Great Neck Record 3/06/24 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

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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. 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,” asked 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.”

This budget attempts to solve for a $4.3 billion budget gap and we need to make decisions on where to spend state resources.

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 is 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.”

proposal 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.

A number of representatives from Nassau County, including New York State Senator

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

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.

Jack Martins (Anton Media Group file photo)

New York State Capitol Building (Photo by Getty Images)

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

—New York State Budget Director Blake Washington

Great Neck Library Presents New Art Exhibit

The Great Neck Library is having an art exhibition of the wonderful works created by the students of Mina Rabbani at the Great Neck Community Education. The Art Exhibition will be at the Great Neck Main Library Lower-Level Art Gallery, 159 Bayview Ave., Great Neck, NY, from March 1-22, 2024. Be sure to join us for an art reception on Sunday, March 10, from 2-4 p.m.

The year after she immigrated to the U.S., Mina Rabbani had her first exhibition at Great Neck Library. In 1987, after receiving her Master’s degree in Arts, she started teaching at Great Neck Community Education while raising her children. She had a student exhibition at this library in 2005.

Our recent exhibition included paintings of still lives, landscapes, faces, figures, and abstracts. Some of the students have been painting with Mina for over 35 years while a few are new students just beginning to explore their talents.

For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at 516466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.

—Submitted by the Great Neck Library

College Presentation At The Library

On Monday, Feb.12, the Great Neck Library partnered with Great Neck Public School SEPTA to bring a presentation on Transitioning to College to our community. The presenter, Gregg Pauletti, specifically focused on helping students who have different learning challenges or mental health challenges think about how to figure out which colleges will be the best environment for them.

For information on receiving a recording of the event you can contact SEPTA at septa@greatneck.k12.ny.us

The Great Neck Library’s next event to help teens prepare for college is on Thursday, March

28. The workshop will focus on how to pick a college major. This workshop will review some college requirements and options as well as what you can do now in high school to help decide what major will be good for you. The event is being presented by Debbie Lindell, a college counselor and former school guidance counselor who has worked with teens for over 20 years. She is a member of Higher Educational Consultants Association.

Zoom info will be sent to registrants. Visit greatnecklibrary.org to register.

—Information gathered by Julie Prisco

The Interfaith Food Pantry Needs Your Help

To help combat food insecurity in our community, Brotherhood of Temple Beth-El of Great Neck has been partnering with the St. Aloysius Interfaith Food Pantry in Great Neck, purchasing and distributing nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables for nearly 10 years.

Great Neck is a special community—and many consider it a privilege to live here. Our community features excellent schools, beautiful parks and an easy commute to Manhattan. The peninsula is a wonderful place to call home; and in many ways, it is considered a prosperous community.

However, this is not the full Great Neck story. Many families in Great Neck are struggling.

According to the Office of Temporary Assistance, several hundred families are on public assistance or Welfare, and approximately 1,300 families depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

of fruit and vegetables for the community the food pantry serves.

Every two weeks, wholesaler Krystal Fruits & Vegetables of Syosset delivers $1,200 worth of tomatoes, apples, oranges, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, sweet potatoes and bananas to the pantry. Volunteers from both St. Aloysius and Brotherhood separate the produce into approximately 90 to 100 bags.

Under the guidance of the food pantry director, Bertha del Carpio, the following day the volunteers distribute those bags, along with others containing nonperishable food, to the local patrons who arrive at the pantry throughout the year, regardless of the weather.

from a local foundation. Unfortunately, this funding source is no longer available, and Brotherhood is now solely reliant on donations from individuals.

In order to continue providing fresh fruits and vegetables to Great Neck’s working poor, financial support from the greater Great Neck community is sorely needed.

Please consider supporting this important, ongoing, year-round community program. The entirety of all donations will go toward purchasing fruits and vegetables.

Program (SNAP) or food stamps.

The St. Aloysius Interfaith Food Pantry in Great Neck largely serves working-poor families, including substantial numbers of children and the elderly, bridging the gap by

providing the nutritious foods necessary to maintain a healthy diet.

Making this mission even more challenging, the recent and continuing inflationary period has led to significant increases in the costs

Brotherhood spends more than $30,000 each year supporting its fresh fruits and vegetables initiative, as well as other adjunct programs with the food pantry.

Prior to this year, Brotherhood relied on a $10,000 matching grant

Contributions to the Great Neck Interfaith Food Pantry can be made directly to Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, 5 Old Mill Rd., Great Neck, NY 10023. For further information, contact Stuart Botwinick, Temple Beth-El executive director, at 516-487-0900 or sbotwinick@ tbegreatneck.org.

—Submitted by Temple Beth-El of Great Neck

(Art by Mina Rabbani)

SEPTA presentation at the Great Neck Library. (Photo from the Great Neck Library Facebook)

St. Aloysius and Temple Beth-El Brotherhood volunteers separate $1,200 worth of fresh produce into 90 to 100 bags for community members in need every two weeks. (Contributed photo)

CALENDAR

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 8-

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

Winter Movie Screenings

Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 5 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. (Great Neck House, 14 Arrandale Ave.) The Great Neck Park District presents: Plane (2023 | R) A pilot finds himself caught in a war zone after he’s forced to land his commercial aircraft during a terrible storm Visit gnparks.org for more information.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

Magic of Amore

3 p.m. (Great Neck House, 14 Arrandale Ave.) The Great Neck Park District is offering Winter and Spring events for kids and families. Pre-registration is required, visit gnparks.org to reserve a spot.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

Five Year Anniversary of the STEM Lab

11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. (Great Neck Library, STEM Lab) Stop by to celebrate five years of technological brilliance in the STEM Lab. Pop on by to see this high-end technology haven within the library and have

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY

the opportunity to experience the wonders of our STEM Lab. All ages are welcome to this pop-by event.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

Womanspace

1 p.m.-3 p.m. (Great Neck Social Center, 80 Grace Ave.) These seasoned ladies have gathered for a number of years, tuned in to what active folks think about. When this group hears about something on the local, state, national or global scene they select an expert from their various contacts to come talk about it.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

Golden Hearts Bingo and Blood Pressure Screenings

12 p.m. (Roslyn Community Center, 53 Orchard St., Roslyn Heights) The Town of North Hempstead presents Project Independence: Golden Hearts Bingo and Blood Pressure Screenings for senior residents. Call 311 for more information.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

Free Hearing Screenings

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Great Neck Library, Station Branch Community Room) Adelphi University’s community outreach program consists of free hearing screenings for adults

and children of all ages. Students and faculty from Adelphi University will perform the hearing screenings for those who suspect they have a hearing loss. Screening results are given immediately and appropriate recommendations are made by a licensed audiologist. No registration required, first come first served.

Senior Spring Fling

11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Charles J. Fuschillo Park, 200 Carle Rd., Carle Place) The Town of North Hempstead presents the Senor Spring Fling for senior residents. Includes lunch, coffee, dessert, dancing and games. Registration is required, call 311 to reserve a spot.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

New York State Boater Safety Course

8 a.m.-4 p.m. (Michael J. Tully Park at 1801 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park) North Hempstead’s Public Safety Department has several Bay Constables who are certified under the New York State Parks Department to teach the New York State Boater Safety Course. The town is presenting this course free of charge to town residents. This is an excellent opportunity for residents who have not already taken a boater safety class to do so, in order to operate a motor boat or personal watercraft in New York State waters. Register at www.register-ed.com/

Halcyon

As an investor, one way you can enhance your long-term retirement security is to fully leverage the potential of tax-advantaged retirement savings vehicles. Each year, the IRS releases new guidelines on the amount of money you can contribute to these accounts. New contribution limits in 2024 allow you to save even more this year through plans such as 401(k)s, 403(b)s and IRAs.

Changes to workplace savings limits

Contribution limits for workplace retirement accounts have been raised by $500 for the year 2024. In 2024, the IRS allows pre-tax employee contributions to 401(k) or 403(b) plans of:

• $23,000 for those under age 50

• $30,500 for those age 50 and older (includes a $7,500 “catch up” contribution).

When combined with employer contributions, a maximum of $69,000 can be directed to your workplace retirement plans in 2024 (plus the $7,500 catch-up contribution for those age 50 and older). Note that total contributions can’t exceed your annual compensation at the company that houses your plan.

If offered by your employer, you may be able to make after-

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tax contributions to a Roth 401(k). Note that any after-tax contributions are counted toward the $69,000 total maximum limit for employee and employer contributions to workplace plans. Save an amount that makes sense for you, but it can be beneficial to take full advantage of any matching contribution offered by your employer. For example, if an employer offers to match up to 5% of your income into a 401(k) if you make a similar contribution, it, in effect, means you’re doubling your contribution for your retirement savings, before investment earnings are taken into account. This is a great way for your savings to make a big impact.

New IRA contribution limits

IRA contribution limits move up periodically to re ect cost-of-living changes. 2024 is one of those years.

The new limits are:

• $7,000 for those under age 50

• $8,000 for those age 50 and older.

Note that contributions can’t exceed 100% of your earned income if you earn less than the limits stated above. Also, these limits apply to total IRA contributions for the year. This is applicable even if you hold

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Ste 101, Garden City, NY 11530 michael.j.laliberte@ampf.com

multiple IRAs or make contributions to both Roth IRAs (which feature the potential for tax-free earnings growth) and traditional IRAs.

To make fully tax-deductible (pre-tax) traditional IRA contributions in 2024, your modi ed adjusted gross income cannot exceed:

· $77,000 for single or head-ofhousehold tax lers

· $123,000 for married couples ling a joint return.

Not everyone can make maximum Roth IRA contributions. In 2024, full Roth IRA contributions can only occur if your modi ed adjusted gross income is less than:

• $146,000 for single or head-ofhousehold tax lers

• $230,000 for married couples ling a joint return.

Save diligently, plan wisely Determining how much to set aside for retirement and in what types of savings vehicles is best determined through careful planning. The start of a new year is a great time to consider if you want to change or start contributions to these types of accounts. Discuss your retirement strategy with your nancial advisor and consult with a tax professional on all tax-related matters.

Michael J. Laliberte, CRPC, is a Financial Advisor with Halcyon Financial Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Garden City. He specializes in fee-based nancial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 13 years. To contact him, www.ameripriseadvisors.com/ michael.j.laliberte, 401 Franklin Avenue, Suite 101 Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 345-2600

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

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

Services offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.

Member FINRA and SIPC.

©2024 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Blakeman Draws Backlash With Executive Order

Criticism rolls in over order targeting trans athletes

JENNIFER CORR JANET BURNS

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

jburns@antonmediagroup.com

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is once again facing widespread criticism, particularly from local Democrats, after signing an executive order that seeks to block trans women and girls from participating in competitive sports across the county.

