Bethpage Newsgram (7/14/23)

SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW

Empire State Ride to end cancer

Town Board approves school bus camera fines

BY RIKKI MASSAND

During the Town of Oyster Bay Board meeting on June 27, the Board approved a resolution for a Local Law concerning drivers’ failure to stop for school buses.

The resolution amended the Oyster Bay Town Code by adding Chapter 116, in accordance with Section 1174-A of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, “governing drivers who illegally overtake or pass a school bus that has been stopped to receive or discharge passengers,” Town Clerk Richard LaMarca explained. A public hearing on the new Local Law was held at the Town Board May 9 meeting.

In the Town of Oyster Bay’s communities school buses can

now be equipped with cameras to record drivers who illegally pass after their “stop” signs are extended.

The innovative camera/video recording program would be run and administered by the Town of Oyster Bay only in conjunction with agreements with local school districts within the Town’s jurisdiction. The buses are typically property of the school districts, and the proposal for adding cameras will be brought to each local district.

The resolution for approval of the local law, number 452 of 2023, was added after the Board voted to suspend the rules.

At a May 9th hearing, Town

See page 12

The Town of Oyster Bay has entered into a partnership with Empire State Ride Long Island to host Long Island’s largest charitable bike ride to benefit cancer research, scheduled for Saturday, July 22. Town officials were joined by Empire State Ride founder Terry Bourgeois, Director of Thoracic Oncology and Clinical Research at the Cancer Institute at Good Samaritan Hospital Dr. Ashish Sangal, and Michael Seecharan, an inspiring lung cancer survivor who has participated in a clinical trial funded by events

like the Empire State Ride.

“We are thrilled to once again partner with Catholic Health on Long Island and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, to raise this important funding to support cancer research and clinical trials,” said Supervisor Saladino. “All course routes begin in downtown Oyster Bay and feature a ride through beautiful beaches, woodlands, and historic destinations – including Teddy Roosevelt’s home at Sagamore Hill – in and around the Town of Oyster Bay’s exquisite north shore.

With two wheels, our residents can change the world!”

The event features three course lengths for riders of all ages and ability. All routes will begin on Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay, by the historic Oyster Bay Post Office. For those who can’t cycle but wish to attend and support the event, downtown Oyster Bay will also host a street fair, hosted in partnership with the Oyster Bay Main Street Association and Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce –

See page 12

Scammer gets $42K from fake bail call

A Hicksville woman was scammed out of $42,500 by caller who claimed that he was a bail bondsman.

According to Nassau County Police, at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 7, the 59-year-old female victim was contacted by an unknown male subject that alleged to be a bail bondsman. He told the victim that her sister had been arrested after her involvement in an auto acci-

dent that had caused injuries to a pregnant female.

The caller requested $15,500 from the victim for her sister’s bail. The victim complied and withdrew the money from her bank. A driver went to her house and retrieved the money. One hour later the victim received another phone call, this time from an unknown male who claimed he was a court offi-

See page 12

The Town of Oyster Bay will work in partnership with Empire State Ride to host a charitable bike ride to benefit cancer research.

Missed opportunity

To the Editor:

After seeing that 80 Jericho Turnpike, a 6-acre property is likely to turn into a parking lot for trucks, I can’t help but think the Town of Oyster Bay has failed its residents.

This site used to be a mobile home park and residents were forced to move off the property. When the development was bought, there were plans to build 61 affordable units for seniors and 44 luxury units, with almost 27,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

The town board never allowed the zone change for this to take place, telling the developer, “it’s not going to

happen.” This would have been a prime example of mixed use development that would have mitigated the loss of seniors and young people who continue to leave Long Island in droves due to the lack of affordable housing.

We saw local elected officials stomping their feet and screaming about the need for local control when the governor was proposing housing reform on the state level. Well it’s time for municipalities to step up and build the needed housing. If truck parking lots continue to get approved over needed housing projects, I don’t have faith in municipalities to handle the housing crisis.

11-year-old cyclist injured in crash

An 11-year-old bicyclist in Levittown was struck by a car on Library Lane near Center Lane on Friday, July 7.

According to Nassau County Police, a male, 19, traveling eastbound in a 2004 Toyota Camry, struck an 11-year-old bicyclist at 5:40 p.m. As a result of the collision, the victim suffered multiple trau-

Four arrested for jewelry store burglaries

ma injuries and was transported to an area hospital by a Nassau County Police Department Aviation Helicopter for treatment. He is listed in stable condition.

The male operator of the vehicle remained at the scene and was not injured. Investigation is ongoing.

Bias incident in

Swastikas were found scratched into the side of a 2016 Toyota SUV that was parked in front of a home on Anchor Lane, Levittown, on Monday, July 3.

The investigation is ongoing. Nassau

Levittown

County Police Detectives request that if anyone has information regarding the above crime to contact the Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Shawn Gibson Phillips.

Nassau County Police arrested four men for allegedly burglarizing three local jewelry stores during April and May.

According to police, an investigation was conducted that led to the arrest of four men for burglaries that occurred at the following locations:

• April 14, 2023 – The Jewelry Studio, 1107 Old Country Road, Plainview.

Quayshaun Canady.

• April 14, 2023 – Solomon Fine Jewelers, 74 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview.

• May 12, 2023 – Sophia Jewelry, 3695 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown.

Arrested were: Duran Smith, 23, of Brooklyn; Alexandre E. Manigat of Brooklyn; Shawn Gibson Phillips, 27, of Poughkeepsie; and Quayshaun Canady, 31, of Queens.

Hunter Gross

Duran Smith. Alexandre Manigat.

Runners present check to scholarship fund

Arrest on firearms charge

at 8:52 p.m. in Woodbury after they say the found him in possession of an illegal loaded handgun.

According to detectives, officers on patrol observed a black colored Nissan sedan with a Maryland dealer registration plate not properly affixed and swinging below the rear bumper. They say they further observed a missing left side rear view mirror and the operator failed to signal a turn while travelling westbound on Jericho Turnpike. After stopping the driver on Jericho Turnpike at the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway they say they discovered an illegal loaded 9mm Kimber handgun. The driver, Hares M. Yasini, 25, of Virginia was arrested without incident.

Nassau County Police arrested a Virginia man on Wednesday, July 5,

Yasini is charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree and multiple traffic violations.

We get you sales!

In their ongoing effort to support Long Island law enforcement officers, David Lerner Associates and the Greater Long Island Running Club presented the Nassau Police Running Club a check in the amount of $1000 for the NPRC’s Scholarship Fund.

The $1000, which comes out of the proceeds of the 2023 David Lerner Associates Long Island Police Appreciation Run, was presented to NPRC President Inspector Alan Hirsch on July 7. In addition to being the president of NPRC, Inspector Hirsch

is the commanding officer of the 7th Precinct of the Nassau County Police Department.

“Although the main purpose of the Run is to help Long Island law enforcement officers and their families in times of personal crisis, since the pandemic we have expanded our financial support to include helping the NPRC Scholarship Fund as well,” observed GLIRC President Alan Baisch and David Lerner Associates CEO Marty Walcoe. “We are proud to support our local police in any way we can.”

Levittown Community Council plans Lazy Days of Summer

The Levittown Community Council will be holding its 26th annual Lazy Days of Summer event on Saturday, July 15, from 11:30 to 3 p.m. at the East Village Green Park (Jerusalem Avenue and Meridian Road in Levittown).

Advertising Account Executive Wanted

Litmor Publishing, an award-winning chain of five Nassau County weekly newspapers, seeks an advertising sales representative for its print and digital products located in Garden City, Syosset, Jericho, Hicksville and Bethpage.

We are looking for an energetic self-starter with good communication skills to work collaboratively with our team. Sales experience preferred.

We offer:

Admission is free. Bring your own lunch, chairs or blanket. Enjoy activities, music and entertainment.

Non-perishable canned goods and toiletries will be collected for distribution to local neighbors in need.

•Flexible hours •A base salary •Uncapped commissions To

Nassau Police Running Club President Alan Hirsch (right) is presented with the $1000 check by Police Run Director Mike Polansky (left), Greater Long Island Club President Alan Baisch (second left) and David Lerner Associates CEO Marty Walcoe.

Hares M. Yasini.

Levittown Chamber’s Spotlight on Business

Deana Velardi-Alejandro, owner of Design & Decor with Dee Interior Design.

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce would like to reintroduce a 2-year member, Deana Velardi-Alejandro, aka “Dee”, the proud owner of Design & Decor with Dee Interior Design, whose tag line is “Design a New Chapter in Your Life!” Dee offers unique customizable decorating and interior design (for residential & small commercial spaces). She specializes in helping DIYers bring their vision to life while working within their budget! Note that she is also a certified home stager who helps sellers or real estate agents get a home “buyer ready” through her “feel at home” staging philosophy.

Velardi-Alejandro has 30 plus years of experience, first with a degree in fashion merchandising and then a degree in interior design working for companies like Anne Klein, Calico Corners, Home Depot, IKEA, Ethan Allen, and Kravet.

Velardi-Alejandro enjoys being her own boss and use her knowledge to help others who are possibly “design challenged” or who “just don’t have the time” to pull it all together! She says, “There is great reward and satisfaction with

helping others in need with something that comes so naturally to me. Over the years I have met many wise and successful individuals who have taught me to: Always remember who you are, believe in yourself, work hard and with integrity, respect others, do what you enjoy. The rest will fall in place.”

Velardi-Alejandro lives in Levittown, with her husband of 22 years and three amazing boys AND of course their family dog. In her words, “I am a Mompreneur”, who welcomes the various challenges in my life that both sides have to offer, while resolving the creative solutions & reaping the rewarding benefits! “In her spare time her hobbies and activities include dancing, walking, yoga, beaching, biking, crafting, and baking. Most of all, enjoying spending quality time with her family either watching or playing sports, and of course, “Family Movie Night”!

Design & Décor offers holiday and seasonal discounts that vary, as well as a special offer of 20% off any service, to anyone who mentions this article and of course her colleagues or networking affiliates!

Attention students!

Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA?

Made the honor roll or Dean’s List? Scored an internship or study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!

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

Hats off to the Bethpage High School Class of 2023

Building and central administrators, board members, faculty, family and friends gathered on June 23 to watch with pride as the Bethpage High School Class of 2023 celebrated its commencement ceremony. The momentous occasion was held at the Bethpage Athletic Complex.

Dressed in their blue caps and gowns, the graduates arrived onto the football field to “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by the Bethpage High School band. Loved ones cheered from the bleachers.

To kick off the ceremony, senior Graziella Conte performed the national anthem. The Class of 2023 heard from Student Council President Marnes Richemond, salutatorian Caio DaSilva and valedictorian Stephanie Pilnacek. Superintendent of Schools Dave Schneider and Bethpage High School Principal Nicholas Jantz also addressed the graduates. They praised them on their achievements,

wished them well on their future endeavors and offered wise words of advice.

