THE GATEWAY TO NASSAU COUNTY
SERVING FLORAL PARK, BELLEROSE AND STEWART MANOR
LIGHTING UP THE STREET FAIR
County seminars to teach homeowners about tax breaks
Nassau County Legislator Scott Strauss will be hosting a series of seminars at which homeowners can learn about various property tax exemptions available to homeowners.
The events, which will be run by the Nassau County Department of Assessment’s HELP program will provide an opportunity for residents to engage one-onone with knowledgeable staff to
receive assistance with filling out exemption applications.
Exemption applications for the 2025-26 property tax year must be received by January 2, 2025.
The programs will be held at the following local libraries:
Wednesday, August 14, from 1 to 3 pm at the Hillside Public Library – 155 Lakeville Rd., New Hyde Park Monday, September 16, from 1
to 3 pm at the Floral Park Public Library – 17 Caroline Pl., Floral Park
Tuesday, September 17t from 1 to 3 pm at Clinton G. Martin Park – New Hyde Park Rd. & Marcus Ave., New Hyde Park.
For more information about the programs, please contact Legislator Strauss’s office at 516571-6209 or email: sstrauss@ nassaucountyny.gov
Floral Park BOT opposes Queens bus route
BY RIKKI MASSAND
The Floral Park Village Board of Trustees has raised concerns with the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) over the proposed Queens 110 Bus Route. The route, which would parallel the LIRR Main Line from Jamaica to the Floral Park LIRR Station, has sparked worries about traffic and quality of life.
Months ago, the MTA presented this route as part of its Queens Bus Network Redesign Proposed Final Plan (PFP). A public hearing on July 24th saw Floral Park officials firmly oppose the plan, emphasizing that the Q110 would run on village-owned roads.
Key attendees included Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald, Deputy Mayor Dr. Lynn Pombonyo, Trustee Jennifer Stewart, former Mayor Dominick Longobardi, and Nassau County Legislator Scott Strauss. Prior to the hearing, the village government passed a resolution on July 16th, officially opposing the MTA’s proposal to terminate the Q110 at the
Floral Park LIRR station.
The resolution, citing existing traffic congestion and potential disruptions to emergency services, urged community members to submit their opposition to the MTA by the July 26th deadline. Officials also pointed out that the Q110 would duplicate the N.I.C.E. N24 bus route along Jericho Turnpike/Jamaica Avenue. The proposed bus terminal on Caroline Place was criticized for inadequate space, likely causing traffic backups and blocking crosswalks and handicap access at the LIRR station. Additionally, an alternate route involving South Tyson Avenue was deemed dangerous due to its proximity to John Lewis Childs Elementary School.
Trustee Stewart noted initial MTA plans showing the Q110 turning onto Caroline Place to reach the LIRR Station, then returning via Tulip Avenue. She reiterated the village’s strong opposition and commitment to using all available resources to contest the plan.
“The Village is vehe-
See page 12
Dance students in pretty costumes performed during the recent Floral Park Street Fair. See page 8 for more pictures of the fair taken by photographer Christine Kozak
Upcoming Events at the Floral Park Library
Monday August 12
6:30 PM
Made with Love Knitting & Crocheting
Join a wonderful group of talented knitters and crocheters in creating a variety of blankets, baby hats - and so much more - for donation to various not-for-profit and charitable organizations.
No instruction provided; just conversation and camaraderie! No registration necessary.
Tuesday August 13
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
BabyStart with A Time for Kids Inc.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Family Pre-School Hour with A Time for Kids Inc.
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
All In for Adventure Quest for Kids
Entering Grades 2 through 5
Library Scavenger Hunt with Jason Edwards for Kids entering Grades 2 through 5.
Explore the library in search of mysterious trails, hidden clues, secret messages, and baffling riddles that lead to a hidden treasure!
This event takes place upstairs in the Children’s Room, not the downstairs Meeting room. Registration began July 30.
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Teen Guys & Girls
Bracelet Making Event
For Teens Entering Grades 6-12
Guys & Girls are invited to this fun event!
Join creative jewelry master, Cathy Buckley to design your unique bracelet, made from leather & other cool materials.
Visit www.floralparklibrary.org to sign up, or visit the Adult Reference Desk.
Wednesday August 14
10:15 AM
Chair Yoga with Micheline
This session is Zoom only. There is no in-person chair yoga this week.
11:00 AM
Made with Love Knitting & Crocheting
Join a wonderful group of talented knitters and crocheters in creating a variety of blankets, baby hats - and so much more - for donation to various not-for-profit and charitable organizations.
No instruction provided; just conversation and camaraderie! No registration necessary.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Children’s Summer Reading Club Party
Details to come, but if you’d like a ticket to attend, you must join our Summer Reading Club and read 10 books. It’s easy to complete the requirements, and the party will be wild (hint, hint).
Sign up now at www.floralparklibrary.org, and pick up a Reading Log at the Children’s Desk!
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Teen Event ~ Pop Art Comic Strips For Teens Entering Grades 6-12
Another creative event with artist Danielle Barbaro.
We’ll learn how comics influenced Pop Art AND recreate our own unique comic strips as well!
To sign up online go to www.floralparklibrary.org or visit the Adult Reference Desk.
7:30 PM
No Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees
There will be no regular meeting of the FP Library Board of Trustees for the month of August.
Thursday August 15
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Teen Minecraft: Island Survival Challenge
For Teens Entering Grades 6-12
Put on your survival hat & test your problem-solving & determination skills in this exciting event!
You’ll gather resources & fend off night creatures in this thrilling tropical island challenge!
Click on Register to sign up online,at www.floralparklibrary.org or visit the Adult Reference Desk.
Friday August 16, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
PlayHooray Kids
Music, movement and lots of fun with Molly Mouse.
Register online at www.floralparklibrary.org
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Teen Tie Dye Event
For Teens Entering Grades 6-12
Create an unusual tie dye back pack,
just in time for school!
And, be sure to dress for a mess!
Click Register to sign up online at www. floralparklibrary.org, or visit the Adult Reference Desk.
Monday August 19
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sewing for Kids: Advanced
For Kids entering Grades 3 through 5. If you participated in our first three Beginning Sewing sessions (in June), then these two sessions are for you! We will go over what we learned in June and complete another fun project: A customized reading pillow.
If you already know some basic stitches (running stitch, whipstitch and back stitch) and want to join, of course you are also welcome to register. A participating adult is required for each registered child. No adults without children, no children without adults.
Registration began August 5. Register once and you are registered for both sessions: August 19 and 26. 6:30 PM
Made with Love Knitting & Crocheting
Join a wonderful group of talented knitters and crocheters in creating a variety of blankets, baby hats - and so much more - for donation to various not-for-profit and charitable organizations.
No instruction provided; just conversation and camaraderie! No registration necessary.
Wednesday August 21, 10:15 AM
Chair Yoga with Micheline This session is Zoom only. There is no in-person chair yoga this week.
11:00 AM
Made with Love Knitting & Crocheting
Join a wonderful group of talented knitters and crocheters in creating a variety of blankets, baby hats - and so much more - for donation to various not-for-profit and charitable organizations.
No instruction provided; just conversation and camaraderie! No registration necessary.
Friday August 23
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Teen Pop-Up Event
More Details to come. For tweens and teens in grades 4 to 12.
Share your stories with the Floral Park Villager!
The Floral Park Villager is your new go-to source for all things local, and we need your help to bring our community’s stories to life! We are excited to publish your news, because at the Floral Park Villager, “Your news is our news.”
Do you have a young athlete in the family who just scored the winning goal or achieved a personal best? We want to hear all about it! Send us the highlights from kids’ and teens’ sports events, whether it’s soccer, baseball, basketball, or any other sport. Let’s celebrate their hard work and achievements with the whole community!