On Thursday, February 22, Blakeman held a small rally, with the stated intent to “protect girls’ sports,” before unveiling the executive order, which effectively prevents athletes in Nassau County who were assigned “male” at birth from participating in girls’ or women’s sports.

According to the order, “any sports, leagues, organizations, teams, programs, or sports entities must expressly designate [male, female, or co-ed] based on the biological sex at birth of the team members/participants when applying for a use and occupancy permit to utilize Nassau County Parks property for the purposes of organization a sporting event or competition.” It goes on to state that the Nassau County Department of Parts, Recreation and Museums “shall not issue any permits for the use and occupancy of Nassau County Park’s property for the purposes of organizing a sporting event or competition that allows athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls to include biological males ... [but] may issue permits ... that allow athletic teams or sports for males, men, or boys to include biological females.”

That day and in the days that immediately followed, a long list of comments from local officials and groups condemning the order were made public (only some of which are included here).

“In a society that values freedom and opportunity, denying transgender and nonbinary athletes the chance to play on their school and community sports teams goes against the very essence of American principles,” said Devon Zappasodi, director of Long Island-based LGBTQ+ youth services and advocacy group PFY, in a statement.

Patricia Pastor, president of the National Organization for Women, Nassau County, commented, “Trans women are women. Trans girls are girls. Full stop. Blakeman’s thinly veiled attempt at publicity not only violates the spirit of fairness and inclusion in sports, but is a tired and long standing approach to divide us. We won’t let that happen. We stand with the Trans community today and always.”

Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement, “We’re proud New York has some of the nation’s strongest protections for the LGBTQ+ community and my administration

is committed to enforcing these laws.”

Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti commented, “In recent years, we have seen repeated bigoted attacks on Long Island directed against the LGBTQ community and, luckily, our community has always rallied against it ... Directing vitriol toward children should not and can never be tolerated.”

State Assemblymember Charles Lavine commented, “Many of us know children who don’t fit into Bruce Blakeman’s crude mindset about sexual orientation and gender identity ... Shame on him for attacking those who can’t defend themselves.”

Legislator Arnold Drucker called the order “utterly reprehensible,” adding, “The equal protection of transgender people and other members of the historically marginalized LGBTQ+ community has been enshrined on the books in New York for years.”

feel included and accepted as anybody else. This also has an effect on all students ... policing this requires sometimes intrinsic questions and inspections and things like that, because sometimes it isn’t immediately clear who is, or who isn’t, trans. This really affects the privacy of all students.”

Trans women are women. Trans girls are girls. Full stop.

Patricia Pastor, president, National Organization of

Women Nassau County

Goldaper continued, “I’m heartbroken. New York is a place where transgender people have a lot of rights ... but it’s little things like this that cut away at the rights we do have. If I may, I think it’s also very interesting that once again, we find that trans women are particularly targeted by this law for this executive order, because I can’t help but notice that there’s no provision that says that trans boys can’t play in boys sports. And we once again have trans women like myself being treated as second-class citizens compared to even our other transgender peers.”

for her and her family, both before and after her own transition, until that feeling was “shattered” by recent events.

“Blakeman and [Legislator Samantha] Goetz’s press conference was a total repudiation of the humanity of trans people, implying that we are cheaters, liars, and bullies. The message is obvious ... the Nassau County GOP is going full bore on the anti-trans moral panic. And it is nothing but a moral panic.”

“In the decades where trans women have been playing sports with other women, we haven’t dominated, or even generally been that competitive. Contrary to Legislator Goetz’s claims, the biological process of transition serves to nullify the so-called advantages. But even dominant trans athletes don’t deserve these restrictions. We deserve to be accepted for who we are and not treated with scorn.”

Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton commented that Blakeman “has been more interested in self promotion and spending public money on private golf outings, swanky galas and unrelated press conferences - such as [this] focus on legislating little leagues, which has nothing to do with his responsibilities.”

Bobby Hodgson, the New York Civil Liberties Union’s director of LGBTQ rights litigation, called the order “illegal” and “cynical,” adding “Requiring girls who are trans to compete on boys’ teams effectively bars them from sports altogether.”

Rebecca Goldaper, an English teacher at Glen Cove High School and an advisor to the Glen Cove High School Genders and Sexuality Alliance, commented to Anton Media Group, “Obviously, transgender students are a very small percentage of students, but they have as much right to play sports and to be included in a way that makes them

During a public comment session at the Nassau Legislature on the Monday following the rally and the signing of the executive order, several local residents weighed in on or made reference to the order. All spoke against it, all were women, and most were clearly angry or upset.

“What happened to Nassau County?” one woman asked. “This is not how you were raised ... you’re not serving the people of Nassau County. Do your duty!”

Another said that Blakeman was frequently “off fighting culture wars whenever he can get an audience,” and advised legislators to review a particular county statute, which allows for the removal of a county exectutive, before asking, “Does this stuff make you proud?”

Oceanside resident Dawn Tauster spoke calmly but passionately about how Nassau County had felt like a safe, welcoming place

Tauster continued, “And for Blakeman and Goetz to call trans people bullies, the very same week that news broke of the assault on and death of Nex Benedict, a [gender nonconforming] teen in Oklahoma, it’s clear that they want this county to be as hostile and harmful to trans people as any other.”

“After all, if they think I’m a lying, cheating, dangerous bully, what other rights of mine will they seek to take away?”

She concluded, “You will not take my rights without a fight, and that is a fight that you will lose.”

On March 1, New York Attorney General Letitia James followed up on her February 22 statement (which called the order “transphobic” and said her office was exploring its options) by demanding that Blakeman rescind the order. The same day, Blakeman said at a press conference that Nassau County “will abide by the law,” but also that his office believes the order is legal, and that “there may be a controversy with respect to this matter, which may have to be adjudicated sometime in the future.”

Juli Grey-Owens, executive director of Gender Equality New York, speaks to press during a protest outside the Nassau Legislature on February 22.

Dawn Tauster addressed the Nassau Legislature during a public comment period on February 22.

(Photos by Anton Media Group)

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“The Vacant Space Revival Program qualified us for on-bill credits that really help me manage costs.”

George Karatzas, James Cress Florist, Smithtown

Unoccupied business spaces are an opportunity to help bring vitality to downtown areas. For George Karatzas, owner of James Cress Florist, staying downtown was a priority, but costs were prohibitive. Then George applied for our Vacant Space Revival Program, which has provided $2,462 in bill credits to help o set his overhead.* And Smithtown continues to have a business that brings warmth and charm to the area. It’s a beautiful thing to see come together—just like George’s floral arrangements.

How can we help support your small business?

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*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.

WWesthampton Beach

hile Saint Patrick’s Day was originally a day of religious observance, services and feasting in honor of Saint Patrick, in the United States it has become a day of secular celebration of Irish culture. Here are a selection of parades across Long Island. (Note: dates and times are subject to change. Double check before making plans.)

SATURDAY MARCH 9, 2024

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade @12pm

Starts at the corner of Oneck Lane and Mill Road (at the Middle School)

Bay Shore/Brightwaters

Saint Patrick’s Day Parades Across Long Island

GRAND MARSHAL Patti Ziparo-Dalton

Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade @2pm

Parade steps off from Saxon Avenue and Main Street, left on Main Street/Montauk Highway.

GRAND MARSHAL Reverend Seán Gann, Pastor of St. Patrick Church

Cutchogue

18th Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade @2pm

The parade will march from the Traffic light at Cox Lane, down Route 25 ending in Cutchogue Village.

GRAND MARSHAL Paul Drum

St James

40th Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade @1pm Parade starts along Woodlawn Ave. to Lake Ave. to the train station.

GRAND MARSHAL Peter Scully

New Hyde Park

3rd Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade @10am Parade route along Jericho Turnpike eastbound from Hillside Blvd to the Fire Headquarters at Terrace Blvd.

GRAND MARSHAL Tony Jackson

..............

SUNDAY MARCH 10, 2024

Huntington Village

90th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade @2pm

The parade starts north of Huntington train station along New York Avenue onto Main Street. The Huntington St. Patrick’s Parade is Long Island’s oldest and largest and features dozens of pipe bands, including some of the metro area’s finest.

GRAND MARSHAL Monsignor Steven Camp

Rocky Point /Miller Place

71st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade @1pm

The festivities begin in Miller Place on the corner of 25A and Harrison Avenue. From

there, local fire departments lead the marchers eastward, ending at the corner of Broadway and North Country Road in Rocky Point

GRAND MARSHAL Vincent Worthington

Bayport/Blue Point

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade @11am

Parade runs from Montauk Hwy & Snedecor Ave to Montauk Hwy & Blue Point Ave

GRAND MARSHAL Mr. “Ronnie” Devine, Jr.

Center Moriches

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade @2pm

Straight down Main Street from Lake Ave to Railroad Ave.

GRAND MARSHAL George Keller

Farmingdale

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade @2pm

Parade down Main Street to Northside

Elementary School

GRAND MARSHAL Patrick J Ryder

Get out your green and get your leprechaun on

SATURDAY MARCH 16, 2024

New York City

St. Patrick’s Day Parade @11am

New York City Fifth Ave. from 44th St. to E. 79th St., New York, NY

NYCStPatricksParade.org

GRAND MARSHAL Maggie Timoney

SUNDAY MARCH 17, 2024

Wantagh

4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade @2pm

The largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Long Island will be led by GRAND MARSHAL John Theissen

Patchogue Village

Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade @12pm

The parade starts at the intersection of East Main Street and Route 112 and heads west with the viewing stand located at the intersection of Havens Ave and West Main.

JOINT GRAND MARSHALS Reese’s Owners Matt Lowe and Joe Palmeri

Glen Cove

36th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade @1pm Parade forms alongside the Finley Middle School, on Forest Ave, north of Dosoris Lane, then down Forest Ave south of Dosoris, down Brewster Street to School Street to Glen Street, ending at St. Patrick’s Church.

GRAND MARSHAL Christine Rice

..............

SATURDAY MARCH 23, 2024

Am O’Gansett

St Patrick’s Day Parade @12pm

Billed as the “WORLD’S SHORTEST PARADE,” steps off at Mary’s Marvelous and ends at the Stephen Talkhouse on Main Street.

GRAND MARSHALS Sal and Joe LaCarrumbba

Brentwood Annual

St Patrick’s Day Parade @1pm Starts on the corner of Washington Ave/Clark

Street and ends at Ross Park/Brentwood Rd.

GRAND MARSHAL Councilman John C.

