Jericho-Syosset News Journal (5/31/24)

REGENERON

FINALISTS

The Town of Oyster Bay recently honored Jericho High School Senior Natasha Kulviwat, Vincent Huang of Syosset High School and Jacob Gross of Roslyn High School. These students were recently recognized as Finalists in the prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Competition, which included a $25,000 prize for each of them. Natasha, Vincent and Jacob made the Top Ten and were selected from 300 semifinalist scholars and a total applicant pool of nearly 2,200. Finalists are considered to be among America’s brightest students in science and math and represent some the area’s most outstanding schools.

BOE incumbents: “Why We Won”

BY GEORGE HABER

Despite well-organized, aggressive campaigning by their challengers, Jericho incumbent trustees Sam Perlman and Jennifer Vartanov retained their seats on the Jericho Board of Trustees for another threeyear term.

“I believe the people who voted for us realize the need for proven, independent voices that reflect the perspective of the community,” said Perlman.

“They knew we have the solid financial and business background to represent the community’s best interests,”Perlman said.

Perlman and Vartanov together garnered 2,374 votes; Camhi and Khan obtained 2,014.

“Jennifer and I respect the challengers’ sincerity and commitment to Jericho education,” Perlman said. “We all share this commitment. But at the end of the day, the voters wanted to stay the course we have already set out.”

Vartanov, who is a founder of a national merchant services company, said, “I think it’s important to have board members who are willing to challenge the status quo and the practice of making decisions without raising questions and challenges, where these are warranted. A majority of the community clearly sees it this way, too.”

TOB Beach restoration complete for summer

The Town of Oyster Bay completed a major sand replenishment project at TOBAY Beach just in time for the start of summer. Mother Nature has eroded TOBAY over the last four years, and two million cubic yards of sand were washed away during a recent storm. As a result, the Town launched a sand replenishment initiative to save TOBAY for the 2024 Summer Season, delivering 31,000 tons of sand. However, further action

from the Federal Government is necessary to secure a long-term fix.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “The men and women of the Town of Oyster Bay workforce have saved the summer! We’ve literally moved a mountain of sand to fortify the shoreline at TOBAY Beach and ensured residents have a new, clean beach to enjoy. My colleagues on the Town Board and I understand how beloved the beautiful

TOBAY Beach is to our residents. That’s why we immediately sprang into action to save our beach and save the summer.”

Supervisor Saladino has also requested emergency assistance from United States Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with Congressman Andrew Garbarino and Governor Kathy Hochul, to begin planning for a long-term solution. Officials in all levels of government are needed to pressure the Army Corps of Engineers to develop a long-term solution that hardens the shoreline with additional sand, shields the primary nesting areas of protected

species known as piping plover, defends the mainland and continues to provide public access to Long Islanders. While winter storms are partially to blame for the problems, Town engineers believe a change in longshore currents contributed to the crisis and that such transformation is the result of dredged materials placed at West Gilgo Beach in the Town of Babylon.

Supervisor Saladino stated, “I know the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has the expertise to resolve this matter and I implore their immediate assistance. A

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Two arrests in smoke shop robbery

Nassau County Police arrested two people on Friday, May 24, for allegedly robbing the Evolve Smoke Shop in Hicksville.

According to detectives, officers responded to a robbery in progress at Evolve Smoke Shop located at 612 S Oyster Bay Road at 2:48 p.m. Upon arrival, officers were informed by a male employee, 26, that Cristian Zuluaga, 20, of Hicksville, selected merchandise from the store shelves and proceeded to exit the store.  Police say that when the male employee approached Zuluaga, he was punched numerous times in the head and a struggle ensued. According to police, during the struggle, Margarita Bournias, 18, Syosset, entered the store and became involved in the altercation.

Police say Bournias pushed the victim

and threw a coffee mug, striking him in the head and then Zuluaga and Bournias then fled the store without paying for the items. Police say the pair returned a short while later and officers were able to place them both into police custody without further incident.  The victim suffered pain to his head and minor abrasions to his right thumb and ring finger.  He was evaluated at the scene and refused further medical treatment.

Cristian Zuluaga is charged with two (2) counts of Robbery 2nd Degree, Assault 2nd Degree and Petit Larceny. Defendant Margarita Bournias is charged with two  counts of Robbery 2nd Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree.

Repressive Jericho

To the Editor:

As another BoE election cycle ends, we can all take a deep breath and remind ourselves that some of us passionately engage in these elections because we care deeply about the public education system and its benefit to our children.

The Jericho community, having a world-renowned school district, with Blue Ribbon elementary schools, a middle school ranked #14 and a high school ranked #1 on Long Island, did not raise to the same high standard in this disputed election.

As a Latina immigrant, who is privileged to reside in Jericho and to send my kids to one of the best public schools in the US, I am appalled by the behavior of some Jericho residents who summar-

ily erased my social media comments about a challenger candidate who: a) didn’t respect the residency rules, b) voted at the 2023 election while listing in the voter rolls her address where no house existed therein and c) no payment  of non-resident tuition to the Jericho school, according to information I obtained through FOIL requests. Conversely, at the same time, numerous disparaging comments about an incumbent were never similarly erased.

All I ask in future elections is fair play to ensure that there is no favoritism, bias, or manipulation that could undermine the integrity of the election.

To do otherwise, could compromise the district.

Alessandra Grieco

Passport processing at Town of Oyster Bay

To help residents looking to obtain new passports, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca announced that his office will offer a special one-stop Passport Weekend on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa.

“Residents looking to apply for a new passport are invited to visit Town Hall during Passport Weekend to receive assistance,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “We can help you with organizing your documents, obtaining a photo and submitting the documents for approval.”

Requirements for applying for a passport include:

• One 2x2 color photograph with a clear view of the applicant’s face against a plain white or light colored background. Photos will also be available for $10 at both Town Halls North and South during Passport Weekend.

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship – Previously issued undamaged U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or

Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate, or Certificate of Citizenship.

• Proof of Identity –Naturalization Certificate, Valid Driver’s License (cannot have been issued or renewed in the last six months), Current Government ID (city, state or federal), Current Military ID (military and dependents).

• This service does NOT apply to Adult Renewals unless your Passport is expired for 5+ years.

Town Clerk LaMarca has offices located at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa.  Passport appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and during this special Passport Weekend.  For appointments in Oyster Bay, please call (516) 624-6324.  For appointments in Massapequa, please call (516) 797-7962.

For information on passport requirements and processing times, as well as instructions for passport renewals, visit www.travel.state.gov.

Margarita Bournias

Christian Zuluaga

Eighth graders enjoy afternoon social Registration open for GAP summer program

The Group Activities Program (GAP) will run a Summer Program from July 1 through August 9 at Marjorie Post Community Park in Massapequa and Syosset-Woodbury Community Park. The Summer Day Camp program will run daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be open to developmentally disabled children and young adults ages 5–21.

“Our Group Activities Program Summer Day Camp is one of the finest programs of its kind in the nation and our activities specialists take great pride in fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive atmosphere at the day camp,” Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “We’re focused on group interaction, and as part of the summer camp, participants will be able to take part in activities such as swimming,

arts and crafts, sports, music, and playground time. I encourage residents to take this opportunity to register now and take advantage of this great program.”

This GAP Summer Day Camp provides a unique social-recreational experience for developmentally disabled town residents in a well-supervised setting over the course of six weeks. The GAP Program is administered through the Handicapped Services Division of the Town’s Department of Community and Youth Services. The focus of the GAP program is group interaction.

The 6-week program costs $250 per child registered. To register for summer camp, please contact the GAP Office at (516)797-7947.

Attention students!

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

Hicksville eighth graders recently enjoyed an afternoon social in the school’s cafeteria to celebrate their final days as middle schoolers. The students ate Italian ices and collected signatures from classmates and teachers on this year’s commemorative t-shirt!