“My great hope is that each of you discovers your purpose, reaches your potential and maximizes your voice and that one day you too will be back here to share your own stories of success,” said Mr. Schneider. “So, as you join the ranks of a very special group of people known as Golden Eagle alumni, be bold, be courageous, be your best and wherever you go, go with all your heart.”

During the presentation of diplomas, each senior was proudly announced on stage to the cheers of family and friends. Principal Jantz congratulated each graduate before they returned to their seat. The ceremony concluded with the Class of 2023 throwing their caps up high, signifying the end of their high school careers.

Student Council President Marnes Richemond provided the student address.

Members of the Class of 2023 with their diplomas.

Superintendent of Schools David Schneider (left) and Bethpage High School Principal Nicholas Jantz (right) with valedictorian Stephanie Pilnacek (middle left) and salutatorian Caio DaSilva (middle right).

Bethpage High School seniors made their way to the football field for their commencement ceremony on June 23.

Bethpage graduates waved to their loved ones as they entered the ceremony.

Valedictorian Stephanie Pilnacek addressed her fellow graduates.

Plainview - Old Bethpage Schools Class of 2023

Members of the POBJFKHS Class of 2023 gathered at the Tilles Center on June 25 for their commencement ceremony.

Families, teachers, staff and administrators gathered on June 25th to celebrate the Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School (POBJFKHS) Class of 2023 during the school’s commencement ceremony, taking place at the Tilles Center.

The speakers reflected on the students’ unique high school careers—marked by the onset of the pandemic during their freshman year—making special mention of their resiliency in the face of uncertain times. The ceremony had an added element of bittersweetness; it was the last overseen by POBJFKHS Principal James Murray, who is retiring after more than 20 years at the high school.

Valedictorian Cooper Davis urged his peers to take risks and to not be afraid of failure. “As you leave the Hawks Nest, graduating class, may you all fearlessly soar to incredible heights, where you will discover uncharted territory,” Cooper said. “Territory where you may fail,

but territory where failing isn’t failing. Wherein by the pure root of failure, you succeed.”

Salutatorian Sophia Gu advised her peers to embrace new experiences in their adult lives and to remember the ones they had during their high school years. “As you journey to the future, remember the support and laughter of friends you grew up with and carry them in your daily interactions,” Sophia said. “Remember the food you ate and the conversations that followed during your off periods in the cafeteria, and seek the same authenticity in future connections. Take the lessons you learned from your favorite teachers, academic or otherwise, and use it to guide your upcoming decisions.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary O’Meara spoke of the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with people and things, and to not fear getting rid of elements in their lives that may hurt them.

Despite all challenges,

“Before launching into the next phase of your life, I encourage you to intentionally reflect on the people and things who serve you well,” Dr. O’Meara said. “The people you included in your life who challenged you, included you, cheered you on and comforted you. Conversely, identify the people and things that did not serve you well, that dimmed your ability to shine. Knowing who and what to not let into your life is equally important.”

Dr. O’Meara also advised the students to not be discouraged if their lives after high school do not immediately go to plan. “The adjustment to life after high school is great, and the journey is not always linear,” she said. “But if you are connected to people and things that serve you well, you will be ok.”

In his departing words to the students, Principal Murray reflected on his efforts to stay in touch with them during the early days of the pandemic, and how much determination they have shown

during their high school tenure. He noted that despite the learning and instructional challenges, 100 percent of the class of 405 students were graduating that day, with an unprecedented number of scholarships and accolades. “It is a testament to your determination to succeed and to not let anything holding you back,” he said.

Finally, Mr. Murray left the students with the words from the poem “I Wish You Enough” by Bob Perks:

“I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep the spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wants. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary O’Meara encouraged the students to maintain healthy connections in their lives.

Valedictorian Cooper Davis urged his peers to not be afraid of failure.

Departing Principal James Murray offered his farewells to the students. He is retiring after more than 20 years at the high school.

the Class of 2023 has a 100% graduation rate.

Salutatorian Sophia Gu advised her peers to embrace new experiences while remembering those they had in high school.

Photos by Benjamin Chateauvert/ Courtesy Plainview Bethpage Public Schools

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Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library

Friday, July 14

3:30 p.m.: Paying it Forward with Paws (Grades 2–6) - Local author Sarah Zagaja will share her heartwarming picture book, “Raising Betty,” which chronicles the adventures of a golden retriever puppy who is training to hopefully become a guide dog. Sarah and her family began raising guide dog pups as a “pay it forward” for the kindness and generosity shown to her family following the loss of their home in a fire.

Saturday, July 15 10:30 a.m.: Itty Bitty Bookworms (Ages Birth to 30 Months) - Join us for this interactive program of rhymes, songs, stories and more!

1:00 p.m.: IN-PERSON: Dye a Silk Scarf with Natural IndigoExperience the magic of indigo! With only some fresh indigo leaves and a wet silk scarf you will massage the scarf with the leaves and watch it turn a beautiful shade of robin’s egg blue. Then, using stencils, you will paint a design on the scarf with indigo pigment extracted from those very leaves. Materials Fee: $5.00 when you register

Monday, July 17

10:30 a.m.: 1,2,3 Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead (18 Months–5 Years) - This preschool STEAM program includes music movement, fine and gross motor development and storytelling followed by a craft!

7:00pm Friendship Bracelet Workshop (Grades 2–5) - Crafting and friendship can go hand in hand. Learn how to make friendship bracelets.

Tuesday, July 18

2:00pm VIRTUAL : American History of the Broadway Musical with Stephen Nachamie, Stage & Film Director - During this program we will take a look at Broadway Musicals that celebrate important figures and

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

events in American history. We’ll discuss musicals such as “1776,” Alan Jay Lerner and Leonard Bernstein’s “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue” and even LinManuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” will be included.

7:00 p.m.: STEMtastic: (Grades 3 to 6) - Learn and have fun while exploring a hands-on STEM experience.

Thursday, July 20

10:30 a.m.: Songs for Baby'’s Day (Ages Birth to 30 Months) - Come and enjoy this literacy building, fun and educational musical storytime.

Friday, July 21

10:30 a.m.: Jump for Joy (Ages 18 Months to 5 Years) - Join us for a lively program of music and group activities for you and your child.

2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL : Great Performers with Marc Courtade: Harry Belafonte: Barrier BreakerHarry Belafonte was a singer, actor and activist. He became a successful musician during the 1950s and a dynamic force in the civil rights movement. He studied acting with the American Negro Theatre, performed music in clubs and on recordings. He was the first man of color to perform and win a Tony Award on Broadway. Harry went on to win an Emmy Award in 1960. He became an active participant in the Civil Rights movement. His recordings earned him two Grammy Awards, their Lifetime Achievement Award and he received the Oscar’s Jean Hershel Humanitarian Award in 2015. This talk will celebrate his enormous contributions to entertainment, civil rights and humanity.

3:00 p.m.: Teens: Books & BurritosRelax and enjoy a Chipotle burrito while we share what we’ve been reading so far this summer. We will also take a look at the newest books in the JPL Teen collection. Maybe you'll find your next great summer read!

Friday, July 14, at 2:00 p.m.

Friday Movie and Book to Film Discussion at the Library (IN PERSON)

Join us for an afternoon movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary.org.

Thursday, July 20, at 12:00 p.m.

#AskALibrarian (ON TWITTER)

Join librarians from Syosset Library and around the world on Twitter for #AskALibrarian to receive reading suggestions based on your requests. Must have a Twitter account to participate. Read a great book? Need a read-alike? Looking for your next book club choice? Use #AskALibrarian in your tweet.

Thursday, July 20, at 2:00 p.m.

Luciano Pavarotti (HYBRID)

Presenter: Tanisha Mitchell, MET opera singer, librarian at Freeport Library and MET.

Luciano Pavarotti is an international cultural icon that represents opera and its grandness. Even after his death in 2007, he is crowned as the “King of the Tenors”. Tanisha will explore Pavarotti’s life from his humble beginnings in Modena, Italy, to his rise to stardom. No registration needed.

Thursday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m.

Adapting Horror for Film! An Evening with the Screenwriter (VIRTUAL)

Join us on Zoom to “meet” Rachel K. Croft, screenwriter and author! Croft will be on hand to chat about working as the screenwriter on “Torn Hearts,” a horror film set in the country music scene and starring Katey Sagal!

Friday, July 21, at 12:00 p.m.

Josh Winning! Lunch Break with the Author (VIRTUAL)

Grab your lunch and zoom in to “meet” Josh Winning, author of “Burn the Negative. No registration needed. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org.

Friday, July 21, at 4:00 p.m. Barely Acoustic in Concert (IN PERSON)

Enjoy the dynamic team of Gina Marie Bilardi and Thomas Mezzapella, who are known for their rich vocals and style. Barely Acoustics will be entertaining you with songs ranging from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. They will play powerhouse artists such as Elvis Presley, Etta James, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, James Taylor, Billy Joel and more! No registration needed

JCC to receive grant for alarm system upgrade

The Mid Island Y JCC in Plainview was recently awarded a grant to be applied towards upgrading its fire alarm system in accordance with current Town of Oyster Bay code. Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) spearheaded efforts to secure the grant funds from the HotelMotel Occupancy Tax Fund.

“For more than 60 years, the Mid Island Y JCC has served the residents of Plainview-Old Bethpage and neighboring communities by offering a diversified portfolio of services that benefit patrons of all ages,” Legislator

Drucker said. “I am proud to support this important community institution and thank my colleagues for approving this Hotel-Motel Occupancy Tax Fund grant.”

In addition to an array of monthly community events, the Mid Island Y JCC’s programming includes an early childhood center; leadership training; shuttle service to the library; transportation for seniors to the grocery store; in-home nursing for seniors; swimming instruction and lifeguard training; and more.

Town Board approves school bus camera fines

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Attorney Frank Scalera explained that many school districts have advocated for this amendment to local jurisdiction. He said the State Law, Section 1174, addresses the fines to any driver who passes a school bus’ STOP-sign arm when it is extended as the bus comes to a stop. Section 1174-A allows for a municipality such as the Town of Oyster Bay to set forth a “monitoring system” that will work in conjunction with the school bus’ STOP-arm, to take photos and videos of the scene.

Approved with the Local Law, the Town’s set traffic violation fine of $250 for illegally passing a school bus is taken directly from New York State Statute.

Scalera noted that in order for a school bus monitoring system to become legally enforceable, according to New York State Law, the municipality has to approve its own corresponding local law.

School districts within TOBAY might already have cameras for their school bus STOP-arm monitoring but they can now enter into agreements with the Town for enforcement actions to proceed.

