Jericho-Syosset News Journal (1/13/23)

Town honors Vietnam veteran with MLK medal

Civic Assn. launches program to install license plate readers

BY GEORGE HABER

The Birchwood civic association has launched a fundraising campaign to install twenty license plate readers at ten entrances to the East Birchwood community.

Following up a discussion by Second Precinct police officers in October on crime in Jericho, the BCA Board voted to contribute up to $35,000 for funding the program, if the community donates a marching amount of funding.

“If we cannot get to our goal [of $35,000],” said BCA President Roy Chipkin, “everyone gets their money back.”

Proponents of LPRs around the country say the devices help deter neighborhood crime. But critics of the program say the results have been mixed.

Second Precinct police officers who addressed BCA members in a September meeting agreed that the readers can play a significant role in tracking down lawbreakers who enter and leave the neighborhood.

BCA President Chipkin said “Because of technology, license plate readers are definitely the wave of the future” in crime deterrence.

Chipkin is asking residents of East Birchwood to make dona-

BY RIKKI MASSAND

At the January 10th meeting of the Oyster Bay Town Board, Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino explained that the Town will be celebrating Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday January 16, as well as Black History Month this February. He noted this will be a “much larger, educational and informative” commemoration than previously organized by the Town government.

One of the community members Saladino and the Town Board members welcomed at the meeting was U.S. Army veteran, Staff Sergeant Arturo Jerome Edwards, who was presented with the Town’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Edwards was recognized with a loud round of applause at this week’s meeting, the first Town government meeting of 2023.

Arturo Jerome Edwards served in the Army for two

years and another 16 years active in the U.S. Army Reserve. He achieved the rank of staff sergeant E-6 and fought in Vietnam, serving there from May 1966 to November 1967. Supervisor Saladino noted how difficult those years of the Vietnam War were.

Following his Vietnam experience Edwards became a member of the NYPD, serving with distinction. Saladino said this was just the beginning of a commitment to ser-

JHS theater program chosen to perform popular musical

BY GARY SIMEONE

It will be a March to remember as the Jericho High School theater program was recently chosen as the only program in the state to perform the full Disney tour-version of Frozen the Musical. The school was selected by the National Educational Theater Association as part of “The United States of FrozenLove is an Open-door” contest. The performances will take place from March 9–12 in the high school’s Lit-

tle Theater.

Theone Rinaudo, theater director at Jericho, said she was on vacation in the Cayman Islands with her familywhen her daughter informed her about the upcoming competition.

“My daughter Stephanie, who usually helps with the choreography in our musicals, told me about this competition, which was being put together by the Educational Theater Alliance,” said Rinaudo.

“We found out on a Friday night

Sophomore selected for showcase

Town chorus seeks new members

The Oyster Bay Town Board recently presented the Town of Oyster Bay Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award to retired United States Army Staff Sergeant Arturo Jerome Edwards of Farmingdale for his service to the nation and community.

County Executive owes residents

action, not rhetoric, in New Year

BY NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLTATORS: KEVAN M. ABRAHAMS, SIELA A. BYNOE, CARRIÉ SOLAGES, DEBRA MULÉ, DELIA DERIGGI-WHITON, ARNOLD W. DRUCKER AND JOSHUA A. LAFAZAN

As we embark upon 2023, Nassau County taxpayers should take stock of what County Executive Bruce Blakeman has - and has not - achieved during his first year in office. While he made many promises on the campaign trail and during his first year in office, he has unfortunately followed through on very few.

For months, the County Executive told Nassau County voters that, if elected, he would cut property taxes by over $128 million and “would pay for that tax cut by returning Nassau County’s entire budget surplus to residents.” He did neither - instead, in his first budget, he gave himself a 12 percent raise to the tune of $24,000.

Additionally, the County Executive has failed to follow through on his promises to “fix” what he called a “broken” assessment system. While candidate Bruce Blakeman vowed to hire “qualified professionals to run the Assessment Department and create a new and fair system,” one of his first acts as County Executive was to pass the buck to Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips to audit the assessment department. As County residents continue to wait for the findings of the Comptroller’s largely unnecessary and politically driven audit - findings that were supposed to have been published last September - major errors have occurred on school and general tax bills that will cost millions of taxpayer dollars to fix. Where is the urgency for preventing more of these costly assessment-related mistakes?

Rather than make good on his promise to “hire qualified professionals to run the Assessment Department”, the County Executive’s budget has no signs

of the necessary resources to invest in a full revaluation that would set us back on a course to fairness and accuracy. He has continued to use acting assessors and administrators for the last 12 months. Making matters worse, his administration has allowed the term of the acting assessor - who must be approved by the legislature every six months - to once again lapse as Nassau’s tax rolls remain frozen. All of this has further destabilized the assessment system, to the benefit of politically connected real property tax certiorari firms that have donated $526,875 to Republican campaigns – not the taxpayers who elected him to office.

And while the County Executive’s bombastic rhetoric on issues of crime have indeed garnered attention, his administration has done little to enhance public safety. It is in direct contrast with the administration of Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, during which crime decreased by more than 10 percent and the County was consistently named one of the safest places in America of its size. Since County Executive Blakeman took office last January, major crimes have increased by over 34 percent. To help reverse that trend, this caucus proposed a budget amendment that would have enhanced community policing by funding the hiring of an additional 110 police officers. The County Executive and his Republican colleagues in the Legislature refused to support this common sense, sustainable proposal.

All of this is indicative of an administration that lacks a coherent vision for the future and insulates itself from the public. At a time when Nassau County has a projected surplus of $120 million and $385 million in American Rescue Plan federal funds at its disposal, the risk of missed opportunities is great. The Minority Caucus’ pleas to create an advisory council to guide the use of

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

BOE seeks budget volunteers

To the Editor:

The Bethpage Board of Education would like to provide an opportunity for interested community residents to participate in the development of the 20232024 school budget. The Board this year is again forming a Budget Advisory Committee. The ideal committee will be made up of various constituencies of our community. The Budget Advisory Committee will meet at 7:30 pm in the Administration Building District Conference Room on:

Thursday, March 2 Thursday, March 16

This committee will be moderated by a Board member and the Administration will be in attendance to review and facilitate a discussion of the proposed bud-

get. Ultimately, the task of this committee is to provide a detailed level of input in shaping our programs. It is possible that additional dates might be needed depending on the calendar of the State Legislature which decides how much state aid the school district will receive.

If you are interested in participating as a member of the Budget Advisory Committee, please call Elena Becker in the Superintendent’s Office at 644-4001, or Christine Baebler in the Assistant Superintendent for Business’ Office at 644-4030, no later than Friday, February 10, 2023.

We look forward to a productive and inclusive budget process. Thank you.

James A. McGlynn, Board President, Bethpage Board of Education

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Six Syosset students named Regeneron Scholars

Six Syosset High School students have been named 2023 Regeneron Science alent Search (Regeneron STS) Scholars. Congratulations to seniors Sabrina Guo, Zachary David Kam, Anika Shah, Vivek Turakhia, Alex Wang, and Tianyi (Tina) Zhang. The Regeneron STS is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competition.

These students were selected from 1,949 U.S. and international high school students who submitted original research in critically important scientific fields of study. They are among 300 students named Regeneron STS scholars and hope to be among 40 finalists named later this month (January 24). Each scholar will receive a $2,000 award with an additional $2,000 per scholar going to the high school to support STEM education. STS scholars are selected based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking, and promise as scientists as demonstrated through the submission of their original, independent research projects, essays, and recommendation.

“Today is such a special day. Being named a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar is a remarkable accomplishment that is a result of tireless work by these brilliant students,” said Syosset High School research facilitator Veronica Ade. “We are so proud of these six students and what they have achieved during their time in our research program.”

Of these six Syosset seniors, two of them conducted scientific research, while the other four conducted social science research projects.

Sabrina Guo completed her project “Differential Emergency Contraceptive Use Among Young Women in the United States From 2006 to 2019” under the direction of Dr. Aliya Kuerban at Molloy University. Access to emergency contraception (EC), an essential reproductive healthcare resource, is limited by barriers to reproductive care such as socioeconomic background. Guo’s study analyzes inequities in the US’ reproductive health system by examining potential relationships between women’s use of EC and their race, educational achievement, and other factors. Data from Guo’s results can potentially drive public health policies and legislation and improve access to family planning among women—especially among marginalized populations.

Zachary David Kam completed his project “Transformative Transactions:

An Analysis of Factors Affecting ESG and Impact Investing Behaviors” at Syosset High School under the direction of Mr. Andrew Manzo and Mr. Brett Klopp. Zach examined the effect that factors like political alignment, means of investment, risk tolerance, and investing experience has on the likelihood of investors to engage in environment, social, and governance (ESG) investments and impact investments, which seek financial gain while concomitantly inducing positive world change. Zach’s identification of trends that lead to an increase in ESG and impact investing is critical as they can be leveraged to accelerate world-positive investing, therefore offering an effective means of addressing global challenges.

Anika Shah’s project titled “Effects of Class-Conscious Admissions on College Campus Racial Diversity” was completed at Syosset High School. Under the direction of Mr. Andrew Manzo and Mr. Brett Klopp. Anika examined how test-requirement policies impact diversity on college campuses. She found that the test-optional policies allow for increased racial and socioeconomic

diversity, which suggests potential bias in standardized testing, such as the SAT and ACT.

Vivek Turakhia completed his project, “Aluminum Hydroxide-Induced Dopaminergic Neuron Degeneration and α-Synuclein Aggregation in the Caenorhabditis elegans Model of Parkinson’s Disease” at Syosset High School under the direction of Dr. Mary Hendrickson, Ms. Olivia LaRocca and Mr. Thomas Allen. Vivek studied the potential for a prominent flame retardant, aluminum hydroxide, to induce Parkinson’s disease in the model biological organism C. elegans. Through investigating dopamine neuron degeneration and α-synuclein aggregation in the organisms after they were exposed to aluminum hydroxide, Vivek was able to conclude that it has the potential to be neurotoxic in a living organism.