Cochrane, Jr.

Rockville Centre

28th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade @12pm

Starting Point: The Municipal Parking Lot on North Sunrise Hwy.

GRAND MARSHAL Greg Schaefer

Lindenhurst

3rd Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade @12pm Starts at Fireman’s Mèmorial Park 555 Heling Boulevard. Travels west on Hartford Street to North Wellwood Avenue. Turns south down Wellwood Avenue and end at Lindenhurst

Middle School, 350 South Wellwood Avenue.

GRAND MARSHAL – Kevin J McCaffrey ..............

SUNDAY MARCH 24, 2024

Montauk

62nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Sunday @12pm

The parade runs up Edgemere Street and then turns on to Main Street.

GRAND MARSHAL Steve “Puck” Dolan

Ronkonkoma

34th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade @2pm

The parade will start on Hawkins Ave. at School Street, head South down Hawkins Ave ending at Thorne Street.

GRAND MARSHAL Greg Plante

Babylon Village

Second St. Patrick’s Day Parade @2pm Deer Park Ave starting at Lily Flanagan’s, heading south to Main Street , West Carll Ave to Locust Ave. ending at the Hibernian Hall.

GRAND MARSHAL Niall Crowe

SATURDAY MARCH 30, 2024

Jamesport

St. Patrick’s Day Parade @1pm Begins at North Railroad and Washington Avenues, and ends at the Jamesport Fire House.

JOINT GRAND MARSHALS Leanne Simonsen and Linda Simonsen

SATURDAY APRIL 6, 2024

Bayside, Queens

7th Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade @1pm Marching down Bell Blvd from 35th Ave. to 42nd Ave.

GRAND MARSHAL Sean Lane

—From Long Island-Nassau/Suffolk St. Patrick’s Day Parades

Snapshots from the 2023 parade, courtesy of the Village of New Hyde Park

year’s Glen Cove parade (Photo by Jennifer Corr)

I didn’t realize how much I missed seeing birds outside my house until they started to show up a week after I put up a feeder stand in Durham, North Carolina, where I am renting a town house for three months in order to visit my granddaughters. I was wondering after several days whether any birds would show up but I know from experience it may take a few days for birds to realize there are feeders.

When the Eastern bluebirds, Carolina chickadees, house finches and one female purple finch started visiting I was thrilled. I had just returned from 4 days of a bird trip to the North Carolina coast and saw many birds but now having them close by is so enjoyable.

The single feeder station in the photograph has 4 feeders attached. Two have suet-the cage contraption at the top and the other cage hanging. The store-bought suet at the top has red pepper in it to discourage squirrels and raccoons. The hanging suet holder has a cage so only small birds can enter and eat the suet. Therefore that suet doesn’t need to have red pepper. The hanging platform is preferred by some birds. If you use a platform you need a baffle on the pole and you should not have any hanging tree branches that enable squirrels to jump onto the platform. The large hanging feeder is called a

Basics On Bird Feeders

squirrel buster because when a squirrel lands on the ring it closes the feeding ports. Birds are much lighter and when they land on the ring they don’t close the ports. The photo with many feeders also dispenses peanuts.

I recommend one kind of seed in each seed feeder. In the squirrel buster I use black oil sunflower seed with shells in North Carolina but in my yard in Port Washington I use sunflower seeds without shells. That’s because when the shells fall on the ground the surrounding plants will suffer because of something in the shells that inhibits their growth. But in this place in North Carolina there are only dead leaves on the ground around the feeders.

I have a separate feeder station in New York for the platform feeders and I use sunflower seeds with

shells because those feeders are over lawn and I don’t care if the lawn suffers. If you have several kinds of seed in one feeder, the birds push out the seed they don’t want and that can make a mess even with many birds that like to eat seeds on the ground. I see all types of birds eat the sunflower seeds. There are lists on the Internet indicating which birds like which seeds. From experience I find that sunflower seeds attract many different birds. Suet cakes attract many different birds as well.

I usually have a small water fountain going if there is an outdoors outlet. The sound of water also attracts birds. In winter that may be impractical. I once had a small ceramic fountain crack and break from water freezing in cold weather. Near the feeder station it is useful to have small bushes for birds to shelter in case of predators.

There are some people who think birds should not be fed in

warm weather but the parent birds need all the help they can get when feeding young. Another problem could be the spread of disease. Always clean your feeders regularly. Squirrel buster fits in the dishwasher. People have found rats a problem since they are attracted to the seeds. When I see a rat I set out a dish containing cocoa, sugar, water and baking powder. This actually kills rats but doesn’t harm other animals.

If you have any questions contact me at nsaudubonsociety@gmail. com. I will be giving a talk on bird identification and I also talk about feeding stations at the Bryant Library in Roslyn on April 13 at 1 pm.

If you have not done so already, be sure to make plans for the solar eclipse on April 8. Our area will see approximately 90 percent coverage. If you want to view the most complete eclipse, you will need to travel. Accommodations have booked up quickly, including a Delta flight that will carry passengers along a special route for the best viewing. Wherever you decide to view it, use protective eyewear or an eclipse viewer.

March 10 - New Moon. The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

March 19 - March Equinox. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be

nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.

March 24 - Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 18.7 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset.

March 25 - Full Moon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be fully illuminated. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Worm Moon because this was

the time of year when the ground would begin to soften and the earthworms would reappear. This moon has also been known as the Crow Moon, the Crust Moon, the Sap Moon, and the Lenten Moon.

March 25 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. A penumbral lunar eclipse

occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s partial shadow, or penumbra. During this type of eclipse the Moon will darken slightly but not completely. The eclipse will be visible throughout all North America, Mexico, Central America, and South America.

—Information from seasky.org

must include an address and daytime telephone number for verification. All material contributed to Anton Media Group in any form becomes the property of the newspapers to use, modify and distribute as the newspaper staff assigns or sees fit. Letters to the editor can be mailed to: editors@antonmediagroup.com

Additional copies of this and other issues are available for purchase by calling 516-403-5120.

(Image from NASA.gov)

Di erent types of feeders, some with designs meant to discourage squirrels.

Dark-eyed junco, a common backyard feeder bird, and an uncommon purple nch behind it. (Photos by Peggy Maslow)

There once was a woman of humble means who purchased the cheapest crib she could find for her newborn baby. Right behind her in the store aisle was another woman and her mother, who purchased the most expensive crib and stroller the store had to offer. In her heart, the poor woman was jealous and wished she had the money to buy something so beautiful. Until, that is, she got to the register and overheard a conversation between the two of them.

“Do you think the crib we’re buying will fit in the room?” the mother asked her daughter. “I’m not so sure it will. The baby is on oxygen and life support, after all. I don’t know if the crib will fit alongside all those big machines.” When the woman heard this, she said to herself in relief: “Thank our Creator I have a healthy baby! That’s a better gift than the fanciest crib and stroller!”

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house: you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox or ass, or anything that is your

COLUMNS

Coveting And Its Consequences

neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:14)

The scripture tells us the story of the ancient Israelites gathering at Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. These commandments form the moral basis of our world societies ethical system. The tenth commandment, however, raises a difficult issue. This commandment – Thou shall not covet – forbids any kind of envy over who our neighbor is or what our neighbor owns. We shall not covet our neighbor’s home, wife, husband, servants, animals, or anything they possess. Here we find a

commandment that forbids us from even thinking about our desires. One might ask: “Can I even follow this?”

If my neighbor drives up in a brand-new BMW and I look over at my beat-up old Subaru, is it not natural for me to feel a bit of envy? In the Ethics of our Ancestors chapter 4, our Jewish tradition proclaims, “Who is rich? Whoever is happy with their lot.” This is a noble idea, but can we as human implement it?

Some of the biblical commentators’ view that this last commandment is only a warning against inappropriate actions –such as stealing an item that we covet —and not inner feelings. But that doesn’t truly sit well upon reflection because the commandment is speaking about an inner feeling – that of desire. So how can this be reconciled?

Many biblical commentators struggled with reconciling this commandment. One answer that illustrates via a parable was given that just as a simple peasant

would not covet a beautiful princess, as she is far out of his league, so we won’t covet something that is impossible for us to get, since it’s not ours and isn’t available to us. Perhaps we should view this commandment in a positive

light. Rather than coveting our neighbors and their possessions we might just endeavor to better ourselves; see what we lack in order to reach new

Call Before You Dig...Ya’ Dig?

National Safe Digging Month has begun and PSEG Long Island takes the occasion to remind customers, contractors and excavators to always call 811 before digging to ensure underground pipelines, conduits, wires and cables are properly marked out.

Every digging project, even a small project like planting a tree or building a deck, requires a call to 811. It’s the law. The call is free and the mark-out service is free. The call must be made whether the job is being performed by a professional or a do-it-yourselfer. Striking an underground electrical line can cause serious injury and outages, and result in repair costs and fines.

According to Common Ground Alliance, a member-driven association of nearly 1,800 individuals and 250 member companies in every facet of the underground utility industry, 40 percent of active diggers in North America do not call 811 because they think their project is too shallow to require it. All digging projects require a call to 811.

A free call to 811 in the service area automatically connects the caller to the local New York one-call center, which collects information about digging projects. The one-call center then provides the information to the utility companies, which send representatives to mark the locations of nearby underground lines with flags, paint or both. Once lines have been properly marked and confirmation from all of the utility owners is received, projects may proceed as long as caution is used around the marked areas.

• Calling 811 before digging reduces the chances of damaging an underground line to less than one percent.

• Underground gas and electric lines are everywhere, even on private properties. These facilities can be easily damaged if dug into, with the potential to cause serious injuries. Digging into these lines can also disrupt vital utility services, resulting in costly delays, expensive repairs and

environmental or property damage.

• Whether the job is a major home improvement project or something as simple as a fence or mailbox post, a call to 811 must be placed beforehand to determine where it’s safe to dig.

• Call 811 at least two business days before the commencement of each job to have underground pipes, wires and equipment located. Each facility owner must respond by providing the excavator with a positive confirmation indicating that marks are in place where utility lines are buried or that there are no existing facilities in the area of the proposed work. This service is free of charge.

• Be sure to wait until all of the utilities have responded. Don’t dig until lines have been marked or you have received confirmation that the area is clear of facilities.

• Property owners must maintain and respect the marks. Always hand dig within two feet of marked lines to find the existing facilities before using mechanized equipment.

• If gas lines are damaged or there is a gas smell when excavating, call 911 immediately from a safe area. Calling before you dig is more than a good idea−it’s the law. Additional information, including a booklet on safe excavating practices and the protection of underground facilities, can be found on the PSEG Long Island website (www.psegliny.com).