“We understand that a lot of school districts do want to do this, and obviously nothing could be finalized without our Town Local Law passed and in place to amend the Town Code. If somebody (a driver) passes the school bus the monitoring camera will take a photo/video and that would be sent to the Town.

Scalera as well as Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino noted that the May 9 public hearing was the opportunity for public input on the proposed Town Local Law. The hearing two months ago

was publicly noticed on April 18.

Town Attorney Scalera noted, “The legislative intent for the Town of Oyster Bay to do this is obviously our most precious commodity and most precious resource – for the health, safety and welfare of our schoolchildren. The Town government and our law office has performed due diligence with experts in this field, and they have opened our eyes up to what has transpired across the country and how effective STOParm cameras and recordings have been for reducing accidents or tragedies.”

Supervisor Saladino brought up the observations of some people that cameras already exist on school buses. He asked Town Attorney Scalera to clarify the situation of how the Town’s role is solely in the adjudication of tickets/ fines, and the Town is essentially taking part in a process set forward at the New York State level.

“New York State spells this out in 1174-A for the Town to approve the local law, as without it there is no mechanism to adjudicate or administer anything the cameras on the bus record. Videos and pictures will come to the Town for administration and then the summons would go out to the violator,” Scalara said.

Town Councilman Tom Hand noted that the fine of $250 is sent to the vehicle’s owner and there are no points assessed for a driver’s license. Town Supervisor Saladino explained that for drivers nothing changes in the legality of passing a school bus – everyone is still required to stop whether they are on the side of the road the bus is going in or the opposite direction’s lanes.

“Drivers on both sides of the road must stop – make a full stop and do not proceed until the STOP-sign arm closes

Scammer gets $42K from fake bail call

From page 1

cer. He requested the victim provide $27,000 as civil compensation for the pregnant female from the auto accident having a miscarriage. The victim again complied with this request and withdrew the funds from her bank. A short time later, a driver came to retrieve the money.

The victim later realized this was a scam and contacted Nassau County

Police. The investigation is ongoing.

The Nassau County Police Department urges the community to be on alert and to remind vulnerable family members, friends, and neighbors about potential scams or frauds.

Detectives request that if anyone has information regarding the above crime to contact the Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1 – 800 -244 – TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

and the bus door closes with children aboard loaded safely and those dropped off out of the vicinity of the road. That does not change but if a driver does pull out they are now photographed and through this process, they will receive a ticket by mail for the offense with a fine that was already set by Albany (state lawmakers),” Saladino announced.

Councilman Lou Imbroto pointed out an exception to the state law for roads with a school bus stopping for pickup or drop-off. He referenced four lane roads with a vertical center median made of concrete, similar to some highways.

Councilman Steve Labriola backed up the concern as he said the potential is high for bad accidents, in particular rear-end collisions, for drivers who stop for a school bus STOP-arm on the opposite side of a local highway like Rt. 110 or Sunrise Highway. He said the cameras should not operate on roadways where the speed limit is 35 MPH or higher.

“That part of the VTL should be clear – we as parents want that enforced for local streets and roads with traffic under 40 MPH. But I think there’s a possibility to open up other problems if the agreements with districts do not address this and we don’t exercise our discretion here,” he said.

Town Attorney Scalera said the state statute might be interpreted as strict, but it does allow for discretion of roads where the law should be applicable by the home municipality or adjudicate entity. He hopes for more “crystallization” of the state law concerning road conditions where school buses stop, including roads with medians.

“Some of these questions have come up as there are a couple of towns in Nassau County and Suffolk County where it

is questionable. There are officials lobbying New York State to address some of these nuances and incidental issues so we may see a change coming for 1174 and 1174-A,” Scalera said.

Councilman Imbroto wanted to see if the potential changes could be accounted for in the Town’s proposed legislation, and Scalera suggested conversations with districts about how the district cameras aboard buses are programmed for filtering roadway conditions in villages and hamlets.

He said that while the state law needs to be clearer on such issues, to help TOBAY residents the potential for nuances of roadways impacting a driver’s choices of stopping for a school bus would be accounted for in the local law.

“Final review of any reported violation recorded on video or in a photograph would be from the Town, including by our Public Safety Department or the Town Attorney’s office – there is discretion built-in to the program just as with police officers on scene there is discretion involved for the circumstances, such as passing the bus for reasons that have nothing to do with the driver’s making an unsafe maneuver. Possibly an ambulance was trying to go through, for example, and the driver had to move over and accidentally pass by the bus arm,” Scalera explained.

He then summarized the local law’s initiative for the Board and public, “One of the main things we’ve learned through our due diligence is that the implementation of such programs reduces the amount of violations where people pass school buses, so that’s the legislative intent for the safety of our children.”

Empire State Ride to end cancer

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as local businesses will line the streets with food, live music and fun activities for families.

“By putting two feet forward and bicycling in this event, our community plays an important role in raising charitable funds to advance cancer research and treatment,” said Councilman Labriola. “I look forward to participating in the event myself and hope to see all our residents there on July 22nd!”

Registration is now open for this fundraising event with a $25 fee for each participant. Riders will commit to a fundraising minimum which is $200 for adults and $75 for riders under 18 for all routes. To kick start each rider’s efforts, their $25 registration fee will be credited to their fundraising page. Those interested in learning more or signing up to ride and raise funds for the event, should visit www.esrlongisland.com.

Old Bethpage musical group performs at Lincoln Center

BY GARY SIMEONE

The FREE (Family Residence Essential Enterprises) Players, a special needs group based out of Old Bethpage, put on a great show this past Saturday, July 1st. The music ensemble played to a packed house at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in Manhattan.

Maureen Roache, senior manager of Day Services at FREE, said that the group, which included thirty performers, put on a drum corps show, along with a dance-flag performance.

“It was definitely one of their top five performances as far as the venue and turnout,” said Roache. “They were very excited to be able to perform in front of the cameras and have such a big audience on hand to cheer for them.”

Roache said the FREE Players group has been in existence for over ten years and originally consisted of a variety of instrumentalists, including keyboard, piano players and brass ensemble.

“They were on an upward trajectory of adding more members and different instruments before the pandemic hit in 2020. That hindered a lot of their progress and the group was unable to have any practice or performances for over two years.”

The group was recently honored by the County and the Town of Oyster Bay

this past Friday for their big achievement. Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joe Saladino were in attendance at the Old Bethpage location to honor the Long Island band.

“This amazing ensemble is made up

of talented, inspiring individuals, but they are so much more than that,” said Saladino. “They send a wonderfully strong message that people of all ability levels can make their dreams come true.”

The FREE Players are scheduled to

play additional performances this summer.

To find out more about Family Enterprises and upcoming performances, you can visit the website, familyres.org

Members of the FREE Players were honored by Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino

Pursuit Collection Offers Feast for Senses and the Soul in Banff, Canada

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

On our first evening in Banff to sample Pursuit Collection’s tourism and hospitality services, we dine at Farm & Fire, one of Banff’s newest restaurants. It is a delightful open, woody dining room within Elk & Avenue Hotel (originally the Banff International Hotel), also a Pursuit Collection property

Farm & Fire was launched in June of 2020, with a menu designed by Chef Scott Hergott, who has been recognized for his award-winning culinary innovation at the Banff Gondola’s Sky Bistro (which we later get to enjoy).

Farm & Fire specializes in wood-fired and slow-roasted selections, reflecting Hergott’s farm-to-table philosophy and his commitment to sustainability. Ingredients are sourced from local purveyors (a list of who to thank is posted) and you can look into

the open kitchen to watch the artful preparations.

The bursts of flavor combinations are exciting and original – you can’t really pin down a specific cuisine - and the preparations and presentations are as pleasing to the eye as the palate. The selections are served as shared plates, family style, which creates a communal experience (amazing how much conversation happens over what to order and everyone’s reaction to sampling each).

I get my first taste of bannock and immediately become addicted. This is an indigenous fried bread with a delightful doughy texture, somewhere between a donut and a doughy roll, and delectable (not bland) flavor, that Farm & Fire serves with three different seasoned butters.

My next discovery is Chef Hergott’s Lion’s Mane Mushrooms that are indescribably delicious.

We get to meet Chef Hergott, now the executive chef for Pursuit Collection, at a tasting lunch in the Mount Royal Hotel’s Cascade lounge,

to preview the new seasonal menu for Brazen, Pursuit’s new restaurant at the historic hotel, built in 1908 and taken over by the Brewsters in 1912, the tourism enterprise that was acquired by Pursuit Collection in 2014.

Of Farm & Fire, Chef Hergott says, “It is Canadian produce and ideas but the flavors are original - small plates with big flavors.”

Each of Pursuit’s restaurants are chef-centric, he says, which means the chefs come up with their own recipes, as we will soon find out. Brazen (in a space that was once the saloon) is “out there” offering bold choices that pay homage to the mountaineers, adventurers and founders of Banff (the menu even features their photos and bios).

The culinary concept behind Brazen, which opened in June 2022, is “eat who you are.” This is only the third menu being introduced at Brazen and we get to sample such items as Ramen Eggs (with Nori, sesame, wasabi peas); duck croquettes

Dijonaise (truffle, Dijon Aioli, arugula and mushroom), bison (Tandoori roasted with watercress, red curry corn puree), Edible Earth (hummus with toasted rye crumb, Kalamata olive, roasted beet, pickled carrot, watercress); fried artichoke (dill, smoked tofu cream); ginger beef (certified Angus with blistered shishitos, onions, ginger syrup).

Small plates include pork belly (with carrot ginger puree, pickled mustard and sour maple) and salmon gravlax (strawberry gel, crème fraiche, cucumber, beet chips, dill). The smoked beef tartare is prepared with cognac, egg yoke, pickled onion and truffle oil and lit on fire as it is served “to add pizzazz” as we find out at dinner.

The desserts are incredible: Strawberry Fields is made with coconut cream, strawberry sorbet, mint oil, and strawberry rhubarb compote, then fashioned like a trompe d’oeil to look like cigarettes in an ash

Continued on next page

Dining at Sky Bistro atop the Sulphur Mountain summit, reached by the Banff Gondola – an incomparable view matched by an incomparable culinary experience © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Pursuit Collection Offers Feast for Senses and the Soul in Banff, Canada

Continued from previous page

tray; crème brulee made with coffee, cookie crumble and white chocolate; and Pavlova made with white chocolate, whipped cream and blueberry. So culinary artistry that is also fun.

“There are no handcuffs on our chefs to develop recipes,” Chef Scott says. He challenges his chefs to try something they never had before, or, conversely, harken back to childhood. “We want the chefs to be intentional about their food creations, have a story, don’t just create a dish, always create with a twist.”

“Our secret advantage is that our staff comes from all over the world30 countries are represented. We listen to the flavors from their home.” He encourages his chefs to write a menu from their experience and their colleagues’ past. “Then it is about how they make it their own.”