Have a special announcement to make? Whether it’s a birth, graduation, or marriage, we would love to share your joyous milestones. These moments are what bring us together, and we want to spread the happiness and celebrate these significant events with our readers.
Are you involved in a boy or girl scout troop? Keep us informed about your adventures, projects, and achievements. We’re eager to spotlight the great work our scouts are doing, from earning badges to community service projects.
Your troop’s stories can inspire others and showcase the positive impact scouting has on our youth.
Belong to a club? Whether it’s a book club, garden club, or any other type of group, let us know about your activities and events. We’re interested in everything from meeting highlights to special events and guest speakers. By sharing your club happenings, we can help you connect with others who share your interests and highlight the vibrant life of our community.
Submit your stories, photos, and announcements to the Floral Park Villager. We are dedicated to creating a newspaper that truly reflects the heart and spirit of Floral Park. By sharing your news, you contribute to a richer, more connected community. Your news is our news, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone! Together, let’s create something special that celebrates and unites us all.
Submit your stories to editor@ gcnews.com. Currently we are publishing bi-weekly but plan to go weekly in the fall.
Library plans bus trip to Greenport
The Floral Park Public Library will hold a trip to Greenport on Wednesday, September 18.
The Floral Park Public Library will be hosting a bus trip to Greenport on Wednesday, September 18. The trip will depart the library at 8:15 a.m. and return at approximately 7 p.m.
Enjoy lunch on your own and explore beautiful Greenport Village. Then, it's on to Pindar Winery for a tour and tast-
ing, with a stop at a local farm stand on the way home.
Non-refundable checks payable to Prime Time Travel in the amount of $150 are due at registration. Registration is now open at the library's reference desk. Registration ends August 21.
Floral Park Girls Soccer match schedule
The Floral Park Girls Soccer 2024 match schedule will be as follows:
September 3 - Home - 4:45 p.m. - vs. New Hyde Park
September 9 - Away - 6 p.m. - vs. Syosset
September 11 - Away - 7 p.m. - vs. Wantagh
September 13 - Home - 5 p.m. - vs. Plainedge
September 16 - Away - 5 p.m. - vs. Cold Spring Harbor
September 18 - Away - 5 p.m. - vs. Seaford
September
September
West Hempstead
September
Wheatley
October
October
October
When: August 10th 2024; 1 st pitch at 10am
Hosted by the FPM Booster Club/FPM Music Parents
Where: FPMFields
• The event is coed, and open to the entire FloralPark Community - we’ll divisions toaccommodate players from ages 6to 106!!!
• The snack shack will be opened withhot dogs, pretzels, drinks and snacks
August 10, 2024 at FPM Fields • First Pitch at 10AM
• Text Tom Cannon516-513-9200or SeamusMcLoughlin 718 -908-2065 questions. Register Here: https://www.floralparkboosterclub.com/wiffleball -tournament
The event is coed, and open to the entire Floral Park Community — we’ll have divisions to accommodate players from ages 6 to 106!!!
The snack shack will be opened with hot dogs, pretzels, drinks and snacks for sale.
Text Tom Cannon, (516) 513-9200, or Seamus McLoughlin, (718) 908-2065, directly with questions. Come join us for the 4 th Annual FPM Wiffleball Tournament hosted by the FPM Booster Club / FPM Music Parents
Floral Park resident’s artwork featured at restaurant
BY GARY SIMEONE
There is a special art exhibit being held all summer-long at Swing the Teapot, a local neighborhood restaurant. The artist, Kerri McKay, is a Floral Park resident and contemporary realist artist whose watercolor, oils and pastel paintings are featured at the Irish themed eatery.
McKay, a high school art teacher in Queens, said that what makes the exhibition special is that she’s a local artist whose artwork is being featured at a nearby establishment.
Host It Here! Event & Banquet Hall
For birthdays, anniversaries, and club or team events to fundraisers and corporate events, our event facility has what you need to celebrate in style.
“It’s nice because there’s not too many art galleries on Long Island and it means a lot to me to have my work featured at a local venue in Floral Park,” said McKay. “I usually hold exhibitions in the city or out east and to have this summer exhibition at Swing the Teapot is really special to me.”
McKay has multiple degrees in art and graphic design, and has been painting on and off for over thirty years. She attended the School of Visual Arts (SVA) SUNY Cortland and Queens College, where she obtained BAs in art education and graphic design.
Her work is based in traditional realism and she prides herself on catching the beauty in objects and having the viewer experience an emotional connection with the painting.
“I’m very into angles, shadows and
focusing on unique features of objects that others might not pick out,” said McKay. “An artist I knew awhile back told me to focus on the beauty in things and places, so that’s what I try to depict in my artwork.”
Her collection at Swing the Teapot includes nineteen 3x4 feet parings in oils, watercolor and pastel drawings. Some notable works in the summertime exhibit include two pastels of Centennial Gardens in Floral Park, local beach scenes and a painting entitled “Mint Condition,” which features ice cream scoops in martini glasses.
“That painting was actually a funny story because I had to substitute different colorful socks for the ice cream throughout the process, because the ice cream kept melting inside the martini glasses,” said McKay.
The fifty-two year old artist has an extensive collection, with a large mural of hers featured at the New York Public Library in Manhattan, an artists book published in Japan, plein air-festivals in Long Island and New Jersey and hundreds of works created in the northeast United States and throughout Europe. McKay’s ‘Summer Vibes’ exhibit will be on display at Swing the Teapot, located at 6 Verbana Avenue, from now until Labor Day.
To find out more about the artist and her exhibition, visit kerrimckay.com.
Let your voice be heard!
Is there an issue in your community you want to discuss? Want to respond to something you saw in our paper? Then write a letter to our editor and bring it to everyone’s attention! Send your letter to editor@gcnews.com and we’ll publish it for you!
Floral Park's Kerri McKay with her artwork
LUXURY RENTALS FOR THOSE 62 AND OLDER
Apartments with Full Kitchens
Concierge Services
Daily Housekeeping
Private Car Services
On-Site Cinema
Outdoor Pool with Cabanas
Fitness Center & Yoga Studio
Spacious Patio & Fire Pit
Two On-Site Restaurants with al fresco Dining
Golf Simulator
Beauty Salon & Spa
Scenes from the Chamber Street Fair and Festival
The Floral Park Chamber of Commerce held its annual street fair on Friday, June 7, from 5 to 10 p.m. on Tulip Avenue. On a balmy June evening, Floral Park residents and visitors
gathered to enjoy music, programs by local dancers, food, and beverages. All photos courtesy Christine Kozak, www.christinekozak.com
The Street Fair marked the beginning of the Belmont Stakes weekend and the New York Racing Association provided a display of starting gates.
The Floral Park Fire Department was on hand to speak about fire safety. The Department is also seeking to recruit volunteers.
Do you have grandchildren?
Many restaurants had delicious food offerings available.
Enter our “World’s Most Beautiful Grandchildren” contest! Just send in your grandchildren’s photos and a brief description of the child (or children) along with your name and address to editor@gcnews.com
The street fair drew a crowd on a balmy summer evening.
Two little ladies showed their patriotic spirits.
Young dancers in beautiful costumes impressed the audience with their routines.
9, 2024
Lake Placid, Where You Can Immerse in Olympic Sport, Spirit Year-Round
BY KAREN RUBIN
The Olympic spirit is everywhere in Lake Placid. You can almost hear the fanfare playing. It is infectious, and fun – and what is even better, you get to participate, to see and experience it for yourself.
