Jericho-Syosset News Journal (7/19/24) by Litmor Publishing

“

— Audrey A.

Free summer concerts at local parks, beaches Summer seminar teaches children pool safety

The Town of Oyster Bay joined with officials from Catholic Health to host a pool and summer safety seminar.

BY GARY SIMEONE

Hundreds of local children turned out for a summer safety seminar at Marjorie Rose Park in Massapequa on Monday, July 8th. The seminar, which was put together by the Town of Oyster Bay, instructed children on

the importance of healthy swimming, basic first aid, drowning prevention and CPR.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor, Joe Saladino, who attended the event, along with other Town officials, said that it’s important to be vigilant about pool safety in the summertime.

“We all know that summer is time for fun in the sun and cooling off in the pool. However, that fun comes with a great deal of responsibility. That’s why we hosted this special day,” said Saladino. “The most important message

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced the return of “Music Under the Stars” – a free summer concert series – which kicks off on Wednesday, July 2nd and features a wide variety of genres ranging from country to rock. All concerts begin at 8pm unless otherwise noted below. For comfort, residents may bring blankets, chairs and coolers. Performances are subject to change and will be held weather permitting.

For additional information, please call (516) 797-7925 or visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com.

Summer Concert Series:

Saturday, July 20

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park & Beach, Oyster Bay - Disco Unlimited The hottest disco show and dance band on the East Coast.

Tuesday, July 23

John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa - Kashmir featuring Jean Violet The Spirit of Led Zeppelin Live

Wednesday, July 24

Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, Plainview - Badlands Tribute to the Music of Bruce Springsteen

Saturday, July 27

John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa - The Beat Goes On Cher Tribute featuring Lisa McClowry Tuesday, July 30

John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa - Mike DelGuidice Currently on tour with Billy Joel Wednesday, July 31

Harry Tappen Beach, Glenwood Landing - Fleetwood Macked the Ultimate Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Saturday, August 3

John J. Burns Town Park, Mass-

Fill A Backpack program at Jericho Public Library

The Jericho Public Library, in partnership with New York State Senator Jack Martins, is participating in the “Fill A Backpack” Program this summer!

Community members can leave their donations in a box located in the Library’s lobby, across from the Circulation Desk.

Items needed include: backpacks, binders/folders, spiral notebooks, mar-

ble notebooks, loose leaf paper, lunchboxes, pencil cases, pencil sharpeners, erasers, markers, glue sticks, pens, tabbed subject dividers, rulers, index cards, colored pencils, scissors, calculators, highlighters, and crayons.

Donations will help better the academic future of students in the community.

Donations are being accepted now through August 16.

Homeowner cleanup, hazmat collection days

The Town of Oyster Bay will be holding its S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) and Homeowners Cleanup Days for summer 2024. During these programs, residents can drop off materials at the Old Bethpage Solid Waste Disposal Complex, located at 101 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road in Old Bethpage.

S.T.O.P. Program - Saturday, July 13 & August 10 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Collects various hazardous materials, including: asbestos material (double bagged); automobile batteries; automobile tires (with or without rims); brake and transmission fluids; drain and oven cleaners; fire extinguishers; fares; fluorescent bulbs; gasoline; pesticides and insecticides; oil-based and latex paint; outdoor gas grill propane tanks; photo chemicals; rechargeable and button batteries; small aerosol cans; smoke detectors; solvents; spot removers; thermostats; waste motor oil and antifreeze; and wood preservatives.

“Improperly disposing of products such as waste oil, oven cleaner or paint thinner could contaminate your water supply,” said Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Anything poured on the ground or put into cesspools, storm drains, or recharge systems can work its way down to the aquifer or our waterways.”

Homeowners Cleanup Days –

Saturday, July 27 & August 24 from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Collects non-hazardous waste only, including: air conditioners; all e-waste; campers; boats and boat trailers (proof of ownership required — oil, gas, other fluids and batteries removed); clean, broken concrete; large metal items; propane tanks and propane torches; tires; and yard waste.

“Many of our residents take the opportunity to clean out their yards in the summer months and may have large amounts of non-hazardous debris to dispose,” said Town Councilman Joseph Labriola. “Residents can bring items such as used tires, fence posts, clean broken concrete or yard waste to our Homeowners Cleanup.”

