Syosset–Jericho Tribune 2/28/24 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

Troubled Foundation

Changes to school funding calculation add up to uncertainty for many districts

AMANDA OLSEN JENNIFER CORR

aolsen@antonmediagroup.com jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

Foundation Aid, first enacted in 2007-08, is the largest unrestricted aid category supporting public school district expenditures in New York State. This year it represents approximately 68.4 percent of the total State Aid received by districts statewide. Foundation Aid is the package of funding the state provides each school district. It is based on a complicated formula that takes enrollment, need, and federal and local contribution into account, among other factors. (For a breakdown of how Foundation Aid is currently calculated, see Full Run page 2a.) This past year is the first where Foundation Aid has been fully funded. Additionally, parts of the formula for Foundation Aid have not been updated for more than 15 years.

The state is facing a $4.3 billion dollar shortfall in the coming fiscal year. The two biggest expenditures for the budget are healthcare and public education, making them the first places considered for cuts. The state office of the budget stated that the decision to change the formula and eliminate the save harmless provision was based on a number of factors. “This budget attempts to solve for a $4.3 billion budget gap and we need to make decisions on where to spend state resources. With regard to public schools, they’ve never been more well-resourced. In a time when we are paying $35 billion for schools, we have to ask, ‘are we investing it appropriately?’ Are we making sure our high need students are getting the resources they need and that districts that are growing in size have the resources they need, while also getting to a number that is sustainable in the State’s financial plan,” said New York State Budget Director Blake Washington.

At a budget hearing at the end of January, New York State Education Department Commissioner Betty Rosa did not approve of the governor’s plan to do away immediately with “save harmless,” also known as “hold harmless,” and the establishment of an inflation factor of 2.4 percent for Foundation Aid. She stated that she preferred the elimination of “save harmless” be phased in to give the districts time to make adjustments and find other funding.

“We do not support this position because it impacts 337 districts. It’s been so abrupt and the conversations have not taken place. Our position has been that in order to do this, you really should have a three-to-fiveyear plan, where we have opportunities to

get a new formula, where we have opportunities to look at the impact across the entire state in the various districts and make sure that the new formula informs the study and the new formula informs the work,” Commissioner Rosa said in her testimony.

The loss of federal funding from COVIDera aid is also compounding the issue. Rosa stated that she had been warning districts to be ready for this funding “cliff” for some time. “We have been warning districts about the fiscal cliff from last year, the year before, knowing that the additional financials that we received for learning loss that were added, with staffing and everything else (were ceasing.) I think a lot of districts were caught off guard, knowing that we’re going through that process of the Federal financial cliff, and then having this also happen. This has really created distress for districts. Now they have to rethink how they deal with personnel issues, delivery of services for our students, as well as looking at what are the decisions that they’re going to have to make this spring.”

A number of representatives from Nassau County, including New York State Senator Steve Rhoads, Senator Patricia CanzoneriFitzpatrick, Senator Jack Martins, Senator Alexis Weik and Assembly Members Ari Brown and Brian Curran, have responded to the proposed changes. The group gathered at the beginning of the month to call on the governor to reconsider and have also started a petition. (See Full Run page 2a for details.)

“There were superintendents there from across Nassau County,” Martins said. “Whether they’re on the South Shore, whether they’re on the North Shore, they all have the same concern: if the state if going to provide us with these mandates… it’s time that the state takes on the responsibility of properly funding education here on Long Island.”

Martins cited an example of the state withholding funding if there’s a decline in enrollment, explaining that a loss of, say, 20 students in various grades wouldn’t change the district’s budget .

“The state, through the governor’s propos-

al and the rolling back of the ‘hold harmless,’ is basically saying, ‘we’re going to cut back on our funding’ when effectively it doesn’t change the budget for that school district,” Martins said. Martins also expressed concern about the Consumer Price Index piece of the formula for calculating Foundation Aid.

“The governor decided because we’ve had a rough inflationary period, rather than increasing to inflation, she would actually take an average over the last several years,” Martins said. “That inflation has impacted every one of our school districts, their cost of energy, materials, everything they do has been impacted by that cost of inflation”

Martins added that because of the tax cap, and these rises in costs, districts have to rely on the state to “pay its fair share.”

“They’re not getting the fair proportionate share of their budget from the state, but all of these mandates come down from the state every year,” Martins said. “And I’ve heard that from every superintendent across this district.”

Martins said that the New York State Senate and Assembly will be releasing their own budgets.

“There will be alternatives there,” Martins said. “And I think you’ll see that both the Assembly and the Senate will address education differently.”

Other public officials have also weighed in on the changes. “For the past three years, New York State has made a historic commitment to fully fund Foundation Aid, and these investments should not be undermined now. I will not let that happen. I am committed to joining my colleagues in the Democratic Assembly and Senate Majorities to remove the proposed cuts from the final budget. Similar to past years’ negotiations, this would be done during the final budget process. While others make statements and hold press conferences, I will be working with my colleagues in the Assembly Majority to put forth a budget that makes sure our schools receive the critical funding they need. As we have always done,” said Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti in a statement.

The New York State Union of Teachers is also concerned about the impact the recalculation will have on education in the state. “Call them what you want; these are cuts,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “Once again, the state is turning its back on its support for our students and our communities. It took less than a year after the legacy victory of fully funding Foundation Aid for that promise to be broken, and we now return to the same old fight for the resources all our schools desperately need. To say we are profoundly disappointed is an understatement.”

For more information on the budget, visit budget.ny.gov.

New York State Capitol Building (Photo by albany.org)

Jack Martins (Anton Media Group file photo)

Commissioner Betty Rosa (Photo by the office of the Commissioner of Education)

Jericho Begins Budget Planning For 2024-2025 School Year

JENNIFER CORR

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

The Jericho Union Free School District is among the districts on Long Island and in New York State that are beginning their budget planning process amid uncertainty about how much Foundation Aid they will lose this upcoming year.

“The bulk of anyone’s state aid is Foundation Aid,” explained Jericho Union Free School District Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs Victor Manuel.

Manuel added that the district has been happy with State Gov. Kathy Hochul for the past two years, as she’s been a part of providing more funding for districts across the state.

“One year after touting her success with that… she decided to change a few things this year in her proposal,” Manuel said, explaining the Consumer Price Index, or CPI, component of the formula for Foundation Aid. “Being that 4 percent [CPI] was too high, she decided to change it to a 10-year average. Instead of the 4.12 percent that went into the calculation, it was a little over two percent that went into the calculation, which was significantly lower.”

Manuel added that the district will also be impacted by Hochul’s plan to eliminate “save harmless,” which guarantees a district will receive the Foundation Aid they received the prior year even if there’s a significant change of wealth, enrollment or any other factor that can impact the formula that goes into calculating Foundation Aid.

The district held its first budget presentation on Jan. 18, announcing that the tax levy cap for the 2024-2025 school year would likely be between 3.2 to 3.5 percent.

“The thick piece of the tax cap calculation is the [Consumer Price Index, CPI], and it’s lesser than two percent or whatever the CPI was for this past year,” said Manuel. “This past year, the CPI was 4.12 percent, but again, it’s the lesser of two… So two percent for that calculation was what we used.”

Because the 2023-2024 tax levy was far below the maximum allowable threshold of 4.37 percent at 2.77 percent, the district was entitled to a “carry-over” of the unused tax levy for this upcoming year’s budget.

Similar to last year, the district is also experiencing a significant increase in health insurance premiums, as well as general liability and property insurance. Child Victims Act cases are among the drivers increasing the cost of insurance.

“Transportation costs, we’re concerned about,” Manuel explained. “We’re working with our contractor, but those costs are

increasing significantly.”

Recommended Capital Projects for the 2024-2025 Budget

Over the past eight years, Director of Buildings and Grounds Michael Hahn and architect John Grillo have been continually assessing the district’s buildings and grounds, recommending projects for the district to undertake.

In the presentation on Jan. 18, items highlighted in yellow are projects recommended for the upcoming budget’s capital funding.

throughout each of the buildings is we’re allocating dollars for what’s called district-wide pump plumbing upgrades,” Manuel explained. “As the community knows, we had a significant flood in the electrical room of the high school a couple of months ago during Thanksgiving and one of the things we want to do is to be able to have the funds to hire

upgrades.

•Jericho High/Middle School: Bathroom renovations, replace small generators and district-wide pump/plumbing upgrades.

The total cost of these projects is approximately $5.7 million. However, approximately $1.275 million came out of the transfer to the Capital budget line, bringing the Capital Reserve proposition to approximately $4.4 million. The projects will be

a contractor this summer to go through all of the tunnels, the crawl spaces and see if there’s any other pipes that are in any type of condition that we feel needs replacing as soon as possible. Additionally, we want to put automatic shut-off valves and sensors throughout all the boiler rooms, electrical rooms, and anything that has any type of structural equipment.”

Manuel said the cost of such repairs has not been determined yet, but money is being allocated towards it for each building.

Recommended Capital Projects:

•Cantiague Elementary School: District-wide pump/plumbing upgrades and bathroom renovations.

•George A. Jackson Elementary School: District-wide pump/plumbing upgrades, auditorium reconstruction and bathroom renovations.

•Jeffrey Ratner Robert Seaman Elementary School: Exterior doors, frames and hardware replacements and district-wide pump/plumbing upgrades.

•Robert Williams School (Leased by the district): District-wide/plumbing

funded by the transfer to Capital Code and funded Capital Reserves.

Projects Planned for Summer 2024 and the 2024-2025 School Year

During the Jan. 18 budget presentation, Grillo discussed the capital projects that were voted on in May of 2023.

Grillo explained that these projects were submitted to the New York State Education Department the first week of September.

“As you can imagine, the SED is pretty backlogged,” Grillo said. “They’re currently reviewing projects that were submitted the first week in August, so we’re hoping this time next month we’ll have SED approval and we’ll go through the bidding process and the award process.

Projects include:

•Ventilation on the first floor of Jericho Middle School

•District-wide bathroom renovations

•Window replacements on the second floor of Cantiague Elementary School and Jericho Middle School

•Music classroom renovation at Jericho

High School

•Complete window replacement around the original Jericho High School and Middle School building

•Completion of rooftop unit replacement at Jericho High School and Middle School

“[Voters] authorize it in May of that particular budget year, then John prepares the plan specifications and sends them up to the state, and that is a 6 to 9-month review from the state,” Manuel explained. “Depending on the project such as windows or rooftop units that have a nine-month lead time on getting the materials, you’re talking almost two years before some of these projects actually get started.”

Pupil Personnel Services

During the Feb. 8 budget presentation, Director of Pupil Personnel Services Kim Conger and Pupil Personnel Associates Jamie Hermel and Shannon Murray provided an update on their department.

The Pupil Personnel Services department is anticipating another special education class at the elementary school level.

“We are adding an additional small class next year which will be for grade 1 and 2 students,” Murray explained. “Over the past few years, we have had an increase of students transitioning in from [Committee on Preschool Special Education, CPSE] who have required special classes, so that is the reason for the additional small class we’re adding next year.”

Of the district enrollment as of 2023, approximately 3,744 students, approximately 292 students are classified with an Individualized Education Program. Fourteen of the students are educated in a separate setting outside of the district and 24 of the students are preschool students.

Manuel explained that the district is seeing an increase in the costs of professional services provided for children with special needs, such as behavior intervention and occupational therapy. The services were budgeted at $1.5 million in the current budget and $1.75 million in the 2024-2025 budget.

The district has also been struggling to find a nurse to go on trips and substitute for absent nurses. The district is increasing a nurse to full-time, as they will now serve as a district-wide floater nurse.

Budget presentations will continue, with discussion on general education taking place Feb. 29, a full budget review of revenues and expenditures on March 13 and an adoption of the budget by the Board of Education on March 21.

To view the budget presentations, visit jerichoschools.org. Copies of the presentations are available in the meeting’s agenda packets on the Board of Education web page.

(Getty Images)

Syosset Central School District Begins Budget Planning

JENNIFER CORR

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

The Syosset Central School District Board of Education held its first 2024-2025 budget meeting on Feb. 12, where the preliminary tax cap of 3.23 percent was announced.

Associate Superintendent for Business Dr. Patricia M. Rufo explained that the district has been under the tax cap every year since it was signed into New York State law in 2011.

This year, as all districts face challenges, Dr. Rufo discussed what she learned at a meeting on Feb. 9 with business officials in Nassau County.

“I would characterize it as a pretty somber meeting in terms of discussing the budget for next year,” Dr. Rufo explained. “There are several factors that are impacting all of us, and then some that are somewhat unique to Syosset.”

Among the factors that are impacting Syosset, as well as other districts, is an increase in health insurance premiums.

“Health insurance alone, at this point, accounts for about $4.3 million in our budget…,” Dr. Rufo said. “We have required contributions to the two state pension systems. At this point, we’re projecting those to be about $1.3-$1.4 million. So those two items alone in our budget, before we even look at any other item, account for about a 2 percent increase budget to budget.”

Inflation is also driving budget increases in terms of contracts, such as transportation and educational supplies.

“And for us, another factor is enrollment growth,” Dr. Rufo explained. “This is not something that is happening county-wide; in fact, there has been a decrease in Nassau County’s overall enrollment, but not for Syosset. We’ve been talking about the challenges on the facilities end; well, it also presents challenges for us on the operating budget.”

In an already difficult budget year, the district may lose $220,000 in Foundation Aid with State Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget, which eliminates the “hold harmless” provision that could lead to millions of dollars in lost Foundation Aid for school districts across the state.

However, the district is receiving another approximately $1.7 million in state funding for Universal Pre-K, which will allocate 309 spots.

“In addition to providing a great service to our community, it also gives us a window

into enrollment for the next year,” Dr. Rufo said. “It also enables us to identify those students a year earlier who might need additional services and start providing those services to them.”

Capital Section of Budget

The Capital Codes of the budget, which accounts for 13.7 percent of the budget, are forecasted to increase by $695,959.

“The increase is driven primarily by security cost,” Dr, Rufo said. “This increase is partially offset by a decrease in borrowing costs that we’re projecting for our [Tax Anticipation Notes].”

security presence at events and during the school days.