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

BHS students recognized by Nassau County

School social worker Sarah Glassman, students Devaanshi Kawatra, Lily Kovac, Emma Krittman, Abigail O’Hara, Zachary Fradella and Assistant Principal Charlotte Hirsch-Beckman

Five Bethpage High School students with a dedication to community service and kindness have been recognized by Nassau County with the Students Build Bridges Award. Presented during a Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration at Adelphi University, students received their awards after hearing from Holocaust survivor Leo S. Ullman.

Students Zachary Fradella, Devaanshi Kawatra, Lily Kovac, Emma Krittman and Abigail O’Hara were each nominated by BHS social worker Sarah Glassman, who described them as “a good showcase of giving back and community service. These are cream of the crop kids who are doing good and spreading kindness.”

“They really have done an outstanding job of bridging gaps within the community and within the school building,” she said.

Zachary, co-president of the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Club, had led several initiatives to raise awareness for mental health concerns. His nomination stated “his dedication extends to mentoring students with special needs and serving as a student ambassador for suicide prevention programs.”

Devaanshi Kawatra is an aspiring physician with a “passion for making a difference.” According to her nomination, she “actively engages in community service and recently secured a grant to create Care Kits for Kids aimed at promoting mental health.”

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, May 31, at 2:00 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.

Saturday, June 1, at 10:00 a.m.

Cat Mosaic Art Class (In-Person)

Presenter: Gabriella Grama, mosaic artist

Join the artist and learn how to make a traditional mosaic tile glass key holder (or can be used for hanging up any small items).  Glass mosaic tiles and all other supplies are provided. Fee: $5. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Sunday, June 2, at 1:00 p.m.

The Music of Irving Berlin with Plaza Theatrical (In-Person) Performers: Plaza Theatrical Productions

for lunch.

Thursday, June 6, from 1:30 -3:30 p.m.

Seniors of Syosset Drop-In Session (In-Person)

Learn about social work support, community health nursing, and subsidized transportation to local medical appointments and free bus transportation for shopping, as well as other activities and services, offered to Syosset residents through the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community program funded by the NYS Office for the Aging. These services are only available to residents of Syosset proper, age 60 and over. For those living in the surrounding area, staff can provide referrals to other resources that may address your needs.

Thursday, June 6, at 2:00 p.m.

Electing the President (In-Person)

Lily Kovac is a fellow co-president of SADD and was selected as a Sources of Strength Peer Leader. According to her nomination, she is “dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and wellness within her school community.”

Emma Krittman is vice president of SADD and her nomination stated her “selflessness extends beyond school as she actively assists her peers and participates in community service initiatives.”

Abigail O’Hara is also vice president of SADD and she was described in her nomination as having a “welcoming demeanor and commitment to community service,” specifically noting her work with special needs students and Girl Scouts.

Students also heard firsthand from Holocaust survivor Leo S. Ullman. Kawatra shared the impact that this experience had on her, saying “Hearing the Holocaust survivor recount his story from his childhood, I felt it was very moving because we learned about it in school and we hear stories about it, but hearing it from him first hand, seeing him go through the emotions when he was presenting, that's a completely different experience and I feel like I learned a lot.”

Award winner Zachary shared his excitement at being selected, saying “It’s an honor to win this because all the hard work we put in to make the community better and get everyone involved, its nice to feel like someone notices it.”

From his first hit song,  “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” in 1911, through  “An Old-Fashioned Wedding,” written for the 1966 revival of  “Annie Get Your Gun,” Berlin’s 1,500 songs reached the hearts of Americans, and paid tribute to his adopted country. This program will honor the man and spotlight his music that remains an integral part of our musical heritage.

Registration required. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Tuesday, June 4, from 9:30 am – 3:30 p.m.

Driver’s Safety Course (In-Person)

For drivers of all ages. Completion entitles you to a NYS insurance discount and to a point reduction. Bring your NYS driver's license and a pen. In-person registration ONLY. Fee: $33, check payable to “Empire Safety Council.” Includes a 30-minute break

Presenter: James Coll, adjunct professor of American and Constitutional history, Nassau Community College and Hofstra University, and retired NYPD detective What were the Founders thinking when they created the Electoral College? This lecture will provide an overview of the constitutional road to the White House. The focus will be on the complex system designed to decide who gets to be our nation’s Chief Executive—and whether it still needs to be so complicated. No registration needed.

Friday, June 7, at 2:00 p.m.

Collage Art Class (In-Person) Instructor: Meagan Meehan Everyone will paint a canvas and decorate it with clay, rhinestones, bottle caps, and more. All materials will be supplied and no art experience is needed. Fee: $5. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

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Gardiners Ave. School gets Career Day visitors

Each student had a turn seeing the inside of a police car.

Students at Gardiners Avenue Elementary School in the Levittown Public School District got a glimpse of a variety of careers directly from professionals in their respective fields on May 16.

A firetruck and police car manned by firefighters and officers were in front of the school, waiting for students who were eager to get a closer look. Students learned about the many tools of the trade used by servicemembers, such

as the equipment firefighters wear in emergency situations. They also experienced the inside of the vehicles and got a hands-on look at a garbage truck used by sanitation crews. Career Day returns to Gardiners Avenue every year to inspire students to pursue impactful careers.

The Town of Hempstead sanitation department stopped by to show students a garbage truck.

Gardiners Avenue students stepped into the role of a firefighter for Career Day on May 16.

Nassau County Police Department officers showed students equipment.

Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools

POB research students finish impressive year

Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School is thrilled to announce that three of its high school research seniors represented the district on the international stage when Syon Khatter, Yoav Muscal and Megan Lee were selected to present at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, California, from May 11–17, 2024.

Regeneron ISEF, a program of Society for Science for over 70 years, is the world’s largest pre-college STEM competition. It provides a global stage for the world’s best and brightest young scientists and engineers, fostering the next generation of STEM leaders. Each May, more than 2,000 students from roughly 70 countries and territories are selected as finalists and offered the opportunity to compete for approximately $9 million in awards and scholarships.

Syon, Yoav and Megan qualified

for the international fair by winning their respective categories at the regional or state level science and engineering fairs (LISEF/NYSSEF).

The district is proud to announce that both Syon and Yoav won grand awards in their respective categories.

Syon Khatter

Third-place winner in the Behavioral and Social Sciences category

Project Title: Investigating Impacts of Sucralose on Hedonic Feeding Behaviors in C. elegans as a Model for Prevention and Treatment of Obesity and Eating Disorders

Yoav Muscal

Fourth-place winner in the Earth and Environmental Sciences category

Project Title: Using Machine Learning Species Distribution

Modeling as a Novel Approach to Efficiently Predict Forest Development Suitability

Megan Lee also represented the district at ISEF, further showcasing the strength of POBJFK’s research program. The three Regeneron ISEF Finalists have been part of the POBJFK Research Program throughout their high school careers, conducting their research projects under the supervision of lead

research teacher Raymond Tesar, and research teacher Rohe Sheikh.

“I continue to be both humbled and amazed by the success of our research students and their dedication to the pursuit of new knowledge,” Tesar said. “It has been a phenomenal four-year journey with Syon, Yoav and Megan. Their accomplishments are a testament to their hard work and the support from our research teachers, school administration, and the POB community.”

Yoav Muscal and Syon Khatter proudly display their medals from the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

Megan Lee, Syon Khatter, and Yoav Muscal with Raymond Tesar, lead research teacher.

Hicksville Jericho Rotary Club sets record on Day of Service

The Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club hosted a food drive at Best Farms market at 434 Jerusalen Avenue, Hicksville, were they collected non-perishable food and personal care items, and then distributed the items to three pantries located at Holy Family Church, Hicksville United Methodist Church, and Jericho Cares to help those who are food insecure for its Rotary Day of Service. The club welcomed volunteers from the community who wanted to help work on this project.

“We are very thankful to the shoppers and residents of Hicksville who visited Best Farms market and Dollar Tree today.” said Donna Rivera-Downey, President, Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club. “With their help we collect over 800 pounds of food and personal care items which we delivered to the three local pantries.”

The Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club

was among more than 800 Rotary clubs, over 30,000 Rotarians, and thousands of volunteers spanning 10 states and seven countries that joined forces on Saturday, May 18, to tackle wide-ranging projects from collecting clothing for those experiencing homelessness and refurbishing long-neglected parks to feeding those with food insecurity.

