Glen Cove-Oyster Bay Record Pilot 9/27/23 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

Glen Cove News: School update from the superintendent (See page 4)

Art gallery at the Ferry Terminal (See page 4)

Oyster Bay News: Town recognizes Atlantic Steamer Fire Co. members (See page 6)

Town awards $50,000 grant to the chamber (See page 12)

Sea Cliff Arts Council Celebrates A Year Of Its Storefront

Upcoming events and classes

JENNIFER CORR

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

On Sept. 29, the Sea Cliff Arts Council will be celebrating a year since it opened its storefront on 86 Roslyn Ave. in Sea Cliff. Before having a storefront, the Sea Cliff Arts Council hosted events at various locations throughout the village, such as the library and Village Hall.

According to Kat DiResta, the chairperson of the Sea Cliff Arts Council, having a physical location has benefited the council in many ways.

“We were always floating,” DiResta, who has been chairperson for about 15 years, said. “Art show at the library, art show at the real estate office in town. Finding places to host us and then last year we had the opportunity to take a storefront space. And it transformed. It really allowed us to grow bigger than we could imagine with a lot more programming.”

DiResta added that the beautiful part of the story is that Matthew Schneider took the space years ago, renovating it for his business, Sea Cliff Music.

On the Sea Cliff Music website, Schneider announced that the business would close to move to the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts.

“He and others would do music lessons there, and he called it the Woodshed,” DiResta said. “A few new people joined the board, and they felt like it was the right time to go to the next level with taking on a space that’s dedicated to the arts council. And we created a new logo, our first website and a membership level to join at different levels and booked exhibits, concerts, play performances and said all right let’s give it a year. It’s been beyond successful, and we know we have room to grow and we keep having more ideas and more people approaching us saying they have an idea for a class, for an exhibit. We’re in the right place and definitely in the right community,”

Noelle Fiallo-Evans, the chief creative officer at the Sea Cliff Arts Council, explained the meaning behind the logo.

“The original inspiration is that people refer to Sea Cliff as one square mile,” Fiallo-Evans said. “Hence the square shape. At the core of it, the very light green represents our community. And it’s kind of where the [Village] of Sea Cliff is located on the pen-

insula... What surrounds the lighter green is the darker green, the Sea Cliff community. The next square around that is the outside community, not just our neighboring towns, but our neighboring art councils and the neighboring art community within Long Island and as far as we can reach. And then the outermost square is a reminder of what we like to say is Sea Cliff’s natural resource. And it’s a reminder of the beautiful landscape here and how it inspires all of us. It’s our reflection of the water.”

Successful classes and events over the year include the charcoal and drawing class from Dimitry Schidlovsky, who also serves as an adjunct art professor at Farmingdale State College; singer songwriter nights hosted by Roger Street Friedman; and a performance from Frank Ferrara and his son at St. Luke’s, which will happen again in October; art exhibits from artists like Wendy Csoka and Ginger Ballinger-Hendler; among other events.

“We’re able to now meet people who we never knew existed here,” DiResta said. “Even when we’re not doing an event, they’re walking by the building, or they are hearing about us and approaching us. So, I think it is a wonderful extension of the art, music and performances and poetry that have already existed. We’re really lucky.”

DiResta said the Sea Cliff community has been very supportive.

“I’ll hear people say, I can’t believe this didn’t exist before,” DiResta said. “And, it did in a way. Tracy Arnold Warzer had a store called Creative Arts Studio here. And she did it on a smaller scale. So we are extending what is here and magnifying it even more.”

Fiallo-Evans said she has been referring to the building as a “field of dreams.”

“Sea Cliff has such a rich history of the arts,” Fiallo-Evans said. “It’s almost like, it needed this home to happen and once the doors open the people just kind of came out of the cornfields. We’re constantly getting requests for people who want to teach classes, who want to have a musical performance, who want to put on a play, dance performances, all genres of art, nothing excluded, have come

forward so far. It’s just really that they needed a home, and now they have one and it’s really beautiful to see that.”

History of the Sea Cliff Arts Council:

“It started in 1999 when mayor Claudia Moyne decided that there were so many artists and musicians in the neighborhood that it would be great to have an arts council formed and a committee to be able to showcase and highlight all the great art and artists in the neighborhood,” explained DiResta. “She put together a team with Madeline Kle, who was an artist and used to live here, she passed away, and Dimitry Schidlovsky... (along with Don Mistretta and Frank Csoka.)”

According to the Sea Cliff Arts Council’s website, original programs like the “Salon” were hosted at Village Hall, featuring three different creatives from writers and artists to singers, playwrights and actors and crafts people. The library shows also continue to this day. The council also partnered with local businesses to lead exhibits and events around town, like SpringFest, Chill Out and Second Sundays.

“Poetry in the Park, book readings, outdoor craft shows, and concerts at St. Luke’s are just some of the array of programs we offer,” the website stated.

Upcoming Events and Classes at the Sea Cliff Arts Council:

Register online at www.seacliffartscouncil. org.

All events at Sea Cliff Arts Council, 86 Roslyn Ave., unless otherwise stated.

Sea Cliff Arts Council’s First Anniversary:

Friday, Sept. 29, 6 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy a silent auction, live music, art, community and love.

Free admission.

Collage Workshop Inspired by the Work of John Digby

Tuesday, Oct. 3, 7 to 9:30 p.m.

This hands-on collage workshop inspired by the work of John Digby— Surrealist poet and collage artist who once lived in Sea Cliff. Participants will make two collages—one black and white, inspired by the surreal work of John Digby and a second of their own choosing. Taught By Joan Harrison, local artist obsessed with vintage paper and LIU Post professor.

Tickets $40

Teen Open Mic:

Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.

Hosted by Charlotte Marchioli, wear your costume and join us for a night filled with song and candy!

Slots are limited! If you like to sign up for a slot to perform a song of your choosing, send an email to Charlotte.marchioli@ gmail.com no later than Oct. 8.

Suggested donation to NOSH $10 Frank and John Ferrara

Sunday, Oct. 15, 4 p.m.

St. Luke’s Parish and Community Hall, corner of Adams Street and Glenlawn Avenue, Sea Cliff.

After the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the last time the two played together in Sea Cliff, Frank and John will be joining forces again, each playing a set of solo material with some collaborations as well. This will also be John’s 40th Birthday and he wanted to celebrate it with an afternoon of music. Spread the word!

Tickets $20

Tweens and Teens: Paint Pour Heart/ Universe Workshop

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 4 to 6 p.m.

Come on out and create an amazing paint pour Heart or Universe. Create your own unique creation on natural wood which includes a rattan rope for hanging. See the vibrant colors, unique cells and lacing on your one-of-a kind fluid artwork. Each person will create two pieces of wooden art in this class.

Tickets $55

For more classes and events, visit seacliff artscouncil.org.

An “Art Hang” at the Sea Cliff Arts Council.

The new Sea Cliff Arts Council logo by Noelle Fiallo-Evans, the chief creative officer. (Photos courtesy the Sea Cliff Art Council)

Glen Cove Board Of Education Meets For Second Time This School Year

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

On Sept. 20, the Glen Cove City School District Board of Education met for the second time this new school year.

Glen Cove City School District Superintendent Dr. Maria L. Rianna provided a facilities update.

“Victoria [Galante, assistant superintendent for business and finance] and Viktor [Tymchynyuk, director of facilities] met with our construction crew on the different projects,” Dr. Rianna said. “Just a reminder that there are projects happening with our district maintenance staff. There are projects in regards to the energy performance contract and the bond, as well as the stimulus monies that we use for extensions,

and I thank the teachers and the building administrators, and community, as we’ve gone through third week of school. I know that parking has not been what it usually is... I thank all staff and parents for understanding and adhering to traffic direction and traffic flow in an appropriate manner for the safety of all involved.”

Dr. Rianna then gave her superintendent’s report.

She started off by spotlighting Frank Venturino and Bob Marino, who presented a $35,000 check on behalf of their alumni group, who had a very successful event over the summer.

She also thanked Glen Cove High School Principal Allen Hudson III for meeting with the alumni when they came for the events.

“He’s given them a stroll down memory lane by really giving a tour of the high school,” Dr. Rianna said. “And I know that there are people from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s and they do enjoy coming and reminiscing

about their days, but also participating in fundraisers that now have become a way to give to future generations.”

The donation will help fund “buddy benches,” a seat where a child can go to sit if they want someone to talk to.

Dr. Rianna then shared information about an incident that occurred on school grounds.

She said that she has met with members of Glen Cove EMS, the Glen Cove Police Department and the Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department on the matter.

“What we learned is that if we call 911 and we use a cell phone, even if we have bad reception, it will go through,” Dr. Rianna said. “It overrides any carrier any issue, and so you will always get someone on the other end. That’s a huge step... Additionally, it was thought that we would lose time in the past by calling 911, because we thought it would go to Nassau and then it would be redirected to Glen Cove. What I found out

is both Nassau and Glen Cove are made aware, but also the EMS and fire department all at once.”

However, Dr. Rianna said that the district would continue to enhance the cell service and WiFi ability across campus.

“They were also very good at giving us safety concerns,” Dr. Rianna said.

Because people were using the Glen Cove High School parking lot as a shortcut between Walnut Road and Dosoris Lane, and were speeding and avoiding speed bumps while doing so, the back gate was closed. But after reviewing protocol after a recent incident, the high school will now have security guards positioned at the gate during and after school activities and should an emergency vehicle need to be called, the security guard will be notified via radio to open the gate.

To watch the entire meeting and read the recent letter from the superintendent regarding the back gate, visit glencoveschools.org.

First City Project Transforms Glen Cove Ferry Terminal Into Art-Centric Destination

FCP Collective Inc. or First City Project, is a catalyst for cultural energy in the city of Glen Cove. This art and creativity focused non-profit organization aims to invigorate the community through exposure to a new art medium and a new spirit of creativity that will bolster and enhance the community’s pre-existing values. Along with the development of a dedicated exhibition space, FCP Collective Inc. plans to present diverse opportunities for the awareness and exposure to art through a variety of platforms. Future projects include live art events, public mural projects, youth workshops, rising artist programs, artisanal food events and bespoke pop-ups.

In 2017, this project launched as a series of one-off events and has successfully transformed into a fully operational non-profit organization. FCP Collective, Inc. continues to cultivate positivity and unity in Glen Cove by advocating for excellence in creativity, developing the youth, and celebrating art and experience.

Recently, FCP Collective Inc. held the following events:

Thursday, Sept. 7

FCP Collective Private Preview & Reception curated by New York City gallery G23NY

Artists featured in the gallery included Alex Smetsky, Jason Naylor, Jules CL, Ross

Pino, MakeRaz, Ian Actual, Manu Campa, Storm Ritter, Andy Chai, Tangeline, Vandal Zone, BC and Seek One. Live painting on the all new BMW iX was executed by MikeRaz and Jason Naylor sponsored by Rallye BMW. The reception was sponsored by Josie’sPizza Bar, NY Spacefinders and Peter and Jeri Dejana Foundation

Saturday, Sept. 9

Art & Automobiles

Ferry Terminal & Parking was closed for a Car Show + Art Gallery + Live Music

Strategic Automotive Partners included: Rallye BMW, Hagerty, Ryan Friedman Motor Cars, Bespoke Motor Group’s Lamborghini Long Island, Bentley Long Island and Rolls Royce Long Island, Martino Auto Concepts, Autostrada 187, Race the North, Ferrari Club of America, Empire State Region and Universal Autosports, Oyster Bay Management, John Perfetti Jr. Mortgage Banker, Sunset Club at Tappan Beach and The Cove Restaurant.

Friends of the First City Project who has sponsored: Ai Media Group, Dejana Foundation, Event Fabrications NY, Josie’s Pizza Bar, NY Spacefinders, Peroni, Staten Island Yacht Sales and The Owls Brew.

Live painting continued on the BMW iX to be by artists MikeRaz and Jason Naylor sponsored by Rally BMW.

—Submitted by the First City Project

The Glen Cove Ferry Terminal was transformed into an art gallery on Sept. 9. (Photo courtesy the First City Project)

What’s our greatest asset at The Bristal Assisted Living communities? It’s the lifetime of interests and experiences you bring to it. After all, that’s what makes you special. A caring team that spends the time getting to know you so you can continue nurturing, sharing and exploring those interests? Well, that’s what makes us special, too.

See for yourself. Explore all of our locations in the tri-state area. thebristal.com

Saladino Honors Atlantic Steamer Fire Company Officers

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino recently joined the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company for their Annual Installation Dinner. At the event, Supervisor Saladino recognized outgoing Ex-Chiefs James Ceglia and Robert Mickman for their dedicated service to the department and presented them with official Town Citations. The Supervisor also honored Richard Niznik and Vincent Aquilino for achieving 60 years of service, and John Bradke, Michael Fitzgerald, Robert Walles, Gary Dipasquale,

and William LaPorte, who achieved 50 years of service.

Atlantic Steamer Fire Company No. 1 is an all-volunteer company that serves 12,000 residents living in an area of 8.5 square miles. The Company responds to all alarms in the hamlet of Oyster Bay, as well as in the incorporated villages of Cove Neck, Oyster Bay Cove, Laurel Hollow and Mill Neck, and provides water rescue and marine firefighting in the waters surrounding the community.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

CRIME & SAFETY

Glen Cove Crime Watch

•On Sept. 3, a 33-year-old Roslyn male was arrested for Non Resident Use of Park on Landing Rd.

•On Sept. 3, a 28-year-old Glen Cove male was arrested for DWI, Equipment Violation and No License on Glen Street.