There is also an increase in the Operation of Plant budget line, which includes custodial operations, utilities and custodial services.

“One of the changes we have, or additions we have, is an allocation for our turf field grooming as well as an allocation for office space,” Dr. Rufo said. “As you know, we’re experiencing enrollment growth in South Woods and we talked about plans to move some of the offices out to make room for classrooms, so we put an allocation for office space in this code.”

There are several factors that are impacting all of us, and then some that are somewhat unique to Syosset.

The preliminary decrease for the Tax Anticipation Notes stands at $109,111 from the current year’s budget.

—Dr. Patricia M. Rufo, Associate Superintendent for Business

“While we’re still forecasting a similar interest rate that we had this year, we believe we can reduce the amount we plan to borrow,” Dr. Rufo explained. “We’re looking closely at our cash flow to see if we can squeeze that a little bit more. We do that in consultation with our fiscal advisors and our bond council.”

The $644,766 security increase is driven by a raise for hourly guards and increased

The Transfer to Capital is the same as the current year’s budget, approximately $4.3 million. However, new projects are on the table, including electrical switchgear replacement at H.B. Thompson Middle School and Syosset High School; district-wide roofing; the office to classroom alterations at South Woods Middle School; district-wide paving and district-wide electrical upgrades.

Administrative Section of the Budget

The administrative section of the budget accounts for 9.3 percent of the budget.

“Overall you can see that the admin section increased about $1 million or 5.4 percent,” Dr. Rufo said. “The increase is attributable to several expenses.”

Increased expenses include a Wi-Fi upgrade project, liability insurance, residency investigations as well as BOCES administrative fees and contractual salary adjustments.

“BOCES allocates their administrative costs to their component districts and just like our district, where we’re subject to increases in [New York State Health Insurance Program] and pension costs, so is BOCES, and that’s what’s responsible for the percentage change,” Dr. Rufo explained.

And because the Board of Education has prioritized residency confirmation, the Personnel Office, which is responsible for residency and registration functions, saw an increase of approximately $212,303, which includes a $55,000 increase for BOCES services.

The Wi-Fi upgrade project will be done through BOCES, which the district will receive aid for in the subsequent year. The project will be done over a span of multiple years.

“Many of our access points are at endof-life, and this project also enables us to improve our security,” Dr. Rufo said. “It enhances the identification, monitoring and protection of the devices connected to the network. It will enable us to transition from a hardware base to a cloud-based system, and it will enable us to isolate buildings and systems in the event of a cyber attack and that’s increasingly becoming a concern for school districts and to organizations.”

The BOCES administrative costs increased by $57,044.

There was also a $22,500 increase in the district meeting budget line to address expenses for the annual budget vote and district election.

“We’ve been discussing a facilities plan for over a year, so we’ve included an additional allocation for a vote in the 2024-2025 school year,” Dr. Rufo said.

At the March 11 budget meeting, the program/instructional budget, revenues and reserves, updates to administrative and capital codes and updates to the tax cap will be discussed.

There will be a Board of Education budget information meeting on April 16, when it will be adopted.

The budget will be available to the public on May 6, and a hearing will follow on May 13 before the annual district election and budget vote on May 21.

To see the budget presentation, visit www.syossetschools.org/domain/115.

(Getty Images)

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

Distinguished Artists: Carlson & Grant

At the Syosset Public Library, 225 S Oyster Bay Road, at 1 p.m., Carlson and Grant will perform solos and duets from the nostalgic past. Register for this program online at syossetlibrary.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8

Major League Trivia 10th Anniversary

Major League Trivia is celebrating its 10 years at Butera’s Restaurant of Woodbury, 7903 Jericho Turnpike. At 9 p.m., enjoy dinner and a trivia challenge. A trophy is the prize.

Trivia is free if you’re eating, but $5 for only trivia. Make a reservation by calling 516-496-3633.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

Blooms in Color Painting Class

Join the Syosset Public Library, 225 S Oyster Bay Road, from 10:30 a.m. to 12

p.m. for a day of creativity. Learn the art of painting vibrant tulips with acrylics. The instructor will guide you through each brushstroke, helping you create a masterpiece to take home that captures the essence of stunning flowers. Fee is $5. Register online at syossetlibrary.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

Distinguished Artists: Mambo Loco At the Jericho Public Library, 1 Merry Lane, at 2 p.m., Mambo Loco will play the best of old-school Latin and Latin Jazz. Make a reservation online at jericholibrary.

be performing at the theater from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Celebrate the music of The Beatles! Register online at syossetlibrary.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26

Syosset Public Library

2024 Long Island

Reads Book

Discussion

located at 170 Michael Drive, will be performing Something Rotten the Musical on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from March 16 to April 14. Show summary:

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

St. Paddy’s Edition: Craft Charcuterie Made

By Merry NY

Enjoy this mom & me Build-A-Board workshop at Krafty Hands in Syosset, 49 Ira Road, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Learn to create food art. Cost is $150 for one pair.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

The Day Trippers

At the Syosset Public Library, 225 South Oyster Bay Road, The Day Trippers will

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can affect every member of the family.

Join Jackie Ranaldo, head of readers’ ser vices at the Syosset Public Library, 225 S Oyster Bay Road, for an in-person discussion at 2 p.m. of the 2024 Long Island Reads selection

Better Living

Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World by Christian Cooper. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk one month before the program. No registration is needed.

(Getty Images)

ONGOING EVENTS

Something Rotten the Musical at The Cultural Arts Playhouse of Syosset The Cultural Arts Playhouse of Syosset,

“Welcome to the Renaissance, where the Black Plague has ceded power to the Puritans, farthingales and codpieces are the latest fashion trend and the biggest celebrity in England is a playwright named William Shakespeare. In the midst of all this excitement, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are trying to keep their acting company afloat. In a desperate attempt to out-Bard the Bard, Nick consults with a soothsayer, who informs him that the future of the theatre involves acting, singing and dancing – sometimes all at once. As the Bottom brothers strive to write the world’s very first “musical,” they find themselves caught in a bitter battle with the Bard. Tickets are available online at cap.booktix.com.

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It is the proper mix of surgical and non-surgical options that guarantees a successful improvement in appearance as well as a significant reduction in the signs of aging. We have helped thousands of men and women get the look they have been dreaming of. Now is the time to show off a slimmer and younger looking face and body for 2024!

(Getty Images)

Nassau County Officials Rally To Oppose Cuts To Foundation Aid

Nassau County school districts faced with over $23 million in proposed cuts

aolsen@antonmediagroup.com

On February 1, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads along with colleagues Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Senator Jack Martins, Senator Alexis Weik and Assembly Members Ari Brown and Brian Curran, called on Governor Hochul to reverse the devastating cuts to schools that were included in her budget proposal. The elimination of the save harmless provision and the changes in the inflation calculation for Foundation Aid, the state contribution to schools, mean that many school districts in Nassau County are impacted, including Port Washington, Great Neck, Manhasset, Roslyn, New Hyde Park, Mineola, Jericho, Oyster Bay and Locust Valley.

“The safety, success, and well-being of our students should always be a top priority. The Governor’s proposed changes in education funding would cut over $4 million in school aid - in just my Senate District alone. We must empower our teachers and students to be their best and chart our students on a course for a lifetime of success. As the budget process continues, I remain undeterred and ready to fight for our teachers, schools, and families to ensure our children get the quality education they deserve,” said Senator Steve Rhoads, SD 5.

“The Governor’s budget is yet another example of the complete disregard for our Nassau families and taxpayers. They are stripping millions of dollars from our Nassau school districts. My district alone is getting hit with more than $11 million in school aid cuts (see attached). Nassau taxpayers are tired of misplaced priorities from Albany’s OneParty Rule, and I will continue to fight to get Nassau school districts the funding they deserve, ” said Senator Patricia

Canzoneri-Fitpatrick, SD 9.

“Governor Hochul’s proposed education budget cuts are nothing less than an attack on New York’s suburban school districts, and she will deprive our schoolchildren of the resources they deserve. This means that millions of more dollars will be thrown onto the backs of our taxpayers. Enough is enough! The State has an absolute obligation to fund our schools. Today, we stand in solidarity with our schools, teachers, and especially parents and children in saying “No!”. Our first priority has always been and will remain our children and we are completely committed to fighting for them,” said Senator Jack Martins, SD 7.

“The Governor’s budget proposal shorts our education foundation aid by $420 million. Fifty-six schools on Long Island are being shorted by staggering amounts, leaving them with the uncertainty of how to maintain teachers and programs. The Governor and the Democrat majority need to make our schools, our students, teachers and programs a priority by reallocating our $2.4 billion tax dollars where it belongs,” said Senator Alexis Weik, SD 8th.

“There is a strong correlation between adequate funding and student achievement. Decreased funding could lead to lower academic performance and graduation rates, and will widen achievement gaps among student populations. Students from low-income backgrounds will certainly be disproportionately affected as they rely more heavily on school resources for academic support and enrichment opportunities. Additionally, these significant cuts will almost certainly lead to salary freezes, reduced benefits, and increased workloads for educators, which will affect morale and may also hinder teacher retention and recruitment efforts, exacerbating staffing shortages and further compromising the quality of education.

“The loss of 4.3 million in foundation aid in a single year

is devastating for our district, particularly since the cut comes without warning or preparation. No district can absorb that level of loss without cuts to programs, which ultimately affect our students, 30 percent of whom live below State poverty thresholds. We urge our State legislators to seek a reprieve so that we can maintain our student programs, particularly as we continue to recover from the pandemic,” said Dr. Jennifer Gallagher, Superintendent of the Long Beach City School District.

Senator Rhoads added, “As your State Senator, I understand how important public education is to the life of a community. I strongly oppose these cuts and will fight to ensure all schools get their fair share of education funding in this year’s state budget.”

Senate districts facing school aid cuts

Senate District 9

$11,158,221

Senate District 7

$5,202,205

Senate District 5

$4,366,601

Senate District 8

$17,305,533

—Submitted by the office of Senator Steve Rhoads with additional information by Amanda Olsen

How Foundation Aid Is Calculated Now

The Foundation Aid formula consists of five core pieces. A uniform per pupil amount (the Foundation Amount) is multiplied by a Pupil Needs Index and by a Regional Cost Index. That product is then offset by an amount to be raised from local revenue sources. The result is then multiplied by a weighted pupil count which provides some additional support on behalf of students with disabilities.

• Foundation Amount: This is a uniform per pupil amount for every district. The figure was derived from the average per pupil spending of districts deemed to be providing adequate education as determined by a “Successful School Model” using student performance on a collection of eight state assessments.

• Pupil Needs Index: This factor considers student poverty, measured using a combination of Census data from the year 2000 and a rolling three-year average of the percentage of kindergarten through grade six students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, plus counts of English Language Learners, and a measure of geographic sparsity (students per square mile).

• Regional Cost Index: To adjust aid to reflect variations in the cost

of providing education, this factor divides the state into nine regions and assigns all districts in each region an index value based on the compensation of workers in that region in occupations requiring education comparable to that of teachers, reflecting a consensus that the measure should not use factors which could be influenced by school district spending decisions.

• Expected Local Contribution: This factor determines an amount each district should be expected to raise from local revenues to support general education. It uses the more favorable of two options for every district; both adjust the expected amount based on district property wealth and resident incomes, so that poorer school districts are expected to contribute less and wealthier districts more.

• Weighted Pupil Count: Where some state aid formulas reimburse districts for a share of approved expenses, Foundation Aid allocates an amount per pupil. The pupil count gives extra weight for students who are receiving special education or who moved out of special education in the prior year.

—New York State Educational Conference Board

Senator Steve Rhoads speaking at the event (Office of Senator Steve Rhoads)

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TFaithful Fans Freeze At Islanders Watch Party

COLE McDONNELL

he Park at UBS Arena hosted a Stadium Series Watch Party for the New York Rangers vs New York Islanders game in Metlife Stadium. Islanders fans stuck it through frigid temperatures for an exciting game that ended with a controversial finish that let the fans down. The Islanders held a 5-3 lead late in the third period until Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad tied the game at five apiece with two powerplay goals. Artemi Panarin scored 10 seconds into overtime giving the Rangers the win. The goal was reviewed after Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson hit the net. It was ruled a goal because the puck slid in after Dobson and Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin knocked it around.

Although the game didn’t end how the fans at The Park wanted it to, UBS held a fun event for the Islanders faithful with plenty of different activities to participate in. Cornhole games were set up, and two big skating rinks where fans could skate around with the Islanders mascot, Nyisles. There were reserved igloos for families to stay warm during the game. The Big Cheesee food truck served its famous Giant Grilled Cheese sandwich. The Big Black Food Truck and the Rolling Video Games of Long Island Truck had Wii games for kids to play.

“It’s extremely special to the Islanders community and just Long Island in general, to get the team back here and hosting something where the community can come together and have fun like this, it’s a great time,” said Islanders fan Bill Swanson.

The Islanders staff was out in full force with multiple giveaways of merchandise including signed pictures, jerseys, and hats. They held Islanders-themed trivia and gave out tickets to a Jennifer Lopez concert taking place at the UBS Arena on Aug. 9.

Islanders legend Bob Nystrom was in attendance at The Park. He was meeting and greeting fans at the Islanders Swag Shack. Fans who waited in line were rewarded with Nystrom’s autograph. Later during an intermission, Nystrom stood in front of the crowd of fans and answered questions. He gave a thank you to the fans and all their support. “You Islander fans are just absolutely the best. You really do help the team win. So thank you to all of you.”

Nystrom scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime of the 1980 Finals which was the first in franchise history. That goal kickstarted a run of four straight championships for the Islanders. The Islanders

have been carrying on his legacy with the Bob Nystrom Award, given to the player who “best exemplifies leadership, hustle and dedication.”

“These guys that are playing out there today will remember this for as long as they live. Other teams have tried it and it’s worked out so well,” said Nystrom regarding the Stadium Series popularity. “It’s really great for the fans and it’s great for the players themselves.”

The Stadium Series is a series of games that the NHL plays in outdoor stadiums, along with the NHL Winter Classic and NHL Heritage Classic. There have been 15 games played during the Stadium Series

and eight of them rank in the top 20 of ice hockey attendance records. The two games held on February 17th and 18th broke attendance records for games in the Stadium Series. The Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils played at Metlife on the 17th with 70,328 in attendance but the Rangers-Islanders game broke that record the next day drawing 79,690 fans to watch the game.