This international initiative, which includes US projects in Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wyoming, along with Districts in Bermuda, Canada, the UK, and Brazil, eclipsing the Rotary Day of Service held in 2022 and 2023, with an expanded commitment from a coordinated network of Rotary Clubs and their members dedicated to improving the communities they serve.

Rotarian Robert Mancino organizing the donations to be transported to the various pantries.

Rotarian Thomas Howell accepting donations of food

Rotarians Donna Rivera-Downey, Joseph Shair, Dr. James Bentson, and Robert Mancino delivering donation to Hicksville United Methodist Church Pantry

Rotarians Jospeh Shair and Dr. James Bentson requesting outside Best Farm market.

Rotarian Jospeh Shair, Jericho Cares volunteers, Katelyn Slawitsky and Ryan Slawitsky, Rotarian Robert Mancino and volunteer Jaylen Adams delivering food to the Jericho Cares pantry.

Rotarian Dr. James Bentson, volunteer Linda Morales and Rotarian Robert Mancino organizing the donations.

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library

Saturday, June 1

9:15 a.m.: IN-PERSON:

Paper Shredding at the JPL: End the ClutterEnd the clutter with paper shredding at the JPL. No registration required for this event. Empty your drawers, clean your desk, organize your files!  Shred all your excess paper safely and securely at our shredding event.  All documents will be shredded in a professional mobile shredding truck while you watch — all paper is recycled.  No need to remove staples or paper clips.  No plastic, magazines, or newspapers...paper only!

Maximum of 4 boxes (standard size record storage box) or bags per person.

Personal household documents ONLY... no businesses. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Sunday, June 2

2 p.m.: IN-PERSON: Mary Solitto and Jim Kanellos Present Diva Delights and Showstoppers - Mary Sollitto, on vocals and piano returns to the JPL stage with James Kanellos on sax and trumpet. They will perform some of the greatest songs you have come to know and love! You will enjoy this cabaret afternoon filled with songs from Streisand to the Beatles, Garland to Donna Summer and Mary’s witty banter with Jim!

Wednesday, June 5

10:30 a.m.: 1,2,3 Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead (18 Months–5 Years) - This

preschool STEAM program includes music movement, fine and gross motor development and storytelling followed by a craft!

2 p.m.: VIRTUAL : The Cloisters Museum & Gardens with Sylvia Laudien-Meo - The Cloisters are part of the Metropolitan Museum of art, located in a separate building in Fort Tryon Park. It resembles a European medieval monastery and integrates architectural elements from various structures in France and Spain. The enchanting cloister gardens are an important part of the museum. They are planted with culinary and medicinal plants, as well as those used for dyeing fabrics, specifically those used for the Unicorn Tapestries. There are many treasures in this collection, including paintings and sculptures, stained glass windows, illuminated books, carved ivory objects, enamels – all giving great insight into life during medieval times.

Thursday, June 6

1 p.m.: HYBRID: The Passionate Reader with Mary Hirdt: “ She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders ” by Jennifer Finney Boylan - This is a memoir that tells the story of a person who changed genders. It chronicles the life of James, a critically acclaimed novelist, who eventually became Jenny, a happy and successful English professor. Listeners are welcome!

Beach restoration complete for summer

From page 1

long-term action plan must be implemented, along with the proper funding to achieve the goals of hardening the shoreline with additional sand, protecting the mainland and continuing to provide the public access our residents expect and deserve. The Town of Oyster Bay suffered enough during Superstorm Sandy and we must resolve this matter now.”

To accommodate summer

beachgoers, the Town will extend lifeguard coverage and swimming boundaries. In recent years, the Saladino administration has improved restrooms, upgraded the spray park and installed a new marina playground. These new amenities, together with popular restaurants and concession offerings, free Wi-Fi access, and mobility mats for strollers and wheelchairs, make TOBAY Beach a premier destination.

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 JUNE 6, 2024, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals:

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 24-96        SYOSSET

ALEX SPIVAK:  (A) Variance to construct detached garage (4-car) having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.  (B) Variance to allow existing pool equipment having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.  (C)  Variance to erect 6 ft. high fence exceeding maximum height across front yard than permitted by Ordinance.  (D) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 23-287 and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated July 20, 2023.

E/s/o Cold Spring Rd., 233.56 ft. N/o Syosset Woodbury Rd., a/k/a 146 Cold Spring Road, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 24-135       SYOSSET

SOFIA RUBINSTEIN:  (A) Variance to allow existing 7.9 ft. by 12.3 ft. shed having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.  (B) Variance to allow existing rear overhang exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance.

S/s/o Chelsea Dr., E/o Wilshire Dr, a/k/a 23 Chelsea Drive, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 24-138       SYOSSET

JACOB CHANDAPILLAI:  (A) Variance to allow existing shed having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.  (B) Variance to allow existing 6 ft. high PVC fence exceeding maximum height across front yard (Park Drive E.) than permitted by Ordinance.

SE/ cor. of Cedar St. & Park Dr. E, a/k/a 21 Cedar Street, Syosset, NY

MAY 27, 2024

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

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Summer in the City Starts with Museum Mile Festival, Finishes with US Open

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

New York City’s summer cultural season kicks off with the 46th Annual Museum Mile Festival –the Big Apple’s “biggest block party” –on Tuesday, June 13, from 6 to 9 pm, rain or shine. Walk the mile on Fifth Avenue between 82nd Street and 104th Street while visiting eight of New York City’s finest cultural institutions, open free during these extended hours: The Metropolitan Museum of Art;  Neue Galerie New York;  Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum;  The Jewish Museum; Museum of the City of New York;  El Museo del Barrio; and  The Africa Center. Several neighborhood partners, including the New York Academy of Medicine, the Church of the Heavenly Rest, Asia Society, and AKC Museum of the Dog will also join in this celebration.

It’s an electric, eclectic festive atmosphere, with live music and street performers all along the avenue, plus special exhibitions, works from permanent collections and special family-oriented activities inside.

One of our favorite stops is the Museum of the City of New York (celebrating its 100th anniversary this year), where you can visit its newest exhibition  Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisolm at 100  and the send off of its centennial exhibition  This is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture . Grab a Kids’ Activity Guide for the little ones.

Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island (June 8-9 and August 10-11, 2024, 11 am-5 pm), starts with a

magical ferry ride from Battery Park and from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. People come dressed to the 9s in 1920s/ Gatsby-style outfits, bringing picnics, and take part in the the music and zeitgeist of the 1920s. Founded and hosted by Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, plus a score of other entertainers Witness the bedazzling Dreamland Follies, a ten-lady Art Deco dance spectacle evoking the great Ziegfeld, the fantastic Queen Esther paying tribute to jazz royalty of yore, and Peter Mintun with his incredible piano skills. Listen to the Gelber & Manning band’s beautiful music before enjoying the world-renowned and fun-loving dance troupe, Roddy Caravella and The Canarsie Wobblers, with their scandalous Charleston numbers and rebellious and exuberant spirit of Roaring ‘20s youth. Entertainments are interspersed with

fun events including dance lessons and contests, and bathing suit contest. This isn’t free – it’s a ticketed event. (Reserve a ferry ride to access the location.) Tickets and info at www. jazzagelawnparty.com

The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, have become an iconic New York summer experience since they began in 1965, transforming parks throughout the city into a patchwork of picnickers enjoying friends, family, and priceless music under the stars, for free! This summer, Thomas Wilkins conducts the Orchestra in a program that ranges from classics by Beethoven, Elgar, and Rimsky-Korsakov to Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, with Randall Goosby as soloist, to new music by Carlos Simon and NY Phil Very Young Composers. All outdoor

performances begin at 8:00 PM and conclude with fireworks! (The Free Indoor Concert in Staten Island begins at 4:00 PM.): June 11 Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx; June 12 Concerts in the Parks: Central Park, Manhattan; June 13, Concerts in the Parks: Cunningham Park, Queens; June 14, Concerts in the Parks: Prospect Park, Brooklyn; June 16 Free Indoor Concert: St. George Theatre, Staten Island

The cherished Shakespeare in the Park, traditionally held at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, this year is a traveling show while the Delacorte is undergoing its most significant revitalization of its 62-year history. Instead, this year the Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) is offering a “GO PUBLIC!” festival of of free summer programming taking place across all five boroughs. Its Mobile Unit is presenting a joyful, bilingual (English/ Spanish) musical adaptation of “The Comedy of Errors,” May 28-June 2 – The New York Public Library and Bryant Park on the Fifth Avenue Terrace (Manhattan) June 6-9, June 13-14, June 20-21 – Hudson Yards (Manhattan). Island).