Alex Wang’s project titled “Spatially Multiplexed Gold Leaf Electrodes for Affordable Pathogenic Detection” was completed under the direction of Dr. Ariel Furst at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Alex developed an accurate, low-cost, and easily accessible

diagnostic device using gold-leaf electrodes which can detect tuberculosis for under $3. The device combined multiple sensor positions with a diagnostic CRISPR-Cas12a method to create an effective point-of-care device that analyzes changes in surface conductivity to detect tuberculosis DNA.

Tianyi (Tina) Zhang also conducted her research under the direction of Mr. Andrew Manzo and Mr. Brett Klopp at Syosset High School. Her project, titled “Consonant Correspondences in Sound Symbolic Words Across Indo-European Languages” studied the relationship between word sounds and meanings in spoken languages. Tina’s study sought to find what could be linked to these potential non-arbitrary similarities in words, also known as “sound symbolic words,” across Indo-European languages.

The 40 finalists in the competition will undergo a rigorous judging process, interact with leading scientists, display their research for the public, meet with national leaders, and compete for more than $1.8 million in awards provided by Regeneron.

Syosset 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search

Sabrina Guo, Zachary David Kam, Anika Shah, Vivek Turakhia, Alex Wang, and Tianyi Zhang.

Photo courtesy of Syosset Central School District

5 JHS students named Regeneron Scholars

Five Jericho seniors were named Regeneron Scholars – a total of 300 students nationally were named Scholars. The students are Emily Kim, Natalia Pahlavan, Rhea Sakaria, Nikhil Trepeta, and Kevin Zhu.

The 300 scholars and their schools will be awarded $2,000 each.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from 1,949 applications from 627 high schools across 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and four other countries. Scholars were chosen based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, community involvement, commitment to academics, creativity in asking scientific questions and exceptional promise as STEM leaders demonstrated through the submission of their original, independent research projects, essays and recommendations.

The students submitted the following projects:

Emily Kim - The Dual Roles of Activated Carbon as an Adsorbent and Photocatalyst for Azo Dye Removal

Natalia Pahlavan - Bidirectional 12-Lead Electrocardiogram and Electrogram Reconstruction Using a Cycle Generative Adversarial Network

Rhea Sakaria - Identifying a Potent Wnt Compound To Enhance Stemness Post-Radiation Through Activating the Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway

Nikhil Trepeta - Decreased Levels of TSP-2 Results in Under-Activation

of the Wnt/ β -Catenin Pathway and Alters Gene Expression in NIH-3T3 Cell Lines

Kevin Zhu - Recurrent Repeat Contractions and Micro-Changing Short Tandem Repeats: Investigating Underrepresented Factors of Polymorphism in Human Cancers

“Congratulations to the top 300 scholars in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Publisher, Science News. “The enthusiasm and quality of projects from this year’s participants were just outstanding. Each year, I am tremendously impressed by the ingenuity that the students bring to the competition. Their hard work, creativity and perseverance should be applauded.”

On January 24, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. The finalists will then compete for more than $1.8 million in awards during a week-long competition in Washington, D.C., taking place March 9–15.

For over eight decades, the Science Talent Search has rewarded talented high school seniors who dedicate countless hours to original research projects and present their results in rigorous reports that resemble graduate school theses. Collectively, STS alumni have received millions of dollars in scholarships and gone on to be awarded Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, MacArthur Fellowships and numerous other accolades.

Pictured (left to right) are Rhea Sakaria, Kevin Zhu, Natalia Pahlavan, and Emily Kim. (Not pictured – Nikhil Trepeta.)

Photo by Denise Nash

Town honors Vietnam vet with MLK medal

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vice of both the United States and his home state and community. Edwards has been involved in the Town of Oyster Bay as a distinguished veterans advocate, and as a member of Amvets Post 21, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2952 and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 82. Several members of the local veterans organizations attended the Town Board’s meeting on Tuesday to see Edwards honored.

Saladino thanked Edwards and said he represents “The Gold Standard of community service” – across the country and among fellow members of the Town of Oyster Bay.

The supervisor shared the genesis of the TOBAY Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award, which this year is being presented nearly 55 years after MLK was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

Saladino said, “This prestigious award is presented each year to noteworthy recipients in recognition of their outstanding leadership, achievement, adherence to the principles of a just society and continued involvement, in support of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s DREAM.”

“Mr. Edwards is dedicated to the service of fellow Americans, to his nation and to our Town. This prestigious recognition reflects upon the incredible leadership and courage of Martin Luther King Jr. and also on the contributions being made every day in our community by incredible people – people who make a difference day after day. These are the people who set the standard for ALL OF US to follow; whether we are elected officials, residents, and no matter what your walk of life. You (addressing Edwards) set the standard for us to follow in making a better town and a better nation,” Supervisor Saladino said.

He told Arturo Edwards all members of the Town Board and administration greatly appreciate the example he’s provided to the community, and the many efforts combining attributes of leadership, mentorship and service as “an extraordinary role model.”

Saladino recognized some of the vet-

erans joining the MLK Distinguished Service Award ceremony including Lt. Colonel Craig White, U.S. Air Force retired. White worked as a Town lifeguard as a teenager and young adult, including shifts at Centre Island Beach and Harry Tappen Beach.

“Not only did you do much to protect American lives while in the Air Force, but you certainly did that with us as well as a Town lifeguard. We appreciate you as well very much!” Saladino told Lt. Colonel White.

Another veteran honored at the Town Board’s January 10 meeting was NYPD Inspector Capt. Kevin Taylor. He’s been a proactive leader in the Town of Oyster Bay, including recently at a special ceremony for the renaming of a TOBAY road in Massapequa after a member of the local fire company who was also an NYPD member.

Supervisor Saladino then welcomed and thanked Amvets Post 21 Commander Richard Dejesu, and New York City American Legion Commander and VFW Post 5942 member Jack Stein.

The Town of Oyster Bay’s ceremony honoring Arturo Jerome Edwards included congratulations offered by members of law enforcement who could not attend the January 10 Board meeting, including former president of the Nassau County PD PBA Jim McDermott.

As the group of veterans in attendance stood and received another round of applause, Supervisor Saladino commented that he would go into battle with this group of gentlemen, “on any day and at any time!”

He thanked all in attendance and looked forward to the year ahead as the Town celebrates its residents, their many levels of community service and leadership.

“We have said it many times – our diversity is our strength in the nation and in the Town of Oyster Bay. Today provides an ideal backdrop to not only reflect upon the incredible leadership, courage and enlightenment that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. brought us but also on the contributions being made every day in our nation by extraordinary people,” Saladino said.

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Civic Assn. launches program to install license plate readers

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tions via the GoFundMe website (www. gofundme.com/f/help-fund-east-birchwoods-license-plate-readers) or to mail a check to the Birchwood Civic Association, PO Box 102, Jericho 11753. Donors should include their name and address and specify that the contribution is for the License Plate Readers project.

He said that residents who contribute to the project and who are not already a BCA member will receive a free 2023 BCA membership.

The fundraising period will end on January 31.

The program calls for the plate readers to be installed in the first quarter of 2023.

JHS theater program chosen to perform popular musical

High school students held a bake sale to help support Jericho High School's theatre program.

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that the deadline to enter was Sunday. I had to contact my student team back in the states to get everything together asap. We barely made the deadline.”

The criteria to enter the competition included a Google form, three essays on why their school would be a good fit and a video montage of past performances.

“My daughter and one particular theater student, Shuvhan Mehta, were very instrumental in putting together three quality written essays in a very short period of time.”

She said that the Jericho Theater Production Organization contains nearly a hundred students, who have worked diligently over the past few months to craft their vision of “Frozen.”

“I’m very excited for them that they were chosen by this organization to represent our state in this nationwide competition,” said Rinaudo.

This particular musical will focus on

the two main characters in “Frozen,” Elsa and Anna, two loving sisters who fiercely protect their snowbound kingdom at any cost.

The character of Elsa will be played by senior Lauren Marchand and Anna will be played by Gianna DeVellis, also a senior at Jericho.

Rinaudo said the theater program does not benefit from funding from the school district and relies solely on outside resources.

“The school district is well-known for financial stability but there’s no funding involved for the theater. We rely on the school community and community-at-large to help us pay for things like the kids costumes, stage-props and major things like projections for Little Theatre.”

In order to donate money and to purchase tickets for the upcoming musical you can visit the website jerichoschools. org.

exceptional performance that inspires everything we do. It’s the reason why each of our hospitals has received the prestigious Magnet® designation for nursing excellence. It’s why we routinely take on complex cases that other hospitals turn away. It’s why we invest big in our communities. We operate one of the largest networks of family health centers in the U.S. and, last year, our community benefit contribution totaled $1.3 billion.

#1 is an attitude, one best expressed by our non-negotiable commitment to extend the highest standard of care to every patient we see, regardless of their condition, location or financial circumstances. Our volume of Medicaid patients is among the highest in New York City, and nearly twothirds of our inpatients are enrolled in a government-sponsored insurance plan.

Above all, #1 is about stepping up to the plate every day to bring the best to our patients and their families. No exceptions.

Because our mission only works if it works for everyone.

Source: 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals; NYS Department of Health, 2021 Institutional Cost Reports (ICRs), Medicaid-Eligible Discharges

Scan to find an NYU Langone doctor in your community.

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library

Friday, January 13

10:30 a.m.: IN-PERSON ~ A Chinese Book Discussion: “The Dark Forest” by Liu Cixin - “The ThreeBody Problem” is a science fiction series about the communication and fight between humans on earth, Trisolaran aliens and the rise and fall of both civilizations. Its English edition won the 73rd Hugo Award for Best Novel. “The Dark Forest” is the second book in a series of three. Netflix will release “The Three-Body Problem” in 2023. Now is the perfect time to read about this popular, award winning story. Listeners are welcome!

Sunnie Zhang is a columnist who loves reading, food and travel. She will lead a book discussion of “The Dark Forest” in Chinese. Copies of the book will be available in Chinese at the Circulation Desk.