Free Paper Shredding ServicesSaturday, July 27 & August 24, from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Provides residents an opportunity to destroy unwanted documents in a safe and secure manner. Residents only, no businesses, can bring up to four bankers’ boxes of paper to the shredding program.

The Town’s S.T.O.P. and Homeowners programs are open to residents within the Town’s Solid Waste Disposal District. Proof of residency is required. For more information, including a full list of what is accepted at these programs, visit www. oysterbaytown.com/cleanup or call (516) 677-5848.

Plainview Water Dist: Conserve during heat wave

As summer officially sets in, the Plainview Water District (PWD) is encouraging residents and local businesses to practice water conservation, especially in light of the recent heat wave affecting New York and the surrounding region. The rising summer temperatures have and will continue to lead to increased water usage, highlighting the opportunities to conserve by preventing unnecessary waste and strain on resources.

“Water consumption in the District nearly triples during the summer months, a trend that becomes especially apparent during situations like the recent heat wave,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “This increased usage primarily stems from the overuse of residential sprinkler systems, which provides plentiful opportunities for conservation. We encourage residents to use water wisely and remain conscious of their usage. By incorporating at least one new conservation practice into your daily routine, you can make a significant impact on preserving our only source of drinking water.”

During the summer months, it is easy to over consume water due to increased activities like lawn watering and outdoor recreation. However, integrating simple conservation habits into your daily routine can make a significant difference. By being mindful of your water use—such as fixing indoor and outdoor leaks, promptly replacing your sprinkler timer with a smart irrigation controller, and adhering to local lawn watering ordinances—you can help reduce unnecessary waste. Keeping track of your water consumption and making small adjustments can contribute to preserving this precious resource for future generations while also saving on your water bill.

“We want our residents to have a beautiful lawn and enjoy their outdoor spaces, but we’re asking that they do

so while also being conscious of their water use,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Good water habits don't restrict you from doing what you want; they simply help you consume water more efficiently and support your community. The District is always here as a resource for anyone who has questions or wants to learn better habits for their water consumption. Our practices not only benefit the current environment but also help preserve it for future generations.”

The recent heat wave and rapid increase in temperatures serve as a prime example of a situation that drives significant spikes in water consumption throughout our community. A common misconception is that lawns need excessive watering during such periods, but in reality, overwatering can harm your grass more than it helps. Lawns typically require only about an inch of water per week, including rainfall, and excessive watering can lead to shallow root growth, along with increased vulnerability to disease.

“Many residents overestimate how much water their lawn actually needs, leading to waste and potential harm,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “Overwatering not only wastes this precious resource but can also damage your lawn by causing shallow root growth and increasing susceptibility to disease. By learning more about your lawn's actual needs and implementing good water habits, you are not only helping your lawn thrive but also saving on your water bill.”

For further information, or if you have any questions, please call the District at 516-931-6469 email info@plainviewwater.org or visit www.plainviewwater.org. Residents can also sign up to receive information by submitting their email address through the District’s homepage or following them on Facebook in order to stay up-to-date with District activities and initiatives.

Division Ave. HS baseball champs

Hempstead Town Councilman Dennis Dunne and Town Clerk Kate Murray presented a commemorative sign to the Division Avenue High School Baseball team in celebration of its 2024 Nassau County Class AA Championship.

Avoid penalties: Town taxes due by Aug. 12

The Town of Oyster Bay reminds residents that the Second Half of the 2024 General Tax Levy is due on July 1st, but can be paid without penalty through August 12.

“New York State Law allows my office to provide taxpayers with a 40-day penalty free period from the date the tax is due during which payment may be made without penalty,” Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato explained. “After the 40 days, State Law requires a one percent penalty be added for each month the tax remains unpaid. So make your payment before August 12th and don’t delay, and you will ensure you aren’t paying more out of pocket than you need to.”

The Tax Office is open at both Town Hall North, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. to assist residents and accept payments with a check, cash or credit card. On August 9 and 12, both offices will be open from 8:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. When paying in person, residents are reminded to bring the entire

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

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

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

Residents may contact the Tax Office with any questions about their tax bill at 516-624-6400 or by emailing receiver oftaxes@oysterbay-ny.gov.