Next up is Movie in the Parks (July 11–September 6), bringing free screenings of Shakespeare in the Park’s version of  Much Ado About Nothing to parks throughout the City. Visit the website for specific dates and locations (https://publictheater.org/ programs/shakespeare-in-the-park/ summer-24/go-public/).

Bryant Park is also hosting picnic performances of New York City Opera’s full production of the perennial favorite, Puccini’s Tosca on May 31,

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One of the highlights of Summer in the City, the New York Philharmonic performs priceless music, for free in Central Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear. com

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June 1, August 23 and 24, at 7 pm. (New York City Opera: Puccini Celebration).).

The festivities, sponsored by Bank of America, continue at Bryant Park all summer long, from June 6 to September 13 is an amazing series of dance, music, theater, movies, plus eateries, shops and a carousel. (https://bryantpark. org/activities/picnic-performances for schedule).

The Hudson River Greenway is a whole destination in itself, with every imaginable sport (tennis, pickleball, basketball, kayaking), fabulous eateries, even a sand beach at Gansevoort Peninsula, plus along the way, historic and cultural places like the monument to the Irish famine, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, the Whitney Museum, Battery Park and ferry access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, plus concerts such at two venues within the enchanting “Little Island.” See the full events calendar, https://hudsonriverpark.org/, https://hudsonriverpark.org/the-park/ piers-and-places/

From June through September, Little Island presents a series of all new work across dance, music, theater and opera in the Amph ($25, tickets and schedule, https://www.littleislandtickets. com/). In addition, there are free concerts Wednesday-Sunday in the Glade.

New York City has been named the most cultural city in the USA. Here’s what’s of note happening this summer, compiled by the New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau:

Through  July 28, 2024,  The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents  The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism, an exhibition exploring how Black artists portrayed everyday modern life during the 1920s–40s in Harlem and across the United States amid the Great Migration. Featuring

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Summer in the City

160 works including painting, sculpture, photography, film and ephemera, it’s the first art museum survey of its kind in New York City since 1987.

The Whitney Museum of American Art has unveiled the roster for  Whitney Biennial 2024: Even Better Than the Real Thing, featuring 69 artists and two collectives. This edition marks the 81st installment of the museum’s esteemed exhibition series, the longest-running survey of American art. The program is now open and runs through  August 11, 2024. Beginning  September 25, 2024, The Whitney will unveil  Edges of Ailey, a comprehensive exhibition celebrating the life and impact of American dancer Alvin Ailey, featuring daily performances, workshops and a diverse range of artworks and archival materials.

Experience a surreal journey inspired by  Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the Bronx’s New York Botanical Garden, with  Wonderland: Curious Nature, from May 18–October 27. Follow iconic characters through whimsical scenes in the garden and explore imaginative horticultural displays inside the Haupt Conservatory, featuring installations from renowned artists including Yoko Ono, Alyson Shotz and Abelardo Morell.

A tribute to Ming Dynasty architecture, the  New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in Staten Island—one of just two authentic classical outdoor Chinese gardens in the US—is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Crafted in Suzhou, China, its elements include roof tiles, pavilions and bridges. Inspired by ancient poetry and paintings, the garden features magnificent rock formations resembling mountains. Visitors can explore pavilions, a bamboo forest path, waterfalls and a koi-filled pond.

The Morgan Library & Museum, a repository of fabulous documents which is marking 100 years since its establishment as a public institution by Jack Mor-

gan, is exhibiting Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature and Walton Ford: Birds and Beasts of the Studio. The next exhibition in the campaign will be  Liberty to the Imagination: Drawings from the Eveillard Gift, on view beginning June 7.

Since its inception in 1824, the  Brooklyn Museum has become a global cultural center, driven by the innovative spirit of its borough. As it celebrates  two centuries of groundbreaking initiatives, the museum invites audiences to explore special exhibitions and events showcasing its vibrant artistic community. Highlights include the launch of immersive exhibitions like  Solid Gold and  Brooklyn Made Notably, the museum boasts an in-residence composer, Niles Luther, who scores music for various exhibitions and artwork on-site, making it the only museum in the United States to offer such an immersive experience. Visitors can expect a year of discovery and celebration in honor of its bicentennial—kicking off with a 200th Birthday Bash on October 5.

A destination that takes you to other worlds, Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History offers fabulous innovative exhibitions. Admission by timed entry, reserved online. Open daily, 10 am–5:30 pm.  American Museum of Natural History,200 Central Park West, 212-7695606, amnh.org

The  Jackie Robinson Museum commemorates the groundbreaking contributions of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play Major League Baseball and one of the most celebrated baseball players of all time. Robinson’s legacy extends far beyond the baseball diamond, as he also made significant strides in civil rights, economic empowerment and social justice. From now through December 31, 2024, the museum is offering a free self-guided walking tour,  Jackie Robinson’s Harlem, for visitors looking to dive deeper into Robinson’s connection to the neighborhood.

The Power of a Strawberry

BY CHARLYN FARGO

While I don’t believe in superfoods, I do think there are foods we should choose more often to include in our diet, including berries, avocadoes, leafy greens, pomegranates, salmon and whole grains such as quinoa.

A recent study, albeit small, highlights the power of adding

strawberries to our plate. New research in the journal Nutrients found that eating 2 1/2 cups of fresh strawberries daily for a month lowered participants LDL (bad) cholesterol, blood glucose and insulin resistance.

The study was conducted at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The 14-week randomized, controlled crossover study assigned 33 adults with metabolic syndrome features (abdominal obesity and elevated blood cholesterol) to one of three phases. The phases included a control powder beverage, a low dose of 13 grams freeze-dried strawberry powder (equal to one serving of fresh strawber-

If Summer in the City starts with the Museum Mile Festival, for me, the end of New York’s summer comes with the  US Open Tennis Championships, the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year. The tournament dates back to 1881, and since 1978, the tournament has found its home at the  USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens’ Flushing Meadows Corona Park, a magnet for the best tennis talent worldwide such as reigning champions Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, Diede de Groot and Alfie Hewett. The tournament takes place August 26–September 8, 2024. Insiders tip: the week before, it is free to watch the thrilling play of the qualifiers’ tournament, and see the tennis stars practice.

New York City Borough Pass, Citywide:  a new sightseeing pass designed to showcase the beauty of the neighborhoods and cultures across all five boroughs. The pass features a diverse roster of popular attractions, museums, performing arts venues, including the Alice Austen House Museum, MoMA PS1, New York Botanical Garden, Van Cortlandt House Museum, Staten Island Children’s Museum. 9888-921-5333, https://www.nycboroughpass.com/)

The  Go City Pass for New York City offers 100 different options in all five boroughs. For example, the two-day all inclusive pass, giving access to as much as you want/can do from among 105 attractions is $134 – regardless of how much the actual attractions charge (GoCity.com, 800 887 9103).

For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nyctourism.com

© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com

ries) and a high dose of 32 grams freezedried strawberry powder (equal to 2 1/2 servings of fresh strawberries). Participants were instructed to follow their usual diet and lifestyle while refraining from eating other berries throughout the study. Data was collected at the beginning and end of each four-week phase.

Researchers found the highest dose of strawberries had the biggest effect on fasting insulin, insulin resistance and lipid particle profiles in adults with obesity.

The authors credit the fiber, phytosterols and polyphenols found in strawberries for the favorable outcomes.

Continued on page 5

Great stories capture our imaginations

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Walking through my public library recently I was struck by the number of good stories those shelves contained. Tall stacks of fiction and non-fiction books were sitting there waiting for library patrons to simply pick them up and start reading.