Saturday, January 14

2:00 p.m.: Teen/Tween Movie: “My Neighbor Totoro” (Grades 4–12) - Join us in the JPL Theater to watch My Neighbor Totoro, an animated film from Studio Ghibli that tells the story of a professor's two young daughters and their interactions with friendly wood-spirits in Japan. Take home some tasty snacks after the show! (Rated G)

3:00 p.m.: Chess Assessment (Grades 1–6) - All are welcome to come to this program if they have an interest in chess. If you are new to the game and have no prior knowledge, have no fear. There is a place for everyone. The instructor will match you with the class that best suits your skill.

Sunday, January 15

1:00 p.m.: Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit at the JPL (All Ages) For Children with their Parents, Grandparents or Caregivers - This

performance by the New York Chinese Cultural Center presents the beauty of Chinese dance, costumes, authentic music, and interactive segments.

Tickets are required & will be available for Jericho cardholders in the Children's Room beginning December 27. Non-residents may pick up tickets beginning January 9.

Monday, January 16

5:00 p.m.: Tweens: Python Programming (Grades 4–6) - Python has become one of the most popular programming languages in the world in recent years. It's used in everything from machine learning to building websites and software testing. Come to this program to learn more!

7:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Fit & Feeling Great with Linda Ray - Look and feel better than you have in years as fitness specialist Linda Ray guides you through her unique techniques that will stretch you out as you relax neck, shoulders and back tension, strengthen and create sleek muscles, improve balance and firm up abdominal muscles without potential for injury.

Cost: $54 (9 sessions) There are no refunds.

Tuesday, January 17

11:00 a.m.: VIRTUAL: Guided Meditation for Self-Healing with Patricia Anderson - Join Pat for one or all of the meditation sessions to bring harmony and balance into your life. Learn the beautiful practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu to help your body heal and keep you relaxed.

2:00 p.m.: HYBRID: Art LectureThe Picasso Celebration 1973–2023 with Professor Thomas GermanoWith the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death in 2023, France and Spain will partner to organize an international exhibition dedicated to the artist’s leg-

acy that will see 40 shows staged across Europe and the United States throughout the year. Professor Germano will present a visual lecture related to the art exhibitions and events surrounding this wonderful celebration of Picasso.

4:00 p.m.: Tweens: Candle Making (Grades 4–6) - Learn how to make a candle with a winter theme.

5:15 p.m.: Teen: Winter Scents Candle Making - Create your own candle using winter colors and scents. The simple fun process of layering dry wax granules can create different patterns like a snowman, a quilted pattern, or tie-dye. No two candles come out the same!

7:00 p.m.: Tweens Book Discussion: “White Bird: A Wonder Story” by R.J. Palacio (Grades 5–6) - Pick up a copy of the book in the Children’s Room prior to the program. We ask that the book be read before the program, either by the child or a parent reading to the child

Wednesday, January 18

2:00 p.m.: In-Person Movie: “Carmen” (Drama) - In a small Mediterranean village, Carmen has looked after her brother, the local priest, for her entire life. When the Church abandons Carmen, she is mistaken for the new priest. Carmen begins to see the world, and herself, in a new light. Inspired by true events. Starring Natascha McElhone, Michela Farrugia, Steven Love. Not Rated. 1 hour, 27 minutes.

7:00 p.m.: K’nex: Create & Construct (Grades 2–4) Kids will build something then compete with each other after learning basic engineering concepts.

Thursday, January 19

10:00 a.m.: HYBRID: Chair Yoga with Jolie Bosnjak - During this chair

yoga class you will move from head to toe, using the chair as a prop for support. This practice is for all levels... including those nursing an injury or coping with a chronic problem. The results will surprise you!

Cost: $60 (10 sessions) There are no refunds.

5:30 p.m.: HYBRID: Yoga with Joe - You will learn yoga poses that include standing, sitting, twists, leg stretches, chair poses, and breathing exercises. Mindfulness and living in the moment are woven into the practice. Have a sticky mat, chair, yoga blanket, block and belt.

Cost: $60 (10 sessions) There are no refunds.

7:00 p.m.: Chinese New Year Bilingual Storytime (Ages 3–5)Together we will enjoy stories in both Chinese and English as we celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.

Friday, January 20

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

2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Great Performers with Marc Courtade: Joel Grey - Master of CeremoniesJoel Grey is an actor, singer, dancer and director best known for his portrayal of the Master of Ceremonies in “Cabaret.” Grey began acting at age 9 at the Cleveland Playhouse. He is one of ten people to have won both the Tony Award and Academy Award for playing the same role on Broadway and film. His seven decade career continues as director of the acclaimed stage production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in Yiddish. The multi-talented Joel Grey remains a respected talent and a symbol of elegance and class.

Town chorus seeks new members

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that the Town’s Golden Tones Entertainment Group is seeking new members. This chorus is a social group open to Town residents over the age of 60 who have an interest in singing, dancing, or entertaining. Anyone 60 and over is welcome to join; a great singing voice is not required to partici-

pate in this social group.

“We hear from choir members all the time how singing together lifts their spirits while providing great joy to others in senior care facilities, schools and at public events,” said Town Councilwoman Michele Johnson. “The Golden Tones Entertainment Group provides a creative and social outlet for

seniors to make new friends and bond over their love of music. Join us today!”

Meetings will be held every Friday, beginning on February 3, at 10 a.m. at the North Massapequa Community Center, located at 214 North Albany Avenue in North Massapequa. There are two planned shows, a Spring Show as well as a Holiday Show, scheduled to

be performed at the North Massapequa Community Center.

Senior citizens interested in joining the Golden Tones of TOBAY Entertainment Group should call (516) 797-7916 for more information.

See what's happening at your library!

From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library!

Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!

Honesty + Integrity + Professionalism

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Best of the Alps, Where Skiing Began, Are Four-Season Resorts

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

The Best of the Alps, a tourism promotion consortium founded 40 years ago, recently came to town to remind us travel writers that this is where skiing began over 100 years ago and that these iconic destinations are still for the most part villages and towns where people live year-round, where tourists come year-round, and where you can be immersed in heritage and traditions.

“There is more to skiing than a purpose-built resort,” said, Sammy Salm, CEO of the Best of Alps. Skiing began here 150 years ago – the first winter tourists arrived 130 years ago, but the Alps have lured summer travelers for 300 years.

These are the most authentic places. The businesses are inherited, have been in the same family as their grandparents. There are cultural and sports events throughout the year –some 1,000 in 11 destinations –covering all manner of interests. Cuisine that reflects the locality – “farm to table” before the expression was a thing.

There are iconic hotels – some five star, some with a history dating back a century or more - but modern amenities and technology to suit today’s skiers, even Americans. And while the Alps are regarded as upscale, there are accommodations to meet every budget and style of travel – you can find hostels; cool, trendy boutiques; hotels ideal for families or women traveling solo.

Best of the Alps consists of Chamonix Mont-Blanc, St. Anton Am Arlberg, Crans-Montana, Kitzbuhel,

Megeve, Garmisch-Partenkirghen, Legh Zurs am Arlberg, Cortina D’Ampezzo, Courmayeur, Seefeld, and Davos- each that manifest charm and authentic style, a strong sense of place, identity. Together, they form the “cradle of skiing.”

“If you like skiing, you will want to go to the Alps at least once,” reflects Cortina’s Maria Alessandra Montuori.

Cortina D’Ampezzo, the “Queen of the Dolomites” in a national park within a UNESCO World Heritage Area, epitomizes charm, glamour and elegance. Today, it is in northern Italy, but Cortina was part of AustroHungarian empire for 400 years, until 1900, so manifests an Austrian ambiance. There is evidence of ancient Roman settlements, traces of the Barbarians. During its strategic geographic location on one of the crossings through the Alps, Cortina was part of the Republic of Venice and even today is on the Venice Simplon train route from Paris to Venice.

Set on a plateau 4500 ft. high, Cortina d’Ampezzo offers skiers breathtaking scenery. The resort’s

Megeve was a purpose-built ski resort by the Rothschilds (photo supplied by MegeveSaint Gervais).

three ski areas are connected by a free bus and offer 115 km of slopes with snow making. Winter activities also ski mountaineering, sledding in the moonlight after a dinner in a mountain hut, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. In summer, Cortina offers more than 300km of hiking trails, biking on hundreds of kilometres of marked trails amid magnificent Dolomite scenery, mountain climbing, a new indoor climbing center, indoor and outdoor tennis; golf, summer ice skating; horse riding, canyoning, and activities families can enjoy together – water park, skate park, zipline.

“New” isn’t a new lift, it’s new way to enjoy mountain,” Montuori tells me. “People can exercise the way they like.”

Seventy years since it was the first Italian venue for the Olympics, in1956, Cortina will host the 2026 Winter Olympics (with Milan), spurring new development and improvements. The most convenient airports are Venice, Treviso, and Innsbruck. (cortina.dolomiti.org)

“Discover your true nature” is the

motto of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a multifaceted mountain region at the base of the 2,962 meter high Zugspitze mountain. It features winter sports with 60 km of ski runs, state-of-the art lifts, snowmaking on four long runs into the valley, backcountry skiing; the legendary ski stadium and ski jump and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn invites ski alpinists to a “Ski Tour Evening.” Also: 28 km of cross-country ski tracks, the famous biathlon and cross-country ski center in Kaltenbrunn (snow-making and flood lights for night-skiing); Visitors’ Biathlon in Kaltenbrunn on Wednesdays); ice skating and curling at the Olympic Ice Sports Center or on one of the many natural lakes. The racy 1.6 km run down from the cozy lodge, St.-MartinsHütte am Grasberg, is an insider tip for bold sledders. Garmisch-Partenkirchen also offers 110 km of groomed winter hiking trails. Special experiences: a torch hike through the Partnachklamm gorge featuring amazing ice and snow formations; a romantic ride in a horse sleigh; guided winter hikes from the Gesundheits-Eck meeting point (book January-March).