Are you a professional?

New Eagle Scout

Levittown’s Boy Scout Troop 330’s Court of Honor Ceremony for their newest Eagle Scout, Aidan Prescott. Senator Rhoads and Assemblyman Mikulin joined the troop achievement and honoring his unwavering commitment to the community and the

Meadowbrook Dentistry

Transforming

Our team is eager to give you the kind of eye-catching smile that creates all the confidence you need to pursue your goals and make your dreams a reality.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

Individual Dental Implants, Implant Dentures, Veneers, Teeth Whitening, Invisalign, Complete Smile Makeovers Dental Crowns & Bridges Emergency Dentistry, Nitrous Oxide, IV Sedation & much more

Levittown native serves at Naval training school

BY RICK BURKE, NAVY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Sailors are some of the most highly trained people on the planet, and this training begins at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, otherwise known as boot camp. Every enlisted sailor starts their Navy journey at boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL), Illinois.

Seaman Joseph Keller, a native of Levittown, New York, is currently stationed at NSGL as a student with Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

Keller, a 2018 graduate of General Douglas MacArthur High School, joined the Navy one year ago.

“I joined the Navy to make my family proud, serve my country and to make myself a better person,” said Keller. “I also wanted to capitalize on the health and education benefits the Navy has to offer.”

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Levittown.

“What I’ve learned at home was that working hard and having dedication will allow me to achieve anything I put my mind to,” said Keller.

During the 10 weeks at RTC Great Lakes, sailors learn five warfighting competencies – firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding, and small arms marksmanship.

NSGL is the Navy’s largest training installation and the home of the Navy’s only boot camp. Located on over 1,600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, the installation includes 1,153 buildings with 39 on the National Register of Historic Places. NSGL supports more than 50 tenant commands and elements as well as more than 20,000 sailors, Marines, soldiers and DoD civilians who live and work on the installation.

Two commands at NETC are Surface Warfare Engineering School Command Great Lakes (SWESC GL) and Surface Combat Systems Training Command Great Lakes (SCSTC GL). Every surface Navy engineer, quartermaster, boatswain’s mate and deck seaman attends SWESC GL for technical training. These sailors leave SWESC GL as surface warriors, ready to perform aboard ships operating around the globe. Instructors at SCSTC GL provide a culture of excellence and warrior toughness by building a surface warrior mindset to

complement the technical and tactical skillsets.

“As an electronics technician, I get the chance to learn valuable electronic skills that I will use when I have my own home and will be able to teach my kids,” said Keller. “I also enjoy being part of a dedicated team that works hard to overcome challenges, while getting the opportunity to serve my country.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Keller serves a Navy that operates forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy allows me to make my family proud and give my little cousins a role model to look up to,” said Keller. “It also allows me to achieve my dreams of owning a home and being a father.”

Keller is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my parents, Karen and George Keller, as they have always been supportive and pushed me to be my best,” added Keller. “I’d also like to thank my cousin, Travis Dietz, for ‘planting the seed’ in my mind to join the Navy.”

OCR students make their marks with rocks

Fifth grade art students at Old Country Road Elementary School painted individual rocks that have been incorporated into larger stepping stones. The stepping stones will be displayed prominently in the front of the school. This has become a wonderful tradition for fifth graders to leave their mark as they move on to middle school.

courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Town offers special marriage license weekend

To increase convenience for residents, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca will host a special Marriage License Weekend on Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Oyster Bay Town Halls North and South. During this weekend event, residents will have the opportunity to obtain their New York State marriage licenses. Appointments are required.

“ I am delighted to offer this special Marriage License Weekend for our residents, ” said Town Clerk Richard LaMarca. “ We understand that life ’ s busy schedules can make it challenging to obtain a marriage license during regular business hours. This weekend event is designed to provide greater flexibility and convenience for couples preparing for their big day. ”

The Marriage License Weekend will be held on Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, from 9:00 a.m. to

3:00 p.m. Appointments are available at Town Hall North (54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY) and Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, NY). To ensure efficient service and minimal wait times, appointments are mandatory. To make an appointment in Oyster Bay, please call 516-624-6335. To make an appointment in Massapequa, please call 516-797-7966.