Sometimes I don’t know where to start and on other days I’ve got a specific book in mind so I make a beeline to that section. If I’m not sure where to go, I ask the librarian.

As a kid, once I understood the Dewey Decimal System I had a field day finding the books that interested me. I was proud of the fact that I could go to the school library or public library and find a non-fiction book I wanted to read whether it was about the moon and the sun (planets and the solar system - 523.41-523.48, with the exception of earth, which is 525), flowers, plants and trees (botany - 580) and so on. Interested in dinosaurs? Look under 567.9. Books opened up a whole new world to me.

As an adult I discovered that as much as I enjoy reading non-fiction, I

feeling drawn in by: “My name is Asher Lev, the Asher Lev, about whom you have read in newspapers and magazines, about whom you talk so much at your dinner affairs and cocktail parties ...”

The book, published in 1972, is a coming-of-age story about a Hasidic Jewish boy named Asher Lev who is a talented artist but struggles to reconcile his artistic ambitions with his religious upbringing.

In high school I was fortunate to have librarians and English teachers who loved what they did and who had a way of imparting their love of reading and literature to their students. Majoring in accounting during my first year of college in Connecticut, by sophomore year my major was English.

Not only could my American literature and English literature teachers talk about books but they could easily define plots, themes, characters, symbolism, syntax, the effective use of alliteration and more. They noted the elements of a story have to include characters, setting, plot and conflict but there’s more to a good story than that.

like reading fiction even more. I appreciate the fact that it takes a certain knack for the author to write a story that’s compelling - one that draws the reader in and wants them to keep reading until the story is finished.

A key to drawing readers into a fiction book is a great opening line. I remember reading “My Name Is Asher Lev” by Chaim Potok in high school after my friend recommended it and

Those things were pretty straightforward then they explained point of view which can be a bit trickier. Having to figure out who the narrator is in a particular chapter keeps us readers on our toes. William Faulkner is a good example of someone who used different points of view in the same book. Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury,” published in 1929, details the destruction and downfall of the Compson fam-

ily from four different points of view. Another name for different points of view is “multivocal narration” where various voices or perspectives narrate different parts of a story.

Irony, a situation in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality, is another literary device in literature. There can be verbal irony, dramatic irony and situational irony. Things sometimes are not what they appear to be and as readers, we get to guess the truth.

Foreshadowing is a literary device that alludes to a later point in the story. For example, if a character mentions offhandedly that bad things always happen to them in autumn, then the observant reader will be alert when the leaves in the story begin to fall.

A good example is in “Little Red Riding Hood” the fairy tale, where the mother is concerned for her daughter’s safety. Her concern foreshadows the appearance of the big bad wolf.

In the first chapter of the first book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” published in 1998, Professor McGonagall’s prediction vividly foreshadows the significance of Harry’s character in J.K. Rowling’s series. McGonagall says:

“He’ll be famous - a legend - I wouldn’t be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter Day in the future - there will be books written about Harryevery child in our world will know his name!”

Many English teachers talk about

“story structure” and spend time analyzing why a novel or short story works.

As an English major I’ve spent many hours breaking down a story to see how the author leads up to the climax of the story. When a new book comes out that interest me, I enjoy getting comfy with the novel or my kindle and getting lost in the story. I may go back later and analyze how it worked or why it worked but reading is fun - great stories hold our imaginations and the characters seem to come alive on the pages.

In high school my teachers would encourage us to think of writing a beginning, a middle and an end for essays or reports. That was a good tip but authors of novels think of a lot more than that. Great stories can be complicated - there may be stories within a story - but in the end it should seem effortless. That’s what good writing is all about.

Stephen King has many page turners. His 1981 novel “Cujo” starts out: “Once upon a time, not so long ago, a monster came to the small town of Castle Rock, Maine.” And so the story goes about a once friendly St. Bernard. A recent page turner of a novel? “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden was published in 2023 and I liked it a lot. The book is a thriller with lots of twists and turns to the plot.

There’s nothing like a good story to capture the imagination - and there is nothing like a good page turner that you just can’t put down.

BY TOM MARGENAU

Insist On Filing a Claim for Benefits

In a recent survey I conducted, my readers gave the Social Security Administration outstanding marks for the services they provide. Still, that doesn’t mean that no one encounters any problems dealing with them.

I bring this up again because, despite the survey results, I continue to hear from readers who tell me that they contacted the SSA with the intention of filing for Social Security benefits of one kind or another and then were either told they were not eligible for any benefits or were otherwise talked out of filing.

Of course, sometimes that is good advice. For example, if you are 62 years old and still working full time and making $75,000 per year, and you call the SSA to file for retirement benefits, the rep would be correct in telling you that you simply are not eligible for benefits until you retire or reach your full retirement age, whichever comes first.

Or if you are a 58-year-old woman whose husband has died, and you call the SSA to file for widow’s benefits, they should tell you that, unless you are disabled or have a minor child in your care, you must be at least 60 years old before you can get such benefits.

But sometimes the circumstances are not so cut and dried. So let me repeat something I’ve said in past columns: If you think you could be eligible for Social Security benefits, you have every right to file for them. Whenever there is any doubt about your eligibility, always insist on filing a claim.

By doing so, you accomplish two things. No. 1: You will get a legal decision about your eligibility for benefits, and not just one Social Security clerk’s opinion (or for that matter, one Social Security columnist’s opinion). And No. 2: You will have appeal rights. In other words, if your claim is denied, and you still are not satisfied, you can ask that your claim be reviewed. In theory, you could even take it all the way to the Supreme Court if you wanted to! That’s a little far-fetched, but the basic point is valid. If a Social Security representative says “no” and you walk away and later learn you were due benefits, you generally won’t be able to do anything about it but gripe -- and then file a claim with no retroactivity. But if you file a claim the first time, and it is denied, and you later prove your eligibility, you will get full retroactive benefits to the date you filed the claim.

The overall message is: Always demand to file a claim for benefits if you think you might be due them -- no matter what a Social Security agent tells you. And especially do so if you get different answers from different SSA representatives. (Sadly, I hear the latter complaint far too often from far too many of my readers.) Now here are some questions from readers that illustrate what I am talking about.

Q. I am 68 years old and get a small Social Security retirement check. My first husband and I were married for 30 years. But it was an abusive relationship and I divorced him about five years ago. Three years ago, I married a wonderful man. But sadly, he died last month. When I called the Social Security office to file for widow’s benefits, the clerk told me we had to be married at least 10 years, so she said I wasn’t due anything. She helped me file for the $255 death benefit, and that’s all I got. But something I read in one of your recent columns leads me to think I should be getting widow’s benefits. What should I do?

A. Unless I am missing some of the facts, you were given bum advice by the Social Security rep. The 10-year duration of marriage rule applies only to divorced spouses. So, assuming your second husband’s benefit rate was more than you are getting on your own, it sure sounds to me like you are due widow’s benefits. You should call the SSA back and immediately file a claim.

Q. I am 62 years old. I called Social Security’s 800 number and told them I wanted to file for my Social Security benefits. I run my own business, but I plan to turn it over to my wife and pay myself a salary of $22,000 per year so I will be under the Social Security earnings limit and thus eligible for my monthly checks. The telephone rep I talked to told me I was eligible for benefits, and she set me up for a phone interview with someone at my local Social Security office. But when the local office representative called me, he said I was not eligible for benefits and terminated the interview. Do I have any recourse?

A: Well, you are treading a fine Social Security eligibility line. In the past, the rules were pretty stringent. You would not have been able to simply turn the business over to your wife on paper and pay yourself a minimal salary and then expect to collect Social Security retirement benefits. But recently, SSA has eased up on these rules, and now you may be eligible. Again, the only way you will find out for sure is to file a claim and get a legal decision.

Q: I am 89 years old. My husband was 92 when he died several months ago. His benefit was higher than mine. So I thought when he died, I should get bumped up to his rate. But when I called and talked to a Social Security agent, he told me that because my benefit was more than half of my husband’s benefit, I was not due anything extra. Was he right?