•On Sept. 5, an 18-year-old Glen Cove male was arrested for

assault in the second degree on Landing Road.

• On Sept. 5, a 44-year-old Glen Cove male was arrested for Circumvent Interlock-Operate MV without Device and Equipment Violation on School Street.

• On Sept. 6, a 32-year-old

Sea Cliff Mini Mart

Hempstead male was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the second degree, Circumvent Interlock-Operate MV without Device, Fail to Exercise Due Care to Avoid Colliding with Emergency Vehicle and No License on Glen Cove Arterial Highway.

—Submitted by the Glen Cove Police Department

OBITUARIES

Elijah J. Villafane

Elijah J. Villafane of Glen Cove died on Aug. 28, 2023 at age 24. Beloved son of Irma and John; dear brother of Nicholas, Gregory and the late Evan J; also survived by loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Elijah fought a courageous battle. Arrangements entrusted to Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home, Glen Cove. Entombment service was held at Pinelawn Memorial Park. Donations may be made in his memory to the Marty Lyons Foundation.

Valentina Parente

Valentina Parente of Glen Cove died on Aug. 28, 2023 at age 94. Beloved wife of the late Antonio; loving mother of Pasquale (Ruby), Gino (Elena) and the late Emily Sapienza (Christopher); proud grandmother of Melanie,

Stephanie, Jessica, Nicole, Jennifer and Michelle; cherished great grandmother of Antonio, Amelia, Ava, Vincent, Aiden and Logan Jaxson. Visitation was held at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was held at the Church of St. Rocco. Entombment Holy Rood Cemetery.

Joao S. Leal

Joao S. Leal of Glen Cove died on Aug. 25, 2023. Joao was born in Lisbon, Portugal on Sept. 7, 1934. Beloved husband of Odette; devoted father of Eunice (Andrew) Casillo; cherished grandfather of Alexandra and Jordan. Visitation was held Wednesday on Aug. 30 at McLaughlin Kramer Megiel Funeral Home, 220 Glen St. Glen Cove. Interment at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury.

Books For The Bay At Theodore’s

Books, September 29

Friends of the Bay and Theodore’s Books present a Partnership Shopping Night with local authors Bill Bleyer and Claire Bellerjeau from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29 at Theodore’s Books, 17 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay. This event is free and open to the public and 10 percent of all sales will be donated to Friends of the Bay.

For

Bill Bleyer was a prize-winning staff reporter for Newsday for 33 years. He is coauthor, with Harrison Hunt, of Long Island and the Civil War and author of Sagamore Hill: Theodore Roosevelt’s Summer White House; Fire Island Lighthouse: Long Island’s Welcoming Beacon; Long Island and the Sea: A Maritime History; George Washington’s Long Island Spy Ring: A History and Tour Guide; and The Sinking of the Steamboat Lexington on Long Island Sound.

Claire Bellerjeau is the co-author of

Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth, published in 2021. In 2022, she co-founded a 501(c)3 non-profit organization called Remember Liss, with the mission to educate the community about Liss’ extraordinary life and times. Bellerjeau formerly served as historian and director of education at Liss’ birthplace, Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay.

Friends of the Bay’s mission is to preserve, protect and restore the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Estuary and the surrounding watershed. For more information about Friends of the Bay, visit: www.friendsofthebay.org

Please Note: All books signed at this event must be purchased from Theodore’s Books. If you purchase your book in advance of the event, please save your receipt.

—Submitted by Friends of the Bay

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino recognized Atlantic Steamer Fire Company volunteers for their service. (Photo courtesy the Town of Oyster Bay)

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

Fungle Jungle Walk!

Join the Garvies Point Museum and Preserve, 50 Barry Dr. in Glen Cove, for a walk through the preserve at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to learn about mushrooms, fungi and other non-flowering plants. Learn how they reproduce, plus other interesting facts. This event is great for people ages 8 and up. Included with admission.

The 14th annual Senior Recognition Day

After a three-year hiatus, a beloved event is returning to Glen Cove this month. In front of the Glen Cove Senior Center, 130 Glen St Unit A, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy an event that brings the senior community together for a day of food and entertainment while also honoring those who advocate for this demographic. Members of the Senior Center and their friends and families are invited to the celebration for refreshments, music and games. Attendees will enjoy a DJ and photo booth and lunch catered by The View Grill. For more information, visit glencoveseniorcenter.com.

TUESDAY, OCT. 3

Virtual Program: If the Broom Fits: Halloween and the History of Witches

Have you ever wondered why witches are depicted as riding on brooms through the night sky? Learn how the benevolent image of a wise woman transformed into the malevolent figure of the witch we know today and more. This program is presented virtually by Ehris Urban and Jancz Urban through the North Shore Programming Consortium. It will

CallingAllArtists

(Getty Images)

audubon.org for more information.

ONGOING EVENTS: Oyster Festival

The Oyster Bay Oyster Festival, from Oct. 14 to 15, is the East Coast’s largest waterfront festival attracting more than 150,000 attendees each year. Enjoy carnival rides, vendors, lots and lots of great, local food, music and so much more in Oyster Bay’s downtown and Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. For more information, visit theoysterfestival. org. The Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor’s 5K Run/Walk & Runner’s Edge Long Island Champions Challenge on Oct. 14 at 9 a.m. at the Oyster Bay Community Center will kick off the festival.

Octoberfest 2023

There will be a community Oktoberfest celebration from Oct. 20 to 21 from 2 to 9 p.m. at Saint Patrick Church, 235 Glen St. in Glen Cove. There will be live music, Fr. Gabriel’s Biergarten and food trucks.

Farmers Markets

William Cullen Bryant’s 1862 Mill

RECEPTION

Sunday, November 5th, 3PM Prizes Awarded & Paintings Sold

Art Professor St. John’s University & Instructor At Art Guild of Port Washington

Rules and Instructions: Friendsofcedarmere.org - Select Events Tab

Questions: email Robertbsargent@aol.com Phone: 516.544.3944

beautiful grounds, and take in the signs of the changing, autumn foliage. Choose from two time slots, 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Space is limited. Register at ny.audubon.org/TRSAC or email trsac@

Enjoy the Oyster Bay Market on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Town Hall, 74 Audrey Ave. There is also the Deep Roots Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Garvies Point Park on Garvies Point Road in Glen Cove.

COSMETIC SURGERY TODAY

STEPHEN T. GREENBERG, M.D., F.A.C.S. DOMINATES NY PLASTIC

Fall is the perfect time to seek help with those last few inches that you can’t seem to lose. Body Contouring can be the answer to reshaping those undesirable areas of your body. The most common body contouring technique is liposuction, and, utilizing the latest and most advanced products, your recovery is fast. The sooner you act, the sooner you’ll look fantastic. If you have been considering a Tummy Tuck (post-pregnancy or for weight loss), this procedure can have you in great shape in a very short period of time, and you can show off that terrific figure well before the Holiday Season. SmartLipo is ideal for the neck, jaw line, arms, breasts, “bra fat”, abdomen, “love handles”, “saddlebags,” inner and outer thighs and knees.

You may also consider CoolSculpting®, a body sculpting, fat freezing; non-surgical procedure that reduces inches quickly! CoolSculpting® can freeze fat from the abdomen, love handles, buttocks, thighs, arms and chin with no downtime. This new non-invasive procedure can make significant improvements in your appearance by reducing inches quickly. Most people see results after just one treatment. CoolSculpting® is FDA-cleared and studies show an average

of 22% fat layer reduction after the first procedure. Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery is currently offering a 20% discount off of two areas. Combine with the latest device Emsculpt® to tone and build muscle for a more sculpted result.

Dr. Greenberg invented the Modern Mommy Make Over to address the changes that pregnancy makes on the body. As many women elect to start a family at an older age, pregnancy, and especially repeated pregnancies, can stretch and distort the breasts and abdomen and cause spider veins, stretch marks, broken capillaries, acne and more. If childbirth has made some changes to your body that you would like to correct, the Modern Mommy Make Over provides the right combination of tummy tuck, liposuction, breast lift with or without implants and vaginal rejuvenation to restore your body and regain confidence.

Diet and exercise are the best ways to help stay healthy and keep in shape, but supplementing a healthy lifestyle with cosmetic surgery procedures will leave you in the best shape that you can be in…healthy and beautiful, both inside and out! It’s time to feel comfortable and show off that terrific figure this fall!

Judge: Stephanie Jacobson,

Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg offers complimentary consultations at his Woodbury, Southampton and Manhattan offices. To schedule an appointment, or request additional information, call 516-364-4200 or visit www.GreenbergCosmeticSurgery.com.

The Scrap Over Solving Immigration Crises, Part III

Our county and region struggle on amid politicized waves of arrivals

JANET BURNS

jburns@antonmediagroup.com

Afew miles from where the Statue of Liberty, famed greeter of millions who immigrated here by ship in prior generations, still stands, some local electeds, politicos, protesters, and residents continue speaking out or trading rumors and jabs (or in some cases not saying much at all) on the arrival of tens of thousands of asylum seekers and other migrants in our area this year.

In the past few weeks, public responses to asylum seekers and migrants’ arrival in the New York City metropolitan region have increased, and in some cases escalated.

On Staten Island, for example, where frequent rally organizers Curtis Sliwa and Scott Lobaido have brought out critics of sheltering migrants, the New York Police Department (NYPD) recently arrested ten people who were attempting to block and banging on a bus transporting asylum seekers. The asylum seekers were headed to the former Island Shores Beach building, one of many disused buildings in NYC that have been converted for short-term shelter. According to the NYPD, ten people were arrested for disorderly conduct, and one person was additionally charged with assaulting a police officer during an arrest.

In the weeks prior to that, asylum seekers temporarily residing at another Staten Island shelter have had to face not only regular protests but also, as the Associated Press reported, “a message, recorded in six languages, [that] blares all day from a loudspeaker on Scott Herkert’s well-groomed front lawn on Staten Island, exhorting migrants to ‘go back’ to another part of the city because the community doesn’t want them.”

Meanwhile, Sliwa and others have continued to host rallies at Creedmoor and Floyd Bennett Field against providing publicly funded shelter for any homeless migrants, whether they’re the border-vetted asylum seekers arriving by bus at Humanitarian Emergency Relief and Response Centers (HERRCs), like the one at Creedmoor, or have otherwise walked or flown here to pursue another path toward legal residence. As an alternative, Sliwa has at times suggested that migrants could be housed on Rikers Island, home to a

notorious network of jails that is legally required to close by 2027; speaking this summer outside a Toys R’ Us in Brooklyn, Sliwa followed up that suggestion by stating that he himself has experienced pre-trial incarceration on Rikers, before bellowing, “I FEAR NO MAN! Or woman.”

In our area, State Assemblyman Ed Ra recently called for a special session “to address the intensifying migrant crisis that has seen more than 100,000 migrants arrive in our state over the past year,” according to a press release.

“Our urgent call for this special session is a consequence of inaction by our state leaders and passivity of the federal government,” Ra said. “My colleagues and I have introduced proposals that will alleviate

undue pressure on our education and court systems, housing industry and capabilities of community service providers. We have proposals that will address growing public safety concerns, as well as Mayor Adams’ inflating costs for migrant shelters and services, which he now estimates to reach $12 billion.”

“We have been asking and advocating for these actions for several months—it’s time to address the migrant issue head-on. An extraordinary session must be convened to compensate for the lack of action by Democratic leadership in Albany and Washington and take steps to implement long-delayed solutions.

In late August, State Senator Jack Martins also weighed in during a press conference outside the Long Island Rail Road station at Floral Park.

“The self-inflicted migrant crisis has been a disaster for communities across our state. Rather than address it, Democrats in Albany continue to insist on New York’s sanctuary status and won’t raise a finger to push sealing the border. They’d rather give away parks and schools to gatecrashers than protect our communities and enforce the law,” Martins said.

Ra, political hopeful Mike Sapraicone, and other Republicans also broadly roasted the suggestion made by Queens boro president Donovan Richards, perhaps rhetorically, that the Nassau Coliseum property could be used to shelter asylum seekers, too.

For his part, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has already imposed a 60-day limit

on city-provided shelter for single adult homeless asylum seekers, and as of this writing was considering adding a 30-day limit for persons who re-enter the shelter system, as well as some kind of time limit for families seeking asylum.

On both Long Island and Staten Island, religious coalitions have been among the loudest voices speaking up on behalf of sheltering asylum seekers, as well as other homeless migrants.

By mid-September, more than 165 faith leaders in Nassau and Suffolk had signed a letter to the Nassau and Suffolk County Executives and Legislatures, which some members of activist and religious communities have been taking on a tour of sorts at local town board meetings.

The letter, also addressed to supervisors and board members of the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Huntington, Babylon, Smithtown, Islip, Brookhaven, Riverhead, Southampton, Easthampton, Southold and Shelter Island reads as follows:

“You shall not deprive a resident alien or an orphan of justice...Remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your G-d redeemed you from there; therefore, I command you to do this.” [Deuteronomy 24:17-18]

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” [Matthew 25:35]

The Holy Qur’an repeatedly requires the

see CRISES on page 4A

NYPD officers stand together in the parking lot of a former Toys R’ Us in Brooklyn during a protest against sheltering asylum seekers

The back of a sign that fell to the ground, which had directed rally attendees at a Toys R’ Us in Brooklyn to park at the golf course across the street, reads, “What’s the plan?”

(Photos by Janet Burns)

John Riley loves comic books. For the last 30 years, he’s been sharing that love with readers young and old. And we’ve been with John every step of the way, helping plan improvements ranging from upgrading LED lighting to replacing a 50-year-old oil tank with a super-e cient heat pump. These upgrades save him money that he reinvests in—you guessed it—more comic books. As it should be.