While so many other Olympic venues shut down after the event, Lake Placid, which hosted one of the first winter Olympics, in 1932, and then again in 1980, the facilities have not just been upgraded, enhanced and once again entice World Cup and international sports events. Lake Placid is very much a four-season destination, an outdoors paradise where you can actually experience the same Olympic venues, attractions and activities year-round, along with the athletes who live and train here, and the world-class athletes who compete here.
It offers an ideal mix of activities to appeal to the most athletic and active, to those who prefer to spectate rather than participate – perfect for our three-generations family – skiers and nonskiers and infant.
The best way to experience Lake Placid, we discover, is with the Olympics Legacy Site Passport, which provides access to the four Olympic venues and experiences - so even if you don’t ski, you can take the Cloudsplitter Gondola up to the summit of Little Whiteface to enjoy the spectacular view of the Adirondacks high peaks; ascend the highest ski jumping tower at the Olympic Jumping Complex to see what the ski
Our three-generation family rides the new Skyride Gondola to begin our visit at the top of the highest ski jump tower at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, one of four venues included in the Olympics Legacy Site Passport © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
jumpers see (terrifying); tour Mt. Van Hoevenberg where the sliding sports (bobsled, skeleton and luge), Nordic skiing, and Biathalon are held; and tour the Olympic Center, where you visit the museum that houses one of the best collections of Olympics memorabilia in the world, as well as historic skating arenas. (The passport includes one admission to the four venues plus 10% off shopping and dining at all the Legacy Sites, https:// olympicjumpingcomplex.com/legacysitespassport/)
But if you haven’t visited Lake Placid in the last few years, you wouldn’t know about any of these experiences. So much has changed. So much is new. So much is so special.
The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA, now more familiarly known as the Olympic Authority), which owns and manages the facilities here in Lake Placid (as well as Gore Mountain and Belleayre ski areas), since 2018 has not only upgraded and massively improved the facilities in order to continue to host major international competitions (providing opportunities to watch the competition, training and even meet athletes), but has added attractions and activities so that we can experience much the same thrill and excitement as the athletes, year round. We even get to see their sport through their eyes.
New SkyRide, Zipline at Olympic Jumping Complex
At the Olympic Jumping Complex, we ride a new, scenic Skyride Gondola to the base of the towers (athletes used to have to take a chairlift), then walk a short distance to the glass-windowed elevator that takes us up to the top of the highest ski jump tower for the view that the jumpers get (terrifying), and the setting amid the High Peaks Region (open daily but subject to weather conditions).
Today, this facility is the only sanctioned ski jumping facility in North America for winter and summer competition and training. Here at the Olympic Jumping Complex, you can also ride the new Sky Flyer Zipline adjacent to the ski jumps –and if the ski jumpers are practicing, you can seemingly fly alongside ($20 off ticket price with the Legacy Passport).
New Coaster Ride, Bobsled Experience at Mt Van Hoevenberg
At Mt Van Hoevenberg, home to the three sliding sports – bobsled, skeleton and luge – the Legacy Passport provides a tour that starts in the newly built Mountain Pass Lodge and the push track where you learn about elite athlete development, then taken by bus up the track for a guided walk inside the sliding track.
We learn that this track – with 17 curves and a vertical drop of 365 feetis considered one of the most difficult and has one of the most famous and challenging turns in the world. Turn 10 winds 180 degrees into a 20 foothigh wall that, if hit right, can sling-
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GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....
Lake Placid, Where You Can Immerse in Olympic Sport, Spirit Year-Round
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shot the sled for a gain 6 mph. “The G forces are so severe, that they can only practice 4-5 times a day,” our ORDA guide, Jaime Collins tells us.
When the track isn’t being used for practice or competition, you can take the Bobsled Experience, where you are driven down the track with real bobsledders. You get to go through that famous Turn 10 but from Start 4, so it comes soon into the ride before you get going too fast, but you still reach speeds up to 50 mph on the lower half-mile of the track. (Reserve in advance; in summer, the bobsled is on wheels; $125/9+; $100/ military, https://mtvanhoevenberg. com/todo/bobsled-experience/).
The track is set up so spectators get a real close-up view (pro tip: the best place is where the track is shaped as a heart).
Mt. Van Hoevenberg is also the Olympic Nordic ski area and we just miss watching practices for the Junior National Nordic races at the Nordic stadium on the side of the lodge.
But non-Olympians can do cross-country skiing here, as well as actually experience the Biathlon, an Olympic event which combines shooting and cross-country skiing.
In summer, Mt. Van Hoevenberg becomes a mountain biking center – you can rent bikes and take lessons.
In fact, Lake Placid was selected as the only U.S. venue to host the World Cup mountain bike competition, which will be held September 27 – 29.
Here at Mt Van Hoevenberg you not only get to see the Olympic bobsled track but you can ride alongside on the Cliffside Coaster, the longest coaster in North America, which opened in 2020. As you ride up, you hear the Olympic history of the track but once at the peak, you are in the driver’s seat
BY CHARLYN FARGO
and control the speed, navigating sharp corners, cliffside banks and long winding stretches (open daily in season but weather dependent; make reservations in advance; 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/todo/ cliffside-coaster/).
Skiers, NonSkiers Treated to View at Whiteface Mountain
At Whiteface Mountain, the Legacy Passport enables even nonskiers to experience the 15 minute ride on the scenic, eight-passenger Cloudsplitter Gondola from the Main Base Lodge to the top of Little Whiteface to enjoy the gorgeous view of the Adirondacks that the skiers get. (Open daily. The Legacy Passport gets you 10% off at these locations: 10% off at Whiteface: 4610’ Grille, Castle Gift Shop, Legends Café, and Brookside Apparel.)
Immersive New Museum at Olympic Center
The Olympic Center, in downtown Lake Placid, is really special. The Legacy Passport gives you admission to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, which has one of the world’s largest collections of Winter Olympic memorabilia, and brilliantly tells the story of Lake Placid’s role in the development of winter sports and the Olympics.
The state-of-the-art museum, which only has been opened two years, features interactive and engaging displays, 3D visualizations, experiential learning exhibits, marvelous videos, and interesting and intriguing artifacts. The 3D and interactive displays are really superb. In one, you sit in a real bobsled and virtually speed down the actual bobsled track (thrilling); you can see exactly what the ski jumper sees flying off the jump.
The climax is sitting in a screening
room to watch a 12-minute video of the highlights of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” when the USA hockey team beat the Soviet Union. (Each year, there is a1980 Miracle on Ice fantasy camp – where participants get to play with the actual members of the team.)
You get to tour the famous ice arena, named for Herb Brooks, and the 1932 skating rink (really tiny seating area), and even go down to the locker room. hese historic skating rinks are open to the public for skating year-round, and we see some adorable kids starting their long journey to gold (open Tuesday –Saturday).
Just across from the center is the Olympic speed skating oval, where Eric Heyden made history in 1980 for winning all five speed skating events. In season, you, too, can skate on the Olympic oval well into the night (weather permitting.)
The Olympic Legacy Passport is $69/ adult, $59 ages 19+, military and seniors and can be purchased at any of the venues (, https://lakeplacidlegacysites.com/ legacysitespassport/). Lake Placid Legacy Sites, 518-523-1655, https://lakeplacidlegacysites.com/
Food & Lodging
After our visit to the Olympic Center, we stroll Lake Placid’s charming main street and enjoy the shops, cafes, bistros.
We stop for lunch at The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn, (17 Mirror Lake Dr.) enjoying the meal in one of the actual ski gondolas overlooking Mirror Lake with spectacular views out to the Great Range of the Adirondack High Peaks (17 Mirror Lake Dr., 518-302-3045, mirrorlakeinn. com/dining/the-cottage)
Each night of our stay in Lake Placid, we had a marvelous cocktail/dining experience (so many to choose from and return to Lake Placid for):
Big Slide Brewery, where you eat
Getting Enough Fiber?