The fee for a marriage license is $40. Once the license is issued, the ceremony may be performed anywhere in the state. A marriage license is good for sixty (60) days, beginning twenty-four hours (24) after the license is issued. For more information about the required documents and eligibility criteria for obtaining a New York State marriage license, please visit oysterbaytown.com or contact the Town Clerk ’ s office at 516-624-6333.

Let your voice be heard! Is there an issue in your community you want to discuss? Want to respond to something you saw in our paper? Then write a letter to our editor and bring it to everyone’s attention! Send your letter to editor@gcnews.com and we’ll publish it for you!

Photo

Seaman Joseph Keller

Bethpage School Board reorganizes for 2024–25 school year

Superintendent David Schneider took the oath of office..

The Bethpage Union Free School District’s Board of Education held its first meeting of the 2024-2025 school year on July 9, which began with the

swearing in of re-elected trustees

James McGlynn and Sandy Watson.

Superintendent David Schneider also took the oath of office.

Anna Israelton was sworn in to the role of vice president, which she previously served during the 2023–24 school year.

The board selected its officers for the new year, with James McGlynn once again serving as president and Anna Israelton reprising her role as

at the July 9 meeting.

Sandy Watson was sworn in to a new term as a trustee on the Bethpage Board of Education

James McGlynn was sworn in to a new term as trustee and was also re-elected president of the board.

Local residents were among more than 775 members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2024 who were awarded bachelor’s degrees at its undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 19th.

Megan G. Zabrouski of Bethpage earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and philosophy

Matthew J. Duffy of Plainview earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business analytics and philosophy

Seamus J. O’Callaghan of Bethpage earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing

Matthew J. Duffy of Plainview Duffy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business analytics and philosophy

On May 9, Dani Gulino of Bethpage was one of 30 undergraduate students from New York Institute of Technology’s College of Engineering and Computing Sciences whose research was showcased at an event on the New York City campus.

The projects, which were completed as part of the college’s Undergraduate Research and Entrepreneurship Program (UREP), covered a wide range of topics; Gulino’s team shared the project “Home Invasion Detection and Prevention.”

Amal Siddiqui of Syosset has earned induction into the Phi Beta Kappa Society at the University at Albany for 2024.

The Phi Beta Kappa Society honors the best and brightest liberal arts and sciences undergraduates from 293 top schools across the nation through a highly selective, merit-based invitation process.

The following local students were named to the Winter 2024 Dean’s List at Southern New Hampshire University: Christina Casaccio of Levittown

Kang Kim of Hicksville

Max Kaye of Old Bethpage

The following local students were named to the President’s List for the Winter 2024 semester: Bethpage

Michael Gallo, Frank Totino Hicksville

Tulasi Awasthi, Meredith Ku, Matthew Betancur, Adam Crespo Debbie Deligan, Anastasia Livanos Levittown

Justin Navarro, John-Theodore Simon Syosset

Philip Iordanou, Daniel Macaskill

Connor Cullen, of Levittown, was named to University of Bridgeport’s Spring 2024 Dean’s List.

College Notes

Cullen was among more than 300 students named to the Spring 2024 Dean’s List.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must have a term grade point average of between 3.2-3.69.

Nikita Vyas Joshi, of Hicksville, was named to University of Bridgeport’s Spring 2024 President’s List.

Vyas Joshi was among more than 400 students named to the Spring 2024 President’s List.

To be named to the President’s List, a student must maintain a term grade point average of 3.7 or higher.

Victoria Cini of Syosset received a bachelor of arts degree from College of the Holy Cross at its 178th Commencement on Friday, May 24th.

New York Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Design has inducted members of the Class of 2024 into the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts, including Angelina Badolato of Bethpage.

Angelina Pitti of Levittown, was awarded a BS in Nursing degree during Salve Regina University’s 74th commencement.

The Spring 2024 Dean’s List includes students who have completed at least 12 credits as a full-time student in that semester and have achieved a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher. The following local students were named to the Lasell Dean’s List.