See how we support small businesses on Long Island and in the Rockaways at psegliny.com/Business

“Every time I expected to encounter bureaucracy, I actually encountered a person.”

—John Riley, Grasshopper’s Comics, Williston Park

CRISES from page 2A

faithful to comply with agreements and treaties on the rights of refugees, praising those who go to the assistance of people in distress and requiring the faithful to protect them [9:100 and 117], including non-Muslims, by providing amam (safeguard).

We, the undersigned, are an interfaith community of clergy and lay leaders, and the mandates in our traditions could not be clearer. As people representing many faith traditions, we profess the full humanity and dignity of all people, all created in the Spirit of Life’s image. Our sacred texts mandate love, hospitality and a commitment to love our neighbor, with a strong emphasis — literally scores of scriptural mandates — on welcoming the stranger, sojourners from another land.

In recent years, 68 million people worldwide have fled their homes seeking safety. Children account for more than half of this total. Families requesting safety at our borders are fleeing economic exploitation, organized crime, political repression, war, and sexual violence, much of it rooted in disruptions caused by climate disasters and political destabilization. Recent reports indicate that current asylum seekers also include those who have fled Afghanistan after providing assistance to the United States, whose lives now would be in danger at home. Any of us would ask for refuge for our families if faced with the same threats.

Many U.S. towns and cities, including Nassau and Suffolk Counties—consistent

with our nation’s foundational ideal to be a place where people come for safety and freedom—have long been welcoming, housing, and employing our immigrant neighbors as they await their court asylum hearings. Houses of worship and non-profits provide care, critical support services, and community. Together as Long Islanders, we can continue (with essential government support and partnerships on the federal, state and local levels) to honor the core values of our diverse faiths and our nation by being a community of welcome.

Unfortunately, some Long Island officials have done just the opposite: inflaming tensions and fears by issuing irresponsible calls to bar asylum seekers from our towns

and counties, despite the fact that under both U.S. and International law these asylum seekers are guaranteed the right to seek asylum.

Such rhetoric is especially disheartening considering that during the height of the pandemic, lives were literally saved by essential workers, many of whom are immigrants. They cared for our elderly and disabled family members, planted, harvested and delivered our food, cleaned our public spaces, and much more. While some of us were locked down in our homes, immigrant workers were laboring to strengthen Long Island and our communities.

Our sacred scriptures insist that “neighbor” is never defined as proximity or

nationality.

Any rejection and resentment of the Spirit of Life’s children is a betrayal of our values, and a betrayal of the Spirit of Life.

We lament the crises of violence, environmental disaster, war, and poverty that cause families to leave their homes and lands in search of safety and asylum; we call for serious attention to fixing our broken immigration system; and we pray for just national and global policies and for the healing of a broken world — a prayer for Tikkun olam — so that all people might have the opportunity to find safety and welcoming in our country, our state, and in our Long Island communities. This is who we are as people of faith.

Asylum seekers walk from the Creedmoor HERRC toward a nearby mosque in late summer, passing barricades set up for a protest that evening.

A view of one paved portion of isolated Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, where state and federal approval for a HERRC has been given.

Over the years that people have come to me to share their moments of distress – wayward children, broken marriages, abusive relationships, gambling addictions, drug use, etc. – it strikes me that throughout most of these situations, someone other than me knew about these. But they said nothing.

We’ve been raised to “mind our own business” and not butt in other people’s lives, though we all know folks who are constantly inserting themselves into situations where they don’t belong. And we don’t want to be one of “those people.”

What if you know through your children that a friend’s child is engaged in dangerous behavior? Do you say something? What if a friend confides that he or she is becoming increasingly intimate with someone other than their spouse? Do you advise your friend to stop going in that direction because of the ongoing harm this will lead to? What if you know that a fellow team parent continually shows up at the games drunk or high? Do you express your concern or pretend you don’t know?

You could give it the “What if it

THE SPIRIT OF OUR TOWN

was MY kid?” test. In other words, would you want to know if your child was riding his bike in traffic or stealing from a local store or ingesting weed, or selling weed? What if you were the one headed for an inappropriate relationship? Would some cautionary words from a friend be welcomed? Would you be able to hear “care” if someone challenged your self-destructive behavior?

Of course we could actually pray about what to do. When we turn to God for direction we can find guidance in a variety of scripture. Saint Paul tells the people of Thessalonika “We hear that some

COLUMNS Butting In

of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies.” So naturally we want to avoid that.

However he also urges the Philippians: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Sometimes there are things that concern us but they seem so small that we think they’re not worth the trouble to speak about. Before 9-11 few people would think to point out an unaccompanied backpack or suitcase at a subway station. But after the terrorist attack the “if you see something, say something” campaign urged us to notice and report even small things that could signal larger dangers.

I believe that if people shared a concern over small things with those they care for, some of the behaviors that might become more destructive could be avoided down the line. We can’t live other people’s lives or rescue folks from their bad decisions but sometimes silence isn’t golden. Speaking our concerns can make

a difference that can protect, heal, guide, and help those we are concerned about.

Consider the rudder of a ship. It’s one of the smallest parts of a boat yet it is essential to steering in the right direction. Even a small adjustment can make a big difference in where the ship is sailing.

So too, a small caring word has the potential of helping another person to make a mid-course (or mid-life) correction.

Reaching out with concern to another takes two things: courage and rehearsal. First pray for courage – it is the power to do the right thing no matter what the cost may be. And then rehearse what you plan to say so that you’re steering

clear from being judgmental and condemnatory. Better to say how you feel about the situation than telling someone what they ought to be doing.

“After my daughter told me that your daughter is cutting herself I’m feeling scared for her safety” works better than “Didn’t you know your daughter has been cutting herself? You’d better get her into counseling – and you should get some counselling yourself!”

If you’re the kind of person who naturally butts in all the time, you didn’t need to read this column. But if some concern has been weighing you down for some time, perhaps this is the day to say something.

Fr. Ralph Sommer

Photo credit Getty Images

Everyday Words With Naval Origins

The Navy has had a significant influence on everyday language. Many common words and phrases have their origins in naval terminology, reflecting the maritime history and traditions of the Navy. Here are 10 everyday words with naval origins:

Admiral: An admiral is a high-ranking naval officer responsible for commanding a fleet or a group of ships. The term “admiral” is derived from the Arabic word “amir,” which means commander. It was adopted into European languages and later into English.

Deck: In a naval context, the “deck” refers to a platform on a ship’s surface. This term has been adopted to describe any horizontal surface or platform, such as the “deck” of a house or a “deck” of playing cards.

Bunk: A “bunk” is a narrow bed often found in cramped quarters on naval vessels. The term is now used more broadly to describe any type of bed or sleeping arrangement.

Boatswain: The “boatswain” or “bosun” is a senior crew member responsible for the maintenance of a ship and its equipment. The term has been adapted to describe supervisors or overseers in various industries.

Maroon: To “maroon” originally referred to the act of leaving someone stranded on a deserted island, often as a form of punishment. The term “maroon” has since evolved to describe being abandoned or isolated in any context.

Scuttlebutt: In naval slang, the “scuttlebutt” is a drinking fountain or water cooler. Sailors would gather around

LONG ISLAND VETERANS

Christy

Hinko

the scuttlebutt to exchange rumors and gossip while getting a drink. Today, “scuttlebutt” is synonymous with casual conversation or hearsay. You might hear someone say, “What’s the scuttlebutt around the office?”

Brace: To “brace” in a naval context means to prepare for impact or turbulence by securing oneself or equipment. In everyday language, “brace” is used to convey readiness or preparation for a potentially challenging situation.

Sonar: “Sonar” is an acronym for “sound navigation and ranging.” It’s a technology developed for underwater navigation and communication. Today, sonar is used for various purposes, including underwater exploration and fishing.

Grog: “Grog” was a diluted rum ration provided to sailors in the British Navy. It has come to refer to any alcoholic beverage. It’s a slang term used to describe a drink, often in a casual or informal setting.

Mayday: “Mayday” is an internationally recognized distress signal used in emergencies, particularly at sea. It derives from the French phrase “m’aidez,” meaning “help me.” In everyday language, “mayday” is synonymous with a cry for help or a desperate plea.

These everyday words with naval origins serve as reminders of the Navy’s enduring impact on language and culture. The rich history and traditions of naval forces continue to influence our vocabulary, even in contexts far removed from the sea.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, Sept. 27— Standup Comedy Class for veterans at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at Project9Line, Islip

Thursday, Sept. 28—The Wall That Heals at Flushing Meadow Park in Queens with 24-hour access through Oct. 1

Thursday, Sept. 28—Wine on the Harbor charity event to celebrate Pal-O-Mine from 6 to 9 p.m. at Harbor Club at Prime, Huntington

Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1—Project Thank You letter writing campaign for active troops at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish Church, Hicksville

Thursday, Oct. 5, through Oct. 8—The Wall That Heals with 24-hour access at Tanner Park, Copiague

Friday, Oct. 6—1st Annual Heroes At Home Gala from 6 to 10 p.m. at Smithtown Landings Country Club, Smithtown

Saturday, Oct. 7—WWII Veteran Rich Gruber’s 100th Birthday Celebration at 4 p.m. at Miller’s Ale House, Commack

Sunday, Oct. 8—8th Annual PTSD Awareness Motorcycle Ride by Rolling Thunder NY Chapter 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marine Corps League, Massapequa

Friday, Oct. 13— Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Assoc. Scramble Golf Tournament from 7 a.m. at Cherry Creek Golf Links, Riverhead

Saturday, Oct. 14—Chili Cook-off and Fall Festival to benefit mental health and veteran care from noon to 4 p.m. at Association for Mental Health and Wellness, Ronkonkoma

Saturday, Oct. 14— Outdoor concert fundraiser to

support autism education from 2 to 6 p.m. at VFW Post 9592, Levittown

Saturday, Oct. 14—Roslyn Rocks for Wounded Warriors from 7 p.m. at Roslyn High School, Roslyn

Saturday, Oct. 21—Blue Star Mothers Garage Sale to benefit veterans from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bethpage Railroad Station

Saturday, Oct. 21—23rd Annual VA Hospital Motorcycle Run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marine Corps League, Massapequa

Saturday, Oct. 21—Legion Auxiliary fall crafting fundraiser at American Legion Post 1033, Elmont

Saturday, Oct. 28—Full Moon

Halloween Dance from 7 to 11 p.m. at VFW Post 414, Center Moriches

Thursday, Nov. 9—NY Helmets To Hardhats Service Luncheon at U.S.S. Intrepid, Manhattan

Saturday, Nov. 11—Family Festival and Car Show from noon to 5 p.m. at Samanea Mall, Westbury

Sunday, Nov. 12—Jimmy’s Run/Gold Star Memorial at 7 a.m. hosted by Ranger Lead the Way Fund, Manhasset

Tuesday, Nov. 14—Services For Those Who Served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centered Mind Body Spirit, Commack

Friday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 18—Mike Del Guidice: A Concert Weekend for Veterans at The Paramount, Huntington

Saturday, Nov. 25—Veterans’ Comedy Showcase at 7 p.m. at Project9Line, Islip

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

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

Publishers of

Glen Cove/Oyster Bay Record Pilot

Great Neck Record

Manhasset Press

Nassau Illustrated News

Port Washington News

Syosset-Jericho Tribune

The Nassau Observer

The Roslyn News

Editor and Publisher

Angela Susan Anton President

Frank A. Virga

Vice President of Operations/CFO

Iris Picone

Director of Sales

Administration

ShariEgnasko

Editors

Janet Burns,JenniferCorr, LaurenFeldman,ChristyHinko, Amanda Olsen,Julie Prisco, Joe Scotchie

Advertising Sales

AllyDeane,MaryMallon, SalMassa,MariaPruyn, Jeryl Sletteland

Director of Circulation

JoyDiDonato

Director of Production

RobinCarter

Creative Director

AlexNuñez

Art Director

Catherine Bongiorno

Senior Page Designer

DonnaDuffy

Page Designer

ChristinaDieguez

Director of Business

Administration

Linda Baccoli

For circulation inquiries, email: subscribe@antonmediagroup.com

Publication Office: 132 East Second St., Mineola, NY 11501 Phone: (516) 747-8282 Fax: (516) 742-5867 2023 Long Island Community Newspapers, Inc.

Celebrating 39 YEARS IN BUSINESS 1984-2023

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

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

Photo Courtesy of Christy Hinko

COLUMNS

No Worms For The Early Birds

There is an old expression that the “early bird catches the worm.” That may apply to buying tickets for Taylor Swift or some other hot event. It doesn’t apply to politics because it is a subject riddled with uncertainties. That is especially so when it comes to handicapping the 2024 presidential race.

At this early stage in the 2024 race, we are being bombarded with polls and pundits, all seeking to tell us who is a potential winner in next year’s presidential horserace. These polls are just plain guesswork and there is no legitimate science behind the numbers or the forecasts. The pollsters tell us that their formulas are a sure thing, but don’t believe it. If 2020 tells us anything, they bombed more often than they were right.

In 2012, the pollsters found that Hillary Clinton was 20 points ahead of Barack Obama. By the time of the Democratic convention, Obama had a commanding lead and got the nomination. That same fluke took place when Ronald Reagan came from behind to beat Jimmy Carter.

Recently, New Hampshire Republican Governor Sununu predicted that neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden will be the nominees of their respective parties. That may be a stretch but maybe Sununu has a crystal ball that is clearer than most of us. In addition, some conservative Republicans maintain that former President Trump will be barred from running under the 14th Amendment and they are planning a court challenge of the Trump candidacy.