In warmer seasons, hiking in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen region offers varied landscapes and breathtaking views of hiking along 300 km (124 miles) of paths (the GaPa tour planner, www.gapa.de/tourenplaner, has detailed route and trail descriptions); you can plan multi-day tour with overnight stays in rustic mountain lodges, or guided hikes ranging from herbal excursions to therapeutic climatic healing hikes. Also rock climbing, moun-

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Best of the Alps, Where Skiing Began, Are Four-Season Resorts

tain biking, kayaking and canoeing, paragliding, hang gliding,tennis, horseback riding, fishing, archery or a ride in a historic horse-drawn carriage, plus 23 golf courses within one hour’s drive.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen can be reached by German rail, Deutsche Bahn (Saturdays ICE connection from Hamburg, Berlin and Dortmund-Ruhr Area-Cologne with no train changes). Nearest airports are Munich and Innsbruck.

Kitzbühel and the holiday resorts of Reith, Aurach and Jochberg, Austria, known globally as a winter holiday destination with almost 130 years of skiing tradition, offers a mix of down-to-earthness and cosmopolitan outlook, of rural charm and urban flair. Its accessibility, long winters, reliable snow conditions, multitude of sports activities and maximum comfort are the hallmarks of this town, also lovingly referred to as “Gamsstadt” (chamois town). It offers a total of 233 km of downhill runs, including the world-famous “Streif”. Families will delight in the free practice lifts in the valley. Kitzbühel also offers cross-country skiing, winter hiking and snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice skating, curling and new trend sports. An international, year-round top destination, Kitzbuhel also offers 1,000 km hiking trails; four golf courses; 1,200 km road network for road bikes and 800 km for mountain bikers. www.kitzbuehel.com

At 1.200 meters above sea level, Seefeld is a picturesque alpine paradise of five charming villages. Reith, Mösern, Seefeld, Leutasch and Scharnitz. In winter, Seefeld offers 30 km of alpine runs, modern cable cars and lifts, children‘s areas; 250 km of cross-country ski trails; 142 km of prepared winter hiking trails, one long distance winter hiking trail; 35 km signposted snowshoe hiking trails; eight toboggan runs; three ice rinks; 20 curling rinks; a fishing pond for ice fishing at 1,123 m; two wellness centers with in- and outdoor pools. Outdoor sports in summer include: 650 km of hiking trails; 570 km of bike and e-bike tours; 4 km roller ski trail; 3 climbing areas with over 280

Best of the Alps is a consortium of 11 resorts, with a centuries long heritage of tourism.

routes; a panorama via ferrata in Seefeld with fabulous views; 18-hole and 9-hole golf courses; 2 bathing lakes; a beginner-friendly bike park in Leutasch

Travel direct from Hamburg with the ICE to Seefeld. It is also possible to travel by Railjet from Vienna and Zurich. Innsbruck Airport is 20 km, Munich International Airport is 138 km. (www. seefeld.com)

Davos, Europe’s highest city and the picturesque alpine village of Klosters are set amid stunning mountain scenery. Davos Klosters received its first winter guests 150 years ago. Today, it offers 300 km of slopes among six ski areas: Madrisa and Rinerhorn are the family-friendly ski areas, Jakobshorn is the “fun mountain” for freestylers and après-ski connoisseurs. Parsenn is the classic ski area with wide pistes, Pischa is considered the off-piste paradise and Schatzalp is the “chill” ski area for pleasure skiers. Among the activities: daily experiences with local guides, an extensive network of cross-country tracks, hiking trails, mountain biking routes in all the tributary valleys, adventure and theme parks, a lively art and culture scene including the Kirchner Museum. Davos Klosters has also been awarded the Family Destination quality seal, which distinguishes holiday resorts that specifically match offerings to children. www.davos.ch

Arlberg is a mountain region of five villages, which form Austria’s largest ski destination (the fifth largest in the world) – affording 305 km of ski trails (it’s famous for its off-piste territory, which is best explored with a guide). Besides alpine skiing there is also snowshoeing, cross-country, tobaggoning, sledding, ice skating, curling, horsedrawn sleigh rides, art installations, Arlberg can be combined with visits to Vienna or Zurich (by train). Closest airports are Altenrheim, Inssburg, Zurich, Friedrichshafen, Munich (www.lechzuers.com)

Megeve is a small alpine village nested at the foot of Mont Blanc that dates from the 12th century. In the 1920s, a Rothschild who was insulted by the unwelcoming attitude in St. Moritz, decided to create a new resort in France. It is one of the first ski resorts in France, had the first cable car, the first French ski champion came from Megeve, the first fondue restaurant, the French song made famous by Frank Sinatra (“My Way”) was written in Megeve. It has the highest 18-hole golf course. Megeve set the standard as a “place to be” for the jet set. (The Rothschilds still own the resort). It’s still high-end, with 32 hotels of which 10 are five-star; three Michelin star chefs (one three-star chef is rated among the top 10 in the world). It offers 400 km of ski trails (longest is 3.6 km), plus 40 km of

EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE

BY MARY HUNT

Could you use an extra $1,200? That’s exactly what you’ll have in a year if you can find a way to whack just $25 from your food bill each week. But there’s not one single way to reduce food costs. The key is to use a combination of strategies.

EAT THE SALES

Build your grocery list from the sale ads. If it’s not on sale, don’t buy it -- at least, not this week.

cross-country, 50 km of winter hiking (150 km in summer), some 60 restaurants, 204 shops and galleries, 37,000 guest beds, 17 well-being and spa centers, a balneoform and aquatic area, indoor/outdoor skating rink. You can arrange an overnight stay in an igloo. Megeve is one-hour drive from Geneva airport; Megeve has its own airport, 15 minutes away. (www.megeve. com)

Chamonix-Mont Blanc valley is a land of legend crammed full of history and sporting feats, a natural environment and a mecca for skiers, snowboarders and free riders. The slopes are served by the Mont-Blanc tramway and the cable car of the Brévent. “The lift system in the Chamonix Valley enables anyone to reach a unique alpine environment of shaded forests, scintillating glaciers, alpine meadows and dramatic peaks.” The Aiguille du Midi cable gives unforgettable view of the Mont-Blanc range. The Montenvers and mer de glace is an exceptional sightseeing excursion on the nostalgic red cog railway to the “sea of ice “glacier. In summer among the 46 activities include hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, golfing. Nearest airport is Geneva. (www.chamonix.com)

Courmayeur is described as “a pure, authentic, elegant, traditional, cosmopolitan, lively and regenerating mountain experience both in summer and in winter. These are the many facets of the soul of Courmayeur Mont Blanc, a unique location offering visitors a chance to reconnect with their inner self and engage in life at the right pace.” The nearest airport is Geneva. (www.courmayeurmontblanc.it)

Crans-Montana, set on a sunny plateau above the Rhone valley, offers views of the Plaine Morte glacier and summits from Breithorn to Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. Convenient airports are Sion (30 minutes0, Geneva, Zurich and Milan. (www.crans-montana.ch)

More information at bestofthealps. com.

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

USE COUPONS

The secret is to adopt a couponing method and then stick to it religiously. I regularly shop at a market that doubles my coupons, but I hold onto them until the item goes on sale. This way, I get the best bang for my buck when I match a cents-off coupon with items that are on sale. Now we’re talking bargain prices.

SHOP ALDI

Aldi is a discount grocery retailer, specializing in its own private label products. Prices are so low it’s like

having a double coupon on everything. Instead of managing 25,000 different items like a mega-supermarket, Aldi has under 1,000 of the most-needed, most-often-used food products, including produce and frozen meat. There are over 1,900 Aldi stores in the U.S. across 36 states (so far, none where I live). To find a complete list of locations go to the Aldi website or call Aldi headquarters in Batavia, Illinois.

Continued on page 5

Martin Luther King, Jr. called for change & justice

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is held on January 16 and on that day we will honor the civil rights leader for his many contributions to society. He was a minister, humanitarian, activist and leader of the civil rights movement. On December 10, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work for equality in the U.S.

King’s legacy of courage has lived on. It was in 1968 that Coretta Scott King, his widow, organized the Martin Luther King Jr., Center for Non-Violent Social Change in Atlanta. Its web site, thekingcenter.org, is available for all to look at.

As many people have said, Dr. King was willing to risk his life for what he believed in because he recognized that injustice and inequality were the opposite of freedom. Each day he summoned his inner-strength to apply maximum effort because he was determined to live out his dream.

Michael King was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Ga. His father would later change both of their names to Martin. On September 20, 1944, King entered Morehouse College in Atlanta. He was 15 years old. After receiving his sociology degree from Morehouse College in 1948., King was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pa. in 1951.

Receiving his doctoral degree in theology from Boston University in June 1955, at Crozer Theological Seminary King won the Pearl Plafker Award as the most outstanding student of the graduating class plus and the J. Lewis Crozer Fellowship.

M.L. King married Coretta Scott King on June 18, 1953, on the lawn of her mother’s house. The ceremony was performed by M.L. King, Sr. Dr. King decided to return south to become pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala. There he made his first mark on the civil-rights movement, by mobilizing the black community during a 382-day boycott of the city’s bus lines. King overcame arrest and other violent harassment, including the bombing of his home. Ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court declared bus segregation unconstitutional.

A national hero and a civil-rights figure of growing importance, in 1957 King called together several black leaders to form the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. King was elected its president and he soon began helping other communities organize their own protests against discrimination.

After finishing his first book and making a trip to India, King returned to the U.S. in 1960 to become co-pastor, with his father, of Ebenezer Baptist Church. In 1963 King went to Birmingham for a nonviolent mass protest for fair hir-

ing practices and the desegregation of department store facilities. King was arrested during the protest but it was this time that he wrote “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”

violence and he wanted to focus national attention on the plight of the poor, unorganized workers of the city. The men were bargaining for basic union representation and long-overdue raises.

King.

As someone who was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s model of nonviolent resistance, King believed that peaceful protest for civil rights would lead to some positive media coverage and public opinion.

Probably the most famous line King ever spoke is from his “I Have a Dream” speech, given on August 28, 1963, in which he said, “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plain of dignity and discipline …” His message resonated with so many Americans - and with people around the world.