“The Stadium Series is a great thing for the NHL. It definitely spreads national awareness and as a brand it gets the NHL a little bit more up there with its competition,” said Swanson.

The Rangers and Islanders met in the

first year of the Stadium Series on Jan. 29, 2014, where the Rangers won 2-1. The game saw rookie Brock Nelson score the first goal of the game for the Islanders. Nelson scored the first goal for the Islanders in the 2024 edition of the game as well. A threegoal first-period outburst from the Isles put them up 3-1 having fans in pure excitement at The Park. Anders Lee scored a powerplay goal a minute into the second period giving them a 4-1 cushion. Vincent Trocheck put two in for the Rangers later in the period giving them some life going into the final period.

Alexander Romanov put the Isles up by two goals less than two minutes into the third period. The Islanders, who have the worst penalty-kill percentage in the league at 70.7 percent allowed two more in the third allowing the Rangers to force overtime and ultimately steal one from the Islanders. This win for the Rangers marks their seventh consecutive win and keeps them in contention for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders are on the outside looking in of the Wild Card standings with every game holding a lot of weight.

The fans received good news despite the losing effort by the team: the broadcast announced that the 2026 NHL All-Star Game will take place on Long Island at the UBS Arena. This will be the first time the All-Star Game will be played on the Island since 1983 when it was held at the Nassau Coliseum, the old home of the Islanders. The event is something Belmont will be looking forward to hosting.

Fans lled The Park for the Islanders-Rangers Stadium Series. (Photos by Cole McDonnell)

UBS Arena had two ice skating rinks for fans to enjoy during the game.

There’s still time to register for spring classes!

Give your student the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. Hofstra Youth Academy offers over 30 classes taught by New York State certified teachers and/or industry professionals in academics, fine and studio arts, enrichment, athletics, and video game development. Students in Pre-K through 12th grade benefit from Hofstra’s state-of-the-art facilities and our small class sizes allow for group and individual instruction.

Spring classes begin Saturday, March 2, 2024.

For more information or to register, visit ce.hofstra.edu/youth or contact us at 516-463-7400

Spending quality time in nature has always been one of my favorite pastimes. In days gone by, I often found myself on a blanket in the backyard, either reading or writing while enjoying the sounds of the breeze in the trees, the birds nearby, and the squirrels as they chattered to one another from opposing sides of my property. As many of you know, my husband and I frequently take walks in nature preserves on Long Island. Getting back to basics and finding peace in the silence is the perfect antidote for the craziness of Life.

As some of you also are aware, I forage from the wild. I follow several foragers, including the Appalachian Forager on Instagram and Yoga Girl Rachel Brathen on both Instagram and Facebook. Over the past few years, I have created a Yoga Girl-inspired syrup from fresh spruce tips, dandelion honey from flowers found in a rarely used field and violet syrup from violets in the woods. I made a household cleaner from white pine needles and vinegar, which took about three weeks to fully process. I collected and dried Mugwort from an open field and made a batch of incense. For a recent sinus infection, I used Mountain Mint buds that I collected and dried for a soothing cup of mint tea. It truly amazes me that nature has the power to heal in so many ways.

Hubby and I have been in the process of cleaning our home of several decades of collected items

A parental alliance is created when partners value and respect each other’s parenting decisions and the roles they choose to take on. This alliance is extremely important and not only has benefits for children in terms of their psychological functioning and development but benefits the parents as well. If parents can avoid frequent conflict, their children will fare better. Additionally, research has shown that by supporting one another in creating an alliance, parents experience less stress.

Take for example, hypothetical couple Kevin and Jenna who have a 17-year-old son named Scott and 12-year-old daughter Dawn. Kevin tends to be much more permissive in his parenting style, allowing the kids to do what they want when they want, and often doesn’t enforce rules, such as the

COLUMNS The Long Island Forager

SEE YOU AROUND THE TOWN

Patty Servidio

over the years, which recently led him to inquire about the collection of paper plates that were lined across the dining room table. “What is all of this?” he asked as he picked up a chunk of chaga mushroom, sniffed it and put it down rather quickly.

I explained the benefits of chaga tea to him and further advised him that after carefully washing my “stash”, it needed to dry before I could ground it and use it for tea. While the large chunks can be used several times for multiple cups of chaga tea, it had been my ultimate plan to grind the turkey tail mushrooms that were drying beside the chaga, along with the chaga, and add the powder to coffee. As I might have previously mentioned in another article, chaga has been known to boost immunity and has been used to boost white blood cell production, the first line of defense against viruses and bacteria. Turkey

tail helps to boost the immune system and has even been used to treat certain types of cancer in ancient times.

Hubby pointed towards another container; a Tupperware filled with brownish jelly-like objects. “And these?” The jelly-like items that sat forlornly on the bottom of the plastic container were Amber Jelly Roll Fungi, a mushroom with a rubbery texture that is essentially tasteless but takes on the flavor of the dishes in which it cooks. This mushroom is available year-round and can be found after a good rain. I’ve used it in soups, omelets, and rice dishes. One of the foragers I follow noted that his children referred to the mushroom as “crunchy Jello”. It’s a very accurate description.

Other items that have been drying on the dining room table are Wood Ear mushrooms, which are similar in texture to Amber Jelly. These mushrooms have multiple benefits, which include cholesterol and blood sugar regulation, high fiber content for gut health, and high iron content for preventing anemia, to name a few. Wood or jelly ears are usually dried, as I explained to my husband, and saved for future use in dishes. We were lucky enough to find a tremendous cluster of them when our daughter and “son” took us hiking this weekend at the spot where they took their vows in October. The area was stunning and so serene that I literally felt my blood pressure drop at least ten points. My wood ear

Maintaining A Parental Alliance

LOVE LESSONS

Marisa T. Cohen, PhD

curfew. Recently, Scott has been trying to pit his parents against one another so that he can get his way. He asked for the keys to the car to go to a party and when Jenna said no, Scott said “But Dad always lets me do it!” Kevin, overhearing this exchange said, “Come on Jenna, it’s just one night out, let him have the keys.” Scott

harvest was the proverbial icing on the cake.

When Hubby realized that it was futile to prevent me from collecting these precious gifts from nature, he decided to join me. Just last week, we found a tree that had a tremendous chaga conk upon it. He rolled up his coat sleeves and collected a large amount, which was covered in Crystal Brain fungus. The clear, jelly-like fungi, which was not deemed edible, was also very sticky and left a residue on his hands. I muffled a giggle as he furiously wiped the jelly off his hands with sanitizer and a large napkin but was grateful that he joined in the hunt.

Foraging is a wonderful activity, but it requires a great deal of research and knowledge about what one collects. Many foragers have fallen ill or even died because they did not investigate nor identify their harvest properly. I have decided to forage only that which I know is edible, and that which will benefit us. As one forager wrote on his website, “While certain jelly mushrooms don’t look all that appealing, in the event of world collapse, they are the perfect food for survival.” I’m not expecting worldwide collapse, but I am learning a great deal about the benefits of those things that have worked for centuries to assist in the betterment and overall health of humans. Wintertime is a slow time to forage, but spring is around the corner. I wish you all a happy forage, should you choose to go a-hunting!

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-Jericho Tribune

The Nassau Observer

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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

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Joe Scotchie

Advertising Sales

Ally Deane, Mary Mallon, Sal Massa, Maria Pruyn, Jeryl Sletteland

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Joy DiDonato

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Alex Nuñez

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Senior Page Designer

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For circulation inquiries, email:

Publication Office:

happily took the keys, leaving Jenna behind, who was now frustrated with both her son and Kevin. Not only was she worried about Scott leaving the house alone at night with the car but didn’t like how Kevin went against her in front of him.

A united front is important. Even if parents disagree when it comes to certain decisions, conversations should be had in private. By doing this, the parents can go over the situation, have time to share each of their viewpoints, process everything, and come to a consensus. For decisions that require more immediate action, such as with Scott who was heading out the front door, it is important for the parents to support one another in the moment and have a conversation after regarding their differing viewpoints. The goal of that

conversation would be for the two of them to come to an agreement as to how they will both set and enforce rules and responsibilities in the future.

When having discussions about parenting and creating an alliance, it is important to go over the many factors that can influence your parenting styles and values. For example, be sure to share with your partner how your family of origin affected how supported you felt as a child, and in turn how this has influenced you as an adult. Additionally, discuss the type of relationship you want to have with your children. For example, do you want them to see you as a friend, authority figure, or something in between? The more insight you can provide your partner with, the better able they will be to understand how you choose to make parenting decisions.

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2024 Long Island Community Newspapers,

Additional

Many everyday conveniences and innovations have roots in military development, showcasing the positive impact of military technologies on civilian life. GPS, initially developed for military navigation, is now integral to everyday activities such as driving and location-based services. The internet itself emerged from military research, transforming communication globally. Military advancements have also led to breakthroughs in medical technology, with developments like trauma care and prosthetics benefiting civilians. Materials like Kevlar, initially designed for military use, find applications in products such as body armor and high-performance sports gear. These examples illustrate how military innovation often yields widespread benefits for society at large. Here are 10 common things that originated in the military:

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Originally developed by the United States military for navigation and targeting purposes, GPS is now integrated into smartphones, cars, and numerous other

COLUMNS

Everyday Things With Military Origin LONG ISLAND

consumer devices.

Jeans

Denim pants, known as jeans, were first worn by sailors in the U.S. Navy in the 19th century. They have since become a staple of casual wear worldwide.

Microwave Oven

The microwave oven was developed during World War II by the Raytheon Corporation for radar technology. After the war, the technology was adapted for cooking purposes, revolutionizing home kitchens.

Duct Tape

Originally known as “duck tape” and used by the military during World War II for sealing ammunition cases, duct tape is now ubiquitous for household repairs and DIY projects.

Canned Food

Napoleon Bonaparte offered a cash prize for anyone who could invent a way to preserve food for

his army. This led to the development of canned food, which is now a pantry staple in households worldwide.

Aviator Sunglasses

Initially designed for pilots to protect their eyes from glare at high altitudes, aviator sunglasses are now a fashion accessory worn by people of all ages.

Jeep

The Jeep, originally developed for military use during World War II, has evolved into a popular civilian vehicle renowned for its off-road capabilities.

Cargo Pants

Cargo pants with multiple pockets were first designed for military use to allow soldiers to carry essential items. They are now commonly worn for their practicality and casual style.

Silicon Valley

The term “Silicon Valley” originated from the proliferation of semiconductor and technology companies in the region, which were initially contracted by the U.S. military for various projects.

Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality was initially developed for military training simulations. VR is now used in various industries, including gaming, healthcare and education.

Upcoming events

Saturday, March 2— Caps for Hope art memorial event honoring Glen Cove veterans from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Glen Cove Public Library

Sunday, March 3— Cellphones For Soldiers ongoing collection at Floral Park Public Library, sponsored by Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

Friday, March 8—Hooks For Heroes Winter Gala from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Buoy Bar in Point Lookout, ticketed

Saturday, March 9—St. Patrick’s Day Party at American Legion Elmont from 7 to 11 p.m., ticketed

Thursday, March 14— Employment Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (veteran admission at 9 a.m.) at Nassau Community College, Garden City

Wednesday, March 20—Rekindling Our Veteran Community conference at Adelphi University from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,

registration required

Sunday, March 31—Hometown Heroes Banner Program applications due for the Spring 2024 unveiling, sponsored by Franklin Square Civic Association

Wednesday, April 3— Operation Baby Shower for military families at UBS Arena in Elmont, by invitation only

Sunday, April 14, through April 20—Team Eva 7 Marathons

7 Days across Long Island

Saturday, April 27—Veterans Conference from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Farmingdale State College, sponsored by Long Island Blue Star Moms New York 6, registration required

Friday, May 10— General Needs charity gala from 6 to 10 p.m. at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck

Saturday, May 11—Big Apple Honor Flight accepting applications from veterans of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and now Cold War, for a day trip flight to Washington, D.C. for war era memorial visits

–Christy Hinko is a managing editor at Anton Media Group and a U.S. Navy veteran.

Curtis Waller Is Special Olympics New York Athlete Of The Month

Special Olympics New York and the New York Achieving a Better Life Experience Program (NY ABLE) are pleased to congratulate snowshoe athlete Curtis Waller from Farmingdale on being named the February 2024 Athlete of the Month.

Waller, age 65, has competed for the Free Lightning Snowshoe Club at both the local and state levels for eight years, earning numerous medals along the way.

“Curtis is always there for his teammates,” said his coach, Lori-Jean Farrell. “Whether they’re practicing or competing, he encourages them to do their best.”

To earn eligibility for Athlete of the Month, athletes must exhibit leadership in one or more of the following: Achievement in Sport, Sportsmanship (respect for coaches, officials, opponents, teammates), Character (playing by the rules, honesty, integrity), and Commitment to Improvement and Perseverance.

Athletes are considered for this honor based upon recommendations by Special Olympics New York staff, coaches, fans and the community. To recommend a Special Olympics New York athlete, visit www. specialolympicsNY.org.

About Special Olympics New York

Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 42,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with nearly 300 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without

disabilities compete as teammates. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. The organization has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.com and a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, making it one of the most trusted charities in the business nationally.

For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.

About NY ABLE

The New York Achieving a Better Life Experience Program (NY ABLE) allows Eligible Individuals with disabilities and their families to save for qualified disability related expenses, without limiting their ability to benefit from federal benefit programs such as SSI, SSDI and Medicaid. NY ABLE offers multiple investment options including a checking account and debit card option allowing individuals with disabilities to maintain their independence and have quick and easy access to their own money. Earnings on investments can grow tax-deferred and are tax-free if withdrawals are used for qualified disability expenses. For additional information about NY ABLE, or to open an account, please visit www.mynyable. org. Eligibility requirements, investment objectives, risks, expenses, and other important information about NY ABLE is available in the Disclosure Booklet and Participation Agreement.