I have spoken to a number of Democratic veterans who believe that President Biden will bow out at the party convention but they have been reluctant to predict who will get the party nomination. These same veterans refuse to name a possible replacement for the president, but there are numerous Democratic governors waiting

INSIDE POLITICS

in the wings for a chance to step up if called upon.

Republican candidates DeSantis, Pence and Haley think that they may be struck by political lightning, and hope that a convicted former president will be forced to step aside because of falling poll numbers. They believe that a convicted incumbent will lose ground in the pre-convention moments and fate will favor them.

During my many runs for re-election, it appeared that the Democratic presidential nominees were looking like a sure thing (e.g. Mondale and Dukakis.) So it is far too early to make any serious predictions about any of the candidates of either party. You can anticipate a blizzard of polls in the months to come but ignore them as too early and too soon. These early birds will not catch any worms.

Jerry Kremer

Photo credit Getty Images

2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Lavine Introduces Bill For Library Bill Of Rights

AMANDA OLSEN

aolsen@antonmediagroup.com

State Assembly member Charles Lavine recently introduced a bill that would require all libraries that accept public funds to adopt the American Library Association’s library Bill of Rights. This would create a standard across all libraries for the preservation of access to information and use of the library.

The bill states that “Every free association library, public library, hospital library, Indian library and library system which receives any portion of moneys appropriated by the state shall adopt the American Library Association’s library bill of rights that indicates materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or, in the alternative, develop a written statement prohibiting the practice of banning books or other materials within the library or library system.”

information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

OCT 15Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood

OCT 19+20 Lee Brice

OCT 21Monsters of Freestyle

OCT 28Parliament Funkadelic feat. George Clinton

OCT 29Aqui Esta La Salsa

NOV 1Rumours of Fleetwood

Mac

NOV 3 The Tenors: Now & Forever Tour

NOV 4Almost Queen - A Tribute to Queen

NOV 5John Oliver

NOV 10Masters of Illusion

NOV 11Paul Anka

NOV 12Celebrating David Bowie feat. Peter Murphy, Adriant

Belew,

Lavine is concerned with the recent national uptick in requests to limit or ban materials from libraries. “The incidents of this suppression of expression and free thought have increased dramatically over the course of the last several years, coinciding with the increase of hatred in general, antisemitism, anti-Asian hatred and anti LGBTQIA+. They go hand in hand,” the assemblyman said.

Lavine is hopeful that adopting the ALA’s Bill of Rights will help patrons better understand how the library makes its decisions. “While the bill that I introduced is not designed or intended to be a panacea, it is a step in the right direction; anything and everything we can do to focus the public’s attention on (restricting access to material), and this more organized, group activity which is designed to suppress free thought,” Lavine said.

Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest,

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

Charles D. Lavine NYS Assemblymember, 13th District, Nassau County.

(Photo by the Office of Charles Lavine)

60

516-333-1340

www.mortonlemkaumoving.com

About Us:

Morton J. Lemkau Moving and Storage has been moving Long Islanders since 1949 both locally and long distance. We have literally moved thousands of customers, and multi generations. The vast majority of our business has come from referrals from our loyal customer base.

Lemkau Moving is now in a larger o ce and truck yard, as our company has grown. We are conveniently located in Syosset, which allows us to better serve the Long Island community in our centralized location.

If you have not utilized our relocation and moving services in the past, we ask to consider us. We are an A+ Rated Accredited Better Business Bureau Member, and we have a Five Star review rating, which is posted on our website through ReviewStars.

We invite you to call us today for a free, no commitment in-house estimate. We’ll discuss all of your moving and relocation requirements and we’ll provide you with a detailed estimate. We’ll also provide you with some helpful information on preparing for your move, and being ready on your moving day.

Our Services:

• Free Home (In-House) Estimates

• Free Moving Preparedness Tip Sheet

Provided During Estimate

• Fully Licensed and Insured

• Local and Long Distance Moving

• Simple Hourly Rates For Local Moves

(DOT Registered)

• Long Distance Moves By Weight and Mileage

• Expert Boxing, Packing, Wrapping and Crating

• Free Delivery of Boxing and Packing Supplies w/Purchase

• Short and Long Term Storage

• In-House Moves

• POD/Storage Container Loading and Unloading

• Loading and Unloading of (DIY) Rental Trucks

• Frequent and Preferred Movers to North Shore Towers

• Expert Piano and Organ Movers

• Storage Facility Partnership Referrals

• Frequent Moves to Senior Living Facilities

• Frequent Moves To North Carolina

• Referred by Real Estate Agents

• Five Star Rated In Feedback and Reviews

• A+ Accredited Better Business Bureau Member

• Full Complimentary Consultation Services Upon Hire

Please call us at 516-333-1340.

Piano Specialists

Link to Lemkau website and/or Google Reviews

On an afternoon before their second Zac Brown Band concert at Jones Beach Amphitheater on Sept.17, John Driskell Hopkins, multi-instrumentalist and founding member, and Matt Mangano, bassist, took a boat out to the bay house of Paul Annunziato.

“Jones Beach is an incredibly unique venue,” Hopkins said. “Our New York crowds in general are the best crowds that we have.”

Annunziato is a longtime friend of Hopkins’, as well as a supporter of Hopkins’ foundation, Hop On A Cure, that helps to fund research to prevent, reverse, and cure ALS (Amyotrophic

Hop On A Cure

Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins raises money for ALS through foundation

BY JENNIFER CORR jcorr@antonnews.com

Lateral Sclerosis). Hop on a Cure also aims to raise awareness, build a compassionate community, and unleash the healing power of hope.

Back in July, Annunziato, along with The Lavin and McMahon Families, banned together to hold a fundraiser, complete with a performance from the John Driskell Hopkins Band, in Lattingtown for Hop On A Cure. Attendees raised $55,000, and those who made the largest donations at the fundraiser were also invited to the bay house on Sept. 17 for a meet and greet with Hopkins and Mangano.

“The foundation, in essence, raises money to find a cure,” Annunziato said. “If you go to any Zac Brown Band concert, they mention it. People donate and John’s friends like me are constantly spreading the word.”

Hopkins said that Annunziato, who he called a dear friend, has been an incredible support system for Hop On A Cure.

The bay house, nestled in the South Oyster Bay, overlooks the amphitheater. With only water and marsh surrounding the bay house, it provided the perfect environment for skeet shooting, which

everyone took a turn at. Even Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman paid a visit.

“I always want to show off all of the attributes of Nassau County and certainly these bay houses and this beautiful waterway is something that we’re very proud of in Nassau County,” Blakeman said. “I told John Hopkins that next time he’s in Nassau County, we’re going to coordinate and do a fundraiser for Hop On A Cure.”

Hopkins was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, which inspired him to immediately create Hop On A Cure. ALS, according to the Hop On A Cure website, “is a neurological disease that affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement (the muscles we have conscious control over). The disease is progressive, meaning the symptoms get worse over time. Individuals affected lose their strength and the ability to control those voluntary muscle movements which include speaking, eating, mobility, and even breathing.”

The life expectancy for ALS after onset of symptoms is typically 3 to 5 years. However, 10 percent of people with ALS survive for 10 years or more. Hopkins, who lives in Atlanta with his family, said when he was diagnosed, he didn’t know what ALS was.

“We fully believe that this is a curable disease,” Hopkins said. “And we believe that it can be cured soon. We feel like we’re on the verge of discoveries that will lead to longevity and livable ALS

conditions. Several years ago HIV was a death sentence and now it’s not. We need to get ALS to that point where people who are diagnosed with the disease can stop progression and then we can work towards reversing it.”

Hopkins said that for so long, support around finding the cure to ALS was “hopeless.”

“You would get diagnosed and then the doctors would say get your affairs in order,” Hopkins said. “We want to change that mentality.”

Hopkins said that with his massive platform through the Zac Brown Band, he felt a responsibility to spread the word. “The band’s been behind me since day one,” Hopkins said. “They’re definitely my extended family.”

As far as balancing performing, recording and touring with managing ALS, Hopkins said he’s still “playing and singing.”

“That’s the bar,” Hopkins said. “Even if I’m playing and singing and have to sit down, I believe we’ll find a way for me to play and sing until I can’t. Hopefully we find some things in the coming years that will allow me to keep doing it.”

Mangano said that while it’s been hard watching his friend, Hopkins, fight ALS, it’s also been inspiring. “It’s inspiring to watch Hop’ and how he confronted this thing head on,” Mangano said. “I think that’s a testament to his tenacity and his internal willpower that he has to overcome challenges.”

John Driskell Hopkins, lead guitarist and founding member of Zac Brown Band, wearing a Nassau County Police Department cap at a bay house near Jones Beach.

(Photo by Jennifer Corr)

IN

MEDICINE PROFILES

UNDOCUMENTED FROM IMMIGRANT TEEN TO WORLDCLASS SURGEON

Advances in pediatric cancer treatment

Double neural transplant

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.

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

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.

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

Undocumented: From Violent Streets To A Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Harold Fernandez shares the path to his success

BY CHRISTY HINKO chinko@antonmediagroup.com

“There was a lot of violence,” Dr. Harold Fernandez, a Northwell thoracic surgeon said. “In the same streets where I played soccer every day, I saw friends and family members lose their lives.”

Fernandez recounted his days as a young boy, growing up in Medellín, historically one of the most violent cities in Colombia since the 1980s. Fernandez said, “The city was going through a lot of turmoil because of the war between the government and Pablo Escobar.” Fernandez said this is the reason that his mother, Angela, and his father, Alberto, initially came to America on temporary work visas, but overstayed. Angela supported her husband’s plan to temporarily go to the United States, acquire some new skills and earn some extra money, but she quickly fell in love with America. She could not hide her heartsickness from being separated from her sons, Harold and John Byron, who she left in their grandmothers’ care back in Medellín. “I was 13; my brother, John, was 11,” Fernandez said. “My mother imagined having her whole family join them one day, with the safety and all of the benefits that America had to offer.”

Angela cried every day, struggling with being apart from their sons. One day, a coworker mentioned that their daughter would be making the journey from Colombia to America by way of the Bahamas. The trip would take three days at most, perhaps she could chaperone Harold and John for their journey north? Angela was excited and full of hope, but Alberto was hesitant. After some discussion they decided to press forward with the trip. Fernandez and his brother began their journey on Friday, Oct. 13, 1978.

The travelers boarded a plane in Medellín headed to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. They then took a puddle-jumper for 130 miles from Nassau to Bimini, a small island just 50 miles due east of Miami. They landed in Bimini, but the sea conditions were treacherous, halting their passage by boat from Bimini to Miami. “We waited for two weeks in Bimini for the conditions to subside,” Fernandez said. “Communications in those days were difficult; you had to go to a payphone calling center; we could not tell our parents what was happening.”

The boys’ only option was to call back to Medellín to assure their grandmothers that they were safe and that all was still well. Their message would then be relayed to New Jersey to their presumably frantic parents. “We had to pretend to be reporting back about a vacation because we were afraid that the immigration authorities in the Bahamas would know what we were doing,” Fernandez said.

The boys feared they would be deported before they had a chance to touch American soil and get to the safety of Angela and Alberto. “We finally made our departure heading to Miami. It was at night, and by a small boat, so as to not be detected by the U.S. Coast Guard,” Fernandez said. “The ride to Miami was very rough; everyone on the boat was sure the boat would capsize.” Fernandez said what he remembers most about the boat ride to Miami was that everyone was crying and reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

The boat arrived safely at an abandoned dock in Miami. Fernandez and his brother made contact with family friends in Miami, who were in touch with their parents to give them the update. They stayed at the apartment of those friends before taking a taxi to the airport and boarding a flight from Miami to Newark. They were briefed ahead of their flight. “They told us, ‘when you see your parents, you have to make sure not to celebrate as to call attention to yourselves; this will surely alert immigration authorities,’” Fernandez remembered. “Remember, I had not seen my parents in many years now. We started running and crying and hugging each other; we were all thanking God that we were together again.”

Fernandez recalled his shock at the abundance. “Back in Colombia, an apple is a luxury. Our grandmother would buy an apple and cut it into little wedges; we all would get a little wedge,” Fernandez said. “My mom had whole apples on the table in a little basket. On the first night, me and my brother, John, we couldn’t sleep thinking about those apples. We went to my mother’s bedroom and woke her up and asked, ‘Mom, could we get one of the those apples?’”

The family was all together again, but with the years of separation, there was a lot of work to be done to rebuild.

“The first months were rough in America for me. If people knew me then, they would say I was a troubled teenager, similar to other kids they might see coming from other countries. I was smoking cigarettes and was trying to learn how to drink hard liquor, getting into fights at school.”

The school principal called Angela and said if her sons continued to fight in school they would be suspended.

“I saw my mother break down,” Fernandez said. “It was then that I realized I had to change my life around.”

He made the decision to get a job delivering newspapers for the Hudson Dispatch (now merged with The Jersey Journal). Fernandez wanted the glory of being called “The best delivery boy in America” to make his mother proud. He began getting up at 4:30 a.m. to do his route, whether it was

raining or snowing. He even remembers doing his route while he was sick. He started with 90 deliveries and worked his way up to 120 papers. Within a year, he had been named “Harold Fernandez: Newspaper Carrier of the Month”. It was printed in the newspaper, a clipping that Fernandez still has in his personal papers today. “I remember my mother cut it out and carried it with her in her purse and showed it to everyone, even people she did not know,” Fernandez said. “My father also put it on his locker at work.”

That wasn’t enough for him though. “I think that was the spark,” Fernenadez said. “I believe it’s what led me to get accepted to Princeton University and eventually to Harvard Medical School.”