About the Lions Mane mushrooms which I so enjoyed at Farm & Fire, he says, “Let the food do the work. No more than 5 points on plate.”

There are two special challenges Chef Scott faces: there are more than 60 restaurants within this tiny (walkable) town, and the strict sustainability rules of existing within a national park, especially in stocking the Sky Bistro atop Sulphur Mountain, reached by the Banff Gondola.

“The weight of a product is restricted in the park. We spent 60-70 hours looking at compostable cups. We look at sustainability when purchasing from suppliers. Food waste is composted. We recycle spent cooking oil for fuel. Everything that goes up the mountain has to come down. We have to keep track of the propane tanks.”

We get to experience Sky Bistro, quite literally “elevated dining” and not just for the spectacular view (from

farm to summit,” Chef Scott says), along with the marvelous ride up the Banff Gondola and the whole series of experiences at the summit.

Rising up to 7,486 feet to the Sulphur Mountain summit, the Banff Gondola is Banff’s number one attraction for good reason. It’s not just the incomparable, breathtaking view of six stunning mountain ranges and the sweep of the Bow Valley from the summit, but the delightful eateries including the superb Sky Bistro, engaging exhibits, “Night Rising” (a creative sound-and-light happening), and for me, the chance to scamper down and up a half-mile long boardwalk along the peak to another peak to see the intriguingly named Cosmic Ray Station.

Justifiably winning the title “best rooftop restaurant in all of Canada” and the accolade, “dining sanctuary in the sky”, Sky Bistro is the most perfect place to dine as the sun is setting. The views are spectacular from the walls of windows inside, but I dash out to the observation areas. It is such perfection that I would bet there are marriage proposals just about every evening, as there is this evening.

The culinary experience pairs the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains with a distinctly Canadian menu that features the flavors of Canada through regionally sourced meats, produce and ingredients. (Check out the menu, https:// www.banffjaspercollection.com/dining/sky-bistro/our-menu/; also reserve in advance.)

At darkness, “Night Rise” takes over – a sound and light show that still is respectful of animals affected by light pollution as well as First Nations peoples who were the original inhabitants – so even the colors have to be appropriate, and it cuts off at a relatively early hour, 10 pm when the gondola closes.

There are igloos and fire pits, and sensors that make color and sound based on your own movement.

Mount Royal Hotel

Each day and night it is so pleasant to return to the Mount Royal Hotel.

One of the oldest hotels in Banff, a gold plaque outside the Mount Royal hotel says, “established in 1908. Re-imagined in 2018. Always at the heart of this community.”

The hotel was acquired by the Brewsters in 1912. It is delightfully situated so it is walking distance to absolutely everything (including the convenient buses to ski areas and that take you to Lake Louise, 45 minutes away, where private cars are not allowed and there are no lodgings).

The hotel cherishes its history, but actually, what guests experience is brand new from 2018. In the hotel’s museum we learn about the hotel had to be rebuilt twice due to fire – the most recent on Christmas 2016.

The 133-room hotel – its four-stories grandfathered in a town that limits buildings to three - was gut renovated in just 18 months after the fire (no casualties and the guests were immediately accommodated at Pursuit Collection’s other hotel, the 164-room Elk & Avenue; the damage was mainly from the water that froze instantly in minus 20 degree temperature.) First responders, including the man who would become Pursuit’s Executive Chef, Scott Hergott, spent six hours dousing the fire. Scott even went back into the structure to recover a guest’s ring.

We wander through each of the four wings of the hotel: the 1960s wing which was rebuilt after a 1967 fire by WG Milne (see some of those dramatic photos in the 2nd floor museum); a 1940s wing with works by Banff’s renowned cowboy artist Charlie Biel, who also did the

Colorful Diet for Your Eyes

BY CHARLYN FARGO

In a sports nutrition class I teach at the University of Illinois Springfield, the role of nutrition in helping athletes perform better goes undisputed. Nutrition is an important part of any top athlete’s training program.

A new study by researchers at the University of Georgia looked at how supplementing the diet of athletes with colorful fruits and vegetables could improve their visual range. Their paper was published in Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews. It examined how a group of plant compounds that build up the retina of the eye work to improve eye health and functional vision.

Previously, researchers showed that eating foods such as dark, leafy greens or

yellow and orange vegetables, which contain high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, improved eye and brain health.

This new study, led by neuroscience doctoral student Jack Harth of the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, looked at higher concentrations of the plant pigment’s ability to improve vision in the far visual range.

Visual range, or how well a person can see a target clearly over distance, is critical for top athletes in almost any sport, but especially baseball. Objects get harder to see and appear fuzzier the farther they are from our eyes because of blue light.

“From a center fielder’s perspective, if that ball’s coming up in the air, it will be seen against a background of bright blue sky, or against a gray background if it’s a cloudy day. Either way, the target

relief outside the building.

The second floor has a delightful, roomy library, a small museum commemorating the Mount Royal’s history, and a place where coffee and tea are served in the morning. (You get an idea of what the Brewsters’ first livery transportation was like by the statuette in the lobby.)

The hotel’s 5th floor offers a lovely, expansive Cascade Lounge (opens at 10 am and at 4 pm serves beer, wine and cocktails), while outside are two hot tubs with gorgeous views of the mountain peaks.

The exterior of the hotel pays homage to its history and heritage, and as you walk along Banff Avenue, the town’s first street (designed in 1886 by Superintendent George Stewart), you see the original structures and enjoy the historic markers that preserve their story.

Befitting a town built on tourism, they really know how to cater to visitors – there are wonderful signs, markers, historic plaques (there are 48) and descriptions (there are 179 sites listed on its Inventory of Historic Resources including 25 Landmarks and Legends) that immerse you in the experience. They make it easy to get around. There is a free skiers bus. In summer, they turn the main street into a pedestrian mall. The surprise here is that Banff is also a real community.

Pursuit Collection, part of Viad Corp, is an attractions and hospitality company, that offers world-class attractions, distinctive lodges and engaging tours in national parks and renowned global travel locations, including a growing collection of FlyOver flight ride attractions in Vancouver, Reykjavik, Las Vegas, Chicago (expected opening 2024) and Toronto (expected opening 2024), pursuitcollection.com. To book Pursuit Collection’s Banff and Jasper experiences, https://www.banffjaspercollection. com/

is obscured by atmospheric interference coming into that path of the light,” wrote Harth in the paper.

Though lots of athletes wear sunglasses to make it easier, “eating more foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin can improve the eye’s natural ability to handle blue light exposure,” said Harth. Lutein and zeaxanthin add yellow pigment to the retina, reducing the amount of blue light that enters the eye. Research in the 1980s showed that eating more lutein and zeaxanthin improved the visual range of pilots.

But it’s not just for athletes or pilots. Many of us would benefit from adding more color to our diet through fruits and vegetables to improve our eyesight. The

Continued on page 5

© 2023 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com

Crossword Answers

BY THOMAS BRENNAN

In much the same manner as my early radio background enabled me to develop the listening skills to become entranced by the cadence of Vin Scully and Red Barber; I believe that comic books acted as a catalyst to my eventually becoming an avid reader.

A comic book gives the reader a drawn picture of a character speaking printed words, which I have always seen as a kind of training ground for making the more complex transition of using your own imagination to develop a mental picture of a central character drawn from a described event in a novel. In essence, comic book reading is not frivolous even as its purpose is simply to entertain. In time, from comic book reading, the young reader learns to develop the attention span to more readily enter into a novel’s well-developed plot in much the same manner as a comic book panel leads the reader deeper into a story line even if the central character is Donald Duck.

Most of us in our immediate area played street games; the arena was right in front of us as we walked out of our front door, but eventually, and at a very early age, quite a few of us entered into another part of the expansive venue of Prospect Heights: the children’s entrance of the Main Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. It, too, was right around the corner. We did this as we did everything else, by ourselves. I know of no one who was first taken to the library by a concerned parent, even as I was often encouraged to visit by my father.

There was an advantage in having your local library have the distinction of being a “Main Branch” building located in an art-deco setting that was an integral part of the Grand Army Plaza background, even as the library’s more modern design broke from the Victorian Era architectural theme of the immediate area. Our library was not only bigger with its vast reserves of stored books far more extensive than the norm, but the inside layout was spacious and visually appealing. There was an added benefit that came from our recognizing the orderliness in how knowledge and information was structured and easily referenced.

The outside appearance of the library was simply magnificent and was intended to act as a beacon to draw people within its high vaulted main entrance doors.

Many of the books in the children’s section reflected the distinctive spirit of adventure that I have always felt

The Gift of Reading

personified the rugged era of the late nineteen thirties. I think the reason for the number of books dating to that period may have been that during the war years, there was little budget consideration for the purchase of library books.

Movies of the late thirties, which we would see in the local theaters on Saturday afternoons, and later on early TV, featured pirates, cowboys and Indians, as well as classical heroes like Robin Hood, all accompanied by vivid action and stirring music. Then too, we were exposed to characters like Jungle Jim, and other fearless explorers who somehow always managed to run into quicksand or to become confronted by a pack of hungry lions. In addition, we were exposed to episodic serial shorts like Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon, which were a late nineteen thirties’ scifi staple that we loved.

As far as I was concerned, all of these attractions seemed directed toward a world of adventure and daring depicted in a dramatic manner that beckoned to young boys and their lively imaginations. Our hunger for Westerns made in the nineteen-thirties that were shown on a revolving basis on Saturday movie matinees, was insatiable. When television later became a living-room fixture, these same films were regularly seen on early TV. The lure of the Wild West became an appetite that was never truly satisfied.

The popularity of westerns was yet another indication of that era’s rugged spirit, an energy that later became sustained and amplified by the written word that we would seek out at the library.

Here at our disposal was “Knockout” and “The Kid in Left Field” by John Tunis, the numerous comedies of the Henry Aldrich genre, featuring naïve but humorous and likeable teenagers, along with Landmark books that were historical and often interesting. Most especially I joined so many others in the generation ahead of me who loved The Hardy Boys series.

Later would come, P. C. Wren’s, “Beau Greste,” Jeffrey Farnol’s “The Amateur Gentleman,” Sabatini’s ‘Scaramouche,” and “Captain Blood,” as well as Kenneth Roberts’ historical novels, along with so many others. Thanks to an attentive and caring librarian who will always have my gratitude, I was the first library patron to take out a brand new edition of a massive tome, “The Knights of the Round Table,” set in a beautifully-bound white leather binding illustrated by Howard Pyle. Suddenly, as I turn the pages, I am back on my horse, but this time my

imagination takes me not to Colorado with the Lone Ranger, but rather I am on a mighty steed in front of a bridge in pre-Medieval England, staring at the heroic image of Sir Lancelot. Many of us would no doubt cite a similar list. A number of the books I took home did not have a jacket cover, having only the hard book binding itself, and I still like the sense of that raw book feel.