Later that year King was a principal speaker at the historic March on Washington, where he delivered one of the most passionate addresses of his career. Time magazine designated him as its Person of the Year for 1963. A few months later he was named the recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. He went to Norway to accept the award then King took on new challenges.

In Selma, Ala., he led a voter-registration campaign that ended in the Selma-to-Montgomery Freedom March. King next went to Chicago where he launched programs to rehabilitate the slums and provide housing.

In the North, King soon discovered that young and angry African-Americas didn’t care for his preaching or for his pleas for peaceful protest. Because of the feelings they voiced, King came out against the war in Vietnam.

Although he was trying to create a new coalition based on equal support for peace and civil rights, it caused an immediate rift. The NAACP saw King’s shift of emphasis as “a serious tactical mistake.” The Urban League warned that the “limited resources” of the civil rights movement would be spread too thin.

But students, professors, intellectuals, clergymen and reformers joined the movement. King then turned his attention to the domestic issue that he felt was directly related to the Vietnam struggle: poverty. He called for a guaranteed family income, he threatened national boycotts and he wanted to call public attention to the problem of poverty in America by having nonviolent camp-ins. King’s belief all along was that people can promote change and improve society by using non-violent ways.

With this in mind, M.L. King, Jr. began to plan a large march of the poor on Washington, D.C. He imagined a demonstration so large that Congress would have to recognize and deal with this problem that was affecting so many Americans.

King interrupted these plans to lend his support to the Memphis sanitation men’s strike. He wanted to discourage

He never got back to speak the night of April 4, 1968. King flew to Memphis international Airport the day before and while standing outside on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel with Jesse Jackson and Ralph Abernathy, an assassin shot

His message of freedom, equality, justice and love still rings out today. About the civil rights movement and his quest for equality, Dr. King once said, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

Turning Full Retirement Age in 2023? Consider Filing for Benefits This Month

BY TOM MARGENAU

I write a column like this one every January, but I don’t mind plagiarizing myself because it contains a very important message for people planning to retire in 2023.

January is a critical month for the hundreds of thousands of potential Social Security beneficiaries who are reaching 66 and 6 months, their so-called full retirement age, in 2023. The important message: all of them should at least consider the possibility of filing for their benefits this month, even though they may not be reaching their retirement age until later in the year.

Please note that if you want to delay filing for your Social Security benefits until 70 to get the “delayed retirement credit” of about 30% added to your monthly benefits, then you should forgo the procedure discussed in this column. Also, if you’re one of those people who absolutely insists on waiting until your FRA to file for benefits, then forget this column’s message.

But if you are open to the possibility of increasing your benefit payout for 2023, you may want to consider filing for benefits in January.

The reason for this early filing time frame has to do with some quirky and complicated features of Social Security’s earnings penalty provisions. Those provisions generally keep seniors who are still working off Social Security’s rolls until they reach that magic full retirement age.

The law essentially says if you are over 62 but under your full retirement age and are still working full time, you are not eligible for Social Security. Specifically, the rules require that the Social Security Administration deduct $1 from any retirement benefits you might be due for every $2 you earn over $21,240 in 2023.

However, the rules say that once you reach your full retirement age, you are due full Social Security benefits even if you are still working and no matter how much money you are making.

Let’s follow an example. Let’s say Ed was born in January 1957, which means he’ll reach his full retirement age of 66 and 6 months in July 2023. And let’s further say Ed generally makes about $80,000 per year and he plans to continue working indefinitely. Based on the earnings penalty rules I briefly outlined above, Ed figures he must wait until July (his full retirement age) to begin collecting his Social Security benefits. As I said, at that magical point the earnings penalty rules no longer apply, and he can get his Social Security. And prior to that, he’s making way more than the $21,240 income threshold.

But here is why Ed should check into applying for Social Security in January. Congress set up a more lenient earnings threshold for the year you reach your full retirement age. Specifically, it says

you can earn up to $56,520 between January and the month you reach your full retirement age and still get Social Security benefits. And even if you earn more than $56,520, you lose only $1 from your benefits for every $3 you exceed that threshold.

Ed is going to make $40,000 between January and June (i.e., before he reaches the magic age of 66 and 6 months). That’s under the $56,520 threshold for 2023, which means Ed is due benefits beginning in January. He does NOT have to wait until July to apply for his Social Security checks.

There is a bit of a catch. By starting his benefits in January, Ed will be accepting a slightly reduced amount. (Benefits are reduced roughly one-half of 1% for each month they are taken before full retirement age.)

If Ed’s Social Security benefit at full retirement age is $2,500 per month, let’s look at his options.

Ed’s first option is to wait until July to start his Social Security benefits. He’ll get $2,500 per month for six months or $15,000 for the year 2023.

Ed’s second option is to file for Social Security in January. Starting his benefits slightly early, his monthly rate is reduced to about $2,400. That comes out to $28,800 in total benefits for the year 2023. The downside to Option No. 1 is his ongoing monthly benefit rate will be $100 less than what he would have been getting in Option No. 1. But because he’d be getting about $13,800 less in 2023 benefits in Option No. 1, it would take Ed a long time to make up that loss with his extra $100 per month in ongoing benefits.

Even if Ed were going to make more than the $56,520 income threshold between January and June, he only loses one dollar in Social Security benefits for each three dollars he exceeds that amount. So, he still might come out ahead by filing in January.

Here is a quick example using that scenario. Let’s say Ed will make $60,000 between January and June. That’s $3,480 over the $56,520 limit. And one-third of that excess, or $1,160, must be deducted from his 2023 benefits. But he would still get $27,640 in benefits for the year. That’s still way better than the $15,000 he would be due by waiting until July to file for his Social Security.

Please note that this strategy generally only works for those who turn full retirement age in early to mid 2023 and whose earnings prior to reaching FRA are at least close to the $56,520 limit. In other words, if you will make a lot more than $56,520 the year you attain your full retirement age, or if you reach your FRA later in the year, you should probably just wait until your FRA month to file for your Social Security benefits.

I know these rules are complicated and the math in the examples above might be difficult to follow. But my overall message is easy to follow: If you’re

reaching your full retirement age in early to mid 2023, you might want to talk to a Social Security representative sometime this month to find out if it’s to your advantage to file for your benefits to start in January.

One word of caution: Many readers in the past told me that when they tried to file in January, Social Security Administration representatives told them they could not do so. Sadly, far too many SSA agents are unfamiliar with how these rules work. If you run into the

same problem, tell that person to check with his or her supervisor.

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

COPYRIGHT

2023 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

REAL ESTATE WATCH

Air quality can have an impact on your health

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Your health is extremely important in contributing to the quality of your life. Since breathing is a 24/7 function of living; healthy air within your home or apartment is a crucial factor in that process. Having dust and organism-free air contributes to a healthier environment as well as keeping viruses at bay with the proper setup and will make for a more positive atmosphere. Moreover, if you have children this will contribute to your child’s well-being, causing less congestion and potential illnesses.

Most new homes are so well insulated and airtight that unless windows are open regularly to allow fresh air to come in, the environment can become stale, as we constantly breathe and exhale the same air. Also, cleaning hot air and CAC ducts periodically will minimize the accumulation of dust and potentially harmful organisms.

Due to the clay content of soil on the north shore of Long Island, it is difficult for water to percolate down through the earth. This can cause a mustier and potentially moldier habitat, especially in basements without dehumidifiers or air purification systems; and for some, this can contribute to annoying and nagging allergies as well as breathing difficulties, which can be a daily challenge.

However, be aware there are those companies who use the mold as a major health hazard and selling point in scaring homeowners to spend inordinate sums of money to fix a problem that may not be as serious as it seems. Many times all one needs to do is wear an N95 mask when cleaning surface areas with Clorox bleach to remove mold. However, if inside a wall then more intensive remediation may need to be done. However, due to the potential-

ly expensive undertaking, it would be prudent to get a few estimates before making a decision.

Generally dying from mold usually doesn’t occur, unless it is tested and found to be of high levels of mycotoxins, Talaromyces marneffei, Aspergillusfumigatus or Stachybotrys chartarum origin and you are immune-compromised, have serious health issues, extremely serious breathing problems or have AIDS. Since we’ve all experienced the Pandemic over the last 2+ years and spending more time inside this winter and currently dealing with all the variants, especially with the increase of flu, RSV, and Covid, having clean air within our homes should be a priority for healthy living. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has very pertinent information about mold that you can read here: https://www.cdc. gov/mold/faqs.htm During the winter months having a humidifier in your living areas or as an attachment to your hot air heating system; or placing a bowl of water by or on top of your hot water radiators will provide helpful moisture to your breathing passages and to your skin in minimizing dryness.

Air pollution in and outside your home is still a major health problem for many people today as we continue to create our energy from the burning of fossil fuels. Controlling the quality of the air inside your home can be very purposeful and beneficial.

There are superior devices that will safeguard and clean your air from whole-house filters to less costly units

that will provide adequate coverage for your home. Consumers Reports, which is an independent nonprofit organization, assists consumers with making decisions on products from A-Z by providing accurate, truthful, unbiased, and transparent information. They have tested and compared the most current air purifiers for 2023 so purchasers can make a decision on what makes the most sense. Here is a link: https://www.consumerreports. org/air-purifiers/best-air-purifiersof-the-year-a1197763201/ Protecting oneself and family in staying healthy and happy in this New Year should be of utmost importance going forward and to reduce any potential illnesses that might occur.

Living in your home with clean fresh air will provide your family with a safer healthier environment for years to come and hopefully minimize and eliminate health issues and doctor visits. Lastly, when the time comes to putting your home on the market, it will be a bonus selling point. You will be confident in providing your buyers the added value to the home that has been cared for and that they will experience healthier air inside the home. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

I want to wish everyone a healthy, happy enjoyable, and more lucrative 2023.

