Boy Scouts of St. Joseph’s Parish Troop 243 recently went on a 2-night campout at Durland Scout Reservation in Putnam Valley, NY. During this outdoor adventure, the Scouts earned two camping nights towards their Blue Nose requirement. Additionally, the Scouts demonstrated their ability to use a compass, read maps, describe map features, employ GPS for location finding, and mark coordinates. The trip was a testament to the scouts’ commitment to skill development and camaraderie within the Troop.
The Garden City Board of Trustees approved a $30,000 increase for engineering work on a water main replacement project which in the Stewart Avenue and Clinton Roar area.
At its meeting on February 8th, the board agreed to
increase payments to consultants H2M Architects and Engineers, for their work on the project.
Superintendent of Public Works John Borroni said H2M will provide additional construction observation periods for the project.
He explained, “Throughout
the construction of the Clinton Road and Stewart Avenue water main installation the presence of unknown existing utilities required provisions to the proposed water main design. This led to an extended project timeline beyond the expected completion date of
See page 36
At the February 8th meeting of the Garden City Board of Trustees, several eastern section residents shared concerns that a project designed to alleviate flooding and poor drainage on Meadow Street could lead to unintended, quality-of-life issues.
Homeowners were concerned about the appearance of the area, as construction is planned for land adjacent to Meadow Street.
During a public hearing on the acquisition of two 25 foot parcels of land by eminent domain, which would be needed for the drainage improvement project, Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan announced that the hearing was being conducted to inform the community about the proposed condemnation of the properties.
“In order to proceed with this project, the Village is seeking to acquire, pursuant to the eminent domain and procedure law, the two 25-foot lots (Block 52/Lot A and Block 53/Lot B which are identified
See page 28
Garden City’s Treasurer, Irene Woo, was enthused to present the Board of Trustees with positive news during the Board’s February 20th meeting. Woo said that based on results of the February 1 sale of Village municipal bonds the Village’s excellent credit rating has paid off in terms of reducing interest costs.
“There was a great response to the village’s sale and the interest rates offered were very competitive between all the bids that came in. We sold the short-term, one-year BAN [Bond Anticipation Notes] in the amount of $43,583,696 for the various village water well treatment projects – there were eight bidders and the bid was awarded to Jefferies Group LLC, for 3.03% net interest cost. They paid a
See page 28
As this week’s issue was created during a school holiday week the amount of news and advertising has been relatively light this week. However starting next week, and through the beginning of summer we will be in what is usually our busiest season.
And since there is a hotly contested election for the Board of Trustees coming up on Tuesday, March 19th, we expect that we will be getting many letters to the editor. (Even in a slow week like this we have 16 letters!)
We’d just like to remind those who want to submit material that the deadline is Wednesdays at noon (but we’re really appreciative if people can send stuff even earlier). Although we’ve tried to be a bit flexible when things come in
late, unfortunately we are going to have to be a bit more strict when things are busy. Our printer needs to know our page count on Wednesday afternoons, and if a lot of unexpected stuff comes in late we may not have a spot for it.
We welcome material from all groups and letters from all viewpoints (even those we don’t agree with!). Letters must be signed. We also run articles from the candidates and parties running, but there are limited spots in the front of the paper for them, so we’ll try to rotate who gets which spot, with priority given to those who haven’t yet been featured in a candidate article.
Letters and articles should be sent to editor@gcnews.com
To the Editor:
For A Better Garden City Trustees have a record of hearing from residents, and then putting a plan into action, and getting to work on a solution. Thanks to FABGC, Garden City has a board that is accountable to all residents. Flooding on Meadow Street that was a problem for years under POA leadership, now has a project being executed, after a resident went to a Village meet and greet to talk directly to Trustees. After a Vape shop opened in the Village and residents raised concerns, the Board took swift action to put a moratorium on business with “adult uses” or themed retailers, body piercing and tattoo parlors, vape shops and other establishments. After a resident reported a Garden City house on Airbnb, the board quickly prohibited short-term rentals in the Village. These are just a few examples, but there are several, where this Board listened to a
resident or group of residents and followed through.
Judy, and the POA’s repeated accusation that trustees will not speak to anyone from another “political party” is just false. We understand that longtime POA insiders long for the days of old when the POA Trustees provided exclusive access, by attending their POA meetings, and even providing a written report when unable to attend, while refusing to interact with non-POA residents. Because that was the system under CAP, Judy wrongly assumes FABGC would operate the same and she just ignores the many examples (including her own membership on the Recreation Commission) that counter that view. Judy’s demand that Village employees be required to spend their nights in front of different political parties is an inefficient way for our staff to spend their time, not to mention the
See page 46
SUBMITTED BY JUDY COURTNEY FOR THE COMMUNITY AGREEMENT PARTY
The Community Agreement Party Candidates have been traveling throughout the Village talking and listening to residents. A common complaint heard by each of the candidatesVinny Muldoon, Judy Courtney, Jessica Tai and Bruce Torino- is the failure of the Village to deal with basic quality of life issues. Whether it is clean sidewalks, unkempt buildings or peeling facades, residents voiced a common problemthings around town are not what they used to be. As Vinny Muldoon stated “It’s the little things that have built up over the years. When was the last time
our downtown sidewalks were power washed? Why are some refuge receptacles on Seventh Street overflowing and others empty? We must get back to basics and do the simple things right. Quite frankly, if we can’t keep the sidewalks clean, how will residents trust us to manage the big projects that need to get done?” Added current Trustee Bruce Torino, “It’s about accountability. We have a great Village staff, but they have to be listened to and allowed to do their jobs. Our merchants need to work with the Village and ensure everyone is doing their part. We need to work together on issues like this if
See page 46
The big event is next week! Hoops for Hope is next Wednesday, February 28! Come cheer for the Challenger Basketball team at Garden City High School. Doors open at 3 and tip-off is at 3:30. The game is being played in memory of Bobby Menges, a GCHS alum who lost his battle with cancer. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation. INDY’s mission is to help adolescent and young adult patients who are fighting cancer and other serious, chronic and longterm illnesses.
The cheerleaders will be there. Kickline will be there. Challenger alumni will be there. Students from all of the schools will be there. Will YOU be there to check it all out?
A suggested donation of $5 includes a coupon for a free egg sandwich from Seventh Street Gourmet, 100 Seventh Street, GC. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase for a chance to win great prizes. (Cash and checks please. Credit cards cannot be accepted at this event). Family and business sponsorships are available. If interested, please contact Liz Menges at efmenges131@
gmail.com. Please contact Michael O’Hanlon at 516-319-8020 with any other questions about the event.
Garden City’s Board of Trustees formally approved the appointment of a new deputy village treasurer for the Finance Department at its meeting on Thursday February 8.
The hire of Tanners Pond Road resident Yuetwa Cheng will be effective on March 4 or upon Civil Service approval, as the new deputy treasurer at an annual salary of $120,000.
Cheng is a CPA and holds an MBA in accounting. Village Treasurer Irene Woo, also a Garden City resident, shared information with the Board of Trustees during her update at last week’s meeting. Treasurer Woo said Cheng will make an excellent addition to the municipal finance department.
“Ms. Cheng has over 15 years of finance and accounting experience in various roles. Most recently she was the chief financial officer at a global executive search firm, where she performed functions such as budgeting, forecasting, financial statement preparation and reporting as well as audit compliance. These are all the things she will continue to work on for the village.
We’re very excited to welcome her,” Woo explained.
In another notable personnel move, Garden City Superintendent of Recreation and Parks Paul Blake shared an update that a new hire has joined his department, and will handle duties of the longtime Recreation Director Sandra Young who retired in 2023.
Mr. Blake told the Board of Trustees last Thursday, “We have filled one of the vacancies in our office as we’re hiring Andrew Hill as our assistant superintendent of Recreation. He brings much experience from his work at Gateway National Recreation Area and he has managed many of the same tasks Mrs. Young did during her tenure here. We have great expectations for him.”
Gateway National Recreation Area spans both New Jersey and New York City, stretching from Sandy Hook in Monmouth County, 27,000 acres through and including Jamaica Bay up to Breezy Point, Queens, on the west end of the Rockaway peninsula. Hill was set to start work on February 12th.
The GC Central Property Owner’s Association (CPOA) is pleased to invite Garden City residents to hear a presentation by John Wilton, president of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, February 27. The meeting will be held at the Senior Center on Golf Club Lane at 7:30 and John will address the group at 7:30 p.m.
The GC Chamber of Commerce has been a vital part of Garden City since 1926 – almost 100 years. Their mission is to promote “the prosperity of
its member businesses and to the preservation of the quality, character and vitality of our greater community.” Join us to hear what the Chamber’s outlook is for this year and what events they are planning.
After the Chamber of Commerce presentation, the CPOA will hold its regular monthly meeting. Attendees will hear reports from trustees, committees and boards. To learn more about the CPOA please see our website gccpoa. org.
The Western Property Owners Association is hosting a trip to an Islanders game on Tuesday March 5, against the Saint Louis Blues. This event is designed for residents to enjoy an evening out with your neighbors and friends, and cheer on the Islanders towards the playoffs:
When: Tuesday March 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: UBS Arena
Opponent: Islanders vs. Saint Louis Blues
Cost: $65 (lower level seating)
To reserve your tickets or if you have any questions please contact Steve Costello at scmc66@yahoo.com.
Payment options: Venmo, Zelle, check or cash.
The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program is seeking breast cancer survivors, both women and men, throughout New York State to train as volunteers for the hotline. The ZOOM training, each session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is being held on four consecutive Mondays beginning March 11 (then March 18, March 25 and April 1). Volunteers are asked to commit to all four sessions.
The hotline was established in 1980 by women who had been in a support group and wanted to help others. Today it is the oldest breast cancer hotline in the country. Says Lori F., a hotline vol-
unteer since 2022, “It is an indescribable feeling to give hope to someone who feels hopeless.”
Volunteer will receive on-line training in the following areas: community outreach, educational presentations, hotline, speaking engagements, publicity, and fundraising.
For more information and to set up an initial interview, contact social worker Nina Foley at 516-877-4315 or email at nfoley@adelphi.edu.
Information about the hotline and support program can be found on-line at breast-canceradelphi.edu.
Join your Property Owner’s Association (POAs) for a fascinating trip back in time to celebrate two of Garden City’s more famous women. The event promises to be a fun (and free!) evening with friends and neighbors to learn more about two prominent women — Cornelia Stewart and Olive Tjaden.
Olive Tjaden was the youngest woman registered architect in New York State, beginning her work in 1929. From the 1920s to the 1940s, she designed over 400 homes in Garden City. Local artist Michael White will be showing his works, including some he has done of Tjaden’s homes in the Village. Maybe your home is a famous Tjaden design!
The evening will also celebrate the
work of Cornelia Stewart. Although many know her as the wife of Alexander, she was actually the driving force behind the development of the Village, especially after Alexander’s death. You’ll hear lots of facts and possible fiction about the many endeavors of Cornelia in the heyday of Garden City.
The event is scheduled for Friday March 8, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Wine, beer and light refreshments will be served. Enjoy a relaxed Friday night with us, joining your friends and neighbors for a fun trip down Garden City’s memory lane. The event is free for all Village residents. For more information, please visit gcpoaevents@gmail.com.
BY LARRY TREMSKY
A chance meeting last August has led to a collaboration between professional organists in the US and Ukraine. Last summer Larry Tremsky, Director of Music at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, attended an Organ Academy in Pasłęk, Poland. Also taking part in the course were two talented young organists from L’viv, Ukraine, Mark Novakovych and Svitlana Pozdnysheva. During the week they spoke of ways in which musicians un the US could help Ukrainian colleagues during this difficult time of war. Good, scholarly editions of music are not always easy to get in Ukraine, so a conversation began with the Nassau Chapter of the American Guild of Organists to see if something could be done to help. The Nassau Chapter immediately agreed, and they, along with the Suffolk Chapter and some friends at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, raised enough funds to send a large package of music over to Ukraine, which recently arrived. Still more music is being collected and will be sent later. While we here cannot end this terrible war, we
can support the people of Ukraine in many ways to let them know the world is behind them.
Here’s the translation of the text Mark wrote on receiving the music scores:
“When the war cancels all your plans and says ‘no’ to all your dreams, incredible miracles don't stop happening! People who are ready to support not only with words, but also with truly generous deeds come to the rescue! Half a year ago, fate brought together Svetlana, me and Larry at the organ academy in Poland in Pasłek, and this meeting is very memorable for us! Larry Tremsky, a great friend of Ukraine, thank you from the bottom of my heart! For us young organists, this parcel from the USA — something much more than a selection of luxurious organ music in the best European editions and luxurious new organ shoes — is a huge gesture of support and understanding, which cannot be accepted without tears of emotion and gratitude! A big thank you to Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, NY for your support! May God bless you a hundredfold!”
Ahmed Ahmed, certified personal trainer, to speak next Tuesday, February 27.
Last Tuesday, February 20, John Wilton, president of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce returned as guest speaker to bring Mineola-Garden City Rotary members and guests up to date on current happenings within Garden City’s business districts (Seventh Street and New Hyde Park Road (Garden City’s community shopping streets) and Franklin Avenue (the face of our Village).
Professionally, John is a long time leading commercial realtor based in Garden City. Before serving as Chamber president, he was a long-time member of the Chamber Board of Directors, and for nearly 3 decades served as chairman of the Chamber’s Garden City Business Professional Retail Group.
While focusing on how the vitality of commercial properties directly effects the vitality of the residential community, John told of the many changes in the central business district which he has witnessed over the years. John reminded that Franklin Avenue was once (officially) labeled the “Fifth Avenue of Long Island, due to its high-end retail operations.” Then, with loss of major retail, Garden City evolved as the “financial mecca.” then, (and now) with the explosion of new eating establishments, it came to be known as “restaurant row” or “restaurant central.” Added today are numerous banks, spas and with a small return of various retail operations on Seventh Street.
With many folks asking about the status of several potential new and change over eating establishments, John mentioned a few that appear to be currently in limbo and will potentially open this spring. They include Noema restaurant (located in the former Gross Jewelers location (corner of Franklin and Stewart Avenues) may open in the spring; Iavarone Bros. Quality Foods
of Commerce
President John Wilton
(in the former Natural supermarket), also aiming to open this spring; East Rockaway Coffee currently renovating in the former Greek luncheonette/coffee shop location, (east side of Franklin near the LIRR tracks) which remains in limbo. The Tap Room will replace Calogero’s on Franklin, and may open next fall. Finally, replacing the former Walk Street in a much expanded area, and under major renovation, is Il Gufo (the new name) aiming to open in the spring.
John spoke of the Chamber’s long time membership in the Nassau Council of Chambers. He said other Chambers consider Garden City as a premier town in which to do business. They continue to marvel at the success of our Chamber (forever acknowledged over decades as the largest chamber on Long Island), also noting that events such as Friday Night Promenades, Street Fairs, festivals and the 69 year-old Easter Car Parade all attract both businesses which would like to operate here, as well as families who desire to become residents of the Village, which, by the way, stages all of these events free to attendees.
Reminding Rotary members and guests that Ahmed Ahmed, certified personal trainer, will provide tried and true tips to relieve and overcome joint pain and aches for all in attendance, at next Tuesday’s lunch meeting, 12:15 at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant. We will hear Ahmed tell his story of how he evolved from a teenager who hobbled around in pain to a personal trainer who is helping others overcome pain so they can have more fun and enjoy life. To reserve for the lunch meeting (fee, $40 payable at the door), please email Meg Norris, Club president, at editor@gcnews.com.
John L. Gomes, MD, founded Women’s Health Care of Garden City in 1995. It has remained an independent private practice, providing personalized obstetrical and gynecological services.
He employs the technical advances of conventional medicine with an integrative approach to navigate women through difficult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.
All tests are conveniently done on the premises, and a dedicated, compassionate staff is on call 24/7.
He is committed to excellence in patient communication, education and support, as many patients come with anxiety associated with past experiences and future concerns.
Dr. Gomes received his undergraduate degree from Brown University, and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University.
He is both Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City.
The information about the homes and the photos were obtained through the Multiple Listing Services of Long Island. The homes presented were selected based solely on the fact that they were recently sold. Mortgage
this week from www.nerdwallet.com
Date: 2/16/2024
Sold price: $1,040,000
4 beds, 3 full baths
Architectural Style: Cape
Lot size: .14 acres
Annual taxes: $15,830
MLS number: 3516994
The Seller’s Team: Tara Walsh, Four Seasons Realty Team
The Buyer’s Team: Dian Xiang Chen, Charles Rutenberg Realty
Welcome to this spacious 4-bedroom 3-bath Cape on a beautiful tree-lined block that bears the name of its Village. Complete with a front porch, fully finished basement, and fabulous backyard you do not want to miss the opportunity to make it yours. A bright sunny formal living room with hardwood floors greets you as you enter and leads you to an open eat-in-kitchen and dining area, with a wood-burning fireplace and access to the deck. A brand-new full bath and 2 bedrooms complete the first level. On the second level, you will find two generous-sized bedrooms with large walk-in closets and a brand-new full bath. The fully finished lower level has ample space for a recreation room, gym, or extra living space, complete with a full bathroom, laundry, and storage. Walking distance to Grove Park and Locust School and close to shopping, public transportation, and major highways. Other notable features include IGS, gas heat, a 1-car attached garage, a new roof, and new siding.
Date: 2/15/2024
Sold price: $550,000
1 bedrooms, 1 full baths
Architectural Style: Condominium
Monthly common charge: $681
Annual taxes: $4,636
MLS number: 3513598
The Seller’s Team: Cathleen Whelan, Howard Hanna Coach
The Buyer’s Team: Nancy Jarvis, Daniel Gale Sothebys Intl Realty
Become a Landlord now or available for your occupancy when Tenant’s lease expires 08/24. Garden City Condo in Luxury Doorman Building with elevator in heart of Village. Updated condo is filled with lots of natural light. Boasting open floor plan, 9 ft. ceilings, generous moldings and oak floors. Featuring custom-built kitchen with SS appliances, living/dining room, primary bedroom with walk in closet, hall bath. Community Rm, Fitness Rm, Laundry and Storage Unit in basement. Steps to shops, dining, train, library and more. A great opportunity to live a turn-key lifestyle!
Date: 2/15/2024
Sold price: $350,000
1 bedrooms, 1 full baths,
Architectural style: Co-op
Monthly charges: $493
MLS number: 3519060
The Seller’s Team: Susan
MacDonald, Daniel Gale Sothebys Intl Realty
The Buyer’s Team: Susan
MacDonald, Daniel Gale Sothebys Intl Realty
Completely renovated ground floor one bedroom at Alexander House on Seventh Street! Recently updated in 2020 this unit offers a private entrance, open concept living room, dining area, kitchen, bedroom and full bath. There is a storage unit in the building and a detached garage included in maintenance fee. Rare opportunity to walk out your front door onto everything Seventh Street has to offer. Move right in!
We bring a unique perspective to the table, blending traditional values with modern expertise. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, we are dedicated to providing personalized service tailored to your needs. When you choose our Mother/Son team, you gain a partner who truly understands the importance of long-term success and building a legacy for generations to come.
c.516.972.8389
Matthew
c.516.456.3091
Garden City
In celebration of Presidents’ Day, the Long Island Volunteer Center (LIVC) hosted a President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) ceremony at the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island in Garden City on February 18. Fifteen students, ages 9 to 21, received Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards for their volunteer efforts that totaled 2,127 hours at 25 nonprofit and community-based organizations.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is the most prestigious volunteer award associated with the White House. The students earned their awards because they donated the required number of hours to meet the award levels that included young adults, teens, and kids. Each received a pin, a medallion, an engraved certificate and a congratulatory letter from U.S. President Joseph Biden. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and New York State Senator Kevin Thomas also provided certificates of recognition for the students.
Three of the award winners were Amanat Deviki Jain, Garden City High School, who received a Gold award in the Teens category, Armaan Chandragupta Jain, Garden City Stewart School, who received a Bronze award in the Kids category, and Mannat Vikramaditya Jain, Garden City High School, who received a Gold award in the Teens category. Amanat and her brothers created an incredible program called Chess4Community. Their philosophy was paying this cultural and generational
debt forward by teaching seniors chess at the Garden City Senior Center. The seniors not only learned chess, but bonded with Amanat and her brothers through the teaching process where multigenerational relationships were formed while the barrier between child and elder melted away. The course was extremely successful culminating with a tournament. A trophy was presented to the winner by the principal of Garden City High School, and all other players received certificates. The program has spun off into a Chess Club, where players still gather weekly at the Senior Center to play and Amanat, Manat and Armaan still attend and answer questions. The chess trio also took their program to the Garden City Library, where they volunteered time to create, plan, implement and host Chess4Community, a 5 week long program teaching children grades 3 to 6. Classes were an hour long and held weekly at the Library.
The Mineola Boy Scouts Pack 246 performed color guard duties to kick off the event. Garden City resident Diana O’Neill, LIVC executive director, in her welcome address said “Leading by example, these students used their time and talents to help build community, advance the human condition, and expand the reach and impact of the nonprofits and community organizations they served.” As certifying officer for PVSA, LIVC Board Chair Patricia Force presented the awards. Donna Buccelatto, volunteer manager at the Hempstead-based Mary Brennan INN gave closing remarks.
INTERVIEWED key stakeholders in town to make sure everyone has a voice when it comes to the future of St. Paul’s and all these voices participate in the upcoming outreach.
IDENTIFIED and started interviewing companies to assess our community needs and survey residents.
VISITED 7 outstanding Community Centers in the tri-state area and learned how much these centers enrich the lives of residents and bring multiple generations of people together.
Engage consultant to assess needs and SURVEY the community to learn:
» What residents want.
» What parts of the building residents treasure most.
» What residents are willing to pay to preserve part or all of the building.