A new study finds that American adults continue to fall short of their daily fiber needs. The study looked at data from more than 14,000 adults over five years. Only 7.4% met the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation of 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories consumed. We need anywhere from 25 to 38 grams of fiber per day, depending on our gender (men need more) and calorie intake.
The findings of the study were presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s June 2021Nutrition Live Online event.
The study also found that people with prediabetes and diabetes ate more fiber overall and among those, women with diabetes consumed more fiber than men with diabetes.
There are lots of benefits to getting more fiber in your diet (and hitting that daily recommendation). Fiber helps you lose weight by making you feel more satisfied. Fiber acts like a sponge; it slows down digestion to help prevent blood sugar spikes. It also provides bulk, which helps promote regularity in emptying our stools. It also helps lower blood cholesterol.
So, how can you boost your fiber? Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Look on labels to see how much fiber a product contains. Look for bread with 2 to 3 grams per slice.
Top sources of fiber are beans (all kinds), peas, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, artichokes, whole wheat flour, barley, bulgur, bran, raspberries, blackberries and prunes. A cup of black beans has 10 grams of fiber; a cup of raspberries has 8 grams.
beside the giant barrels of the brewery in a comfortable dining room and semiopen kitchen. (5686 Cascade Road, just over a mile from downtown, 518-5237844, bigslidebrewery.com.
Smoke Signals, also overlooking Mirror Lake (a gorgeous dining room and there is a patio overlooking the lake for outside dining), offering classic BBQ with some innovative twists, (2489 Main St., 518-523-2271, www.smokesignalsq.com).
We loved our culinary experience at Cafe Rustica, a quaint, old-fashioned (traditional) Italian restaurant (even the music was a throw-back) serving fabulous Northern Italian cuisine (1936 Saranac Ave., 518-523-7511, www.rusticalp.com).
East Wind Lake Placid Hotel, just a short distance off of Main Street, Lake Placid, proved perfect for our multi-generational getaway – like a small community of lodges and lushnas for a total of 29 units, each homey with dashes of luxury and high-style. There are gathering areas – fire pits ringed with Adirondack chairs, a gorgeous reception room (open 24 hours, where coffee, tea and fruit are laid out, you can order breakfast, and there are cocktails and drinks at the bar); a lovely library/salon in one of the buildings (great for taking a conference call). (East Wind Lake Placid Hotel, 6048 Sentinel Road, Lake Placid, 518-8371882, https://www.eastwindhotels.com/ lake-placid-overview.)
More travel planning information: Lake Placid 800-44PLACID, www. lakeplacid.com
Whiteface Mountain Region lVisitors Bureau, 518-523-1655, whitefaceregion. com
Visit Adirondacks.com, https://visitadirondacks.com/regions/lake-placid
© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com
Good sources of fiber include lettuce, dark leafy greens, broccoli, okra, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, potatoes with the skin, corn, snap beans, asparagus, cabbage, whole wheat pasta, oats, popcorn, nuts, raisins, pears, strawberries, oranges, bananas, blueberries, mangoes and apples.
Like everything else with our food choices, small steps make a big difference. Add a can of black beans to your salsa. Add a cup of raspberries to your morning oatmeal. As a side dish, think three-bean salad or add beans to your burritos, chili or soup. Choose a cereal with at least 5 grams of fiber per serving. Snack on almonds, pecans and walnuts (they have more fiber than other nuts). Choose brown rice over
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Watching the good, old classic movies
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
I like watching my regular TV shows but when I can’t find anything good on TV I find myself channel surfing and eventually turning to the classic old movies channel. They may or may not be on Turner Classic Movies, it could be any station.
I recently tuned in to “The Sand Pebbles.” That film came out in 1966 and had a lot of stars: Steve McQueen played the lead role of Jake Holman, Richard Attenborough was the British actor who played Frenchy, a seasoned sailor, and Richard Crenna was the captain of the San Pablo. Crenna did a memorable job as he managed difficult challenges and the many different personalities on board his ship.
“The Sand Pebbles” is a war drama set on the Yangtze River in China in 1926 and McQueen plays American sailor Jake Holman, a man who arrives at the San Pablo as its engineer. He has a knack for fixing things and he’s also got a strong sense of right and wrong.
Candice Bergen plays Shirley, a missionary and teacher assigned to China. Bergen was 20 years old when she played that part.
It’s a real adventure movie that captures people’s attention. The movie was already in progress when I turned it on so the next day I looked up the plot, the summary and I watched the beginning of the movie another day.
Overall I don’t consider myself to be a classic movie buff but there comes a time every so often when you want to watch a good, solid show on TV. That’s how I felt about watching “The Sand Pebbles” - it held my attention because it was well done. And what I like about the old movies is they usually are well written and well directed.
I hadn’t watched it before because when it first came out I was 11 years old. This particular movie is an adventure, a drama and a romance all in one film. It runs for 3 hours 16 minutes and once the story got going, I didn’t even think about the time because so many of the
performances are riveting. One actor was better than the other.
My friend, Melinda, and I were talking about “Jaws” - she considers it a classic movie and I said it’s a great movie but timewise, I don’t think it is considered a classic. We both agreed that the storyline scared viewers across America and if you were a kid or young adult when it came out like I was at age 19, you were probably very scared. It’s set in a fictional town and makes you wonder if these things could happen anywhere.
second day. The shark is at least 20 feet long and weighs roughly 5,000 lbs.
“Jaws” the movie was filmed on a beach community off the coast of Cape Cod but the book’s setting was off the coast of Long Island. Scary to think about. The movie had its dramatic moments and I always tell my friends who haven’t seen it to add a star if you can picture it happening in your home town and add a star if you were young and impressionable when it first came out on June 20, 1975. It hit the big screen just as many elementary schools were wrapping up their school years and summer vacation was about to begin.
In the weeks before it started playing, the movie was widely anticipated. The word had gone around that the movie was based on the 1974 book by Peter Benchley and yes, it was scary. My sisters and I talked about seeing the upcoming movie and our chatter about sharks being in the ocean made us want to head for the pool rather than swim in the Atlantic.
A short summary? When a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community, it’s up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist and an old seafarer to hunt down the beast. The first two days at sea are unproductive, but the three come in contact with the shark by the end of the
Real or imagined, sea creatures existed and both Peter Benchley and Steven Spielberg, the director of “Jaws” the movie, brought the story to life. Once it started playing in theatres my relatives and I laughed and wondered aloud if Long Island or Cape Cod would ever be the same. At Point Lookout, we saw people cautiously putting their toes in the water.
You couldn’t be too careful, after all.
My friend, Mark, and I discussed “Jumanji,” the first one which came out in 1995. When two kids find a magical board game and play it, they release a man who has been trapped in it. They also come across several challenges and dangers along the way. Three additional “Jumanji” movies came out and I heard a fifth one is in the works.
But I digress. What makes a movie a classic movie isn’t just its age but how many people appreciate it. Culturally speaking that is. They must be quality films with good story lines and good actors. I always add a star for great cinematography but I realize not everyone counts that in the criteria.
Anything with Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles tend to be classics and when you say “The Exorcist” it still strikes fear in the hearts of many. It came out in 1973. Think actresses Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn. The mother and the priest want to determine what’s possessing young Regan and we want to know, too. It’s a shocker.
We movie goers want to be entertained and some people call going to the movies escapism but I say it’s the wondering and anticipation of what will happen next. We sit on the edge of our seats and for better or worse, that is what keeps us going back.
It’s hard to rate the very best classic movies because there are so many different genres. Some people claim that “The Wizard of Oz” and “Gone with the Wind” are the best films but that would make for a good debate.