—Submitted by Special Olympics New York

Curtis Waller (Photo by Special Olympics New York)

Nassau County Urban Forestry Academy Workshop Trainings

The Urban Forestry Academy training is designed to not only teach the fundamental principles of tree health care, but to also give people the tools to become advocates for trees in their communities. Weekly lectures and hands-on workshop trainings will be led by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County staff, with assistance from Cornell University faculty, local arborists, and representatives from other government organizations. This is an 8-week hybrid program that will utilize virtual interactive lectures and in-person workshop trainings.

There is increasing awareness that urban and community trees provide many benefits to the environment, to human health and well-being, and affects the economic viability of communities. As communities and homeowners face the financial challenges of tree damage that results from storms, disease, and pest insects, advocating for the support of these urban trees can be difficult. The Urban Forestry Academy is an informal training program that provides education to arborists, landscape professionals, and members of the public interested in promoting urban trees within their communities. This training is designed to not only teach the fundamental principles of tree health care, but to also give people the tools to become advocates for trees in their communities. Weekly lectures and handson workshop trainings will be led by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County staff, with assistance from Cornell University faculty, local arborists, and representatives from other government organizations.

Program Design:

The Urban Forestry Academy will be an 8-week hybrid program that will utilize virtual interactive lectures and in-person workshop trainings. The dates for the 2024 Urban Forestry Academy will be March 6th – April 27th. The virtual classes will be held once a week on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 in the evening and there will be a total of three in-person Saturday morning workshops from 9:00am - 11:00am.

The interactive lectures will cover a wide array of Urban Forestry topics, from the basic biology of trees to learning how to diagnose common tree problems. Lecture topics may vary depending on the interest of participants and relevance to current environments, but in general will align with the following syllabus:

Week 1: Benefits of an Urban Forest

Week 2: Tree Pruning and Tree Care

Week 3: Common Tree Problems

Week 4: Tree Identification

Week 5: Effect of Invasive Species on the Urban Forest

Week 6: Stewarding Trees for Success

Week 7: Site Assessment for Optimal Tree Health and Long-term success

Week 8: Community Projects and Grants Registration is available for individual sessions.

If you have any questions, please contact Chloe at cid7@ cornell.edu

—Submitted by the NYS Department of Conservation

Photo by Alex Nuñez

HOME & DESIGN

Junk In The Trunk

BY CHRISTY HINKO chinko@antonmediagroup.com

We are actually talking about junk, but not in the trunk. Although, the headline is catchy, right?

The kitchen junk drawer, a ubiquitous feature in homes across the globe, serves as a testament to the dynamic, somewhat chaotic nature of daily life. This unassuming storage space, often a drawer slightly askew, nestled among the kitchen cabinets and countertops, emerges over time as a catch-all of the miscellaneous things, the momentarily indispensable things, and the unclassifiable things.

At first glance, the contents of a kitchen junk drawer might seem haphazard—a mishmash of objects ranging from spare batteries and takeout menus to forgotten birthday candles and single earrings. There are rubber bands that have lost their elasticity, screws and nails waiting for a purpose, and an assortment of pens, half of which have long ceased to write. This assortment, this collection of odds and ends, speaks to the rhythm of daily existence, capturing snapshots of needs, wants, and unplanned moments.

What do the things in your junk drawer say about you?

The junk drawer is essentially a drawer with things that have true potential, one day. It holds the promise of utility and discovery; a treasure trove for the moment you need a twist tie, a flashlight during a power outage, or a screwdriver for a loose cabinet handle. It’s the first place to search when something small goes missing and often the last hope for finding what you thought was lost.

The kitchen junk drawer acts as a cultural artifact, a manifestation of the modern condition. It reflects our propensity to hold onto things “just in case,” revealing our optimism, our preparedness, and sometimes our procrastination. The junk drawer is a microcosm of our lives—messy, unexpected, but geniuinely resourceful.

In celebrating the kitchen junk drawer, we acknowledge the beauty in the mundane, the order in disorder. It reminds us that amidst the precision and planning of daily life, there’s always a little room for the unpredictable, the overlooked, and the perfectly imperfect.

Have a story about something in your own junk drawer? Send us an email (chinko@antonmediagroup.com) and we might use your story in an upcoming home improvement special section.

“Eventide” is a gracious six-bedroom carriage house-inspired estate at 119 Horseshoe Rd., high above Mill Neck Creek on 5.16 landscaped acres with 512 feet of waterfront. It sold on Jan. 11 for $7,750,000. It is oriented to sweeping western sunsets and water views. Impeccable millwork tailors light-filled rooms in this home. French doors open to lush landscaped gardens. On main floor offers sumptuous primary and guest suites. The home has a total of six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The living and dining rooms are elegant. The home has a chef’s kitchen and informal family and dining rooms. It has a library, a dedicated office/study and two multi-purpose loft studios. The home has a gym, a game room and an entertainment room. The veranda is covered and has a fireplace. The swimming pool is heated and the home has a three-bay garage.

This home at 59 Lake Ave. in Mill Neck is an example of modern elegance. It sold on Jan. 26 for $850,000. It is a recently updated three bedroom and four bathroom raised ranch that seamlessly blends contemporary style with timeless charm. This residence boasts smart features throughout, enabling convenient control of lighting, climate and security from a smartphone. Fitness is always at your fingertips with this home’s own gym. The primary suite offers a spa-like retreat, complemented by two additional versatile bedrooms. Located in close proximity to shops, transportation, and restaurants, this home provides the perfect balance of convenience and comfort.

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.

Creating A Root Cellar

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

The trend of creating a root cellar is experiencing a resurgence as homeowners embrace sustainable living, self-sufficiency, and a desire to connect with traditional practices. A root cellar is an underground storage space designed to preserve fruits, vegetables, and other perishables by maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels. Here’s a closer look at the reasons behind the renewed interest in this age-old concept.

1Preservation of harvest

Root cellars provide an effective means to extend the shelf life of garden produce. By mimicking the cool, dark, and humid conditions found underground, these cellars create an ideal environment

for storing root vegetables, apples, and other crops. Homeowners keen on preserving their harvest throughout the year find root cellars to be a sustainable solution.

2 Energy efficiency

Compared to modern refrigeration methods, root cellars are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. They require minimal electricity, relying on the natural coolness of the earth to regulate temperature. This not only reduces energy consumption but also contributes to lower utility bills, aligning with the growing interest in eco-conscious living.

3 Self-sufficiency and homesteading

The trend towards self-sufficiency and homesteading has spurred the revival of traditional practices like root cellaring. Homeowners interested in producing their

food, reducing dependence on supermarkets, and embracing a more sustainable lifestyle see root cellars as a key element of their homesteading efforts.

4 Resilience and emergency preparedness

Root cellars contribute to household resilience by providing a reliable storage solution in the face of unforeseen circumstances. In times of power outages, natural disasters, or other emergencies, having a root cellar stocked with preserved food can be a valuable asset, ensuring a stable food supply when access to grocery stores may be compromised.

5 Cultural heritage and tradition

For some, creating a root cellar is a nod to cultural heritage and the practices of earlier generations. Root cellars have been a staple in many cultures, offering a link to the past. The act of building and using a root cellar becomes a way of preserving and honoring traditional knowledge and techniques.

6 DIY and personalization

The trend embraces the do-it-yourself (DIY) spirit, allowing homeowners to customize their root cellars based on space, needs, and available resources. Building a root cellar can be a satisfying project, combining practicality with creativity. It encourages a hands-on approach to food preservation and storage.

7 Improved flavor and nutritional value

Storing produce in a root cellar often enhances its flavor and nutritional value.

Certain fruits and vegetables, when kept in optimal conditions, can continue to ripen and develop flavors, contributing to a more robust and satisfying culinary experience.

8 Waste reduction

Root cellars contribute to reducing food waste by allowing homeowners to store larger quantities of produce without the risk of spoilage. This aligns with a broader societal shift towards minimizing waste and utilizing resources more efficiently.

9 Temperature control for other uses

Beyond storing food, some homeowners are exploring the use of root cellars for temperature-controlled spaces like wine cellars or even small workshops. This versatility adds another layer of practicality to the trend.

10 Community sharing and bartering

The abundance of a well-maintained root cellar can extend beyond personal use. Homeowners may find themselves with surplus produce, leading to community sharing and bartering, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and cooperation among neighbors.

The trend of creating a root cellar reflects a broader shift towards sustainable living, resilience, and a reconnection with traditional practices. It combines practicality, environmental consciousness, and a desire for self-sufficiency, making it a compelling choice for homeowners seeking a holistic and sustainable approach to food storage.

Top Trends In Home Improvement

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

Home improvement trends are continually evolving as homeowners seek innovative ways to enhance their living spaces.

Improving your home is a delightful blend of practicality and enjoyment. The tangible results of a renovated space offer daily practical benefits, enhancing functionality and comfort. Whether creating a stylish kitchen or a cozy reading nook, the process itself becomes a rewarding journey, filled with creative decisions and personal expression. Tackling home improvement projects fosters a sense of accomplishment, and the transformed spaces provide a backdrop for cherished memories. The joy of seeing your vision come to life, coupled with the improved functionality of your living environment, makes home improvement both a practical and fulfilling endeavor.

Here are some top trends in home improvement:

Outdoor Living Spaces

The concept of extending living spaces to the outdoors has gained significant popularity. Homeowners are investing in outdoor kitchens, cozy seating areas, and fire pits to create functional and aesthetically pleasing extensions of their homes.

Smart Home Technology

The integration of smart home technology continues to be a major trend. Homeowners are incorporating smart thermostats, lighting systems, security cameras, and voice-activated assistants for increased convenience, energy efficiency, and security.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

With a growing emphasis on environmental consciousness, sustainable home improvement practices are on the rise. This includes energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, eco-friendly building materials, and water-saving fixtures.

Home Offices

The shift towards remote work has spurred the creation of dedicated home office spaces. Homeowners are converting spare rooms, nooks, or even closets into functional and aesthetically pleasing work-from-home environments.

Multi-Function

The desire for versatile living spaces has led to the creation of multi-functional rooms. For example, dining rooms that double as home offices or guest bedrooms equipped with fold-down desks, maximizing the utility of every square foot.

DIY Projects

Homeowners are increasingly taking on do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, fueled by online tutorials and a desire to personalize their spaces. From simple decor items to more complex renovations, DIY projects offer a sense of accomplishment and cost savings.

Be Bold

There’s a shift towards more expressive and bold design choices. Vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and unique textures are being incorporated into interiors through accent walls, furniture, and decor.

Biophilic Design

Integrating nature into home design is a growing trend known as biophilic design.

This involves incorporating natural elements like indoor plants, large windows, and natural materials to create a more harmonious and calming living environment.

Luxury Bathrooms

Bathrooms are becoming spaces for relaxation and luxury. Features like heated floors, high-end fixtures, smart mirrors, and spa-like showers are gaining popularity as homeowners invest in creating a serene escape within their homes.

Energy Efficiency

Upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors is a practical trend. It not only enhances the home’s insulation but also contributes to energy savings and increased home value.

Statement Lighting

Unique and statement lighting fixtures are becoming focal points in interior

design. Pendant lights, chandeliers, and artistic fixtures are chosen not only for their functionality but also as eye-catching design elements.

Unconventional Spaces

Homeowners are exploring the renovation of unconventional spaces such as basements, attics, or unused garages. These areas are being transformed into functional living spaces, home gyms, or even rental units.

Health and Wellness

The importance of health and wellness is influencing home design. This includes air purifiers, ergonomic furniture, home gyms, and spaces that promote mental well-being, such as meditation corners.

As home improvement trends continue to evolve, the overarching themes of sustainability, functionality, and personalization remain at the forefront.

Reader Poll

How many books do you own?

The love of collecting books is a passionate pursuit that transcends mere possession. Each book becomes a cherished artifact, embodying a world of stories, knowledge, and emotions. Collectors revel in the tactile pleasure of turning pages and the aesthetic allure of a well-curated library. Every bookshelf tells a personal narrative, reflecting the collector’s diverse interests, intellectual journey, and cherished literary companions. Beyond the physical realm, book collecting is an ode to the written word that nurtures a lifelong romance with literature and the timeless treasures held within bound pages.

Chat with the editor about your book collection. Email Christy Hinko (chinko@ antonmediagroup.com) and check out Anton’s Design & Decor special section on March 13 for more about home libraries. —

Written by Christy Hinko

(Getty Images)

Assistive Home Improvement

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

Assistive home improvement, focusing on features like wider doorways and zero-entry bathtubs, is a transformative trend that addresses accessibility concerns, enhances safety, and allows individuals with mobility challenges to maintain independence within their homes. This trend is a response to the evolving needs of an aging population and individuals with disabilities, fostering inclusive and adaptable living spaces.

Wider Doorways

Wider doorways are a crucial component of assistive home design. They provide greater accessibility for individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids. The standard width of doorways may present challenges for maneuvering larger equipment, and widening them eliminates barriers, promoting seamless movement throughout the home. This modification enhances the overall accessibility of the living space and fosters a more inclusive environment.

Zero-Entry Bathtubs

Zero-entry bathtubs, also known as walk-in or curbless showers, are a remarkable advancement in assistive home improvement. These bathtubs eliminate the need to step over a high threshold, reducing the risk of tripping or falling. The design allows for easy entry and exit, making bathing a safer and more accessible experience for individuals with limited mobility. These bathtubs often incorporate features such as built-in seating, handrails, and non-slip flooring, further enhancing safety.

Lever-Style Handles

Replacing traditional doorknobs and faucets with lever-style handles is a subtle yet impactful assistive modification. Lever handles are easier to grip and manipulate than traditional knobs, making them more accessible for individuals with arthritis, limited hand strength, or dexterity issues. This small adjustment contributes to the overall goal of creating a home that accommodates a diverse range of physical abilities.

Ramps and Pathways

Installing ramps and creating accessible pathways both indoors and outdoors ensures that individuals with mobility challenges can navigate their homes independently. Ramps provide an alternative to stairs, allowing wheelchair users or those with difficulty walking to move freely between different levels of the home. Accessible pathways in outdoor spaces, made of slip-resistant materials, accommodate various mobility aids and facilitate safe and convenient movement.