PRESENT to the public what we learned about how community centers enrich the lives of residents and what programs work best.
With this important data, we can start the creative path towards a RE-IMAGINED St. Paul’s. Along the way we will continue to share the possibilities and the costs so residents are fully informed and can vote on the bond referendum to make the project a reality.
Visit the St. Paul’s page on gardencityny.net to stay up to date, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Submit questions to stpaulsquestions@gardencityny.net.
Laura Baymack
Lic. RE Salesperson Principal Agent
M: 516.537.3050
Maureen Lagarde
Lic. RE Salesperson Founding Agent
M: 516.850.7812
Salvatore Sica
Lic. Assoc. RE Broker Principal Agent
M: 347.922.8947
Chelsea Costello
Lic. RE Salesperson
The Laura Carroll Team
M: 516.509.7961
Christina Hirschfield
Lic. RE Salesperson
The Laura Carroll Team
M: 516.805.0703
Stephen Baymack
Lic. Assoc. RE Broker Principal Agent
M: 516.216.0244
Patrick M. McCooey
Lic. Assoc. RE Broker Founding Agent M: 516.236.4287
Jennifer Sullivan
Lic. RE Salesperson Founding Agent M: 516.361.7190
Kerry Flynn
Lic. RE Salesperson
The Laura Carroll Team
M: 914.772.6169
Adrienne McDougal
Lic. RE Salesperson
The Laura Carroll Team
M: 516.662.3872
Laura Carroll
Lic. RE Salesperson Founding Agent M: 917.370.5354
Athena Menoudakos
Lic. RE Salesperson Founding Agent M: 516.316.4955
Kathy Thornton
Lic. RE Salesperson
Principal Agent
M: 516.987.4886
Mairéad Garry
Lic. RE Salesperson McCooey Olivieri Team M: 516.375.8434
Frank Morabito
Lic. RE Salesperson
The Pete Diaz Team
M: 917.207.7782
Lauren Grima
Lic. RE Salesperson Principal Agent M: 917.642.5036
Alexander G. Olivieri Lic. RE Salesperson Founding Agent M: 516.306.7738
Catherine Anatra
Lic. RE Salesperson Athena Menoudakos Team
M: 516.476.7825
Denice Giacometti
Lic. RE Salesperson McCooey Olivieri Team
M: 516.398.7468
Ryan Mullins
Lic. RE Salesperson
The Jen Sullivan Team
M: 516.359.6.339
Karen Guendjoian
Lic. RE Salesperson Principal Agent M: 516.578.8395
Alexandra Parisi Lic. Assoc. RE Broker Founding Agent M: 516.427.6878
Lauren Canner
Lic. RE Salesperson
The Laura Carroll Team
M: 516.650.7474
Susan Gillin
Lic. RE Salesperson
The Jen Sullivan Team
M: 516.655.5662
Julie Whicher
Lic. RE Salesperson
The Laura Carroll Team
M: 516.698.3975
4
BY MELVA VICTORINO
On Sunday, February 25, at 12:15 p.m., Dr. Karin A. Melkonian will talk in the monthly Sunday forum at the Garden City Community Church (GCCC.) Karin is a very unassuming person with talents beyond what her teaching credentials state. She will share how growing up at GCCC influenced her as a child and
as a grown person. She is an active member of GCCC, a member of the Council of Trustees, sings in the adult choir, plays in the bell choir, teaches Vacation Bible School, and is a member of the board of the Garden City Nursery School. Karin is the daughter of Alice Melkonian and the late Cedric Melkonian. She is a mother of two, Rebecca and Thomas. She and
her husband, Russell Fincher are residents of Garden City.
To her students, Dr. M, is a professor of Biology at the Long Island University (LIU) Post campus. She received her doctorate in molecular and cellular biochemistry from Stony Brook University in 1997, followed by a three-year fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University supported by the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation. Prior to her Ph.D., she earned her Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from Connecticut College. Her specialties are on cell biology and microbiology. She is the pre-medical sciences advisor, professor of biology and chair of the School of Life Sciences.
Research in Dr. Melkonian’s lab focuses on the development and biological testing of novel antibacterial and antiviral cloth, the influence of age-related supplements (nootropics) on memory, strength and anxiety in mice and the role tarantulas play in spreading microbes in the environment.
With Karin, her mom, Alice will share her story how and why she chose to raise her family at GCCC. Alice is a long-term member of the GCCC where she has served on almost every board and in every capacity including chair of the former Election Day Fair now the Americana Fair, bell choir member and VBS helper for many years. She loves being a deacon which she lovingly helped to prepare and served the sacrament of communion every first Sunday of the month.
At GCCC, you will meet very interesting people who can even tell you something about tarantulas. The community is invited to join GCCC in this wonderful forum.
GCCC has many programs, events, and worship services for everyone:
• Men’s Saturday Breakfast at 8:00 a.m.: Carle Place Diner every first Saturday of the month. The next breakfast is on March 2nd.
• Every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.: Prayer Service in the Chapel
• Sunday Worship Services at 10:30 a.m. in-person and live-stream
• Church school after the children’s message at the 10:30 a.m. service
• Lectio Divina (Latin for
'Divine Reading'.) Mar. 3rd at 11:45 a.m. It is a traditional monastic practice of scripture reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word. Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four steps: read, meditate, pray, and contemplate. join us to learn more and discover how the word of God speaks to each of us.
• Chair Yoga led by Amy McCoy, RYT 200 Wednesdays: Mar.
6 and Mar. 13 at 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. All are welcome: New to yoga or have not been practicing for years, come join our class in the Chapel with an open mind and an intention to strengthen the body and mind connection.$10 per class. Contact church office for more information at 516-746-1700.
• Lenten Choral Meditations: Minister of Music Frank Crosio is offering Lenten Choral Meditations during the season of Lent on the church website each Friday. Frank will offer some thoughts and insights about the musical offering for each day as well as a YouTube link to a performance.
• Non-perishable food donations to the Long Island Council of Churches every other Wednesday of the month. Next food collection will be on March 6.
Whoever you are, wherever you are on your life’s journey, you are welcome at GCCC.
For information on how to attend our services virtually or in-person, contact the church office churchoffice@thegccc.org. To get information regarding our virtual and in-person worship services and programs, visit our website at www.theGCCC.org.
The Garden City Community Church is part of the United Church of Christ. It is an Open and Affirming congregation that welcomes people of all ages, races, gender identities, and sexual orientations to participate in the life of our community. We are located at 245 Stewart Avenue between Whitehall Blvd. and Kensington Road. For more information, email churchoffice@thegccc.org or call (516) 7461700. And as previously mentioned, you may also visit our website, www. theGCCC.org.
One of the earliest news stories that I can ever recall, was the launch of the Russian Sputnik satellite in the fall of 1957. My parents had already told me (or at least I overheard their discussions) that the Soviet Union was America’s biggest enemy and that the two nations were locked in the Cold War, which was a bitter rivalry without actual fighting. As part of the Cold War, which also included major alliances on each side, the two nations were in a competitive battle, labeled the space race, to be the leader in conquering outer space, as it was called.
To the dismay of many Americans, the Soviets, under their leader, Nikita Khruschev, managed to launch the Sputnik on October 4, 1957, the first satellite that was able to circle the earth. This was a few months before Americans were able to accomplish this feat.
I remember seeing the headline in the Long Island Press, an afternoon newspaper to which our family subscribed, which had a headline something like "Khrush Crows about Sputnik". I asked my mother if this meant we were losing the Cold War, and she said it was still a “toss up,” a term I had never quite heard before. Of course, five years later we all ducked under our seats in schools in fear of a more serious Russian threat during the Cuban missile crisis.
More than 65 years later after Sputnik, relations between the United States and the Russian Federation (often simply called Russia), the successor to the Soviet Union after its demise in the early 1990s, are still pretty rough, and Russia is still a major player in our foreign policy.
Russia is pivotal in numerous respects, from its aggressive invasion of the Ukraine, where most of the West and NATO backs the Ukrainians. Russia seems to have recently gained the upper hand in that conflict, but the United States Congress, for a variety of reasons, is reluctant to supply needed armaments to the Ukraine. Then there is Russia’s controversial leader, Vladimir Putin, who last week was credibly accused of directing the
demise in prison of dissident Alexei Navalny. There is also the apparently wrongful imprisonment of American journalist Evan Gershkovich.
While no reasonable person favors a war with the nuclear-armed Russia, there seems to be rather too much sentiment, particularly on the political right, in favor of accommodating, and sometimes lionizing, Russia and its leader.
One case in point is the Republican Congressional leadership slowing down military aid to Ukraine, although one imagines that there will eventually be some agreement to permit a funding vote on this aid, which has bipartisan support, in exchange for gains on other issues.
But another case in point is Presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, who recently railed at a rally against NATO allies who do not pay enough for their own defense. While this is a generally reasonable point, he then declared that he would encourage the Russians “to do whatever … they want” against countries that weren’t spending enough. This is obviously an irresponsible comment. Mr. Trump, who was sometimes unfairly attacked about Russia in the past administration, really needs to clarify his thinking.
And then there is Tucker Carlson, who recently conducted an expansive interview in Moscow of Mr. Putin, something that had not been done for years. Maybe this dialogue was in the national interest, but Mr. Carlson then inexplicably decided to heap praise on allegedly superior Russian subways and grocery stores.
I guess the overall thought here is that, from the time of the Sputnik and Cuban missile crisis, and even after the fall of the Soviet Union, the foreign policy of the Kremlin has been aggressive and expansionist, with the seeming goal of assuming a dominating position the world. While Russia is not the only major adversary of our country, the United States needs to understand the nature of the Russian challenge to the world order and stand ready to take appropriate action.
for a chance to be seen in our paper!
Where do you get your gifts? There aren’t many local places to go anymore. WE get our gift merchandise at the NY Gift Show. Two times a year — February and August — we schlep into the City to the Javits Building and check out what the trends are in gift-giving and in home décor. While we are a consignment shop (selling gently used items), we are also a gift shop, selling brand new merchandise.
Sadly, we were hard-pressed to find vendors at the Gift Show with cute holiday décor. But we did manage to find adorable, crocheted ducklings and knitted Easter baby caps and pillows. And we discovered a new line of table linens — and gorgeous paper placemats — that are sure to look great in your kitchen, or to give as wonderful hostess gifts. For those of you who love the Inis products (Fragrance of Ireland), we are one of the few places you can get the soaps, colognes and lotions and bath products. And we have an excellent selection. And don’t forget that many of our consigned items also make great gifts, especially since many of them are brand new and are in their original boxes.
Save the Date! Our annual June Market has been set for Saturday, June 15th. Stay tuned for details, but just to tease you … we already have the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter lined up to bring their furry friends for adoption!!
Once again, we will couple the June Market with a Food Drive to benefit The INN, NOW thru June 14th. Please bring in your non-perishable food items to help your needy neighbors. With food prices still very high, places like The INN play such a vital role to less fortunate communities. Even your smallest gesture can help to put a decent meal on the table.
About Us:
• The Exchange Consignment Shop is housed in The Garden City Historical Society (TGCHS) Museum on 109 Eleventh Street (at the rear of the yellow Victorian house).
• All the proceeds from the Shop sales directly benefit TGCHS.
• Shop 24/7 online at
atstewartexchange.org and pick up your purchases at the Exchange.
• Follow and Like Us on the AT Stewart Exchange Facebook and on the AT Stewart Exchange Instagram pages. We sure do get around!
• Our best sellers — jewelry (costume and fine), lamps, mirrors, and crystal (Waterford, Baccarat, Tiffany)
• We take/accept silver, pocketbooks, china, furniture, artwork, and collectibles. All items are in new or nearly new condition.
• Consignments are done Wednesday through Friday 11:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m. by appointment ONLY. Appointments keep down the numbers of people in the Shop and reduce wait-times to consign.
• Please call (516)746-8900 to set up an appointment.
• Unsure if your items are appropriate to consign? Email photos to store@atstewartexchange.org and be sure to include sizing info. You will generally receive a response the same day.
Yes! We love donations! Please don’t leave donated items outside the shop when we are closed. We want your items, but we don’t want them to get ruined, especially during inclement weather. Email the store at store@atstewartexchange.org and I will work with you to arrange a drop-off time. I check the email every day, even when we’re closed.
Remember: all the profits from the Consignment Shop support the maintenance and upkeep of TGCHS Museum. Thanks to your generous support, work on the outside façade of the Museum is almost complete.
The shop is located at 109 Eleventh Street.
Shop Hours: Mon – Fri: 10–4 p.m., (Wednesday until 6 p.m.) Saturday 12 noon–4 p.m.
For more information, please call (516) 746-8900.
The Mayor’s Advisory Committee on St. Paul’s continues to work at a rapid pace towards the goal of a project at St. Paul’s that preserves part or all of the building, has widespread community support and can be executed. This update on their progress illustrates that It’s Different This Time!
What has the Committee accomplished so far?
1. Interviewed key stakeholders in town to make sure everyone has a voice when it comes to the future of St. Paul’s and all these voices are heard during the upcoming outreach.
2. Identified and started interviewing companies to assess our community needs and survey residents.
3. Visited 7 outstanding Community Centers in the tri-state area and learned how much these centers enrich the lives of residents and bring multiple generations of people together.
What’s coming next?
1. Engage consultant to assess needs and survey the community to learn:
a. What residents want
b. What parts of the building residents treasure most
c. What residents are willing to pay
mcarterflanagan@gardencityny.net
to preserve part or all of the building
2. Present to the public what we learned about how community centers enrich the lives of residents and what programs work best
3. With this important data, start the creative path towards a re-imaged St. Paul’s. Along the way we will continue to share the possibilities and the costs so residents are fully informed and can vote on the bond referendum to make the project a reality.
Thank you to the talented committee members who are volunteering so much of their time to this effort, and also to the many residents who have been offering to help. The support of the Board of Trustees in moving this forward has been steadfast, and Trustee engagement at each step is essential for success. It is only by working together as a community that we will be able to reach the goal that has been set, and we are off to a great start!
Village Trustees Ed Finneran and Michele Harrington have been working since early last summer on efforts to address an issue the Board of Trustees is committed to - maintaining the beauty of our downtown area. They have been collaborating with John Wilton of the Chamber of Commerce and Village staff in these efforts. They shared an update at the Board of Trustees meeting this week. Their outreach continues, and will include contacting landlords and tenants of the businesses throughout our busy downtown. Thank you Trustees Finneran and Harrington for your ongoing efforts.
The Garden City Police Department will be conducting a month-long campaign to improve the safety of pedestrians and motorists in the business district by enforcing violations of U-turns on 7th Street, and illegal left turns from Franklin Avenue into Parking Field #7S, which is located South of 7th Street.
The Board created a new capital project and engaged the professional services of Sek Designs to make exterior renovations to Cluett Hall. The renovations, including new railings and repairs to the ADA ramp and exterior steel emergency exit staircase, will help to make the building more accessible, safe and updated.
The Water Department is creating an inventory of all water service line materials within the Village by October 2024. The Village is asking residents and businesses to fill out a quick survey. You can access the form from your cell phone/tablet by entering the following URL link in a web browser: https://arcg.is/PnDCn. We recommend that you use your cell phone or tablet as you will be asked to take a photo of your water service line. The form provides information on where to identify your material as well as material type information. Your participation will help the Village save resources in not having to review additional historical documentation as part of the lead service line identification program. The Village has waived all permit fees within the Public Works and Building Departments related to water service line replacement until
May 2024. Residents who have lead service lines are encouraged to take advantage of this and have their lead service lines replaced.
The Board has authorized Village Counsel to create park designation resolutions for Tullamore Park, Hemlock Park, Hilton Park and Strawberry Field. In January, Trustees designated the Franklin Mews property, along with Norris Park, Stewart Manor and Triangle Park, as parkland for the enjoyment of residents of the Village for park and recreation purposes.
Earlier this month a winter storm dumped 5+ inches of snow on Garden City. There were approximately 45 pieces of equipment - large/medium and small trucks as well as several payloaders and a backhoe loader - working during the snow event. After the plowing operation ended, crews began salting roads and parking lots again the following morning, making sure schools, parking fields and all other Village roads were safe. Approximately 500 tons of salt was used for this storm. Employees from all divisions of Public Works took part in cleanup efforts, including crews from the Street, Sanitation and Water Departments, as well as Parks and Recreation, which works in close cooperation with the Department of Public Works during snow removal. In addition to clearing out Recreation facilities such as St. Paul’s School, the Senior Center and Community Park, Parks and Recreation crews also helped clear parking lots and sidewalks throughout the Village during the storm. During the course of the storm, mechanics at the Village Garage were on hand for the duration of the operation in order to keep plows and equipment fully functional. There were miscellaneous breakdowns throughout the day and night that were repaired in the shop. Crews also responded to road calls to keep the fleet up and running. The Fire Department initiated a weather standby throughout the duration of the winter storm, Chief Matthew Pearn said, and responded to one carbon monoxide call during this timeframe. Due to the advance warning of the storm, traffic volume was light. The Police Department responded to five auto accidents, three alarms, two dangerous conditions, and one fire call, according to Commissioner Kenneth Jackson.
It’s never been easier to vote in the Village Election scheduled for March 19, 2024. Absentee ballot applications
See page 44
Suspended license
Officers arrested a 30-year-old woman on February 14th on Merillon Avenue for allegedly driving with a DWI-related sus pended license, three additional license suspensions, and excessive speed in a school zone.
Arrest for leaving scene
On February 14th Garden City Police Detectives arrested a 39-year-old female for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident that occurred on Stewart Avenue.
Speeding in school zone
Mirror, mirror not on the car
A side view mirror was reported stolen from a vehicle parked in Garden City Plaza on February 14th.
Excessive speed
A Clinton Road motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license and excessive speed on February 14th.
Dinner gone bad
On Valentines Day the GCFD and GCPD responded to two locations for fire alarms, in which the cause in both cases was burnt food.
Fake card for meals
On February 15th a local restaurant reported that a customer had used a fraudulent credit card on several occasions to pay for meals.
Suspended license
A Cherry Valley Avenue motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license and unsafe turn on February 15th.
Overweight truck
A Cherry Valley Avenue truck driver was charged with driving a vehicle while 30,000 pounds overweight on February 15th.
Alarm error
GCFD and GCPD responded to a medical facility for a fire alarm on February 15th. They determined it was set in error.
Unlicensed operation
A Rockaway Avenue motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and excessive speed on February 15th.
Burnt food
On February 15th GCFD and GCPD responded to a residence for a fire alarm and determined the cause to be burnt food.
A Cherry Valley Avenue motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license and speeding in a school zone on February 15th.
www.oldworldqualitycorp.com
www.oldworldqualitycorp.com
www.oldworldqualitycorp.com
Vinny Muldoon - Owner and Garden City Resident
Gas odor
Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to Old Country Road for a natural gas odor on February 15th. Upon inspection, Firefighters deemed the area safe.
Excessive speed
On February 16th, a New Hyde Park Road motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license, excessive speed, and unsafe turn.
Unlicensed operation
A Clinton Road motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and excessive speed on February 16th.
Road rage arrest
Upon investigation of a road rage incident that occurred on Franklin Avenue in October, on February 16th Garden City Police Detectives arrested a 43-year-old male for allegedly stealing a phone from another person. He was charged with grand larceny.
Beer connoisseur?
On February 16th Garden City Police investigated a larceny at Key Food, in which a male subject reportedly stole six cases of beer.
Vehicle entered
A subject reportedly rummaged through a vehicle parked on Hayes Street on February 16th. There is no reported loss.
Suspended license
On February 16th a Clinton Road motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license, excessive speed, and unsafe lane usage.
Lewd act
Custom Homes, Renovations, Extensions, Roofing, Painting, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Custom Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too big or too small for OWQC!
Office: (516) 741-8226
A female victim was walking on Russell Road on February 17th when a man driving a silver auto asked her for directions. As the victim approached the vehicle, she observed the subject committing a lewd act. The victim walked away, and the vehicle left the scene northbound on Russell Road. The subject is described as a 30-40-year-old Black
See page 44
Vinny Muldoon - Owner and Garden City Resident
Vinny Muldoon - Owner and Garden
Vinny Muldoon - Owner and Garden City Resident
We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.
Custom Homes, Renovations, Extensions, Roofing, Painting, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Custom Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too big or too small for OWQC!
Custom Homes, Renovations, Extensions, Roofing, Painting, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Custom Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too big or too small for OWQC!
Instagram and Facebook: @Oldworldqualitycorp
Office: (516) 741-8226
Office: (516) 741-8226
Office: (516) 741-8226
Email: Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com
136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550
136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550
136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550
We are a
We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.
We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.
Custom Homes, Renovations, Extensions, Roofing, Painting, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Custom Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too big or too small for OWQC!
Instagram and Facebook: @Oldworldqualitycorp
Instagram and Facebook: @Oldworldqualitycorp
Office: (516) 741-8226
Email:
Email:
Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com
Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com
136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550
We are a
Contractor everything repairs through builds, with attention what size
Instagram @Oldworldqualitycorp
Email: Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com
Garden City’s Senior Center is open. Please visit the Senior Center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for further information on activities and events!
Erin Fleischmann of Douglas Elliman Real Estate will visit the Senior Center on Wednesday, March 20, at 12:15 to play Bingo! Erin will bring prizes from local businesses, treats, and fun!
Register at the Senior Center front desk, or by calling (516) 385-8006. This event is limited to 36 participants.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Garden City Senior Center on Thursday, March 14, at 12 noon. Cost of $15 includes corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, soda, tea and coffee.
Reservations required! Sign up by March 8 at the front desk of the Senior Center, 6 Golf Club Lane, Garden City.
Following the St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon, enjoy a multimedia showcase by Kevin Westley.
Featuring popular Irish American
Enjoy a complimentary dinner and preview of Garden City High School's performance of "Mean Girls: High School Version" at a special event on Thursday, March 7.