Once again, I had entered into a private world, one to which, from my hours of lying on my living room rug listening with rapt attention to every word spoken on the radio, or while intently reading a comic book, or for that matter doing both, I had been honed to become receptive. In one sense, I went into the library as I did years before into Jake’s Candy Store on a Saturday morning, looking for a new comic book edition. As in Jake’s, I was selective, looking for a hidden find, maybe a returned Hardy Boys book I had not yet read. Reading was something I liked that I could do on my own. Almost everyone I knew grow-

ing up who were so exposed became lifetime readers. To this day when we meet, those of us who had that exposure will talk about what book we have recently read that might be of interest.

I never looked at the library as a haven for the intellect. In essence, I felt that the library became yet another kind of pleasure dome, a separate, almost secret place to be readily entertained. Furthermore, reading a comic book or a library book while listening to an episode of Straight Arrow, I would always pause to lift my head up to listen to the searing ‘whish’ of his arrow in the exciting intro phase. The characters and the format of both venues became immediately plausible priming me for other real adventures that awaited me as I advanced in years.

Ultimately, I became better prepared for the encounters with the good and evil, friend and foe, joy and sorrow, as the story of life ultimately revealed itself chapter by chapter.

BY TOM MARGENAU

Q: In a recent column, you highlighted some harsh words from a guy who was critical of the government in general and the Social Security Administration in particular.

I just wanted to tell you that my recent experience with the SSA filing a claim for retirement benefits could not have gone more smoothly. I used the online application process, and everything went like clockwork. My claim was finished in less than a week and my first check showed up in my bank account right on time. Can you please let people know the system works?

Q: It really galls me to hear people criticize the Social Security Administration and them lambaste you as a former employee of the agency. You should know that our recent dealings with SSA were top-rate. The representative we dealt with was courteous, classy and knowledgeable. We could not have been happier with the service we received

Q: I don’t see how you put up with those nasty, finger-pointing old goats who seem to have nothing better to do than gripe about alleged poor service from the Social Security Administration. My guess is that whatever problems they might have had with the agency came about in large part because of the big chip they have on their shoulder when it comes to anything having to do with the government. My wife and I just wanted you to know that our recent interaction with SSA employees when we filed for our retirement benefits was exceptional. They were very helpful.

Q: What I want to know is: Why are you so willing to publish diatribes from people who are so critical of an agency you spent most of your life working for? I just think you should know that when I recently signed up for my retirement benefits, the local Social Security office people were very efficient and courteous. The young woman who took care of me was professional in every way. The entire process was smooth and simple. Please publish the good news about SSA and stop highlighting the few bad apples.

These are just a few of the emails I received following a recent column in which, once again, some guy was critical of the Social Security Administration and its employees. And sadly, those critical emails usually outnumber the glowing ones. But I’m sure that has a lot to do with the fact that people are much more likely to complain about poor service than they are to acknowledge and praise good service. That’s why I was so pleased to get the emails that I printed in today’s column.

Some readers may remember a cus-

Customers Give SSA a Thumbs Up

tomer service survey column I wrote about several years ago. I was getting lots of emails from readers critical of the SSA’s services or of the allegedly bad advice they were getting from the agency’s representatives. Once again, I figured that people were much more likely to write and complain about bad service than they were to send me accolades praising good service.

So, I decided to test my theory by conducting a survey of my readers. I got hundreds of responses. Long story short: The vast majority -- almost 90% -- of respondents said they were happy and satisfied with the service they got from the SSA.

That was the good news for the Social Security Administration and its employees. But there was another side to that coin. I was able to glean this bit of information from the responses. SSA’s front line employees did routine work very well. And fortunately, most of us have rather routine experiences with Social Security. We turn 62 or 67 and want to file for retirement benefits and that’s that. It’s all rather simple and cut and dried.

But if your Social Security situation is not quite routine, then, sadly, SSA reps sometimes fall down on the job. And I think a lot of this has to do with training. When I started working for the SSA in 1973, I went to a highly intensive and vigorous 3 month class that was taught by very expert trainers -- frontline supervisory people who had been with the agency for decades and who had seen it all. And they passed all this knowledge on to us young neophytes -- comprehensive facts and information that carried us through our careers. But regrettably, that’s not the way things work anymore. Today, new SSA hires get about 6 weeks of mostly online computer training. That’s just not the way to teach raw recruits about all the complicated Social Security rules and regulations.

So, if you are John Q. or Jane Q. Public, what are you supposed to do if you are pushing Social Security age and you are about to deal with the Social Security Administration for the first time?

Well, as I alluded to earlier, most of you probably have fairly routine situations. You are about to retire and you want to apply for your Social Security benefits, and that’s all. In that case, I recommend you get on your computer and go to www.socialsecurity.gov and file online. The whole process is really quite simple.

But if you’ve got a Social Security case with a few wrinkles -- like having a spouse eligible for Social Security benefits at the same time; like possibly being eligible for benefits on two different accounts (usually your own and a living or deceased or divorced husband or wife); or like wanting to file for benefits before full retirement age but continue working part time -- then I recommend you

talk to someone in person by calling the SSA at 800-772-1213, If the first person you talk to seems a little hesitant or unsure of himself or herself, ask to speak to a supervisor.

Or send an email to a highly trained but now retired former SSA representative who writes a nationally syndicated column about Social Security issues. I can’t take your claim, but I certainly will be able to answer your questions.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers on page 2

I am quite sure that all of those in the commercial real estate business are very well aware of the devastation that the Covid-19 Pandemic has caused to many segments of our economy especially the values of the commercial office sector in New York City as well as most major metropolitan locations. Prices have tumbled and there are those that are and have been bailing out of ownership of those types of investments. The Pandemic was and is the major factor contributing to the 35% of U.S. workers whose jobs can be performed remotely and are now currently working at home. Some have gone back to work part-time, 1-2 or more days per week as requested by various companies, and a few others, like Alon Musk at Tesla, that have demanded that everyone come back to work or get fired or laid off.

Statista, which takes surveys and compiles crucial information about the workforce here and around the globe about work habits, preferences, and opinions about work, did a survey on April 24, 2023, and I quote:

“Working remotely has been an emerging trend in recent years. Between 2017 and 2018, there were about 34.7 million full-time workers who had the option to work from home. Of these people, nearly 24 percent reported working from home due to personal preference. In 2019, 73 percent of people working from home said that the flexibility of working remotely had positively impacted their personal well-being and improved their ability to balance work with leisure and community activities. Additionally, more than 70% of people working remotely saw improvement in their mental health. In some cases, workers reported experiencing more distractions when working at home. However, many found a remote work environment to be more conducive to productivity, and saw improvement in their job performance; a factor that has made remote work appealing to employers. In the 2nd quarter of 2020, 70% worked remotely, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. In the

The Rise of Co-Working Spaces

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Continued from page 2

authors concluded that small improvements in visual ability can produce significant performance advantages in athletic competitions; increasing amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin through dietary changes can produce significant improvements in visual range, among other abilities relevant to sports.

2nd quarter of 2021, 48% worked remotely. In the 4th quarter of 2022, it was down to 24%.”

According to a recent survey completed by Randstad, a provider of human resources services, 61% of those surveyed would not accept a position that they felt would adversely affect their work-life balance.

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco also did a study in September 2022 called “Remote Work and Housing Demand.” They found that 30% of work across the U.S. was still being done at home in August 2022, especially in cities with an abundant amount of tech jobs. According to the study, the shift to home-based work accounted for 60% of the U.S. home price increases during the Pandemic.

So it was obvious that many did go back to their offices and probably enjoyed seeing their workers once again, assisting in making them feel more stable and mentally cognizant and happier with their old familiar surroundings. However, the number of hybrid workers in the 2nd quarter of 2020 was 18%, as so many had established that as a more permanent work environment. In the 2nd quarter of 2021, it rose to 31%, mainly due to the Pandemic, and by 2023, 53% participated in hybrid work. So many became comfortable with being able to work at home and at the same time go to their offices. I believe this created a truly positive work-life balanced environment. Working and having to go to an office has drastically changed and will never be the same as the Covid19 Pandemic had totally changed the dynamics and attitude of the normal job and its’ previous requirements. My belief is that the mental health and stability of those who either work from home full time or have a hybrid schedule is and will be far more beneficial for the majority. The connection and closeness to one’s family will greatly

enhance relationships and create more free time, instead of countless hours of travel time, especially for those who are further away from their jobs. The saved time will be better spent in more productive ways whether working or spending time with significant others and family. However, on the negative side, public transportation has suffered greatly with the severe lack of ridership due to the increased hybrid working habitat. How will the MTA and local transportation survive without income? As the largest rapid transit system and infrastructure in the world, increased taxes and fares will be required and a necessity to enable it to survive and hopefully thrive, unless a better form of transportation will come about, which is always possible. Greater emphasis on efficiency and technology, watching excessive cost overruns, more strict oversight in those taking advantage of overtime and better scheduling will surely greatly improve the operation. For many who are planning to start a business or who currently work remotely, purchasing a home with that additional space has become tantamount, crucial, and pretty much mandatory. Homes with that additional space have become more valuable as workplace flexibility becomes most important. For those who were spending hundreds of dollars a month on transportation and food, that has enabled working from home to be a huge cost savings. This has greatly assisted some to spend a bit more on a home to acquire that additional and necessary space for their job and/or business. Also, small workspaces have become extremely popular and some of the largest co-working type companies offering downsized spaces are global leader, Regus, under their IWG umbrella, a group of hybrid-working brands, including, HQ Global Workplaces

I believe this new way to work is the

Colorful Diet for Your Eyes

Q and A

Q: What is Himalayan salt?

A: Himalayan salt is a pink-hued variety of salt that is sourced near the Himalayas of South Asia. The origins of the salt date back millions of years when the salt was deposited in a prehistoric lagoon. Until recently the Himalayan salt market was fairly small. Now, exports have grown to 400,000 tons of salt each

replacement of the concept of the 4-day work week which has been discussed and written about for years, but somehow, never really took hold until the Pandemic. So this is our new hybrid flexible work week that will most likely be the future for many in the workforce and create a happier and more productive work environment.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.) and in 2022 has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly construction. He will provide you with “free” regular updates of sold and new homes in your town via the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI) or go to https://WWW. Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” `15 minute consultation, as well as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and our Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

You can email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your request or ideas, suggestions or interview you for a specific topic and a Q & A for a future column with your name, email and cell number. He will email or call you back and respond to your request ASAP as long as he has your complete name, cell, email and/or full home or business address. Again, for a “FREE” 15 minute consultation, he can also be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com to answer any of your questions and concerns in selling, investing, purchasing, or leasing residential or commercial property.

year. While Himalayan salt has no calories, protein or fat, it does have sodium and trace minerals of calcium, potassium and magnesium, which give the salt its pink tint. Himalayan salt carries the same risks as other types of salt -- getting too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure and raises the risk for heart disease. Treat Himalayan salt like another other type of salt -- use it sparingly.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

How Bright Are the Stars?

