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Bellmore • Merrick VOLUME 2, NUMBER 7

IN PRINT & ONLINE

APRIL 2015

LONG ISLAND TRADING POST'S ELDER CARE PRESENCE

AREE STUDENTS AR S TUD ST UDEN E TSS OPTING EN O PT PTIN INGG OU IN OUTT OF TTESTS? ESTS ES TS??

Merrick Kids Fest Comes To Town Crafts, rides, food, fun and games are all part of the Spring festival this weekend!

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APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7

Pepe’s Pizzeria: What’s In a Name?

our NewsMag has learned that Pepe’s Pizzeria and Restaurant at 1906 Newbridge Road in Bellmore held a contest among residents in the neighborhood to name the new restaurant, with the winner getting one free pizza pie each week for a year.

Of the roughly 500 contestants who entered the “Name that Restaurant” contest, one Mepham High School student and his two friends came up with the name Pepe’s, along with a Bellmore resident, and both will receive free weekly pizza pies for a year.

Known for decades as Luigi’s Pizzeria at the corner of Camp Avenue, which brought students from Mepham and Grand Avenue for lunch, dinner and snacks, new owner Greg Morgan purchased Luigi’s along with his father-in-law when Luigi decided against the cost of renovating the entire building façade. Morgan has experience in restaurants and retail.

Owners Greg and Mary Morgan James Stigi, a 1966 Mepham High School graduate, recalled Luigi’s as the “place to come and eat pizza.” It was a good spot, he told Your NewsMag after stopping in for a chicken parmesan hero. “The food was decent,” and you could “bring your family here to eat.”

“After we bought it I didn’t know what to name it,” he said. But it was time to change it, that much he knew.

He did open it as Luigi’s after purchasing the property, but hired Deli Design of Farmingdale to redesign the interior to modernize and update the design.

Morgan told this magazine that he

wanted to bring back the old-style pizza restaurant. “This had to be a community style pizza shop that reflects what goes on in the community,” he said. He wants to hold fundraisers, hold pizza parties and donate to charitable causes around the communities, he added.

The renovated pizza shop features new granite tables, chairs to sit at least two-to-four per table, four new cloth-lined booths and a counter with six stools along the big open window overlooking Camp Avenue. The walls are adorned with new tiles.

Because Morgan has extensive promotional and advertising experience, he wondered how to get the community interested and involved in the new pizza shop. “We decided to put flyers in the win-

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dow and place postcards on the counter for anyone to fill out a new name they would like to call the pizza store,” said Morgan.

“Students would come around asking all kinds of questions, about family names, where we live and so on,” Morgan remembered. And then, he said, Matt Lambert, an 11th grader from Mepham came up with the same name as Bill Manning of Bellmore did, and the name stuck: Pepe’s Pizzeria and Restaurant.

Open now roughly one-anda-half months, Pepe’s offers tantalizing Italian dishes for lunch or dinner, and a host of specialty pizza pies. Chef Luigi Bon Jovi remarks that Shrimp Luciano is a favorite among customers already. So are dishes with vodka sauce, and the chicken parmesan.

Hanging around the pizza shop, ninth-grade Mepham

student Jack Melian told Your NewsMag he likes both the Buffalo chicken and bacon chicken ranch specialty pizzas; his 10th-grade brother Alex said he likes the food, overall, and likes that it’s inexpensive.

Ninth-grader Jacob King says he likes the new seating. “It’s better, more comfortable and goes with the new granite tabletops.”

Meanwhile, eighth-grade Grand Avenue Middle School wrestler Alex Cummings likes Pepe’s new wood flooring, GAMS eighth-grader Eric Collins likes the pizza, and GAMS eighth-grader Matt Bauer likes the overall design of the new shop better. “The other place didn’t look as good as this,” he concluded.

When you’re in the mood for pizza or top-shelf Italian food, stop into Pepe’s Pizzeria and Restaurant and find out where the name Pepe’s comes from. It may surprise you.

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Merrick Chamber Spring Kids Fest is here!

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he Merrick Chamber of Commerce welcomes all to its 15th Annual Kids Fest, which will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26. The event is held in the west parking lot of the Merrick LIRR station.

Both days will start at 11 a.m. but the parking lot will close to traffic Thursday evening, April 23.

The carnival midway will

open Friday, April 24, at 6 p.m. and will operate during the Kids Fest and continue into the nighttime.

This event funds the Merrick chamber’s scholarship program, which gives six awards annually to two graduating seniors from each of the three Bellmore-Merrick high schools: Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham. It is one of

the largest such programs in the state operated by a chamber of commerce group. The award recipients are chosen by each of the high schools and acknowledges the student(s), who would never expect to receive a scholarship or honor in this way.

The goal of the chamber is to continually support Merrick by promoting “Shop Local” for local merchants.

Throughout the year, the chamber hosts numerous events for the community, such as the Halloween Parade, Menorah and Tree lighting, monthly networking meetings and, during the holiday season, provides festive lighting along Merrick Avenue.

This year’s Kids Fest will feature booths from chamber members, local businesses and artisan crafters from the region. This fair has become a must-stop for the professional craft circuit - you are sure to find a unique item for yourself or a gift.

There will be entertainment and magic, and it’s a great time to embrace Spring after the recent winter. Be sure to stop by the chamber booth to get a goodie bag of items from members (while supplies last) and find out more about what the chamber does for the community.

For complete information about the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, call, 771-1171 or visit www.merrickchamber.org.

Local SPLASH Opens Season with College Study Tour

T

he Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh chapter of SPLASH (Stop Polluting Littering And Save Harbors) opened its season recently by taking Adelphi graduate students of Dr. Christensen’s environmental studies class into the bays and channels to study sediment deposits and their effects upon the South Shore Estuary.

Rob Weltner, president of SPLASH, told the class as it assembled along a stretch of beach and dug into the sand to reveal several colored layers of sediment, that “We need irrefutable information from your university studies and science to bring to policy makers that can help change policy for the benefit of the bays.”

Gary Smith, president of the Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh chapter, told Your NewsMag that SPLASH has evolved beyond simply cleaning out the bays of debris, to focusing squarely on educating residents about the bays, how they came to be and their composition, and how to take care of them.

Captain Don Harris, educational coordinator for SPLASH, told those assembled that SPLASH in fact was the de-facto steward of the West, Middle and East Bays, and South Oyster Bay (collectively known as the Western Bays) in which their stewardship covers and includes education, the economy, the animal life and the vegetation. “We have over 3000 members interested in this work,” he maintained.

With 14 students in two Carolina Skiffs, the excursion passed by several islands, nesting grounds to a host of bird species. Dr. Christensen pointed to the sediments as shaping the meandering contours of the shores of the islands, and discussed how the islands had likely been built: as grassy marshes that collected sediment floating in on tidal waves, creating sediment buildup.