A: It sure doesn’t sound right to me. If your husband was still alive, what the SSA rep told you might make sense. But now that you are a widow, it sure doesn’t. I suggest you call the SSA back and do what I’ve said over and over again in this col-

umn: Insist on filing a claim for widow’s benefits.

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. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Sacrifices required and necessary to be a homeowner

I appreciate Memorial Day and what it has meant to me. The ability to do whatever I want, with our freedoms in an unobstructed environment because of the current and past sacrifices of lives and limbs of so many before me. So, do you want to be a homeowner to build your future wealth? That concept is surely universal for most families and individuals who desire to be in an ownership position. The majority would prefer not to have to rent for any length of time; especially providing their landlords their hard-earned dollars to pay down their mortgages (instead of their own), increase their wealth, give them all the tax deductions, and most important, the power not to have to renew your lease for any reason.

The $64,000 question is what are you willing to do to make that goal come to fruition? How can you save more money regularly to make your dream of homeownership come true? The name of the game is called “Sacrifice.” The first thing you can do is stop eating out completely. Cut back on buying clothes and find alternative ways to purchase what you need to save as much as possible. Buy less meat and consume alternative foods high in protein, e.g. beans and legumes. Some activities that will benefit your savings goal are taking walks, bicycling, and working out at home by canceling your gym membership (that’s what I did, as I have already been a homeowner for 31 years) and doing as many activities at home. Think of whatever other activities you can do to squirrel away your money for your down payment. So many of us are spoiled with conspicuous consumption as this is, unfortunately, what our economy is based on and dependent upon.

Games on a handheld device or computer for the children will go a long way in keeping them occupied. However, the games my children played way back when, growing up were Candyland, Battle Ship, Monopoly, and Scrabble. Before computers and computer games, having fun with hide and seek, tag, duck, duck, goose, hopscotch, baseball and football, and street hock-

ey was the norm. Being outdoors and playing these games and activities kept our children healthier and in a much better and more positive mindset from what we are experiencing today. They even used my pogo stick (do you know what that is?) that I was given over 25 years before.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

There are so many alternative activities to spending money that are free and cost you nothing; time that is well spent with your family or significant other in strengthening your bonds. We have been deficient in our social connections since the COVID19 pandemic, and today have caused major problems. Depression and suicides have increased dramatically, far beyond what would be considered normal, especially among our teens. These sad situations show that we need more involvement in personal connections than ever before. Indirectly, sacrificing money spent, over time doing less costly things, will help in your purchasing goal. Whether it is a house, HOA, condo, or coop, homeownership is within reach if you need and want it badly enough. So, ask yourself, how badly do you want it? Over the last 11 years, multitudes of people have left NYS for other states as another option to afford a home or greater opportunities; my webmaster left a few years ago, relocating to North Carolina as he could live anywhere being self-employed.

But another consideration is starting a side hustle to earn additional income or a second or third part-time/ full-time job that will add to your savings for that elusive but attainable dream of homeownership. It is easy to complain about the high interest rates and prices, but that doesn’t solve your issue of how to succeed in purchasing a home here in Long Island or elsewhere. Today, you may be experiencing unfortunate circumstances and a state of affairs and whining, grumbling, and moaning about your plight or trying to figure out what to do about your

predicament and position. Most don’t like to be in, what I call the “uncomfortable zone,” because it isn’t a safe and easy place to be. However, it is where effort, discipline, and sacrifice are required to be successful. Recently, I saw and heard a clip on Instagram by George Clooney, and he said, and I quote, “I never learned anything from my successes but learned everything from my failures.” This is where the biggest strides can be made. It isn’t a popular place that people seek or learn from, but it is where your greatest future improvements and successes can be made.

You have to ask yourself one question, “how bad do I want to be a homeowner?” Am I willing to sacrifice my time and provide the effort and discipline to do what needs to be done, to gain that “American Dream” of homeownership? I know what I had to do back then, but that isn’t relevant to anyone else. You have to look in the mirror and ask yourself, what am I willing to do to get where I want and need to be in the homeownership game? Some will stay and have a positive outcome and those that will decide to leave to other states for an easier way of life; but the choice is yours. However, irreparable harm to NYS with the continued brain drain and loss of our population. It will come back to haunt everyone financially, as even higher taxes and the increase in the cost of living will continue unabated; or will our state and federal government come to our assistance in determining what they can do to decrease their expenses and costs running our government much more efficiently or will they continue to exacerbate the problem by contributing to making things more and more expensive? Only time will tell.

Hoping you, your Family, Friends, and Business associates have a Healthier, Safer, Happier, and more Lucrative 2024!

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 42+ of years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.) and has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geo-thermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).

Check out My New Digital Business Card that my friend has created the software. I am the National Distributor in the U.S.A. My question is, are you still using your old 1900’s passé paper business card? Do you still have a rotary phone? Of course not! So, get on board in 2024 with cutting-edge revolutionary and transformational technology that will assist you in propelling your business and profits to the next level. Save my information Videos/Virtual and drone Tours/Bio/Reviews to your Cell/iPad/ iPod and PC contacts by clicking on the link below, and clicking on Create, then “DONE, then “DONE” again.

https://WWW.onetapconnect.com/ turnkeyrealestate-philraices

He will give you a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

He will also provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” no obligation 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call Philip at (516) 647-4289.

Continued from page 2

The bottom line is, for those want to reduce their risk of diabetes and cardiovascular difficulties, strawberries may be a food to include more often.

Q and A

Q: I want to eat less sugar, but I seem to have cravings for sweets.

What should I do?

A: Transform your relationship with the sweet stuff, and you’ll reap benefits of better sleep, more energy and a healthier you. Get started with a plan. Find a pleasurable activity so sugar isn’t the only pleasure in your day. Try adding other foods besides sugar such as fruit on your cereal or oatmeal or vanilla in your tea. Read labels to find out how much added

sugar is in the foods you eat. Can you find a Greek yogurt or peanut butter with less sugar? Sugar is also in many of the sweet alcoholic drinks like margaritas. Try cutting back. And eat mindfully -- being fully aware and appreciating every bite. Try the three-bite rule for a dessert. Have three bites, and give the rest to a friend. Most of us are satisfied with the first three bites.

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

BY MARY HUNT

How to Get Started Roasting Coffee Beans

It all started about nearly 15 years ago when I had a conversation with a friend who’d recently taken up the hobby of home coffee roasting. The motivation? First, quality and taste, but also to cut the high cost of quality coffee by at least half. That was enough to get my attention and all I needed to become equally enthusiastic.

Today, I’m going to walk you through the entire process I used to get started. Because the coffee beans must get hot enough to burn off the chaff that surrounds each bean, roasting coffee produces a lot of smoke. While I know some people roast indoors, I do not recommend it because it’s going to send your smoke alarms into a tizzy and smoke up the house. More than that, you will be roasting at such a high temperature, setting a fire becomes all too possible. So, where to roast? Outdoors. Or just inside an exterior entrance such as in the garage. Let wisdom be your guide.

thrift stores or even your garage. The machine needs to run at 1,200-1,500 watts. While you can still buy air poppers, newer models don’t get hot enough to roast the beans evenly.

-- Two metal mesh colanders.

-- Oven mitt.

-- Airtight container.

-- 1/2 cup green (raw) coffee beans.

Step 1: Measure out 1/2 cup green coffee beans and pour them into the air popper where you would normally pour the popcorn kernels. This is going to give you a net weight of 2 to 3 ounces of roasted coffee beans.

What you’ll need as a beginning roaster:

-- Air popcorn popper. You want an older model like West Bend Poppery or Poppery II. I found mine on eBay, which is a good source, or you can check yard sales,

Step 2: Turn on the air popper. Place the bowl in front of the machine, where the popped popcorn would exit, to catch the chaff. The beans will begin to swirl around in the machine, but don’t worry. They are not going to pop out the way popcorn would. In a few minutes as the machine gets hotter, you’ll see the beans begin to turn brown. Next, you’ll hear the beans starting to make a cracking sound. At the first crack, you will have reached “city roast,” which is a typically a light roast. The longer you let the beans roast from this point on, the darker the roast you will achieve. You will hear the beans popping and crack-

ing for several seconds. Then the sound will taper off. The next stage is when the beans start to sound more like Rice Krispies crackling in milk. This is called the “second crack” and signals that you have reached what is called a “full city” or dark roast. While the beans are roasting, you will see the chaff flying off either into the bowl or box, or into the air. This is normal and another reason you want to roast outdoors.