—PSEG Long Island

Resolve to invest in your health. Visit a DUXIANA® store near you to discover the difference The DUX Bed can make in

Resolve to invest in your health. Visit a DUXIANA store near you to discover the difference The DUX Bed can make in your life.

Underground lines should be marked even for routine gardening jobs.

(Photo by Andres Siimon on Unsplash)

Choosing A Home Health Care Aide

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

Choosing a home health care aide is a critical decision that significantly impacts the quality of life of your loved one requiring care. It involves a thoughtful assessment of needs, preferences, and the qualifications of potential caregivers. This comprehensive guide aims to navigate you through the process, ensuring that you make an informed and compassionate choice that best suits your family’s needs.

Understanding the Need

The first step in choosing a home health care aide is to clearly understand the specific needs of your loved one. These needs can range from basic assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation to more specialized medical care, including medication management, wound care, or physical therapy. Consulting with healthcare professionals can help you delineate the level of care required and whether you need a certified nursing assistant (CNA), a licensed practical nurse (LPN), or a registered nurse (RN).

Establishing Criteria

Once you have a clear understanding of the care needs, consider other criteria that are important for your family. This might include the aide’s availability (e.g., live-in, daily visits, overnight stays),

language skills, ability to operate medical equipment, or experience with specific conditions like dementia or mobility issues. Additionally, think about personality traits that would make the caregiver a good fit for your loved one, such as patience, compassion, and a sense of humor.

Researching Options

Research is pivotal in finding a reputable home health care provider. Start by seeking recommendations from friends, family, or healthcare professionals. Online reviews and ratings of local agencies can also provide valuable insights. When contacting agencies, inquire about their hiring processes, training requirements, and how they match caregivers with clients. It’s also important to understand how they handle replacements or emergencies.

Understanding Legal and Financial Obligations

Hiring a home health care aide comes with legal and financial considerations. If hiring through an agency, clarify the costs upfront, including hourly rates, overtime, and any additional fees. Understand the agency’s policy on insurance and liability coverage. If hiring independently, you’ll need to address tax obligations, workers’ compensation, and creating a formal employment agreement. Consulting with a legal or financial advisor can help navigate these complexities.

Checking References and Backgrounds

For each potential aide, request references from previous employment and conduct a thorough background check. This should include verifying certifications and checking for any criminal history. References can provide insights into the caregiver’s reliability, work ethic, and ability to form meaningful connections with those they care for.

Interviewing Candidates

Whether you’re working with an agency or hiring independently, interviewing potential aides is a critical step. Prepare a list of questions that cover their experience, qualifications, and approach to caregiving. Ask scenario-based questions to gauge their problem-solving abilities and compatibility with your loved one’s needs. It’s also beneficial to include your loved one in the process to ensure they feel comfortable and respected in the decision-making.

Communication and Evaluation

Effective communication is the foundation of a successful caregiver relationship. Establish regular check-ins with the aide and your loved one to discuss care plans, changes in health status, and any other concerns. Be open to feedback and willing to adjust care arrangements as needed. Regularly assessing the quality of care and

the satisfaction of your loved one ensures that the home health care aide continues to meet your expectations.

Trial Period

Before making a long-term commitment, consider arranging a trial period. This allows your loved one and the caregiver to adjust to each other and ensures that the aide’s skills and personality are a good fit. Use this time to communicate expectations clearly, establish routines, and address any concerns that arise.

Signs of a Good Match

A good home health care aide not only meets the physical needs of your loved one but also provides emotional support and companionship. Signs of a successful match include noticeable improvements in your loved one’s mood and health, strong communication from the caregiver, and a sense of trust and security in the care provided. Choosing a home health care aide is a deeply personal and significant decision that affects the well-being of your loved one. By thoroughly understanding the care needs, conducting diligent research, and maintaining open lines of communication, you can find a compassionate and competent caregiver. Remember, the right home health care aide can transform the caregiving experience, offering not just assistance, but also dignity, independence, and improved quality of life for your loved one.

BY ANTON MEDIA GROUP specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

Tick bites are a common concern for individuals spending time in wooded or grassy areas, where ticks are most prevalent. These small, blood-feeding arachnids can transmit various diseases to humans, making it essential to understand the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of tick bites.

Symptoms of Tick Bites

Initially, a tick bite may be hard to notice as ticks are tiny, and their bites are usually painless. The first sign might be a small red spot at the site of the bite, which can occur anywhere on the body. However, not all tick bites lead to disease, and symptoms can vary depending on the type of tick and whether it was carrying pathogens.

When disease transmission occurs, symptoms can appear days to weeks after the bite and might include a rash (one of the first signs of a tick-borne disease), The rash can vary in appearance, notably the bull’s-eye rash associated with Lyme disease. Other symptoms include: fever, chills, aches, pains (headaches, fatigue

Stay Tick-Free Tips for protecting your health

and muscle or joint aches) and swollen lymph nodes.

It’s crucial to monitor for symptoms if you’ve been bitten by a tick or spent time in areas where ticks are common.

Treatment of Tick Bites

The key to treating tick bites is prompt and proper removal of the tick. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking the tick, which can cause parts of the tick to break off and remain in the skin. After removal, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

If you develop symptoms after a tick bite, seek medical attention. Treatment

typically involves antibiotics, especially if a tick-borne disease like Lyme disease is suspected or confirmed. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent serious health issues.

Prevention of Tick Bites

Preventing tick bites is the most effective way to avoid tick-borne diseases. Here are key strategies for prevention: Avoid Tick Habitats Whenever possible, stay away from wooded, bushy, or grassy areas. Stick to the center of trails when hiking.

Use Insect Repellent

Apply repellents that contain 20 to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing. Products containing permethrin can be used on clothing, shoes, and

camping gear.

Wear Protective Clothing

Long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks or boots can help keep ticks off your skin. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks.

Check for Ticks

A fter spending time in tick-infested areas, thoroughly check your body, children, and pets for ticks. Pay special attention to underarms, in and around ears, inside the belly button, backs of knees, in and around hair, between legs, and around the waist.

Shower Soon After Being Outdoors

Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks and provides a good opportunity to do a tick check.

Treat Pets

Use tick treatments on pets, which can be tick carriers into your home. By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of tick bites and the potential transmission of tickborne diseases. Awareness and proactive measures are key in protecting yourself and your loved ones from the risks associated with ticks.

We know you. We focus on every detail, including your other health conditions and emotional and physical needs. We know cancer. We combine extensive clinical expertise and advanced technologies to create truly comprehensive and innovative care. We know your cancer™ . Leaving no stone unturned, we start with the genetic makeup of your tumor and consider every factor to provide a highly personalized care plan. It’s because we know that considering all the details can add up to a life-changing difference.

HHepatitis B: Unveiling The Silent Threat To Liver Health

Understanding the virus, risks, and preventive measures

epatitis B is a virus that affects the liver and can lead to both acute and chronic disease.

In infected patients, the hepatitis B virus can be found in most body fluids including blood, semen, urine, vaginal secretions, and tears. Contact with these fluids may lead to infection. In the United States, the most common risk factors for hepatitis B are sexual contact and intravenous drug use. Perinatal or transmission from mother to child at time of birth is the most common way of acquiring hepatitis B in the Far East. Hepatitis B is a tremendous problem in China, Taiwan, Korea, and the Philippines with rates of disease approaching ten percent of the total population. This helps to explain the increased prevalence of hepatitis B among Asian populations in the United States.

Common symptoms of hepatitis B include fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite, nausea, joint pains

States, however, approximately five percent of people with acute hepatitis B will develop chronic disease. Approximately 95 percent of people who acquire hepatitis B via the perinatal route will develop chronic hepatitis B.

There is an increased risk of all close contacts of patients with hepatitis B acquiring hepatitis B at home. Therefore, once a patient has been diagnosed with hepatitis B, all household contacts must be tested for the infection. If not previously exposed or vaccinated, these contacts should receive vaccination against the hepatitis B virus.

hepatitis B.

Treatment is not recommended for the majority of acute hepatitis B infections. Most patients do not require admission to a hospital. Jaundice, although cosmetically concerning, is not life threatening. If vomiting, confusion or easy bruising develops, patients should call their doctors immediately. On rare occasions, acute hepatitis may be severe enough to require emergent liver transplantation.

and abdominal pain. People with hepatitis B may develop jaundice or yellowing of the skin, lowgrade fevers and/or rash. After exposure, the incubation period for hepatitis B is two weeks to three months. The vast majority of people who acquire hepatitis B will get over the disease and have no long-term effects. In the United

Hepatitis B is diagnosed by evaluating specific antibodies and antigens in the blood. A positive hepatitis B surface antigen is diagnostic of hepatitis B infection. Many patients are confused and concerned when their blood tests reveal a positive hepatitis B surface antibody. This simply means past infection or previous vaccination. It does not mean that the person has

Treatment is available for chronic hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can be controlled with these treatments but hepatitis B cannot be cured. Patients with chronic hepatitis B are at risks for developing liver cancer and cirrhosis and should be screened at regular intervals for these complications.

Hepatitis B vaccine is available for all age groups. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants, all children, or adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not been vaccinated, all adults

aged 19 through 59 years, and adults

aged 60 years or older with risk factors for hepatitis B infection.

David Bernstein, MD, MACG, FAASLD, AGAF, FACP, is a professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the director of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Ambulatory NetworkLong Island for NYU Langone Health.

Diabetics Should Heed FDA’s Smart Device Warning

consequences. If left untreated, very high or very low blood sugar can be extremely dangerous and cause severe complications, even coma and death.”

The FDA warned recently diabetes patients not to use smartwatches or smart rings to measure their blood glucose levels. Now, obesity medicine expert Eleanor Yusupov, D.O., assistant professor at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) in Old Westbury, is sharing insight for these patients.

Instead, she advises patients with diabetes to use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, which are approved by the FDA and provide accurate information on how a patient’s body reacts to diabetes medications and foods eaten. Depending on the specific CGM device used, physicians may even program it to set off an alarm when blood sugar is dangerously high or low.

While many of these devices are marketed as noninvasive solutions, allowing users to measure their blood glucose levels without pricking the skin, Yusupov notes that the FDA has not authorized, cleared, or approved any noninvasive smartwatch or smart ring for the measurement of glucose. What’s more, relying on these devices could have life-threatening consequences.

“It is very concerning that patients may be misled by the marketing claims and rely on smartwatches or smart rings that do not accurately measure blood glucose,” said Yusupov. “Using devices that are not approved by the FDA may lead to serious health

“Your doctor can recommend and prescribe a continuous glucose monitoring device that automatically checks your sugar and sends the result to your smartphone or a smartwatch. Most patients prefer this modern technology, which uses a tiny sensor placed in the arm, to traditional glucose meters that require pricking your finger,” she said.