She noted that the islands are always in a state of dynamic motion, always changing from the tidal current, and that within a generation or two the islands

could be a different shape than they are presently.

Sifting through quartz sand crystals picked up from the beach, she noted red garnet that was depositing on the shoreline. She called it unusual, in that garnet is usually found much farther east, in Suffolk waters.

Such a find, she said, was attributable to the power of superstorm Sandy in redistributing sediment along the entire East Coast.

Calling the inlets, such as the Jones Beach Inlet, flood tidal deltas, she maintained the tidal currents of the flood deltas are also constantly redistributing sediment around the bays – hence the buildups and contouring.

Weltner, however, offered a more immediate reason he believed the islands – at least in the Middle Bay may be changing: effluent from the West Bay has been seeping east into the Middle Bay, eating at and eroding the roots of the grasses along their shorelines, and weakening their hold on the sediment. Tidal waves - or wave energy – he in-

ferred, were hastening the erosion process, to change the contours.

The skiffs then cut through slightly choppy waters, which buffeted the boats at times, to arrive at a narrow channel. Students dropped tools down into the water at the shore of an island and brought up soil samples. The skiff then drifted further into the channel and into stronger currents, where the students again dropped tools to retrieve more sediment samples.

Dr. Christensen said the sediment sample of mud at the shoreline would prove that low wave energy slows sediment composition, but the sediment at the currents would prove high wave activity was at work changing the composition, and shifting the bottom of the bays.

After the study tour, one student was impressed with the work SPLASH has done in focusing on sewage spills within the bays and correcting them, most notably at the Bay Park sewage treatment facility.

Still another student signed up as a SPLASH volunteer. But all students helped remove debris from water and pick up debris from the islands they were researching.

Gary Smith, president of the Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh chapter of SPLASH, invites students in environmental and marine studies to join the chapter to study the bays, while helping remove debris within an environmental setting.

The chapter also seeks seniors and other residents interested in a healthy outing in the mornings to view the beauty of the bays and the animal life and help remove the unsightly debris that blemishes the beauty of the environment.

Call Smith at 785-4234 to help clean the bays – and keep them beautiful. − Douglas Finlay

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Your NewsMag

APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7

At Long Last,

☞ TABLE OF CONTENTS

Spring Has Arrived!

PAGES 2 – 8: NEWS Pepe’s Pizza: What’s in a name?; SPLASH opens new season with college study tour; Bellmore Friday Night Car Show opens May 1; Merrick Kids Fest open for fun and games; opt your children out of testing.

PAGE 10: FEATURE Long IslandTrading Post focuses on community family care A new organization is bringing goodwill to the community, with offerings from elder care to inexpensive items for purchase

PAGE 12: COLLEGE PREP The key to acing the college SATs Taking university SATs to get into college can be taken several times, to help make practice perfect.

PAGE 14: SCHOOL BUDGETS State aid is providing “mixed results” for new school budgets Even with the most state aid released to local schools in four years, administrators are realistic about what it can accomplish

PAGE 17: HEALTH MATTERS County ranks among the healthiest in the state A new finding says Nassau County ranks as one of the top in the state for its healthy factors

PAGE 19: HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION The Bellmore Historical Association seeks historical materials The new historical association, taking over from the old historical society, gets an excellent inaugural turnout, and calls for historical materials of all kinds

PAGES 21,22 AND 23: ENTERTAINMENT “Two Funny Mothers” Look to Loosen up in Bellmore; County’s film industry is growing jobs, adding to local economies; what wine exactly are you drinking?

WHO’S WHO AT YOUR NEWSMAG Advertising and Publishing Jill Bromberg

Editing Doug Finlay

I

t’s time to get out of the house and enjoy some outdoor fun! The Merrick Kids Fest is this weekend. Look for the $5 ride coupon inside.

It should be a fun day of rides, crafts, games and magic for the entire family. It is a perfect opportunity to see some friends and neighbors that have been hibernating over this cold and long winter. If you need more ride tickets you can visit www.yournewsmag.com and print out as many as you like.

Many local businesses will be there on display. If you stroll the area, you are sure to find a booth from a business that you have always been meaning to stop into, and perhaps even pick up a Mother’s Day gift or a special treat for yourself. And, while there, make sure you stop by Merrick Bicycles and congratulate them on their newly expanded store.

My husband Marc has always been into bike riding.

As a kid he rode his bike everywhere he went. He always tells stories of how he made a point to visit one of his favorite stops, Robinhood, on Sunrise Highway.

A few weeks ago, while driving down Wantagh Avenue, I noticed the Robinhood sign. I wondered, could this be the same Robinhood my husband always mentions from his childhood memories? I had to go in and see for myself. So what did find? It IS the same store, but at a different location! Now I know why his memories of the store are so fond.

Taking a trip down memory lane is always fun. The first Bellmore Friday Nite Car show of the season begins on May 1. Don’t forget to save the date. The first night kicks off with some live music and always has a great showing of cars. If you like memorabilia, or have some elements from Bellmore’s rich past, perhaps you would like to share them with the newly es-

tablished Bellmore Historical Association, so all can enjoy. The first association meeting was very well attended. If you weren’t able to make it and are interested, Your NewsMag was there to report on the meeting’s success.

Have you seen or wondered what The Trading Post on Newbridge Road is all about? Your NewsMag sent a reporter to investigate. And what she found were three young men running the store with hearts of gold and a path paved with good intentions toward community care. Find out what we learned, inside.

Many local artists have sent in photos of paintings after reading a feature article in the February issue about local artists in our community. Keep the artwork coming. This month the beautiful painting below was done by Linda Gerome. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

Your NewsMag is delivered to every home in the Merricks and Bellmores free of charge because you live here and are members of the community. Advertising support pays for Your NewsMag, so please support participating businesses by shopping locally. If you know of something that is newsworthy please let us know. If your business is is having an anniversary or someone in your family is celebrating a special occasion, we want to know. After all, your news is our news.

Please join us on facebook and visit www.YourNewsMag.com for updates throughout the month. I hope you enjoy the April issue of Your NewsMag. JILL BROMBERG PUBLISHER

Jill@YourNewsMag.com

Reporting

Online Erin Donohue

Linda Prussen Sharon G. Jonas Doug Finlay

Contact us with story ideas and news at: Edit@yournewsmag.com info@yournewsmag.com

Bellmore • Merrick

To advertise, Jill@yournewsmag.com

Phone: 516-633-8590 P.O. Box 15, Bellmore, New York 11710

Bellmore • Merrick

Painting by Linda Gerome

NEWS

№7 VOL.2 | APRIL 2015

In & Around …

MERRICK BICYCLES, 1829 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, has expanded its shop from under 1000 square feet to over 2400 square feet to provide expanded offerings in a number of items, including 35 new bikes, new skateboards, more clothing, new performance watches, more car racks, a more complete selection of children’s bikes and an expanded service area. Co-owner Mike Hammer said a brisk business combined with a corner storefront next to the existing shop becoming vacant gave Merrick Bicycles a perfect business opportunity to expand.