Step 3: The minute you have reached your desired roast, turn off the air popper very quickly, and pour the beans out of the popper into one of the colanders. Careful! The beans and the popper will be very hot.

Step 4: It’s important to air cool the beans very quickly so the roasting process ceases. To do this, pour them into one colander, shake them around, and then pour them into a second colander. Continue to toss the beans from one colander until the beans are just warm to the touch.

Step 5: Place the beans in a container that has a tight-fitting lid. However, do not apply the lid at this time. Freshly roasted beans must be allowed to “degas” for at least two hours, up to overnight, to achieve their full coffee flavor. If you were to grind and brew beans immediately upon roasting, you would be very disappointed. The beans are not ready to be ground and brewed until they have rested for at least a few hours, to allow them to develop to their peak of flavor. Would you like resources for green coffee beans as well as an overview of my own coffee roasting journey (I have grad-

uated several times to higher levels of home roasting)? I have posted all of this for you at EverydayCheapskate.com/ roasting.

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

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

From Ashes to Sparkling Clean Fireplace Glass

BY MARY HUNT

I could sit for hours reading all the clever, helpful, often already known tips, tricks and hacks my readers send to me. It makes me think, and more often than not silently ask myself, “Why didn’t I think of that?” And that proves once again that I have a very smart audience. Yes, you are!

FIREPLACE GLASS

This is a trick I learned from my mother for cleaning the glass on the fireplace insert that gets fouled with smoke and soot, becoming opaque so you cannot see and enjoy the flame. Spread newspaper down. Open the door. Take another wadded-up page of newspaper, wet it, dip it in the ashes and use it to clean the glass. This will remove everything from the glass without scratching or harming it in any way. Last step: Wad up one last piece of newspaper and use it to wipe away all of the crud and nastiness. It is quite amazing and the price is right. -- Lydia, Minnesota

TRANSPORT A CAKE

I couldn’t afford one of those pricey cake savers for transporting cakes, so I went to the dollar store and bought the biggest plastic bowl I could find with a lid. I set the cake on the lid with a little frosting under the cake to hold it in place and then frosted it, and now I have an airtight cover by using the bowl over it! -- Mike, Florida

GARAGE SALE PREP

I have several boxes set up in the garage for our annual community garage sale. They are labeled: Toys, Clothes, Housewares and Misc. I keep a package of price stickers and a pen handy. Every time I put one thing into a sale box, I price it. Then on the sale day, I simply open the boxes and set things out for display.

-- Lenora, Texas

WASHCLOTH ICE PACK

To make sure I have an ice pack at the ready for any number of reasons, I take a facecloth, wet it, fold it lengthwise into thirds and place it in a small plastic bag. Then I place it in the freezer. In just a

short time, my freezer pack is ready and on my face. The small size of the facecloth is just right for your face, and when it is no longer needed, you have your facecloth back. -- Pat, Washington

NO-BURN CANDLES

I can have wonderful candle scents without burning a candle. Just set a glass jar-type candle on your range top next to the oven vent. The heat melts the candle and sends the wonderful scent all through the house, and the candle never burns away. I have had the same cinnamon candle for almost three years now, and it still smells as great as it did the day I brought it home. -- LeAnn, Utah

NO-MESS DEVILED EGGS

When I make deviled eggs, I place the cooked egg yolks into a large zip-type bag, along with the rest of the filling ingredients. I then knead the mixture with my hands to combine (the kids love doing that part because it feels funny). I carefully snip the bottom corner off the ziptype bag and pipe the filling into the egg whites. Toss the bag, and cleanup is com-

plete. -- Donna, Montana COVER THE WINDOWS

Drapes, blinds and shades are all very effective in reflecting the heat of the sun. Opt for those that are white and they’ll do an even better job. But they won’t do a lot of good unless you draw and lower the window coverings early in the morning before the house can heat up. -- Doug, Idaho

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

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of June 2-8, 2024

STARGAZERS

How Many Stars Can You See?

I began my stargazing adventures many decades ago, in a small city between Philadelphia and New York. Sure, we had city lights back then -- I’m not that old -- but the sky seemed remarkable. At least I thought it was until I spent my first night in a truly dark location.

It was in March 1986. I was co-leading a group to see Halley’s Comet from the Pinacate Mountains of Mexico. The comet wasn’t to rise until the pre-dawn hours, so some of us lay down on our sleeping bags and caught some shuteye.

I recall waking up early and, looking down onto the desert sand, seeing my shadow. “Oh no!” I thought. “How could I have forgotten about the moon in the morning sky?”

When I turned around and looked skyward, however, there was no moon. It had been starlight that was casting my shadow onto the ground!

To say it was a stunning sight is an understatement. Anyone seeing such a sight would have surely said there were millions or billions of stars in the sky that morning. But, believe it or not, there were only a few thousand at most.

I suspect many of you who have seen such a sight would argue to the death that I don’t know what I’m talking about. So how can one ever be sure just how many stars are visible in a dark, nighttime sky? By

Roughly estimating the number of stars in the sky is easier than it seems.

counting them, of course.

Now before you call the authorities to have me committed, let me tell you I’ve done it, and it’s not

LOST IN SUBURBIA

A Skort Is a Skort, of

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

For many years, I was really bothered by the notion of a skort It wasn’t so much the actual combination of a skirt and shorts, because in concept, it was a pretty good idea, especially for tennis or when you might happen to be in a place with big wind gusts and such.

No, the problem I had was with the name, “skort.”

It was right up there with spork (a spoon with fork tongs at the end). Here was another practical invention with a serious name problem ... certainly better than foon, though. Somehow skort and spork seemed like a crime against humanity. Or at least a crime against the dictionary.

Personally, I thought whoever came up with skort and spork should be tarred and feathered, or rather tarthered, for brevity’s sake.

Anyway, I had just sort of, kind of

gotten used to skorts when along came jorts -- jean shorts, particularly for men. I suppose the fashion industry thought more men would buy jean shorts if they had a cool name, but this was a major fail because:

1. Jorts isn’t a cool name.

2. There isn’t a guy on earth who would refer to his jean shorts as jorts.

Skirting the idea of skorts and jorts, I went to the department store to get a pair of jeans but could only find lots of pairs of jeggings. Jeggings, I was told by an obviously impatient young salesgirl in the jeans department, are a combination of jeans and leggings. Again, I didn’t have a problem with the concept, just the name.

“They look like jeans, but they feel like leggings,” she had insisted.

“Well, I look like 50, but I feel like 70,” I’d said to her. “What does that make me?”

“Old,” she’d replied.

as difficult as you might think. Try it the next time you find yourself under a clear, dark sky. The only tools you’ll need are a cardboard tube from a roll of bathroom tissue or kitchen towels, a pen, a notepad, perhaps a calculator. And, of course, a nice clear sky. Hold the tube up to your eye and aim it skyward. Count the stars you see within that field of view. Record the number on the notepad. Now do the same for seven other spots randomly scattered around the entire sky. When you’re finished, add all eight numbers together, and multiply that sum by 10.

That’s it. That’s a (very) rough estimate of the number of stars you can see with your eye from that location on that night. You’ll be shocked to discover there are only between 2,000 and 3,000. Yes, it may seem like millions or billions, but this is one of Mother Nature’s great deceptions. Just think about how little of the sky is actually taken up by those points of light we call stars; most of the sky is filled with dark space. Interestingly, if we could squeeze all the stars we see together to form one single “star” in the sky, we’d find it would produce a light not much brighter than the planet Venus reflects to our eyes.