Dinner in the High School cafeteria starts at 3:30 p.m., hosted by the Garden City Teachers' Association. Raffles and more will be provided by the PTA.
Featuring live music by the High School Jazz Band.
Be sure to reserve your free ticket by March 1. To reserve a ticket, please leave a voicemail at 516-478-2840 with your full name, phone number and number of tickets needed. (Tickets are limited to the first 150 requests.)
songs, such as “It’s a Great Day for the Irish,” “MacNamara’s Band,” “My Wild Irish Rose,” “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-LooRal (That’s an Irish Lullaby),” “When NY Was Irish,” “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, ”and more.
Kevin Westley will sing, play songs and videos by Irish entertainers of the most famous Irish songs. This includes entertainers such as Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Count John McCormack, Mary O’Dowd, Andy Cooney and many more. Words will be provided so you can sing along.
When: Thursday, March 14, at 2 p.m.
Where: The Senior Center 6 Golf Club Lane
There is no charge. (Soda bread will be served.)
So, have your voices ready and sing along.
To sign up, please visit the front desk of the Senior Center or call (516) 385-8006.
Do
St Francis Hospital Outreach Bus, Free Health Screenings at the Senior Center, March 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Last screening at 1:45). No appointments required.
Time for Senior Center Yoga is as follows-
Chair Yoga: Tuesday at 11:15, Friday at 11:45,
Mat Yoga: Thursday at 11:15.
Maggie’s classes are cancelled this month on 2/8, 2/9, 2/20, 2/22, and 2/23.
Chess 4 Community
Chess 4 Community- New monthly program, Play and Learn, open to all levels and ages, beginner to more experienced players. The program will take place on the following Fridays at 3–4 p.m.: March 29, April 26, June 28, July 26 and August 30.
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
Joseph Farkas, President and Founding Trustee of the Garden City Real Estate Professionals Foundation (GCRE) has announced the appointment of Brad Wolk to the Executive Committee of the 501 (C)3 charitable organization which was established in 2017 and is a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to raising funds for women and children health and wellness causes important to the residents of the Village of Garden City.
GCRE’s annual fund raiser, Cocktails for a Cause, has become a feature of the Garden City Fall social calendar and acts as a catalyst for creating awareness for the great charities that GCRE honors at the Gala each year and on an on-going basis through the fund-raising efforts of its members.
Farkas stated “Brad is one of GCRE’s inaugural Foundation Members and has played an important role in supporting the fund-raising efforts of GCRE’s annual Gala, Cocktails for a Cause." Farkas noted “this is Brad’s first appointment to a leadership role in GCRE and I am certain that his professional background and expertise, along with his commitment to the Village of
Garden City and long tenure as a GCRE Member will make him the right choice as our newest Executive Committee Member”. Brad will assist current Executive Committee Leader, Tiffany Rufrano in helping bring new initiatives, directives and recommendations for the Board of Trustee’s consideration as well as continue Borad compliance and governance oversight.
Mr. Wolk will work with Board Trustees including Frank Liantonio, Trustee, Vice President, and Co-Chair of the Charitable Events Committee, Gary Rufrano, Trustee and Treasurer, Salvatore Ciaravino, Trustee, Secretary and Chairperson of the Membership Committee on the Board and newly appointed Trustee and Co-Chairperson of the Charitable Events Committee, Lauren Scarantino. Tiffany Rufrano will continue to lead the Executive Committee on a going forward basis.
Mr. Wolk is Vice Chairperson of the global real estate services and advisory firm Savills’ North America and Co-Leader of the Integrated Consulting Strategies Group (ICS).
As a co-leader of ICS, Mr. Wolk actively guides the strategic planning,
financial analysis and contract negotiations for some of the firm’s largest clients. ICS is the longest-tenured consultancy in Savills North America – providing sophisticated financial structuring, due diligence and overall strategy for occupiers in diverse fields – spanning public/private corporations, partnerships, non-profits and government agencies.
ICS delivers expertise in:
• Financial structuring/planning (i.e. lease vs purchase vs synthetic structures, asset underwriting, pre- and post tax impacts, EBITDA and FASB optimization/reporting, etc.);
• Real estate tax strategies (i.e. avoidance, protection concepts, etc.);
• Contract/clause negotiation and interpretation;
• Portfolio due diligence
• Integration of multiple disciplines (i.e. labor/location, municipal incentives, zoning, workplace, project management)
Since joining Savills in 2005, Mr. Wolk has held every title from Associate and remains one of the youngest Vice Chairmen globally. In 2022, Brad
founded and now leads Savills’ North American Strategy & Finance Group – a first-ever unified consultancy comprising 50+ financial professionals regularly collaborating on best practices and advanced analytics. Brad and his team have won REBNY’s Most Ingenious Deal of the Year multiple times as well as numerous industry awards for transactional excellence. In addition, Brad is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and is an active member of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY).
As GCRE’s newest Executive Committee Member, Brad will work closely with Tiffany Rufrano, Executive Committee Lead Member to help bring new initiatives, directives and recommendations for the Board of Trustees’ consideration as well as continue Board compliance and governance.
For more information about GCRE, how to become a Member, donate to the Foundation or seek a donation for an important Garden City Charity, please go to www.gcrepf.org or contact Joe Farkas at 516-455-1562 or jfarkas@metropolitanra.com
The Garden City Public Library will be receiving new entrance doors after the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a transfer of $236,000 during its February 8th meeting. The anticipated project cost (transfer amount) includes 10% contingency.
One bid was received for the project as the Board approved the proposal from contractor Intricate Tech Solutions, LTD, at a cost of $189,500. The same firm recently completed the HVAC upgrade project at Garden City Village Hall.
In addition, the trustees approved the engagement of firm Intelli-Tec Security Services of Syosset, for $25,000, to install the required security devices and outfitting for the Library’s new entrance doors. Intelli-Tech’s engagement comes under New York State contract.
Superintendent of Public Works John Borroni said that this door project presents a major upgrade to the GCPL entrance, which is the only public entrance. Both exterior and interior glass and metal doors will be replaced during the project. Borroni said this project represents a complex change from the current GCPL doors.
The new exterior door is planned to be a bidirectional sliding door, which is a big contrast to the current set. The interior door at GCPL will be a telescopic sliding door.
“These types of doors will not swing into and out from the door frame but rather they will slide from side-to-side. There will be a single sensor to operate the doors, and it will not require ADA pushbuttons.
“The exterior door work will be performed continuously from start to finish, and will require a sufficient amount of workers with overtime hours and coordination between the tradespeople to get it done within a timely fashion. We can not keep the Library without a main entrance for an extended period of time,” Superintendent Borroni said.
He and others spoke on the need for this project, as the Board learned about people in different physical conditions having a harder time because the older glass doors are heavy and wind can at times make them difficult to open.
“This upgrade will provide patrons with easy and fluid access to the library. I have personally seen people pushing strollers while walking with kids, as well as the elderly struggling through the existing doors,” Borroni commented.
Trustee Ed Finneran noted that there was only one response to the RFP and the project total cost, with the transfer of $236,000 including 10% contingency,
appears high. He questioned whether it would be a good idea for the village to reopen the bidding, with a second RFP.
Superintendent Borroni replied that though only the bid from Intricate Tech Solutions, LTD came in there were 104 views of the project RFP on New York State Contract Reporter.
As noted in a January 31 memo from Village Administrator Ralph V. Suozzi to the Board of Trustees, the tabulation of bids on the project was prepared by the Garden City Purchasing Division on January 18.
“My thought on bidding it out again is that we may or may not end up with only one bidder again, and it may be that we only end up with the same bidder as now they realize they’re the sole bidder – they may even come in at a higher price the next time we bid this out. Additionally we may wind up with a lower bid than this, but every time you bid out a project it’s a gamble,” he told the Board.
The Board of Trustees’ liaison to the GCPL Board is Trustee Bruce Torino. He commented on the need for this project as well, and made reference to his determination of problems with the current doors “as I actually litigate them way too often.” Because he has seen and participated in many cases involving issues from doors, he said the project’s anticipated cost and the bid from Intricate Tech Solutions did not represent a high bid.
“The functionality of the entrance doors had many inherent problems. The switch to operate the doors was on the opposite side from the path of travel. Likewise the doors were operating with the doors opening in a way that created a wind tunnel during winter,” he explained.
Also at its February 8 meeting, the Village Board approved acceptance of a project maintenance bond of $300,462.95 from J. Anthony Enterprises Inc. of Hauppauge, the contractors who performed construction for the Seventh Street Crosswalk improvement project. Their work is guaranteed for 18 months from the formal date of acceptance, and Village Counsel Gary Fishberg reviewed the maintenance bond and approved it to form.
The Board also approved a $534,000 maintenance bond on the village’s SCADA control system, from Eagle Control Corp. of Yaphank, Suffolk County, the contractor who performed the SCADA Upgrade project. Their work is guaranteed for 12 months from February 8, 2024, the date of the formal bond acceptance. Village Administrator
See page 45
“ The Vacant Space Revival Program qualified us for on-bill credits that really help me manage costs.”
—George Karatzas, James Cress Florist, Smithtown Smithtown
Unoccupied business spaces are an opportunity to help bring vitality to downtown areas. For George Karatzas, owner of James Cress Florist, staying downtown was a priority, but costs were prohibitive. Then George applied for our Vacant Space Revival Program, which has provided $2,462 in bill credits to help offset his overhead.* And Smithtown continues to have a business that brings warmth and charm to the area. It’s a beautiful thing to see come together—just like George’s floral arrangements.
psegliny.com/EcoDev
*Incentives,
From page 1
on the village Tax Map). This proposed acquisition includes the acquisition of land and improvements, if any, situated thereon and all other real property interests of any nature or kind… The public use benefit and purpose of this acquisition is that the village will install a drainage system underneath this property to alleviate flooding on Meadow Street Street, between College Place and Tremont Street,” Mayor Carter Flanagan said.
Romayne and Peter Woodbine moved into their Meadow Street home about eight months ago. They expressed worries about the appearance of their part of Garden City and the neighborhood they say they have paid a premium to move into. The couple previously met with Village Administrator Ralph Suozzi outside their home, as he shared details of the project and how it might impact the immediate vicinity.
Romayne Woodbine told the Board that her new home on Meadow Street was one of the neighboring properties that will be impacted by the drainage improvement project. She wanted to learn about the extent of the project, how it would be managed and how long construction is expected to take and become effective.
The Woodbines stated they were not opposed to the taking of the two lots by eminent domain and the proposed stormwater management drainage project, but their concerns were noted.
“Ultimately, as you’re aware that area has been well-maintained by the neighbors and we want to maintain the aesthetics of the community – the expectation for this, if the eminent domain acquisition and the project does move forward, is for the parcels to be left in the same and/or better condition after the acquisition. I have more questions on the project scope and any potential adverse impacts to us, the Meadow Street residents, throughout the process,” Romayne Woodbine said.
Her husband, Peter, said the house at one of the lots has stood since 1938, and he looked into some history of the builder of that home and many others along Meadow Street.
“For almost 100 years there hasn’t been any question around the issue of flooding, including the recent conversations I’ve had with Mr. Suozzi and (Superintendent of Public Works) John Borroni, and I’ve spoken to a number of neighbors. I am told there has not been any major flooding but granted, the village has taken the position that they need to install this drainage system. Our concern is returning the property to what it looks like at this time, including planting trees there and if the village will commit to that. From conversations we’ve had, aesthetically if you put in that drainage system and it isn’t returned to the original state, it will become an ugly block,” he shared with the Board.
Peter Woodbine said he overpaid
for the family’s Meadow Street home because it suits them, and the charming appearance of the street and community meant a lot in their decision to move there.
“I do not want it ruined as our welcome to the community because there is not actually a real issue with flooding to be addressed. I defer to the village’s engineering staff, though I reiterate my concern over the need for it,” he commented during the hearing.
Another Meadow Street resident, Grace Chan, spoke over Zoom and shared her hopes for the drainage improvement project. She disagreed with Woodbine’s review of the flooding potential for the block, having lived on Meadow Street for about six years and having seen three major flooding incidents. Chan also said Administrator Suozzi has been proactive in the past two years sharing updates on how the situation would be addressed.
“I understand that there’s a lot of new neighbors on this block, but if you could see the videos of flooding issues the street has faced (which Chan supplied the village DPW with). The rain gets up to knee high and if manhole covers were not opened the water would get higher and people would be able to ride kayaks down the street. We’re really thankful to have this plan in place and that it can be implemented so we do not have this issue again,” Chan explained.
A second comment over Zoom from
resident Charlene Lindo added to the positive feelings about the project. She lives a few houses away from Grace Chan.
“The flooding is extensive and I just want to share, I am the farthest home up the block and following storms the flooding came straight through my garage and went right to the back of the house. It is not something that we take lightly, it’s a serious issue. I thank Administrator Suozzi and everyone on staff – it took a long time to get to this point and we’re looking forward to the drainage improvements,” she told the board.
Public Works Superintendent
Borroni shared data that flooding on Meadow Street was documented on three recent occasions; once in 2019 and twice in 2021. He has videos of floodwater rising past curb lines and halfway up to the properties of some houses on Meadow.
Village Administrator Suozzi and Mayor Carter Flanagan explained the other options that the Village of Garden City considered for the storm water management of Meadow Street.
Administrator Suozzi said village administration, Public Works and Engineering have worked diligently to plan the drainage improvement project with Meadow Street and area residents in mind “so that at the end of the project
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premium of $421,454. As a comparison, the highest bidder offered a net interest cost of 3.187% showing a very narrow margin between our winning bid and highest bid,” Woo noted.
As for the village bond sale of $14,827,800 for various Village projects in the municipality’s General Fund, Treasurer Woo said out of 16 bidders the winning bid was from RBC Capital Markets for a 3.12% true interest cost (TIC) with premium of $1,392,946.63. This compares to the highest bidder on the village’s bond sale, for a 3.29% TIC.
“Our fiscal advisor notified us that as a result of the Village of Garden City’s Aaa credit rating, the rates we received were extremely good in comparison to other municipalities that recently sold bonds. However, for our bonds as a result of high premium amounts offered, the par amount of bonds (face value/ stock certificate value) was reduced to $13,570,000 to comply with IRS rules,” Woo told the Board.
The village received a total of $14,829,711 through the sales – the Par
amount plus premiums. The closing for the bond/BANs sale was on February 15 and the village received its funds on that same date. Woo explained that as a result of the sales the village will be paying much less in interest costs over the 20-year life of the bonds.
Garden City Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan commended the finance department staff and village administration for their efforts in the success of the bond/BANs sale.
Treasurer Woo offered her thanks to finance department administrative assistants and staff as well as Village Clerk Kelly Galanek, who helped ensure paperwork was in order during Woo’s brief absence. Woo said Galanek was very helpful in consolidating the closing documents that had to be signed and coordinated.
Deputy Mayor Bruce Chester commended Ms. Woo and the village staff, and said, “these are excellent interest rates and it definitely speaks to Garden City’s Aaa rating to afford us these rates.”
Bonds for sewer upgrade canceled
In other Village finance news, the trustees authorized rescinding the bond approval adopted for issuing $150,000 bond for the extensive Eleventh Street and Golf Club Lane sewer repair project. The bond issuance was originally approved at the October 5, 2023 meeting and was a sum intended to cover various facets of the sewer upgrade.
The project entails major sewer system modifications to accommodate the construction of new facilities at the former Lord & Taylor and Sears locations in the village, which are now occupied by the NYU-Langone Health system.
Treasurer Woo noted that the project funding through a bond issuance was no longer needed due to the bids coming in closer to one million dollars even for this project, while the financial contributions to the village by NYU-Langone helped offset the lion’s share of the project costs.
“At the time of the bond issuance approval the entire project was estimated to cost several millions of dollars so we were going to bond the portion covering plans and specs. Once the project went out to bid, the actual costs came
in much lower and the contributions from NYU-Langone impacted our (village) costs positively – the financing of $150,000 will not be needed at this time,” Woo said at the February 20 meeting. NYU-Langone has agreed to the payments and paid a deposit of $800,000 towards the sewer upgrade project specifically for the 1111 Franklin Avenue property (the former Sears building). As a separate sum, still part of the sewer project funding agreement with the Village of Garden City, another $50,000 that NYU Langone contributed is for the sewer upgrades to the former Lord & Taylor building along Franklin Avenue.
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Alyce Maloney Rochford, age 98, died Monday, February 12,2024 of natural causes. Born in Queens, NY, she was a forty year resident of Garden City, and lived the last ten years in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Proud, Feisty, Brooklyn tough. Alyce was driven to right wrongs, and do the right thing. When her mother suffered a chemical burn from a bad hair perm and sought remedy in court, Alyce instantly realized her calling: a career
seeking justice through legal means. She became one of the first women graduates of St John's University Law School, but couldn't land an interview without using her initials instead of her name. She spoke of the terrible disappointment of being at the top of her class, and not being given a chance to interview. It was especially hard on her parents who worked to pay the tuition. Eventually, she got legal work and started her own practice as a wills and trusts attorney. Along the way she sued the United States Army, on her sister’s behalf, winning reimbursement of medical bills.
It was in the law library at St. John’s that she was introduced to her future husband John, a Columbia University law student. They married in 1952 in the intimate Our Lady's Chapel in St. Patrick's Cathedral. Through her employer the newlyweds accessed a rent controlled flat in the famous Hotel Des Artists. Her impressive decorating skills got them promoted to a larger flat for $57 a month. Her boss brought people from the burbs to admire what she had done with the previously bare bones unit. She and John enjoyed the sparkle and sophistication of life alongside Central Park for nearly a decade before following friends to Garden City, a more suitable place to raise a family.
There she became a regular lead
July 30, 1945 – November 18, 2023
Robert Banks, affectionately known as Bob, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, November 18, 2023 of cancer. He was born and raised in Garden City, and resided there with his wife, Vita Pacella Banks, for over 24 years. He graduated from Garden City High School, Class of 1964, served in the United States Air Force and was a graduate of Adelphi University. Upon leaving New York, he resided in Southern California and North Carolina.
Bob leaves behind a son Robert, a stepson Duke, a daughter Nicole, a stepdaughter Suzanne and two grandchildren, Cheyenne and Ryan. Other family members include: one brother Donald Banks of Atlanta, Georgia, one sister Barbara Banks Hester of Garden City, New York, two nieces Jennifer Mangano, Aimee Escher and one nephew Dr. Peter Hester.
To know Bob(Robert) was to really love him. He was a mischievous character with a dry sense of humor who made you laugh. Bob or “My Bob” as he was sometimes called, loved family, friends and was a lover of life. He was kind, generous, thoughtful of others and could always be counted on when
needed.
One of his greatest joys was to drive his Friesian horse, Rembrandt, in competitions throughout the country. His latest adventure was zip lining and loved every thrilling moment of it!
Bob's family will always remember him as a happy go lucky, fun loving and beyond compassionate person to everyone he met. He left this earth having done it his way.
and soloist in Community theatre and a forty year member of St. Joseph’s Parish. Decades as a proud resident of Garden City, she loved its small town charm, manicured neighborhoods, and its classic elegance.
Family first,last and always. In her tight knit family, older brother George, the highly decorated Vietnam War hero was the focus of family attention and younger sister Patricia often needed her protective services. The Maloney, and Dalton clans were her inner circle growing up but marriage brought the Rochford, and Hempstead clans into the mix. A handful of friends were counted as family; the Cullens, Mannings and Father Paul McKeever. She had fond memories of childhood in Brooklyn and summer gatherings with the large Maloney clan at Breezy Point in the Rockaways.
Her only child Michael, whom she and John adopted from the nuns in Ireland, was the focus of an unbreakable bond. His emerging disabilities led to a fifty year battle to get Michael the highest level of medical care. They were the fighting Irish, fists raised but inseparable. His need was her purpose in life. Duty bound and in charge, she put that law degree to work on Michael's behalf, seeing him complete a college education.
Alyce and her husband John shared a love of intellectual pursuits including Catholic faith and Irish heritage. A legal executive with Shell Oil Company, his death at age 66 left her a widow for three decades.
She was hearty stock, lovely even into her nineties. "I want hair like Alyce" was the request at the salon. Great legs were still on display in her tidy straight skirt. She had an eye for beauty, color, and elegant taste in fashion. For many years she entertained with wonderful
parties. A consummate storyteller with a lusty laugh, she preferred Italian cuisine, scotch on the rocks, and chocolate in any form.
Her Catholic faith was woven seamlessly into every aspect of her life. She had no patience for modern twists on basic tenets of faith, and she didn't mind letting the Monsignor know if things were getting too loose.
Named after her mother’s sister who died during the flu pandemic, she never imagined a generation later she would face a pandemic herself.
She is survived by her sister Patricia Derbes, nephews: George, Kevin, Gerard, Brian Hempstead, James Rochford, Steven Derbes, Brian Maloney, Kent Maloney, nieces: Donna Van Zile, Regina Tanner, Monica O’Brien, Catherine Maloney Young, Barbara Herzfeld.
She is predeceased by her parents Catherine and Heydon Maloney ,husband John Rochford and their son Michael Rochford, her brother Col. George Maloney, and in-laws Dr. Emerick Rochford,Kathleen Rochford,Daniel Derbes, niece, Nancy Derbes. Special thanks to John Van Zile, and caretakers Nakesha and Clover for years of devotion.
Duty, Beauty, Family. These ideals drove her choices. Members of her family said they sit a little taller and rise to a higher standard when they think of her.
Funeral services were held Tuesday 2/20: 9am Visitation at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, 10:15 Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church followed by burial at Holy Rood Cemetery.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in her honor to Catholic Charities,Diocese of Rockville Centre. P.O. Box 4000 Rockville Centre, NY 11571.
Have you lost someone?