Smart Home Technology

The integration of smart home technology plays a significant role in assistive home improvement. Voice-activated assistants, automated lighting, and smart thermostats enhance convenience for individuals with mobility challenges. These technologies provide greater control over the home environment, allowing residents to make adjustments without physical effort. Smart home features contribute to a more accessible and comfortable living experience.

Adjustable Countertops and Cabinets

In the kitchen and bathroom, adjustable countertops and cabinets offer adaptability to individuals with varying heights and

mobility levels. These features can be lowered or raised to accommodate wheelchair users or those who may prefer to sit while performing tasks. The flexibility in design caters to the specific needs of residents, promoting independence in daily activities.

Motion-Activated Lighting

Motion-activated lighting is an assistive home improvement feature that enhances safety, especially during nighttime navigation. Sensors detect movement, automatically illuminating pathways and rooms. This technology eliminates the need for fumbling with light switches in the dark, reducing the risk of accidents and providing a sense of security for individuals with visual impairments or mobility challenges.

Non-Slip Flooring

Non-slip flooring is a critical safety feature in assistive home design. It minimizes the risk of slips and falls, particularly in areas prone to moisture such as bathrooms and kitchens. Various materials, including slip-resistant tiles and textured flooring, provide stability and support underfoot, promoting a secure living environment for individuals with mobility concerns.

Grab Bars and Handrails

Strategically placed grab bars and handrails are essential assistive elements in bathrooms, hallways, and stairwells. These fixtures offer additional support and stability, facilitating safer movement throughout the home. Reinforced handrails along staircases provide essential assistance for individuals with balance issues or difficulty ascending and descending stairs.

Universal Design Principles

The concept of universal design underpins many assistive home improvements. This approach seeks to create living spaces that are inherently accessible to people of all ages and abilities. By incorporating universal design principles, homes become more inclusive, adaptable, and responsive to the evolving needs of their occupants.

Assistive home improvement, including wider doorways and zero-entry bathtubs, reflects a positive shift towards creating homes that prioritize accessibility and inclusivity. These modifications empower individuals with mobility challenges to live independently, fostering a sense of autonomy and dignity within their living spaces. As the awareness of diverse needs continues to grow, the integration of assistive features in home design becomes an integral aspect of creating welcoming and accommodating living environments for everyone.

(Photos from Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Get Retro Art deco is back again in

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

The trend of retro bathroom design has made a stylish comeback, with homeowners and designers alike embracing the charm and nostalgia of bygone eras. This design approach draws inspiration from mid-20th-century aesthetics, encompassing various styles such as Art Deco, mid-century modern, and vintage looks. Here’s a closer look at the elements contributing to the resurgence of retro bathroom design.

1Nostalgia and Timeless Appeal

Retro bathroom design taps into a sense of nostalgia, offering a visual journey back in time. Homeowners are drawn to the timeless appeal of retro aesthetics, appreciating the enduring style and character that these designs bring to a space.

2 Colorful and Playful Tile Patterns

One hallmark of retro bathrooms is the use of vibrant and playful tile patterns. Bold colors, geometric shapes, and intricate patterns characterize this trend. Homeowners are incorporating colorful tiles, often in pastel shades or bold contrasts, to create visually striking and lively bathroom spaces.

3 Vintage Fixtures and Hardware

Retro bathrooms often showcase vintage fixtures and hardware, evoking the elegance of past decades. Clawfoot bathtubs, pedestal sinks, and classic chrome faucets are popular choices. Homeowners appreciate the durability and craftsmanship of these timeless pieces, which add an air of sophistication to the space.

4Pastel Palettes and Soft Hues

Soft pastel palettes, reminiscent of the 1950s and 1960s, are key elements in retro bathroom design. Mint greens, powder blues, and blush pinks bring a gentle, soothing ambiance to the space. These colors, when combined with other retro elements, create a cohesive and visually pleasing aesthetic.

5Statement Wallpaper

Retro-inspired wallpaper featuring bold prints, botanical motifs, or intricate designs is making a comeback in bathrooms. Wallpaper adds a layer of personality and drama to the space, transforming it into a visually dynamic and inviting retreat.

6 Brass and Gold Accents

Metallic accents in brass and gold are integral to retro bathroom design. These finishes, whether in faucets, mirrors, or light fixtures, contribute a touch of glamour and sophistication. The warm tones

design

complement the overall vintage feel of the space.

7 Terrazzo and Patterned Flooring

Terrazzo flooring, with its unique speckled appearance, is a retro favorite that has returned to the design scene. Homeowners are also opting for patterned tiles in black and white or colorful combinations to create eye-catching and dynamic bathroom floors.

8 Freestanding Vanities with Rounded Edges

Retro bathroom design often features freestanding vanities with rounded edges, reflecting the softer lines prevalent in mid-century modern and vintage styles. These vanities, often made from wood or laminate materials, contribute to the overall authenticity of the retro aesthetic.

9 Sunken Bathtubs and Mosaic Accents

Sunken bathtubs, a classic feature of retro bathrooms, are making a comeback. These tubs are often accompanied by mosaic tile accents, adding a touch of luxury and visual interest. The meticulous craftsmanship of mosaic patterns adds a bespoke quality to the design.

10 Mid-Century Modern Furniture Pieces

Incorporating mid-century modern furniture pieces into the bathroom is another facet of the retro trend. Chairs, side tables, or even retro-inspired cabinets contribute to the overall ambiance, infusing the space with the iconic designs of the mid-20th century.

11Mixing Vintage and Contemporary Elements

A key aspect of the retro bathroom trend is the artful blending of vintage elements

with contemporary touches. Modern amenities, such as energy-efficient lighting or sleek hardware, can coexist harmoniously with retro aesthetics, creating a space that feels both nostalgic and up-to-date.

12 Sustainable and Upcycled Materials

With a growing emphasis on sustainability, some homeowners are incorporating upcycled or reclaimed materials into their retro bathroom designs. This approach not only adds character but also aligns with the eco-conscious mindset of many contemporary homeowners. The resurgence of retro bathroom design is a testament to the enduring allure of mid-century aesthetics. The trend seamlessly combines elements of nostalgia with modern sensibilities, offering homeowners a visually captivating and emotionally resonant approach to bathroom decor. Whether it’s the playful tile patterns, vintage fixtures, or pastel color palettes, retro bathrooms celebrate the timeless beauty of design elements from decades past.

ANTON MEDIA GROUP STAFF

In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in pet ownership trends, with traditional pets like cats and dogs sharing the spotlight with a variety of smaller, more exotic animals. Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, bearded dragons, birds, geckos, and snakes have become increasingly popular, offering unique companionship and fascinating insights into the animal kingdom. Each of these pets brings its own set of joys, challenges, and responsibilities, catering to a wide range of pet owners, from the casual enthusiast to the dedicated animal lover.

Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are sociable, vocal creatures known for their gentle nature and expressive sounds. They require companionship, preferably of their own kind, to thrive. Unlike some

Hamsters

Trending Pets

Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, bearded dragons, birds, geckos and snakes...oh my

smaller pets, they enjoy being handled, making them excellent companions for both adults and responsible children. Their diet is hay-based, supplemented with fresh vegetables and vitamin C. They need a spacious cage and regular opportunities to exercise outside their enclosure to maintain physical and mental health.

Hamsters are nocturnal, solitary animals, often chosen as a child’s first pet due to their small size and relative ease of care. They’re known for their amusing antics and love of running on wheels, providing endless entertainment. However, their nocturnal nature means they’re best for those who can accommodate their nighttime activity. Hamsters require a secure, escape-proof enclosure and enjoy a variety of toys and tunnels for enrichment.

Rabbits

Rabbits are highly social animals that bond closely with their owners and can even be trained to use a litter box. They have a longer lifespan than many small pets, living up to 10 years or more, which makes them a long-term commitment. Rabbits require a diet rich in hay, fresh vegetables, and a small amount of pellets. They need a spacious indoor enclosure and plenty of time outside their cage to explore and exercise.

Bearded Dragons

Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptiles kept as pets, known for their docile temperament and expressive body language. They require a warm environment, with a well-maintained terrarium that includes a heat source and UVB lighting to mimic their natural habitat. Their diet is varied, including insects, vegetables, and fruits. Bearded dragons are relatively easy to handle, making them a great choice for those new to reptile keeping.

Birds

The world of pet birds is incredibly diverse, ranging from the small, cheerful budgie to the intelligent, sociable African grey parrot. Birds offer a unique form of companionship, often forming strong bonds with their owners and, in many cases, learning to mimic human speech. They require spacious cages, a diet tailored to their specific species, and, crucially, daily social interaction and stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.

Geckos

Geckos, particularly the leopard gecko, have become beloved pets for their ease of care and fascinating behavior. These nocturnal reptiles are known for their striking patterns and the unique ability to climb smooth surfaces. They require a relatively simple setup with a proper heat gradient and hiding spots. Their diet consists of insects, and with gentle handling, they can become quite tame, making them an excellent pet for beginners.

Snakes

Snakes are a more unconventional pet choice, appealing to

those fascinated by their serene and mysterious nature. Popular pet snakes include the corn snake and the ball python, both known for their docile demeanor and relatively simple care requirements. Snakes need a secure enclosure with appropriate heating and humidity. They are carnivorous, typically fed a diet of rodents, and while they don’t require daily interaction, regular handling can make them more accustomed to their owners.

Each of these trending pets offers a window into a different aspect of the animal world, enriching the lives of their owners with their unique qualities and care needs. Whether it’s the cuddly companionship of a guinea pig, the quiet observation of a bearded dragon’s habits, or the interactive antics of a parrot, these pets provide a fulfilling and engaging experience. Prospective pet owners should thoroughly research and consider the specific care requirements and lifespan of these animals to ensure they can commit to providing a loving, suitable home.

NYS Department Of Labor Encourages Employers To Pledge To Protect Youth Workers

The New York State Department of Labor announced a proactive initiative urging employers statewide to protect youth workers by taking the ‘Youth Worker Pledge’. Building upon Governor Hochul’s youth worker protection plan, this initiative marks the second phase of getting employers involved in protecting the well-being and rights of youth workers under 18. From 2021 to 2023, there has been an over 290 percent increase in child labor violations, as shown on NYSDOL’s Child Labor Case Data dashboard. The Youth Worker Pledge program pushes employers to educate themselves and their employees on child labor laws to prevent future violations.

“Safeguarding the rights and fostering the development of our youth workers isn’t just a responsibility; it’s an investment in the future of our workforce,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “When a business takes this pledge, they take meaningful steps towards creating a supportive environment, protecting our youth workers and building our future workforce.”

about labor rights and human trafficking concerning youth workers.

• Pledging not to engage minors in prohibited occupations or exploit their labor.

• Ensuring the safety and well-being of youth employees as integral members of the workforce and the community.

• Reporting any suspected violations to the Child Labor Task Force.

As part of this program, NYSDOL encourages employers in industries

such as hospitality, restaurants, fast food, manufacturing, food processing, construction, farming and landscaping to participate. The pledge supports compliance with labor laws and fosters a safe and supportive work environment. To participate, employers must complete an application where they attest to:

• Displaying essential labor law posters,

including the P888 Work Schedule for Minors and P887 Basic New York State Child Labor Laws, in accessible areas for all employees.

• Including links to the Child Labor Complaint Form, P882 Laws Governing the Employment of Minors, and related resources in employee communications or handbooks.

• Showing employees the Child Labor Law Hub’s webinar and videos focused on youth employment rights.

• Committing to educating themselves

Businesses such as Spectrum in Western NY, Emack and Bolio’s in the Capital Region and Walgreens in the Mid-Hudson region have already attested, with more to come.

Upon pledging, employers will receive a sticker to visibly demonstrate their commitment to educating and supporting youth workers’ rights.

However, it’s crucial to note that while participating, NYSDOL retains the right to inspect premises and investigate claims of labor law violations without limitation. NYSDOL remains dedicated to utilizing social media platforms to educate youth workers and their families about specific labor rights for those under 18, including a campaign on this initiative.

For more information on the Youth Worker Pledge Program, visit dol.ny.gov/ protectyouth.

—Submitted by NYS Department of Labor

LI Mayors To State: Increase Funding For Cities And Villages

The New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM), representing cities and villages across the Empire State, kicked off its statewide tour on Thursday at Rockville Centre, urging the Governor and the State Legislature to increase unrestricted aid to cities and villages for the first time in 15 years. The tour will also tout other key legislative priorities related to municipal infrastructure and community redevelopment.

of additional unrestricted state aid,” said Barbara J. Van Epps, NYCOM executive director. “Mayors share the same goals as our state leaders — to keep our communities safe and affordable — but we can’t do that on our own. We need an ongoing commitment from the state to be a partner in our efforts to break down the barriers to efficiency and community revitalization.”

The tour’s primary focus will be on the impact that Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding has on the state’s cities and villages. This funding, set at $715 million, has not increased in 15 years — directly affecting the ability of local governments to respond to the growing demands on public safety and other essential municipal services.

The kickoff event was hosted by Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray, who is the immediate past president of NYCOM. Mayors from across Nassau and Suffolk counties joined.

“As the collective voice for New York’s cities and villages, this tour will showcase and highlight the very real challenges our members deal with daily through the lack

“We’re thrilled to have kicked off this tour in Rockville Centre. I am eager to visit various parts of our state in order to drive home to our governor and the state legislature that increasing AIM funding is vitally important to our cities and villages, and ultimately our residents,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, who serves as NYCOM President. “Cities and villages, whether it’s a village like Rockville Centre or a city like Albany, deliver for our residents every day, and securing additional state aid will expand our efforts to enhance public safety and invest in our aging infrastructure.”

The tour continues to White Plains on Friday. Feb. 23. The tour will then resume in mid-March, visiting Buffalo and Syracuse before wrapping up in Albany.

—Submitted by NYCOM

Photo Getty Images

Applications Now Open For 2024 NYS Summer School Of The Arts

Students in Grades 8-12 Encouraged to Apply

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024 New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) program, State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. Students throughout New York State, in grades 8-12, are encouraged to apply on the NYSSSA website where they can also learn more about the application process and the three programs offered this year in visual arts, media arts, and theatre. Applications along with respective materials are due by Friday, March 8, 2024 (theatre) and Friday, March 15, 2024 (visual arts and media arts).