Sunday Family bike rides around Merrick Woods and other residential streets draws up to 35 riders weekly, which is capped off with breakfast back at the shop. Weekly performance bike rides down to Tobay Beach and the North Shore on Saturdays and Sundays are also available, free of charge … MS. NEW YORK SENIOR AMERICA Jane Rubinstein of Merrick is preparing to crown the next Ms. New York Senior America when her year-long reign comes to an end on Sunday, May 3, at Hofstra University, at 2:30 p.m. Ms. New York Senior America celebrates the vitality, accomplishments and contributions of women over the age of 60. Jane considers her experience to be an extraordinary honor, and she will con-

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tinue her work in the organization. Come out and support senior women …The final two community support groups of THE CHILDREN’S SANGHA will be held on Friday, April 24 (11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m), and, Friday, May 15, same time, at The Garden at St. Marks, 1692 Bellmore Avenue, Bellmore – now called St. Francis Episcopal. The group will also participate in Long Island Food Conference (April 25), Parent University (April 30), Rogation Day Garden Festival (May 2), The Basics of Astrology Workshop (May 17), and Family Wellness Day (June 14).Visit www.thechildrenssangha. com/category/programs/ for information …

THE ROGATION DAY GARDEN FESTIVAL will be held at the new St. Francis Episcopal Church in Bellmore on Saturday, May 2, beginning at 9 a.m. The festival will celebrate the soil and the spirit with educational workshops, crafts, seed planting, maypole dancing, soil testing, compost tea sharing, heavenly singing and a host more surprises! With ongoing activities throughout the day, the finale of the event will feature a community potluck dinner at 5 p.m. For information, call the church, formerly known at St. Mark the Evangelist Church, a 7313902… WANTAGH HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1985 will be hold its 30th Reunion on Saturday, July 18, at Carlyle at the Palace in Plainview , from 7-11 p.m. For complete information and tickets email to WHS1985@optonline.net

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NEWS

Your NewsMag

APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7

Bellmore Friday Nite Car Show Opens May 1

T

he popular Friday Nite Car Show sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores will open once again on Friday, May 1, to provide five months of Friday night fun in Bellmore!

Come down to the Long Island Rail Road parking lot on Sunrise Highway, between Bellmore Avenue and Bedford Avenue, beginning at 6 p.m. every Friday night and stay until 10 p.m. to see a world of over 300 cars displayed, including antique cars, muscle cars, hot rods, ‘60s coupes, ‘50s pickup trucks and a host of other oneof-a-kind customized vehicles you won’t see anywhere else.

Flip the hood to see the power plant underneath! Or check out the high-fashion interiors fit for a queen! Witness the dazzling color schemes and paint jobs!

While you’re in town to walk through the car show, consider a visit to one of many restaurants in the area and along Bedford Avenue to satisfy your snack or dinner urge. Come early to stroll through the downtown Bellmore Village and check out your favorite store.

HAVE A A AT

Opening night will also feature live music on a showmobile platform. Come join as the summer fun starts early!

Free to all who wish to admire the cars. $3 to get in – if you want to park your wheels with the big boys!

For information call the chamber office at 679-1875.

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Your NewsMag

№7 VOL.2 | APRIL 2015

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NEWS

Your NewsMag

APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7

LI Opt Out: Opt Your Children Out of Testing

C

alling it a “movement of conscience,” Jannette Deutermann, founder and administrator of the Facebook Long Island Opt-Out group movement, urged up to 150 parents at a Brookside School meeting recently to opt their children out of taking the third-through-eighth-grade NYS standardized tests the last two weeks that determine teachers’ effectiveness in the classroom in teaching students.

Deutermann’s announcement was as much an air of resignation after it was learned the New York State Legislature had passed a budget that includes forming a state education department committee to study the feasibility of teachers becoming 50% accountable for student grades – rather than the current 20%.

“The governor called for 50% [assessment accountability] in this budget” and didn’t quite get it this time, she told the attentive audience of parents and teachers. But, she suggested, it is only a matter of time

before the governor gets his request.

Several speakers joined with Deutermann, also co-founder of the New York State Allies for Public Education, to express their belief that more testing, as is now required for the Common Core Curriculum, is hurting students rather than helping them – while it also hurts teachers.

The prevailing thought is that students are being made to study for the state test, rather than study in a controlled – if not nuanced – environment now set by teacher plans and tests.

Marla Kilfoyle, a teacher for 28 years, whose son goes to North Bellmore schools, said she is “here for my son.” Adopted at 18 months from a Russian orphanage, she told of his developmental delays because of his early orphanage experiences.

“He was doing very well developmentally up until the third grade,” she continued. After the testing began, she said, his development slowed. “I looked at the

Common Core curriculum modules and found them really bad.”

Emily Schreiber, a former teacher of gifted children who is on the Board of Trustees of the Bellmore Memorial Library, emailed Your NewsMag concerning the Paint Merrick Road Red rally recently, saying that all the testing and prepping for tests is making it “impossible to present a well-rounded curriculum.”

The new 2015-16 New York State budget, however, calls for less preparation for and testing of students, adding that the sole intent of linking student testing with teacher evaluations is to weed out those teachers who may be detrimental to students’ development.

Many of the budget outlines regarding testing of teachers – and the curriculum modules - are developed from the state Board of Regents and can be found at www.engageny.org.

Steve Sigmund, executive director of High Achievement New York, a

Jannette Deutermann group advocating for standards across New York State as a means to increase student development, said in an email to Your NewsMag, “The tests that students across the state will take this month evaluate critical thinking and reasoning skills that students need to succeed and be career and college ready.

“These assessments are critical for evaluating how each student is faring compared to others in that child’s school, county and around New York. Under the old, failed system, too many students were falling through the cracks. These tests allow us to … get children the help they need before it is too late.”

But Carol Burris, principal of South Side High School in Rockville Centre and 2013 Principal of the Year, provided anecdotes of

similar experiences around the county – and the country – that have turned out badly.

“In Tennessee,” she noted that the state started out at 50% teacher accountability rate on assessments that has now backtracked once again to 20%. She also used the example of a teacher on Long Island who was deemed “ineffective” within the school district – by the assessments – after years of creative curriculum planning. “Bad incentives have come to create bad consequences,” she said.

WHAT HAPPENS WITHOUT TESTING?

YourNewsMagaskedDr.Dominic Palma,superintendentoftheMerrick SchoolDistrict,whathappenstostudentswhooptoutofthetesting.“The modulesthatformthecurriculumare notnecessaryaslongasaschooldistrict hasaplantoteachtotheCommon Corestandard,”heexplained.

He said that if there are parents who opt their children out of the state assessment testing, the schools can measure the students’ progress with other methods the schools have in place.