Emma Gorman of Plainview

Nathaniel Gonzalez of Levittown

Carly Zubin of Levittown

Christina Bonilla of Hicksville

Molly Botros of Levittown

Sowmya Sri Chittari of Hicksville

Angad Dev of Plainview

Jasmin Varela of Hicksville

A group of nearly 50 graduates from the Hofstra Class of 2024 were honored during Commencement Weekend at the Grads of Color graduation celebration event.

The following students were honored during the event:

Ysabella Bachmeier of Bethpage

Angad Dev of Plainview

The celebration recognized the efforts of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) students. During the event, the graduates were given their graduation cord to showcase pride in their backgrounds when walking across the stage at Commencement.

On Saturday, May 18, students from DeSales University graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees during the University’s 55th Commencement ceremony.

The following local students earned their degrees:

Luke J. LaSalla of Bethpage grad-

uated with a bachelor of science in accounting

Patrick John Kerrigan of Bethpage graduated with a bachelor of science in healthcare administration

Each spring, New York Institute of Technology’s School of Health Professions inducts senior students from all health disciplines into the Alpha Eta Honor Society. The national honor society promotes and recognizes students for significant scholarship, leadership, and contributions to the allied health professions.

This year, nearly 80 students from the Class of 2024 were inducted, including:

Andy Hong of Jericho

Ryan Hahn of Levittown

Melissa Soto of Hicksville

Nazareth University has announced that Maxwell Bass of Syosset, has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2024 semester.

A student’s grade point average must be at least 3.5 or above, and they must complete 12 credit hours of graded work that semester in order to be included on the dean’s list at Nazareth.

Alexandra McCormick of Jericho was named to Washington College’s Spring 2024 Dean’s List. In order to earn this academic honor, a student must achieve at least a 3.50 GPA for the semester.

Matthew J. Duffy of Plainview was among the 11 members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2024 who graduated from its Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program Business Honors Program.

Duffy graduated, summa cum laude, as a business analytics and philosophy double major. Duffy worked with faculty advisor David Mahalak, D. Eng., faculty specialist in the Operations and Analytics Department, on a thesis titled “A Machine Learning Approach to MLB Attendance.” Duffy was also a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Avery Linn, Undeclared major from Bethpage, NY, has been named to the Le Moyne College Spring 2024 Dean’s List. To make the list, students must achieve a GPA of 3.5 or above.

As part of New York Tech’s 63rd annual commencement, the College of Arts and Sciences recognized outstanding students from the Class of 2024, including:

Pravin Vathappallil of Plainview, who received the B.S./D.O. Service Award.

Fatima Khalfan of Plainview, who received the Psychology Chairperson’s Award.

Rishika Thayavally of Hicksville,

who received the Eugene J. Mitacek Award for Excellence in Chemistry.

More than 1300 York College students were recognized for their academic achievement by earning a place on the Dean’s List for the Spring 2024 semester.

Melanie Barroca of Levittown

Joseph Bonsignore of Levittown

Ryan Hargrave of Syosset

The College of Charleston recently awarded undergraduate and graduate degrees during the Spring 2024 Commencement ceremony.

The following are the local graduates:

Andrew Russo of Jericho graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Cameron Campbell of Syosset, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Finance

Local residents were among the 35 members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2024 who graduated from its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program (SJLA)

The following is a list of the class of 2024 SJLA Honors Program graduates and their majors.

Matthew J. Duffy of Plainview. Duffy graduated, summa cum laude, as a business analytics and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program.

Megan G. Zabrouski of Bethpage. Zabrouski graduated, magna cum laude, as an English major.

As part of New York Institute of Technology’s 63rd annual commencement, the School of Architecture and Design recognized outstanding members of the Class of 2024, including Angelina Badolato of Bethpage (11714), who received the Silver Certificate for Achievement in Architecture (5-year program).

As part of New York Institute of Technology’s 63rd annual commencement, the School of Architecture and Design recognized outstanding members of the Class of 2024, including Manogna Sai Padi of Hicksville, who received the Graduate Award for Excellence in Architectural and Urban Design.

Sara Ashraf of Hicksville, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Ashraf was initiated at Long Island University.

Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION

Notice of Formation of Ronrico LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/15/2024.