—Submitted by New York Institute of Technology. Yusupov practices primary care at NYITCOM’s healthcare centers in Old Westbury and Central Islip.

THE

David Bernstein, MD

March Is American Red Cross Month

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization synonymous with disaster relief, blood donation, and emergency response, has a rich history and a profound impact on American society. Founded by Clara Barton in 1881, the organization has played a crucial role in times of crisis and has become a symbol of compassion, volunteerism, and community service.

History of the American Red Cross

The origins of the American Red Cross trace back to the efforts of Clara Barton, a pioneering nurse, and humanitarian. Inspired by the Red Cross movement she encountered while visiting Europe, Barton advocated for the establishment of a similar organization in the United States. In 1881, she founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C., with a primary mission to provide aid to those affected by disasters and conflicts.

The organization’s early years were marked by its involvement in disaster response, including the Johnstown Flood in 1889 and the Spanish-American War in 1898. The American Red Cross also played a pivotal role in supporting the military during World War I, providing medical assistance, organizing blood donation drives, and offering services to prisoners of war.

Humanitarian Services and Blood Donation

The American Red Cross expanded its scope of services during the 20th century, evolving to address a broader range of humanitarian needs. One of its key contributions has been in the field of blood donation and transfusion. The organization established a national blood program in the 1940s, providing a reliable and critical supply of blood and blood products for medical treatments and emergencies.

Over the years, the American Red Cross has been at the forefront of disaster response, aiding communities affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. Their trained volunteers and extensive network of resources enable them to provide emergency shelter, food, and supplies to those in need.

response and mobilization of resources help affected communities cope with the immediate aftermath and embark on the path to recovery.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Red Cross adapted its services to meet the evolving needs of the population. This included the continuation of blood donation drives, providing support to healthcare facilities, and offering virtual assistance to individuals and families affected by the pandemic.

in nearly every country, collectively works to alleviate human suffering during times of crisis. The American Red Cross has been actively involved in international humanitarian efforts, providing aid and support in response to conflicts, epidemics, and natural disasters around the world.

Volunteerism and Community Engagement

Relevance in Times of Crisis

The American Red Cross continues to be a beacon of hope and support during times of crisis. Its relevance is particularly evident during large-scale disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and public health emergencies. The organization’s swift

What does it take to get care at the best cancer center in the Northeast, right on Long Island?

als

Education and Preparedness

Beyond disaster response, the American Red Cross places a strong emphasis on education and preparedness. The organization offers a wide range of training programs, including CPR and first aid courses, lifeguard training, and disaster preparedness initiatives. By empowering individuals with life-saving skills and knowledge, the American Red Cross aims to create resilient and prepared communities.

Global Impact

While rooted in the United States, the American Red Cross is part of the larger International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This global network, operating

A cornerstone of the American Red Cross is its reliance on volunteers. The organization mobilizes a vast network of dedicated individuals who contribute their time, skills, and compassion to support the mission. Volunteer blood donors, disaster responders, health and safety instructors, and countless others play a vital role in the American Red Cross’s ability to fulfill its humanitarian mandate.

The American Red Cross stands as a testament to the power of humanitarianism and community service. Its history is intertwined with the nation’s response to crises, and its relevance endures through its diverse array of services, from disaster response to blood donation, education, and international aid. As a symbol of hope and assistance, the American Red Cross continues to make a significant impact, embodying the spirit of compassion and resilience in the face of adversity.

Women’s Health Care of Garden City Committed to Personalized Care

By John L. Gomes, MD

John L. Gomes, MD, founded Women’s Health Care of Garden City in 1995. It has remained an independent, private practice providing personalized obstetrical and gynecological services.

He employs the technical advances of conventional medicine with an integrative approach to navigate women through dif cult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/ GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.

He is committed to excellence in patient communication, education and support as many patients come with anxiety associated with past experiences and future concerns.

Dr. Gomes received his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University. He is both Board Certi ed and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

All tests are conveniently done on the premises and a dedicated, compassionate staff is on call 24/7.

Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City. Call 516-222-8883 or visit online at DrGomes.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

NIFA DOING ITS JOB REGARDING NHCC

A recent op-ed by Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips highlighted financial struggles of the Nassau Health Care Corporation (NHCC) but unfortunately skimped on the historical record and falsely represented the actual relationship among NHCC, Nassau County (County) and New York State (State). Ms. Phillips hid from the reader her failure to examine and investigate NHCC’s finances and operations. Instead of owning up to her dereliction of duty, Ms. Phillips tried to deflect blame by irresponsibly attacking the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) for taking necessary and appropriate actions to determine NHCC’s financial status and outlook—the job she has simply ignored—and by mischaracterizing NIFA’s role in fixing NHCC’s finances.

To understand NHCC’s current problems, Ms. Phillips should have reminded the reader that the County agreed to provide NHCC with millions of dollars in annual subsidies when it transferred its hospital and other health care assets to NHCC in 1999 and once understood its stake in supporting NHCC. In addition to annual subsidies, the County gave NHCC approximately $116 million in proceeds from its 2006 tobacco bonds, refunding for NHCC’s capital and other needs. The fact that then- County Executive Edward Mangano ended the annual subsidies (due to the County’s fiscal problems during his administration) does not erase the historical record.

Rather than urge the administration to restore the County subsidy, Ms. Phillips chose instead to demand special funding from Albany. Surely she must know that the federal and State reimbursement mechanisms for all hospitals have changed, and NHCC has spent down its temporary transitional funding without effectuating the requisite reforms. It does Ms. Phillips no credit to pretend that the 1999 transaction severed all connection between NHCC and the County, yet somehow requires the State to address NHCC’s deficits a quarter century later. In fact, NHCC’s governing statute explicitly empowers the County to provide money to NHCC. She correctly points to “a moral and ethical obligation” to continue

services at the hospital, but points in the wrong direction.

Despite her responsibility as the County’s chief fiscal watchdog, County Comptroller Phillips also seems strangely uninterested in discovering the reasons NHCC has struggled to stay in business. Previous County Comptrollers took this oversight seriously and reviewed or examined NHCC, but not Comptroller Phillips. Why not?

Partly due to this oversight vacuum, NIFA retained an outside expert to review NHCC’s cash flow projections pursuant to its limited statutory mandate to oversee NHCC as a covered organization in an attempt to help NHCC avert a cash crisis that could severely impact services to the County’s most vulnerable residents. In furtherance of this objective, NIFA helped to facilitate the successful recent effort to ensure that the State made $50 million in transfer payments to NHCC as quickly as possible. NIFA has no authority, though, to make management and operational decisions that properly reside with the elected and appointed leaders of the County and NHCC, respectively. As such, Ms. Phillips should think again before criticizing NIFA for doing its job while she sidesteps hers.

Ms. Phillips repeats in her editorial her baseless claim that NIFA has not properly determined the basis for maintaining the current control period. Doing so does a disservice to County taxpayers who rightly understand that NIFA has a statutory responsibility to review the County’s budgetary results and decrease the likelihood of budgetary deficits going forward. Ms. Phillips also does not inform the reader that NIFA’s multi-year plan projections typically have not been drastically dissimilar to those of the Comptroller’s office and other fiscal monitors after accounting for various assumptions or methodological differences.

NHCC’s continued viability concerns all of us. It’s past time for the Comptroller to stop finger pointing and to start working cooperatively on solutions to NHCC’s present, but long-in-the-making, fiscal problems.

—Richard Kessel, Chairman, Nassau Interim Finance Authority

Anton Media Group celebrates the lives of all those in the community. We publish obituaries of residents and former residents at no charge to the families as a courtesy. We do this within the shortest time frame possible according to space availability. Email no more than 100 words to obits@antonmediagroup.com, or mail to 132 E. Second St., Mineola, NY 11501.

by Joan Chittister

Your writer was grateful to find author Chittister’s book, subtitled “ Growing Old Gracefully ”, written by her at age seventy, the same age your writer turns this year.

Inevitably, we come to see things differently as we age. In “The Gift of Years ” these changes in the “ capstone years ” as she calls them, present the gift of becoming more fully alive than ever. Cicero notes that old age is richer in reflection, force of character and judgement. The maturity and mellowing of character allows the older generation to provide a behavioral model for younger generations showing them the way to a fullness of life.

Seneca said these years abound with pleasure if we know how to use them. Free of obligations and deadlines, there is freshness in these years. Understanding, enjoyment and love of life all increase, allowing for deeper, richer and more important experiences. The world looks different -- more to be treasured, explored and enjoyed. A certain serenity sets in.

Chittister writes “ But we are here to depart from this world as finished as we can possibly become. Old age is...exactly the time to grow in new ways [making] sense out of all the growing we have already done. It is the softening season when everything in us is meant to achieve its sweetest, richest, most unique self ”.

Chittister calls it a damping-down time of life where anger, jealousy, envy, and pride subside to awaken another whole level of life. “ As Agatha Christie put it, we ‘bloom’ as we grow. New abilities emerge, new insights arise. New vision is possible. ”

A certain urgency and intensity in living sets in as we become aware of the presence of time. With forty short chapters on subjects such as Regret, Joy, Possibility, Letting Go, Success, Wisdom, Time and Appreciation, “ The Gift of Years ” provides an indispensable guide to aging well.

Girl Scouts Of Nassau County Feinstein

Girl Scouts across Nassau County visited the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health in Manhasset to celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The program featured a tour of the facility and an inspiring talk from the all-women research group called: Advancing Women in Science and Medicine (AWSM—pronounced “awesome”). Forty Girl Scouts participated in the event, getting the chance to see lab demonstrations, take part in open discussion with faculty, and hear about the experiences of women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers.

“Introducing Girl Scouts to career paths in STEM fields is an important part of what we do at Girl Scouts of Nassau County. There are so many different career options for girls, so we thank Northwell Health for inviting them in and speaking about the possibilities that are open to them,” said Rande Bynum, the chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Nassau County. “Our mission is building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. The incredible women that shared their stories and showed the girls the strides in medical research they work on was

inspiring and helped move our mission forward.”

This program was made possible through a partnership between the Girl Scouts of

Nassau County, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and the AWSM research group. Dr. Betty Diamond, director of the Institute of Molecular Medicine at the

Feinstein Institutes, formed AWSM in 2010 to help advance career opportunities for women at the Feinstein Institutes. She spoke with Girl Scouts about the group’s

The Girl Scouts of Nassau County paid a visit to the Feinstein Institutes to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Learn From Women In Science

national Day of Women and Girls in Science

programs in basic, translational, and clinical research and its initiatives to empower the next generation of women in science.