There was a problem. “I did not have documents. I applied to Princeton with a fake social security card and a fake Green Card,” Fernandez remembered.

Within a year, Fernnadez received a letter from the dean of foreign students at Princeton. “She wanted to see my Green Card. I thought everything was going to come to an end,” Fernandez said. “I had an amazing professor of Spanish literature [at Princeton], Professor Arcadio DíazQuiñones. I remember going to ask if I could speak with him for some advice. He agreed to see me and before I could say a word, I just

started crying inconsolably.”

Díaz-Quiñones held counsel with the then-president of Princeton University, William G. Bowen, that evening and returned to Fernandez with a message from Bowen: “Tell Harold that everything is going to be OK, not to worry and to continue with his coursework.” The university allowed Fernandez to change his status from a fraudulent citizen student to a foreign-status student, so long as he agreed to provide the correct information and documentation as a citizen of Colombia. A testament to the quality of student that Fernandez was up until that point, Princeton awarded Fernandez a complete scholarship.

Bowen, a man well before his time, made many seemingly radical, but worthy and fair decisions toward the betterment of the institution. “He was a remarkable person; he was the first president at Princeton to accept women, African American and Jewish students, and obviously in my case, an undocumented student; I am grateful for him, for DíazQuiñones, for Princeton and America in general,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez takes every opportunity to tell immigrant students today that there are a lot of good people who really do want to help make their lives better. He encourages all students to look for opportunities and take chances.

Fernandez’s story is timely, with immigration conflicts and stories headlining the news for more than half a decade. “It is a complicated situation right now because we have not seen any leadership from republicans or democrats to deal with the problem,” Fernandez said. “There is definitely a need here for workers in America, but no one has come up with a way to do it the right way. It is important for the people who are here already [citizens] to know that their own jobs are protected. It is also important for Americans to know that the borders are secure, that criminals and terrorists are not coming in. It is important for those who are coming over to come in a responsible way. Yes, I came in undocumented at a very young age. My parents were already here waiting for us. Parents who send their kids ahead first are not being responsible. There is no substitute for kids being with their parents or families.”

Fernandez loves Colombia and returns often, but his family is here and the United States is his home.

He is the author of Undocumented: My Journey to Princeton and Harvard and Life as a Heart Surgeon, independently published in 2019.

Advances In Pediatric Cancer Treatment

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

As medical research and technology continue to advance, there have been significant developments in the field of pediatric cancer in recent years. These developments have improved our understanding of the disease, diagnostic capabilities, treatment options, and outcomes for young cancer patients. Here are some of the newest and most promising developments in pediatric cancer:

Precision Medicine and Targeted Therapies

Precision medicine has been a game-changer in pediatric oncology. Researchers are increasingly able to identify genetic mutations and alterations specific to a child’s cancer, allowing for the development of targeted therapies. These therapies are designed to attack the cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, reducing side effects and improving treatment effectiveness. Targeted therapies have shown promising results in clinical trials for various pediatric cancers, including neuroblastoma and certain types of leukemia.

Immunotherapy

Advancements

Immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment approach in pediatric cancer. CAR-T cell therapy, for

instance, involves modifying a patient’s own immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells. This therapy has shown remarkable success in treating pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and certain types of lymphoma. Ongoing research aims to expand the application of immunotherapies to other pediatric cancer types.

Liquid Biopsies

Liquid biopsies are non-invasive tests that can detect genetic alterations and biomarkers associated with cancer in a patient’s blood or other bodily fluids. This technology is particularly promising in pediatric oncology, as it offers a less invasive and more accessible method of monitoring disease progression, detecting relapses, and guiding treatment decisions. Liquid biopsies hold the potential to improve early diagnosis and reduce the need for painful tissue biopsies in children.

Advancements in Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy techniques have evolved to be more precise and less harmful to healthy tissues in pediatric patients. Proton therapy, for example, delivers radiation more precisely, minimizing damage to surrounding organs and tissues. This advancement is particularly beneficial for children, as it reduces the risk of long-term

side effects and improves the quality of life for survivors.

Genomic Profiling and Research Collaborations

Collaborative efforts among researchers and institutions worldwide have led to extensive genomic profiling of pediatric cancers. Large-scale projects, such as the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, have identified numerous genetic mutations and drivers of pediatric cancer. This wealth of genetic data is invaluable in developing targeted therapies and improving treatment strategies for children with cancer.

Supportive Care and Survivorship Programs

There is a growing focus on improving the quality of life for pediatric cancer patients and survivors. Survivorship programs are expanding to address the unique medical and psychosocial needs of childhood cancer survivors. This includes addressing long-term side effects, monitoring for secondary cancers, and providing comprehensive support for survivors and their families.

Patient-Centered Research and Advocacy

Patient-centered research has gained prominence in pediatric oncology. Children and their families are

increasingly involved in the research process, contributing to study design, decision-making, and advocacy efforts. This approach ensures that research aligns with the needs and priorities of pediatric cancer patients and their families. Despite these significant developments, challenges remain in pediatric cancer research and treatment. These include the need for increased funding, access to cutting-edge therapies, and the development of therapies for rare and less well-studied pediatric cancers. The progress made in recent years provides hope for improved outcomes and a brighter future for children facing cancer. As research continues to advance, breakthroughs that will enhance the diagnosis, treatment, and overall care of pediatric cancer patients is always on the horizon.

(Getty Images)

Moo, MD Breast Surgical Oncologist MSK in Nassau & Commack

Double Neural Bypass: First Of Its Kind

Long Island man regains use of arm through implant, machine learning

BY AMANDA OLSEN aolsen@antonmediagroup.com

Aparalyzed man regains hope, and so much more, in a first-of-its-kind clinical trial that’s giving him the ability to move his hands/arms but also regain the sense of touch again, without being hooked up to the computer.

Keith Thomas became a quadriplegic in a diving accident off Montauk in July 2020, at the height of COVID. Thomas lost all sensation and movement below his chest, and in the time following the accident, Thomas says he wasn’t sure he’d live or if he wanted to.

Now, thanks to what researchers are calling a “double neural bypass” he’s determined to lead by example and become participant #1 in this groundbreaking clinical trial at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health.

Alone and isolated in the hospital for more than six months, Thomas found new hope by participating in Prof. Bouton’s clinical trial and is grateful to be a part of something so historic and larger than himself. “The only thing I want to do is to help others. That’s always been the thing I’m best at. If this can

help someone even more than it’s helped me somewhere down the line, it’s all worth it,” Thomas said.

Part of the trial included a grueling 15hour surgery—portions of which Keith was awake—during which researchers implanted

five electrodes into Keith’s brain. “Because we had Keith’s images and he was talking to us during parts of his surgery, we knew exactly where to place the brain implants,” said Dr. Ashesh Mehta, professor at the Feinstein Institutes’ Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, director of Northwell’s Laboratory for Human Brain Mapping and the surgeon who performed the brain implant. “We inserted two chips in the area responsible for movement and three more in the part of the brain responsible for touch and feeling in the fingers.”

Now, through those implants, machine learning and novel stimulation technology, scientists can reconnect Thomas’s brain to his body to his spinal cord. This double neural bypass forms an electronic bridge that allows information to flow once again between the man’s paralyzed body and brain to restore movement and sensations in his hand with lasting gains in his arm and wrist outside of the laboratory.

Back in the lab, through two ports protruding from Thomas’s head, he connects to a computer that uses AI to read, interpret and translate his thoughts into action, known as

thought-driven therapy and the foundation of the double neural bypass approach.

Chad Bouton, professor in the Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine at the Feinstein Institutes, vice president of advanced engineering at Northwell Health, developer of the technology and principal investigator of the clinical trial, described the way the nervous system works in an uninjured person: “So normally, you’d have signals traveling from your brain, these are areas right above your ear on each side of your head. The motor strip, as it’s called, is this vertical kind of strip above your ear and then right behind that is the sensory area. So normally, your signals would travel from your brain and the motor and sensory areas. Say you want to open your hand. Well, that signal would travel down the brainstem and down to the spinal cord. Well, the problem when you have a spinal cord injury like Keith is that it blocks or dramatically reduces those signals.”

He then went on to detail how the neural bypass works in both directions, hence making it a “double bypass”: “What we’ve done is put chips in the brain, first in the motor area to pick up the signals and then reroute

Feinstein Institutes AI Researchers Receive NIH Grant For Risk And Prevention Tools

Hospitalized adult patients whose medical conditions worsen after being admitted, requiring escalation of care, such as transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) or intervention of a rapid response team, may benefit from monitoring by artificial intelligence (AI). Scientists at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research were recently awarded $3.1 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund a new study that would harness AI and machine learning (ML) to help doctors and nurses monitor patients in busy medical and surgical wards to identify and prevent deterioration and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

The study team is led by Theodoros Zanos, PhD, associate professor at the Feinstein’s Institute of Health System Science and Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, and includes Karina Davidson PhD, Michael Oppenheim MD, Alex Makhnevich MD, Beth Friedman RN, and others at the Feinstein Institutes and Northwell Health, New York’s largest health system. The group will develop and implement ML models with the goal of

improving the monitoring of patients once they are admitted in order to identify who might undergo a rapid decline to address it sooner.

“Some patients who are admitted for one condition are not explicitly showing symptoms of other concerns, which can lead to their health deteriorating and even dying,” said Dr. Zanos. “This research will leverage vast patient data, new continuous

monitoring technologies and AI to identify those often-unidentified risks and subtle early worrisome trends and enable life-saving interventions.”

Dr. Zanos and his team will turn to Northwell’s large, diverse clinical dataset using electronic health records (EHRs) from more than 2.4 million hospitalizations to generate ML predictive models. The clinical support tools will help clinicians and nurses identify in advance patients at risk of deterioration and clinical reasons to enable timely interventions. These tools also will identify those patients who are more stable. The study will collect and leverage patient data using a continuous monitoring (CM) device, the VitalConnect VitalPatch, that will be placed on patients upon admission to the hospital, to develop more accurate prediction models.

Dr. Zanos is a leader in health care AI. His research revolves around developing algorithms that will enable early diagnosis, disease severity assessment, personalization and adaptability of effective therapies. In 2020, he and his

lab developed a digital tool that predicts a hospitalized patient’s overnight stability and determines whether they could be left undisturbed overnight to sleep, recover and discharge faster. This vital sign monitoring tool, called “Let Sleeping Patients Lie,” used a vast body of clinical data from the patient visits, including respiratory rate, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, body temperature and age.

Last year, Dr. Zanos published in Nature Communications results of a two-and-ahalf-year-long study which used 35,000 COVID-19 diverse patients to develop a new digital clinical support tool that accurately predicts a patient’s outcomes and aids in clinical care decision-making.

The Feinstein Institutes continues to invest in the use of technology and artificial intelligence to help improve patient outcomes and bridge health disparities. Most recently, the Feinstein Institutes received a $10 million gift from Scott and Debby Rechler to create the Scott and Debby Rechler Center for Health Outcomes within the Institute of Health System Science.

—Submitted by Feinstein Institutes

Keith Thomas is able to feel his sister hold his hand for the first time since a diving accident in 2020 left him paralyzed from the chest down.

(Photo by Northwell Health)

Theodoros Zanos, PhD.

(Photo by Feinstein Institutes)

them from the brain around the spinal cord injury and go we go straight to the muscles, and so every time he thinks about moving, we reroute those signals and activate the muscles that he’s thinking about.

For sensation, we go the other direction. So we have tiny sensors on his fingertips that pick up pressure or the feeling of somebody’s hand, and the bypass reroutes them around the spinal cord injury.”

The bypass starts with Thomas’s intentions (e.g. he thinks about squeezing his hand), which sends electrical signals from his brain implant to a computer. The computer then sends signals to highly-flexible, non-invasive electrode patches that are placed over his spine and hand muscles located in his forearm to stimulate and promote function and recovery. Tiny sensors at his fingertips and palm send touch and pressure information back to the sensory

area of his brain to restore sensation. This two-arm electronic bridge forms the novel double neural bypass aimed at restoring both movement and the sense of touch.

“This is the first time the brain, body and spinal cord have been linked together electronically in a paralyzed human to restore lasting movement and sensation,” said Bouton. “When the study participant thinks about moving his arm or hand, we ‘supercharge’ his spinal cord and stimulate his brain and muscles to help rebuild connections, provide sensory feedback, and promote recovery. This type of thought-driven therapy is a game-changer. Our goal is to use this technology one day to give people living with paralysis the ability to live fuller, more independent lives.”

The goal of the trial is to restore lasting movement and sensation by reconnecting the brain/body and translating real-time thoughts into actions outside of the lab. This technology may one day help millions of others like Thomas who suffer from paralysis, stroke or other disorders.”

Thomas can now move his arm at will and feel his sister’s touch as she holds his hand in support. This is the first time he has felt anything in the three years since his accident.

Thomas said he hopes people read his story and it gives them hope. “People keep telling me I’m an inspiration in. So I hope that comes across. I’m just very hopeful. I’m thankful for the team and Northwell for giving me the opportunity to be the first person to do this.”

—with information from Northwell Health

Partnership To Lower Healthcare Costs

Catholic Health and Empire BlueCross BlueShield announced on Sept. 6 an agreement focused on new care delivery models designed to lower costs and increase value for people on Long Island. This latest multi-year agreement builds upon the longstanding relationship between the two organizations.

Through this innovative partnership, Catholic Health’s payment rates will be connected to improved health outcomes and quality-of-care indicators, reflecting Catholic Health’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality care.