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FEATURE Long Island Trading Post Focuses on Community Family Care Your NewsMag

By Sharon G. Jonas

W

hen Mark Trucios’ 84-yearold father fell in 2013, it was a turning point.

Not only did it initiate a quick decline in his father’s mental and physical health necessitating around-the-clock care, but it required making decisions impacting the quality of life of everyone in the family. Unexpectedly, the Trucios family was faced with finding the best types of care and support available for a loved one while preventing financial hardship.

Navigating the stressful and complex system of elder care is an increasingly common challenge. For Trucios, having a law degree afforded him an edge in managing the process, but the experience woke in him a concern for others.

“I knew there had to be a lot of people out there struggling to know their options and make financially sound decisions on behalf of a loved one. A growing number of individuals and families are overwhelmed, confused and worried about these issues,” he said. So Trucios turned to his two lifelong buddies - Bobby Newman and Tommy Tuzzolo – to figure out how they could possibly help those in need.

The three friends, who formed a bond in kindergarten and graduated together from Wantagh High School in 1990, remain a tight-knit trio. Together they have launched an ambitious “pay it forward” style, notfor-profit organization called LiFEC, or Long Island Family and Elder Care. They house the organization in a storefront at 2034 Newbridge Road, Bellmore, under the name of Long Island Trading Post.

Hoping to help others with similar issues, one of LiFEC’s (pronounced Life-Ec) goals is to help elderly, disabled and handicapped persons who cannot care for themselves to remain in their homes or to assist them in finding a new place to call home. “There’s such a de-

APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7

mand and people need to be educated about their choices,” says Trucios.

While some may qualify for government assistance, those with higher assets and incomes can often receive various types of aid with strategic planning.

LiFEC has assembled a team of attorneys and support staff to meet with individuals and families to assist in outlining a custom plan that can address these groups' specific needs.

“Our services are not free, but I can confidently say they are substantially less than most elder care lawyers,” says Trucios, who does most of the intake work by meeting people in their homes.

“Our biggest issue is having people believe us. Usually, when something is too good to be true, it’s because it isn’t. But in our case, it’s real. “ Trucios’ workload includes visiting with the elderly to help them fill out a 14-page form that helps determine where they can receive aid from, and helping them find more affordable homes in which to downsize. In the case of moves for downsizing purposes, home furnishings and clothing, for example, are donated to the Long Island Trading Post.

“We want to create funds where people can make donations toward them and know that 100% of the money will support that cause of their choosing, with legal help and strategic life planning being one such fund. Our idea is to have separate funds for our different goals, which will allow people to select where their money goes,” said Trucios.

Newman said separate funds can be created for low-income persons who require monetary assistance, for example, or per-

Bob Newman, left, and Tom Tuzzolo, storekeepers. sons with specific requirements, such as foods," continued Trucios. The funds created continually change according to peoples’ needs, said Newman, and the amount raised is only the amount needed to fulfill that purpose, at that time.

More substantial funding categories include a general fund to cover costs of the store and operations, and a fund for legal support.

As the organization grows, it hopes to purchase a home and create a housing fund for those needing a place to live. “For now, we are working out of our own pockets. We are in our infancy, but imagine great things,” says Newman.

“We want to make the community better, to try to help people be kinder and raise awareness of need,” Newman continued.

Energetic and dedicated to the mission, Newman also says, “It’s our organization’s belief that most people want to stay at home rather than move into a facility, or if they must move, to select the best home away from home. What we needed was to find a way to financially support our ideas.”

Opening the Long Island Trading Post, a storefront location on Newbridge Road (the former location of Noah’s Ark Bagels) in early January, they began collecting assorted donations to sell – and/or give away - in a thrift store setting. Necessities such as food, clothing and basic house goods are always on hand for those with immediate needs, but so are a surprising variety of

items, including vintage posters, an antique leather wine case, a Michael Jackson turntable, ornamental bird cages, his-and-her retro bicycles, slightly used clothing, beer steins, Chinese hats, an old Singer sewing machine, a saxophone, guitars and opera glasses … to name a few.

The profits made on decorative or non-essential items are, for now, the main source of their funding, which goes towards subsidizing legal fees and general bills. For those able to contribute money, tax- deductible donations are collected in a jar at the store and online at: www.lifec.org.

“The word is getting out and people walk in everyday, some with donations, others to shop or find support and a sense of community,” said Tuzzolo.

Bill Hartung and Vikki Roberts, a local Bellmore couple, walk to the store from their house around the corner. “First, it’s nice to have something here. It was empty for so long,” says Roberts.

Hartung, who says they’ve purchased a mirror, DVDs and clothing at reasonable prices, said, “We walked in on a snowy Saturday after noticing it when we drove by. It proved to be very interesting.” In addition to making purchases, the couple also has donated clothing.

Sheri Smart from South Merrick, a repeated shopper who recently found a pair of paintings and a Memphis-style decorative piece for her daughter’s room, said, “It has a peaceful vibe here.

The guys are nice and what they

are doing is refreshing. It’s all about people first in here.”

Bins of canned goods and food items, all fresh and inspected, can be had for the asking and taken home in a supermarket bag to preserve the dignity of the needy. And in a gesture of good will, a sign near the clothing reads: “If you need a coat and can’t afford it, take it for free. If you can afford it, please make a donation.” Although such generosity may invite the greedy, Newman and Tuzzolo, who occupy the store, say it hasn’t been an issue.

In addition to running the Long Island Trading Post, the two men take turns picking up donations from New York City to Montauk and all places in between. Open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., the pair says they put in about 80 hours each every week.

“It’s definitely a labor of love,” says Tuzzolo.

Creating efficient ways to meet the needs of both donators and recipients of goods, a Wish List program is in the works, which includes setting up a TV screen displaying a revolving set of photographs of items available for purchase.

“Visitors will be able to view items that we are unable to accommodate due to space and time restrictions,” says Tuzzolo.

“We have a Wish List on paper now of things people need, so we can contact them if it comes in. This will be the same thing but in reverse.”

With more ideas than time or manpower, the organization welcomes volunteers, especially people who can assist with sorting incoming goods and helping on pick-ups. “We are here to support the community and invite anyone in the community who can help us to contact us,” says Newman.

For information about volunteering or general questions, call 826-4483, or visit Long Island Trading Post on Facebook.

Your NewsMag

№7 VOL.2 | APRIL 2015

Robbie’s Run Set for April 26 …

F

orever 9-The Robbie Levine Foundation will hold its 10th Annual Robbie’s Run on Sunday, April 26, in Merrick, beginning at 9:15 a.m.

Sponsored by Coleman Country Day Camp, PremierCare/CityMD and Trail’s End/Chestnut Lake Camps, the 5K Run and family fun day raises thousands of dollars annually to supply youth sports organizations across the New York area with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

Founded in 2005, Forever 9 sponsors the annual Robbie’s Run to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death and how AEDs save lives.