AWSM co-presidents, Dr. Sunny Tang

and Dr. Shih-Shih Chen, led the Girl Scouts throughout the Feinstein Institutes facility, bringing them into three different lab demonstrations to explore different areas of medical research. The Feinstein Institutes has a team of 5,000 members who seek out discoveries involving the treatment of various illnesses, such as lupus, sepsis, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

“Empowering young women to pursue STEM means that we can tap into their curiosity and creativity to make a brighter future for all of us,” said Dr. Sunny Tang, an assistant professor in the Institute of Behavior Science at the Feinstein Institutes and co-president of AWSM. “Having the Girl Scouts visit our labs and hear our stories will hopefully inspire them to excel in the fields of science and research.”

For more information about Girl Scouts of Nassau County and the career development opportunities it offers, visit gsnc.org.

—Submitted by Girl Scouts of Nassau County

The scientists guided the 40 girls through various laboratories, providing hands-on demonstrations and exploring different areas of medical research.

(Photos by Feinstein Institutes)

Ben’s Corned Beef specials come with bottomless fountain soda and all the fresh-cut Cole slaw and crunchy pickles you can eat! Available March 1st through St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17th.

Annual Community Supported Agriculture Fair On March 9

Come support local agriculture at the Long Island CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Fair and find the program that’s right for you. Once again, iEat Green, along with Slow Food North Shore, NOFA-NY, and Deep Roots Farmers Market are organizing a CSA Fair for the Long Island Community. We all know a strong immune system is our best bet to staying healthy, and we can do that by eating well. Joining a CSA is one way to support that effort.

The time to sign up for a share in a Community Supported Agricultural program is now. To help consumers compare the different CSA programs, NOFA-NY (Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York), Slow Food North Shore, Deep Roots Farmers Market, and iEat Green are bringing all of the farmers under one roof, to meet with potential customers and to make connections at the Long Island CSA Fair on Saturday, March 9th. This will be an indoor event.

Over 20 farms from across Long Island will be participating. This will be a great opportunity to meet the farmer, and to learn more about each individual CSA

they need it. Some programs offer payment plans so you do not need to pay all up front. Either way, CSAs are one of the best ways to get fresh organic produce at fair prices. We all know that eating more fruits and vegetables, and supporting local, sustainable agriculture, is great for your health, the planet, and our local economy.

The CSA fair will be hosted indoors, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Farm, 1725 Brentwood Road, in Building #2, Brentwood, Long Island, from 11:00am3:00pm on Saturday, March 9th , The fair is free and open to all who are interested. You can come for a few minutes, or stay for the whole time. There will be cooking demonstrations throughout the day, and delicious vegan, vegetarian and gluten free foods will be available for purchase.

program, allowing the consumer to choose the perfect program that suits their family’s needs. Some programs offer just produce, while others have “add on” options like fruit, flowers, cheese, bread, eggs, meat and

the harvest and paying up front, giving the farmer the financial support at the beginning of the season when

Sponsored by Slow Food North Shore, iEat Green, NOFA-NY, and Deep Roots Farmers Market, and is organized by Bhavani Jaroff, founder of iEat Green, LLC. If you have any questions or would like more information, please email Bhavani Jaroff at Bhavani@iEatGreen.com or call her on her cell at (516)238-3616.

—Submitted by IEat Green

fish. Community Supported Agriculture supports local farmers by purchasing a weekly share of

Photo by Alex Nuñez

Long Island Pols, Officials: Pump the Brakes On NYS’s School Bus Mandate

On February 25, New York State Senators, Assembly members, fire safety, and school officials joined together to “Pump the Brakes” on New York State’s fast-paced electric school bus mandate to ensure its feasibility and affordability for all communities. The impending 2027 statewide electric school bus mandate raises concerns about financial strain on school districts and taxpayers as well as safety concerns.

New York’s 2022-23 budget set a mandate requiring all new buses sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2027 and all buses on the road be zero-emission by 2035. While the group applauded efforts to reduce emissions and create a cleaner environment for our children, they raised concern that the current approach is flawed and lacks the necessary consideration for the potential consequences. A new, full-size electric bus costs $400,000 - $450,000 - triple the price of a conventional bus which is approximately $130,000. With 45,000 school buses in the state, full conversion by 2035 will cost

approximately $20 billion. The cost over and above what school districts already pay for replacement buses is projected to cost between $8 billion and $15 billion statewide. The State’s mandate will place a heavy burden on school districts and hardworking taxpayers.

This school bus mandate is happening at the same time the Governor has proposed to change the foundation aid formula and the hold harmless provision, which would reduce statewide school aid by an additional $412 million. In a proposed budget that grows $5.9 billion in state operating funds for a grand total of $233 billion there are a lot of places that could have been cut or not added in the first place. Changing the foundation aid formula and promoting a statewide bus electrification mandate with an unrealistic timeline - at the same time - is yet another poor policy decision out of Albany that will have negative impacts on our schools and their fiscal stability.

—Submitted by the office of Senator Steven Rhoads

Local officials gathered to protest the school bus changes. (Photos by the Office of Senator Steven Rhoads)

Senator Steven Rhoads speaks at a rally about the zero emissions school bus mandate.

WORD FIND

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

ARIES (March 21-April 19). If this were a journey through a landscape, this would be the rocky part, which is actually much easier to cross than soft, mushy stu that would have you slipping and sliding. Here, the work is hard, but your feet can nd purchase, and every step brings you closer to your destination.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). ose who know the rules and break them amaze you. ose who don’t even realize there are rules, less so. You might go so far as to wake them up with the information: ere are always rules. As for you, it’s a week of strategy. You’ll follow and bend; you’ll break judiciously.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). As much as you love smart people and intelligent interactions, you also recognize, in the full range of communication, that too many high-minded exchanges can get exhausting. You’ll recognize points in the week when the scene can be elevated with informality. Connections happen when everyone is relaxed and not thinking too hard.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). e main reason to be mellow and patient now is not that it will make another person’s experience more positive (though it will). It’s because you’ll feel wonderfully in control of your own behavior, and you’ll own the con dence that comes with that.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). ough you’re endowed with many talents that can be applied to making your part of the world a more pleasing place to move through, there is one gift that stands out from the rest: your gift for making people feel special. With your sharp mind and creativity, you’ve elevated much, but friendships are your greatest work of art.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Before you step out of your comfort zone, you’ll assess the risks and bene ts. You’ll consider possible outcomes with the aim of making an informed decision. en you’ll do what you wanted to do in the rst place because your desire is far more compelling and exciting than the intellectual processes included in “due diligence.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re not out to win the Nobel Prize, but you’d like to leave things better than you found them. You’re on the right track with your simple strategy: determine the next right move and do it. For most of the week, it will be unclear what the right move is. Fear not -- your best is all you can do, and it will de nitely be enough.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When you see others struggle, you act immediately to remedy. And when it’s you who is struggling, don’t hesitate to ask for and accept assistance. You wouldn’t want to rob anyone of their chance to help. Helper’s hearts need workouts to stay vital and healthy. Well-being will be on the upswing.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s not that you’re more than your body, rather it’s that you’re something else entirely. You animate your body and use it to get to new environments. You care for it, demand things of it and enjoy it, too, all the while realizing it’s your vehicle, not your being. e distinction will be meaningful this week.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). In the same way a whisper can speak louder than a shout, turning things down will amplify them. is week features fewer appointments in which more is accomplished. Budget cuts give you more to invest. By editing you grow in style, impact and energy. e only thing not to edit is relationships. Go full on and all in.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll have the opportunity to serve some justice. While it would certainly rectify a balance, it might not be worth your time and energy. Where is your e ort going to forward your goals? “In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.” --

Sir Francis Bacon

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Planning is a pleasure because it invites you to bring your fantastic imagination to the party. e bright ideas are owing. Sure, they will be more ambitious than you might be able to reasonably execute, but that’s what makes them so exciting. And even if you get halfway there, you’ll be much further along than you would have been without a plan.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS

A stressor is lifted, and the subsequent relief will open you to a cascade of good fortune, starting with your personal life. Your work crosses into altruistic territory, a ording you the opportunity to live your values and apply your principles toward a positive impact. More highlights: You’ll establish a new practice that gives you a useful philosophy and empowering outlook. Years of having your nger on the pulse of a special interest will pay o . You’ll participate in dazzling social events.

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

Countries and cities

Solution: 16 Letters

WORD FIND

Alaska

Andorra

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

Countries and cities

Solution: 16 Letters

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

Antarctica

Armenia

Bali

Belize

Canada

Chad

Crete

Cuba

Devon

Dili

Doha

Fiji Harare

Honduras India

Iran

Italy Japan

Kenya

Alaska Andorra Antarctica Armenia Bali Belize Canada

Lima Madrid Malta

Mexico

Doha Fiji Harare Honduras India

Minsk

New York

Oamaru

Oman

Lima Madrid Malta Mexico Minsk New York

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

Prague Riga

Rome Russia

Seoul Spain Taiwan

Togo

Kiev Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Chad Crete Cuba Devon Dili

Iran Italy Japan Kenya

Onslow

Kiev Kyrgyzstan Laos

Peru Port Moresby

Oamaru Oman Onslow Peru Port Moresby

Prague Riga Rome Russia Seoul Spain

Tonga

Taiwan Togo

Vanuatu

Tonga

Vienna Wales

Vanuatu Vienna Wales

Solution: Our diverse planet

Solution: Our diverse planet

Creators Syndicate

Creators Syndicate

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

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

Date: 3/6/24

Date: 3/6/24

The philosophy of defense

trates the kind of challenge a defender can encounter. South is in four spades, and West leads the deuce of diamonds. East wins dummy’s king with the ace and must decide what to do next.

The winning return is the four of trump, after which declarer must go down; with any other return, declarer gets home safely. More importantly, East should work out that the low trump return at trick two offers virtually the only chance to defeat the contract.