Social Security Is Complicated Because Life Is Complicated
BY TOM MARGENAU
People are always telling me that Social Security rules are so complicated. Actually, most of the basic rules are rather straightforward and simple. But to the extent that the program does get messy, there is a reason why that happens. It’s because life gets messy. In other words, if our lives weren’t so complicated, Social Security laws wouldn’t have to get so complicated.
For example, if we all worked for a minimum of 35 years (the number of years used to compute a Social Security benefit), and if we all retired at the same age -- let’s say 62 -- then everything would be so simple. The Social Security retirement calculation would be a piece of cake.
But of course, that doesn’t happen. Some of us take time off from our careers to raise a family. Some of us become disabled before reaching retirement age. Some of us die well before our senior years. Some of us choose to work well into our 70s or even 80s.
In other words, all kinds of “stuff” can happen. And there has to be a Social Security law to deal with all that stuff -- with all of life’s variables.
And Social Security would really be simple if none of us ever got married. But of course, most of us do. And that leads to a whole slew of laws that deal with benefits for spouses.
And then, darn it, so many of these spouses insist on working outside the home. So we have to come up with laws that allow for the integration of one’s own Social Security benefit with spousal benefits.
And even with those spousal variables, Social Security would still be relatively simple if we all just stayed married to the same person forever. But we all know that doesn’t happen. Because something like half of all marriages end in divorce, then we’ve got to add laws dealing with benefits for divorced spouses. And then lots of those divorced people run off and get married again. So the laws get even more complicated as we have to deal with potential benefits to multiple spouses.
On top of that, many people live together as husband and wife but without bothering with all the legal stuff. In other words, they don’t get officially married. So Social Security laws have to be written to deal with common-law relationships. Those of us who do get married tend to have one or more kids. And those kids could end up being eligible for Social Security benefits, usually if one of the parents becomes disabled or dies. And that leads to another whole slew of laws and regulations dealing with children’s eligibility for benefits. And sadly, not all of those children are born healthy and hearty. So there are laws that deal with Social Security payments for disabled children.
And surprise, surprise: Those folks who never bothered getting legally mar-
ried also have children who are potentially due benefits. And laws have to be written for them.
Are you getting my drift? Life gets complicated. So Social Security rules have to get complicated to deal with -- well, to deal with life!
And I haven’t even gotten to the messiest Social Security program of all -- disability benefits. The program would be a piece of cake to administer if the law simply said this: “Walk into a Social Security office with a note from your doctor saying you are disabled, and disability checks will be sent your way.” Gosh, that would make the program easy. But can you imagine the potential for fraud if the rules were that simple?
So instead, the law takes a rather subjective issue (“how disabled do you have to be to qualify for disability benefits?”) and tries to make it as objective as possible through a series of rules that essentially say this: “You must have a physical or mental condition that is so severe that it will keep you from working for at least 12 months.”
And consider the fact that there are literally hundreds of potentially disabling conditions -- from cancer to heart trouble to kidney issues to muscular problems to nervous conditions to mental illnesses -- and on and on and on. And separate rules have to be written for each of those conditions, trying to set a benchmark for how disabled each impairment should be to qualify for disability benefits.
And on top of all those variables for retirement, spousal, childhood and disability benefits, all of us eventually die. Some of us die alone. Some of us leave a widow or widower. Some of us leave more than one widow or widower, in the person of ex-spouses. Some of us die and leave minor children. Some of us die and leave adult children who are disabled. And once again, laws have to be written to deal with all those various survivor scenarios.
As you might guess, I’ve only scratched the surface of how complicated life can be. For example, I got an email this week from a retiree who plans to live in Costa Rica for six months each year and spend the other six months in Minnesota. And he’s got a Costa Rican wife. He wants to know how his Social Security benefits will be handled, and if his wife might qualify for spousal benefits. (There are laws to deal with those issues, but that’s a topic for another column.)
And I got another email from a 62-yearold woman who has been married for 30 years, hasn’t worked much outside the home and plans to file for spousal benefits on her husband’s Social Security record. But she just learned that divorce papers for a short two-year marriage she had in the early 1980s were never officially filed. is she legally married to her current “husband,” and can she get his benefits? And guess what? Social Security laws were written for this eventuality. (Another top-
ic for yet another future column.)
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 oth-
er is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon. com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.
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CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Fair Housing and its Impact on Real Estate
Today I completed my Fairhaven fair housing online course that is required and mandatory by my local Long Island Board of Realtors to be on any of their local committees. It was an excellent course that went over a multitude of situations that revolved around discrimination and steering and other protected classes. There are 18 protected classes in the U.S.:
1.) Race
2.) Color
3.) National origin
4.) Religion
5.) Sex
6.) Familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18)
7.) Handicap (disability)
8.) Age
9.) Ancestry
10.) Citizenship
11.) Gender Identity and Gender Expression
12.) Genetic Information
13.) Immigration Status
14.) Marital status
15.) Primary language
16.) Sexual orientation
17.) Source of income
18.) Any other arbitrary basis (for example, Occupation or Veteran Status)
It is extremely crucial to treat everyone fairly and honestly and abide by our written laws. However, for some, practicing fair housing can be difficult and challenging due to their poor con-
ditioning, preconceived ideas and prejudices and maybe how they were brought up. My motto is always is, “if you money is Green” and you have the basic qualifying requirements, then you are good to go!
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
A few years ago, Newsday did their 3 year investigation into these issues of discrimination and steering and not treating everyone equally. Those 69 individuals who were caught was the tip of the iceberg. I also understand and realize that discrimination goes back to even before the 13 colonies were annexed from England and the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written. However, even slavery can be traced back tens of thousands of years to the majority of countries and civilizations who practiced this as part of their everyday living and business. It still is occurring in certain countries. It has been a human condition going back to the beginning of time when man lived in caves. However, I see some improvements with respect to discrimination compared to back then; but it still exists today. Whether or not it is improving or getting worse depends on so many variables, it’s hard to make a clear determination. Some say yes and some say no. I say yes!
My personal belief is “live and let live.” If you are in a position and are qualified to buy, invest, purchase,
rent or lease any type of residential or commercial property, there should be no reasons or barriers from preventing or stopping you. The real issue is whether or not some do not know how to treat others in a fair and above board fashion. They let their emotions, personal opinions, maybe a past experience dictate their actions, which is 100% wrong!
Everyone needs and wants to earn a living. Realtors are no different than any one else. Working with clients in a non-discriminatory, candid, upfront and equal fashion will always raise the bar and go a long way in how you treat all people. However, the sad fact is, as long as society continues to provide false and misleading information, and parents not guiding their children in the proper fashion (even in schools too) these unfortunate situations will continue to occur unabated.
To create a more ideal world, where more people get along, behave and conduct themselves properly, it will take many generations and greater education and opportunities to get to the point of making this successful and become a reality. It could be the answer, assuming we sufficiently practice what we preach every day and prove to all that our Democracy is inclusive of everyone.
Philip A. Raices is the owner/ Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3
Getting Enough Fiber?
Continued from page 2
white and whole wheat bread and pasta over white.
These seemingly small choices can add up to big benefits from additional fiber in your diet.
Q and A
Q: I’ve heard fruit is high in sugar. Should I stop eating it?
A: Fruit contains natural sugars. Because of the fiber and other vitamins and minerals in the whole fruit, the natural sugars are processed differently than added sugars are. A study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, June 2021, found that at least two servings of whole fruit daily may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 36%. The study analyzed the fruit and fruit juice intake of 7,675 Australians over five years and
found an association between fruit intake and insulin sensitivity, suggesting more fruit (but not fruit juice) required lower insulin production to reduce blood glucose. Researchers concluded that was due to fruit’s higher fiber and nutrition content, helping slow the release of sugar into the body.