NEW THIS YEAR To mark the event’s 10th anniversary, college students and others who will be out of town on April 26 will be invited for the first time to participate in “Robbie Runs on Campus.” Participants will receive a special t-shirt they can use when they run a 5K on their college campus; they are asked to send photographs to Forever 9 afterwards for a special photo album. Students at colleges including SUNY Oneonta, University of Rhode Island, Penn State, Cornell, University of Delaware, Vermont, Colorado, Hartford and Pittsburgh are expected to run.

Robbie’s Run is a 5K road race through the streets of Merrick that was created following the death of nineyear-old Robbie Levine on the Little League field. The event will again take place at the Norman J. Levy-Lakeside Elementary School on Babylon Road in Merrick. The day’s activities include a kids’ Fun Run at 8:30 a.m., 1-mile Mini Run at 8:50 a.m. and the 5K Race at 9:15 a.m. Thousands of people have attended the Robbie’s Run to show their support for Forever 9’s mission.

A variety of kids’ events will make the children’s area a fun-and-interactive place for all participants. Kids’ event providers include the US Tennis Association Long Island Region (www.longisland.usta.com), PJ’s Inflatables, Jump and Jam, Just One Wheel, The Lanyard Ladies and 106.1/WBLI Radio.

Those interested in helping prior to or on the day of the run can visit www.robbielevinefoundation.org or email RBLForever9@optonline.net.

In addition to Robbie’s Run, the organization holds the Dealing With Hearts Gala and the Golf & Tennis Outing fundraisers.

SUSAN HELSINGER S.R.E.S., M.R.P, NOTARY PUBLIC, MEMBER, NYSAR REALTOR HONOR SOCIETY VICE PRESIDENT, LONG ISLAND BOARD OF REALTORS DIRECTOR, NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS PALIMENTARIAN, WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTORS DIRECTOR, MERRICK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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To be 100% ready before ever reaching for your pencils?

Most students come to me laboring under the mistaken belief that they shouldn’t even attempt the SAT for the first time unless they are completely prepared. But students very rarely achieve top performance on their initial try (only about one out of 100). They neglect to take into account both the trickiness of the test and their own mounting nerves.

Even if a student has been performing at her desired level in practice, she can’t help but feel anxiety on test day. She will usually miss some questions that she would otherwise have been able to solve outside of a pressurized, timed environment. This is the most compelling and overlooked - reason to take the SAT multiple times: Scores can vary based on factors outside of cognitive ability.

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When a student doesn’t realize that his first SAT score will most likely be lower than subsequent scores, disappointment and self-doubt can snowball. He can feel defeated and discouraged over poor numbers. Sometimes he may even question if his initial goal was realistic and readjust the bar lower so as to reduce the chances of another blow to his self-esteem.

This is why I recommend that a student take the SAT a minimum of two, preferably three, times.

Rather than wait until they have deemed themselves “finished studying” for the SAT,

students should sit for their first test during the preparation process (halfway to twothirds of the way through). Expectations aren’t nearly as high if they are still learning the ropes, making the anxiety-inducing first experience less scary. There is little-to no disappointment when they realize that not everything hangs in the balance.

This way, students have the opportunity to gradually build comfort and familiarity.

This puts them in a much stronger position to succeed when they are at the end of their formal preparation and taking the SAT for a second time.

And what about a third time?

Even when primed to do well on the exam – after having taken it once, now fully prepared a second time – the knotty nature of the SAT often results in students not being completely satisfied with their scores in all three sections (critical reading, math, and writing skills) from this second sitting. Third time’s the charm.

The third time is when a student can pick up additional points. Her confidence and ease is bolstered by minimal pressure. Worst-case scenario? She doesn’t improve on her likely satisfactory scores from the second attempt. With this cloud of anxiety lifted, her state of mind is most conducive to best performance.

My first step in meeting with students is to dispel the notion that they will always receive a score indicative of their abilities. In fact, this couldn’t be further from reality.

There are just too many variables at play.

A student might easily parse the reading passages only to be tripped up by difficult vocabulary on the very same exam. Or, maybe he lacks a clear mind and focus on that particular morning. It takes a lot to maintain concentration for five hours!

Any distraction – an empty stomach, a headache, a sick pet, a fight with a friend – can disrupt concentration. Providing students with several opportunities to take the SAT increases the likelihood that at least one time, skills and circumstance will come together in their favor.

I remind my students of this: an athlete’s top performance doesn’t happen every time she steps onto the field, court or track. And that’s what makes top performance a culmination of multiple efforts. Some days – some, not all - things just click.

Jake Berman has been teaching SAT classes locally for over 10 years and has taken the SAT personally over 60 times, achieving a perfect 2400 multiple times. Visit him at jakesatprep.com.

№7 VOL.2 | APRIL 2015

Your NewsMag

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14

T

SCHOOL BUDGETS State Aid Provides "Mixed Results" for New School Budgets

Your NewsMag

he five school districts serving the Bellmores’ and the Merricks’ school children received a total of $30,923,532 in state aid included into the New York State Budget for the fiscal 2015-16 year, by far the biggest increase to the communities since 2010-11, when the GAP Elimination Adjustment was enacted during the “great recession” to protect the state budget from revenue shortfalls by deducting state aid allotted to school districts throughout the state.

The increases to the school districts are part of the largest-ever package enacted in the New York State budget, at $23.5 billion. But, local budgets ran the gauntlet, increasing from over 1% to just under 10%, and dropping more than 1%.

According to the State of New York, 2015-16 state aid projections complied on the New York State Senate’s web-

APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7

site, the Bellmore School District will receive$3,896,714 in state aid, a $51,009 increase from 2014-15’s state aid of $3,845,705, for a 1.33% increase in state aid.

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District will receive $20,112,774 in new state aid, a 9.94% increase over 2014-15’s $18,294,839 state aid budget, or a $1,817,925 increase in state aid.

The North Bellmore School District realized an $11,754,620 state aid allocation, a 5.88% or $653,060 increase over 201415’s $11,101,560 state aid allocation. Meanwhile, the North Merrick School District received $6,199,447 in new state aid, a 6.47% or $376,834 increase over last year’s $5,822,613 state aid allocation.

The Merrick School District did not fare as easily, however, receiving $5,192,313 in 2015-16 state aid, a reduction of 1.59% or $83,772 over last year’s state

aid funding of $5,276,085.

All of these figures do not include building aid.

BUDGETS These draft budget projections were voted on and finalized by school boards this week. Your NewsMag obtained the estimates, considered accurate reflections of what school board members were expected to vote on , and voters were expected to turn out and vote for on Tuesday, May 19.

BELLMORE SCHOOL DISTRICT: the Bellmore School District school draft budget for 2015-16 is $33,582,394, a 1.01% increase over last year’s $33,246,182 budget. The levy was expected to be a 2.27% increase, under the levy limit of 2.33%.

BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT: The over-5400 student Bellmore-Merrick Central High School budget will

present a $142,469,891 budget to residents for the 2015-16 fiscal school year. This represents a 2.19% increase over last year’s $139,418,645 budget. Taxes that must be collected to fulfill the budget this year add up to $11,068,694, or a 2.07% increase.

MERRICK SCHOOL DISTRICT: The 2015-16 proposed budget for the Merrick School District is $46,911,578, an increase of $1,110,015 or 2.42% over last year’s budget of $45,801,563.

The 2015-16 proposed tax levy of $38,630,878 is a $903,971 or 2.40% increase over last year’s tax levy of $37,726,907. This proposed 2.40% is below the state allowable threshold of 2.48%.

Dr. Chrisine Grucci, assistant superintendent for business, told Your NewsMag that the decline in state aid had

“no significant impact on the budget,” adding that the district also received approximately $300,000 back from the Gap Elimination Adjustment.

She stressed that the costs associated with the APPR are all unfunded mandates.

NORTH BELLMORE SCHOOL DISTRICT: The North Bellmore School District’s draft budget is for $53,303,527, a 1.94% increase over last year’s $52,291,099 budget. $36,495,138 has to be raised in taxes, for a 1.75% tax levy increase. Mark Schissler, the district’s assistant superintendent for business, remarked the state aid was more than previous, but more had been hoped for.

He said the aid would go toward lowering the tax levy and using fewer reserves.

NORTH MERRICK SCHOOL DISTRICT: N/A.

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Your NewsMag

â„–7 VOL.2 | APRIL 2015

Do you have thickened, discolored toenails that you are ashamed to have other people see?

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Fungal nails afflict many people of varying ages. It is an infection that left untreated may spread. Many people feel that improper hygiene leads to development of this condition. Actually onychomycosis is caused by distinct organisms and can be transmitted from person to person by using unsterilized nail instruments or by wearing shoes from another person who has the fungus.

Treatments for this condition include topical medications, systemic medications which can cause liver and or kidney damage and now laser treatment. The laser is aimed at the fungus in the toenail and vaporizes it while leaving the adjacent skin unharmed. The newest technology is the utilization of a cool laser. Most patients are able to grow out a regular appearing nail after just one laser treatment. In some cases the laser treatment has to be repeated to completely destroy the unsightly fungus.

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Your NewsMag

APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7

Thoughtful Mother’s Day Ideas That Won’t Bust Your Budget

S

pring is here and with it comes a great day to celebrate moms. If you’re watching your wallet, you may be in need of some great ideas for celebrating Mother’s Day. As it turns out, some of the most thoughtful gift and activity ideas are the most economical and easy to plan.

To help you plan your Mother’s Day celebration, discount stores are offering some great ideas.

BAKE AND MAKE Mom might love her kitchen just the way it is, but you can add a splash of color and flair with some inexpensive additions from a discount retailer. Update mom’s kitchen with new accessories, like a kitchen towel or oven mitt, or

SPA DAY

BREAKFAST IN BED Pamper mom with breakfast in bed, complete with pancakes, a good book or magazine and hot coffee.

She’ll love the opportunity to relax and enjoy her morning without the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

GROW SOMETHING TOGETHER Sometimes the best gift is an afternoon spent together. Pick out a planter mom will love, along with seeds, soil and gardening tools.

Spend the afternoon creating something that will grow all season long and remind mom of her time spent with you.

even turn it into an art and crafts project and make a birdhouse together.

To save even more on Mother’s Day gifts, download digital coupons from the retailer, and look for everyday low prices at their several locations.

even a new appliance like a coffee maker or mixer. Complete your kitchen additions with a baking mix for cookies or brownies, and spend time with mom creating something tasty together.

TELL THE BIRDS Does your mom love the outdoors? Pick out a unique birdhouse and bird seed for her, so she can enjoy the natural sounds of the season. You could

Whether it’s a pedicure, massage or facial, your mom will appreciate the opportunity for total relaxation. Many spas offer gift certificates for particular services, so check out the options and find something just right for your mom. Mother’s Day can be a busy day for spas, so make it easy on her. Look for something close by and book her for a specific time so she doesn’t have to wait.

For a successful Mother’s Day, consider thanking mom for a job well done by giving her a break.

This Mother’s Day, show mom how much you care, while making memories you can cherish for years to come. – StatePoint

Assemblyman McDonough to Hold Community Blood Drive

N

ew York State Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C, I-Merrick) will hold his yearly blood drive on Thursday, April 30, from 1:30-to-7:30 p.m. at the Merrick Road Golf Clubhouse, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick. McDonough said he is looking forward to hosting another blood drive to benefit Long Island and emphasized the need that blood banks have as we move into the summer season.

“I am pleased to announce the return of my yearly blood drive,” McDonough said. “As we move into the warmer seasons, the number of serious accidents rises and blood banks

become low on resources, as they are called into action on a more frequent basis. I encourage all of my constituents to donate blood to benefit our community and Long Island as a whole. Only a few minutes of your time can save someone’s life tomorrow.”

To be eligible to give blood, you must bring valid photo or signature identification, weigh at least 110 pounds, be ages 16 to 69, eat well, be hydrated prior to your appointment and not have gotten a tattoo within the past twelve months (unless applied in New Jersey). For complete information or to make an appointment, contact McDonough’s district office at 409-2070.

HEALTH MATTERS

№7 VOL.2 | APRIL 2015

County Ranks Among Healthiest in the State

N

assau County ranks as one of the healthiest counties in New York State, according to the 2015 Annual County Health Rankings.

In a report released by University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Nassau County ranks number one out of all 63 counties in New York State for health factors and has moved up to fifth place for health outcomes. This ranking is based on a comprehensive report that ranks the overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states by using standardized measures.

“I am proud of the professional excellence demonstrated by the Department of Health and all the work they do to promote and protect the health of all who live, work and visit Nassau County,” remarked County Executive Edward Magano. “This report is a testament to the combined efforts of government, businesses, health care providers, schools and community-based organizations working together to improve the health and safety of Nassau County residents.”

The rankings, available at www.countyhealthrankings.org, include a snapshot of each county in New York. Researchers

looked at “health factors” that affect people’s health within four categories: health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment. These health factors include measurements such as adult smoking, adult obesity and drinking water violations.

County Health Rankings researchers also used five measures to assess the level of overall health or “health outcomes” for New York by county, such as rates of premature death, the percentage of people who report being in fair or poor health, the numbers of days people report being in poor physical and poor mental health, and the rate of low-birth weight infants.

“I am proud of our department staff who work tirelessly every day to protect the health of all, and I thank County Executive Mangano for his support of the Department of Health,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein. “We will continue to work together with our world class health care partners to achieve great public health outcomes for all Nassau County residents.”