Continue to Donate to the Ukrainian Crisis and save a life or 2: https://usaforiom.org/iomsukraine-response/

Slash Food Costs and Give Yourself a Raise

KNOW YOUR PRICES

THINK SEASONAL

Pound for pound, fresh produce can be much cheaper than fast food, chips, cookies, candy, soda pop or prepackaged, preprocessed convenience items -- and it’s lot more nutritious. But there is a catch. You have to buy what’s in season. If it’s $4.99 a pound, it’s not in season. When apples are 3 pounds for 99 cents, bananas are 49 cents a pound and red-flame seedless grapes are 77 cents a pound, you know they’re in season. There are always bargains in the produce department. Adjust your tastes accordingly.

Devise a system that will keep you current on the shelf price and sale price of food items you buy on a regular basis. It might be a small notebook you carry with you or a spreadsheet you maintain in your computer. Marketing campaigns take advantage of the ignorance of the buying public. You need to be smart enough to know a real deal when you see it and also detect a counterfeit. It’s difficult to find the humor in a sign that announces “Two for $2” unless you know the regular price is 89 cents each.

SET LIMITS

This is the fun part. Example: I don’t spend more than $2 for a box of cereal.

It’s not always available at that price, but when it’s on sale and I have coupons to match, I stock up. My personal limit for boneless, skinless chicken breasts is $2.79 a pound; $2 for a 16-ounce bottle of salad dressing and so on.

CONTROL PORTIONS

Dr. Dean Edell, in his book “Eat, Drink & Be Merry,” says the healthiest diet is not one that is low-fat or highcarb. The healthiest way to eat is to eat less -- small amounts of a large variety of foods. Rather than serving dinner family style (passing the food around the table), try restaurant style, where the food is “plated” in the kitchen. Now the cook controls portion sizes -- a great

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

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

first step to reducing overconsumption.

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

STARGAZERS

Venus Meets Saturn

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of January 15-21, 2023

You may have noticed a brilliant “star” shining in the southwestern sky at dusk, but you might have missed the other one not far above it.

Actually, these aren’t “stars” at all; they’re planets -- the brightest in all the heavens along with one of the faintest -and they are gearing up to put on quite a show for stargazers.

The brighter of the two is Venus, a world the same size as our own Earth -about 8,200 miles across -- and shrouded by highly reflective clouds. The other, considerably fainter, is the ringed planet Saturn.

If you’ve been watching the pair the past few nights you’ve surely noticed that Saturn and Venus appear to be converging from night to night. This is because they, along with our Earth, orbit the sun, and our constantly changing viewpoint makes them appear to drift independently against the more distant and “fixed” stars.

On the evening of Sunday, Jan. 22, these two will appear remarkably close together -- less than half a degree apart -- and will form a “double star” in our southwestern sky at dusk. On that night it might be tough to spot Saturn without binoculars or a small telescope because the glare of Venus will overwhelm this

dimmer planet, but the view of the pair through a small telescope should be spectacular! You’ll need to get outside 20-30 minutes or so after sunset to catch them at their best.

On this night you might also notice the thin crescent moon below these planets. It might be tough to see but if you have a very low horizon in that direction, try scanning the area with binoculars after sunset and you might catch a glimpse.

If you miss it, don’t worry. On the next night, the waxing crescent moon -- complete with a full disk of “Earthshine”, light reflecting back onto the lunar dark side from the Earth itself -- will appear just above Venus and Saturn, though they will have separated considerably by then

By Wednesday, Jan. 25, the moon will have drifted farther eastward on its own orbit and its thicker crescent will appear quite close to the bright gas giant planet Saturn.

Aim binoculars toward these groupings and you’ll be stunned by how three-dimensional the scene appears. Of course, this is an illusion since we’re unable to perceive true depth in the cosmos, but it sure does produce a pretty picture.

And speaking of pretty pictures, this is the time to try taking photos. You don’t need fancy or expensive equipment; just

a camera with a zoom lens and a tripod will do fine, and even a smartphone with some magnification will do just fine.

If you shoot around 20-30 minutes or so after sunset, you can probably trust your camera’s automatic settings. If not, try setting your camera to ISO 100 or 200 and shooting 1/3 of a second or so at f/8.

You’ll need to adjust settings as you

go, however, since the light changes rapidly at dusk, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Enjoy the planetary sky show, and please email me if you produce some nice photos. I’d love to share in your success!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com..

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

Aim binoculars toward these groupings and you’ll be stunned by how three-dimensional the scene appears. Of course, this is an illusion since we’re unable to perceive true depth in the cosmos, but it sure does produce a pretty picture.

LOST IN SUBURBIA

Wait Training at the Gym

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

On a normal day, I can usually score a parking spot at the health club within four spots of the door. But the week after New Year’s I will usually arrive at the gym and find the lot so completely full, I’ll be forced to park in Suburbia Siberia.

“I got my workout just walking from the car to the club,” I whined to the gym employee at the front desk last year after I hoofed it from the nearby supermarket parking lot.

“You think that’s bad? Wait until you see in there,” she said, nodding her head toward the gym down the hall.

“Crowded?” I asked.

She nodded her head.

“What are all these people doing here?” I said. “Are you giving away free Power Bars?”

“Nope. They’re New Year’s Resolutioners,” she said matter-of-factly.

I heard a din from behind the doors and I cringed. My normally quiet, unassuming health club had been overtak-

en by the guilt-ridden victims of holiday overindulgence. The “too-many Christmas cookie-ers,” “too-much party platter-ers” and the “too busy to exercise-ers” were all running amok in my gym, desperate to shed their holiday pounds. They all made a New Year’s resolution to get in shape and, from the looks of it, they all decided to do it at my health club that day.

Of course, I should be clear that it’s not my health club. I don’t own it. I merely have a membership like all these other people. But as a “regular,” not a “resolutioner,” I felt that I should be able to park where I wanted without having to leave my car at the long-term parking lot at the airport and catch a shuttle to my gym. Plus, all these new people meant that there was going to be competition for the bikes in the spin class, the 10-pound weights in the sculpting class and the good ellipticals that don’t squeak. No, I wasn’t a happy health-club camper. I was miffed. I was annoyed. I had a bad case of health-righteous indignation.

“All those New Year’s Resolutioners have taken over my health club,” I complained to my husband.

He gave me the blank stare that he reserves for my righteous indignation tirades.

“They’re filling the parking lot and the exercise classes,” I continued.

“Hey, maybe you’ll meet some nice people and make some new workout friends,” he said cheerfully.

I glared at him. “I have enough friends.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Clearly, because you are so warm and welcoming.”

I thought that maybe I was, indeed, being a little hard on the new members. I too had overindulged over the holidays, so it’s not like I couldn’t relate to their New Year’s angst.

For a while I tried alternating my routine by coming a little earlier than usual and a little later than I liked to see if the crowds thinned out a bit. I made light conversation with some of the newbies.

I even offered the last towel on the rack to a resolutioner, and one day I gave up my bike at a spin class to someone new. I had turned over a new leaf and become the Mother Theresa of the health club.

But just when I had finally started to accept this new gym existence, about two weeks into the New Year, I arrived at the gym and found it... empty.

“Where did everyone go?” I asked the lady at the front desk incredulously.

“Where they go every year about two weeks after they make their resolutions to exercise and lose weight,” she said.

“Where’s that?” I wondered.

She shrugged. “Dunkin’ Donuts.”

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

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

COUNTER HELP WANTED for the Snack Bar at the Parkwood Sports Complex Ice Skating Rink in Great Neck. Experience preferred. Will train. Please call 516-826-4540

LEGAL ASSISTANT Garden City Attorney Seeks legal assistant to work full time or part time. Excellent typing skills and accounting background a plus. Reply to: LTJonesAtty@cs.com OR 516-747-1141

SITUATION WANTED

A COMPANION HOME HEALTH AIDE & BABYSITTER

20 years experience in home care, nursing homes and babysitting. Seeking a position to care for the sick / elderly.

Male or female patients. Experience with Dementia, Alzheimers, Stroke.

Babysitting services also available.

References available. English speaking. Please call: 347-546-4133

CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH AIDE

with over 15 years of experience.

Assisting in the personal care of the patient and maintaining quality of life:

Oral Hygiene, Bathing, Shower or Bath, Toileting and Personal Grooming activities, Shopping if necessary and meal prep. Assist with feeding if necessary.

Take patient to medical appointments and social activities.

Call 516-602-7178

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

HEALTH AIDE: Certified Aide seeking to provide private duty care to Garden City or local area resident. Available Monday through Friday, part time or full time, flexible hours, exceptional references. Call Annmarie 917-586-7433

CAREER TRAINING

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! (844) 947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) Computer with internet is required.

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING

Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get trained, certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-5436440 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) Computer with internet is required.

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

516-746-8900

Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-Silver-MirrorsLamps-Artwork Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit.... Our Shop 109 Eleventh St. Garden City Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4 Shop Our Online Store ATStewartExchange.org Items to Consign? Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange.org

All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society Like us on Facebook & Instagram

MARKETPLACE

INVITED ESTATE SALES

BY TRACY JORDAN

is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now! Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516-279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information. Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

MARKETPLACE

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY!

A used Peleton bike. Prefer a 2021 or 2022 model. Call Greg 516-238-0603

LOOKING TO BUY!

Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104

TOP CASH PAID: ESTATE CONTENTS ALL OBJECTS OF ART JEWELRY, ETC. Please call 718-598-3045 or 516-270-2128 www.antiqueassets.com

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS

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

DRIVE OUT BREAST CANCER: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup 24hr response Tax deduction Easy to do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

WHEELS FOR WISHES benefitting Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. Your Car Donations Matter NOW More Than Ever! Free Vehicle Pick Up ANYWHERE. We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not. 100% Tax Deductible. Minimal To No Human Contact. Call: 877-798-9474

Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. www.wheelsforwishes.org

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

OUT OF TOWN REAL ESTATE

RENTAL STUART, FLORIDA VISTA DEL LAGO

Second Floor

1 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths Newly Updated Baths FULLY FURNISHED 3 month minimum $2,000/month 4 months or more $1,900/month Call 516-680-8801

OFFICE SPACE

PRIVATE ROOM FOR RENT within a quiet office in Carle Place. Close to public transportation. Month to month no lease required. Bright and Cheerful! 516-334-3606

VACATION RENTAL

ATLANTIS, BAHAMAS TIME SHARE RENTAL Harborside On the Atlantis Marina July 8-15, 2023

Corner Premium 2BR, 2 BATH Unit, Bldg 7 Sleeps 8 7 nights, $4,100 Call: 516-742-3176

SERVICES

JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING

We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship Thousands of frames to choose from!! Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495

ATTORNEY

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

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

CHIMNEY KING ENT. INC. FREE ESTIMATES

Stainless steel liners cleaning & repair specialists. Masonry specialist. FULLY licensed & insured. NYC NASSAU SUFFOLK 516-766-1666 or 631-225-2600 Since 1982 chimneykinginc.com

DON’T PAY FOR COVERED HOME REPAIR AGAIN!