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 Ron: 257 Maple St, Massapequa pk, NY, 11762. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Mid-Island Times • Bethpage Newsgram • Syosset Advance Jericho-Syosset News Journal •The Garden City News

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 JULY 25, 2024, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals:

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 24-191 JERICHO

ALEX WOLFF: (A) Variance to allow existing rear wood porch having less side yard setback, aggregate side yards, exceeding maximum building coverage and gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing 7 ft. by 7.6 ft. shed having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 94-300 and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated August 4, 1994.

W/s/o 23rd St., 310 ft. S/o Scott Ave., a/k/a 4 23rd Street, Jericho, NY

APPEAL NO. 24-145 JERICHO

MONTI SOHAL: (A) Variance to construct 20 ft. by 18 ft. garage having less side yard setback, rear yard setback and exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow parking within required rear yard.

N/s/o Marian Ln., 97.55 ft. W/o Moss Ln., a/k/a 63 Marian Lane, Jericho, NY

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, July 19, at 4:00 p.m.

Concert: A Musical Journey with Debra Toscano (IN-PERSON)

Performer: Debra Toscano, singer and actress

Join us for this late afternoon concert where Debra will sing all genres of music including songs from the Great American Songbook, 1920s up to today’s music. It’s a funfilled hour of music and stories about the songs. No registration needed.

Monday, July 22, at 2:00 p.m.

DIY Tote Bags (IN-PERSON)

Instructor: Theresa Maritato

Choose from hundreds of stencils to write a special message or art onto a canvas tote bag. Themes include beach, flowers, birds, inspirational phrases, animals, and more. Fee: $5. Registration required. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Tuesday, July 23, at 2:00 p.m.

Afternoon Book

Discussion (IN-PERSON)

Join Kaye Spurrell, Readers’ Services Librarian, for a Book Discussion of the novel “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern.

Thursday, July 25, 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, July 25, at 2:00 p.m.

Marlon Brando: Natural & Intense (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: Marc Courtade, retired arts director

Considered one of the greatest film actors of all time, Brando has a career spanning 60 years. He began on stage, studied acting with Stella Adler and Elia Kazan and created the role of Stanley Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire” on Broadway. Once Brando went to Hollywood, he never performed on stage again. This is the 20th anniversary of his death and he is still regarded as one of the greatest film actors of the 20th century. No registration needed.

Friday, July 26, 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.

JULY 15, 2024

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

Free summer concerts at local parks, beaches

From page 1

apequa - New York Bee Gees Tribute Show Playing the Bee Gees Greatest Hits

Tuesday, August 6

*Start time 6:00 PM - John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa - First Responders Night featuring The Marshall Tucker Band -Police Displays for National Night Out, Family-friendly activities, inflatables and food trucks at 6PM; concert starts at 8 PM

Wednesday, August 7

Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, Woodbury - Dean

Karahalis and the Concert Pops of Long Island present Rhapsody In Blue featuring Kelly Horsted, Cantor David Katz and Deana Verone

Saturday, August 10

*Start time 6:00 PM - John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa - Country Fest: The Ultimate Aldean Experience & The American Ride Toby Keith Tribute, The World’s Greatest Luke Bryan Tribute

- Family-friendly activities, photo opportunities, line dancing, inflatables, food trucks and so much more!

Summer seminar teaches children pool safety

From page 1

that we want people to take away from today’s seminar is that it’s important to always swim safely in order to stay safe.”

Representatives from Catholic Health Care System were on hand at the seminar to provide statistics on fatal drownings that have occurred in recent years in children under the age of fifteen years old.

Brittany Winn, a nurse manager at Catholic Health St Joseph Hospital, said that adult supervision and utilizing the buddy system are the two most important components when swimming in a pool or at the beach.

“When it comes to pool safety and drowning prevention, it is important to swim with a buddy and have adult supervision present at all times,” said Winn. “If a drowning is to occur, hands only CPR is the most effective and user-friendly method during resuscitation. Time is tissue, meaning with good compressions during CPR, circulation can be provid-

ed to a person’s vital organs, which can save a life.”

She provided a startling statistic on drownings, stating that in recent years drownings in children under the age of fifteen has increased by twelve percent.