If you’d like to see the devastating effect that light pollution has on our view of the universe, try this experiment by looking into your own neighborhood sky. I think you’ll be equally shocked!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. . COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

Course, of Course

Not wanting to make too much of a big deal about this, I tried on a pair without saying the name and discovered that a legging by any other name is still a legging and still did not look good around my cankles

Curious as to how this all became a thing, I wondered if it actually began with brunch. Someone came up with the idea of combining breakfast and lunch, and it took, both in name and concept. I’m actually OK with the word brunch, and think it is infinitely better than the alternative lunchfast.

But then the dog people jumped on the bandwagon; instead of simply calling their mixed breed dogs “mutts,” they went all fancy. Now we have oodles and oodles of schnockers and poogles.

Meanwhile, someone decided to take it all one step further this spring and came up with yet another fashion combination.

“I’m looking for a lightweight,

Calling all College students!

button-down jacket,” I said to another salesgirl at the same store where I didn’t get the jeggings.

“Oh, we have some great shackets,” she said. I gave her a blank stare.

“What’s a shacket?” I dared to ask.

“It’s a combination of a shirt and a jacket. It’s heavier than a shirt but lighter than a jacket.” She whipped an item off the rack and held it up for me to inspect.

“Shacket!” she exclaimed triumphantly. “Isn’t it great?”

“Yes,” I replied dully. “Fab-tastic.”

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 2024 CREATORS.COM

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Move over crab; shrimp cakes are crisp and tasty

Shrimp Cakes with Honey Lemon Aioli

Seafood is a healthy addition to any diet. Seafood, whether it’s fish, mollusks or crustaceans, tends to be lower in calories and saturated fat than meat- or poultry-based protein sources, and

Serves 4

1 pound cooked shrimp, tails removed 1⁄4 cup panko breadcrumbs

For the Honey Lemon Aioli: 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise

1. Place the shrimp in a food processor, and pulse on and off until coarsely chopped. Add the breadcrumbs, bell pepper, chives, egg, 1⁄2 teaspoon salt, and 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper, and pulse on and off until blended; you should be able to squeeze a small amount of the mixture and it will hold its shape.

it may be rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Shrimp, in particular, is a type of seafood that many people enjoy because it’s not as fishy as other offerings. Shrimp can be cooked

1⁄4 cup diced red bell pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, plus more for serving 1 large egg

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon honey

in various ways, but grounding shrimp into patties gives an interesting spin. Try “Shrimp Cakes with Honey Lemon Aioli” from “30-Minute Meal Prep” (Sourcebooks) by Robin Miller.

Salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon zest

3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp patties, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.

4. To make the aioli, whisk together all the ingredients until blended. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

2. Form the mixture into four patties, each about 1-inch thick.

Are you a professional?

5. Spoon the lemon aioli over the shrimp cakes, and top with fresh chives.

Note: The shrimp cakes can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before cooking. The aioli can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

New app allows TOB residents to sign up for programs

The Town of Oyster Bay recently unveiled a unveiled a new mobile app that allows residents to sign up for a variety of sports and recreational programs. The app is available for download through the App Store and Google Play store by searching “Town of Oyster Bay Parks & Rec,” and allows residents to set up an account to sign up for year-round recreational opportunities.

“Through this great new Town of Oyster Bay Parks & Rec app, our residents can easily register for their favorite sports and recreation programs with just a few taps on their phones, simplifying the process for all who enjoy recreation in our Town,” said Supervisor Saladino. “This new app helps streamline the registration process and keeps all your favorite activities conveniently in one place.

Registration is currently available for golf, marina memberships, night fishing, kayak and rowing rack rentals, and various adult and youth programs including ice hockey, tennis, toddler programs, basketball, and sports & fitness. Residents can also sign up for special events, including runs and walks, tournaments and the Town’s car show. Residents can browse through available programs, view descriptions and

schedules, upload all necessary materials and sign up right on the app. App users can also opt-in to receive notifications and stay up to date on all offerings. To view all the new Town of Oyster Bay Parks & Rec app has to offer, visit the App Store or Google Play tore and download it today. For more information, visit www. oysterbaytown.com.

E. Lavelle Law Firm P.C.

A celebration of the sea at Bethpage High School

A Bethpage High School student is excited about the fish print a third

At the annual Maritime Festival, third grade students travel to Bethpage High School for an afternoon of interactive activities and demonstrations to learn about maritime culture. With high school musicians playing maritime inspired tunes, including a student favorite, “Spongebob Squarepants,” the third graders rotated amongst activities including a fish dissection demo, rope making tutorial, fish printing and more.

High school students in forensics and environmental courses helped guide their younger peers through each lesson, combining fun with important information about sea life on Long Island. The day not only allows younger students to gain an appreciation for their local Long Island environment but allows their older peers an opportunity to inspire them to be excited about the opportunities that await them at the secondary level.

Young Bethpage students examine small fish and crustaceans under a microscope.

High schoolers dissect a fish and discuss its anatomy with third graders.

Hands-on sensory experiences

Cultural arts circus at East Street School

East Street Elementary students in Hicksville were recently treated to a special performance of The Diversity Circus, an interactive circus-themed, elementary character-building assembly teaching we are all different and we are all the same. The students were engaged and had fun participating throughout the comedy of kooky characters and costumes that were introduced during the 45-minute show.

grader created.

Lee Road Elementary School students Colin Terracciano and Emilia Lineman enjoyed using their senses to explore different materials and textures during sensory time on May 16.

Photo courtesy Levittown Public Schools

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Levittown senior athletes commit to universities

Fifteen senior athletes in the Levittown Public School District from Division Avenue and General Douglas MacArthur high schools have signed their commitment to play for their future colleges and universities.

Senior athletes gathered with family members and coaches to celebrate the occasion. Each student signaled their commitment to continue to play their respective sport at their next educational destination.

From Division Avenue, athletes included:

• Elizabeth Albrecht – Wagner College, cheerleading

• Thomas Bonsignore –Manhattan College, track and field

• Cody Brush – St. Joseph’s University, basketball

• Sam Bultron – Buffalo State University, women’s wrestling

• William David – Molloy

University, soccer

• Evangeline Guerra – Hofstra University, cheerleading

• Shane Moore – University of Southern Maine, wrestling

• Nicholas Rohman – Elmira College, volleyball

• Caden Siegel – Nassau Community College, baseball

• Christian Varela – St. Thomas Aquinas College, baseball

From MacArthur, athletes included:

• Nolan Tordy – Marywood University, soccer

• Frank Hespe – Hartwick College, football

• Matthew Calvo – Molloy University, lacrosse

• Ryan Fitzgerald – Geneseo University, lacrosse

• Brody Faivre – Maritime College, lacrosse

courtesy Levittown Public Schools

Wisdom Lane student earns Outstanding Achievement Award

Wisdom Lane Middle School student Abigail Jimenez is a recipient of the Outstanding Achievement award from the National Junior Honor Society.

Wisdom Lane Middle School eighth grader Abigail Jimenez is a recipient of the Outstanding Achievement award from the National Junior Honor Society, recognizing her service, leadership and character.

Abigail is the president of Wisdom Lane’s National Junior Honor Society chapter, for which she has helped organize numerous philanthropic endeavors. Recently, the group worked with the foundation Vinny’s Army, which helps children battling cancer. To benefit the foundation, Abigail led two successful fundraising events: a crazy hat day during which students brought in $1 to wear a hat of their choice, and

Schools

Wheel of Luck, which had students donating funds for a chance to spin a wheel of various prizes. The National Junior Honor Society also works to stock Wisdom Lane’s Jan Friedman Food Pantry to assist local families in need.

Abigail was nominated for the award by her peers in the honor society. Her submission included an essay discussing the theme of character and a list of her service hours and leadership roles.

“It felt very nice to receive this award,” Abigail said. “My hope is that it paves the way for more opportunities to serve the community at Wisdom.”

Seven athletes from Division Avenue High School signed letters of intent to play at their future colleges and universities. Three students were not present.

Five athletes from General Douglas MacArthur High School signed letters of intent to play at their future colleges and universities.

Photos

Photo courtesy Levittown Public

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