RECIPE
Most of us have been making our chili the same way for years. Here’s a great chili recipe -- with 12 grams of fiber -- to try for the fall season. It includes three different kinds of beans and several vegetables. It’s adapted from Hy-Vee.com.
THREE-BEAN AND BEEF CHILI
Servings: 8
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 large Vidalia onion, diced, divided
1 (32-ounce) carton beef broth, low sodium
Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 42+ 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 has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geo-thermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).
He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.
He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” no obligation 15 minute consultation, 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 call him at (516) 647-4289.
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1 (16-ounce) packet chili seasoning mix
1 (15-ounce) can no salt added kidney beans, drained, rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can no salt added black beans, drained, rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can no salt added garban zo beans, drained, rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can no salt added tomato sauce
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 medium yellow squash, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 medium green pepper, seeded, chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
In a large skillet, combine beef and 1 cup onions. Cook over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain. Return to skillet. Meanwhile, bring beef broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Add chili
seasoning mix and stir until powder is dissolved. Add beans, tomato sauce, vegetables, remaining onion, chili powder and beef to broth mixture. Mix well. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle into bowls. Top each bowl with 1/4 cup cheese. Serves 8.
Per serving: 460 calories; 41 grams carbohydrate; 42 grams protein; 16 grams fat; 90 milligrams cholesterol; 12 grams fiber; 690 milligrams sodium.
Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine 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. .
Let’s Take a Few More Questions From the Audience
BY MARY HUNT
I don’t mention it as often as I should, but the truth is that I’d be lost without you, my loyal, encouraging and responsive readers. Thank you for being there and for filling my email inbox to overflowing with your comments, questions and outpourings of love and gratitude. Please don’t stop. Ever.
Speaking of questions, let’s take a few from the audience:
Q: I am having a problem with slow-cooker cooking. I got a new cooker, and now everything -- even pot roast -- is turning out dry! Any ideas on what I’m doing wrong?
A: Slow cookers cook at a much higher temperature now than they did say 20 years ago. It is due to food safety concerns, but in reality and in my opinion, that has taken away the advantage of the slow cooker -- the advantage for working families to start meals before work and come home to tasty, properly cooked food even if it’s been cooking for eight hours
or longer. All too often results are mushy, dry and flavorless.
Opt for the low setting whenever possible. Instead of boneless skinless chicken breasts, use bone-in chicken. Select cuts of meat that have more fat instead of those that are super lean. Reduce cooking times too. Instead of six to eight hours, check after two to three hours. Last, use a slow cooker that’s the size called for in the recipe you’re following, if possible. By the way, I’ve recently all but given up on slow cooking because I’ve fallen in love with my Instant Pot Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker, about $100 at Amazon as I write. I can do in 15 minutes what used to take six hours in a slow cooker. And the results? Off the charts (and never dry).
Q: I just got a new washer and dryer. Do I HAVE to use laundry detergent that is labeled HE like the salesman advised? Why?
A: Yes! HE (high-efficiency) clothes washers use less than half the amount of water as a standard machine. Too much
detergent will clog up the machine because the amount of water it uses is not sufficient to rinse it out. That build up can cause the machine to malfunction and to eventually create an offensive odor -- and void your warranty.
Q: I need a recipe for homemade grout cleaner. Thanks!
A: Mix fresh, liquid hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and a few drops blue Dawn to make a thick paste. Spread onto grout and let it sit for about an hour. Scrub the grout with the scouring side of a sponge to remove the dirt. Wipe or mop away the paste.
Q: My daughter is on my checking account in case I get sick and need her to take care of things. My question is, if I were to die unexpectedly and she’s on my bank account, will she be responsible for my credit card debt?
A: Generally speaking, no, she will not be responsible personally, unless she is also an account holder on your credit card account, in which case, yes, she would be
Start Saving, Just Do It!
responsible. However, your estate -- the money and assets that remain upon your death -- is responsible to pay that debt. If you die leaving money in that account on which she is an account holder, those funds most likely will be tapped to satisfy your debts before anything is distributed to your heirs. You’d be wise to consult with an attorney who specializes in estate issues in your state to learn more. Thanks, everyone, and keep those messages coming!
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”
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BY MARY HUNT
A recent column brought a flood of messages to my inbox, most of them with the same message that goes something like this: I want to save, I need to save, but I don’t have any money to save! How can I even get started when I am so close to the edge?
First, let’s review: When it comes to saving money, we Americans are a pathetic lot. Here we are blessed with the highest per-capita income on the face of the earth, yet most recent data show that, as of May, the personal saving rate for American households is 3.9%. This means that on average, Americans are saving 3.9% of their disposable income -- the income left after paying taxes and essential expenses -- which is notably lower than the long-term average of 8.46%, indicating a trend of reduced savings compared to historical norms.
Because that’s an average, that means a whole lot of you have nothing saved, nothing to fall back on in the event of an emergency or unexpected expense. You justify this by counting on your credit cards to carry the day should you run out of money before your next paycheck. Speaking of paychecks, it feels like you’re just one paycheck away from being homeless, and that’s a terrible way to live and one of the greatest contributors to our collective stress.
While not wishing to throw you into a panic, I really need to get tough on this. You must start saving! You have to see yourself as more important than your creditors. Get in line in front of them and pay yourself first. Just do it. When you get your paycheck, your refund, birthday money, take the first part and stash it away. You don’t need a lot of money to start a real savings account. You can start with an envelope in your dresser
drawer. Put a dollar in it. There. You’ve started saving. Make a commitment that you will keep adding to it, no matter how little. The key is to save regularly, every week, rain or shine. And when you’ve accumulated $50, open a savings account at a bank or credit union.
To help you get started, here are some very painless ways to get your stash off the ground.
STOP USING YOUR DEBIT CARD
The ease and convenience with which you use that thing is startling. You don’t realize it, but it allows money to slip through your hands like water. For your dayto-day spending, switch to cash. It is inconvenient, and that’s the way it should be. Make it difficult for you to spend your own money.
STOP SPENDING COINS
Even if the bill comes to $4.02, hand over a $5 bill and
get 98 cents in coins. Every evening, empty your pockets, purse and wallet of all those coins into a container. If you think that won’t start adding up, think again. In one year, my husband and I saved $1,100 in coins simply because he doesn’t like to carry them around.
STASH ALL WINDFALLS
A windfall is simply money you were not expecting. It might be a $1 rebate check for lightbulbs, $25 from your aunt for your birthday, a quarter you found in the street, or a tax refund. Instead of seeing this as money to spend, save it!
AUTOMATIC DEDUCTION
The most painless way to save is through automatic payroll deductions. You don’t miss what you don’t see. Sure, you might miss that $20 or $50 in your check next week, even the next. But in time, you’ll completely forget about it. But your savings account won’t.
Your goal should be to save 10% of everything you receive, without fail. Seem like an impossible dream? Not at all. Just start small, start today and keep going one coin, one dollar, one percentage point at a time!
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate. com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www. everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”
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BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of August 11-17, 2024
August is always a terrific month for stargazing. Not only do we have the beautiful Milky Way arching overhead during evening hours, folks willing to stay up quite late will get to see meteors from the annual Perseid meteor shower. And this August, early morning skywatchers will get to watch a very close conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Mars.
Let’s start with the Perseid meteor shower. Regular readers of this column know this sky show occurs when the Earth slams into the dusty debris expelled by Comet Swift-Tuttle. As this cometary litter plows into our upper atmosphere, it burns up and produces the phenomena we know as meteors. Hard to believe, but most of these are specks no larger than a grain of sand and are extinguished at heights of 50 miles or higher.