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of July 16-22, 2023

Much as we measure the intensity of natural phenomena such as earthquakes or tornadoes with a “magnitude,” we also use the term to refer to a star’s brightness. Unfortunately, many beginning stargazers are mystified by this concept.

It was the ancient Greek astronomer Hipparchus who, 21 centuries ago, compiled the first catalog of star brightnesses. In it, he listed the stars around the sky and rated their brightnesses on a scale of 1 to 6. He designated the brightest as first magnitude and the dimmest as sixth.

When astronomers began using modern technology to measure stellar brightnesses, they learned two interesting things. First, they found that each of Hipparchus’ magnitudes is about 2.5 times brighter than the next greater magnitude. In other words, a second-magnitude star is about 2.5 times brighter than one of third magnitude. And, secondly, they found that there were objects brighter than first magnitude, as well as countless objects fainter than sixth. So, they expanded the scale to accommodate these.

For example, stars 2.5 times brighter than first magnitude were termed zero magnitude. Vega, the brightest star now appearing high in the east at dusk, is a good case in point. Stars brighter than this were assigned negative magnitudes, and those stars fainter than naked-eye visibility were assigned larger magnitudes.

Remember that number line you learned in school? Thought you’d never see it again, didn’t you!

The range of celestial brightnesses is impressive. The sun shines at a stunning magnitude of -26, and the full moon appears at -12.5. This week, the planet Venus appearing low in the western sky at dusk shines at -4.7. The faintest objects seen by the largest professional telescopes have been measured to be about 30th magnitude.

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

My husband has never been a coffee drinker. He’ll go for an extremely sweetened cappuccino every now and then that would induce sugar shock in most people, but typically he’s more of a tea kind of guy. Still, he’s always respected our hot drink differences and although he’s suggested I decaf a bit, he’s never sunk to doomsday tactics to get me to give up caffeine. Then he started drinking this health food store green drink that smells like wet grass clippings and makes you want to moo when you drink it. It came with names like Daily Health Greens, Green Goodness and Field of Greens, which neither made me want to drink it nor skip through meadows of it.

Of course, once he discovered his new elixir, he became the poster child of green drink consumption. He extolled

Ancient Greek astronomer Hipparchus created the original system of classifying a star’s magnitude.

Now, throwing around numbers like this can be interesting, but to see how this brightness scale works, go outdoors after dark and look midway up in the northern sky. There, Northern Hemisphere stargazers should spot Polaris, the North Star. It’s not the brightest in the heavens as many beginners think; it’s rather faint -- only a second-magnitude star.

Streaming upward from Polaris after dark this week are the stars of the Little Dipper. This grouping is tough to see from anywhere near the bright lights of a city. From there, you’d be lucky to find Polaris and maybe two additional stars, but drive to a dark site in the wilderness and you’ll have much less trouble locating all seven stars of the Little Dipper.

Once you find it, you’ll discover that each of the Little Dipper’s “bowl” stars shines with a different brightness. The brightest is known as Kochab and

It’s Not Easy Being Green

the virtues of a green drink lifestyle and pointed out all the celebrities who embraced his new passion with him. At first, he subtly tried to get me to come over to the green side. But then he made numerous overt attempts to get me to convert from coffee to mowedlawn drink in the name of health.

He offered it to me mixed with lemon juice. He gave it to me mixed with apple juice. He blended it with ice and made me a mowed-lawn smoothie. In an effort to be open-minded, I politely tried each one before making a face, gagging and pouring it down the sink. Finally, I told him I’d have to have a tastebud-ectomy to drink it again.

This was not the first time he got on a beverage bandwagon. There was the time he got on the juicing kick and every morning I would wake to the sound of apples, bananas and strawber-

appears much the same as Polaris: second magnitude. To the right of Kochab lies Pherkad, a third-magnitude star. Then comes Zeta Ursae Minoris -- a fourth-magnitude star. And finally, we find Eta Ursae Minoris -- a fifth-magnitude star.

Along with the stars of the Summer Triangle high in the eastern sky, you’ll have a good set of comparison stars to estimate the magnitudes of others around the heavens. Once you begin to do this, you’ll be able to estimate stellar magnitudes without using any of these comparison stars for help.

Follow Dennis Mammana at facebook/dennismammana.

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ries being diced, sliced and juicified. He got a book about juicing, watched videos about juicing and got a special machine just for juicing. I became resigned to the fact that my kitchen counters would be eternally covered in fruit pulp and my garbage overflowing with orange peels and apple cores. But then one day the juicing craze ended just as mysteriously as it began and was replaced by the powdered grass clippings.

“This green drink is filled with vitamins and minerals,” he said enthusiastically.

“So is my multivitamin,” I replied.

“But this has seaweed in it,” he said.

“Is that supposed to be a selling point?” I said, wrinkling up my nose.

“Seaweed is good for you,” he said.

“So is fish oil,” I said, “But I’m not going to drink that either.”

True, the idea of a seaweed smoothie made my

mouth water... but not in a good way.

“Spongebob drinks kelp smoothies,” he finally said, attempting to appeal to the mom in me.

“That would only be a selling point if I wore square pants and lived in a pineapple under the sea,” I replied.

The next morning as I waited for my coffee to brew and he drank his glass of grass, he said to me, “You’re never going to drink this stuff, are you?”

“No,” I replied. “Not unless I come back in my next life as a cow.”

Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS

ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900 AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 11 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. www.gcnews.com

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

HOME HEALTH AIDE/COMPANION.

Gentle. Optimistic. Experienced with many medical conditions and kinds of people. Families have told me I created a lovely environment, more than they could have hoped for. Please call Grace 917-499-9520

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

RECEPTIONIST PART TIME NEEDED for Port Washington Animal Hospital. Including evenings/ weekends. Please call for interview/more info: 516-883-2005

SITUATION WANTED

AIDE/CARE GIVER:

Available for work in East Hampton and surrounding area. Caring, Efficient, Reliable.

Available FT Live In nights & weekends to care for your sick or elderly loved one. Cooking, personal grooming, administer medications. 15years experience. References available. Fully Vaccinated. Please Call 631-830-9016

CARETAKER AVAILABLE

Ukrainian woman seeking position as Housekeeper, Caretaker. Excellent Cook. Available Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Hardworking and well organized. Teacher. Speaks Ukrainian, Russian, Polish and communicative English. Excellent references.

Call Katherine: 516-547-6554

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

CHILD CARE AVAILABLE

Loving grandmother is available to care for your child. Flexible days/hours. Earnest, caring, experienced in this area over 40 years. Please call Martha: 516-539-7871 (leave message)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

USE ITCHNOMORE SHAMPOO ON DOGS & CATS to relieve secondary dermatitis, treat yeast infections & eliminate doggy odor. At Tractor Supply (www.happyjackinc. com)

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

516-746-8900

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Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit.... Our Shop

109 Eleventh St. Garden City

Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4

Shop Our Online Store

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Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange.org

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INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now!

Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things!

You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week!

Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516-279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information.

Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

ESTATE SALE GARDEN CITY

Saturday, July 15 9am to 3pm

117 Weyford Terrace Garden City, NY 11530

Fine china, glasses, dishes, household items, paintings, clothing, toys, amateur radio equipment, Christmas village, all types of furniture, desks, piano, pool table, juke box.

Something for Everyone !!

NO EARLY BIRDS !!

MARKETPLACE

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY!

Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture.

Immediate Cash Paid

Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

***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 CAN-

CER:

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

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

OFFICE SPACE

GARDEN CITY OFFICE

SPACE

Windowed office available in Garden City law suite. Use of reception area, conference room, kitchen, and copiers. Large workstation also available. Ample parking. Office has access from both sidewalk and building lobby. Prime location near parkways, restaurants, and shopping.

$1,500/month

Call: 516-408-7030

GARDEN CITY

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE

SPACE FOR SUBLET IN LAW FIRM SUITE

1305 Franklin Ave, Third Floor Suite

3 to 4 windowed offices and 2 to 3 Admin Asst. workstations available.

Shared reception area and kitchenette, use of conference rooms and copier included. Walk to LIRR Mineola station, courts, government buildings and GC downtown. Ideal for attorneys, accountants, insurance agents.

Available July 1st

Contact Michael Sparacino: michael.sparacino@brosnanlaw.com

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

VACATION RENTAL MATTITUCK

2 Bayfront Homes For Rent

One 3 BR, 2 BTH, One 2 BR House. Available the weeks of June 24th-July 1st and August 26-September 2nd. 3 BR House $2050-per week. 2 BR House

$1850-per week. IDEAL FAMILY VACATION. Call 631-298-8433

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

CONDO/CO-OP FOR SALE

CONDOMINIUM FOR SALE GARDEN CITY

1 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Condominium for sale. Located in Garden City at Wyndham West. Unit comes with 2 parking spaces. Asking $700,000. Call 516-524-3336

OUT OF TOWN REAL ESTATE

FOR SALE: BEAUTIFUL UPSTATE NEW YORK

1500 ft2 Ranch house on 42.51 ACRES with 640ft2 guest house, POND, VIEWS and PRIVATE SETTING!

View listing: https://dtaylor.kw.com /property/LST7072566530421866496-9

Call/Text Diane Taylor (Licensed NY State Salesperson KW Upstate NY Properties) 607-765-4115 (Cell)

SERVICES

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JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING

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SERVICES ATTORNEY

STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ.

Elder Law, Wills & Trusts

Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation

901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122

www.dangelolawassociates. com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

BURKE CLEANING SERVICES

Home Cleaning, Offices, Apts. Household help. Assisting Elderly clean up. We offer

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies

Top Brands at Discount Prices! Family owned & operated www.madeintheshadensli. com

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All types of stonework

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Free Estimates

Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000

Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886

PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY!

Slate & Tile Specialists

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Local References

Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869

AQUATEC LAWN

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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

CHIMNEY KING ENT. INC.

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Repairs & Installations of all types

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References

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ROOFS, GUTTERS, CARPENTRY, BATHROOMS, KITCHENS, NEW BASEMENT ENTRANCES, EXTENSIONS, MASONRY, FLOORS, WATERPROOFING, DRAINS, LEAKS, STOOPS, DECKS, DRIVEWAYS, DEMOLITION, RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ARIS CONSTRUCTION

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631-667-WIRE (9473) or TEXT 516-353-1118

HEALTH SERVICES

FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC

Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo PMHCNS-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Advanced Practice Nurse Care Manager

Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion

Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement

PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams

Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications

516-248-9323

www.familycareconnections.com

901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

SERVICES

MICHELANGELO

PAINTING & WALLPAPER

Interior, Exterior, Plaster / Spackle, Light Carpentry, Decorative Moldings & Power Washing.