American Residential Warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE/$100 OFF POPULAR PLANS. 833-3980526

HANDYMAN

Careful & Reliable Serving GARDEN CITY and surrounding area since 2003 Repairs & Installations of all types

Carpentry, Moldings, Lighting and More 35-yr Nassau Resident References Lic#170101

Phone/Text Friendly Frank: 516-238-2112 Email: Frankcav@optonline. net

MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies

Top Brands at Discount Prices! Family owned & operated www.madeintheshadensli. com 516-426-2890

MASONRY

All types of stonework Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps.

Free Estimates Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000 Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886

ROOFS, GUTTERS, CARPENTRY, BATHROOMS, KITCHENS, BASEMENTS, NEW BASEMENT ENTRANCES, EXTENSIONS, FRAMING, MASONRY, FLOORS, WATERPROOFING, DRAINS, LEAKS, STOOPS, DECKS, DRIVEWAYS, ALL PHASES OF DEMOLITION. ARIS CONSTRUCTION 10% Discount w/ad. Call 516-406-1842 www.ArisLI.com

WIREMAN/CABLEMAN

Flat TVs mounted, Phone, TVs & Computer wiring installed & serviced, camera & stereos, HDTV Antennas FREE TV www.davewireman.com 516-433-WIRE (9473 631-667-WIRE (9473) or TEXT 516-353-1118

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

SERVICES

HEALTH SERVICES

FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC

Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo PMHCNS-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice Advanced Practice Nurse Care Manager

Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement

PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams

Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications 516-248-9323 www.familycareconnections.com 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

MICHELANGELO

PAINTING & WALLPAPER

Interior, Exterior, Plaster / Spackle, Light Carpentry, Decorative Moldings & Power Washing. Call: 516-328-7499

SERVICES PARTY HELP

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

RELAX & ENJOY Your Next Party! Catering and Experienced Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up Before, During and After Your Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545

TUTORING

THE HOMEWORK HELPER

NYS Certified Teacher available for private tutoring to provide academic support and homework help for students K-6. Ph.D. in Applied Psychology MA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education Please call Dr. Baker: 917-509-0799 to discuss your needs and schedule and introductory session

SERVICES SERVICES

A & J MOVING & STORAGE:

Established 1971. Long Island and New York State specialists. Residential, Commercial, Piano & Organ experts. Boxes available. Free estimates. www. ajmoving.com 516-741-2657

114 Jericho Tpk, Mineola NY DOT# 10405

DISH TV $64.99 for 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo expires 1/21/23 Call 1-866-595-6967

LEAK REPAIRS Plumbing Repairs Bathrooms, Showers, Kitchens 24 HOUR SERVICE Call 516-668-5624

MAGNUM SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. Serving Garden City for 40 years.

Let Magnum Upgrade Your Existing Security System. Burglar & Fire Alarms Cellular Radio 3G Upgrades Remote Access Call: 516-486-5484

PASSION FOR SENIORS

Certified HHA’s, Companions & Homemakers. 24 hour care available. Also Nassau Locations. Trained in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Call 718-850-3400

Spaghetti

versatile component in many meals

Spaghetti with Shrimp, Feta and Dill

Spaghetti has been enjoyed around the world for centuries. While spaghetti is most often associated with Italy, pasta has deep ties to other Mediterranean nations like Greece, and several territories of the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula. In fact, centuries ago dry durable pasta was one of the main sources of nutrition for Arab traders, including those who landed in Sicily.

The flavor profile of spaghetti can

Serves 4

ounces spaghetti (3⁄4 box)

cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil

pound peeled and deveined large shrimp

change significantly depending on which ingredients are added. Cooks needn’t feel beholden to the standard “spaghetti and meatballs” recipe. “Spaghetti with Shrimp, Feta and Dill,” for example, may take its inspiration from Greek cooking. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of “Real Simple Dinner Tonight: Done!” (Time Home Entertainment) from the editors of Real Simple.

Kosher salt and black pepper

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

3 ounces feta, crumbled (3⁄4 cup)

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh dill

and cook, tossing occasionally, until opaque throughout, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and zest.

3) Add the shrimp mixture to the pasta, along with the feta, dill, the remaining 1⁄4 cup of oil, and 1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Toss to combine.

is a

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Town of Oyster Bay   Zoning Board of Appeals

TOWN HALL, AUDREY AVENUE, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK  11771-1592  -  TELEPHONE:  (516) 624-6232 – FAX:  (516) 624-6149

RITA BYRNE, Chairwoman  –  LOIS SCHMITT, Vice Chairwoman   –  LEWIS J. YEVOLI KATHLEEN MULLIGAN –REBECCA M. ALESIA –ANDREW MONTELEONE – LISA CICCOLELLA **********************************************************************************************

PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Section 246-12 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on JANUARY 19, 2023, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals:

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO.  01-47 -  AMENDMENT

DINA EVANGELISTA:  (A) Amend Decision of Zoning Board of Appeals, dated January 18, 2001 in order to Amend the Declaration of Restrictive Covenants to indicate a change in occupancy while still maintaining a Parent/Child relationship.  (B) Extend the Special Use Permit to maintain an existing second kitchen in a one-family dwelling for use as a Parent/Child residence.

S/s/o Bluebird Dr., 80 ft. W/o Arbor Rd., a/k/a 50 Bluebird Drive, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 23-29 SYOSSET

GIAMPIERO CRECCO:  (A) Variance to construct attached garage having less average side/front yard setback (Gary Road) than permitted by Ordinance.  (B) Variance to construct roofed over patio and attached garage having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters.  (C) Variance to construct roofed over patio, attached garage, 10.3 ft. by 8 ft. shed and 14.3 ft. by 8 ft. shed exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance.  (D) Variance to allow existing 10.3 ft. by 8 ft. shed and 14.3 ft. by 8 ft. shed having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.  (E) Variance to allow existing 10.3 ft. by 8 ft. shed having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.  (F) Variance to allow existing 6 ft. high wood fence exceeding maximum height across front yard (Terrehans Lane) than permitted by Ordinance.

SE/ cor. of Gary Rd. & Terrehans Ln., a/k/a 60 Gary Road, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 23-30 SYOSSET

MARIAM NAWABI:  Variance to construct wood deck exceeding maximum building coverage and gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance.

NW/ cor. of Pine Rd. & Pine Rd ., a/k/a 34 Pine Road, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 23-31 SYOSSET

JORDAN SCHNEIDMAN:  (A) Variance to allow existing generator having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.  (B) Variance to construct open front porch and rear addition exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance.

W/s/o Ann Dr., 531.25 ft. S/o Harriet Dr., a/k/a 16 Ann Drive, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 23-32 SYOSSET

CHARLES SEMINARIO:  (A) Variance to construct new dwelling having less side yard setback and aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance.  (B) Variance to construct detached garage having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters.  (C) Variance to construct new dwelling and detached garage exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance.

N/s/o Calvin Ave., 1351.56 ft. W/o Berry Hill Rd., a/k/a 56 Calvin Avenue, Syosset, NY

JANUARY 9, 2023

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

scheduled a public appeals:

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

A Notice of Formation of LWE Property LLC, Art. of Org. filed Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/11/2022. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: The LLC, 9 Monfort PL, Syosset, NY 11791. Purpose: any lawful activity.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF SALE

change in as a to construct roofed over existing 10.3 ft. by setback Ordinance.   porch and rear construct detached

NOTICE

OF

SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee for the RMAC Trust, Series 2016-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST Jeffrey M. Greene, Lisa D. Greene, et al., Defendant(s)   Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 11, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 24, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 72 Aspen Drive West, Woodbury, NY 11797. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Woodbury, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, SBL #: 13, C, 163.  Approximate amount of judgment $501,384.19 plus interest and costs.  Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #004307/2016. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov/Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine". Glenn Jersey III, Esq., Referee   Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706   01-080848-F00 73958

NASSAU COUNTY

LEGAL NOTICES College Notes

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Town of Oyster Bay   Zoning Board of Appeals

TOWN HALL, AUDREY AVENUE, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK  11771-1592  -  TELEPHONE:  (516) 624-6232 – FAX:  (516) 6246149

RITA BYRNE, Chairwoman  –  LOIS SCHMITT, Vice Chairwoman   – LEWIS J. YEVOLI KATHLEEN MULLIGAN –REBECCA M. ALESIA –ANDREW MONTELEONE – LISA CICCOLELLA

PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Section 246-12 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on JANUARY 19, 2023, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals:

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 23-28 JERICHO

STEVEN STEIGERWALD:  Variance to install natural gas generator having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.

W/s/o Michelle Dr., 113.38 ft. S/o Garden Pl., a/k/a 107 Michelle Drive, Jericho, NY

JANUARY 9, 2023

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

Notice of Formation of Tip Z Tacos, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2022-11-09. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Legal Zoom: 9900 Spectrum Drive Austin TX 78717. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

Felicite Tien, a member of the Colgate University Class of 2025, has earned the spring 2022 Dean’s Award with Distinction.

Tien is a Neuroscience and Biology major from Hicksville, and is a graduate of Hicksville High School.

Students who receive a term grade point average of 3.6 or higher while completing at least three courses during the spring 2022 semester earn the Dean’s Award with Distinction.