If you would like to post an obituary for a loved one, simply send a short biography of them with (if desired) their photo, details of their funeral/visitation services, and/or any donation requests to editor@gcnews.com, or call our office at 516-294-8900 to inquire.
The classic film “Casablanca” will be screened at the Garden City Public Library on Monday, February 26.
Monday Movies presented by the Friends of the Garden City Library:
February 2024 - “Love is In the Air”
2/26: “Casablanca” - 1942, 102 min
March 2024 - “Celebrating the Ladies and the Irish”
3/4: “Thelma & Louise,” 1991, 129 minutes
3/11: “A League of Their Own,” 1992, 128 minutes
3/18: “Brooklyn,” 2015, 111 minutes
3/25: “Erin Brockovich,” 2000, 130 minutes
**Wednesday, March 6
Wednesday, Mach 13
Wednesday, March 20
Wednesday, March 27
Wednesday, April 3
**Wednesday, April 10
Kimberly Mercadante is back with her popular Yoga Series! Join her for a yoga class for beginners. All are welcome! This is a series of 6 classes to be held on Wednesday evenings starting March 6 and continuing through April 10, 2024. A separate registration is required for each class. Register online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) or call the Reference desk at (516)742-8405 x 5236.
**Please note the new start and end dates.
Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
NYU-Langone EMS - CPR Training
Monday, February 26, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Hands only CPR Training for the layperson. Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the correct way to notify 911 for EMS response. Registration is limited to 10 people and is required on Eventkeeper at www.gardencitypl.org or call the Reference desk at (516)7428405 x 5236 or email speakingofbooks@ gardencitypl.org
Mary Maguire’s 50 Best Masterpieces of Europe - Part 1
Thursday, February 29, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Join us for Part One of Mary Maguire’s lecture on the 50 Best Masterpieces of Europe. Are you planning a trip to Europe soon or have you traveled in Europe and want to relive precious memories? Are you looking
series.
In Part One, we travel from the Caves of Lascaux to the Cathedral of Chartres. In Part Two (March 28), our journey takes us through the Renaissance, into the Baroque, and all the way to the viewing of Picasso’s Guernica.
No registration is required. For additional information please contact the Reference desk at (516)742-8405 x 5236 or email at Speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.
Alzheimers Association3 Part Series: Part 2
Monday, March 4, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in Large Meeting Room
10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease - Learn the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, hear from people who have the disease, and find out how to recognize the signs in yourself and others. (30 Minutes).
Dementia Conversations - When someone is showing signs of dementia, it’s time to talk. The Alzheimer’s Association Conversations about Dementia program is designed to help you talk to your family about some challenging and often uncomfortable topics around Alzheimer’s and dementia. (30 minutes).
Part 3
Monday, April 2, from 7:00–8:30 p.m.
in the Large Meeting Room
Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances - This interactive program offers information about how caregiving impacts finances, preparing for discussions about finances, and steps to lower chances of financial abuse. You will also learn about legal and financial documents that should be put in place.
Registration is required for each session on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) or call the reference
desk at (516)742-8405 x 5236 or or email: Speaking of books@gardencitypl.org
Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving Friday, March 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Receive 10% reduction on automobile/liability insurance and qualify for a license point reduction.
Register in person at the Garden City Public Library. Space is limited, so check with the Reference Department for availability.
Register separately for each person. Registration is in person at the Reference Desk.
Proper ID is required when registering an absentee party. You must bring a $33 check made payable to ‘Empire Safety Council’ and current Library card with you to register.
Bring your valid New York State driver's license and a pen to class.
Contact Adult Services (516)742-8405 ext. 5236. Email: Speakingofbooks@ gardencitypl.org
An Old-Fashioned Irish Sing-Along for St. Patrick’s Day with Kevin Westley *Tuesday, March 12, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Join us for an Old-Fashioned Irish Sing-Along for St. Patrick’s Day with Kevin Westley. Songs include IrishAmerican songs such as “Danny Boy,” “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” “An Irish Lullaby ” and “ McNamara’s Band.” Song sheets will be handed out, so all can join in the singing.
Registration with Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) beginning February 12, 2024
Contact Adult Services (516)742-8405 ext. 5236. Email: Speakingofbooks@ gardencitypl.org
*This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
New York Blood Services will be holding a blood drive at the Garden City Public Library on Wednesday, February 28, from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting room on the lower level of the Library. Area hospitals are in need of local residents’ help. Each donation can help to save up to three lives.
All donors will receive a voucher for a $10 gift card of their choice (electronically fulfilled). Appointments are strongly preferred, walk-ins are welcomed only if capacity permits. To schedule an appointment, you can scan the QR code with your phone and type in Garden City, click on the link below, call 1-800-688-0900 to schedule an appointment or for any medical questions concerning blood donations or visit the Garden City Public Library
website at www.gardencitypl.org.
https://donate.nybc.org/donor/ schedules/drive_schedule/312155
Shoppers looking for another good book to read.
Will you find a recent bestseller, or a timeless classic, a fantastic cookbook, a cool graphic novel or the perfect picture book for a child? The Friends of the Garden City Public Library are hosting a Pop-Up Book Sale on Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the lower level of the Garden City Public Library. A wide range of genres will be available, including fiction and non-fiction, chilldren and young adult titles.
Proceeds from the Pop-Up Book Sale will enable the Friends of the Garden City Public Library to continue funding the Museum Passes, the Monday Movie Matinees, and programs for children, young adults and adults.
To learn more about the Friends of the Garden City Public Library please see the Friends’ page on the Garden City Public Library website, gardencitypl. org/friends
Get rid of your unwanted items by placing an ad for them in our Classifieds! We have reasonable rates, and you’ll have prompt results! Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for rates and other info.
The Garden City Public Library’s roof replacement project is nearing completion. Abatement has been completed, as well as the roof work. The containers have also been removed from the
parking lot. Masonry restoration work is ongoing; the project will take a few more weeks to complete. This work has no impact on Library hours and services.
Make Friendship Bracelets for friends and Library patrons during Friendship Bracelets for Community Service, which will be held on Monday, February 26, at 4 p.m. at the Library. Inspired by the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, create Friendship Bracelets to trade and give to friends and for the Library to give to patrons. At least one bracelet you make must be used for the Library to give out to patrons in order to earn community service. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, February 20, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Volunteers Needed: LEGO Club
Volunteer to help children Grades K-5 during the monthly Children’s program LEGO Club! The February session will be held on Tuesday, February 27. The LEGO Club program runs from 4 p.m.–4:45 p.m. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 3:30 p.m. to help set-up before the start of the program and stay after to help clean up until 5:15 p.m. Volunteers must be in Grades 6–12 only. Registration to volunteer begins Tuesday, February 20, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Are you artistic? Then join us on Wednesday, February 28, at 6 p.m. for our VolunTeen Artists program and work on art projects for the Library! Participants will earn community service by participating in this program. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Registration begins Tuesday, February 20, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Join us for Tweens and Teens Dungeons and Dragons and learn how to play the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons by participating in one of our monthly Dungeons and Dragons MeetUps! Beginners are welcome! Each meet-up will feature a new self-contained, one-shot adventure and players will be assigned premade characters to play. Please register via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl. org) to participate in this program. The February session will be held Thursday, February 29, at 4 p.m. Registration begins
Tuesday, February 20, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper. Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Join us on Saturday, March 3, at 3 p.m. for Teen Crafternoon: Egg Painting for Community Service! This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 only. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, February 20, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Participants will be painting foam eggs at the program. In order to earn community service, at least one of the eggs the participant paints must be given to the Library to be used for the Library’s Egg Scavenger Hunt that will be held April 1–April 30. Afterward, participants can pick up their egg until May 12. Eggs will be held no longer than May 17. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Earn community service by creating bookmarks for Garden City Public Library patrons! Each volunteer will receive 10 bookmarks to color, decorate, and write positive or library/book themed messages. These bookmarks will be available to patrons to take at the Library.
To participate, please register online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability.
Volunteers can register once each week for six weeks of the spring season as follows:
• Registration Week One:
Monday, March 4, at 10 a.m. to Friday, March 8, at 4 p.m.
• Registration Week Two:
Monday, March 11, at 10 a.m. to Friday, March 15, at 4 p.m.
• Registration Week Three:
Monday, March 18, at 10 a.m. to Friday, March 22, at 4 p.m.
• Registration Week Four:
Monday, March 25, at 10 a.m. to Friday, March 29, at 4 p.m.
• Registration Week Five:
Monday, April 1, at 10 a.m. to Friday, April 5, at 4 p.m.
• Registration Week Six:
Monday, April 8, at 10 a.m. to Friday, April 12, at 4 p.m.
Bookmarks should be returned no later than Tuesday, April 30.
Registrants will be asked to pick up their bookmarks at the Library in order to participate in this community service program. Volunteers must return 10 completed bookmarks in order to receive com-
munity service. Volunteers will receive two hours for every 10 bookmarks they submit, at the discretion of the Tweens and Teens Department. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Earn community service by painting a foam egg at home for the Garden City Public Library’s Egg Scavenger Hunt Project! Registration begins Tuesday, March 5, at 10 a.m. Each volunteer will receive one egg and a set of paint pens to decorate their egg at home. Egg and paint pens must be picked up at the Library. Paint pens must be returned to the library. Volunteers’ eggs will be used in the Library’s Egg Scavenger Hunt! Eggs are due back no later than Thursday, March 14. Volunteers are also welcome to use their own supplies that they have at home. Volunteers will receive two hours for participating in this project, at the discretion of the Tweens and Teens Department. The eggs will be used until the end of April. Afterward, participants can pick up their eggs until May 17. Eggs will be held no longer than May 17. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 can earn community service by writing poetry for the Tweens & Teens Department National Poetry Month Display in April! Beginning Monday, March 4, volunteers can write and submit poems. Each volunteer can submit up to five poems and volunteers must use a different shape for each poem they submit. Volunteers’ poems will be displayed as they are submitted outside the Tweens and Teens Room throughout the months of March, April, and May.
Volunteers must come to the Library to pick up a volunteer form and shapes to write their poem on. Shapes to write poems on and the volunteer form can be found inside the Tweens & Teens Room at the Library. If supplies are low, please check back another day for more supplies.
Volunteers must use the shapes provided by the Library to write their poem on and must cut out their shape before submitting their poem. Poems should be legible and written in large enough print and with a dark pen, sharpie, marker, etc so they can be read from a distance. Volunteers can also decorate their shape. All poems should be original work.
Volunteers must return a volunteer form with their poems; volunteers do not have to submit all five poems at once and should do an additional form for poems they submit at a later date. Poems will be accepted until April 30. Please return poems and volunteer forms to the Community Service Drop-Off Box on the metal cabinet in the Tweens and Teens
Room.
Volunteers will receive one hour for every poem they submit, at the discretion of the Tweens and Teens Department.
If you have questions, please contact the Tweens and Teens Department at: https:// www.gardencitypl.org/young-adult-department/contact-the-young-adulttweens-teens-department/.
Paint and craft at a special Teen Crafternoon: Free Paint and Craft on Wednesday, March 13, at 3 p.m.. We'll have a variety of art supplies you can use to paint and craft, leftover from previous Crafternoon programs. Please note there's a limited amount of each craft supply, so registrants may not be able to do every craft project. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Registration begins Tuesday, March 5, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Spread kindness in the community by participating in a special kindness card-making session on Wednesday, March 6, at 6 p.m.! Use art supplies to create cards featuring positive, uplifting messages, and then bring them home to hand out and help brighten someone's day! Participants will earn community service by participating in this program. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Registration begins Tuesday, February 27, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Kick off the weekend with our Teen Gamers program! We will have our Nintendo Switch consoles for teens to use as well as tabletop board games and Magic: The Gathering cards for teens to play with. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 and will be held Friday, March 22, at 3:30 p.m. Registration begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org).
Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Join us for Tween Thursdays and design your own keychains during the
Scratch Art Keychains program! This program is for tweens in Grades 4–7 and is a joint program with the Children’s and Young Adult Departments. The program will be held Thursday, March 14, at 4 p.m. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, March 5, online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. It is Library policy that parents of children under 10 attending a program remain at the Library throughout and meet the child upon completion of the program. Tweens in Grades 6 and 7 who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Join us for Chess4Community: Play and Learn on Friday, March 29, 2024, 10 a.m.–11 a.m. All ages and levels are welcome. Registration is required. You must register for each session you want to attend. Register online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so please check Eventkeeper for availability.
Chess4Community is launching engaging chess sessions designed to bring together players from diverse ages and skill levels. Participants will be thoughtfully paired based on their playing experience, ensuring a balanced and competitive environment. Throughout these sessions, players will face off against equally matched opponents and receive valuable instruction, offering tailored advice and teaching new strategies and skills.
Can’t make it on March 29? This program will run once a month from 10 a.m.–11 a.m. on the following dates:
• April 26, 2024
• June 28, 2024
• July 26, 2024
• August 30, 2024
Registration is required for all sessions. You must register for each session you want to attend. Register online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Please note registration ends two days prior for each session.
Volunteers Needed:
Preschool DUPLO LEGO Club
Volunteer to help children ages 1½–5 (not in kindergarten) during the monthly Children’s program Preschool DUPLO LEGO Program! The March session will be held on Tuesday, March 12. The Preschool DUPLO LEGO program runs from 4 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 3:30 p.m. to help set-up before the start of the program and stay after to help clean up until 5 p.m. Volunteers must be in Grades 6–12 only. Registration to volunteer begins Tuesday, March 5, at 10 a.m. online via
Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org).
Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Volunteers Needed: Reading Pals
Volunteer to read to and then do a craft with children ages PreK-Grade 2 during the program Reading Pals! The March session will be held on Tuesday, March 19. The Reading Pals program runs from 4 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 3:30 p.m. to review the material before the start of the program and stay until 5 p.m. to help clean up. Volunteers must be in Grades 6–12 only. Registration to volunteer begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
The Library’s Annual Chick Incubation program is returning this year! Eggs will arrive on Tuesday, March 19, and are scheduled to begin hatching Monday, April 8. Chicks will be returned 1 week after they hatch. Eggs are picked up from Cornell Cooperative Extension at Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, NY and chicks are returned back to Cornell Cooperative Extension at Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, NY. Before they hatch, make sure to enter a name into our annual Name the Chick contest for your chance to name one of our chicks!
Join us on Monday, March 4, at 4 p.m. for Teen Perler Bead Creators. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, February 27, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org). Space is limited; check Eventkeeper for availability. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Tweens and teens in Grades 4–12 can learn how to knit or crochet during our Tweens and Teens Yarn Group that will be held on Thursday, March 7, at 4 p.m. Registration begins Tuesday, February 27, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. Participants will be able to take home knitting needles or crochet hooks to continue working on their projects, but must return the knitting needles or crochet hooks they are using by Friday, February 16.
Tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 who know how to knit or crochet can volun-
teer at this program! Please contact Laura Giunta at laurag@gardencitypl.org if you are interested in volunteering. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can also receive community service for participating in this program.
This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Earn community service by painting ornaments for the Garden City Public Library’s Tweens and Teens Department’s Ornament Tree! Each volunteer will receive three ornaments and a set of paint pens to decorate their ornaments at home. Paint pens must be returned to the Library. These ornaments will be used to decorate our new ornament tree each month!
For the month of March ornaments are eggs, which will be used to decorate the Tweens and Teens Ornament Tree in April. Registration begins Tuesday, March 19, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited; check Eventkeeper for availability. Completed ornaments must be returned by Thursday, March 28, to the Library.
Registrants will be asked to pick up their ornaments at the Library in order to participate in this community service program. Volunteers must return three decorated ornaments and their set of paint pens in order to receive community service. Volunteers will receive two hours for every three ornaments they submit, at the discretion of the Tweens and Teens Department. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
The next meeting of the Teen Advisory Board will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at 4 p.m. Registration begins Tuesday, February 27, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). The meeting is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. If you are interested in helping to come up with programming ideas, volunteer ideas, or social media outreach ideas for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12, consider joining the Teen Advisory Board. Online applications are available at https://www.gardencitypl. org/teen-advisory-board-application/ Applicants should be in Grades 6–12.
Join us on Wednesday, March 20 at 7 p.m. for Teen Paint Night. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited; check Eventkeeper for availability. Teens who complete
an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Earn community service by reading and reviewing recently published Young Adult books throughout the year and help the Tweens and Teens Department create the Best Books lists for 2024! Volunteers should be in Grades 6–12. Volunteers will be asked to read new books aimed at Grades 6–12 and published between January 1, 2023 and December 6, 2024. Volunteers will then fill out a feedback form, which includes a 300-word review. Volunteers can use the Library’s monthly reading lists beginning in January 2024 to help get ideas on what to read!
To access the feedback form and earn community service credit, scan the QR code on the flier which can be found outside the Tweens and Teens Room. You can also access the feedback form by going to https://forms.gle/ Wy6HqY69envMHjHd8.
Earn community service by participating in the Library's Tweens & Teens Department Around the World Recipe Card Community Service Project! Each volunteer can submit up to five recipe cards representing their cultural heritage. Recipe cards and volunteer forms can be found at the Library. Volunteers’ recipe cards will be available for other patrons to browse in the Tweens and Teens Room at the Library.
Volunteers must use the recipe cards provided by the Library to write their recipes on. Volunteers must have previously made the dish they are submitting a recipe for and must include a review of the recipe in the form of coloring in stars on the recipe card (a recipe can receive up to five stars). Recipes should be legible and written as neatly as possible. All volunteers should cite the source in which they found the recipe on their recipe card (a source can be a cookbook or website, but can also be a family member or neighbor). Volunteers must return a volunteer form with their recipe cards; volunteers do not have to submit all five recipe cards at once and should do an additional form for recipes they submit at a later date.
Recipes will be accepted until May 2, 2024. Please return completed recipe cards and the volunteer form to the Community Service Drop-Off Box on the metal cabinet in the Tweens & Teens Room. Volunteers will receive one hour for every recipe they submit, at the discretion of the Tweens & Teens Department.
Monthly LEGO Club
Tuesday, February 27, at 4:00:00 p.m.
This fun STEM program is for children in Grades K–5 only. No registration is necessary. Seating is on a firstcome, first-served basis.
Art of the Scientist
Saturday, March 2, at 1:00:00 p.m.
Children in Grades K–2 can join Ms. Elizabeth and Matters of the HeART for sensory exploration and STEAM fun! We will be reading the story “Don’t Hug Doug” as we explore how OIL and WATER don’t like to “hug” as we experiment with these two substances in a variety of ways. We will create a sensory bottle and a painting to show how the two can work together while still respecting personal space. Online restoration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library Card is required. This program is Sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library Registration is ongoing
Art Of The Scientist
Saturday, March 2, at 2:30:00 p.m.
Children in Grades 3–5 Ms. Elizabeth and registrants will discuss the properties of OIL and WATER and how the “don’t get along” as we explore difficulties with peers/friends. As we experiment with the two substances, we will also create take home art projects to remind us of coping strategies we will learn throughout the session. Online restoration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library Card is required. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library. Registration is ongoing.
Craft for 3 and 4 Year Olds
Wednesday, March 6, at 10:30 a.m.
Children ages 3 and 4 and their adult caregiver will come and do a simple craft with a Librarian. This is a 30-minute program. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl. org) with a Library Card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend this program. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.
Registration begins Feb. 27 at 10 a.m.
Tweens and Teens
Thursday, March 7, at 4:00:00 p.m.
Tweens and teens in Grades 4–12 can learn how to knit or crochet during our Tween and Teens Yarn Group.
Registration begins Feb. 27 at 10 a.m.
Long Island Music Aardvarks
Saturday, March 9, at 10:30 a.m.
This fun music and movement program is for children ages birth–5 (not in kindergarten) and their caregivers. Online registration on Eventkeeper
(www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library Card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend this program. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.
Registration begins Feb. 27, at 10 a.m.
Preschool Duplo LEGO
Tuesday, March 12, at 4:00 p.m.
This 30-minute STEAM free-play program is for children ages 1½–5 (not yet in kindergarten) and their caregivers. Librarians will put out Duplo LEGO bricks and children, along with their caregivers and Teen Volunteers, will play, create and build. No registration required. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of Garden City Library.
Tween Thursdays
Thursday, March 14, at 4:00 p.m.
Join us for Tween Thursday and design your own Scratch Art Keychains. This program is for tweens in Grades 4–7. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend this program. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Garden City Library.
Registration begins March 5 at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 16, at 10 a.m.
Children ages 2–5 (not yet in kindergarten) and their caregivers can join Mary Maguire and make an Easter Basket Craft. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl. org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend this Registration begins program.This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.
Registration begins March 5 at 10 a.m.
Saturday, March 16, at 11:15 a.m.
Children in Grades K–5 can join Mary Maguire and make an Easter Basket Craft. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.
Registration begins March 5, at 10 a.m.
Monday, March 18, at 7:00 p.m.
This fun program is for children ages 2½–5 (not yet in kindergarten) and their
adult caregiver. Join A Time for Kids and enjoy music, movement and literacy and make a feathered friends craft. Online registration on Eventkeeper www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is Sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.
Registration begins March 5 at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, March 19, at 4:00 p.m.
This fun 30-minute program is for children ages 4–second grade. Under Librarian supervision, Teen Volunteers read to the children and then they do a craft together. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is Sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.
Registration begins March 12 at 10 a.m.
Saturday, March 23, at 1:30 p.m.
Jump for Joy with Joyce Oddo! This fun movement and music program is 45 minutes long and is for children ages 13 months–5 years (not in kindergarten), and their adult caregivers. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required.You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.
Registration begins March 12 at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, March 26, at 10:30 a.m.
This fun scavenger hunt is for children ages birth–5 (not in kindergarten) and their caregivers. Children will look high and low on the main floor of the Library for eggs filled with candy. Children should bring a basket or tote for the candy they find inside the eggs. Children take the candy home but leave the eggs at the Library. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.