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “This transformative program empowers students and provides them with the opportunity to enhance their artistic talent under the guidance of professional artists. We are proud to offer this life-changing experience, which fosters critical thinking, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the arts for young people across this State.”

Commissioner Rosa said, “The New York State Summer School of the Arts program serves as a catalyst for personal growth and offers students a platform to explore their creativity and self-expression. Students emerge from this exceptional summer experience ready to thrive and contribute to the cultural richness of our society.”

Since the NYSSSA program was founded in 1970, more than 18,000 students have benefitted from its curriculum and training. Many talented high school students have had and will continue to have the opportunity to study with some of the professional artists in the visual and performing arts, giving students a unique opportunity to experience the rigors of their chosen arts field. Students are accepted into the schools through a competitive audition and portfolio review process conducted by the artistic staff. Tuition rates are maintained at a modest level and tuition assistance is available, giving every student who qualifies the opportunity to participate in the program.

The following is a schedule of the 2024 NYSSSA schools and locations:

The School of Media Arts will be held July 6-27, 2024, at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia. Under the direction of Ghen Zando-Dennis, a nationally known media educator and videographer, the program consists of a review of media fundamentals, instruction in new techniques and processes, instruction in aesthetics, and surveys of contemporary work, trends, and ideas. Students will be immersed in production work in 16 mm film, digital video, photography, and computer animation. In addition to the application form, students must submit an artist statement and portfolio

to be considered. More information can be found on the School of Media Arts web page.

The School of Theatre will be held July 6-27, 2024, at SUNY Fredonia. The program provides students with intensive instruction in acting, movement, improvisation, and voice, working side by side with nationally recognized faculty. Under the artistic direction of award-winning director Margaret Denithorne, daily classes include acting, improvisation, scene study, voice, and movement, along with guest artist workshops in stage combat, mask, Shakespeare, playwriting, tango, directing, and acting technique. In addition to the application form, students must submit a recorded audition to be considered. More information can be found on the School of Theatre web page.

The School of Visual Arts will be held July 6-27, 2024, at SUNY Fredonia. Directed by New York-based sculpture artist and educator Greg Lendeck, and visual artist and novelist Nicholas Rispoli, students will work in sculpture studies, mixed media, figure studies, printmaking, drawing and painting, landscape drawing and painting, and figure sculpture under the direction of noted exhibiting artists and educators. The program includes drawing and painting from live models, 3-dimensional installations, modeling life-size objects in clay, practice with printmaking techniques, and field trips. In addition to the application form, students must submit an artist statement and portfolio to be considered. More information can be found on the School of Visual Arts web page.

In addition to the in-residency programs for young artists, NYSSSA will once again offer the Empire State Arts Scholarship program, providing students with scholarships to attend summer arts programs in their own communities. Administered by the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Cultural Education, the funding will support the Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship Program’s goal of promoting access and equity to arts education by providing need-based grants to low-income students who want to pursue summer growth opportunities. This year $180,000 is available for students who meet application requirements. The scholarship application review process will be evaluated based on financial need. Scholarship applications are due by Friday, April 19, 2024. More information can be found on the Arts Scholarship Program web page.

NYSSSA and the Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship Program are part of the Office of Cultural Education within the New York State Education Department. The Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship Program is open to middle and high school level students that apply to independent, community-based art programs and use the awarded scholarship to offset those costs. The Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship Program serves to foster and enhance the artistic abilities of the state’s most gifted young artists regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, or economic status. To learn more about NYSSSA In-Residency Programs and how to apply, visit the NYSSSA Website.

—Submitted by the New York State Department of Education

Dancers from a previous cohort

Practice with an emphasis on performance (Photos by the NYS Department of Education)

Long Beach Polar Bear Plunge 2024

The Annual Long Beach Polar Bear Plunge took place on Sunday, February 11. The Long Beach Polar Bears and thousands of others took the plunge to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. The event took place on Laurelton Boulevard, the beach and boardwalk. The Long Beach Polar Bears have raised over $736,000 this year for Make-A-Wish of Metro New York and Western New York. Donations are still being accepted. For more information, visit www. longbeachpolarbears.org

The Annual Super Bowl Splash is held in honor and loving memory of young Paulie Bradley, who passed away at the age of 4 before being able to receive his wish. Through their annual, community-driven Super Bowl Splash, the Long Beach Polar Bears have helped to make hundreds of heartfelt wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions come true. They have raised over $9 million since the first jump in 2000.

—Information compiled by Amanda Olsen

Both local residents and family members participated in this year’s plunge, including Stacy Player, Christina Dieguez, and sisters Lauren and Julie Van Yahres.

Pops Of LI Concert Marks Final Performance For Conductor

The Symphonic Pops of Long Island, an intergenerational orchestra of approximately 60 Long Island musicians, will perform on Sunday, March 3, at 2 p.m. at Huntington High School, 188 Oakwood Road, Huntington, New York.

The diverse program featuring music with an “Outer Space” theme will include two well-known pieces written by John Williams: “The Empire Strikes Back” and “The Theme” from E.T. Other selections include “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” composed by Gustav Holst, Henry Mancini’s “Moon River,” and many more.

The Symphonic Pops will once again be joined in concert with the Huntington High School Strings. The Strings are playing under the baton of James Di Meglio.

Stephen Michael Smith, music director of the Symphonic Pops since 2011, noted “Our annual collaboration with the Huntington High School Strings is one of the highlights of our season. These young musicians are focused, serious, and talented. It is a joy to share the stage with them.”

Maestro Smith will be performing his final public concert with the Symphonic Pops.

He has conducted extensively in the United States and in Europe, including guest conducting appearances with Poland’s Wroclaw Philharmonic, the St. Petersburg Camerata in Russia, and the Czech

Republic’s Karlovy Vary Philharmonic.

In addition to the Symphonic Pops of Long Island, he currently serves as music director for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, and Connecticut’s Danbury Community Orchestra.

This concert is open to the public, and a suggested donation of $10 will be requested at the door for adults. The facility is handicapped accessible, and there is adequate free parking.

The Symphonic Pops of Long Island is a community-based volunteer orchestra. The orchestra provides Long Island with the opportunity to enjoy various genres of music at a reasonable price. It is funded by sponsorships, grants, and donations, and was established in 1979. In April 2019, the Symphonic Pops celebrated its 40th anniversary.

For further information, call (516) 4141831 or visit www.symphonicpopsli.org.

—Submitted by Symphonic Pops Long Island

(Photo by Julie Schatt)

Stephen Michael Smith

(Photo by Symphony Pops LI)

Senators, Island Harvest Pack Meals For Low Income Seniors

Long Islanders are increasingly impacted by high inflation rates and cost of living, making food insecurity a growing problem in New York State. NY State senators support organizations like Island Harvest who are working hard to end hunger on Long Island. Food insecurity is not having access to sufficient food, or food of an adequate quality, to meet one’s basic needs, and it is a growing problem across the state, with Long Island being one of the areas hit hardest in New York. According to the NYS Dept of Health, approximately 1 in 4 NYS adults indicated that they were always, usually, or sometimes worried or stressed about having enough money to buy nutritious meals in the past 12 months.

Long Island senators joined with volunteers and staff at Island Harvest recently to assemble boxes of 35-pound meal packages for seniors who are low income, utilizing food purchased by the State through Federal funds. The program is called the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and Island Harvest provides 4,000 of these packages a month to seniors across Long Island.

“Food insecurity is a pervasive problem across Long Island and I am so grateful to organizations like Island Harvest who dedicate time and extensive resources

towards combating this issue. Our seniors, in particular, are left behind when they often experience the most need. These meal packages will feed thousands of seniors this month alone and I am proud to have contributed in my own small way to the disbursement of these vital bundles,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, NYS Senate District 9.

“Island Harvest has been a beacon of hope for Long Islanders facing food insecurity for over three decades now. The organization, led by President Randi Shubin Dresner and her dedicated team, has been tirelessly working towards their mission of ending hunger on Long Island. Their efforts have been nothing short of remarkable, making Island Harvest a tremendous resource for our entire region. I have seen firsthand the impact of their work, and I can attest to the fact that they are making a real difference in the lives of countless Long Islanders in need. Their efforts have not only provided essential resources to those in need, but have also brought our community together in the fight against hunger. I am proud to be a part of their mission and look forward to continuing to work with them towards a hunger-free Long Island,” said Senator Steve Rhoads, NYS Senate District 5.

—Submitted by New York State Senate

In the event of their death, many people wish to provide for the adequate care and feeding of their beloved dog, cat, bird or other pet. Here is an abridged version of New York’s statute authorizing a trust for your pet:

a. The intended use of the principal or income, of a trust for the care of a designated domestic or pet animal, may be enforced by an individual designated for that purpose in the trust instrument. Such trust shall terminate when no living animal is covered by the trust.

b. No portion of the principal or income may be converted to the use of the trustee or to any use other than for the benefit of a covered animal.

c. Upon termination, the trustee shall transfer the unexpended trust property as directed in the trust instrument or, if there are no such directions in the trust instrument, the property shall pass to the estate of the grantor.

d. A court may reduce the amount of property transferred if it determines that amount substantially exceeds the amount required for the intended use. The amount of the reduction, if any, passes as unexpended trust property pursuant to paragraph (c), above.

e. If no trustee is designated or no designated trustee is willing or able to serve, a court shall appoint a trustee and may make such other orders and determinations as are advisable to carry out the intent of the grantor and the purpose of this section.

If you are interested in setting up a trust for your beloved pet, please make an appointment to see us for a free consultation. Should you have no one to take care of your pet, try PetEstates.com, who will perform this service for you.

Senators Mario Mattera, Alexis Weik, Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Dean Murray and representatives from Senator Anthony Palumbo and Steven Rhoads, join Randi Shubin Dresner, President & Chief Executive O cer of Island Harvest and hard-working volunteers to prepare meal packages for Long Island seniors. (Photo by New York State Senate)

HOROSCOPES By

Holiday Mathis

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have pleted the puzzle, there will be 19 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Relationships are invented as you go. is week, you’ll act without knowing which direction things will take. All you can control about it is where you’re coming from. You have love in your heart and you open it. It doesn’t always spill. Sometimes, it’s giving looks from the outside, like stillness. Sometimes, love is restraint.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). ere are many aspects to the week that will seem like a quiz, except the answer key is nowhere to be found. You won’t know what you got right until much later, when the correct answer bears fruit. So do what you can and take your guesses where you must. In time, tests get easier because you mind them less.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Learning about people is part of how you respect them. You nd out their preferences and tune into their rhythms. You observe the way they communicate and work. And you do it all without asking a lot of questions, which can make people uncomfortable and self-conscious. e rapport you create will be most excellent.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). e intricate dance of cause and e ect eludes immediate recognition, weaving its threads through the tapestry of time. You would not be in the place you’re at now had you not set something in motion years ago. And though this week echoes the harmonies of the past, you are also modulating the theme and dreaming a new dream.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). People project onto you what they want and need you to be to complete their own story. And while you might exist as a character in someone’s imagination, the real you has your own agenda to ful ll. It will, in places, overlap with what others want from you in interesting ways this week. You’re a genius at making relationships groove.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Commitment creates change. You’ll make a larger investment in someone. You’ll double down on a promise to yourself. You’ll dig deeper into the work. It’s the e ort itself that forms you. e more you put in, the better you can feel the edges shaping and strengthening you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You are fully aware that there are many possible approaches to the week. You could go longer or lighter with the work. You could do more, less, higher, deeper, lower or none. e point is, you are free. And what’s the point of freedom if not to exercise it? With whimsy, you avoid slipping into a rut. You’ll experiment to prove you can.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You laid down a few rules for yourself, and now it might not seem like much fun to follow them. It’s so much easier to adhere to your own directives when they’re easy and comfortable. Could you reduce the work of this in some way? A smaller ask could help you build a habit painlessly instead of setting yourself up for struggle.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). ey say, “You can’t take it with you,” and maybe that’s why people are so adamant about keeping what they have while they have it. You are feeling less materialistic. You’ll let go of certain attachments in the name of freedom and levity. Even so, you’ll appreciate what matters to others, and your respect in this regard will engender trust.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Even though you give love in the spirit of strength, the connections between people form in the soft, vulnerable places of the soul. ere’s no way to get closer that doesn’t involve emotional risk. You’ll put yourself and your feelings on the line this week, knowing that everything worth having takes courage to get -- love included.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You show up for your people in all kinds of ways -- with your presence, with your willingness to do what they’ve come to expect, and with the surprising way you go above and beyond. Taking initiative says the most. It’s also notable this week how people tend to go out of their way to be near you -- a huge compliment.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). If you know where the lines of territory are, you typically don’t bother crossing them because it’s just not worth it. e trouble is, most borders are invisible, disputable and negotiable. Encroachment is inevitable, but this also lends itself to communication and could ultimately bring people together. To share is divine.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS

You’ll thrill to the boomeranging evidence that you’re a formidable presence in the lives of others. You’ll be trusted with authority, and you’ll make it count toward forwarding important aims and improving systems that a ect many. New people come into your life. You give without hesitation and love unbridled. More highlights: You’ll pick back up with an endeavor from long ago and have much better luck this time around. You’ll give an acceptance speech. You’ll see distant sunsets.

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND WORD FIND

Your beverage of choice

Solution: 19 Letters

WORD FIND

Aroma

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

Your beverage of choice

Solution: 19 Letters

Black Blend Bloom Bohea Bold Brew Burned Busy Cafe Chai Common Crema

Dark Earl grey Empty Even Flaky Flush Froth Full Garden Grade Iced Kandy Keemun

Latte Leaf Light Lunch Make Neat Nibs Oolong Paklum Pekoe Puck Pungent Ragged

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

Roast date Rose Seychelles Smoko Soft Tart Temi Thin Weak Wiry Woody Yunan

Solution: My local barista knows

Creators Syndicate

737 3rd Street • Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 • info@creators.com

Double-dummy problem

Date: 2/28/24

the A-Q of spades as before and take a trump finesse. Then cash your remaining spade or spades, lead a diamond to the king and ruff another club, reducing your hand to the A-K-J of trump and nine of diamonds. Lead a diamond to the ace, lead anything at all from dummy, and East’s Q-7-6 of trump succumb to your A-K-J.

