through reading and sharing poems created through RPM, he said that he’s been humbled and feels blessed.

“I just feel that I’m on the right path,”

Specht said. “I really believe they need to be respected for who they are as individuals and recognized because they want to be part of our lives.”

Specht added that nine out of 10 times when he receives the poems and reads them, he cries, thinking about the amount of energy and focus it takes during the 30 to 45-minute sessions to tap each letter when the writer already knows what they want to say.

“They’re in tune with something we’re not in tune with,” Specht said, later adding “What I’ve learned, it’s continued to humble me.”

My Words Are My Voice is available on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Twitter and Facebook.

Organizations such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association do not support the use of RPM, citing risks such as practitioners purposely or accidentally inserting their own message.

ANTON MEDIA GROUP • JANUARY 17 - 23, 2024

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