Registration begins March 12 at 10 a.m.
LEGO Club
Tuesday, March 26, at 4:00 p.m.
This fun STEAM program is for children in Grades K–5 only. Come with old friends, meet new friends and have fun building whatever your imagination dreams up. No registration necessary.
Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.
Crafts For Grades K-5
Wednesday, March 27, at 4:00 p.m.
Children in Grades K–5 can join a Librarian and get crafty and creative in this fun STEAM program. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required.You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library. Registration begins March 19 at 10 a.m.
Friday, March 29, at 10:00 a.m.
All ages and levels Welcome! Chess4Community is launching engaging chess sessions designed to bring together players from diverse ages and skill levels. Participants will be thoughtfully paired based on their playing experience, ensuring a balanced and competitive environment. Throughout these sessions, players will face off against equally matched opponents and receive valuable instruction, offering tailored advice and teaching new strategies and skills. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl. org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend.
Registration is open and ends 2 days before the program
This fun 30-minute storytime is for children ages birth–2 and their caregivers. Join a Librarian and enjoy stories, music and rhymes and books. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library Card is required. A separate registration is required for each session and for each child you wish to attend this program.
• Tuesday, February 27, at 10:30 a.m. Registration begins Tuesday, February 13, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, March 5, at 10:30 a.m. Registration begins Tuesday, February 27, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, March 12, at 10:30 a.m. Registration begins Tuesday, March 5, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, March 19, at 10:30 a.m. Registration begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 2, at 10:30 a.m. Registration begins Tuesday, March 26, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 9, at 10:30 a.m. Registration begins Tuesday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 16, at 10:30 a.m.
Registration begins Tuesday, April 9, at 10:00 a.m.
Preschool Storytime
This 30-minute program is for children ages 2–5 (not in kindergarten) and their caregivers. Join a Librarian and enjoy stories, music and movement. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library Card is required. A separate registration is required for each session and for each child you wish to attend this program.
• Tuesday, February 27, at 11:30 a.m.
Registration begins Tuesday, February 13, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, March 5, at 11:30 a.m.
Registration begins Tuesday, February 27, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, March 12, at 11:30 a.m.
Registration begins Tuesday, March 5, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, March 19, at 11:30 a.m.
Registration begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 2, at 11:30 a.m.
Registration begins Tuesday, March 26, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 9, at 11:30 a.m.
Registration begins Tuesday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 16, at 11:30 a.m. Registration begins Tuesday, April 9, at 10:00 a.m.
It is Library policy that all children under age ten must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the Library. Also, if the young child is attending a Library program, we require the parent or designated responsible person to remain in the Library throughout the program and meet the child upon completion of the program
More programming information for the winter and spring coming soon.
Each program requires a separate registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org).
A separate registration is required for each child you wish to attend these programs.
Please do not register additional children in the comment box as they are not counted by Eventkeeper, and there may not be sufficient materials for participants.
Lucilla A. Eschmann was called home on Friday, February 16th, after a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by love, with her husband of 59 magical years, Charles Eschmann and her 5 adoring children by her side.
Lucilla was born on September 21st, 1941 in Washington Heights, NY, the first of three daughters, to James and Lucilla Walker. An idyllic childhood was spent with her sisters and cousins at Hudson View Gardens NY, where she attended Mother Cabrini High School, and later, St. Vincent’s Nursing School.
Summers were spent in Southampton NY where she would meet the love of her life, Charlie, on Coopers Beach. “Two drifters off to see the world”, their lifelong love affair could inspire Hallmark for the next 100 years.
Charlie and Lucilla settled in Floral Park NY, where they raised their 5 children. St. Anne’s Church and the Garden City Country Club would become constants in their lives, as both served as the backdrop for many of their fondest memories and closest friendships. Friendships which would later join them in Sarasota, FL where they spent their retirement.
One can not speak of Lucilla without mentioning her incredible faith. A deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, Lucilla made multiple pilgrimages to Medjugorje in Bosnia, and Lourdes in France. She attended church every day, led prayer and rosary groups and inspired countless individuals to deepen their faith. Her prayers were sought after. If someone was sick, someone passed away, or needed to pass a test…. call Lucilla and ask her to pray for you.
Her family was everything to her, and though it was a large one, she made everyone feel special and loved uncon-
ditionally. She has left her children and grandchildren a blueprint on how to live a life of grace, joy, compassion, and faith. She is predeceased by her parents, James and Lucilla Walker. She leaves behind her beloved husband Charles Eschmann, and her sisters, Susan (Art) Reddick and Pat (Jim) Hefelfinger. She also leaves behind her loving children Charles (Jean) Eschmann, James (Margaret) Eschmann, Christopher (Mary) Eschmann, Michael (Meghan) Eschmann, and Lucilla (Bryan) Schrubbe. She was a cherished Mimi to Charles (Kerianne), Abby, Timmy, and Ryan Eschmann, Cate, Maggie, and Mary Eschmann, Maryn and Matthew Eschmann, Aydan, Alex, Ava, and Michael Eschmann, and James and Walker Schrubbe. She was also a loving Aunt to many nieces and nephews. Visitation Thursday from 4 to 7:30 pm at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, 1201 Franklin Avenue, Garden City. Mass Friday 10 am at St. Anne’s Church, Garden City.
January 9. The water main’s installation layout was also modified for the horizontal boring underneath the LIRR on Clinton Road. This job has proven to be very complex and required additional work and efforts beyond the anticipated scope of work.”
Water tank inspections approved
The Board approved additional funds for H2M Architects and Engineers, with acceptance of their proposal for conducting the semi annual inspections of the Village of Garden City’s five water storage tanks, for the unit price of $1,500 for the elevated storage tank on Old Country Road, next to the Ethical Humanist Society, and a fee of $1,000 per ground storage tank. The total cost comes to $5,500 biannually and $11,000 annually. The inspections are required by the Nassau County Department of Health.
H2M was also approved for payment of its professional services role in preparing Garden City’s 2023 Annual Water Supply Statement/Consumer
Confidence Report, for $4,200. The report is required by both the New York State Health Department and the Nassau County Department of Health.
Village Trustee Ed Finneran called upon Water Department Superintendent Stanley Carey to comment on the expertise H2M is “bringing to the table, which we might not possess on village staff.”
“For the annual Water Quality Report, at this point in time it’s quite detailed for the village because we have specific language we have to set forth for emerging contaminants and also the lead water sampling that we do. I am not sure anyone within village staff has the drafting layout experience from a publishing standpoint, so that is why we’re requesting H2M take on this task for us,” Carey commented.
For the biannual water storage tank inspections H2M will again handle, Carey shared that H2M has certified coating inspectors who can tell “if there is a flaw or defect in the coating on the tanks.”
“One of the bigger tasks is climbing the elevated tank on Old Country Road, as H2M has specialized equipment as they can get into confined spaces. I am quite certain the village doesn’t have staff qualified to do that type of work, and also I think we would need to discuss whether or not we’d want to assume that type of liability,” Carey said.
In other items, Superintendent Borroni mentioned moving another $30,000 from the Street Cleaning – Regular Salary budget line to the Street Maintenance – Regular Salary account, to cover a new hire for the Street Maintenance division of municipal Public Works.
Trustee Finneran asked about the job, and Borroni noted that the Street Cleaning position was open but the hire was for Street Maintenance.
“The open position was originally budgeted in our Street Cleaning department, and due to the needs of
the department and the way the department is operated, it made more sense to transfer the position to add it to Street Maintenance. The transfer was required for budgeting the position in the division,” he said.
Village Administrator Ralph Suozzi clarified that the position itself was open and moved to Street Maintenance; there wasn’t an employee in a DPW role that was transferred. Suozzi shared, “the budgeted salary was in the wrong place.”
With the explanation clear, Trustee Harrington quipped, “Is this (position) someone who will help the village make Seventh Street a little better?” The answer from Superintendent Borroni was “we all hope.”
The Board later approved a transfer of $140,000 to cover contractual services for the Street Lighting account, reallocated from the village’s Street Administration – Regular Salary account. The additional funding was
See page 40
From page 28
you won’t be frowning, you’ll still be smiling.”
Suozzi said the village’s Recreation and Parks Department staff horticulturalist will inspect the current greenery at the lots, “to inventory every plant species by age, maturity and location.” The goal is to replace any plants removed with similar plants or an aesthetically-pleasing landscape design that still allows for better drainage. He explained the outline for a completed project would first see topsoil laid down, followed by a restoration phase with grass and plantings going in.
The village had a third-party engineer examined the storm water drainage problem on Meadow Street. They determined that water emanates from the Long Island Expressway and, Suozzi noted it comes down to Garden City from a Nassau County culvert, “and it dumps into Hempstead Lake – the problem is it intersects Meadow Street along the way.” He adds that during severe storm events, which appear to happen more frequently than in years past, “the culvert backs up onto Meadow Street.”
The village approached Nassau County Public Works to examine the culvert and make sure it was functioning correctly. The village observed debris in the culvert that restricted water flow on the Village of Hempstead side, and Nassau County cleaned it up but not enough to eradicate the Meadow Street flooding.
“The water flows west from Grove Street, and east from Clinton Road,
down Tremont Street and College Place to Meadow. It impacts more houses on the north side of Meadow Street than on the south side. The first proposal we made to Nassau County DPW was to take the culvert which attaches to the Meadow Street drainage system and move it to the Village of Hempstead side, so it wouldn’t discharge into our streets. The Hempstead mayor would not agree with it as they have severe flooding there during heavy rains, and we discussed it at length. We had to go to a plan B and the drainage to lots by College Place (which creates a dead end and was never continued) on the south side of Meadow Street represents the village’s next-best plan,” Suozzi said.
One of the related components to the Meadow Street project will be “upstream catch basins” in the eastern section of Garden City that will be installed over the next few years. Administrator Suozzi said there’s a comprehensive plan for stormwater management to avert pooling and flooding scenarios as water flowing from Garden Street and Grove Street will be directed into the basins.
Suozzi reflected on other engineering ideas that came up such as a drainage system ‘leeching’ improvement plan for the Meadow and Grove location, but it would require excavation 30 feet into the ground and the construction would be very expensive and intrusive. “The upland solutions (catch basins) will supplement the work we’re doing but I do not think the storm water from severe rain events would be eliminated completely,” he said last week.
To alleviate Meadow Street’s issues with the current drainage project, the village intends to excavate the lots about 12 feet into the ground. As the water table is high there, the depth must be less intrusive, but installation of long tubes for drainage will be precise. Administrator Suozzi explained the pipes put in would be approximately eight feet wide by nine feet long. He also said that the village is willing to make adjustments for the aesthetics as the drainage improvement project is not fully designed yet.
Mayor Carter Flanagan also noted that the preliminary storm water management options involving Hempstead and Nassau County ended up ‘not being viable.’ The two condemned lots present “the most effective way of addressing the problem of flooding on Meadow Street,” she stated.
“There are no proposed alternate locations at this time,” the mayor said. Before the public hearing was opened for residents’ comments, statements and questions, she explained that any property owners who wished to challenge the village’s acquisition of the two lots via judicial review “may do so only on the basis of the issues, facts and objections raised at this hearing tonight.”
The mayor asked for an estimated time frame for the drainage project for the disruptions to neighbors on Meadow Street. Superintendent Borroni commented that it is hard to judge until the project is bid out, and a construction contract is in place. He guesses that six to eight weeks could be the time
frame once that happens. He explained that excavation and construction will include noise from trucks, the on-site workers doing the construction and a series of activities to install the new drainage infrastructure.
Following the Woodbines’s comments, Milly Chen of Meadow Street asked about the possibility of reinstalling a fence at her property “at the same position” upon the drainage project completion.
Village Administrator Suozzi checked with Village Attorney Gary Fishberg and said this question can’t be definitively answered at this point, but “anything’s possible.” Trustee Charles Kelly commented the village government can’t address that right now because the situation is being examined and review of the drainage is the focus.
“As Administrator Suozzi said, we will make best efforts to leave things the way they are or better, not just in terms of plantings but the way the situation is now. We would be taking the property to put in the flood control mechanism, and then we would proceed to restore it. In that restoration we’ll try to put people back to where they were before we started this project,” he explained.
The public hearing was closed after four public comments, and the Board of Trustees went ahead to approve the declaration of condemnation of the property.
Trustee Kelly was sure to thank Village Administrator Suozzi for his “excellent job of notifying nearby homeowners and making sure people were aware of this project.”
February
If your purpose for visiting Paris and France this year is to take in the Olympics, by all means go, but make plans really early, lock in reservations to visit the sites, attractions, restaurants, hotels, even train or bus transportation you most want to include.
Paris (with 85,000 hotel rooms) is expecting about 15 million visitors as it hosts the Olympics (July 26-August 11) and Paralympics (August 28-Sept. 8. Other events to keep in mind: Tour de France, from June 29 to July 21; and Tour de France Femmes, from August 12 to 18.
The fact is, Paris is so popular (for good reason), there is no longer the “shoulder” season or “off season” (especially as more travelers seek the comparative comfort of cooler seasons, known as “coolcationing”). No matter when you travel, to get the most out of your visit, it is essential to do pre-planning. The days of just strolling into the major attractions are well gone, so advance purchase of timed- and capacity-controlled tickets will still be essential. Book online as soon as you know your dates of travel. In that way, you can avoid wasting valuable time and money waiting on line for tickets (followed by the line for security). Moreover, having a set time to visit the key attraction on your list will help you structure your day – while still allowing for serendipitous experiences and discoveries.
I must admit that my decision to spend four days in Paris at the end of my European Waterways canal boat cruise in the Alsace-Lorraine was a bit spontaneous and I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to do
If you hope to go to the Roof of the Arc D’Triomphe for the dramatic view, purchase tickets in advance. The attraction is included Paris Museum Pass.
© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
the research and preparation which I am recommending here. (So I didn’t get to go up the Arc de Triomphe or the Eiffel Tower.) And planning out my visit for a city as big (and yet, as I found, not so big that I couldn’t walk everywhere), with as many highlights, was intimidating from a logistics point of view. So I began as I would hope other travelers do: I consulted what other travel writers have written about “four days” in Paris, and checked the various lists of “top attractions” like on tripadvisor.com.
I had my list of top attractions, but how to organize in the best way?
I started with figuring out the priority attractions – Le Louvre, Musee D’Orsay – that would require advance, timed tickets, and made each of them the centerpiece of a day. Musee D’Orsay is closed on Monday; Le Louvre is closed on Tuesday. Then I looked to what was around, but
much of how I spent my day after was pretty spontaneous.
Most surprising to me, was how easy it is to get around Paris – especially walking and by bicycle (with loads of bicycle share stations), with its special biking lanes and traffic signals, and traffic signals and crossings that favor pedestrians. For those who prefer, the superb metro and bus system has multi-day tickets.
I walk everywhere – because it is the whole of Paris that is the attraction – the architecture, the people, the street activity, and the sheer beauty of the city, absolutely one of the most beautiful, enchanting in the world. And not just around the stunning sites of the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre, Musee D’Orsay and Notre Dame (which you can see as it is restored), but neighborhoods that are so picturesque, interesting, and full of character. So I plot the walking time into my day.
But walking around, is the best way to come upon those “hidden gems” that no one else knows about. You have a cascade of serendipitous experiences, compelling places and surprises around every corner. It’s like surrendering yourself to the universe, or in this case, the city, and let it find you. And sometimes, when you set out in search for something, all these other things emerge.
(GPS is only helpful when you already have internet, but you should plot your route and then download so you have the maps offline, which I kept forgetting to do, so I often relied on actual maps and the kindness of wonderful strangers, even with my very limited French, to point me in the right direction.)
During my three-plus days in Paris, I visit the highlights:
Arrival afternoon:
• Arc d’Triomphe
• Stroll the quais along the Seine for the magnificent views of Eiffe Tower at sunset into the night
Day 1: (Sunday)
• Musee D’Orsay
• Isle de la Cite (to see the restoration of Notre Dame)
• Sainte-Chappelle
• Tuileries Gardens
• Place de la Concorde
• Stroll the quais along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower at night
Day 2 (Monday)
• Le Louvre
• Notre Dame (again)
• Isle de France
• Marais District/Holocaust Memorial Day 3 (Tuesday)
• Marais District/Holocaust memorials
• Place des Vosges
• Museum of Paris History (a high light)
Continued on next page
• Musee d’Art D’Histoire du Judaism
• Musee Picasso-Paris
• Bastille monument
• Place Royale
Day 4 (Wednesday)
• Montmartre
• Musee Montmartre
• Dali Gallery
• Sacre Coeur
Yes, these are the most popular sites, but they are popular for very good reason, and if you are not a frequent visitor to Paris, you would be doing yourself a disservice not to experience them yourself. But there are ways to make the experience your own. Your list of “highlights” might be different – like the bateaux mouches cruise on the Seine (included in the Paris attractions pass).
I highly recommend getting the Paris Museum Pass ((https://www.parismuseumpass.fr/t-en, which provides admissions to 34 museums in Paris and 11 more in the region) or the Paris Pass (parispass.com) which not only makes attractions and experiences more affordable, but will absolutely add to what you see and do, and also provides such helpful information as hours, location, proximity to where you are. When booking, try to book the earliest available times or evening times, and midweek over weekend.
You are likely to arrive in Paris at the Charles de Gaulle Airport, which has easy train connection to downtown – purchase your metro ticket in advance at a wonderful visitor information office as you walk out, and even a multi-day ticket. This will cut down on wasted time waiting on line to buy a ticket and the confusion of knowing what zone you need. And it saves quite a lot of money. But the best part is you don’t think about how much you are spending – it all seems free.
Coming from Strasbourg by train at the end of my six-day canal cruise of the Alsace Lorraine aboard European Waterways’ Panache, I arrived at Gard d’Est and made my way on the metro (after going in the wrong direction on the metro) to a stop just in front of the Arc d’Triomphe. My hotel, the Hotel Napoleon, a five-star boutique hotel which put me perfectly into the atmosphere of Napoleon’s Empire period, is not even a half-block away, and a short block off the magnificent Champs Elysee. (Note: book train tickets in advance, www.raileurope.com)
It was afternoon, and I quickly checked in to this charming boutique hotel, which instantly made me feel like this is my posh Parisian residence, dropped my bag, and went out to explore the Arc de Triomphe.
This iconic symbol of France is set in the middle of a roundabout (the Place D’Etoile, like a star”) where 12 busy boulevards converge, including the magnificent Champs d’Elysee which is aligned with its center. Don’t even think about trying to cross the roundabout - you must walk through underground passageways to get across the busy boulevards that encircle the monument (There’s a pedestrian tunnel at Place Charles de Gaulle on the north side of the Champs-Élysées that will take you down to the arch.)
Building the Arc de Triomphe began in 1806 on Napoleon’s orders. Just a year earlier, in 1805, Napoleon’s forces won a decisive victory over Russian and Austrian troops at the Battle of Austerlitz. French architect JeanFrançois-Thérèse Chalgrin took his inspiration from the great arches of the world, and designed Triomphe to be the largest in the world. The arch is 164 feet tall, and twice a year, the sun sets directly in the center. It took 30 years to
complete the arch which was officially opened by King Louis-Phillipe on July 29, 1836.
Today, the Arc de Triomphe is more of a symbol of peace and is very recognizable as the end point for the Tour de France cyclists. For the French, the Arc de Triomphe is more than commemorative, but is foundational in the French national republican consciousness.
In 1921 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was incorporated into the monument, and today the tomb’s flame is rekindled every evening at 6.30 p.m. to show respect for All of France’s fallen.
One such event was just winding up as I arrived.
I was transfixed by the arch, the spectacular bas-reliefs of historic events that grace each pillar, the most famous, The Departure of the Volunteers, also known as La Marseillaise, was created by the Romantic sculptor François Rude in 1792.
Admittedly, I didn’t know that you could enter the monument and climb the 284 steps to to the terrace (an elevator is available for those who require it) for a view, or that there is a museum inside
- The Permanent ‘Great Moments of French History’ exhibition which traces the story of the Arc de Triomphe and explains the architecture, friezes and sculptures. So I definitely did not book tickets in advance. But the line to purchase tickets was ridiculous so I happily contented myself to just study the stunning reliefs and be transfixed by the arch’s form. (Having a Paris Museum Pass would have provided free admission without the need to reserve a time.)
What I missed, though was the dramatic view from the top: looking down the Champs-Élysées to the Louvre, out to La Defense, around to the Eiffel Tower. And you look straight down at one of the world’s largest round-abouts,
One way that I know a plant could work well in my garden is that I look for the red, white and blue logo of All-America Selections on seed packets, on bedding plant tags or in catalogs. Even AAS winners from several years ago are more likely to prove successful than nonwinners.
The AAS testing program is an independent nonprofit organization that tests new plants. They have about 80 test gardens from Alaska and Canada to California and Florida. They also have almost 200 display gardens all across the continent that are not used for judging but are used to show gardeners how well the plants grow locally.
Today we will cover all three 2024 vegetable trial winners and a couple of the flower winners. Next week, we will finish with the remaining flower winners.
Purple Magic is a purple broccoli. The flower buds (the part we eat) have a purple cast over a dark green, while the flower stalks are a bright royal purple. It can be cooked or eaten raw in the same way as any broccoli, but it is sweeter and more tender than regular green broccoli. It grows in full sun and can be transplanted into the garden five weeks before the average last spring frost. Harvest is in three months, and if the plant is left to grow after the initial harvest, small side shoots will be able to be harvested for several months. These smaller shoots are perfect
for adding to broccoli soup.
The other broccoli winner is Skytree. It grows in a vertical shape, making it easy to harvest the tender stems and flower buds. Planted at the same time as Purple Magic, it will be harvested as much as three weeks earlier. It can be eaten and cooked the same way as Purple Magic.