Call: 516-328-7499

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Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up

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Bartenders Available.

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CLEANING

CLEANING AVAILABLE EXPERIENCED POLISH HOUSE CLEANER

Good references, ability. Very honest, reliable, responsible and hard working. Own transportation. English speaking. Flexible days and hours. Reasonable rates. I will do a good job.

Call or text 516-589-5640

SERVICES

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LEAK REPAIRS

Plumbing Repairs

Bathrooms, Showers, Kitchens

24 HOUR SERVICE

Call 516-668-5624

MAGNUM SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.

Serving Garden City for 40 years.

Let Magnum Upgrade Your Existing Security System.

Burglar & Fire Alarms

Cellular Radio 3G Upgrades

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Call: 516-486-5484

PASSION FOR SENIORS

Certified HHA’s, Companions & Homemakers. 24 hour care available. Also Nassau Locations. Trained in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

Call 718-850-3400

Call 294.8900

This flaky dessert is all about the blueberries

Blueberry Galette

Blueberries should be a delicious part of people’s daily diets because this flavorful fruit packs a nutritious punch. Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants, which can help the body fend off various illnesses.

Native to North America, blueberries are available fresh,

8 portions

Crust

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons sugar

Filling

8 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

frozen and canned and are used in a variety of recipes. Plus, they’re right at home whether one is serving breakfast, dinner or dessert. However, many people feel that blueberries are best eaten as pie filling.

Various pastries showcase blueberries, including the French galette. A galette is not

a pie, but more of a freeform crusty cake. However, it is similar to pie, making it a welcome alternative to that popular pastry. This recipe for “Blueberry Galette,” courtesy of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, is a delicious treat that’s perfect for entertaining.

4 ounces lard or shortening, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces and frozen

1 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces and refrigerated

1⁄2 cup ice water

1 teaspoon vodka

1 lemon, zested

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3⁄4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, separated

3 1⁄2 tablespoons cornstarch

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

CRUST

1. Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a food processor. Add the butter and lard.

2. Use the food processor to work the butter and lard into the flour by pulsing it until the butter is in pea-sized pieces.

3. Whisk the water and vodka together and add it to the flour/ butter mixture a few tablespoons at a time. It will start to look shaggy, but not dry. It should hold together when you squeeze it in your hand.

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

4. Gently press the dough into a ball using a pastry scraper or your hands. Divide the dough into two pieces and create round disks. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour, or overnight.

FILLING

1. In a small bowl, combine 3⁄4 cup sugar, cornstarch, salt, and lemon zest. Massage the zest into the sugar.

2. In a large bowl, toss together the blueberries and lemon juice. Add the sugar/lemon zest mix-

ture and gently stir to coat the blueberries.

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a floured surface, roll out the chilled pie dough into a 1⁄8-inch-thick-circle. Dust off any extra flour and lay crust onto the prepared pan.

4. Mound the blueberry filling in the middle of crust. Fold and crimp the dough up so that it covers at least 2 inches of the filling. Freeze the shaped galette for at least 15 minutes to chill the dough.

5. Preheat the oven to 425 F and set rack in middle of the oven.

6. Just before baking, beat the egg and water together and brush the edges with egg wash. Sprinkle crust with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.

7. Bake for 30 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350 F and bake for an additional 30 minutes.

This recipe yields two 12-inch galette crusts. Extra dough can be stored in an airtight container for up to one month.

Town, art experience partner to help the hungry

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced a partnership with Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at Samanea New York (located at 1500 Old Country Road, Westbury) to help Long Island Cares combat food insecurity during the summer now through August 6. Residents who purchase a ticket and donate at least two non-perishable food items will receive one complimentary admission per ticket holder to the immersive event as a thank-you for their contribution toward ending hunger. Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, produced by Paquin Entertainment Group, features more than 300 of Vincent Van Gogh’s iconic artworks and takes

the art lover into a three-dimensional world.

Supervisor Saladino stated, “The Town of Oyster Bay is proud to partner with Long Island Cares throughout the year, and we thank Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience for their good corporate citizenship and willingness to give back to Long Island. Residents can enjoy the iconic artwork of Vincent Van Gogh while displaying generosity and helping children who may not have access to school meals during the summer break.”

“We’re very excited to partner with ‘Beyond Van Gogh’ and the Town of Oyster Bay to raise awareness of food

insecurity on Long Island, which impacts 221,000 people, including 65,000 children,” said Paule Pachter, president & CEO of Long Island Cares, Inc. - The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank. “When a family donates food and experiences the sights and sounds of this incredible Van Gogh experience, they will come away feeling very good that they were able to help their neighbors in need.”

“Long Island has warmly welcomed Beyond Van Gogh its their community since we opened in March, and we are proud to team up with Long Island Cares and the Town of Oyster Bay to give back,” said Justin Paquin, president, Paquin Exhibitions & Theatrical, Division Of

Paquin Entertainment Group. “Beautiful art can change how we see the world, and through our partnership with Long Island Cares, hopefully, we can help make sure fewer children go hungry this summer.”

To donate to Long Island Cares, ensure that all nonperishable items are unexpired and unopened. Acceptable donations include canned soups, tuna, vegetables, fruit, pasta packages, crackers, juice boxes, bottled water, juice bottles, cereals, and granola bars. A minimum donation of two nonperishable items is required to qualify for the promotion. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.vangoghlongisland.com.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION

Notice of Formation of Michelle's Pet Care. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-05-29. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc. : 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202 Brooklyn NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF BANC OF AMERICA FUNDING CORPORATION 2009-FT1 TRUST, MORTGAGE PASSS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2009-FT1,

PATRICIA

MORRONE, ET. AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated December 14, 2018, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF BANC OF AMERICA FUNDING CORPORATION 2009-FT1 TRUST, MORTGAGE PASSS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2009-FT1 is the Plaintiff and PATRICIA MORRONE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s).  I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on August 8, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 29 MEADE AVENUE, BETHPAGE, NY 11714:  Section 46, Block 25, Lot 49:

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE, OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THERON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT BETHPAGE, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 010598/2014. Gerard M. Bambrick, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

NASSAU COUNTY FORECLOSURE NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE   SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Indenture Trustee, for New Century Home Equity Loan Trust 2005-1, Plaintiff AGAINST Jasbir Singh; et al., Defendant(s)   Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 3, 2019 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 8, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 48 Robin Lane, Plainview, NY 11803.  All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Plainview, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 13 Block 56 Lot 4.  Approximate amount of judgment $626,898.71 plus interest and costs.  Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 001045/2017. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine."  George Esernio, Esq., Referee  LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 4304792  Dated: June 1, 2023

Avoid penaltiespay tax bill by August 10

Town of Oyster Bay

Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato reminds residents that the Second Half of the 2023 General Tax Levy is due on July 1, but can be paid without penalty through August 10.

“New York State Law allows my office to provide taxpayers with a 40-day penalty free period from the date the tax is due during which payment may be made without penalty,” Receiver Pravato explained.

“After the 40 days, State Law requires a one percent penalty be added for each month the tax remains unpaid. So make your payment before August 10th and don’t delay, and you will ensure you aren’t paying more out of pocket than you need to.”

The Tax Office is open at both Town Hall North, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. to assist residents and accept payments with a check, cash or credit card. On August 9 and 10 both offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. When paying in person, residents are

reminded to bring the entire tax bill. There are also outdoor walkup windows, and drop boxes have been installed at both locations for residents to make payments when the Tax Office is closed.

Residents who prefer to mail in their payments should send them to the Office of the Receiver of Taxes, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 117711539. Please make your check payable to Jeffrey P. Pravato, Receiver of Taxes and indicate your property’s Section, Block and Lot and telephone number on the check.

Tax payments may also be made online through a link on the Town website, www. oysterbaytown.com. Residents may view tax bills, print out a hard copy, or pay taxes with an ACH check payment for a fee of $1.75, or by credit card (for a much higher fee, charged by credit card companies). The Town of Oyster Bay receives no portion of this fee.

Residents may contact the Tax Office with any questions about their tax bill at 516-6246400 or by emailing receiveroftaxes@oysterbay-ny.gov.

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Bethpage school district appoints new administrators

The Bethpage Union Free School District has welcomed two new administrators and has promoted two current administrators to new positions within the district for the 2023–2024 school year.

Kevin Fullerton

Kevin Fullerton, principal of John F. Kennedy Middle School, joins Bethpage’s central administration team as its new assistant superintendent for human resources. He replaces Caroline Lavelle who retired at the end of the 2022–2023 school year. Since 2013, Mr. Fullerton has served as principal of John F. Kennedy Middle School. Throughout the years, he demonstrated his strong leadership skills while promoting and fostering a school climate that was inviting, safe and conductive to learning for both students and staff. Prior to becoming principal, Mr. Fullerton served as assistant principal of John F. Kennedy Middle School and director of social studies and libraries, K–12 for the Bethpage School District. He was also a social studies teacher for many years before becoming an administrator.

Mr. Fullerton earned his bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College,

his master’s degree in secondary education from Hofstra University and his advanced graduate certificate in school district administration from SUNY Stony Brook.

Erin Hayes

Replacing Mr. Fullerton as principal of John F. Kennedy Middle School is Erin Hayes. Since 2017, Ms. Hayes has served as the assistant principal of John F. Kennedy Middle School. Among her many responsibilities, she scheduled and coordinated final exams, collaborated with directors and chairpersons on curriculum and development activities, held ongoing staff meetings and facilitated professional development opportunities. Prior to becoming assistant principal, Ms. Hayes was a related services administrator during the summer of 2017. She also has a strong background in school social work where she supported students in Bethpage and other Long Island districts for many years.

Ms. Hayes received her bachelor’s degree in human services with a minor in psychology from St. John’s University. She then earned her master’s degree in social work and minor in school social work from Columbia

University and her advanced certificate in educational leadership and administration from the College of Saint Rose.

Anthony Murray

Filling Ms. Hayes ’ role as assistant principal role at John F. Kennedy Middle School is Anthony Murray. Mr. Murray is a familiar face to the Bethpage School District. He was a business teacher at Bethpage High School from 2018–2022, where he created and hosted the school’s first Bethpage Career Fair and was the drama club director. He was also the Golden Eagles Summer Academy lead administrator in 2021. In 2022, Mr. Murray was appointed as Seaford High School’s assistant principal. Here, he held many responsibilities such as chairing various administrative initiatives and supervising the science, technology, art and mathematics departments. He also created and implemented the Real-World Seaford Program to promote college and career readiness for high school seniors.

Mr. Murray holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Boston College, a master’s degree in education from St. John’s University, a

school building leadership certificate from Molloy College and a school district leadership certificate from St. Joseph’s College.