“Value-based care is transforming the health care industry and Catholic Health is at the forefront of that transformation,” said Julie Kapoor, Senior Vice President, Revenue Management and Managed Care at Catholic Health. “Our partnership with Empire BlueCross BlueShield helps us to proactively identify opportunities to reduce the costs of care while improving patient health. The signing of this agreement will allow us to stay focused on the delivery of exceptional care while also improving access to affordable health services on Long Island.”

Aligning payment to quality outcomes like readmission rates, patient safety, and

patient satisfaction increases preventive care, improves chronic condition management, reduces hospital admissions, incentivizes whole health and ultimately lowers costs for Long Island healthcare consumers and their employers.

“Our continued partnership with Catholic Health will keep care affordable for Long Islanders by aligning payments with health outcomes instead of on the volume of care provided—a win-win for employers and consumers,” said Daniel Jorgenson, Vice President, Healthcare Networks at Empire BlueCross BlueShield. “At Empire, we are focused on our mission to improve the health of all New Yorkers. When we have an innovative partner like Catholic Health, who shares our openness to creative thinking, we are better able to make a real difference in the lives of our members. There is no health system that has made a more meaningful commitment to our value-based relationship, including being the first system in New York to join with us on the Epic Payer Platform to support communications between payers and providers. We look forward to continuing to grow this important partnership.”

—Catholic Health

Dr. Chad Bouton

(Photo by Northwell Health)

Backyarding On A Budget

Six money-saving hacks for fall

Fall is an opportune time to set up your backyard for year-round success. Work put into landscaping in the fall determines the quality of the space for all of your family’s backyarding activities, from family football games at Thanksgiving and Easter egg hunts in the spring, to taking your office to the back patio and meditation in a backyard hammock.

“Work in your yard, and it will work for you. That’s always been our motto, but it’s particularly important to follow this credo in the fall when we can make the most impact in our yards,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which encourages people to care for and use the green space around them. “You don’t have to break the bank to create a backyard that will serve many purposes for your family year-round.”

Here are six money-saving hacks for creating the backyard of your dreams:

1Clean out ower beds and add mulch. Simply cleaning out your flower beds (use a leaf blower to make quick work of the task) and adding a fresh layer of mulch

Fall is an opportune time to set up your backyard for yearround success.

works wonders. New mulch not only holds weeds at bay, it also helps retain moisture around plants, trees and shrubs.

2Prune bushes and trees.

Trimming bushes, shrubs, and trees is another inexpensive way to make a big impact in your yard’s aesthetic. Use a chainsaw, trimmer or hedger to remove dead or dying branches and stems. This preserves the health of the main branch and improves the shape of the plant. Pruning also encourages plants to flower later.

3Keep grass mowed and weeded.

Regular lawn mowing helps your grass stay healthy and strong and improves the overall appearance of your yardscape without spending much money.

In the fall, cut your lawn shorter than during the rest of the growing season and continue to mow until your grass goes into hibernation for the winter.

4Pick perennials.

Perennials – those cold-hardy plant species that will return again in the spring—are a smart money choice because you only have to buy them once to enjoy them for years to come.

5Plant climate-appropriate species.

Native plants – those that occur naturally in your region—are a smart buy any time of the year. They are more likely to thrive in your micro-climate without much maintenance or watering. They are also better for local wildlife and pollinators and help preserve the balance of the natural ecosystem.

6Look for deals.

Many nurseries and home improvement stores offer endof-season sales on landscaping essentials from plants to outdoor power equipment (mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers, etc.) that make even big backyarding tasks easier.

—TurfMutt Foundation

TuffMutt Foundation

(Photo credit Getty Images)

KIDS CORNER!

Did you know that children have rights? In fact, the United Nations, an organization of most of the world’s countries, recently added the right to a clean environment to the list of children’s rights. Here are some of the ways they think governments need to respect the right to a clean environment:

•Best interests of the child

When making decisions about the environment and climate change, governments must consider how children will be impacted, and how they will support the wellbeing and development of children growing up today and in the future.

•Right to life, survival and development

Children should be able to live, grow up and develop in healthy, safe environments and have the support they need. Their lives should never be put at risk because of environmental harm like pollution or lead exposure.

•Right

to be heard

•Access to information

Governments should make sure that children have access to clear, accurate environmental and climate-related information, including information about plans and decisions being made, and about actions that children can take themselves. Information should be shared in different ways so that children of different ages and backgrounds can understand it.

•The right to freedom from all forms of violence

Environmental harm and climate change can lead to unstable situations, con icts and inequalities, leaving children at more risk of physical and psychological violence. Governments should make more effort to protect children by investing in services that are for children and by working to solve the root causes of violence.

•Right to health

Children’s physical and mental health should not be affected by climate change, pollution, unhealthy ecosystems, and loss of biodiversity. If a child experiences health issues, they must be able to access healthcare and support.

•Right to social security and decent standard of living

Children should be able to access safe food, clean water, decent housing and materials needed for them to live and grow. Governments need to make sure children are not living in poverty or unsafe conditions.

•Right to education

DidYou Know?

Children should be taken seriously by adults and have a say on issues related to the environment and climate change. Governments should involve children when making decisions about the environment and climate change, and make sure they give feedback to children about how their views were considered.

•Right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly

Children often stand up for their environmental rights as human rights defenders. Many children also spend time with friends and groups where they exchange information and ideas. Governments should support children to express themselves by providing safe and empowering spaces for them to do so. Governments should adopt laws to protect child human rights defenders.

Children should be given environmental education that is accurate and in ways that they understand. Environmental education should support children to connect with, and respect, the environment. The places where children learn should be safe from environmental harm.

•The rights of Indigenous children and children of minority groups

Indigenous children and children of minority groups’ lives, survival and cultural practices are often very connected to their natural environment. Governments should make sure to protect their rights and involve children in all decisions being made about their environment.

•Right to rest and play

Children should be able to play and be active in clean, safe places and connect with our natural world. Governments need to consider where and how children can play and rest when they make plans for new neighborhoods or places where children may visit.

•Right

to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment

The Committee explains that children have the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Children need a clean environment to enjoy all of their human rights. Children should have access to clean air and water, safe climates, healthy ecosystems and biodiversity, healthy food and non-polluted environments.

Duck Defenders On Duty Rescuing LI waterfowl in distress

Throughout the summer, clusters of fluffy white ducks in and around local ponds are almost ubiquitous. There may even be a few hybridized individuals, a cross between wild mallards and the domestic pekins. But there is a sinister side to this seemingly innocuous staple of park life: all these ducks are either abandoned themselves or are descended from abandoned pets.

While having ducks seems like it would be simple, domestic ducks are far from easy keepers. Many people who have experience with chickens think that ducks can live in the same space. However, ducks have very specific needs in order to stay happy and healthy. No one would be surprised to learn that ducks need water, but this water must be four to six inches deep so they can submerge their entire head to keep their eyes and nostrils clean. If they use a kiddie pool or tub for swimming, the water must be changed every single day. They need their own specialized food and won’t get the nutrition they need from chicken pellets. Males are aggressive during mating season and often hurt the females; if there is more than one male they will fight. Unlike chickens, ducks will frequently stay out all night if they are not rounded up at dusk and secured in their shelter. Additionally, ducks and chickens cannot be housed together, as chickens perch to sleep and ducks rest at ground level.

“There’s not as much overlap as people think. They need a pond or some type of water to swim in, they need water

that will go past their nostrils when they drink, just much different than chickens. Chickens really don’t like that much water and they don’t really want to be splashed or pooped on,” said John Di Leonardo, executive director of Humane Long Island.

Humane Long Island runs multiple campaigns to help animals, from illegal exotic pets to abandoned companion animals. Di Leonardo is the leading expert in duck rescue for the tri-state area. “We work both with wild and domestic fowl from Manhattan to Montauk. We do most of the domestic fowl rescue including chickens, pea fowl, ducks, guinea fowl, etc. but ducks are the animal most abandoned on Long Island.”

Pekin ducks, which are the majority of ducks sold to pet owners, are related to wild mallards, but because of selective breeding their bodies are unsuited to life in the wild. They have large bodies and small wings, which usually means they cannot fly well even for short distances, let alone migrate. This larger body size also means they are constantly hungry. The weight puts pressure on their feet and legs, resulting in more frequent

proper treatments using antibiotics it can develop to osteomyelitis, which is a bone infection and can eat away the bone and cripple or kill the animal,” said Di Leonardo.

People may not be aware that domestic ducks cannot survive without human intervention. There is an assumption that because wild ducks live in a particular pond or canal it will also be habitable for pet ducks. Their cumbersome body shape and bright coloring makes them susceptible to predation. Di Leonardo warns, “A lot of people impulse buy these animals and think, ‘Oh, I live on the water. I feed the wild ducks. When these guys get too big, I can just let them go. They hope for the best. And I don’t think that that’s very realistic, because a lot of these animals die very, very quickly, even if you are feeding them. They can’t fly from predators. I’ve literally rescued ducks frozen into canals on the south shore. So, these animals are just not equipped, even if they’re being fed, even if someone’s watching them. You can’t watch them all the time. They’re just not equipped for ocean life or even pond life on Long Island.”

injuries and a propensity to develop arthritis and a condition called bumblefoot.

“Because these domestics are just so large, there’s so much weight on that injury and their immune systems are so weak from all the inbreeding, this infection really takes root. Without

There is also an environmental impact from abandoned ducks. “They have weakened immune systems when they’re abandoned. They often have diseases that may be communicable to wild ducks. They also overgraze substantially because they’re not getting enough calories. they’re just eating out the root structures alongside the waterways and doing significant damage there,” said Di Leonardo.

If you see domestic or hybrid ducks in local waterways, contact Humane Long Island at John@humanelongisland.org or 516-592-3722.

Athlete Of The Month: Keira McCaffrey

jburns@antonmediagroup.com

As the 2023-2024 school year kicks off in our area, Anton Media Group is proud to honor Mineola High School’s Keira McCaffrey as our Athlete of the Month for September.

As a senior at Mineola High School, Keira has consistently established herself as an accomplished athlete, scholar, and student body member.

Keira, a varsity volleyball middle blocker, previously received both All-County volleyball and Scholar-Athlete recognition from her district. Her additional school and extracurricular activities include being vice president of the school’s student organization, secretary of the National Honor Society, a member of the National Art Honor Society and Athletes Helping Athletes, and participation in the Student Service Center and P.E. Leadership programs. Outside of school, Keira enjoys traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with her family.

Keira McCaffrey

(Photos courtesy of Mineola School District)

Opening Salvos In Budget Debate

JOSEPH SCOTCHIE

jscotchie@antonmediagroup.com

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has released his office’s proposed budget for the 2024 budget year.

The proposal amounts to $4.1 billion in spending, an increase of $180 million over last year’s budget. That increase also means that 50 new county jobs will be added under the proposed document. The new jobs, according to the budget proposal, will be police, social services, and health departments. Up to 20 new police officers would be hired under the budget. Salary increases will amount to 3.1 percent.

The budget does not contain a property tax levy increase. It also does not reduce taxes or fees. And that’s where the first skirmish has occurred.

Democratic legislators immediately criticized the budget for not containing “immediate” tax cuts.

“Despite Nassau County’s sizable surpluses, healthy fund balance and over $1 billion in reserves, County Executive Blakeman continues to break his promise to further

cut taxes beyond the relief that the previous administration delivered to residents in 2022,” Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams (D – Freeport) said.

“As we scrutinize this proposal, the Minority Caucus will continue to fight for ‘immediate’ additional tax cuts that the County Executive first pledged two years ago but has thus far failed to deliver. Nassau County taxpayers deserve relief - and they deserve it right now,” Abrahams concluded.

On Wednesday, Sept. 13, Minority Caucus Legislators held a conference at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building, demanding that a $128 million tax cut be included in the 2024 budget.

“During my tenure in the Legislature, I have had a front-row view to the harm caused by financial mismanagement and

the painstaking work it takes to recover from those mistakes,” Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) said. “These experiences have engrained in me a cautious approach to overseeing taxpayer dollars, and I strongly believe that Nassau County is in an ideal position this year to responsibly deliver a significant tax cut that will help all of our constituents.”

Blakeman responded in his own statement, “As County Executive I have provided real tax relief to our residents without resorting to the reckless fiscal policies of the past. While the Curran administration had proposed a $150 million dollar tax increase for 2024, my administration has eliminated this tax increase in spite of the fact that inflation has soared to 3.2 percent nationally.”

Commenting on the proposal, Nassau

County Budget Director Andrew Persich praised Blakeman for placing monies in reserve in the event of “unforeseen expenses for revenue shortfalls.” In addition to new hires, the budget also has a reserve fund of $900 million.

Currently, the GOP holds a 12-7 majority in the county legislature. Once a budget is approved, it then goes to the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA), a state board that controls county finances, for final approval. NIFA came into being in 2000, as an oversight authority to control the county’s then-spending crisis.

NIFA is empowered to issue its bonds and notes for various Nassau County purposes, including the restructuring of a portion of the County’s outstanding debt. In addition, the Authority has certain powers under the Act to monitor and oversee the County’s finances, including Covered Organizations, and upon the declaration of a “control period,” additional oversight authority.

In the absence of a control period, the Authority is empowered, among other things, to review financial plans submitted to it; to make recommendations or, if necessary, adverse findings thereon; to monitor compliance; to make transitional State aid available as it determines; to comment on proposed borrowings by the County and Covered Organizations; and to impose a control period upon making one of the statutory findings.