3. If East discards a diamond on the ace of clubs, discard your nine of spades and take a trump finesse. Then return to dummy with a diamond and repeat the trump finesse. After you cash the A-K of trump, this becomes the position:

North

♠ 5 ♦ A

ace of clubs. Then:

1. If East ruffs, overruff, cash the ace of spades and lead the queen through West’s king. West must play the king of spades on this trick or the next one, whereupon you ruff in dummy and lead dummy’s remaining trump to the ten to score the rest of the tricks.

2. If East discards a spade on the ace of clubs, trump the ace, play

When you now play the four of hearts, West can discard the ten of clubs as dummy also discards a club, but when you next play the three of hearts, West is caught in a three-suit squeeze. No matter which suit he discards, the rest of the tricks are yours.

Weekly Sudoku Puzzle

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

Answer to last issue’s Crossword Puzzle

Answer to last issue’s Sudoku Puzzle

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TOWN NEWS

Town Announces Environmental Poster Contest For Fourth-Grade Students

To raise awareness on the impact of trees in our communities, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilwoman Michele Johnson announced the return of the Town’s Environmental Poster Contest, open to all fourth-grade students in the Town of Oyster Bay. This year’s poster contest, Our Town Our Environment, invites youngsters to create a poster showcasing the importance of trees in preserving our environment, with a theme of ‘Trees for Tomorrow.’

“This poster contest presents a great opportunity to bring environmental awareness to our young people, making them more knowledgeable on the importance of protecting Mother Nature and safeguarding our natural resources,” said Supervisor Saladino.

Students should submit a poster to communicate awareness of the essential role of trees in our lives and may consider these key facts in their design:

•Oxygen Production: Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, ensuring clean air. Did you know? 100 trees remove 53 tons of carbon dioxide and 430 pounds of other air pollutants per year.

•Air and Water Purification: Trees cleanse the air and water, promoting a healthier environment.

•Shade and Cooling: Trees provide shade, cooling our neighborhoods naturally.

•Wildlife Habitat: Trees offer food and

homes for various wildlife, contributing to biodiversity.

•Health Benefits: Trees encourage outdoor activities, promoting physical well-being.

Submissions should be made on poster paper (no larger than 12”x18”). No edible items should be used on the poster. The top

three winning posters will be displayed at a town facility and showcased in a future Town of Oyster Bay Environmental Newsletter.

“This contest is being co-sponsored by Friends of the Bay and The Waterfront Center, two organizations we proudly partner with throughout the year to help our efforts

in protecting and preserving the environment,” said Councilwoman Johnson. “I hope all fourth-grade students join us in this year’s program and take advantage of the great opportunity to become more knowledgeable on the importance of protecting our environment.”

Prizes will be awarded for the top three submissions, with 1st Place receiving a private tour of Oyster Bay Harbor aboard a Friends of the Bay vessel, a $200 gift certificate for the Waterfront Center in Oyster Bay, a tree planted at the winning student’s school for Arbor Day, a nautical trivia game and Friends of the Bay apparel. Second and third place winners will also receive a gift certificate to The Waterfront Center and have a tree planted in their school district. Submission deadline for the contest is Friday, March 29, with winners to be announced on Earth Day, April 22.

Along with their poster submission, students must include an entry form, which is available at www.oysterbaytown.com/ postercontest. Mail or email posters to the Town’s Department of Environmental Resources, Attn: Poster Contest, 29 Spring Street, Oyster Bay NY, 11771. Entries can also be emailed to environmental@oysterbay-ny.gov with the subject line ‘2024 Poster Contest.’ Visit www.oysterbaytown. com/postercontest for more details.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

Residents Renew Wedding Vows At Special Valentine’s Day Ceremony At Town Hall

Special event features re-enactment of America’s first Valentine

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Town Clerk Richard LaMarca and Receiver Jeff Pravato celebrated with approximately 100 residents at a special Vow Renewal Ceremony held on Valentine’s Day at Town Hall. Co-sponsored by Raynham Hall Museum, the event featured a reading of America’s First Valentine, which was written on February 14, 1779 in Oyster Bay.

The story of America’s first Valentine is a proud piece of Oyster Bay history which dates back to the time of the Revolutionary War, as British troops occupied Long Island homes. During the height of the American Revolutionary War, love improbably blossomed between Lt. Col Simcoe and a young patriot named Sally Townsend as the Townsend property served as a headquarters for a regiment of 300 British troops. Lt. Col. Simcoe presented Sally with a poem he wrote asking her to be his Valentine, and

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

his famous poem, entitled ‘Will You Be My Valentine,’ became the first documented written Valentine in America.

Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Supervisor Saladino, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca and Tax Receiver Jeff Pravato celebrated with 100 residents at the Valentine’s Day Vow Renewal ceremony at Town Hall, including Joe and Marie Cagna of Bethpage, who celebrated 56 years of marriage, and Audrey and Joe Rydzewski of Locust Valley, who celebrated 68 years of marriage. (Photos courtesy the Town of Oyster Bay)

Fourth-grade students are invited to take inspiration from trees as part of this poster contest from the Town of Oyster Bay. (Image via Unsplash)

Jericho STEM Academy Celebrates Chinese New Year

SYOSSET

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of formation of JDP

NORTH PROPERTIES II r s o rg ed

Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on ce oca on assa o n des gna ed as agen on o rocess a e served and s a a co o rocess aga ns o s ve osse r ose an a r ose

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE

COUNTY OF NASSAU

SUPPLEMENTAL

SUMMONS AND NOTICE

nde o a ed ed e s argo an a n aga ns even reve e a a e en reve e e e v ng or e e dead s s o ses e rs dev sees d s r ees and s ccessors n n eres a o o and ose na es and aces o res dence are n no n o a n ar e ars co a een eac o ernard eac o re er a a nd ng

nne aran a den a ro er a ed c on ro a e o e or and sa d na e e ng c o s e ng e n en on o a n o des gna e an and a occ an s o re ses e ng orec osed ere and an ar es cor ora ons or en es an av ng or c a ng an n eres or en on e or gaged re ses e endan s eado roo oad osse o ans er e co a n n s ac on and o serve a co o o r ans er or a no ce o a earance on e a orne s or e a n n r da s a er e serv ce o s s ons e c s ve o e da o ser v ce e n ed a es o er ca des gna ed as a de endan n s ac on a a ear n s da s o serv ce ereo n case o o r a re o a ear or an s er dg en e a en aga ns o de a or e re e de anded n e co a n e orego ng ons s served on

o ca on rs an o an rder o e on e re oods e n a s ce o e re e o r assa o n en ered an and ed e co a n and o er a ers n e as sa o n er s ce

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF o e a ove ca oned ac on s o orec ose a onso da on and or od ed or gage ere na er e or gage o sec re and n eres recorded n e as sa o n er s ce on e e er a er o or gages age cover ng re ses a eado roo oad osse a a ec on oc o e re e so g n e n ac on s a na dg en d rec ng e sa e o e re s es descr ed a ove o sa s e de sec red e or gage descr ed a ove a n des gna es assa o n as e ace o r a en e s ased on e o n n c e or gaged re ses s s a ed

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND

ON THE ATTORNEY FOR

LEGAL NOTICES

r e o

CEEDING AGAINST YOU

A DEFAULT JUDGMENT

YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME.

OR GO TO THE COURT

PENDING FOR FURTHER

MONS ANS PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY.

SENDING A PAYMENT TO

TION.

NEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY)

a ed ran assara s en or orec os re orne

LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP orne s or a n e ross ng o evard oc es er a

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE a n vs e endan s rs an o a dg en o orec os re and a e d en ered on ove er e nders gned e eree se a c a c on a e or de e s o e assa o n re e o r re e o r r ve neo a e or on arc a re ses no n as a cer a n o ece or arce o and e d ngs and rove en s ereon erec ed s a e ng and e ng n e o n o s er a o n o assa and a e o e or ec on oc o ro a e a o n o dg en s s n eres and cos s re ses e so d s ec o rov s ons o ed dg en nde e sa e s se as de or an reason e rc aser a e sa e s a e en ed on o

a re rn o e de os a d e rc aser s a ave no r er reco rse aga ns e or gagor e or gagee e or gagee s a orne or e e eree s Referee oac n er c o rn e e osse e or orne s or a n

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLICHEARING CALENDAR NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Section 24612 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay , notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on MARCH 7, 2024, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals: BYORDER OFTHE ZONINGBOARDOF

APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 23-733

WOODBURY

JASON SCHULMAN: (A) ar ance o cons r c av on e ceed ng a e g d ng coverage and gross floor area an er ed rd nance (B) end e c c an as resen ed or ea o and gran ed ec s on o e on ng oard o ea s da ed an ar and a ended ec s on o e on ng oard o ea s da ed e e er s o o o o e rass ands a a o o o r ood r

APPEAL NO. 23-739

SYOSSET SAWMILL CONSTRUCTION, CORP.: (A) ar ance o cons r c ne d e ng on vacan o av ng ess d o o a ron ro er ne d o o ro ron ro er ne o re red rear ard o area and e ceed ng a gross floor area an er ed rd nance (B) ar ance o cons r c dr ve a av ng ess s de ard se ac an er ed r d nance (C) end ec c an as resen ed or ea o and gran ed ec s on o e on ng oard o ea s da ed an ar s o a es ve o

Continued on page 11

The Jericho STEM Academy had a Chinese New Year’s celebration on Thursday, Feb. 15. One of the teachers, Miss Pauline, set up the gym for this celebration. Each class visited with Miss Pauline. They made an art project, had oranges and the holiday was explained to the children. (Photos courtesy the Jericho STEM Academy)

Jericho High School recently completed optional Narcan training for students, thanks to the perseverance of student Soraya Hormozi. Soraya recognized a need for the training as students are about to go off to college and be put in different situations. She approached Jericho High School Social Worker Ray Velez and together they

Jericho High School Hosts Narcan Training

approached the Wellness Coalition with the idea. The Coalition was fully supportive. After discussing it with Superintendent of Schools Hank Grishman, the idea became a reality, with support of the Board of Education.

Any interested student 17 years old or older with parent permission attended the

LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES

Continued from page 10

Jackson Ave., a/k/a Dawes Avenue, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 24-32

SYOSSET DINO DORIA: (A) Variance to allow existing 16 ft. by 12 ft. metal gazebo having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing 9.8 ft. by 9.8 ft. metal gazebo having less front yard setback and side yard setback than

permitted by Ordinance. (C)

Variance to allow existing 9.8 ft. by 9.8 ft. metal gazebo and 16 ft. by 12 ft. metal gazebo exceeding maximum building coverage and gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance. NE/ cor. of Stuart Dr. & Woodland Gate, a/k/a 6 Stuart Drive, Syosset, NY APPEAL NO. 23-635

WESTBURY CHANDRASHEKAR VELLUR: Variance to construct front roof over and rear two

story addition exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. E/s/o Harwick Rd., 417.77 ft. N/o Briarcliff Rd., a/k/a 26 Harwick Road, Westbury, NY

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

2-28-2024-1T-#245718SYO/JER

training, conducted by Linda Babolcsay, LCSWR, CASAC of the Well Life Network. Lori McGaule also spoke at the training about her son and his journey into substance use, his experience with Narcan saving his life and his subsequent overdose.

Once the training was completed, stu-

dents were given their own Narcan kit and the confidence to use it. Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive. Jericho is planning more trainings in the future and will expand them to parents and staff.

—Submitted by the Jericho Union Free School District

The Narcan training at Jericho High School was a success.

The students picked

their Narcan kits after the training.

(Photos courtesy the Jericho Union Free School District)

Town Of Oyster Bay Celebrates Black History Month

JENNIFER CORR

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

“Black history is American history” was the message of an evening at the Oyster Bay Town Hall North, which was lit with the colors of the Black History Month flag: green, black and red, on Feb. 22.

“African American culture has profoundly shaped American culture in music and art and literature and sports and that list goes on and on,” said Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino.

Elected officials, such as Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jen DeSena, New York State Sen. Steven Rhoads and Nassau County Legislators Samantha Goetz and Arnold W. Drucker, community leaders including Phyllis Hill Slater of the Long Island Small Business Assistance Corporation and historians, including Carol A. Gordon and Dr. Denice Evans-Sheppard, gathered at Town Hall for an evening of programs celebrating Black History Month.

Black History Month came from a tradition started by Harvard graduate Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who launched a Black history week in February 1926, according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. It is said Woodson chose February because of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Since the mid-1970s, every president, Democratic or Republican, has issued proclamations endorsing the annual theme of Black History Month.

“The Civil Rights Movement grew out of church basements, word of mouth and people coming together and many times they had to do it in secrecy,” Supervisor Saladino said, later adding “With today’s modern technology, and everyone so interconnected, the struggle to effect positive change continues through the strength and will of everyday Americans. That change includes equal opportunity and education, employment, fair treatment under the law and we must always work to create that equity and equality.”

Among the speakers who followed Saladino was Deputy County Executive for Health & Human Services Anissa Moore, who was representing County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Moore said programs like these are important, especially at a time when history is being forgotten.

“You can not move forward; you can not progress without understanding history,” Moore said. “A rich piece of African American history is that we have to start pre-slavery… There were free people as early as 1626 who came and were already working the land, and they were building and they were the business owners of that time.”

Days after the program, on Feb. 27, the

Honoring the memory of David Carll

Town of Oyster Bay officially unveiled a historic marker at Pine Hollow Road to mark the story of Civil War veteran David Carll.

“David was a free Black man who volunteered in 1864 to serve the United States of America in the 26th New York United States Colored Troop Regiment, that’s what it was called,” Saladino said. “It was funded through a government stipend by philanthropists, including James Roosevelt, the uncle of President Theodore Roosevelt. Upon returning home after the war in 1865, soon after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, David Carll and his wife, Mary Louisa Appleford Carll, purchased land in the Pine Hollow community that continues to house the six generations of his descendants who have lived in that house to this day.”

nity… whereas today it’s at 0.3 percent.”