“Drowning remains the leading cause of death in children aged one to four years old,” said Winn. “Additionally children under the age of five make up nearly eighty percent of all non fatal drowning injuries each year.”

Saladino said that knowledge is key for young people when they set-out to swim and have fun during the hot summer months.

“Pool safety awareness is one of the most important things to be aware of when heading out in the hot summer weather. I want to thank St Joseph’s Hospital and Catholic Health for partnering with us us to host this important and vital program and bringing pool safety awareness to hundreds of our younger residents.”

Are you a professional?

Our Professional Guide is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.

New tennis courts open

The Town of Oyster Bay has opened new tennis courts at Haypath Park in Old Bethpage. The Town of Oyster Bay upgraded courts to ensure generations of residents to come will be able to enjoy a game of tennis at this beautiful park.

“Tennis offers a great workout, competition, camaraderie and lots of fun,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino.

“We are excited to open these upgraded tennis courts at Haypath Park and are committed to making sure the Town of Oyster Bay is the best place to live, work and raise a family.

“We’re upgrading parks throughout the Town of Oyster Bay and know that these new tennis courts will be a hit for both competitive and recreational tennis players alike. My colleagues on the Town Board and I encourage you to take advantage of them and enjoy this wonderful sport!” added Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato.

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

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 24-190 SYOSSET

HASAN SHEIKH: (A) Variance to allow existing 5 ft. high fence and 6 ft. high PVC fence exceeding maximum height across side/front yard (Woodbury Road) than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing 4 ft. high PVC fence exceeding maximum height within 30 ft. of intersection than permitted by Ordinance.

NW/ cor. of Market Dr. & Woodbury Rd., a/k/a 1 Market Drive, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 24-240 SYOSSET

MARLENE WOSKA: Variance to allow existing deck exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance.

S/s/o Sherman Dr., 570.16 ft. E/o Richard Ln., a/k/a 44 Sherman Drive, Syosset, NY

JULY 15, 2024

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

Town Clerk Richard LaMarca, Town Councilman Lou Imbroto, Town Supervisor Joe Saladino and Tax Receiver Jeffrey Pravato at the new tennis courts at Haypath Park in Old Bethpage.

Cambria is Great Base for Pacific Highway Roadtrip

From the opulent Hearst Castle, we drive back down the hill, to the coastal Old San Simeon Village. A whaling village in the 1800s, William Randolph Hearst turned it into a village for his workers who, over the 28 years, constructed his “Enchanted Hill.”

Sebastian’s General Store on San Simeon Bay really encapsulates the history and heritage of the village. Built in 1852 at the peak of the whaling industry, the Sebastian Brothers supplied whalers, fishermen, miners, and neighboring ranches. Sebastian Brothers General Merchandise was the significant shipping point for whale oil, cheese, butter and other commodities on the Central Coast. Old San Simeon Village boomed with two hotels (the first-class Bay View Hotel built in 1878 had among its famous guests Thomas A. Edison, Winston Churchill and Calvin Coolidge), saloons, a blacksmith, a livery stable, a butcher, schools, a depot for a stage travel to Cambria and a telegraph line to San Luis Obispo. The town flourished until 1910 and then declined (Hearst began building his castle in 1919), but Sebastian’s General Store has survived – there are even remnants of its post office. The Sebastian family bought the building in 1914 and operated the store for almost 100 years. Today, Sebastian’s offers an absolutely marvelous café (fabulous sandwiches and shop, and is a wine-tasting venue (Hearst Winery is just across the street). (Sebastian’s General Store https://highway1roadtrip.com/ things-to-do/sebastian-s-general-

females lie about as their pups nurse or just hang out.

It is astonishing to learn from the guide that the elephant seals don’t eat at all for the weeks they are here – losing as much as 2000 pounds of their weight. Twice a year, the males swim to Alaska, Aleutian Islands, stay in the ocean where they eat, while the females, interestingly, swim to Hawaii, diving 3000 ft. deep to eat. They only come to the Piedras Blancas rookery to mate, give birth and nurse their pup before the process starts all over again.

store-old-san-simeon-village/)

The setting is adjacent to a gorgeous field filled with wildflowers, surrounding the historic school house, even more picturesque as horses wander through the field, with the Hearst Castle on hilltop in background completing the scene, as we enjoy our picnic lunch.