Nassau Legislature building

(Photo by Alex Nuñez)

WORD FIND

HOROSCOPES

HOROSCOPES

HOROSCOPES By Holiday Mathis

By Holiday Mathis

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

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

Beneath the surface

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Novelist Kurt Vonnegut suggested, “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” is week, you’ll be terri c in a role you once only aspired to. Even so, you’ll be thinking about what to pretend next, feeling fully empowered to grow into any direction you choose.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). “Lots of people want to be the noun without doing the verb,” says creativity guru Austin Kleon. You’re the opposite this week, working diligently without a name. Are you an artist, or a teacher? A warrior, or a peacenik who just happens to be a key player in the battle? Whatever you call it, your role makes the scene play di erently.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re invested in someone’s battle because there’s an echo of this con ict in your own life. Keep heading toward agreement. What sort of justice would you be happy to get? Note that those who thrill to the adrenaline of con ict will not be in any rush to resolution. Steer clear of the ones who ght for the sake of ghting.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). e occasional odd feeling this week will have you wondering if your experience is normal. Were you to survey a small number of people, you’d be surprised that the “normal” range is a much broader range than you would have thought. And a larger sample size would reveal there is no “normal” at all.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). To be comfortable within yourself is to provide yourself with the best kind of company. As far as your relationships with others go, there’s no reason to weather tensions. If it feels strained, back o . Take a walk, shake o the weirdness, then return to see if you can nd a di erent way to get along.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You could teach people how to do a thing, but you’re better o showing them what needs doing and seeing what they come up with. People will surprise you with their inventiveness, then collaboration ensues. Something that helps you could be adapted to help many others.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If you had to avoid those who would rather win the argument than think straight, you’d be avoiding most. When people are ghting for their side, thinking isn’t what they do best. You’ll have harmony because you avoid arguing altogether and focus solely on the shared goal. You’ll join forces with friend and foe alike to achieve a collective aim.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your aim of leaving the world a better place than it was before you got here will take over your week with projects and events that wouldn’t happen if not for your proactive e orts. Friends will help out in any way you want, so long as you ask them to and show them speci cally how.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You are healing yourself, though unconsciously. You don’t have to work at it, but you do have to stay out of the way of the process unfolding. at means no worry, longing or rumination. Distract yourself with happy things, and let the natural wisdom of your body and mind weave magic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). is week, you’ll fall in love with the mystery of an unresolved question. It bothers some not to know, but you savor the anticipation. It’s as though you saw an exciting trailer and are suspended in the excitement of wanting to see a movie that’s yet to be released.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It will feel strange to accept assistance for something you thought was just about you. But what you think is a “you” problem is actually an issue a ecting all. Your biggest challenge isn’t solving the problem; it’s learning how to ask for help and from whom. is is how you’ll do much good in the world this week.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Style matters this week. e spin you put on something will make a di erence in how it’s received. Even so, you won’t need to get too convoluted with your approach. You already have substance, so all you will need is one or two embellishments to make it sing.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS

Everyone loves what you bring to the party this year, which will never be hard for you to gure out. Your main advantage is that you actually see it as a party in the rst place. While others are seeing “workplace” or “obligation,” you’re seeing an opportunity for fun. Your social instinct and creativity will be rewarded many times over. More highlights: Signing dozens of papers before launching into a fantastic new chapter. Clearing the energy to invigorate a relationship. Hugs and kisses galore.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

Solution: 22 Letters

WORD FIND

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction but always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have completed the puzzle, there will be 22 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Beneath the surface

Solution: 22 Letters

Abyss Algae

Angelfish

Barnacle Bass

Brittle star

Channel Clam

Conch

Coral Crab Curious

Dart Deep Depth Diatoms

Diving

Eels

Gull

Kelp

Killer whale

Limpet

Lobster Magic

Mako Mask

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

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

Solution: There are so many unknowns Date: 9/26/23

CONTRACT BRIDGE — BY STEVE BECKER

CONTRACT BRIDGE

• info@creators.com

FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

By Steve Becker

The art of wishful thinking

the third club, and the question is what you should do next.

Before attempting to answer this question, you first try to analyze what you already know about South’s hand based on the clues available thus far. You know from the play that declarer started with precisely three clubs, and you know from the bidding that he has four or five hearts.

Many players find defense a disagreeable chore that is not nearly as stimulating as being the declarer. Despite this, the fact remains that defending well is more important in the long run than good declarer play, for the simple reason that you are ordinarily a defender twice as often as you are a declarer.

Assume you’re East in today’s deal and partner leads the jack of clubs against four hearts. You don’t have to be an exceptional defender to overtake the jack with the queen and continue with the K-A of clubs. West discards a low spade on

You also know, or should know, that South has the A-K of spades, the ace of hearts and the king of diamonds, plus at least another jack! How do you know this? Because South opened one notrump (at least 15 points) and has to have all of those cards to have a proper notrump opening. Does this mean that you can’t beat four hearts, since you can see that the finesse in that suit will work for declarer whenever he attempts it? You can’t really answer that question at this point because it all depends on whether your partner has the eight of hearts!

And so, hoping for the best, you lead another club at trick four! This works out beautifully when your partner, bless him, ruffs with the eight of trump, forcing declarer to overruff with dummy’s ten. As a result, you become certain to score a trump trick no matter how declarer proceeds, and the contract goes 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 Sudoku Puzzle

Answer to last issue’s Crossword Puzzle

AUTO / MOTORCYCLE

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$. All Years/ Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199. Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS. 516-297-2277

Drive Out Breast Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

EMPLOYMENT

School Security Guard – Part-time

The Floral Park-Bellerose School District has openings for part-time security guards (unarmed) to work during the school day, needed at both of our elementary schools. Responsibilities will include: visitor management screening; monitoring hallways; tour buildings & designated areas to ensure building is properly secured; prevent unauthorized persons from entering buildings; ensure safety of persons using premises. Prior law enforcement experience required. Please apply via OLAS or email Mr. Fred Mandracchia at fmandracchia@fpbsd.org.

HEALTH / WELLNESS

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS!

Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 888-514-3044

HEARING AIDS!! High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-598-5898

My Caring Plan’s local advisors have helped thousands of families with unique needs find senior living. Can you afford 2k a month in rent? We can help for free! 866-989-1812

VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574

HOME SERVICES

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636

BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price

Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313

DIRECTV Sports Pack 3 Months on Us! Watch pro and college sports LIVE. Plus over 40 regional and specialty networks included. NFL, College Football, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and more. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

Privacy Hedge! Arborvitae 6-foot Reduced to $125/each. Free Installation, Free Delivery. Fast growing, High-quality Beautiful & Bushy! Order now to reserve for early Fall delivery. LowCostTrees.com 518-536-1367

Secure your home with Vivint Smart Home technology. Call 866-601-1219 to learn how you can get a professionally installed security system with $0 activation.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status, age, marital status, sexual orientation or disability in connection with the rental, sale or nancing of real estate. Nassau also prohibits source of income discrimination. Anton Community Newspapers does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination, call Long Island Housing Services’ Discrimination Complaint Line at 800-6606920. (Long Island Housing Services is the Fair Housing Agency of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.)

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLICHEARING CALENDAR

NOTICE OF PUBLIC

MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246 , Section 24612 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on OCTOBER 4, 2023, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals:

BYORDER OFTHE

ZONINGBOARDOF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 23-427

GLEN HEAD

ROBERT CANNARSA:

(A) Variance to allow existing wood deck with steps to grade having less side yard setback, rear yard setback and exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted Ordinance.

(B) Variance to allow existing air conditioning unit having less side yard setback than permitted Ordinance. (C)

Variance to allow existing ft. high wood fence exceeding maximum height across side/ front yard (Knoll Lane) than permitted Ordinance. (D)

Variance to allow existing 3 ft. high vinyl fence exceeding maximum height within 30 ft.

of intersection than permitted Ordinance.

SE/ cor. of Townsend St.

Knoll Ln., a/k/a 21 Townsend Street, Glen Head, NY

SEC. 20

BLK. 104

LOT 15

ZONE R1-7

APPEAL NO. 23-448

GLEN HEAD

ROBERT & LORRAINE

CLANCY: Variance to erect ft. high PVC fence exceeding maximum height across side/front yard (Lincoln Avenue) than permitted Ordinance.

NE/ cor. of Lincoln Ave. Washington Ave., a/k/a 22 Lincoln Avenue, Glen Head, NY

SEC. 20

BLK. 9

LOT 101

ZONE R1-7

APPEAL NO. 23-471

GLEN HEAD

KRISTIN DERESPIRIS:

Variance to erect ft. high fence exceeding maximum height across side/front yard than permitted Ordinance.

SW/ cor. of Garfield Ave. & Coolidge Ave., a/k/a 1 Gar-

field Avenue, Glen Head, NY

SEC. 20

BLK. 3 LOT 31

ZONE R1-7

APPEAL NO. 23-452

GLEN COVE

ADAM FENIG: (A) Variance to construct rear one-story addition and allow existing front garage addition having less side yard setback and

aggregate side yards than permitted Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters. (B) Variance to construct rear one-story addition, front addition and allow existing front garage addition exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing shed having less side yard setback than permitted Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing air conditioning unit having less side yard setback than permitted Ordinance. (E) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 06-106 and granted Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated March 16, 2006.

W/s/o Lawrence Ln., 234.96 ft. N/o Frost Pond Rd., a/k/a 216 Lawrence Lane, Glen Cove, NY

SEC. 23

BLK. 35 LOT 11

ZONE R1-10

APPEAL NO. 23-435

LOCUST VALLEY

BRIAN LOEBER: (A) Variance to allow existing roof over patio with barbeque having less side/front yard setback (Walton Avenue), front yard setback (Bayville Road) and exceeding maximum height than permitted Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing 4 ft. high chain link fence, roof over patio and to install 5 ft. to ft. high evergreen landscaping exceeding maximum height within 30 ft. of intersection

than permitted Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing 8.2 ft. 8.2 ft. shed having less side/front yard setback (Walton Avenue) than permitted Ordinance. NE/ cor. of Bayville Rd. Walton Ave., a/k/a 578 Bayville Road, Locust Valley, NY SEC. 29

BLK. D

LOT 989

ZONE R1-7

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

9-27-2023-1T-#242614GCOB/RP

OYSTER BAY

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU, EMIGRANT BANK, Plaintiff, vs. ANDREW G. KENNEDY, et. al. Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly filed and recorded on April 10, 2019 and Order to Extend filed and entered on July 25, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola NY 11501 on Wednes-

day, October 4, 2023 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 28 Wayaawi Avenue, Bayville, NY 11709. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 29, Block 7, Lots 27, 28, and 52. Approximate amount of judgment is $338,610.09 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #0000713/2014.

Irene F. Parrino, Esq., Referee Hertz, Cherson Rosenthal, P.C., 118-35 Queens Boulevard, 9th Floor, Forest Hills, NY 11375 Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. #100745

9-27-20-13-6-2023-4T#242521-GCOB/OB

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of formation of JL CAR AND HEAVY TRUCK REPAIR LLC with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/24/2023. Office Location: Nassau County. SSNY des-

ignated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: Furman Place East Norwich, NY 11732. Purpose: any lawful act.

10-18-11-4; 9-27-20-132023-6T-#242606-GCOB/ OB

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

VILLAGE OF MATINE COCK

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the fiscal affairs of the Justice Court of the Incorporated Village of Matinecock have been examined

Skinnon Faber, an independent accounting firm, for the period beginning on June 1, 2022 and ending on May 31, 2023, and that the report prepared in conjunction with the external audit has been filed in my office where it is available as a public record for inspection all interested persons.

Jennifer A. Zoufaly Village Clerk/Treasurer

Dated: September 27, 2023 9-27-2023-1T-#242824GCOB/OB

LEGAL NOTICE

INCORPORATED

VILLAGE OF OLD BROOKVILLE 201 McCOUNS LANE

OLD BROOKVILLE, NEW YORK 11545 NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that a public hearing will be held and before the Planning Board of the Incorporated Village of Old Brookville on October 5, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. at the Village Hall, 201 McCouns Lane in said Village to consider the following:

Application for Site Plan Review of a Map entitled “Site Plan” prepared Northcoast Civil Land Surveying Civil Engineering, dated March 6, 2023, last revised September 27, 2023 for a new home, driveway, parking courts and pool patio.

Said property, now or formerly owned Voto and Ana Giannola and is shown on the Land Tax Map of Nassau County as Section 22, Block K, Lot 226, and is presently known as 5 Copperfield Lane. Said application is on file and open to public inspection at the Village Hall, 201 McCouns Lane, Old Brookville, New York between the hours of 9:30 A.M. and 1:30 P.M. Monday - Friday until the time of the hearing when all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard.

By Order of the Planning Board Larry Werfel Chairman

9-27-2023-1T-#242856GCOB/OB

Town Officials Proclaim September ‘Prostate Cancer Awareness Month’

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and his colleagues on the Town Board recently joined with Edward Randall and Joseph Cosgriff, both of ‘Fans for the Cure,’ to proclaim the month of September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. ‘Fans for the Cure’ is a nonprofit organization founded by Edward in 2003, after his own diagnosis of the disease, to promote prostate cancer awareness and focus on the importance of testing in achieving early detection and best outcomes.

“Early detection is vital when it comes to prostate cancer, and thanks to both Edward and Joseph thousands of men have been screened for this deadly disease

who may have otherwise not been,” said Supervisor Saladino. “We thank you for your commitment to the betterment of men’s health education and awareness, and for the countless lives you continue to positively impact in the fight to end cancer.”