East should reason that West’s deuce-of-diamonds lead, presumably fourth-best, marks declarer with three diamonds, all of which are losers. East also knows from the bidding that South must have both missing aces as well as the king of spades. So, it would be futile for him to play the ace and another spade to try to stop a diamond ruff in dummy. Indeed, declarer would make the rest of the tricks against that defense.

this deal, which illus-

Only by maintaining control of the trump suit can East hope to stop the contract. He can’t be absolutely certain that the low trump return will do the job, but he should conclude that it offers the only realistic chance to score three diamond tricks and put the contract down one.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A nonprofit organization in Nassau, NY is seeking sealed bids for sales and installation of security related enhancements. This is a New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services grant funded project. The project includes (i) installation of one or more: technology (such as CCTV, access control, alarms, sensors, X-ray machines, magnetometer, handheld radios), security film, doors, locks, windows, bollards, booth, planters, barriers, lighting, fencing, privacy fencing, gates, (ii) training programs, (iii) cyber and (iv) security personnel. Bids will be accepted until 5:00 PM on March 18, 2024. Work is expected to commence by the week of March 25, 2024 and be completed by May 31, 2024. All interested vendors will be required to demonstrate preliminary qualifications and licensing for this work, acknowledge receipt of the proposal documents, and provide company name, business address, telephone, fax and email address, and primary contact name. Selection criteria will be based on knowledge of surveillance and security, adherence to projected work schedule, prior experience, references, and cost. Specifications and bid requirements can be obtained by contacting us at nyscahcgrant@gmail.com

PUBLIC NOTICE

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LEGALGREAT NECK

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

CUSTOMERS BANK, Plaintiff against ESTHER MIZRACHI, et al

Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s)

Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131

Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 7, 2023, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 12, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 20 Cornell Drive, Great Neck a/k/a Lake Success, NY 11020. Sec 2 Block 28303

Lot 14. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Village of Lake Success, Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $822,889.50 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 606874/2021.

During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee File # NY202100000046-1 3-6; 2-28-21-14-2024-4T#245580-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU.

EMIGRANT BANK (FORMERLY KNOWN AS EMIGRANT SAVINGS BANK AND NEW YORK PRIVATE BANK & TRUST), Plaintiff -against- BETH CRAMES SITZER, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on December 26, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North

Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 21, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.

ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lake Success, Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York; known and designated as Section 2 Block 282-7 and Lot 7

All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction. Said premises known as 21 WEST WOODS ROAD, LAKE SUCCESS, NY 11020

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

Index Number 14192/2012.

DONAL M. MAHONEY, ESQ., Referee Terenzi & Confusione P.C.

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 401 Franklin Avenue, Suite 304, Garden City, NY 11530 3-13-6; 2-28-21-2024-4T#245639-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU INDEX #600770/2023

FILED 2/15/2024

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC (FKA KONDAUR CAPITAL, LLC), Plaintiff, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF FREIDA

O. BEAN a/k/a FREIDA

O. JOHNSON; BE THEY LIVING, AND IF THEY BE DEAD, UPON THEIR RESPECTIVE HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH DEFENDANTS UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF FREIDA O. BEAN a/k/a FREIDA O. JOHNSON WHO MAY BE DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN AND TO THE PREMISES DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT, JACQUELINE BROWN, JUDY BROWN-MULIGANO, SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. Defendants. You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon Plaintiff’s attorneys, an answer to the Complaint in this action within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the date of service, or within thirty (30) days af-

ter service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. In case of your failure to answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The basis of the venue designated is that a judgment in this action would affect the title to, or the possession, use or enjoyment of real property situated in the County of Nassau. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING

YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The following notice is intended only for those defendants who are the owners of the premises sought to be foreclosed or who are liable upon the debt for which the mortgage stands as security. YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT THIS SUMMONS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. The amount of the debt is $558,431.74, consisting of principal balance of $549,480.49, plus interest of $4,097.25, plus other fee charges of $4,854.00. There will be additional amounts due for title searches, attorneys’ fees, and miscellaneous charges. Because of interest and other charges that may vary from day to day, the amount due on the day you may pay may be greater. Hence if you pay the amount shown above, adjustment may be necessary after we receive the check, in which event we will inform you. The name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed: GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC (FKA Kondaur Capital, LLC). Unless you dispute the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, within thirty (30) days after your receipt hereof that the debt, or any portion thereof is disputed, we will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of any judgment against you representing the debt and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to you by the herein debt collector. Upon your written request within 30 days after receipt of this notice, the herein debt

LEGAL NOTICES

collector will provide you with the name and address of the original creditor if different from the current creditor. Note: Your time to respond to the Summons & Complaint differs from your time to dispute the validity of the debt or to request the name and address of the original creditor. Although you have as few as 20 days to respond to the Summons & Complaint, depending on the manner of service, you still have 30 days from receipt of this Summons to dispute the validity of the debt and to request the name and address of the original creditor. TO THE DEFENDANTS, the Plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action. LAWRENCE and WALSH, P.C., 215 Hilton Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11550. (516) 538-2400. File# 600770/2023

3-20-13-6; 2-28-2024-4T#245937-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a license, Number Pending, for Wine, Beer and Cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Wine, Beer and Cider at retail at a cafe/ restaurant, under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 4c Bond Street, Great Neck, NY 11021, Nassau County, for on-premises consumption.

3-6; 2-28-2024-2T-#245970GN

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF NOMINATIONS FOR VILLAGE ELECTION VILLAGE OF GREATNECK ESTATES

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the general election of the Village of Great Neck Estates will be held on March 19, 2024 at the Great Neck Estates Village Hall, Atwater Plaza, 4 Gateway Drive, Great Neck Estates, New York. Polls will open at Noon, and remain open continuously thereafter until 9 p.m., at which time they will close.

The office and term to be filled at such election is as follows:

One (1) Trustee, for a term of one (1) year

The following are the names and addresses ofthe persons who have been duly nominated in accordance with the provisions of the Election Law: For Trustee (1) vear:

Michael .J Smiley, 8 Elm Street, Great Neck Estates, NY Lilia Shemesh, 9 Ash Drive, Great Neck Estates, NY BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Kathleen L Santelli Village Administrator

NOTIFICACIÓN DE NOMINACIONES PARA LA ELECCIÓN MUNICIPAL CIUDAD DE GREAT NECK ESTATES

POR LA PRESENTE, SE NOTIFICA que la elección general de la ciudad de Great Neck Estates se celebrará el 19 de marzo de 2024 en

Great Neck Estates Village Hall (Municipalidad de Great Neck Estates), Atwater Plaza, 4 Gateway Drive, Great Neck Estates, Nueva York. Las urnas se abrirán al mediodía y seguirán abiertas de forma continua hasta las 9 p. m., momento en que cerrarán. Los siguientes son los cargos y períodos por cubrir en dicha elección: Uno (1) consejero administrativo por un período de uno (1) año cadauno Los siguientes son los nombres y domicilios de las personas que han quedado debidamente notificadas conforme a las disposiciones de la Ley Electoral: Para uno (1) año de consejero administrativo:

Michael .J Smiley, 8 Elm Street, Great Neck Estates, NY

Lilia Shemesh, 99 Ash Drive, Great Neck Estates, NY POR ORDEN DEL CONSEJO ADMINISTRATIVO

Kathleen L. Santelli Administradora Municipal 3-6-2024-1T-#245959-GN

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF TAX ROLL AND WARRANT PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the undersigned collector of taxes of the Inc. Village of Russell Gardens, in the County of Nassau, State of New York, has duly received the tax roll and warrant for collection of taxes within the Village of Russell Gardens for the Year 2024-2025, and that I will attend for the purpose of collecting taxes listed on the tax roll at Village Hall, 6 Tain Dr., Great Neck, New York 11021, from March 1, 2024 to April 1, 2024, during regular business hours: Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. except legal holidays. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that taxes will be received without interest by the collector officer on or before April 1, 2024. On all taxes received after such date, there shall be added interest of Five percent for the month of April and one percent for each month thereafter until paid. No partial payments of taxes may be made.

Dated: 3/6/2024

By Order of the Board of Trustees Inc. Village of Russell Gardens

David M. Miller, Mayor Danielle Pennise, Village Clerk Treasurer 3-6-2024-1T-#246292-GN

LEGAL NOTICE

Invitation to Bidders BOARD OF EDUCATION

Great Neck Union Free School District

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given for separate and single prime contract sealed bids for: Toilet Room Reconstruction Work (Re-Bid) at the Lakeville Elementary School. Bids will be received by the School District until 11:00 a.m. on

Friday March 15, 2024, at the Phipps Administration Building, 345 Lakeville Road, Great Neck, New York 11020, at which time and place they will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The Contract Documents may be examined at the Office of the Architect, BBS Architects, Landscape Architects and Engineers, P.C., 244 East Main Street, Patchogue New York, (631-475-0349); however the Contract Documents may only be obtained thru the Office of REV Plans, 28 Church Street-Suite 7, Warwick, New York 10990 (845-651-3845) beginning on Wednesday March 6, 2024. Complete digital sets of Contract Documents shall be obtained online (with a free user account) as a download for a non-refundable fee of One-Hundred ($100.00) Dollars at the following website: bbs.biddyhq.com. Optionally, in lieu of digital copies, hard copies may be obtained directly from REV upon a deposit of One-Hundred ($100.00) Dollars for each complete set. Checks for deposits shall be made payable to the GREAT NECK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT and may be uncertified. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at the above referenced websites. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with the printer and pay for all packaging and shipping costs. Plan holders who have obtained hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use, and coordinate directly with the printer for hard copies of addenda to be issued. There will be no charge for registered plan holders to obtain hard copies of the bid addenda. The bid deposit for hard copies will be returned upon receipt of plans and specifications, in good condition, within thirty days after bid date, except for the lowest responsible bidder, whose check will be forfeited upon the award of the contract.

The Contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder or the bids will be rejected within 45 days of the date of opening. The School District reserves the discretionary right to waive any informalities, to accept or reject any alternatives, or to reject all bids and advertise for new bids if in its opinion the best interest of the School District will thereby be promoted.

Bidder may not withdraw its bid until forty-five (45) days after the bid opening, except in accordance with General Municipal Law Section 103(11).

As a result of any restrictions applied to construction activities in the School District’s facilities by State, Federal, or Local orders, laws, regulations or rules,

and depending on the duration of any such restrictions, the School District may modify the construction schedule, including the anticipated start date, set forth in the Contract/ Bid Documents. By submitting a bid, the Bidder consents to any such schedule modifications and further acknowledges and agrees that there shall be no additional compensation for schedule modifications caused directly or indirectly by such restrictions. The Bidder further acknowledges and agrees that the sole remedy for any schedule modifications or delays caused directly or indirectly by such restrictions shall be an extension of time, to be determined in the sole discretion of the School District.

3-6-2024-1T-#246341-GN

LEGAL NOTICE MANHASSETLAKEVILLE WATER DISTRICT, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GI-

EN that the Board of Commissioners of the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District invites bids on a Contract for “Landscape Maintenance” for a one-year, two-year, or three-year period, as may be determined, each year, by the Board of Commissioners.