The final vegetable garden winner in 2024 is the sweet red pepper Red Impact. This pepper will live up to its name in your garden. The peppers are 8 inches long, 4 inches wide, bright red and very sweet. They can be harvested green if you want to. They can be eaten raw, roasted or stuffed. Plant them when the soil
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where the 12 avenues come together. You can purchase tickets in advance; the Arch is also included on the Paris Museum pass http://en.parismuseumpass.com/
I continued my walk well into the evening, following the route the concierge at the Hotel Napoleon laid out for me: strolling down the Champs Elysee, turning onto the Avenue George V (and passed the famous Hotel George V), to the Seine, coming upon that stunning view of the Eiffel Tower, with the bateaux mouches sailing by.
Paris is truly magical, truly the City of Light and romance. Couples walk along the quai, attach a lock to just about any wrought iron they can find, pose for a selfie.
Walking back to the Hotel Napoleon on a tony residential street just off the Champs Elysee, you feel more like you are going back to your swank apartment rather than a hotel.
Hôtel Napoléon Paris 5, 40, av. de Friedland 75008 Paris, Direct phone +33156684480, www. hotelnapoleon.com, https://www.historichotels.org/hotels-resorts/hotel-napoleon-paris/, https://preferredhotels.com/ hotels/france/hotel-napoleon-paris
More planning help from the Paris Tourist Office, https://parisjetaime. com/eng/. Online ticketing at https:// parisjetaime.com/eng/tickets
For Olympics planning (and where you can purchase tickets that become available), https://www.paris2024.org/ en/
Next: Musee D’Orsay Highlights Day 2 in Paris
© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com
On weekends and holidays my family likes to play long, leisurely games of “Monopoly.” Because little kids also participate, we bend the rules just a little bit. What’s funny is that when my husband, Danny, or I say, “Let’s start a game of Monopoly,” our dog, Baxter, lifts his ears and wants to play, too.
He heads over to a small pocketbook we keep in the living room and lifting it with his mouth, Baxter heads to Danny or me and is excited about playing Monopoly. Opening the pocketbook for Baxter, he sees lots and lots of fake Monopoly money inside and somehow he knows or senses that it’s his money to play with.
A five-year-old Golden retriever, Baxter is as smart as can be and from the day we got him he’s made himself an integral part of our family. He’s got a gentle and affectionate nature and has a striking golden coat. Baxter’s a medium-size dog, not small like a terrier and not large like a St. Bernard. Baxter is excellent at playing fetch outside in the large back yard but indoors on cold winter days he seems happily entertained by a lively game of Monopoly.
Placing the Monopoly board on top of the ottoman in our living room, Danny, our two kids, Jake, who’s eight, and Joanie, six, gather around. We sit on the couch and kneel on the carpet as Danny plays the banker and distributes the initial amount of cash to each of us. He then shuffles and sets out the stacks of Chance and Community Chest cards in their right spots on the board.
Choosing our playing pieces, I pick the penguin, Danny chooses the race car, Joanie picks the Scottie dog and Jake always chooses the top hat. He likes that one.
Rolling the dice to see who goes first, Joanie is the lucky one then Jake so around we go as we start landing on utilities and buying property. When
one of us lands on “Go to Jail” and has to pay a $50 fine, we skip that because Jake and Joanie are just kids and having to pay that penalty is negative. We’d rather be optimistic as we move ahead and build on our real estate. Monopoly is a fun game, one that makes me feel like a real estate mogul as I buy my favorite properties. I always like to get railroads and utilities but each person has their favorites.
When we land on a desirable property, we get rather excitable and Baxter gets excited, too. He’s right there squeezed between two of us and I’ve noticed that he seems to watch the movement on the board as attentively as we humans do. Sometimes Baxter grabs his money and throws it on the board.
Jake considers himself an old hand at Monopoly and Joanie is the precocious one who comes out with some cute sayings as she snaps up Boardwalk and Park Place and continues with her real estate buying spree. Sometimes Jake wins the game and sometimes he doesn’t but he sure has fun playing with all of us.
Danny and I take turns letting Baxter roll the dice, buy property and collect the rents that inevitably come in. We make believe he is playing - and he sure looks like he’s concentrating on the Monopoly board - because including Baxter in our family game helps make it all the more exciting. When each game ends and we congratulate the winner Baxter barks good naturedly. It’s his way of chiming in and being part of the group.
We slept well that night pleased with how our game of Monopoly went. The next day my brother, Steven, and his wife, Jill, came over for brunch along with their brother and sister dogs, Akila and Kanoe. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were happy to be part of our little party.
As we enjoyed our omelettes and
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warms up and they can be harvested in 75 days. The plants are very disease resistant. Each plant can have 15 of these half-pound peppers.
I am not a big fan of Celosia, but I might have to try Burning Embers. It has both bright pink flowers and bronze-colored leaves. There were more flower plumes, and they lasted longer than other Celosias in the trial gardens. It also flowered well in both hot weather and high humidity.
Geraniums are one of the most popular garden flowers every summer. The Big EEZE is a series of geranium variet-
ies that grow very well in containers. Not being into fabrics, I didn’t know what a batik fabric was, so I tried researching it. I still don’t think I know what it is, but it appears that from a distance, some of the color patterns look speckled or freckled.
Pink Batik geranium flowers have a light pink to white background with dark pink to red freckling and striping. They are very pretty. The quantity of flowers is outstanding. If you have grown geraniums in the past, you can grow this AAS winner.
Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@ greenerview.com. .
COPYRIGHT 2024 JEFF RUGG DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORSlingered over coffee we caught up on family news. Then everyone headed out the back door to frolic in the two inches of snow that had fallen overnight. Our back yard looked pretty. It’s up against a golf course and the pure white snow looked pristine and covered everything.
We were the first to set foot on it and everyone had fun playing in the snow. The kids laughed as they tossed snowballs here and there. They were friendly fights and no one got covered in snow.
Baxter loves playing in the snow so he jumped right in and tried catching the snowballs. Akila and Kanoe joined in the fun although Kanoe was the more adventurous of the two.
Afterwards we went back inside to warm up and gather around the dining room table with mugs full of hot chocolate. Akila and Kanoe sat on Steven and Jill’s laps, happy to be cuddled and part of the group.
Danny had turned on the fireplace so the room was warm and the flames threw off a cozy ambiance. We told Steven and Jill about the prior day’s
Monopoly game and before they could even ask, Joanie proudly announced that she had won.
Steven congratulated her on winning the game then asked Joanie what her strategy was. Without hesitating she said snapping up the best properties on the board as quickly as she could. We all laughed because young Joanie was so serious about buying the Monopoly real estate. She also has a competitive streak and enjoys being the winner of the game.
Jake said that he was thinking of asking to play a second game but somehow he knew his parents had had enough of Monopoly for one day.
At one point as we all chatted I looked over at Baxter and there he was lying comfortably next to the fireplace. Curled up next to him and making themselves right at home were Akila and Kanoe. There was one Cavalier on each side of Baxter and all three dogs looked as happy as could be.
This is fiction.
This column should be coming out around Valentine’s Day. And it was 50 years ago, on Valentine’s Day, that my soon-to-be wife and I went out on our first date. How that came about makes for a cute story.
I had just started working for the Social Security office in the small farming community of Litchfield, Illinois. I had moved there from my hometown in Wisconsin just a month or so before. So I didn’t know anybody in town.
One of my duties was to verify Medicare numbers for the billing department of the Litchfield hospital. A local lass named Becky worked in that department and called me every day to check those numbers.
Becky’s boss knew that she was single and somehow learned that I was single, too. And he decided to play matchmaker. He invited me to the hospital for lunch. But the real purpose was so that I could meet Becky.
If it wasn’t love at first sight, it was close. And I was smitten enough that a week or so later, I finally worked up the courage to call Becky and ask her out on a date. And being the poster boy for anxiety and anal retentiveness, I had scripted out my entire conversation with her. It was in diagram form. For example, if she said yes, it led to one series of questions and comments. If she said no, it led to another and much shorter series of questions and comments.
Fortunately, after some nervous small talk, her answer to my first question (“Hey, do you want to go to a movie?”) was “Yes.” So that led me down the positive side of my scripted question list.
I was asking her out to the hit movie of the time, “American Graffiti,” about the last summer together of a group of high school seniors. The movie supposedly took place in 1962, and the tagline for the movie was “Where were you in ‘62?”
And that led to one of my clever scripted questions, “Hey Becky, where were you in ‘62?” Now in 1962, I was in 7th grade. And based on my one meeting with Becky at the hospital, I guessed she was about my age. So her answer surprised me. She said, “Oh, 1962 was the year I graduated from high school.”
Oh, my god! There was nothing on my sheet of questions that covered that answer! I was asking an “older woman” out on a date! I stammered! I panicked!
I gave some thought to saying, “Oh wait a minute, I can’t go out. I’m polishing my shoes that evening.” There was nothing in my script to save me. I didn’t know what to do!
OK, long story short, I ended up going out on the date. And now here it is, 50 years later. Becky is still five years older than me. But I’ve long since gotten over the shock and panic of that discovery and I’ve been back on script ever since.
But that story reminds me that not everyone stays married forever. And the rest of this column deals with folks whose marriages didn’t last as long as ours has.
Q: I’m part of a group of old geezers who gets together every week at the local coffee place. Social Security is a frequent topic of conversation. At our last meeting, the subject of benefits for divorcees came up. One of our geezers was married to his first wife for 16 years and has been married to his second wife for 30 years. His first wife remarried, but she is now divorced from that guy after 20 years of marriage. Our geezer pal is curious who will get what when he dies. He’s mostly wondering if his first wife will get Social Security from him or from her second husband.
A: Well, the answer depends on a lot of “ifs ands or buts” not made clear in your email to me -- such as people’s ages and Social Security benefit rates. So I’ll make up a scenario to give you an example of how all this would play out. We’ve got four people:
-- Geezer is 68 years old, started his benefits at age 67 and gets $2,100 per month from Social Security.
-- Princess, his current wife, is 62 and gets her own Social Security retirement benefit amounting to $900 per month.
-- Floozie, Geezer’s first wife, is 68, and she gets $1,200 per month in her own Social Security retirement checks.
-- Wheezer is Floozie’s second husband, the guy she divorced after 20 years of marriage. Let’s say he is 70, still living, and gets $2,200 per month from Social Security.
And now let’s say Geezer dies, and we’ll see what happens. Princess has a couple choices to make. If she wants, she can immediately switch to widow’s benefits. She’d keep getting her own retirement check, and that would be supplemented up to about 82% of his full rate, or about $1,722. So, she’d get $900 on her own account and $822 in widow’s benefits.
Or, she can opt to continue receiving just her $900 retirement check for now, and then at age 67 get that supplemented up to Geezer’s full rate. So, at age 67 she’d get her own $900 plus $1,200 in widow’s benefits for a total of $2,100. And no matter which decision she makes, she’d get the one-time $255 death benefit.
Floozie is also eligible for widow’s benefits on Geezer’s record, because she was married to him for more than 10 years and she is currently unmarried. Since she is over her full retirement age, her own retirement benefit can be supplemented up to Geezer’s full rate. So, she’ll continue to get her own $1,200 per month, and she’ll get $900 from Geezer’s account to take her up to Geezer’s full $2,100 benefit rate. (And please note that anything paid to Floozie, the divorced wife, doesn’t take a nickel away from the benefits due to Princess.)
Floozie isn’t due anything on Wheezer’s
(her second husband’s) Social Security account -- at least not while he is still living. She’s technically due a divorced wife’s benefit (at a 50% rate) on his record, but she can’t get that because her own benefit, $1,200, exceeds half his rate, or $1,100. And of course, now that we also add in Geezer’s widow’s benefit, her combined Social Security benefits greatly exceed anything
she is due from Wheezer.
However, when Wheezer dies, she can then switch to divorced widow’s benefits on his record. Her checks from Geezer would stop. And her own $1,200 retirement benefit would be supplemented with $1,000 from Wheezer’s record to take her
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Well, we are now into 2024 and interest rates have come down from the high of 8%+ in 2023, and now according to https://WWW.NerdWallet.com, 30-year fixed rates w/full doc loans are vacillating in and around 7%-7.9% APR depending on one’s income, credit and debt/income ratios as well as the lender. Fifteen-year rates w/full doc loans are hovering around a low of 6%+ APR. Many of the expert economists are not 100% confident that they will go down and some even contemplate that they could even still increase, depending on the inflation numbers. One thing is for sure, our government says inflation has increased and is hovering around 3.9% in February; affected mainly by consumer spending, supply-chain shortages, and I believe even unemployment. Their numbers don’t convey to me the entire story. As I have mentioned in previous columns, the Fed inflation formula is the prices of goods and services over time. As inflation increases so does the CPI, and the value of your dollar (and our U.S. currency) decreases, enabling one to purchase fewer goods and services for the same dollar amount. The cost of living increases for most, as you need more dollars to buy the same amount of goods and services. This can hamstring the economy by depressing purchasing capability.
However, too low inflation is also unacceptable, because it’s an impediment and restriction on economic growth. More important the current inflation numbers are not representative of and do not include or account for the cost of energy, food, or shelter, which can have a more negative effect on the true inflation numbers, if included. The Fed says that they are too volatile to be included; but how can we trust and judge actual inflation that we are all experiencing if they are not included? If we knew the truth, we just might slow down are conspicuous consumption spending habits. More important 70% of our economy is consumer spending; so the government doesn’t want us to stop spending, but possibly to curtail the number of dollars spent. But isn’t that how inflation can be reduced, by balancing some-
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what less spending and decreasing the number of new jobs needed to a more manageable level? However, you wouldn’t know this by the current credit card debt increasing month over month and the 353,000 jobs that were just created in January.
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
The next time bomb to drop will be all the mortgages due for refinancing on office buildings throughout the U.S. The rates probably will double, possibly triple, depending on the debt/income of the properties and the risk to the banks. The cap rates, profit, and values are being severely affected, due to the Pandemic that caused the exiting of employees to settle into remote and hybrid work environments. Values have continued tumbling and there will be many more fire sales. Paying off their current humongous mortgages will be very challenging, if not impossible! Many Hedge Funds and REITS (real estate investment trusts) have been handing over their non-performing properties back to their lenders and have been snatched up at severely discounted prices. Refinancing just might be moot to consider as there still would be negative cash flow and losses. Not sure how so many economists, no-italls, and prognosticators keep talking about a soft landing! I do hope they are correct, but I am far from agreeing and accepting their statements observing what is continuing to occur in the commercial market. The jury is out and we’ll all see what happens over the next 12-24 months.
If the Fed Chair, Jerome Powell does initiate and approve a reduction, how many will there be and what will the total percentage be during 2024? Even if rates were to go down to 5%, which I seriously doubt, the average renter who would want to buy, may still be shut out of the market, due to the still ever-increasing and high prices of homes and extremely low housing inventory; especially on Long Island as well as in other areas throughout the country. Unless demand subsides
and rates stay the same, I predict that local inventory may take 5-10 years to catch up with the current and future demand for housing. We lack approximately 5-6 million homes to satisfy current demand from those who are entering the market yearly and are capable of purchasing. For more information:
https://WWW.ipropertymanagement.com and https://WWW. statista.com Only those who are bringing home a substantial income whether it be as a high-paying executive or self-employed entrepreneur, or possible 2-3 wage, salary or income earners, will be able to save enough for a much larger downpayment. Only those families will be able to pay the monthly mortgage, taxes, and expenses and be able to purchase a home, multi-family, HOA, condo, or coop.
Unfortunately, everyone else will either be a tenant (possibly for life) or be living with family. Sadly, those 43.2 million students burdened with their substantial debt approaching 1.7 trillion and private student debt of 130.28 billion, are 2 additional groups that will probably be forever renters unless they can pay down or pay off their obligations. For more information: https://www.educationdata.org
The other issue and major dilemma that needs to be addressed is that if and when rates are lowered what effect will there be on reinvigorating and increasing inflation? Consumers may again go on a continued spending spree with their credit cards adding to even higher more substantial and unsustainable debt levels. On the flip side, lower rates will allow more qualified individuals and families to buy a home. According to https://WWW.attomdata.com, the premier go-to source for premium property data shows that Lis Pens (pre-foreclosures) and foreclosures have been spiking from December 2023 through January 2024. So I do not think we are out of the woods by a long shot. It’s a real catch-22, damned if we do lower or increase rates and damned if we don’t.
P.S. I am having a contest. Whoever
guesses correctly, how many interest rate reductions and the total percentage reduced will win a dinner with my wife and me and a surprise bonus. The contest will end on 3/31/24 and the final drawing will be on 12/28/24. The first correct answer picked will be the winner! To be qualified, you must send your answers to Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate. Com with your legal 1st and last name, cell, and email by midnight on 3/31/24.
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 42+ of 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).
Save his new digital business card/ Bio/Reviews to your cell, PC or Laptop contacts: https://onetapconnect.com/ turnkeyrealestate-philraices You can purchase this technology by scrolling all the way down to the bottom and click on the link “Get Your Connect Card.”
He will give you 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 also 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 free 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 Philip at (516) 647-4289.
Kids of elementary school age are becoming aware of the real world around them. They are eager to learn and still believe everything adults tell them. And they want their own money.
For all of those reasons, I suggest that now is the perfect time to start a simple allowance system. This will create wonderful opportunities for you to pass on your values as you closely guide your young children through simple lessons on giving, needs-versus-wants and delaying gratification.
So, how much allowance should a young child receive? The amount depends on your financial situation. Some families set allowance according to age -- say, $1 for each year of age. This eliminates questions about when and how much to increase.
At this age, kids do better with close supervision and short time frames, so receiving their allowance weekly is best.
Many experts say allowance should absolutely be the payment children receive for doing their chores and assigned jobs. No work, no pay.
Others feel that citizens of the “family community” should share in its income and responsibilities. They say an allowance should not be the payment for chores, but they add that with privilege comes responsibility. Citizens must do chores and jobs because they are part of the community. That’s what good citizens do.
A simple way to teach a child basic money management is to get four jars and label them: “giving,” “long-term savings,” “short-term savings” and “spend now.” Clear plastic containers are best because your child will be able to see how the coins and currency are accumulating, but you won’t worry about the hazards glass containers can present.
“Giving” is money your child gives to charity or church.
“Long-term savings” are for college or something far in the future.
“Short-term savings” are for something significant like a new bike or special toy.
“Spend now” is money your child can spend right away.
Using the four-container system, you may decide on a 10-30-30-30 plan, where 10% is designated for giving and 30% each for long-term, short-term and immediate spending. Or you can do 10-3040-20. Whatever it is, make it nonnego-
tiable, and then help your children use their math skills while at the same time developing a habit of managing their money before they spend it,
Last, teach your children, “To whom much is given, much is required!” A simple spending journal is a way that children can become accountable for how and where they spend their money.
The goal of parenting is to help children grow wings to eventually fly away. Building financial confidence in your children’s lives is one important way you can prepare them for the flight.
You may believe that you have lots of time to deal with the letting-go part of parenting. That may be true, but I can tell you from experience that it will be a lot easier if you start now.
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.”
COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
What grade would you give your parents for how well they prepared you to manage your finances? What grade will your kids give you someday?
There are six basic financial principles your kids need to know before they leave the safety net of home.
NO.
Kids need to know that if they spend their money without thinking about their choices, they will probably make
bad decisions. Teach them how to stop and think before making any spending decision.
NO. 2: CREATE
A goal is like a roadmap. It shows where you are and where you want to go. When setting goals, think short-term, medium-term and long-term. Shortterm goals might have something to do with tomorrow. Medium-term could be months or even a year away. Long-term goals are far away. Here’s a secret: Until goals are actually written down, they’re not goals at all. They’re dreams. It’s important to get into the habit of writing down goals and following with a plan for how to reach them.
NO. 3: YOUR VALUES INFLUENCE THE WAY YOU SPEND MONEY
Your kids’ values are more likely caught that taught. What you do speaks louder than what you say. Let them catch you in the act of saving, giving to others and saying words such as “budget” and “savings.” Instead of saying, “We can’t afford it,” say instead, “We don’t choose to spend our money that way.” Let the
kids know that you save first and spend later and that debt is a cruel master.
NO. 4: UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WANTS
Sometimes, it’s not easy to tell the difference between a want and a need. A need is something required to sustain life, health or safety, or to comply with a legal obligation. Food, shelter, clothes, medicine and paying taxes are needs. But it can get a little complicated. Are Levi jeans a need or a want? Clothes are a need, but paying a lot of money to get a certain brand crosses over to a want. There is nothing wrong with wanting things. It’s important for kids to be crystal-clear on whether something is a need or a want.
NO. 5: OPPORTUNITY COST IS REAL
What we give up when making a spending decision is called the “opportunity cost.” Let’s say you have $5. You can save it or spend it. If I choose to spend it, you can do that only once. You lose the opportunity to save it and to derive all the benefits that come with saving. Is that one-time purchase worth the opportunity cost? Train your brain to calculate
the opportunity cost of every spending decision and you will start making better choices with your money.
Every day, we make decisions, and many of them involve money. Let the kids know that as they prove they can be responsible with money, they’ll have more of it to take care of. Making good decisions with their money now will make their lives much more enjoyable in the future.
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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Week of Feb. 25 -- March 2, 2024
We in the Southern California deserts have had some pretty bad weather over the past month or so. Clouds, rain and wind have all kept me indoors. Sure, the rain is good for our upcoming desert wildflower season, but I want to see stars!
Thankfully, the incoming storms have subsided, but it’s now turned cold. Well, not “real” cold like those in other parts of the world must endure, but for us desert dwellers it feels quite wintery. And, every year at this time, I find myself looking for evidence that spring is on its way.
When I was a child, I would brush the snow back from my mother’s garden to search for signs of green growth. Today, I look toward the skies.