This year’s peak occurs after the moon sets on the morning of Monday, Aug. 12, but you’ll be able to see plenty of meteors over the weekend. For the best view, set up under rural skies far from city lights. The best tools to use are just your eyes, but binoculars might be helpful to check out long smoke trails left behind by any exploding fireballs. Take a reclining lawn chair or sleeping
STARGAZERS
A Great Week for Insomniacs!
bag, and gaze toward the northern and northeastern sky, but be sure to scan the entire heavens because meteors can appear anywhere.
While you’re up late (or early!), you’ll also get to see the stars of winter make their first appearance. Most prominent will be Orion, the hunter, rising in the southeast after 3 a.m. Nearby you’ll notice the most brilliant “star” in the sky. It’s not a star, however -- it’s the giant planet Jupiter. Another solar system world lies nearby -- the red planet Mars -- though it’s about 16 times fainter and will be camouflaged well against all the bright wintertime stars.
On Aug. 12, Mars lies in the sky only a degree or so above Jupiter; that’s about the width of your little finger held at arm’s length. Keep watch over the next two mornings as Mars appears to get closer to Jupiter. By the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 14, the orbital motions of Mars, Jupiter and the Earth will carry it nearly in front of the giant planet, and the two will lie less than one-third of a degree apart.
If you’ve got a small backyard telescope, Wednesday morning will be a great time to set it up. With a low-powered eyepiece, you’ll have the unusual opportunity to see both planets in the same field of view. Though these worlds will seem quite close, it’s only because they will appear roughly along
our same line of sight.
On that morning, Mars will lie about 142 million miles from Earth and Jupiter 3.5 times farther: about 500 million miles from us. So if Jupiter is so much farther than Mars, why does it appear larger in your telescope? Because Jupiter is a world 21 times larger than Mars!
With the brilliant winter stars, the Perseid meteor shower, and a close conjunction of Mars and Jupiter, it’ll be a great week to be an insomniac!
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
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Dishin’ With the Dog
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
No matter what I make for dinner, cleanup in our house is a pretty speedy affair because we have three dishwashers. First, there is the electronic one, which does a pretty good job, assuming you prewash the dishes before you run them through the dishwasher. Then there’s dishwasher No. 2 -- my husband. He’s generally responsible for the handwash: the pots, pans and cooking utensils that don’t go in the dishwasher. Having spent a summer at sleepaway camp when he was 16 as, you guessed it, a dishwasher, my husband considers himself an expert in the field. At the end of a meal, he will throw himself into his work with such gusto that it almost seems like he’s participating in an Olympic event.
The third dishwasher in the house is the dog. Of all three, the dog ranks best for getting the dishes completely
free of food, although I wouldn’t want to eat off the dishes he cleans. The problem, though, is not so much the dishes he licks when they’re dirty. It’s the dishes he licks when they’re clean. For some reason, in addition to a penchant for chicken, carrots and socks, the dog has developed a taste for dishware. I thought that since he knew the dishes were dirty going in, maybe he theorized they would also be dirty coming out. Who knows. I don’t speak dog, or I’d ask him.
Whatever his motivation, the upshot was that whenever I went to empty the dishwasher, I had to body block the dog to get to the dishes before he did. Unfortunately, the dog was at dishwasher level, and I was not, so he had the upper hand, er, paw, in the race to the dishes.
“Beat it, Bowie,” I barked at him one morning as I lowered the dishwasher door. He ignored me. He had been
trained to “sit,” “stay” and “fetch me ice cream,” but “beat it” was not part of his repertoire. He moved a little closer to the dishwasher, and I tried to put myself between the dog and the dishes. It occurred to me that most dog owners have to worry about their dogs chasing squirrels, not licking the clean dishes, and I marveled at how unique our dog was, which could also be a euphemism for weird.
“Bowie, move,” I said more aggressively. This time he listened ... and moved to the other side of the dishwasher, where he had better access. Technically, he did what I’d said, so I couldn’t be mad. I quickly stepped over the dishwasher door to where he was and stood in front of him.
I picked up one of the dinner dishes to move it out of his reach.
“Listen, buddy,” I said, waving a dish at him. “These dishes are clean. There is no food on them. They are an
empty promise of a snack that has long since been washed away by time and Cascade. This is not a dish. It’s a dream. Time to let go.”
The dog admitted defeat and finally moved away from the machine. I stepped around him to get back into a better unloading position, failing to notice that I had created a small puddle on the floor from the not-quite-dry dishes. Naturally, I slipped on the puddle, lost my balance, and hurled the clean dish onto the floor, where it broke into a million pieces.
I shrugged.
One less dish for the dog to lick.
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.
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LOST IN SUBURBIA
This week, stargazers can check out the Perseid meteor shower, see the first appearances of winter stars, and catch striking views of Mars and Jupiter.
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DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first free months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
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HEARING AIDS!! High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45day money back guarantee! 855-598-5898
MARKETPLACE
A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP 516-746-8900
Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-Silver-MirrorsLamps-Artwork 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 ATStewartExchange.org Items to Consign? Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange.org All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society
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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!
FURNITURE FOR SALE GARDEN CITY
Raymour & Flanigan Couch 6’ (grey)
2 Custom Made Arm Chairs (floral design)
EXCELLENT CONDITION MUST SEE!! Best Offer Call: 516-746-0421
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
GARAGE SALE
MOVING SALE
Saturday 8/10 & Sunday 8/11 9:00am to 3:30pm 1016 Van Buren Avenue Franklin Square, NY Everything Must Go! Furniture, tools, clothes and Much More!
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
GOT AN UNWANTED
CAR??? Your car donation to Patriotic Hearts helps veterans find work or start their own business. Fast free pick. Running or not! Call 24/7: 1-888-251-3135.
REAL ESTATE FOR RENT
OFFICE SPACE
WILLISTON PARK PROFESSIONAL OFFICE
Space for rent. Beautifully shared Office Space. Partially Furnished-2 Exec. Offices. Reception Area, Main Floor, Private Parking. $1900-p/m. Please call 516-248-4080
REAL ESTATE WANTED
APARTMENT WANTED
APARTMENT WANTED Wanted 2 Bedroom Apartment. Mint condition. Phone- John Koerner 516-269-9107.
GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?
Don’t Accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider
JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING
We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship Thousands of frames to choose from!! Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495
MYSTIC BEAUTY SPA 650 Stewart Ave Phenix Suites Suite 163 For all of your beauty needs Waxing, Facials and Lashes Treat yourself to a day of beauty and relaxation Call for Appointment Today! 516-523-0967
SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277
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
SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS SYSTEM TURN ONS
Backflow Device Tests
Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs
Joe Barbato 516-775-1199
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY!
Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076
MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS
Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies
Top Brands at Discount Prices!
Family owned & operated www.madeintheshadensli.
com
516-426-2890
MASONRY
All types of stonework Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps.
Free Estimates
Fully Licensed & Insured
#H2219010000
Boceski Masonry
Louie 516-850-4886
PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY!
Slate & Tile Specialists
All types of Roofing Local References
Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869
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
FREEDOMCARE. Let your loved ones care for you and get paid! Paid by Medicaid. Choose family or friends as your paid caregiver. Check your eligibility today! Call FreedomCare now! 1-855-385-7556
PAINTING & PAPERHANGING
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING
Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock Skim Cutting, Old Wood Refinish, Staining, Wallpaper Removal & Hanging, Paint Removal, Power Washing, Wood Replacement
JOHN MIGLIACCIO
Licensed & Insured #80422100000
Call John anytime: 516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office)
JV PAINTING
Interior/Exterior Painting. Handyman. We can help with most jobs. Licensed and Insured. Call John 516-732-8937
PARTY HELP
LADIES & GENTLEMEN RELAX & ENJOY Your Next Party! Catering and Experienced Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up Before, During and After Your Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545 CLEANING
MARIA’S CLEANING SERVICE
Our excellent cleaning team will get your home or office spotless! Available Monday thru Friday 7am to 6pm Supplies provided if needed Own
516-849-2026
CLASSIFIEDS Call
SERVICES SERVICES
AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-
NET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803
CLOCK REPAIR SERVICES
Over 40 years experience
Servicing Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx & Manhattan. We repair a variety of Grandfather Clocks, Wall Clocks, Mantle Clocks and All Antique Clocks.