All bids must be in sealed envelopes, addressed to the Board of Commissioners of the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District and marked on the outside, “BID FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE”, and delivered to the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District at its business office at 170 East Shore Road, Great Neck, New York 11023, on or before March 26, 2024, 3:00pm. At 4:00pm the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud during the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners.

Commencing March 7, 2024 a bid packet including this Notice to Bidders, Instructions to Bidders, Bid Form, and Form of Contract, may be obtained at the business office of the Manhasset-Lakeville Water District between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

The Board of Commissioners reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The successful bidder may be required to furnish an adequate surety bond for the full and faithful performance of the contract awarded to it.

Dated: Great Neck, New York March 7, 2024

By order of the Board of Commissioners

Manhasset-Lakeville Water District

Brian J. Morris, Chairman Mark S. Sauvigne, Treasurer Steven L. Flynn, Secretary

3-6-2024-1T-#246407-GN

Snowman Showdown

With the recent snowfalls on Long Island, the Great Neck Park District was able to host its annual Snowman Showdown.

“We offer a Snowman Showdown contest, which has become an annual event for the past few years, when it has snowed,” shared Michele Siegel, publicist at the Great Neck Park District. “This year we finally had a chance to run the contest

again and we received some wonderful submissions.”

The Great Neck Park District shared some of the submissions they received, declaring three winners and three honorable mentions.

Visit gnparks.org for more information.

—Information compiled by Julie Prisco

USMMA Women’s Volleyball Team Gives Back To Great Neck PAL Community

Members of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women’s volleyball team recently donated their time to the Great Neck PAL’s Winter 2024 volleyball program. The PAL players received instruction from USMMA Head Coach Tony Nocera and senior athletes, Meredith Buchanan and Amy Jones, and freshman athletes Alexa Tipps, Sierra Richardson, and Erin Stillinger. The clinic focused on skills such as bumping, setting, serving and hitting. The PAL athletes also had the opportunity

to scrimmage with the USMMA team to demonstrate their skills. The Great Neck PAL volleyball program is a coed program for players in grades 4th-9th.

“We were thrilled to partner with the USMMA women’s volleyball team to bring this special event to the young members of our PAL community,” said Debbie Ungaro, PAL Director, Great Neck Unit. “It was a great experience for our players and much appreciated.”

—Submitted by the Great Neck PAL

SCHOOL NEWS

National Merit Scholarship Finalists

Forty high school seniors from the Great Neck Public Schools who were previously named Semifinalists will advance as Finalists in the prestigious 2024 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

Finalists from John L. Miller-North High School are: Ryan Cho, Benjamin Feingold, Joshua Rafaeil, Jonathan Sanders, Adrian Shiu, Melvin Thu, Xiongningfan Wang, Jayden Wen, Ningfeng Xiong, Nicole Yeroushalmi, and Sue Zhang.

Finalists from William A. Shine-Great Neck South High School are: Trevor Boshnack, Kirin Chan, Ivan Chiang, Emilia Chiu, Qihe Cui, Nathan Gaysynsky, Jacqueline Han, Kelly Hon, Albert Hu, Luke Huang, Erica Jiang, Brandon Kim, Dana Li, Serena Li, Lillian Lin, Victoria Lin, Brian Liu, Kaitlyn Liu, Michelle Luo,

Kira Nguyen, Christopher Qu, Myra Saeed, Helen Tang, Aman Thawani, Jill Wang, Ashley Wei, Ethan Wu, Maggie Wu, and Alexander Xu.

PSAT scores for these students were among the highest in the state and their scores on a second examination were as good or better. Having demonstrated exemplary academic performance throughout high school, these students were fully endorsed and recommended by their high school principals. Each student also furnished biographical data and a self-description of interests, activities, accomplishments, and goals. All Finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2024.

—Submitted by the Great Neck Public School District

Winner for Funniest, mother watching child play

Winner for Most Unique

Winner for Most Chill

Honorable Mention, sunglass snowman

Honorable Mention, group effort

Honorable Mention, colorful snowman (Photos from the Great Neck Park District)

Members of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women’s volleyball team and Great Neck PAL’s Winter 2024 volleyball program participants. (Contributed photo)

Gold Coast International Film Festival’s Spotlight On Jewish Film

Gold Coast International Film Festival is proud to present the best new Jewish and Israeli films as part of its 2024 Spotlight on Jewish Film. The GCIFF lineup showcases critically acclaimed features comprised of a diverse collection of outstanding international narrative and documentary works. All film screenings will take place at the Manhasset Cinemas, 430 Plandome Rd. in Manhasset.

Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m.

All About The Levkoviches is a heartwarming family comedy about a generous and stubborn elderly boxing coach who gets along with everyone except his own son. They’re reunited after the death of the old man’s wife and forced to face old grievances. As they sit shiva and mourn for a week, they embark on a journey of rediscovery, healing, and understanding. (Hungarian and Hebrew with English subtitles)

Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m.

The Boy In The Woods tells the powerful saga of courage and compassion based on the astonishing true-life story of Maxwell Smart, a young Jewish boy who lost his entire family in the Holocaust yet survived the Nazi occupation of Eastern Europe by hiding in the forests of Poland. Max’s epic

tale and harrowing journey of survival is an inspiring testament to the indomitable human spirit. (English)

Monday, March 18 at 7 p.m.

The Monkey House is a splashy cinematic gem melding a literary mystery, a rambunctious comedy, and a moving character study that follows the unexpected connection between two lost souls. Envious of his more celebrated colleagues, a once successful novelist tries to revive his fading career by launching a highly inventive scam. He

recruits a reckless actress and trains her to assume the somber identity of a lit master’s student. Their lives will alter forever. Nominated for 11 Israeli Academy Awards including Best Director for legendary Israeli director Avi Nesher. (Hebrew and Italian with English subtitles)

Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m.

Remembering Gene Wilder is a loving tribute to Gene Wilder that celebrates his life and legacy as the comic genius behind an extraordinary string of film roles. It is

illustrated by a bevy of touching and hilarious clips and outtakes, never-before-seen home movies, narration from Wilder’s audiobook memoir, and interviews with a roster of brilliant friends and collaborators like Mel Brooks, Alan Alda, and Carol Kane. Remembering Gene Wilder shines a light on an essential performer, writer, director, and all-around mensch. (English)

For more information on each film and to purchase tickets visit www.goldcoastarts.org

—Submitted by the Gold Coast Arts Center

(Photo Courtesy of Gold Coast Arts)

IOn The Road Again: Dylan’s 1974 Comeback Tour

BY JOE SCOTCHIE Editors@antonnews.com

n 1966, Bob Dylan was riding high.

In just five short years, this obscure songwriter from small-town Minnesota had made his mark, first as the voice of folk music then to the balladeer of folk rock to finally, a limousine-riding rock superstar. On top of that, he journeyed to an unsuspecting Mineola to marry, at a public ceremony, the model Sara Lowndes.

Dylan also had a residence at Woodstock. One day, while riding his motorcycle, the helmetless Dylan crashed his bike. He survived, but it was a close call. Both James Dean and Duane Allman weren’t so lucky. Dylan didn’t stop recording. However, his touring days had ended. Dylan and his wife now had a family that eventually grew to four children. By 1974, the man was getting restless. The road beckoned. Best of all, The Band, the Canadian-based group that had accompanied his 1966 tour, had become stars. The first Dylan concert tour in eight years was underway.

Years later, Dylan, in his usual cryptic style, dismissed the January to March

exercise. Members of The Band were equally unimpressed.

Maybe so. Dylan’s fans had been patient. So had the media. The tour was a cultural event. For a nation consumed by Watergate, it represented a welcome homecoming for its most prolific songwriter.

Dylan, now 33, remained on the cutting edge of cultural trends. The tour worked. Fifty years later, the man still performs. His peak years will always be when he played with Robbie Robertson (The Band’s leader) The 1974 tour came with great publicity. A Newsweek cover proclaimed, “Dylan’s Back!” Rolling Stone dedicated several issues to the tour. Arenas in large cities throughout the country were sold out. A book by John Pickering and a compilation of the Rolling Stone articles were published.

The set started with Dylan and The Band playing a string of rockers, followed by a solo acoustic set, a performance by The Band’s greatest hits and a return to the style that opened the show.

The electric set included “Lay Lady Lay,” “Rainy Day Women No. #12 and #35,” “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” “It Ain’t

Me, Babe,” and “Ballad Of A Thin Man.” Acoustic numbers were “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” “Just Like A Woman,” and “It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding),” The Band ran through “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “The Weight,” “Rag Mama Rag,” and “Stage Fright.” (Such critics as Nat Hentoff thought The Band’s sets were the showstoppers.)

The final set ended on a conventional note. “Like A Rolling Stone” closed the show, an electric rendition of “Blowin’ In The Wind” was the final encore.

The 1974 tour was a pace setter in several ways. It played to arenas only, selling those 18,000 or more capacity venues. It began the sentimental habit of fans lighting electronic candles in the darkness, waiting for the encores to start. There were politics involved. “It’s All Right” featured a line, “Even the President of the United States/ Sometimes must have to stand naked,” one that drew a big applause from young people who had soured uniformly on President Nixon. Numerous celebrities----Ringo Starr, Jack Nicholson, Carole King, Warren Beatty and Dylan’s old flame, Joan Baez---flocked

to the Los Angeles gigs. There were the books and a live album, Before The Flood, a double-disc product quickly hailed as the best such track yet to be released.

The Dylan mystique worked. These tours were not spoiled by excess drugs and alcohol, not to mention fights and rioting.

Along the way, Dylan made a friend for life. During the Atlanta stop, the man paid a visit to the governor’s mansion. Jimmy Carter was serving his final year as the Peach State’s chief executive. Carter’s son, Chip, was a huge Dylan fan.

Dylan and Carter bonded. No one considered Carter to be presidential material. Rolling Stone reported that the Georgia governor might be a vice-presidential hopeful. Three years later, Carter, now President, quoted his new friend during his inaugural address. “As Bob Dylan sang, he who is not being born is busy dying.”

It was a meeting of giants. In 2002, Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize. Fourteen years later, Dylan was awarded a Nobel for literature. The two have remained friends and confidants.

Bob Dylan and The Band touring in Chicago, 1974. (Image via Jim Summaria, Wikimedia Commons)

Patti LuPone/Broadway Wynton Marsalis/Jazz Itzhak Perlman/Classical Vic Dibitetto/Comedy

Leslie Odom, Jr./Broadway

Patti LuPone/Broadway Wynton Marsalis/Jazz Itzhak Perlman/Classical Vic Dibitetto

Leslie Odom, Jr./Broadway

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