Since the Earth orbits the sun annually, our night sky changes as we look outward in different directions from month to month. During winter, our early evening sky is graced by the dazzling stars of Orion and company. By springtime, however, these stars will have drifted westward as new stars appear in the east. This is the springtime sky and, whenever I spot it after dark, I feel the same excitement I did in my mother’s garden when the first sprouts appeared under the snow.
We’re at that time now, folks, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
After dark, go outdoors and look toward the east and northeast. There you’ll find the celestial harbingers of spring that I seek every year: the Big Dipper and Leo.
If you’ve been wondering where the Dipper has been, you’re not alone. Many early evening stargazers aren’t aware that, in mid-northern latitudes, we don’t see it during winter since it lies below the horizon. But now it’s rising in the northeast, and it shines quite prominently after dark.
Highest in the sky you’ll see four stars that form a rectangular bowl, and beneath it hang three stars that trace its bent handle. The two bowl stars that lie farthest from the handle serve as pointer stars. Follow them to the left and they’ll point toward Polaris, the North Star. Follow them to the right, however, and they’ll take you directly to Leo, the lion.
Leo is one of the few constellations that, with some imagination, can be pictured as a lion crouching in a regal pose reminiscent of the enigmatic Egyptian sphinx. The brightest star there is Regulus, which shines below the lion’s majestic head and mane, outlined by a large backward question mark. The star’s very name, “Regulus,” comes from the Latin word “Rex” meaning “king,” and not surprisingly, this star
was revered throughout antiquity as a “royal” star.
If you have trouble tracing this animal among the stars, don’t worry. Just reverse it and you might see not the mighty king of the jungle, but a mouse! Quite frankly, I think the figure of a mouse is much easier to trace. Here, the star Denebola forms the tip of the
mouse’s nose, and the backward question mark now traces its long, curving tail.
Any way you look at it, however, mouse or lion, nothing roars springtime louder than the first appearance of Leo!
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
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Even before I looked in the mirror, I knew my face was puffy. It might have had something to do with the fact that I could feel my cheeks touching my eyebrows, or maybe that my lips felt like they were the size of eggplants. I knew some women paid good money for lips that looked like mine, but at that moment, I suspected it was probably not a good look for me.
When I finally did take a peek in the mirror, I realized it wasn’t just regular old “I probably slept on my face” puffy. It was more like “I look like the Pillsbury Doughboy” puffy. It was clear something dramatic had happened while I slept. It was like the tooth fairy had taken out a hit on me.
“What happened to your face?” my husband asked when I emerged from the bathroom.
“What do you mean?” I said, feigning ignorance.
“You’re all, um, puffy.”
“Oh?” I said. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Really?” he said.
“OF COURSE NOT,” I boomed. “How could I not notice that I woke up looking like a popover?”
He backed up slowly out of the bedroom, realizing this was one land mine he did not want to step on.
“Call the doctor,” he shouted from the other room.
I should mention that this wasn’t the first time I’ve had a puffy face. I experienced something similar years ago when I had my kids. When most women get pregnant, their feet swell. For me, it was my face. Of course, this may have had more to do with all the doughnuts I ate while I was pregnant than the pregnancy itself, but for arguments sake we’ll just say it was pregnancy.
However, I was not pregnant now, and unless, by some miracle of middle age magic, wouldn’t ever be again, so it clearly wasn’t a hormonal thing. I also didn’t
recall eating anything the day before that I might have had a reaction to, such as blowfish poison, which could leave you looking like an actual blowfish, assuming you didn’t die first.
Realizing I couldn’t figure this out myself, I scheduled a televisit with my doctor.
“Your face is very puffy,” my doctor said to me when she came on screen.
“See, that’s why I chose you as my doctor,” I said. “Because of your keen observational skills and masterful assessments.”
“It’s my superpower,” she said. “So, what did you eat last night?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“New cosmetics?” she said. “Nope.”
“Well, I’d say it definitely looks like an allergic reaction.” She stared at my face in silence for a few moments.
“What did you wear yesterday?” she asked.
“Um, a new wool sweater. A turtle-
neck.”
“Is your neck itchy?”
“Yes, actually, it is,” I said. I had been so busy fretting about my puffy face that I hadn’t noticed my itchy neck.
“You had an allergic reaction to the wool,” she concluded.
“Wow. OK,” I said, recalling how uncomfortable I’d been at the end of the day. “So, that’s something new. Are you sure?”
“Did you snore last night?” she asked.
“Actually, I did.”
“Well, that’s that,” she said. “You either had a reaction to the sweater, or your husband tried to smother you with a pillow.”
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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FOOD CONCESSION MANAGER WANTED
Snack bars at the Great Neck Park District. Weekends a must! $18-per hour. Please contact Joy at 516-826-4540.
SITUATION WANTED
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NOVENAS/PRAYERS
OH MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER OF MOUNT CARMEL, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.
Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power.
Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (say three times).
Holy Mary I place this prayer in your hands (say three times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. (MAK)
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INVITED ESTATE SALES
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is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now!
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The forty days and nights of Lent are a time for reflection and anticipation of Easter’s arrival. Fasting, which for many Christians includes skipping meat and animal products each Friday, also is part of the preparation. Individuals who are unaccustomed to going meat-free may need to expand their culinary repertoire to ensure Friday meals continue to be filling and tasty.
This recipe for “Herby Rice and Black Bean Salsa Burrito Bowl” from Niki Webster’s “Rainbow Bowls” (Sourcebooks) is full of protein-rich beans, flavorful herbed rice and satisfying avocado. It can be enjoyed as a quick and easy, meatless lunch or dinner.
Serves 2
Splash of olive oil
100 grams sugar snap peas
1 avocado, flesh sliced
For the rice:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
250 grams cooked basmati rice
Juice of 1⁄2 lime
1 teaspoon maple syrup
40 grams fresh herbs, such as coriander, flat-leaf parsely, mint and/or dill, chopped Sea salt and black pepper
1) To make the rice, add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a frying pan with the cooked rice, lime juice and maple syrup. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes on a medium heat, then add the fresh herbs. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside and keep warm.
2) Set a small frying pan or griddle pan on a medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil and the
For the black bean salsa:
240 grams canned black beans, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato paste
100 grams cherry tomatoes, chopped
Juice of 1⁄2 lime
4 tablespoons fresh mint, shredded
1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt flakes
Pinch of chili flakes
sugar snaps and fry for 2 to 3 minutes until a little charred.
3) To make the black bean salsa, add all the ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine.
4) To serve, load two bowls with the rice mixture, black bean salsa, sugar snaps, and sliced avocado.
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From page 36
needed to cover expected services through the rest of this fiscal year.
Superintendent Borroni attributed the need for funds to increased costs for maintenance of the Village of Garden City’s street lighting system.
“The system is getting very old and is now requiring a lot of maintenance,” he told the trustees.
Another Finance item he covered
was the transfer of $23,298 to the Fence Replacement account, from the Retaining Wall Replacement project account. The additional funds were needed to replace the stockade fence in Village Parking Field No. 5, in between the parking area and residences.
Borroni said the fence is beyond repair and needs replacement, and it is approximately 386 feet long. He added that 48 feet of the fence is at a height of
four feet, while the other 338 feet of the fencing is eight feet high,
A fourth transfer approved by the Board of Trustees on February 8 moved $9,500 into the Central Garage – Contractual Services account, from the village’s Contingency account, to replenish funds that were needed to engage vendor Intelli-Tec Security. The need arose to order replacement computer boards, to connect with the new
fire alarm system being installed at the Village Yard.
“We believe computer boards were damaged from a power surge by PSEG Long Island. A claim for damages has been submitted to PSEG, and this needed to be acted upon quickly as the fire alarm system at the Village Yard is currently not operational and we are on fire watch,” Superintendent Borroni said.
Sealed bids MUST be RECEIVED BY AND DELIVERED TO:
PURCHASING DIVISION
Inc. Village of Garden City
351 Stewart Avenue Garden City, NY 11530
between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, UNTIL 11:00 AM EDT
THURSDAY, MAR 14, 2024
at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud, for furnishing the following:
ANNUAL ENGINE AND GENERATOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
Specifications, Form of Bid, and other information may be obtained from the office of the Purchasing Division at the above address or you may download the bid specifications from the New York State Contract Reporter website at the following web address:
https://www.nyscr.ny.gov/ contracts.cfm
This bid specification will be listed under the Agency Name of:
Inc. Village of Garden City
Catherine Reynolds Purchasing Agent
Dated:2/23/24
NASSAU COUNTY BIDS
Sealed bids MUST be RECEIVED BY AND DELIVERED TO:
PURCHASING DIVISION
Inc. Village of Garden City 351 Stewart Avenue Garden City, NY 11530
between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, UNTIL 11:00 AM EDT
THURSDAY, MAR 14, 2024
at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud, for furnishing the following:
and early mail ballot applications are both available online on the Village website under the Business/Clerk’s office.
Applications are also available in the lobby of Village Hall.
Whether you are submitting an absentee or early mail application, if you are requesting your ballot by mail, the application must be received by March 12. If you are requesting to pick up your ballot in person at Village Hall, we must have the application by March 18. ALL absentee or early mail ballots must be received by the close of polls, 9:00 p.m., on the day of the election, March 19, to be counted. Ballots received after this day/
time will not be counted.
The Board of Trustees will conduct work sessions to review the Tentative 2024-25 Operating and Capital Budgets in person in the Village Hall Board Room and via Zoom beginning March 14, 2024, 7:309:30 p.m. Here is the full schedule:
Thursday, March 14th
7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
• Budget Overview
• Building Department
• DPW & Water
Wednesday, March 20th
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
• Fire
• Police
https://www.nyscr.ny.gov/ contracts.cfm
This bid specification will be listed under the Agency Name of:
Inc. Village of Garden City
Catherine Reynolds Purchasing Agent
Dated:2/23/24
male.
Accidental alarms
On February 17th GCFD and GCPD responded to three residences for fire alarms and determined they were all set in error.
Lights out
On February 18th Garden City Police responded to a traffic light malfunction at the intersection of Clinton Road and St. James Street North.
Excessive speed
A Stewart Avenue motorist was charged with excessive speed and multiple lane use violations on February 18th.
Outstanding warrants
On February 19th Garden City Police arrested a Clinton Road truck driver for two outstanding Suffolk County District Court warrants, driving with a suspended license, and multiple equipment violations.
Aggravated unlicensed operation
On February 19th Garden City Police arrested a Clinton Road motorist for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 2nd Degree and for a child not placed in a proper restraint seat.
Carbon monoxide alarm
Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to a residence for a CO alarm on February 19th. Upon investigation, Firefighters deemed the area safe.
Gasoline spill
The GCFD and GCPD responded to Parking Field 7S for a gasoline spill from a vehicle on February 19th. Firefighters rendered the area safe.
Unlicensed operation
A Washington Avenue motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and excessive speed on February 19th.
• Administration
• Finance
• Other Unallocated Expenses & Revenues
Thursday, March 28th
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
• Library
• Recreation, Pool & Tennis
• Summary of Changes
Happening in Garden City
Sunday, February 25th
9:30 a.m. Pickleball at the Field House. Nominal fee.
2:45 p.m. Family Fun Time at the Field House
Monday, February 26th
1:30 p.m. Movie Matinee: Casablanca at the Library
4:00 p.m. Friendship Bracelets for Community
Service at the Library. Must register.
7:00 p.,m. Hands-only NYU Langone CPR training at the Library. Must register.
Tuesday, February 27th
6:30 p.m. Architectural Design Review Board meeting at Village Hall
Wednesday, February 28th
1:00 - 7:00 p.m. Blood Drive at the Library.
Thursday, February 29th
11:15 a.m. Mat Yoga with Maggie at the Senior Center. Call 385-8006 for further information.
Friday, March 1st 9:00 a.m. Spring Pastel Class at Cluett Hall. Must register.
Shower steam
Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to a residence for a fire alarm on February 19th. The determined the cause to be shower steam.
Joy ride?
On February 20th a utility truck was reported stolen from the Cathedral of Incarnation grounds and later located in Hempstead.
Defective brakes
A Washington Avenue truck driver was charged with driving with a suspended registration and defective brakes on February 20th.
Alarm errors
On February 20th the Garden City Police and Fire Departments responded to three locations for fire alarms that were determined to be set in error.
Lock your vehicles
A subject was seen on a surveillance camera checking car door handles on Damson Street
on February 20th.
Suspended documents
On February 20th a Franklin Avenue motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license and a suspended registration.
Credit card fraud
On February 20th a victim reported that their credit card information had been stolen and used for multiple unauthorized out-of-state purchases.
Fraud suspect seen
On February 20th a subject was seen on surveillance cameras swiping several fraudulent debit cards into a local bank’s ATM, resulting in a loss of $2,800. The subject is described as a White male wearing a dark hooded jacket and a face mask.
Hit and run
A grey Jeep reportedly struck a vehicle parked in Parking Field 7S and fled the scene without stopping on February 20th.
This past week, the snow finally arrived in Garden City. Schools closed and residents enjoyed the magic that winter brings. Even our four legged family members joined in the fun.
From page 25
Suozzi shared with the board that the change to 18-month terms for maintenance bond guarantees came into effect following the award of the SCADA system upgrade project for Eagle Control Corp. so a 12-month period of the bond guarantee was grandfathered in.
“If anything goes wrong they come out to repair it, on their dime, for the duration of the maintenance bond period. Three years ago we switched from 12 to 18 month periods in all our maintenance bond contracts but the SCADA project predated it,” Suozzi said.
The Board accepted one more maintenance bond at its February 8 meeting, which will be in effect for the next 18
months. The trustees approved the bond of $58,969 from Philip Ross Industries of Melville to guarantee its work on the village’s water supply Orthophosphate Corrosion Control Treatment.
In another Public Works’ item on the February 8 agenda, the Board approved a transfer of $140,000 that is needed to cover the village’s increased costs of maintaining the street lighting system until at least the end of this fiscal year, May 31. The $140,000 was moved from the “Street Lighting - Contractual Services” account into “Street Administration - Regular Salary.” Superintendent Borroni explained the increased costs are due to the lighting becoming older and less efficient, and requiring a lot of maintenance.
visited Stewart Avenue Elementary School in Garden City on February 6th to collect Valentines for Veterans cards that were created by the students. The heartfelt artwork will be delivered to local American Legion and VFW posts in appreciation of the men and women who served our nation. Also attending was Principal Keri Hand.
ited Stratford Avenue School in Garden City on February 7th to collect Valentines for Veterans cards that were created by the students. The heartfelt artwork will be delivered to local American Legion and VFW posts in appreciation of the men and women who served our nation. Also attending were teacher Alyssa Garrartto, Assistant Principal Lauren Quezada and Principal Christopher Hartigan.
From page 2
The
Friday, February 23,
issues it brings up about them not being paid for those evenings. Judy seemingly does not want residents to remember BOT meetings before FABGC, where residents never received an answer beyond a “thank you for your comment”, “your time is up” and the occasional resident thrown out of the meetings by the police at the behest of the POA/CAP Trustees for facing the wrong way and addressing the residents. Judy has nostalgia for a system that served POA insiders like Judy well, but not the Village. The FABGC-led board continuously proves that they are here to serve the Village.
As Judy now finds it necessary, as she runs for office, to repeat the false canard that the BOT is inaccessible, we will, regrettably need to keep correcting the falsehoods.
Email:
John Cantwell, on behalf of
To the Editor:
Judy Courtney is knowledgeable, open-minded, and professional. How do I know this? From the most reliable way possible: experience. From working with her on many issues over the last 15 years. She knows what she’s talking about because she bothers to learn the facts. She spends the time necessary to fully understand the issue from every viewpoint. She doesn’t prejudge. She follows through. As a human resources professional for many years, Judy has learned to listen, to communicate and to advise, important skills for anyone serving as a village trustee. Garden City is facing some major
From page 2
we are going to get anything done.” The CAP team has developed a strong holistic and pragmatic approach to this issue, including Enhancing Cleanliness and Maintenance with robust cleaning and maintenance program; Promoting Beautification by investing in scheduled aesthetic enhancements; Ensuring Zoning Codes promote the unique nature of our Villages; Engaging in
meaningful dialogue with merchants to enhance their businesses and promote a renewed vitality in our town ; Attracting local shoppers by creating regular community events to increase foot traffic; Collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce to attract diverse and unique businesses that resonate with the Village. There is a lot of work to do, but working together with merchants and residents, we can get this done.
issues, both internal and external. We need trustees who are willing to engage with every resident, with every group, and who are truly open to various viewpoints. Judy Courtney is such a person. Please join me in voting for Judy on the Community Agreement Party line on March 19, between 12 noon and 9 pm, at the St. Paul’s Fieldhouse. Or by absentee or early vote ballot.
Christine MullaneyTo the Editor:
Richard Williams. Leadership. Syn onymous. Vote for Rich Williams for Village Trustee. Rich Williams has led the opposition to the Sands Casino from the start. A founder of “Say No to the Casino” - Rich has led the fight from the front and from the beginning. In addition, Rich has fought to make the Village better, safer and cleaner in many other ways, most notably in providing insightful ideas on traffic to make the Village safer for pedestrians.
In addition, as a valued member of the Village Business Development Committee, Rich has leveraged his decades of successful business experience into assisting business in the Village. I urge you to vote for Rich Williams as Village Trustee on March 19.
Charles KellyTo the Editor:
As the March 19 Village election approaches, I would like to assist Garden City residents to decide on their choices for Trustees. The ballots will ask for each voter to choose from eight candidates -- four from the FABGC party (For a Better Garden City) and four from the Community Agreement Party (POA/CAP).
A Caveat: Although I have been a member of FABGC for the past year, and a member of the “Uses” subcommittee of the former Mayor’s St.Paul’s Committee--from which I resigned in April 2023--the conclusions of this Letter are strictly my own.
Not a Science - My methodology in rating these persons is not a science. It is my personal objective judgement based on my observations of the candidates’ resumes and based on seeing them at Board of Trustees meetings, their writings and comments in Letters to the Editor, Mayor Flanagan, etc.
My letter today examines the approximate job performance of the eight candidates, four of whom are current Trustees, based on the quality of their work for the last 12 months. My grades for each of the candidates range from “A” to “C”minus, and are heavily weighted by each person’s contribution to the debate regarding what to do with the St. Paul’s building. This topic is by far the most important financial topic
facing the residents of Garden City. (My grades may seem harsh to some readers, because I believe the overall BOT handling of this challenge was disappointing and unproductive up to now.) Particularly disappointing were the results of the October 2023 Villagewide opinion poll, with 60% of voters choosing preservation of the building vs.demolition. Stated simply, 60% is not a strong victory and many observers admit that the poll was poorly produced and not at all a mandate for preservation — the BOT is treating the poll as a defeat for demolition. Only time will tell.
Comments On Each of the Eight Candidates’ Credentials and Our Grade
FABGC Party:
Charles P. Kelly (A): A Federal government prosecutor; Strongest candidate in our field; Opposes Alliance Group Conservancy plan; Leader of Traffic Commission’s safety improvements for pedestrians and commercial vehicles.
Lawrence Marciano (B-): Deputy Mayor; Village business development; Traffic commission; Library and Police liaison; Strong academic credentials; Member of adjunct faculty of NYU School of Professional Studies. MBA from NYU; Member Beta Gamma Sigma.
Richard Williams (B-): Member of the Village Business Development Com mittee; Village Zoning Board of appeals; JD from St. John’s; Career specialty in business management and consulting.
Michael Sullivan (B-): Brings strong financial skills to the St. Paul’s planning process; Recreation Commission liaison; active in coaching Village sports.
CAP/POA PARTY:
Judy Courtney (B-): Bright, affable, opinionated, well informed, long time EPOA leader; In the February 16, 2024 Garden City News, Judy wrote an impressive article “Why I’m Running for Trustee.” Voters should read it.
Vinnie Muldoon (C+): Experienced home builder with concentration in Garden City (could have conflict of interest, which reduced my rating).
Bruce Torino (C+): Experienced attorney; multi-year BOT member; Perhaps strongest BOT proponent for preservation of St. Paul’s Building; the current lawsuit against the village in which he represents his son is controversial.
Jessica Tai: No rating. A newcomer; A proponent of family values; Has future potential; Came late to the election campaign.
Please go out and vote for FABGC candidates on March 19th. Absentee ballots will be available.
George M. Salem 40-yr. GC Resident
To the Editor:
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
A lifelong resident of Garden City and passionate advocate of honesty and truth, Judy Courtney believes Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Judy’s many years of tireless dedication to improving our local government has been an inspiration to all the residents who have met and worked with her on challenging projects and committees.
Judy’s heartfelt message to all… “give me your voice, your hand, your vote”.
For a Strong Trustee Vote for Courtney.
Patrick A. O’Rourke
Re-elect Bruce Torino
To the Editor:
Do you want a trustee who: as a trial attorney represented the village’s petition to the Town of Hempstead to stop the expansion of Roosevelt Field into the east of Garden City and won! A trustee who recognized the change in business environment on Franklin Avenue from “The Fifth Avenue of Long Island” to finance and subsequently changed the zoning to allow restaurants on Franklin Avenue. A trustee who recognized the needs for the younger children attending games at St. Paul’s and designed the park you see today, 20 years later. A trustee who chaired the Fire Safety Committee after the unfortunate tragic fires in 2020 and helped create the Comprehensive Fire Safety whose recommendations remain in place today. A trustee who today is implementing new library doors for ease of access and safety. A trustee who recognized his duty as fire commissioner to adapt the Edgemere Road Firehouse and preserve it for future use.
Yes, that trustee is Bruce Torino! Let’s re-elect Bruce Torino so he can continue to contribute his valuable talent and knowledge to our village.