John Guerriero

John Guerriero is the Bethpage Union Free School District’s new director of special education. He comes from the West Islip School District where he was a school psychologist at West Islip High School and a school administrative intern. Mr. Guerriero participated in faculty meetings with special education teaching staff, served as chairperson of the committee on special education on both the district and building level, directed a bi-monthly professional learning team for special education supports and more.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Albany, his master’s degree in psychology from Adelphi University, his advanced certificate in behavior analysis from Hunter College and his school building leader and school district leader certificates from the College of Saint Rose.

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Anthony Murray was named the new assistant principal of John F. Kennedy Middle School.

Erin Hayes was named the new principal of John F. Kennedy Middle School.

Kevin Fullerton was named the Bethpage Union Free School District’s new assistant superintendent for human resources.

John Guerriero was named the Bethpage Union Free School District’s new director of special education.

Levittown Chamber presents scholarships to seniors

Every year the Levittown Chamber of Commerce gives scholarships to seniors at Division Avenue High School, General Douglas MacArthur High School and to Island Trees High School. The following are the winners for 2023:

Maya Reetz graduated from Division Avenue High School. Maya will attend the University of Southern California to study mechanical engineering.

Michael Cassano graduated General Douglas MacArthur High School and will attend Marist College. Michael plans to study criminal justice with a minor in history. He will be playing lacrosse for the Red Foxes.

Daniele Talbot graduated from Island Trees High School. Daniele is excited to be attending Villanova, where she will study biochemistry.

POB schools celebrates retiring staff members

The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District celebrated the careers of 26 retiring staff members on June 20.

The retirees ranged in roles from janitorial staff to principal, and each had dedicated years—and, in many cases, decades—of service to Plainview-Old Bethpage’s students and the District’s tradition of excellence. Administrators recounted the devotion of the retirees as well as their eagerness to stay up to date with the various advances in school technology and systems over the years. Their hard work has contributed to POB’s ability to stay on the cutting edge of education.

Many of the speakers remarked on the additional time the retirees will now have to spend with loved ones, many of whom were in attendance, as well as exciting travel plans now that their careers in education were behind them.

“These treasured staff members have given so much of themselves to the Plainview-Old Bethpage school community,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary O’Meara. “Many have spent almost the entirety of their adult lives in service to the students of this District, and their retirements are well deserved. We wish them the best in their future endeavors, and we hope they look back on their careers in our District with

fondness.”

Retiring staff for the 2023–2024 school year are: Pasquale Bernardo, Janet Bucking, Susan E. Carollo, Regina Cerbone, Jeffrey Drossman,

Paula Engel, Karen Ferreira, Frances A. Ferrucci, Ronda Fischer, Michele Frimmer, Adrienne Goldstein, Luann Hutzel, Scott Kaiser, Shahida Karim, Michele Kass, Barbara Levine, Francine

Love to write?

Moustakalis, Kathleen M. Murphy, James Murray, Paulette Oland, Richard J. Olivari, Marion Pallotta, Donna Palumbo, Theresa Powell, Robbin Sigman, and Donna Vangelatos.

We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.

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The Plainview Old Bethpage School District honored 26 retiring staff members.

Michael Cassano. Maya Reetz. Danielle Talbot.

Plainview Water District announces poster contest winners

The Plainview Water District (PWD), as part of its Preserve Plainview initiative, is proud to announce the winners of this year’s water conservation poster contest. The PWD, in partnership with the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, launches this program every spring for students in the community grades one through six. This poster contest serves as an exciting educational activity to help teach students about the importance of water conservation, while letting them express their own creativity.

“The Plainview Water District thanks all of the students and their teachers for participating and submitting their amazing artwork to our 2023 poster contest,” said PWD Commissioner Laykind. “Every participant puts forth an incredible amount of effort and creativity into their posters, which makes determining a handful of winners so challenging. The District looks forward to continuing this long-standing tra -

dition with the school district as our youth are an incredibly important part in the conservation of our community’s most precious natural resource.”

The winners for this year’s water conservation poster contest are as follows:

Grade 3

Eleanor Chan (Pasadena Elementary)

Zachary Sohn (Pasadena Elementary)

Zoey Kotchek (Pasadena Elementary)

Michael Herschfeld (Pasadena Elementary)

Grade 4:

Kaitlyn Chen (Pasadena Elementary)

Sharon Cho (Pasadena Elementary)

Kiara Bajaj (Pasadena Elementary)

Sophie Santoro (Pasadena Elementary)

Grade 5:

Jacob Sciaca – POB Middle School

Bhargav Shah – POB Middle School

Briana Lynch – POB Middle School

Elana Alter – POB Middle School

Grade 6:

Sophie Menzildjian – POB Middle School

Lily Newman – POB Middle School

Kaitlyn Wang – POB Middle School

Ceylin Tumer – POB Middle School

“It is always an honor to get to work with the POB students and to see the time and originality they put into their entries,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Each year, the students amaze us with their submissions and knowledge on water conservation. The goal of this contest is to continue to educate young members of the community on the ways they can help us Preserve Plainview, so that they can bring these lessons with them into adulthood.”

The winners of the water conservation poster contest are selected after deliberation from the PWD’s Board of Commissioners on categories including creativity, design, and overall message. This year, the District collected submissions from students and the finalists were recognized at an award ceremony, which the PWD held on June 21 at its headquarters.

“It was a wonderful experience to take part in the District’s annual poster contest and to see the unique designs and hard work that goes into the submissions,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “Every student that participated should be incredibly proud of their work. We hope the knowledge they acquired through this effort will help their parents, friends and other community members to be more mindful of their water usage and will lead to them initiating new conservation measures around their home this summer.”

The Plainview Water District Board of Commissioners Andrew Bader, Marc Laykind and Michael Chad joined by the finalists of the 2023 PWD Water Conservation Poster Contest.

Twin cellists honored after Lincoln Center performance

Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) honored Plainview cellists Kimon and Constantine Vontas on Monday, June 26, for their amazing musical accomplishments at a young age.

The 18-year-old identical twins, who graduated from Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School on Sunday, June 25, performed at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. Kimon earned the right to perform a solo at the legendary concert hall by winning the Syossetbased Children’s Orchestra Society’s Discovery Competition. He has been a member of the Society since 2017 and is the principal cellist of the Young Symphonic Ensemble. Constantine, who did not enter the competition, was on stage with Kimon as a member of the Society’s Young Symphonic Ensemble. They both will continue their academic studies at Cornell University this fall.

Legislator Drucker presented Kimon and Constantine Vontas with Nassau County Legislature Citations prior to the start of Monday’s meeting in the Peter J. Schmitt Memorial Chamber of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building.

“Kimon and Constantine are outstanding young musicians whose talents bring tremendous pride to the Plainview-Old Bethpage community and the entirety of Nassau County,” Legislator Drucker said. “It was a pleasure to spotlight these young men and wish them tremendous success as they continue to cultivate their talents at Cornell University.”

The Children’s Orchestra Society is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to teaching the language

of music to children. Members of the Society receive training in classical music and opportunities to per -

form in concert with their peers and well-established musicians; the faculty includes Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma, whose brother is internationally

acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. For more information, visit https://www.childrensorch.org/.

Register now for fall art classes

Registration for the Town of Oyster Bay’s Fall 2023 Cultural Enrichment Programs will be held online beginning Wednesday, August 2. Both residents and non-residents must register for classes including Watercolor Painting, Oil Painting, Figure Drawing, Drawing Fundamentals, Painting with Acrylics, Chunky Hand Knit Blanket, Decorative Hand Knit Pumpkin, and Coffee & Canvas online at www.oysterbaytown.com/ portal.

“Whether you are an emerging artist looking to develop your skills or a resident looking for a new hobby, these classes offer a wonderful opportunity to broaden your horizons,” said Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh. “To streamline registration and increase convenience and accessibility for residents, we’ve

opened registration online for this program.”

Classes will begin the week of September 11, 2023 and include:

Watercolor Painting

Mondays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Center

Oil Painting

Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Center

Figure Drawing

Tuesdays from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Center

Drawing Fundamentals

Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Center

Painting with Acrylics

Fridays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Center

Chunky Hand Knit Blanket

Thursday, September 28, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. North Massapequa Community Center

Decorative Hand Knit Pumpkin

Wednesday, October 4, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

North Massapequa Community Center

Coffee & Canvas

Friday, September 29, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Marjorie Post Park Community Center

Resident registration begins on Wednesday, August 2, at 10 a.m., while non-resident registration begins on Wednesday, August 23, at 10 a.m. To register, visit www.oysterbaytown. com/portal, create an account, select the Cultural Enrichment link on the homepage, choose the class(es) you’d

like to register for by checking the box, and then select Add to Cart. Please note the fees vary for residents and non-residents. You will next be prompted to select the eligible members on your account; check off all family members that you wish to enroll in the class, and then press continue. Once you’ve proceeded to checkout and submitted your credit card information, a receipt will be linked on the confirmation screen and will also be emailed to you, along with a copy of the supply list for the class, if applicable.

For assistance registering, or for more information, please call the Department of Community & Youth Services, Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) at (516) 797-7925.

Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) honored Plainview cellists Kimon and Constantine Vontas.

Photo courtesy Office of Legislator Arnold W. Drucker

Terrific Kids at Abbey Lane School

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray congratulated Abbey Lane Elementary School students Harlow Silva, Emanuel Paterkis, David Olivari, Kelsie Vitale, Jocelyn Rizzo, Jayen Roman, Leighland Jordan, Rebecca Tyart, Savannah Diaz and Anthony Vargas as they were named “Terrific Kids” by the Levittown Kiwanis. Also attending were Jim and Pat Carney and Gary Cozier of the Levittown Kiwanis; Mike Pappas; Fred Interdonato; Principal Dr. George Maurer; Assistant Principal Anthony Goss; and Superintendent of Schools Todd Winch.

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce offered a warm welcome to Melinda Epstein from Prince Associates, located in Hicksville, who recently joined the Chamber. Melinda offers expert advice for insurance coverage for businesses and organizations. Prince Associates also handles personal home & car insurance policies. Melinda can be contacted at 516-822-6550 ext 115.The Levittown Chamber of Commerce meets every month, except July. The next meeting is on August 16 at Domenico’s at 6 p.m. To join the chamber, call 516-520-8000 or visit levittownchamber.com for membership information.

Art League plans historical lecture

The Suburban Art League with the Oyster Bay Historical Society will host an Historical Lecture on Oyster Bay, July 27, at 6 p.m. at the Oyster Bay Historical Society, 20 Summit St, Oyster Bay.

The lecture is being presented by Executive Director Denice EvansSheppard. $15 entry fee waived for artists with work in the art exhibit and sale (on display through 9/30).