Many people are also unaware that New York was one of the largest slave states in the North before 1827.

“It was the first interracial marriage to take place in Oyster Bay,” Sheppard said.

Among their children was Joseph Carll, who worked for the Oyster Bay Pilot as a printer/editor.

Sheppard also displayed documents she found in the Oyster Bay archive, proving that David Carll and his oldest son Francis were voting as early as 1898.

Unfortunately, Appleford Carll passed away in 1899. She is interred at the East Norwich Cemetery.

“She’s not with her family,” Sheppard said. “They are not able to see her headstone. I don’t even know if the family got her headstone because she was married to a person of color.”

David Carll did remarry in 1907, which was a point of contention for the family because the wife would inherit the estate. But, she did resell it to the oldest son, Francis.

“The Carll property served as a place for intergenerational families to live, to learn and create close-knit families and understanding of who and what we were,” Sheppard said. “They were business people, entrepreneurs, property owners, but they were more or less trendsetters.”

David Carll, who passed away in 1910, is interred at the Pine Hollow Cemetery, which became Nationally Landmarked as a Historic Site in 2018 due to the efforts of David Carll’s descendants.

African American culture has profoundly shaped American culture in music and art and literature and sports and that list goes on and on. —Supervisor Joseph Saladino

“As I mentioned, the Carll family were very involved with the whaling industry in Cold Spring Harbor,” Sheppard said. “However, when David was born, the whaling industry kind of subsided. Even though he never had the chance to become a whaler, he decided to be an entrepreneur in the business of maritime endeavors, transporting freight across the Long Island Sound to Connecticut and to Westchester County.”

After Sheppard’s presentation, Phyllis Hill Slater of the Long Island Small Business Assistance Corporation, Associate Dean for Academic Institutes & Programs at SUNY Old Westbury Dr. Danielle Lee, historian Carol A. Gordon of Unspoken History Treasures, with her granddaughter Nala Holmes and Director of Nassau County Minority Affairs Lionel Chitty spoke more about the importance of recognizing Black history.

Carll’s legacy, Saladino said, is an important chapter in American and Oyster Bay’s history.

Oyster Bay Historical Society Executive Director Dr. Denice Evans-Sheppard was invited to the podium by Saladino to explain more of Carll and his family’s history through a presentation. “They lived in Cold Spring Harbor before coming to Oyster Bay,” Sheppard began, stating that the family members were part of the whalemen. “People have to understand that back in 1790, according to the first United States Federal Census, there was a 17 percent of an African American demographic here in the commu-

The reason the Carll family moved to Oyster Bay was because family and community were needed to raise the young David Carll. They moved specifically to the Pine Hollow community founded by the first emancipated person in the region named Tom Gall, who was freed in 1685. David Carll and other members of the community enlisted after seeing a call to arms to engage in the Civil War and receive money.

“He was able to purchase property for $200 in Pine Hollow,” Sheppard said, displaying a ledger that she found in Queens County archives. “He had several children that were homeowners, business owners.”

David Carll was breaking down barriers through his marriage to Mary Louisa Appleford, whose family came to Oyster Bay from England.

Gordon had brought pieces of her collection of historic items relating to Black history, including two Harper Weekly magazines, one of them having to do with an enslaved person named Gordon, who was a runaway. He was whipped so many times he had keloids on his back. The other article was related to the escape of Robert Smalls and his friends and family, who escaped slavery by commandeering a Confederate transport ship called the CSS Planter. Gordon also had photos from her father’s service in World War II.

“Black History Month is every month, every day,” Chitty said. “We come together, we celebrate everybody’s culture so we can have some type of understanding and move forward. But more importantly, while we’re here, my mother taught me, my grandmother taught me to sit at the feet of your elders and learn from them.”

At the end of the program, Chitty, Deputy County Executive for Health & Human Services Anissa Moore, Vietnam War veteran Anthony Townsend, Dr. Lee, Sheppard, Gordon and Slater received citations for their service to the community.

The historic marker that will honor David Carll at Pine Hollow Road. (Photo by Jennifer Corr)

Bay Shore Metal Fabricating Company Charged For Underpaying Prevailing Wage

SIW, Inc. allegedly underpaid journeymen on various public work projects, including at the Syosset Fire Department

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that an architectural and industrial metal fabricating company in Bay Shore was charged with a violation of labor laws for misclassifying and underpaying workers on various public work projects in Nassau County, ultimately underpaying workers approximately $47,000 in wages.

SIW, Inc., was arraigned Thursday before Judge Ari Schulman for violating Section 198-a(l) of the Labor Law of the State of New York (an unclassified misdemeanor). The company is due back in court on February 29, 2024. If convicted, the company faces a fine of up to $20,000, a conditional discharge and restitution of $47,004.04.

“Prevailing wages are important to ensuring that employees on public work sites throughout Nassau County are compensated appropriately for their specialized skills,” said DA Donnelly. “SIW, Inc. allegedly misclassified nearly a dozen employees as apprentices and failed to pay their rightful wages, underpaying the workers approximately $47,000. I thank the Nassau County Department of

Labor and the Iron Workers Union, Local 361 for referring this matter to us for prosecution.”

Nassau County Commissioner of Labor Christopher Fusco said, “Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly will not tolerate any prevailing wage fraud or worker misclassification on a public job site. These findings are a clear indication that anyone who violates these laws will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, between January 1, 2019, and May 16, 2023, SIW, Inc., an architectural & industrial metal fabricating company located in Bay Shore, allegedly misclassified and underpaid 10 journeymen the lower apprentices’ wage rate. The public work jobs were located at the Merrick Union Free School District, Bald-

win Union Free School District, Lynbrook Union Free School District, Manhasset Union Free School District, Westbury Union Free School District, Locust Valley Central School District, North Shore School District, Syosset Fire Department, Massapequa Fire Department, and Mineola Fire Department.

The District Attorney’s Office confirmed with the New York State Department of Labor that none of the Defendant’s employees attended a Registered Apprenticeship Training Program, that the defendant does not participate in any such program, and none of its employees were certified as Registered Apprentices with New York State. The underpaid wages for the ten employees ranged between a low of $515.34 to a high of $18,964.29. The total amount of wages underpaid was $47,004.40.

While the correct Iron Worker Journeyman wage and benefit rate for the time period was between $106.20 and $108.25 per hour, the defendant allegedly only paid $53.04 and $78.11. The defendant allegedly paid laborers wages and benefits between $42.99 and $68.22 per hour, instead of the state mandated rate of $69.96 to $71.20. An audit of the payroll records of SIW, Inc. determined that 10 employees were allegedly underpaid approximately $47,004.

DA Donnelly thanks the Nassau County Department of Labor and the Iron Workers Union, Local 361 for referring this matter to our office.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Investigative Counsel and Attorney-in-Charge of Labor Richard Balletta of the Revenue, Auto, Insurance, and Labor Crime Bureau. The defendant is represented by Cornell Bouse, Esq.

The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.

—Submitted by the Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly

Contractor Debarred From Performing Public Work

DA secures more than $60,000 in underpaid prevailing wage in separate investigations

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Freeport construction company pleaded guilty yesterday to falsifying paperwork with the Wantagh Union Free School District and was barred from performing any public work contracts in New York State for five years. Separate NCDA investigations also led to the recovery of $60,000 in underpaid prevailing wages from both a Texas-based company and a Long Island-based company.

GTX Construction Associates Corp, entered into a guilty plea before Judge Christopher Quinn to Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (an E felony). The company was sentenced to a $1,000 fine and a conditional discharge. Under the New York State Labor Law, this felony conviction prohibits GTX and its principal Giovanni Napolitano from performing any public work contracts in New York State for five years.

According to the charges, on October 22, 2022, the defendant entered a public work contract with the Wantagh Union Free School District for masonry restoration

at the Mandalay Elementary School. The contract required that the defendant secure a payment and labor/material bond from a licensed surety company to guarantee the quality of the work and the payment of wages.

Almost immediately upon the start of the project, the Wantagh assistant superintendent for business determined that GTX performed substandard work and terminated the contract. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office investigation revealed that GTX filed a forged and falsified surety bond with the school district. Specifically, GTX submitted a bond that Aegis Security Insurance Company purportedly issued. However, per Aegis Security, the company left the bonding industry in 2021.

Additionally, in two separate and unrelated public work investigations, NCDA secured more than $60,000 in unpaid prevailing wages for six construction workers.

JLN Contracting, Inc., of Central Islip, performed carpentry work at Oceanside High School for six weeks in the summer of 2022. The employee on the project was paid

$27.00/hour in cash instead of the $85.54/ hour rate of wages and benefits prescribed under state law. The complaining witness received payment from NCDA of $12,293.40 to fully compensate him for his labor.

In the spring and summer of 2023, Gulf States Protective Coatings Inc. of La Porte, Texas, contracted to perform the highly specialized work of restoration of a water tank and treatment facilities at the Jericho Water District. District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union notified NCDA that the non-union Texas company underpaid its employees by approximately $20.00/hour. A review of the certified payroll records obtained from the Jericho Water District and the paychecks from the employer revealed that five workers were underpaid $49,175.01, just less than $10,000.00 per employee. Payments were made to the workers at the end of January 2024.

“These companies underpaid workers a total of more than $60,000 in wages to which they were entitled through prevailing wage. In one instance, a worker was

paid $60 an hour less than what he was owed for his carpentry work at a local high school,” said DA Donnelly. “My Revenue, Auto, Insurance and Labor Crime Bureau is aggressively investigating these wage violations and holding companies accountable when they short their employees. I thank the Oceanside School District and District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union for their referral of these matters.”

DA Donnelly thanks the Wantagh Union Free School District, the Oceanside School District, and District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union for referring these matters to our office.

The cases are being prosecuted by Senior Investigative Counsel and Attorney-in-Charge of Labor Richard Balletta of the Revenue, Auto, Insurance, and Labor Crime Bureau. GTX is represented by Daniel A. Hochheiser, Esq. Gulf States Protective Coatings Inc. is represented by Matthew Davis, Esq.

—Submitted by the Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly

(Image via Pexels)

JBY JENNIFER CORR jcorr@antonnews.com

oe Gatto, known for the hidden camera comedy and reality show Impractical Jokers, has been touring the country and making people laugh with his tour, “Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy” for almost two years.

Impractical Jokers

Joe Gatto To Record Comedy Special At The Paramount Life after

“The show was always about us,” Gatto explained when asked if they ever angered members of the public during their pranks. “Making ourselves look like a fool. If we were getting people mad, we weren’t really doing our job… Sometimes we met people who weren’t in the mood for it that day. We filmed in New York City, sometimes there’s some attitude around it, but for the most part, it wasn’t that kind of show.”

“Especially the times that we’re in, people need to get out, forget the world that is around them right now... And have a good night surrounded by people who are just enjoying themselves,” Gatto said. “And I hear that from everybody that comes out. It’s been really nice to do that for people.”

Gatto will film a comedy special on March 8 at The Paramount in Huntington, his favorite venue in America and the first stop on his tour two years ago.

His last stop on the tour will be on March 24 in Redding, California.

Gatto explained that his routines mostly consist of storytelling and acting out scenarios.

“I haven’t done stand-up before this,” Gatto said. “When I performed live, it had always been with an ensemble, not myself.”

But, he enjoys telling the stories of his life, whether it was his times on Impractical Jokers, parenting, his rescue dogs and growing up in an Italian family on Staten Island.

“It’s all part of the show,” Gatto said.

At the end of 2021, Gatto announced on Instagram that he would be amicably leaving the Impractical Jokers after nine years to focus on his personal life.

Impractical Jokers, which premiered in 2011 on truTV, starred four “lifelong friends who compete to embarrass each other.” Gatto, James Murray, Brian Quinn and Sal Vulcano met while attending Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island. In 1999, Gatto, Murray and Vulcano formed a comedy group called the Tenderloins, with Quinn joining the group in 2006. They won a $100,000 grand prize on NBC’s It’s Your Show competition in 2007.

The premise of Impractical Jokers is like a game; each of them, wearing an earpiece, would follow directions from the other three who were watching from a hidden location in public. If they refused to say or do something or would laugh, they would get a “thumbs down,” and whoever had the most “thumbs down” at the end of the episode would be “punished,” often in the form of public humiliation.

As the show gained popularity, Gatto said there were times when they were recognized while out doing pranks.

“The problem would become, when we were engaging with someone, talking in a conversation in the middle of the park about whatever we were talking about, someone would come running over like ‘oh my God, Joe, can I get a selfie?’” Gatto said. “The people we were talking to, but didn’t know us, would be like, ‘Who are you?’ and I’d go, ‘I’m their dentist.’ You just have to try to deflect the best that you could.”

Since Gatto’s leave in 2021, Murray, Vulcano and Quinn have continued the show, which now often features guest stars like Bobby Moynihan and Post Malone.

Since then, life has been different but good, Gatto said.

“Still making the world laugh, which has always been my stride,” Gatto said. “I’ve been touring with my comedy show for about two years now, ‘Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy,’ and I’ve been touring the country. It’s been so much fun to get out in front of people and make them laugh.”

He also co-hosts the podcast Two Cool Moms with Steve Byrne, where they give maternal advice to listeners, and he wrote a children’s book called Where’s Bearry? based on the true events of his son losing his stuffed animal. The book will be released on Sept. 3.

Additionally, Gatto has been advocating for causes he believes in such as the “Adopt, Don’t Shop” movement through the non-profit Gatto Pups and Friends, which he and his wife, Bessy, formed in the fall of 2022 to rescue senior and unwanted dogs. A storefront for Gatto Pups & Friends opened in Glen Head the following year.

“They are the kindest things in the world,” Gatto said. “There’s just something about a rescue dog and the way they appreciate being helped and they give back too.”

For tickets to the March 8 show at The Paramount, visit cannoliproductions.com/tour/.

WHERE THE STARS ARE STALLERCENTER FOR THE

WHERE THE STARS ARE STALLERCENTER FOR THE ARTS

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Joe Gatto.

(Photo credit: Jonathan Thorpe)

Patti LuPone/Broadway Wynton Marsalis/Jazz Itzhak Perlman/Classical Vic Dibitetto/Comedy Leslie Odom, Jr./Broadway

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