Since the start of the charity’s annual Baseball Road Trip in 2007, ‘Fans for the Cure’ has taken part in over 1,200 prostate cancer awareness days and nights at MLB and Minor League ballparks, as well as football stadiums and hockey arenas throughout the country. For more information about this organization, please visit www.fansforthecure.org.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

Town Leaders Demand State Commission Reject Liberty Water’s 40% Rate Hike

State public service commission to consider massive water rate hike request from Liberty utilities

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Steve Labriola and members of the Town Board demanded that the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) reject a proposed rate hike of upwards of 40 percent requested by Liberty Utilities – the company that recently took ownership of New York American Water. The Commission accepted public feedback at a hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 13. Town officials expressed serious concern when the PSC approved the sale of American Water to Liberty Utilities in December 2021, fearing

that it would perpetuate the inequity caused by private, for-profit water supply.

Supervisor Saladino stated, “We are outraged and vehemently oppose any rate hike for Liberty Utilities as homeowners have been overburdened, overcharged and pay astronomically-higher water rates than neighboring municipal water districts. We demand that the PSC flat out reject any rate hike for Liberty Utilities as they have gone unchecked for too long.”

Councilman Labriola added, “The service provided by Liberty Utilities is no different

than that provided by local water districts, and side by side comparisons clearly demonstrate a great cost disparity upon residents serviced by Liberty, who often pay as much as four times the amount for their water as compared to adjacent water rate payers. It’s clear that this private company is using ratepayers to deliver profits to its shareholders. This unfair, unjust and inequitable treatment has to stop, and we urge the PSC to reject their rate hike request.”

Supervisor Saladino concluded, “Safe, clean and affordable drinking water should

not be a luxury. It should be a dependable resource within the reach of all when you live in the most modern and advanced nation in the world. We urge the Public Service Commission to immediately deny any and reject all rate hikes requested by Liberty Utilities.”

The Town Board formally submitted their letter of opposition to the Public Service Commission. Town officials also delivered remarks before the Commission at its hearing on Wednesday.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

Receiver Pravato: 2023 General Tax Collection Is Closed

Town of Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes

Jeffrey P. Pravato wishes to notify town residents that the 2023 General Tax Collection Warrant has been closed, and all related records have been turned over to the Nassau County Treasurer.

The original warrant specified that $590,878,211.73 was to be collected to support Nassau County, Town of Oyster Bay, and special tax districts. Assessment reductions and tax cancellations amounted to $544,450.51 (0.1%). Nassau County’s portion was $254,667,368.54 (43%). The Town of Oyster Bay’s portion was $114,021,966.45

(19%), and the special tax district’s portion was $211,605,218.73 (36%).

A list of unpaid properties was reported to the County Treasurer, amounting to $10,039,207.50 (1.7%).

Receiver Pravato stated, “Property owners with delinquent taxes will be contacted by the Nassau County Treasurer. The Treasurer’s office can be contacted at 1 West Street, Mineola, (516) 571-2090. Home owners with unpaid taxes will be receiving letters specifying taxes owed along with applicable penalties and late payment fees.”

Receiver Pravato added, “The 2023-2024

School Tax collection will begin October 1st, and the final day to pay the first half tax without penalty is November 10th. Residents can expect to receive a tax bill in the mail the first week in October. Tax amounts

due will not be available until October 1st.”

Residents with any questions may contact the Receiver’s Office at 516-624-6400 or email receiveroftaxes@oysterbay-ny.gov.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

Town of Oyster Bay officials joined with Edward Randall and Joseph Cosgriff, both of ‘Fans for the Cure,’ to proclaim the month of September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

(Photo courtesy the Town of Oyster Bay)

For more information, contact 516-465-4774 or email htract@tscli.org. HONORING

Thursday, October 26, 2023

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Leonard's Palazzo

Great Neck, NY

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder

You're invited to celebrate our accomplishments as we continue to provide hope and a better future for survivors of abuse. Please scan code to purchase tickets or sponsorship.

Town Awards $50,000 In Grant Funding To Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber Of Commerce

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and members of the Town Board – including Councilman Steve Labriola, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca and Receiver Jeff Pravato – recently joined with members of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich (OBEN) Chamber of Commerce and the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce to present a $50,000 grant check to the OBEN chamber. The funds are part of a $600,000 grant program being administered by the Town to help support local chambers of commerce and business associations that were negatively impacted by the COVID pandemic. The funding, which is being distributed to up to 12 chambers of commerce and business associations through the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, is being provided through the American Rescue Plan Act and at no cost to Town taxpayers.

“We recognize the crucial role that local Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations play in supporting small businesses, fostering commerce and establishing connections with potential customers. Unfortunately, so many of these organizations were significantly impacted by the

COVID pandemic, leading to financial hardships,” said Supervisor Saladino. “As part of the Town’s commitment to support-

ing our local communities and aiding in the economic recovery of our Town, we are pleased to offer this grant opportunity.”

Grant funding will be administered by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce to chambers and business associations in the Town of Oyster Bay. Entities are eligible to receive up to $50,000, which can be used for a variety of purposes, including operations and maintenance expenses and community investments. Additionally, individual businesses and non-profits who have not yet applied for the Town’s $5,000 ‘Oyster Bay Forward’ grant program can still receive funding. The program is available to businesses that employ up to 50 full-time equivalent W-2 employees as well as sole proprietors. Additional eligibility criteria and application information can be found at TOBforward.com.

“Local businesses are the heart of our communities, and we want them to thrive as they keep local dollars in the economy, provide local jobs, build a strong tax base and invest in the local community,” said Councilwoman Walsh. “We stand by our small businesses, and we thank all of our Chambers of Commerce for their assistance in helping local businesses through the good times and the bad.”

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

The Town Board joined with members of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich (OBEN) Chamber of Commerce and the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce to present a $50,000 grant check to the OBEN chamber. (Photo courtesy the Town of Oyster Bay)

Glen Cove Recognizes Its Seniors

After a three-year hiatus, a beloved event is returning to Glen Cove this month.

The 14th annual Senior Recognition Day will be held on Sept. 30 in front of the Glen Cove Senior Center, an event that brings the senior community together for a day of food and entertainment while also honoring those who advocate for this demographic.

Members of the Senior Center and their friends and families are invited to the celebration for refreshments, music and games from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a DJ and photo booth and lunch catered by The View Grill.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration was put on pause for several

years. Now that it’s back, the Senior Recognition Day Committee has been hard at work organizing the event—a task that includes securing sponsors and vendors and identifying the honorees—ensuring that it will be an enjoyable and memorable day for all.

Every year, the committee selects several notable people to honor for their various commitment and dedication. This year’s honorees include Susan Rassekh, Mary Stanco, Jean Marie Stalzer, Liz Luciano, and the Nonnas of St. Rocco’s.

The celebration is one that members look forward to, since it’s a chance to gather outside while mingling with friends and listening to music. Christine Rice, executive

director of the Senior Center, is looking forward to the first Senior Day since she took over at the center in late 2019.

“Being able to honor and celebrate our seniors in the community by gathering together with love and laughter on this special day, is a perfect way to show them all that they are cherished members of our community,” Rice said. “Their contributions to their families, friends and the community over the years is to be acknowledged, especially those of our centenarians. In addition, all of our honorees are so deserving of this celebration. They have all gone above and beyond to share their time, expertise and compassion in helping the City and the Center, in one way or another,

to provide much needed services to our beloved seniors. Thank you all!”

Committee members are: Christine Rice and Anita Cocchiola of the Glen Cove Senior Center; Stella Shank of The Regency Assisted Living; Susan Rassekh of Glen Cove Hospital Northwell Health; Kathleen Santucci of Emerge Nursing and Rehabilitation; Carolynn Eipel of Care First; Mary Suddell of Glen Cove Nursing and Rehabilitation; Toni Kessel from Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton’s office; Mary Stanco of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services; and Jill Nossa from the Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District.

—Submitted by the Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District

Town Honors High School Student William Bodian Of Oyster Bay For Charitable Efforts

Supervisor Joseph Saladino and members of the Town Board recently honored Portledge Academy Junior William Bodian of Oyster Bay for his charitable efforts.

William launched a “Health Kit” initiative that assembles and distributes hundreds of free health kits to organizations such as Morning Star, People’s Pantry in Oyster Bay, Momma’s House and Hearts and Homes for Refugees a volunteer-driven non-profit organization that works to resettle Ukrainian refugee families in our communities. William also volunteers with Friends of the Bay,

where he is a member of their Water Monitoring Study program and is a volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club in Oyster Bay.

Supervisor Saladino and the Town Board presented William with an official Town citation to recognize his dedication to making a positive difference in our community.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

Town of Oyster Bay officials recently honored Portledge Academy Junior William Bodian of Oyster Bay for his charitable efforts.

(Photo courtesy the Town of Oyster Bay)

Glen Cove City School District Welcomes Anthony Allison As The New District Coordinator Of Mathematics

The Glen Cove City School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Allison as the new district coordinator for mathematics. With a strong background in education and a passion for mathematics, Allison brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. Having spent over 14 years in the classroom as a math educator and an additional 12 years as an assistant principal, Allison has developed a deep understanding of the educational landscape. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marist College, a master’s degree in adolescent education-mathematics from St. John’s University, and an administrative licensing from the College

of Saint Rose.

Allison’s primary goal is to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in college and their future careers. He believes in providing students with engaging and relevant learning experiences that go beyond the basics. By fostering problem-solving skills and encouraging collaborative exploration, Allison aims to empower students to become active and productive contributors to our community and the world. Allison’s appointment signifies the district’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and well-rounded education that prepares students for success in an increasingly competitive and dynamic world.

Glen Cove City School District Introduces New Dean Of Students For Glen Cove High School

The Glen Cove City School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Johnson as the new Dean of Students for Glen Cove High School.

Having been a valued member of the Glen Cove High School community since 2015, Johnson brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He initially joined as a Social Studies teacher, specializing in Global History for grades 9 and 10. Additionally, he dedicated his time to coaching boys and girls junior varsity lacrosse. As the Dean of Students, Johnson will collaborate closely with the administrative staff to address attendance matters within the high school. Johnson’s educational background

includes a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in education from SUNY Albany. He further pursued his academic journey at Molloy College, earning a master’s degree in secondary education, focusing on social studies and special education.

Beyond his educational endeavors, Johnson has proudly served in the United States Navy Reserves since 2009, undertaking two overseas deployments. He currently holds the position of a commissioned Security Officer, specializing in antiterrorism and force protection.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Maria L. Rianna expressed her enthusiasm for Scott Johnson’s appointment, stating, “We

are thrilled to welcome Mr. Johnson as the new Dean of Students for Glen Cove High School. His dedication to our students and extensive background in education and leadership make him the ideal candidate for this role. We are confident that he will contribute significantly to maintaining a positive and supportive school environment.”

For additional information about the Glen Cove City School District, please visit their official website at www.glencoveschools.org and follow their Facebook page @glencovecityschools.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maria L. Rianna expressed her utmost confidence in Allison, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Anthony Allison to our school district. His extensive experience, dedication to student success, and passion for mathematics make him an ideal fit for this important role. I have no doubt that his leadership will greatly benefit our students and enhance mathematics education throughout the district.”

For more information about the Glen Cove City School District, visit www.glencoveschools.org and follow their Facebook page @glencovecityschools

—Submitted by the City of Glen Cove School District

Oyster Bay-East Norwich Appoints New Middle/High School Principal

The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District is excited to welcome Melissa Argaman as Oyster Bay High School’s new principal, effective Sept. 7. She replaces principal Sharon Lasher who retired.

Argaman joined the district in 2021 as the high school’s supervisor of guidance and stepped into the role as Oyster Bay High School’s acting principal during the second semester of the 2022-2023 school year. During her time at the high school, she has demonstrated her strong leadership skills and her ability to successfully connect with all students. As director of guidance, Argaman was instrumental in increasing the graduation rate by more than seven percentage points in two years and created an alternative school for

students in danger of failing. In addition, she supervised counselors at the middle and high school, served as the school’s National Honor Society adviser and was a Services for Students with Disabilities Coordinator for

College Board.

Prior to joining the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District, Argaman served as a school counselor at New Hyde Park Memorial High School from 20022021. She was also a school counselor at the Queens Outreach Alternative Academy and began her career as a rehabilitation associ-

ate at Federation Employment & Guidance Service (FEGS).

Argaman received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Oswego, her master’s degree in counseling and guidance (K-12) from New York University and her professional diploma in school district leadership from Stony Brook University.

“I am thrilled to be given the honor of being named principal of Oyster Bay Middle/High School,” Argaman said. “With two teenage boys of my own and over 20 years of experience working with students in grades 7-12, helping to support and encourage young adults is my passion. I am excited to use my experience to build upon the successes of Oyster Bay High School while also helping us to reach new levels. By working collaboratively with teachers, students, and families, I am confident that we can provide a first-rate educational experience for all our students.”

—Submitted by the Glen Cove City School District

Scott Johnson (Photo courtesy the Glen Cove City School District)

Anthony Allison (Photo courtesy the Glen Cove City School District)

—Submitted by the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District

Melissa Argaman was appointed as principal of Oyster Bay High School.

(Photos courtesy the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District)

Oyster Bay High School’s new principal, Melissa Argaman (middle) greeted students on the first day of the 2023-2024 school year.

SEA CLIFF CHARM | Rare opportunity to own this iconic Victorian home in the coveted Bay area. Enjoy endless sunset and water views. Beautifully landscaped at yard with brick patio. Open concept rst oor living room, dining room, French doors to deck, eat-in-kitchen and powder room. Upstairs features three bedrooms, porches galore, full nished walk-out basement with replace, full bathroom, o ce, utilities. This marvelous home includes updated electric and a whole-house generator. | Web# 3504620