For complete information about the County Health Rankings visit www.countyhealthrankings.org

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APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7

This Spring Refresh and Renew Your Most Valuable Asset

By Marc Bromberg

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ow, what a winter! Did you think it would ever end? My son and I must have shoveled snow over eight times, some of it well over a foot high in places.

Now, with winter finally over, we can all once again open our doors, walk outside and feel the breath of spring on us.

As a seasoned house painter for 26 years, and lifelong Bellmore/Merrick resident, I notice readily what the winter has done to our streets and our houses. Our most valuable asset, our home, has taken a beating. With all that snow sitting on our roofs, the freeze-and-thaw cycles have opened cracks around windows, rotted wood trim, loosened shakes and promoted mold and mildew. I always have a pair of binoculars I keep in my truck to get a good close up view of the house. It helps me check for any of those conditions.

Just as this is the season of rebirth, with flowers blooming, and nature coming into full swing, we also need to preserve, refresh and beautify our homes. And, with the days getting a little longer and the sun shining a little brighter, we get to see the interior of our homes a little better. Rooms can start to look

a bit tired. Your once-white ceiling now can start to look dark gray around the corners from the heat that heats your home, because hot air rises and darkens them.

Meanwhile, skylights and old roof shingles can cause water damage. You will notice it as those round tan-colored stains on your ceiling or dried drip marks running down your skylight. Perhaps you may want to consider refreshing the inside of your home this spring or summer.

There is an exciting palette of colors especially for spring, and the new acrylic paints last longer and wash better than ever before. Customers say they feel uplifted and more positive when they paint their rooms, because they feel a new renewed sense of pride.

Painting provides such a great value, and it gives you big bang for your buck! Whether you are painting inside or out, the dollars spent are relatively little compared to other forms of construction, and go a long way to change the look, value and beauty of your home.

Have a great season and please contact me if you have any questions at Marc The Painter, MTPBromberg@aol.com or call 378-0391. Phone calls and emails are answered the same day.

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№7 VOL.2 | APRIL 2015

HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

Bellmore Historical Association Seeks Historical Materials

Your NewsMag

19

D N A GR ING EN LS P O CIA SPE oon!!

S ing E Com R & WIN E E B

“Thats what I’m talking about!”

Bellmore chamber members, with Bellmore Memorial Library and North Bellmore Public Library administrators, pose at the meeting.

I

t didn’t take long after the first “informal” meeting of the new Bellmore Historical Association had ended when 12-year-old Mary Catherine Mutone of Bellmore did precisely what members of the new association are hopeful will happen with the development of the new historical agency: she presented members with a piece of Bellmore history no one in Bellmore had seen before.

Along with her uncle Nick D’Alto, Mary Catherine presented Bellmore Memorial Library Director Maureen Garvey and the library’s Story CorpsProgram Director Martha DiVittorio with photos of the Egyptian Temple of Dendur housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a temple dating back 2000 years with the name Bel-More inscribed at the top.

Garvey said of the presentation, “It was a cool artifact, and we will find a place for it in our collection.”

The Shore Road student said she comes to the library regularly, and is thrilled the library will now house hundreds – if not thousands – of artifacts and documents of Bellmore’s storied history.

Throughout the meeting, members of the new historical association promoted the notion that any residents will be able to contribute to the collection – without even having to give anything over to the association – by coming in and having older photos scanned. Digitizing the photos means being able to hand the originals back.

Said Bill Wilgus, historian for the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, one of three Bellmore entities comprising the Bellmore Historical Association, “If you have older photos, use a magnifying glass to view

the backgrounds of where the photos were taken.” He said those backgrounds may include Bellmore historical markers no longer in existence today, and those photos could be considered historical.

Bring us your history, he seemed to say.

The Bellmore Historical Association wishes to preserve it – for all to see.

HISTORICAL HANDOFF The Bellmore Historical Association, a new shared venture among the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, the Bellmore Memorial Library and the North Bellmore Public Library, took over from the Bellmore Historical Society, which disbanded December 31 of last year.

Said Don Kaestener, a former Bellmore Historical Society member, of the new historical association: “It’s fabulous.” He remarked that there were no more than 10 members showing up to monthly Bellmore Historical Society meetings, was encouraged to hear the new historical association meetings would instead convene quarterly, and noticed that there were close to 40 in attendance for the inaugural meeting at the Bellmore Memorial Library.

“I’m pleasantly surprised because I thought the historical society would die.”

Valerie Skelly, another member of the Bellmore Historical Society who spoke also on behalf of former historical society members Dina Fine and Bill Wood in attendance, said it was “Just delightful to see so many people there.” She said it confirmed her best thoughts that residents are indeed interested in their history.

Further, she appreciates the idea that the historical material will be spread [CONT. ON PAGE 20] throughout the Bell-

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HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

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BELLMORE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION SEEKS HISTORICAL MATERIALS [CONT. FROM PAGE 19] more library as well as the North Bellmore Public Library. “It shows great planning to use both libraries” to display the materials.

When asked if historical materials will be separated by districts -

member Martha Verdi said there would be no reason to do so.

“Why not have the historical south Bellmore housing developments displayed in photos at the North Bellmore library” as much as display stories of people who built Smithville in the Bellmore library, she said.

ARCHIVAL INTEGRITY

An early street layout of Newbridge, which became Bellmore. such as maintaining Smithville documents and artifacts within the North Bellmore library, and rum-running in the canals and the development of housing tracts over the south Bellmore swamps within the Bellmore library – chamber

While the libraries will work toward writing and receiving grants for archivists to come in and further the integrity of the historical collection, library staffers are indeed armed with masters of library science degrees and are trained to handle archives. DiVittorio told those in attendance they are now using rubber gloves to handle items, acid-free envelopes to store them and promoting other acid-free environments to maintain integrity.

For Michael Stanberg of Bellmore, that sounded encourag-

Twelve year-old Shore Road School student Mary Catherine Mutone and uncle Nick D'Alto present a photograph to Bellmore Memorial Library Director Maureen Garvey and StoryCorps Program Director Martha DiVittorio. ing. A graduate library student at Queens College who will graduate this year, he works at the Museum of the Living Image and remarked that “Everything she[DiVittorio] said is right out of the archivist’s handbook,” from rubber gloves to keep human oils off the documents and artifacts, to using acid-free papers that will not leach onto delicate documents.

Christine Keller of Bellmore-based Project Stewardship is excited by the possibilities of bringing students in to help set up displays and work with the libraries in any way they can to make the historical collection accessible to the public. Project Stewardship holds classes for many age groups that emphasize responsibility to the environment and the many thoughtful ways to preserve it.

Ken Noon, president of the Bellmore Firemen’s Exempt, said the new association is the “right track, and absolutely needed.” He told Your NewsMag the Firemen’s Exempt Hall had been storing historical artifacts and documents for some time on behalf of the former historical society, and believed the library storing them instead meant the historical materials could now find one safe and sustainable home.