Authorized service center for Howard Miller & Ridgeway David & Nuriel Clock Repair 917-608-5883
SERVICES SERVICES
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
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Buttermilk Chicken Kebabs
Backyard barbecues remain popular even when the summer slowly begins to wind down. Though traditional favorites like hamburgers and hot dogs always have a place at the table, grilling afficionados may be on the lookout for new recipes to test their skills.
“Buttermilk Chicken Kebabs” from “Casablanca: My Moroccan Food” (Firefly Books) by Nargisse Benkabbou does not disappoint. Even though buttermilk is not a traditional Moroccan ingredient, the author uses it to tenderize the chicken and make these kebabs even more mouthwatering with an added hint of tang. These smoky skewers can be enjoyed on their own, or cooked and added to salads or served on flatbreads.
Serves 4 as a starter
1⁄2 cup buttermilk
1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon clear honey
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1. Place all of the ingredients, except the chicken, in a large bowl and stir to combine. Add the chicken and turn to coat with the marinade.
2. Cover with the plastic wrap and leave to marinate in the fridge for 2 to 12 hours.
3. When ready to serve, thread the pieces of chicken onto skewers.
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1⁄2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound, 2 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
4. Preheat a barbecue or heat a griddle or skillet over high heat. Place the skewers on your barbecue or skillet and cook for 5 minutes on each side, turning every now and then, until golden on all sides and cooked through. Serve immediately.
Summer Concerts: Live Music With Your Neighbors
Friday, August 16
7:30 pm
Featuring Elvis
(Performed by Tommy Walker)
Location: Memorial Park
Friday, August 30th
7:30 pm
City Stars and Big Band
Location: Memorial Park
John Lavelle, Williston Park Resident, Parishioner, St. Aidan’s Graduate (‘93) and Proud SAS Parent 630 Willis Avenue Williston Park, NY 11596 516-325-1175
John.Lavelle@LavelleInjuryFirm.com www.JohnLavelleLaw.com
Proudly serving clients in New York & Pennsylvania
Floral Park Bellerose Girl Scouts Higher Awards Ceremony
The Floral Park Bellerose Associaion of Girl Scouts celebrated its Higher Awards Ceremony on June 27.
The Floral Park Bellerose Association of Girl Scouts held a celebration on June 27, at the Fireman’s Hall in Floral Park to honor the Girl Scouts who earned their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
The Girl Scouts thanked Applebee’s of New Hyde Park for donating delicious food, and Village Pizza for supporting the Girl Scouts. Everyone had a wonderful celebration.
The girls enjoyed celebrating and great food!
Floral Park Born
Author Returns Home with His First Novel
once a haven of childhood memories for Angela O’Hare, now the realm of mystery awaiting the young O’Hare family of four. As they nestle into the folds of Floral Park following the demise of Angela’s father, they soon discover that the town and their new home are cradles to tales of Shadow Men and mythical beings, whispering secrets of a bygone era. www.austinmacauley.com/us
AT LAKESIDE THEATRE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11TH
6:30PM-8:30PM
EISENHOWER PARK LAKESIDE THEATRE
Upcoming Events at the Floral Park Pool
Friday, August 9 - Top Your Own Sundae (while supplies last)
Sunday, August 11 - Residents’ Day
Monday, August 12 - All Day Program Week #7
Saturday, August 17 - Modified Hours Begin
September
Monday, September 2 - Labor Day, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, September 3 - Senior Picnic, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The pool is located at 124 Stewart St, Floral Park. For information about programs and membership please call Recreation/Pool Building (516) 326-6336. The full pool brochure can be found using the QR code above.
The Floral Park Pool’s brochure can be accessed with this QR code.
Floral Park BOT opposes Queens bus route
From page 1
mently opposed to this plan, and will use any and all resources at our disposal to fight the MTA running city buses on our streets,” Stewart said. In July she thanked all the residents who had voiced their concerns to the MTA through the online public comment portal.
Mayor Fitzgerald mentioned a planned meeting with the MTA to discuss the necessity of the new bus route and stop. He highlighted the lack of detailed information from the MTA, with a 100-page document offering little
clarity. Fitzgerald also criticized the redundancy of the Q110, given existing bus and train services along the same route.
“We have studied what is available, as we do with any major project that impacts the village,” Mayor Fitzgerald explained. “I think the resolution that we passed tonight lays out in detail some of the concerns that we have not only here in Floral Park but with the whole concept of the Q110, which is duplicative of other routes that occur in Queens. Three buses and a train line running on the same route does not seem to make a lot of sense.”
Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our main office 294-8900 to request information & rates. Visit our website to place classified Ads, to receive more information & our latest rates, www.gcnews.com
FP suffers first loss in decade, win against Williston Park
Dominic Rochwolski after his first place finishes in the Freestyle and Medley Relays.
BY THOMAS MANSFIELD
The Floral Park Pirates entered their July 25th swim meet with a dominant win streak lasting over a decade. That streak ended at the John S. DaVanzo Community Pool at the hands of the Mineola Swim Team with a score of 305-298.
The streak’s unceremonious end did not come without certain stellar performances from many Pirates swimmers. Phillip Gribbins won four first place ribbons, two for his efforts in the 9-10 Backstroke and Breaststroke Individuals and two for both the Medley and the Freestyle Relays.
Karoline Kohli had multiple first place finishes of her own, as she won the Breaststroke Individual, as well as the Medley and Freestyle Relays.
Karoline Kholi with her prized first place ribbon after her performance in the 1x50 Breastroke Individual.
The Pirates recovered from this loss on Monday, July 29, and got back to their winning ways at home against the Williston Park Piranhas. The meet ended with a final score of 196-179.
Sisters Sienna and Peyton Laffy won a combined five first place ribbons in numerous different events. Sienna placed first in the 9-12 Butterfly and Freestyle Individuals, while Peyton earned three first place finishes in the Butterfly Individual and the Freestyle and Medley Relays.
Dominic Rochwolski helped the 9-12 boys in sweeping their relays, earning first place in the Medley, as well as the Freestyle Relays.
Floral Park’s final meet of the summer will be against the Stewart Manor Sharks at home on Wednesday, July 31, at the Floral Park Village Pool.
Phillip Gribbons with multiple first place ribbons after his win in the 1x50 Breastroke Individual.
The Girls 11–12
4x100 Medley Relay.
The Laffey sisters, Sienna (left) and Peyton (right), after numerous dominant performances in Monday’s win against Stewart Manor.
The Boys 13 and Up 1x50 Freestyle Individual
The Boys 11–12 1x50 Breastroke Individual.
FP
against Williston Park
The Boys 9–12 4x100 Medley Relay.
The Girls 8 and Under 4x100 Freestyle Relay.
The Boys 9–10 4x100 Freestyle Relay.
The Garden City News, Bethpage Newsgram, Mid-Island Times, Jericho-Syosset News Journal, Syosset Advance, & Floral Park Villager! Along with Blank Slate Media Papers: Port Washington Times, Manhasset Times, Roslyn Times, Great Neck Times, New Hyde Park Herald Courier & The Williston Times!