Jeannette McLaughlinTo the Editor:
From the tenor of some letters in the GCN some folks seem to think Mr. Muldoon is the one to solve St Paul’s. Granted some years ago he provided some free labor work (whatever cost/ value was beyond the $6,500 donation from Mr. Kaliban) on the clocktower and he is an accomplished builder on the residential home level.
But popularity cannot be the criteria for electing a Trustee. What discernible more recent input has he made regarding St. Paul’s? It appears Mr. Muldoon did not volunteer to be part of the Mayor Veneziale’s Committee on St Paul’s. Nor has he written letters to
the Garden City News or been active on social media prior to the Oct 2023 poll about St Paul’s. Has he attended a Board of Trustees meeting, brought up the subject of St. Paul’s? Did he attend or remotely listen to the Village presentations before the poll? He certainly did not speak out on their content. More significantly he has never said anything about the glaring misrepresentations made by the Alliance about project costs and the process of demolition and facade or commented on the practicality of a conservancy based approach to funding and operations. Perhaps that would be a prudent business decision but his silence does not reflect any approach to solving the problem. It would appear thus far Mr. Muldoon has no quarrel with the Alliance’s concept of funding the St. Paul’s project using a conservancy as the vehicle to achieve hard to believe low resident tax costs and cheaper financing than the Triple A rated Village could itself obtain.
Now, only after the October poll, and only after the Mayor has embarked on a master plan to finally bring a reasonable solution to St. Paul’s does Mr. Muldoon enter the fray and does so opposing the re-election of three trustees who participated in getting us to the point of directional progress that has been achieved. Thus far the question of his conflict of interest has only been addressed by his statement that he will not do business with the Village itself, clearly not addressing the ramifications of his company’s regularly interfacing with the Dept. of Buildings on behalf of residents.
Mr. Muldoon is leading a team of candidates without the background to deal with the complexities that St . Paul’s provides. He is certainly popular but that is not a relevant criteria to performing fiduciary trustee duties. Two of his running mates are also save every brick proponents. Is Mr. Muldoon qualified to lead the construction team if the building is to some greater or lesser extent preserved? His well known experience and expertise relates to structures under 5,000 sq. ft., but St. Paul’s is a large 125,000 sq. ft., 140 year old school building in disrepair. From my perspective as a member of the WPOA Committee on St. Paul’s which was headed by Cosmo Veneziale, clearly a renowned architect, it appears that if we learn anything from his tenure as previous Mayor, we need objective, truth-seeking trustees, not trustees with a particular trade which carries a occupational bias.
Shouldn’t independent firms truly qualified to actually do the job be retained, an owner rep, a project manager, architects, engineers, a design team? Independent firms bring with them expertise, manpower and objectivity. The current Board is setting a
course to select competent companies to advise and do the necessary work on whatever resident voted/approved funding project comes out of a design plan after abatement is underway. (the current Mayor is already in the process of evaluating uses and executing aspects of abatement soon). The residents should dance with the ones who brought us, the FABGC Trustees, and keep heading in the right direction- finish the task. Mr. Muldoon could have a place as a contributing volunteer without the specter of conflicts of interest ever casting a shadow on his contributions that would result if he was Trustee evaluating Dept. of Buildings performance, determining compensation of key personnel and his Old World company’s frequent contacts with Dept. employees would do.
Please note Mr. Muldoon is set to speak at a POA meeting on 2/21 and perhaps he has then shed some light on the aforementioned issues.
S. G. GorrayTo the Editor:
It is with delight that I read all the letters in the GC News in praise of individual candidates running for the Garden City Board of Trustees. But one is missing, so I wish to include my observations in support of candidate Bruce Torino.
I have known Bruce Torino and his family since we moved to the village more than 40 years ago. He has been a caring and dedicated part of our community and church life together and I have seen his children grow up beside my own. I can say with pride that our children have all grown into intelligent, capable adults. It is not lost on me that many of these blessings are due to the high quality of this village, the schools, the houses of worship and community life here in Garden City.
Bruce has most certainly been one to recognize the unique value here and has continually given back. His response has been to volunteer his time and talents to the village as a Trustee. I wholeheartedly support his continuation as a Trustee because of his dedication to community service and caring spirit to those around him.
Bruce Torino has a proven record of coordinating the tasks of the Board. He has a calm, meticulous perspective toward our shared goals in the best interest of the village. I attest to his qualities of leadership and integrity, and the respect he shows to those around him in this great village. That is why I am voting for Bruce as a Trustee again this election.
It is good to see so many earnest candidates who have volunteered for election to this (mostly thankless) job of village Trustee. Let’s not disparage them or make assumptions as to
their affiliation or integrity. If you can, please read the various candidates testimonials, attend a meet & greet, and most importantly vote.
Christine AdelmannMost qualified candidate
To the Editor:
Anyone who follows Garden City government knows Judy Courtney from her decades long involvement with all that is Garden City.
Judy’s credentials speak for themselves, EPOA president, member of the Recreation committee, and a founding member of the Mobility impaired committee for example. Judy regularly attends the Board of Trustee meetings and she is known for asking tough probing questions of the Trustees and village staff.
I have known Judy for over 30 years. I have seen her volunteer for various committees and projects. Judy’s knowledge of Garden City’s government and its functions and the issues facing the village now and in the coming years is unmitigated.
Judy and I do not always agree but we have but we have always had civil, comprehensive debate. Judy respects everyone’s opinion. She is a listener and passionate advocate for her position but always willing to respect the other person’s position.
When election day arrives I will be voting for Judy, I hope you will as well. Judy is the most qualified candidate running for Trustee. Judy’s knowledge of the village, her temperament and her ability to collaborate with others will make her a terrific Trustee.
Dennis DonnellyTo the Editor:
I’m writing to you today asking you to vote for Richard Williams as your choice for Trustee in the upcoming March Village election. As my fatherin-law I’ve had the privilege of knowing Richard for many years, and I can attest that he embodies the qualities we truly need in a Trustee.
Richard isn’t just another candidate; he’s a dedicated individual with a unique blend of professional expertise and personal integrity. Throughout his career, he has navigated the complexities of both large corporations and small businesses, demonstrating his ability to tackle tough issues, fulfill promises, and manage budgets effectively. What’s more, he’s always been ready to lend a hand, volunteering his time and expertise whenever our community needed support.
What truly sets Richard apart is his unwavering commitment to doing what’s right. He’s not motivated by self-interest or personal gain but by a genuine desire to serve the best inter-
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ests of our Village. This commitment is evident not only in his professional endeavors but also in his personal life, where his dedication to our community shines through – just look at the fact that all five of his married children and their families proudly call GC home.
When I learned that Richard was stepping up to run for Trustee, I couldn’t have been happier. We need someone like him who understands the importance of independence, integrity, and strength in leadership. Richard isn’t interested in popularity contests; he’s here to make a real difference, to ensure that our Village is governed with wisdom and foresight, not just by tradition.
Richard’s track record speaks for itself. Whether it’s standing up against powerful interests like the Sands Casino, crafting plans to alleviate tax burdens, or grappling with new challenges on the Zoning Board of Appeals, he has consistently proven himself as a leader who puts our community first.
So, when you cast your vote in the upcoming election, I urge you to consider the person behind the name. Vote for Richard Williams – because we need his leadership now more than ever.
Matthew PellishTo the Editor:
Our seemingly perpetual village election cycle and the sometimes-nasty bickering that goes with it might cause some folks to tune out. We don’t blame those who do. The negativity can be exhausting. And yet you’ll find that the party platforms overlap by about 90%we all want the same things!
One notable exception: the Community Agreement Party is “committed to the traditions of our Community Agreement” making reference to the 100+ year-old document for which their party is named. It should be required reading for all GC residents. But which “traditions” do the CAP candidates wish to uphold? Let’s assume that allowing only male property owners to vote is not among them. Do they wish to return to equal apportionment of trustees to each section and a rotating Mayor assignment? Our more recent history suggests that such a system resulted in reduced resident engagement with many wondering if we even had elections! Have we not since 1919 evolved to agree that what’s good for one section of GC is good for all without a power-sharing framework that limits voter choice?
The “For a Better Garden City” party emerged in 2020 to offer a choice, one that was embraced by an unprecedented number of voters. Today we have a more open and resident-friendly village government that has delivered tangible results. We left behind an old system that had our village government
in conflict with the local newspaper, the GC Casino, and accessible parking advocates; was selling-off open spaces, resulted in the “monster poles” debacle, spent village resources to design a conversion of St. Paul’s to an indoor hockey rink, and was hostile to residents at board meetings.
Given that hot mess, a movement like FABGC was inevitable. More importantly, in three short years FABGC has an admirable record of results to run on. So how about a new tradition of voting for the most effective and qualified people regardless of their street address and keeping them in office when they do a good job?
Our FABGC trustees have put in the work and have earned our continued support. Please vote for Charlie Kelly, Larry Marciano, Mike Sullivan and Richard Williams to keep the ball rolling.
Lynn Krug
George Krug
To the Editor:
The final countdown is on. Your calendars are marked already right? You’ll be in the Garden City High School gym on Wednesday, right?
My name is Michael O’Hanlon and I am a senior at Garden City High School. My sister Katherine is a sophomore and we want to invite you to Hoops for Hope.
On Wednesday, February 28th the Garden City Challenger Basketball team will be playing Hoops for Hope. All of the money raised will be donated to the Bobby Menges I’m Not Done Yet Foundation (INDY), all in memory of GCHS alum Bobby Menges who lost his battle with cancer. INDY raises money for programs to help teens with cancer.
It all started a few years ago when I was in middle school helping the Challenger team. Our older brother Timmy came to one of our games and saw that the gym was pretty empty. He decided to turn a Challenger Basketball game into a bigger event. Every year the event grows.
We already have so much support. The cheerleaders and kickline from GCHS will be there. Students Helping Students at GCHS has been a huge help. The Middle School students have been promoting it. Stewart and Stratford students made posters that will line the gym on game day.
We don’t sell tickets but ask for a $5 donation to INDY. There will be raffle baskets and Students Helping Students will be running a bake sale (cash or checks only please!). Anyone who attends will receive a coupon for a free egg sandwich from Seventh Street Gourmet.
What makes this afternoon so great is that everyone comes together. Students from all of the schools and Garden City residents who don’t even
have kids in schools attend. Once again we will be giving a special welcome to our Challenger alumni.
Thank you for your support. See you next week.
Michael O’Hanlon
P.S. Please spread the word! See you on February 28th! Doors open at 3 and game starts at 3:30.
To the Editor:
To comment on last weeks Board of Trustees’ meeting on the Friday Night promenades, I wrote a letter last year regarding the history of the promenade. To reiterate, it was the innovation of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and mission to stimulate business for our local merchants and enjoyment for our citizens. I and many people I spoke to were disappointed when it was announced the promenade would not be continued for reasons many could not understand other than the “possibility” there may be some altercation as a result of youngsters gathering near Dunkin Donuts.
As a result of the pandemic, Garden City lost many community events including the Pineapple Ball, St. Joseph’s Parish party, networking events and other smaller community gatherings. The promenade is the only town event that incorporates all the people of the village from young children to senior adults. It provided an opportunity to meet our neighbors, old friends, classmates and even meet new friends.
The promenade was primarily funded by the merchants on Seventh Street and coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce. John Wilton, current chamber president, went from one merchant to another asking for sponsorship. As a former director of the chamber, I could never understand why the village never contributed or paid to sponsor the promenade since the entire village benefited.
The current 2024 budget for Garden City is $69,193,802. Under the General Budget category, there is a line item of $30,000 for celebrations and concerts. Garden City is struggling to determine a good use for St. Paul’s which will benefit all in town. The cost has been estimated to be in the millions of dollars. Couldn’t a few thousand dollars be allocated in the budget for a proven event that has delighted and benefited all our citizens?
I encourage more letters be written to the Garden City News to support the return of the Friday Night Promenades.
John AppeltTo the Editor:
Last week’s GC News “The View From Here” thoroughly discussed President Biden’s alleged incompetency’s impact on his campaign and poten-
tial second term. But once you examine his three year presidential resume, one would have to seriously disagree with the premise that President Biden is unfit to lead our country.
As they used to say “let’s go the video tape” and reveal some of what the President has been up to the last three years: positioning the US to have the world’s most robust economy with strikingly low unemployment and a record high stock market; leading an international alliance to prevent the murderous thug Putin (who ex-President Trump would “greenlight” attacks on NATO members) from annexing the people of Ukraine; providing Israel with support and aid from day one after the brutal Hamas attacks of innocent Israelis; countering China with a new alliance between Japan and South Korea all the while intensifying our military presence in the region; enabling the bi-partisan Chips Act which will bring microchip production home; fixing bridges, building tunnels and expanding broadband via the bi-partisan Infrastructure Act; ensuring the US is producing more oil than anytime in history while incentivizing renewable power to be the No. 2 source of electric power; improving school safety thru innovative gun violence prevention and gun safety programs; walking in picket lines to boost the plight of beleaguered union workers including overtime guarantees for millions; cracking down on junk fees, overdraft charges and discriminatory mortgage lending; providing big bucks to farmers to grow “climate smart” crops and giving smaller food producers a boost and last but not least, reinvigorating cancer research to lower death rates. This is not fake news - just the facts - “you can look them up”.
Safe to say there’s not many Americans who haven’t been positively impacted by the President. Just imagine how much more would have been accomplished via the bi-partisan supported border/gun controls legislation and women’s health initiatives if not stopped by Trump’s puppets in Congress and Supreme Court.
If the aforementioned is incompetency, we would take it in bushel-fulls versus a convicted sexual harasser and fraudster who is also facing 91 felony counts including those for trying to overthrow the very government he hopes to lead again. By the way, lest not forget Trump rambles, gets names wrong (i.e. Haley vs Pelosi / he’s beating Obama in the polls) and says sentences that don’t make sense. Again, not fake news, just the facts.
It’s totally legitimate for people to raise questions about Biden’s ability to endure the rigors of the Presidency (as they did in 2020) but as he says take a look at what I have done and compare it to the consequences of voting for the
Email: Editor@GCNews.com
other guy based upon his competencies, character, actions, beliefs - and decide.
Joe CauchiDisagrees with column
To the Editor:
I usually glance at Bob Morgan’s column and usually find it unremarkable. However, this time (actually only the second time in 44 years that I have responded to any article in the GCNews), I was compelled to reply.
First, let me say that I abhor all the lengthy political opinion letters that appear in our Village paper. Please take your personal opinions to the polls and spare the readers! That being said, I’m about to break my own rule, so bear with me as I go back to Morgan’s column. In paragraph 6, which totally demeans our President, Morgan says “Mr. Biden was narrowly elected” — REALLY??? Even though Trump still believes the election was ‘rigged’, he lost the Electoral College vote 306 to 232, and Biden won the popular vote by over 7 million! I would hardly call that “narrow.”
Morgan goes on to say that Biden adopted an undemanding schedule as President — having few public appearances, holding few press conferences and taking long weekends. REALLY??? If you recall, the first two years of Biden’s presidency the entire country was in the throes of the Covid pandemic and we all were limiting our public appearances!
In the penultimate paragraph, Morgan says, “unless Mr. Biden (and Jill) can be persuaded to step down, their party likely will be putting forth a damaged nominee.” REALLY??? Trump has over 30 criminal indictments, impeachment, perjury, income tax fraud (not to mention numerous accusations from women), the insurrection of January 6th, and on and on and on. Yes, that definitely is a damaged nominee!
I, too, am concerned about the
advanced age of both probable candidates (albeit just four years), but unless there is some sort of miracle, this is what we will have come November. Think hard and long before casting your vote!
Virginia Messina
PS - about your column, Mr. Morgan - as my Mother always said, “It depends on where you sit how the picture looks!”
To the Editor:
How come nobody is going after the former Speaker of The House, Nancy Pelosi? She was in charge of the security of the Capitol and she is the culprit for the fiasco that happened on January 6. 2021. She did not call the 1000 National Guards offered by former President Trump on a stand - by basis. How can she accept an offer from her arch-enemy? She also pieced together the illegitimate committee to investigate the debacle.
There is more to it than meets the eye!
The House must collect all the phone calls and e-mails she sent and received from her inner circle, analyze and make them public. The House has no choice than to call and interrogate her under oath. This should be done before Special Counsel Jack Smith takes action on former President Trump.
If she would have acted promptly, there would not have been the January 6 insurrection!
Heinz MayerTo the Editor:
How thrilling! The members of the Library Board of Garden City have gained their liberal bona fides by rejecting any selective culling of reading materials. Minors can be soiled by coming in contact with filth - but you must not ban books!
Angelo DiPippo“Maureen is an excellent realtor! She staged and sold my home very quickly. She is extremely knowledgeable, very responsive, super friendly and confident. I would highly recommend her and only use her going forward for any realty needs! Her negotiation skills are way above par. I was very indecisive and ready to quickly accept an offer — she was confident in her decisions and sold my house for more then I thought possible. I also love the way she came in and staged my house — it looked amazing!”
— Susan, Seller
Maureen Lagarde
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
maureen.lagarde@compass.com M: 516.850.7812
Beginning the week of January 7, Recreation and Parks will add a Friday night and a Sunday morning session of pickleball.
• Friday Nights- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning January 19
• Sundays – 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. beginning January 7
The above session will run through the end of March and then be evaluated for participation.
We will continue to run pickleball from 9:30 to noon, Tuesdays through Fridays.
All sessions will be open to residents only and will allow continuous round robin use during that session. No group may reserve a court and play on their own. The cost per session will be $6.00 daily or with a pass, $5.
On Sunday afternoons beginning January 7, St. Paul’s Field House will be open for “Family Fun” for Village families. This open time provides the opportunity for families to enjoy various gym activities in an indoor environment. The gym will be available for use from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. each Sunday until March 10.
This time is designated for family time only. No organized practices or workouts will be allowed. Although there will be staff to monitor activity, this is not a drop off program. We ask the elementary aged children be accompanied by an adult. For the safety of our users, no lacrosse or baseball equipment, or any other sport involving stick equipment will be allowed.
The Garden City’s Department of Recreation and Parks will offer an adult art class this winter. This eleven week program will teach the beginner as well as the advanced student the art of painting portraits and landscapes/still-life in pastel from photographs. Arleen Rueth Urban, the instructor for this program, is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America.
Classes will be held Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The cost of this program will be $ 140. This class is open to adult residents who reside in the Inc. Village of Garden City. Classes are held in St. Paul’s Cluett Hall beginning Friday, February 9.
The first lesson includes a portrait and landscape demonstration. At that time, a supply list is provided. Demonstrations will be available as needed throughout the program. Each student will receive the individual attention required as they move at their own pace and level of expertise.
To register for this session please visit the Recreation and Parks office at 108 Rockaway Avenue. If you have a password, you may register online at gcreconline.gardencityny.net.
Pulse Sports is back for another 8 weeks of action-packed summer
sports camps in collaboration with our Recreation and Parks department. These 4-day Soccer, Flag Football, Basketball, Lacrosse, and Multi Sports camps will run predominantly at Community Park with a few select camps being run at St Paul’s. They are specifically designed to enhance your child’s main fitness components such as balance and coordination whilst also fostering a genuine love for physical activities.
Space in this program is extremely limited, so we encourage all interested parents to register promptly to ensure your child's participation. To learn more about these camps or to register, please click on the following link: Garden City Recreation and Parks Sports Camps, Classes, Programs and Lessons | Garden City NY (usasportgroup.com)
Pulse Sports Camps has generously extended a $10 discount to our community for any of these weeks of camp.
• Please use the discount code: GARDEN$10 at checkout
• Code will expire 03/01/2024
If you have any questions or need assistance with the registration process, please do not hesitate to contact the dedicated customer service team at the USA Sport Group. They can be reached at customerscare@usasportgroup.com. They are more than happy to assist you with any inquiries you might have.
Registration is now open for the 2024 GCAA Baseball and Softball Season on the Garden City Little League website: www.leaguelineup.com/gcaa
GCAA Baseball and Softball programs are offered to children that are residents or attend school within the
Village of Garden City.
Please visit the GCAA website for more information about the age groups, available programs, and to register.
Please register early – late fees start on March 1. Registration will close on March 8.
Welcome Home! Brand new and rarely available for sale, introducing Unit B-5 at The Carlisle House at 364 Stewart Avenue. The largest unit in the building, this magnificent 2-bedroom, 2 full bath unit has been completely and newly renovated throughout. This special Co-op Apartment features new kitchen with new designer appliances, quartzite counter tops and large island with seating that opens to large formal dining room area. The oversized living room has new custom built-in cabinetry, new moldings, new airconditioning, large windows offering gorgeous views of the center of the Village of Garden City and just a block to downtown shopping, dining and transportation. The generous sized primary suite and second bedroom both have access to brand new stunning baths. This immaculately maintained and highly desirable building has elevator service, private garage spot, charming lobby with security entry, laundry room, and storage. Superintendent on premises. Pristine condition, move in ready. Please call for your private showing... MLS# 3532778. $799,000.
Kathleen Lucchesi,
CBRGold Circle of Excellence
Global Real Estate Advisor
Real Estate Salesperson
Garden City Office
516.248.6655 ext.2227, c. 516.320.0802
kathleenlucchesi@danielgale.com
kathleenlucchesi.danielgale.com
Garden City, NY 4-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3530403. $1,195,000.
Garden City, NY 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath. MLS# 3512879. $3,485,000.
Rockville Centre, NY 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath. MLS# 3531818. $1,600,000.
Garden City, NY 2-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3520156. $469,000.
Garden City, NY 2-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3532778. $799,000.
Garden City, NY 6-bedroom, 3.5-bath. MLS# 3528609. $1,925,000.
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty and The INN have teamed up to host a mens clothing drive. We are collecting clothing (business or casual,) belts and shoes or those less fortunate. We are accepting donations the entire month of February at 102 Seventh Street, Garden City, NY