Subscribe to our newspaper by calling 516-294-8900, or visit issuu.com and search for Litmor Publishing to find digital editions of each issue.

n Angelina Sangiovanni of Hicksville, recently was inducted into Psi Chi, the Psychology National Honor Society at Quinnipiac University.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY.

NAME: DEFINED STRATEGY LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 9/20/22. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, c/o DAVID MILLER, 1 Greenvale Lane, Syosset, NY 11791. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION

Notice of Formation of One10 Productions LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2022-12-15. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Mirna Wilson: PO Box 859 Valley Stream NY 11582. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

Psi Chi was founded in 1929 with a mission to encourage excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology. Students must have completed at least three semesters, including nine semester credit hours or equivalent of psychology courses. In addition, students must have earned a cumulative GPA that is in the top 35% of their class or the college that houses psychology and have a minimum 3.0 GPA average for psychology courses.

n Students who receive a term grade point average of 3.3 or higher while completing at least three courses for a conventional letter grade earn the Spring 2022 Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence at Colgate University. Among those honored were:

Anna Swinchuck, a member of the Class of 2025. She is a Philosophy major and a graduate of Holy Trinity Diocesan HS, from Hicksville.

Carly Kleinberg, a member of the Colgate University Class of 2024. She is an Environmental Studies major and a graduate of Syosset High School, from Syosset.

Students who receive a term grade point average of 3.3 or higher while completing at least three courses earn the spring 2022 Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence.

This Week at the Syosset Public Library Syosset teens honored by BOCES

Friday, January 13, at 2:00 p.m.

Andrew Carnegie: From Steel to Building Libraries (VIRTUAL)

Presenter: Rick Feingold, instructor, American business history, Bergen Community College

The amazing journey of Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) from steel magnate to philanthropist. After amassing an enormous fortune, he sold his company to J.P. Morgan and began funding many philanthropic projects, including construction of more than 2,500 libraries – many of which still exist.. Lecture is virtual. No registration is needed. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org.

Thursday, January 19, at 12:00 p.m.

#AskALibrarian (ON TWITTER)

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

Thursday, January 19, at 2:00 p.m.

The Beatles: The Songs They Recorded Written by Others (VIRTUAL)

Presenter: Vincent Bruno, Beatles scholar and 60s rock historian

Early in The Beatles’ career they recorded songs originally written and performed by many of their rock and roll and popular musical heroes. We will explore 70 songs that they covered as well as the various artists that influenced and helped the group to create and shape their early sound. No registration needed. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org.

Friday, January 20, at 1:30 p.m. Friday Movie at the Library (IN PERSON)

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

Two students from the Syosset CSD were named Students of the Quarter at Nassau BOCES Barry Tech career and technical education high school. Students of the Quarter are honored for their grades, attendance, work ethic and preparedness.

Joseph Fasano is studying exercise

medicine at Barry Tech to become a personal trainer; Ava Pacicca is studying construction trade skills. These students, both of whom are also attending Syosset High School, have taken the initiative on class projects and are role models for their fellow students, in both the classroom and the workplace.

riday, January 13, 2023

Syosset sophomore selected for piano showcase

Town to upgrade ballf ield at Marino Park

The Town of Oyster Bay is upgrading the baseball field at Marino Park in Oyster Bay with a complete inner-field replacement. The ballfield, currently natural turf, will undergo construction this winter to remove and replace the entire infield with synthetic turf.

“Marino Park serves as home to so many young athletes, and that’s why the Town Board and I are making these field upgrades a top priority,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “To enhance the playing experience for our little leaguers and athletes, we are replacing the natural grass infield with synthetic turf. These improvements are being made in a cost-conscious manner while ensuring the fields are ready for the spring season.”

Replacing the infields with artificial turf will provide for extended play

opportunities for athletes using Marino Park. Additionally, turf fields are less expensive than the long-term cost of maintaining a natural grass and dirt surface. Turf fields also provide the potential for fewer cancellations as the field is able to absorb rain storms in a manner that is not possible on a dirt infield.

“So many young athletes utilize Marino Park and this facility has gotten great use by the community,” said Town Clerk Richard LaMarca. “With such significant use, it can become more challenging to keep fields in top condition and difficult to manage schedules when weather makes the infield unplayable. These improvements will beautify this park while improving safety for the players.”

Town: First half taxes due

Syosset sophomore Aaron Liu was honored by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) for his accomplishments as a pianist. He was one of a dozen students throughout the state of New York selected for the 2022 NYSSMA Piano Showcase held in Rochester in early December. At the showcase, Aaron performed “Un sospiro” by Franz Liszt.

To be chosen to play at this prestigious recital, a student must first achieve a score of 100 on a NYSSMA Level 6, which is the highest level of difficulty that can be performed. Once a student has received this score, they must then submit an audition recording to a panel of musicians who then select the students for the Showcase.

Ladies Night Out benefits Boys & Girls Club

The Second Annual Ladies Night Out event will be held on Tuesday, March 14, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the Crescent Beach Club, in Bayville, to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich. The Crescent Beach Club is situated on one of Long Island’s most spectacular waterfront venues, providing an unparalleled experience and setting. The event co-chairs, Marie Bahnik and Michèle Bahnik Mercier, are planning an evening filled with great food, distinctive shopping, wonderful raffle prizes, and fun for all.

For a donation of $150 per person, the event includes a cocktail hour,

sit down dinner and dessert, raffles for exciting prizes and shopping boutiques. Unique and one-of-a-kind vendors will display their collections, including jewelry; men’s, women’s and children’s fashion accessories; home décor; specialty foods; and so much more.

The proceeds raised from this event will foster the enhancement of programs and further expand the services of the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich.

For further information, please call Denise Ribeiro, at 516-922-9285, ext. 14, or email development@bgcoben.com.

Oyster Bay Town Receiver of Taxes

Jeffrey Pravato reminds residents that the First Half of the 2023 General Tax Levy was due on January 1, but can be paid without penalty through February 10. Please be certain to sign your check, payable to Jeffrey P. Pravato, Receiver of Taxes. Indicate your property’s S.D. Code, Section, Block, Lot, and Phone number on the check.

“The Town of Oyster Bay did not raise taxes for 2023, however, the General Tax bill also includes amounts for Nassau County and special districts. New York State Laws allows my office to provide taxpayers with a 40-day penalty free period from the date the tax is due during which payment may be made without penalty,” added Receiver Pravato. “After the 40 days, State Law requires a one percent penalty be added for each month the tax remains unpaid, retroactive to January 1st. Don’t delay, make your payment before February 10th and ensure you aren’t paying more out of pocket than you need to.”

Taxes can be paid in-person at Town Hall North (74 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay) and at Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa) daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. to assist residents and accept payments with either a check, cash or credit card.* Both indoor offices and walkup outdoor windows are staffed to assist the public. On February 9 and 10, both offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. When paying in

person, residents are reminded to bring the entire tax bill. Drop Boxes have been installed at both Town Hall North and Town Hall South for residents to make payments when the Tax Office is closed.

Residents who prefer to mail in their payments should send them to the Office of the Receiver of Taxes, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 11771-1539. Please be certain to sign your check, and make it payable to Jeffrey P. Pravato, Receiver of Taxes. Indicate your property’s S.D. Code, Section, Block, Lot and phone number on the check, along with your payment stub. Residents should NOT write on, fold, staple or otherwise deface the tax stub as it can cause the computer system to reject the payment.

Taxpayers can access 2023 General Tax information at www.oysterbaytown. com. Residents may view tax bills, print out a hard copy, or pay taxes with an ACH check payment using a checking account for a service fee of $1.75 cents*, or by credit card for a much higher fee* charged by the credit card companies.

*Town of Oyster Bay receives no portion of this fee.

For more information on property taxes and/or payments, residents may call at (516) 624-6400 or email receiveroftaxes@oysterbay-ny.gov. Callers are requested to have the school district, section, block and lot numbers of the property in question available. This information is listed on the tax bill and on the property deed.

From left: Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts at SCD Christopher Hale, SHS Band Director Paul Caputo, and Syosset sophomore Aaron Liu.

Photo credit: Syosset Central School District

County Executive owes residents action, not rhetoric, in New Year

From page 2

American Rescue Plan funds, which are governed by stringent federal guidelines and must be obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by 2026, have been ignored. What is even more worrisome is that the County’s surplus is being misused to give jobs and money to political allies and promote partisan campaigns in violation of local, state, and federal laws.

What can the County’s taxpayers and business leaders do then to get this County Executive’s attention and spur his administration to act? As a starting point, we suggest this list of New Year’s resolutions:

• Cut taxes by $128 million and give the County’s surplus back to the taxpayers

• Appoint a permanent assessor and support a full reassessment

• Abide by Executive Order 1-2018, which prohibits political leaders from simultaneously serving in certain County government roles

• Stop using County-funded free concerts to promote partisan political candidates

Support our proposals to:

• Extend the gasoline sales tax cut to March 1, 2023 and give residents the maximum allowable relief

• Establish an American Rescue Plan advisory council to allow the communi-

ty to guide the allocation and spending of historic $385 million in federal funding

• Implement a clothing and footwear tax sales holiday to support local families and businesses

• Expand the NCPD by 110 officers and create a dedicated hate crimes division to improve public safety

• Create the position of Deputy Commissioner of Cybersecurity and hire a dedicated team to protect our County from cyber threat

• Supply fentanyl testing strips to individuals to prevent overdoses

• Deliver drug deactivation pouches for the safe disposal of prescription medication

• Protect food allergy sufferers by creating a restaurant Epi-Pen pilot program

• Mandate the disclosure of income statements by utility companies

• Require gun store owners to lock up firearms at night to protect our children from gun violence - the leading cause for children’s deaths

In this new year, our residents deserve accountability and meaningful action, not empty rhetoric. At a time when trust in our institutions is so fragile, it is more important than ever to hold officials accountable when they fail to fulfill their promise - and it starts right here in Nassau County.

Michele Gort

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson costellogortteam@compass.com M: 516.526.9936

Andrea Costello

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson costellogortteam@compass.com M: 516.457.6451