Mac McCluskey, a graduate of the first graduating class of Kennedy High School in 1968, called the new association, with

APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7

Over 40 attended the first informal meeting of the new Bellmore Historical Association. its library components, a “great move. We all want to know where we’ve been,” he said, so it’s important to know and “see” our roots.

For information on the Bellmore Historical Association, call the chamber at 679-1875, the Bellmore Memorial Library at 785-2990, or the North Bellmore Public Library at 785-6260.

- Douglas Finlay

ENTERTAINMENT

№7 VOL.2 | APRIL 2015

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21

“Two Funny Mothers” Look to Loosen Up in Bellmore

C

omedians Rob Bartlett and Tony Powell from Imus in the Morning are back at the Bellmore ShowPlace once more to explore the meaning of Mother’s Day, Rob Bartlett and you can be part of the hilarity on Saturday, May 9, beginning at 8 p.m.

Gary Smith of NYEntertainmentclub.com, long-time producer and host of Bartlett and Powell, said “It’s always great to bring back Rob and Tony to the Bellmore stage.”

Smith added,” Bartlett and Powell don’t get out this way much anymore,” and the two have a special Mother’s Day show

called “Two Funny Mothers” sure to unleash the comic power of the comedians as they provide a new and refreshing perspective on the institution of Mother’s Day. Tickets are $47 general admission, and can be purchased by visiting www.

Tony Powell nyentertainmentclub.com, or by calling Smith at 785-4234. Or, call the Bellmore ShowPlace box office at 783-3199.

The Bellmore ShowPlace is at 222 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore.

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ENTERTAINMENT County’s Film Industry Growing Jobs, Adding to the Economy

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ecent reports from Nassau County are boasting the success of its film commission in developing 1773 annual jobs for the area and generating $533.6 million in economic development and more than $1.64 million in hotel and sales taxes during 2013 and 2014.

North Merokian Debra Markowitz, director of the county’s film office that produces the annual Long Island International Film Festival shown during the second week of July at the Bellmore Movies, told Your NewsMag that the film industry has indeed been growing on Long Island for the last several years.

“I’ve seen it grow from 35 production days per year to over 1000 production days per year” in the 27 years she has managed the film office, she said. And that suits her fine.

Markowitz cited several reasons for film producers and companies taking a more in-depth approach to Long Island as a serious

APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7

location for producing film. “Tax incentives are one reason,” she said, in which film production companies get a 30% tax credit through the Empire State Film Production Tax Credit program.

Another reason is the development of New York State-certified sound stages at two production studios – Gold Coast and Grumman – necessary for stage work. “These have to be certified by the state to be able to bring the film companies here,” Markowitz maintained.

The proactive stand the county takes toward making Nassau County “film friendly” for production companies is still another reason for the county film industry’s burgeoning success. She cites tours the film office gives to interested production companies or producers that take them to desired locations, such as beaches or famed mansions, to iconic-looking streets and idyllic villages, all designed to promote the charm and integrity of the locations.

Filming "Babylon Fields" on Bellmore Avenue generated revenues for the village.

It comes as no surprise that “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” has filmed on Long Island, that “Salt,” starring Angelina Jolie, filmed many scenes along the waterways of Long Island and in Grumman Studios (before it was officially named Grumman Studios), “The Rewrite,” starring Marisa Tomeo and J.K. Simmons was filmed at LIU/Post, and “This Is Where I Leave You,” with Jason Bateman and Tina Fey found inspiration using Long Island locations.

Several other movies have filmed on Long Island, including “The Godfather” in Sands Point,

“The Wolf of Wall Street” and “Teenage Ninja Turtles,” in addition to television series, including “The Good Wife,” “Person of Interest,” “The Blacklist”, "Mildred Pierce" with Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce, and live NBC performances of “The Sound of Music” and “Peter Pan.” The economic study, commissioned by the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and undertaken by Camoin Associates, focused its review on three filmmaking facilities: Gold Coast Studios in Bethpage, Grumman Studios in Bethpage and the Sands Point Preserve in Port Washington, and on-location filming throughout the County.

The studios are located within the “Film Zone” – a boundary set by several New York City film industry unions to define the area in which their members will work locally without incurring travel and overtime costs. The boundary is a 25-mile radius of Columbus Circle.

As director of the county’s film office, Markowitz is involved in all aspects of the film industry, including assisting producers in finding locations, to providing contacts for where to film bonfires and a plethora of other details she has clearly accumulated over her time in the film office.

Meanwhile, Markowitz readies for the 2015 Long Island International Film Festival(LIIFE), now celebrating its 17th season. “We’ve added 10 more judges for the over-600 films we received from around the world,” she noted. She says there will be about 120 films shown at this year’s Long Island International Film Expo – in Bellmore..

County Executive Ed Mangano’s work as a legislator for the Bethpage district was instrumental in developing the Nassau County Film Commission in 1997, in securing the nine sound stages housed within two studios, and in developing Bethpage Business Park.

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ENTERTAINMENT

№7 VOL.2 | APRIL 2015

SOMETHING TO WINE ABOUT…

What exactly am I drinking?

Linda Delmonico Prussen

J

ust this week I had a heated discussion about wine labeling and what wines are labeled as single varietals such as cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, etc…

Ironically, I had been working in a wine store earlier in the week and upon leaving was looking to bring home a cabernet sauvignon. The wine store owner brought over a wine that is 85% cabernet, 15% zinfandel. He said it’s a wonderful wine, but it’s a blend. I told him any one of the other cabernets on his shelf could be the same blend, you just wouldn’t know it because, by law, depending on the country, as long as the labeled varietal is 75%-85% of the bottled wine, you aren’t required to disclose smaller portions of blending grapes or call it a blend.

Later that weekend, another wine professional brought up the same subject with a hardline stance against calling any wine that isn’t 100% of its varietal a single varietal name.

My take on the subject? Do I want to know what my main varietal is being blended with, if anything? Absolutely! I’d also like to know the percentage of the other varietal. However, I’d like this info on the back of the label. This is great for self-awareness to know if you like your cab tempered with a little merlot or Syrah.

Do I want a wine that’s 85% cab being called a blend? No. I think the rules allowing a wine to be called by a varietal that is at least 75%, or so, are useful for shopping purposes. I say, be honest, put the extra varietals on back of the label with the percentages for people like me, who care. But keep the varietals together on the shelf, where people who don’t care if their cab has 10% of merlot mixed in - and it probably does - can find them.

I liken it to going to a steak house and having a steak dinner. You can say you had a steak dinner and people get it. Yes, you might have also had a baked potato, a wedge of iceberg lettuce and creamed spinach, but saying you had a steak dinner is enough. It needn’t be called a steak, potato, salad and spinach dinner.

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APRIL 2015 | VOL.2 №7