I wander across the road and find Hearst Beach where I happen upon a couple of dejected young male elephant seals. Guides are here to keep people an appropriate distance away from them. The guide explains they are young males which were pretty much beaten up by the older more aggressive males, and came here to “sulk” and recuperate. He tells me that almost 25,000 elephant seals are mating, birthing and nursing here along this 8 mile coastal rookery.

From here, we drive five miles further north on Pacific Highway

1 to the Elephant Seal Rookery viewing area at Piedras Blancas (“White Rocks”), a narrow strip of rocky beach where thousands of elephant seals—the West Coast’s largest pinnipeds—are massed. It is widely considered one of the best wildlife experiences in California (and free!), and happens adjacent to the Pacific Highway. President Barack Obama made this site part of the California Coastal National Monument in 2017.

We walk along a boardwalk for amazing views of the scene, where helpful docents from Friends of the Elephant Seal answer our endless stream of questions.

It is fascinating to watch the huge marine mammals unabashedly breed, birth, molt, nurse and rest. Giant bulls, some as big as 16 feet long and weighing 4,000 pounds, inflate their trunk-like snouts to create a roaring bellow. The smaller

We watch males fending off each other; even mating behavior (not at all romantic); and mothers nursing. We see what looks like family groups, but the guide says that while the mother knows her pup (and may nurse a second pup), the male has no relationship at all with a mate or a family. That gets me thinking why the young males who got beaten up would bother to risk getting beaten up again, why don’t they just hang out on their own? He tells me the urge to propagate is too strong.

Elephant seals, I learn, were thought to be on the verge of extinction, but have made a dramatic recovery over the last century, bounding back from fewer than 100 to an estimated 210,000-239,000 animals. The rookery of elephant seals at Piedras Blancas has become one of the largest on the west coast with a population estimated at 23,320.

Peak season is December through May though smaller numbers of seals may be seen during other months (https://elephantseal.org/).

Off in the distance you can see the 70-foot tall Piedras Blancas Light Station. Built in 1875 and still in operation today, you can take a

Continued on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Cambria is Great Base for Pacific Highway Roadtrip

Continued from previous page

2-hour tour of the interior and grounds, year-round. (Access to the light station grounds is by guided tour only.)

We return to Moonstone Beach, which we explored a bit in the morning, to more fully enjoy this enchanting place. Named for the smooth stones with intricate patterns polished by the tides, Moonstone Beach is considered one of the Central Coast’s best beaches. You feel so completely at peace here. The Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, extending some 1 ½ miles, affords visitors stunning views of the beach from bluffs and is itself artfully constructed to provide gorgeous scenes as you walk. In the north section, you can take paths down to the rocky seashore and tidepools (considered some of the best tidepools on the Central Coast), where you can look for crabs, sea anemones, urchin, sea slugs, and see seals resting on the rocks, especially from the Seal View Beach Deck. At Shamel Park, on the eastern edge of Moonstone Beach, an interpretive sign from the Whale Trail national organization identifies the lookout from Moonstone Beach as one of the best viewing spots for gray whales, white-sided dolphins, elephant seals, seabirds and sea otters. There are also sections of the beach popular for surfing, which also provides for entertaining viewing.

After spending more time on Moonstone Beach in Cambria, we head out for our next experience – at Ragged Point which we try to time for the late afternoon light – passing the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse which is gated off - but a short distance beyond, we find a pull-in that gives a view of the lighthouse, as well as many more of the elephant

Old San Simeon, with its historic school house, horse pasture, and the Hearst Castle way up the hillside, make for a striking scene for our picnic lunch at Sebastian’s General Store © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

seals on this stretch of beach.

Ragged Point is 11 miles further north along Pacific Highway 1, which actually is at the southern tip of Big Sur (Gorda, about 20 more miles further, was as far north as you could go on Pacific Highway 1 from this direction, before the highway was closed). Here, we are back in the land of high, steep cliffs that make for such dramatic vistas. It is late afternoon, and we find a stunning turn off to take in the view.

At Ragged Point Resort, where we will be having dinner, there is a trail that goes down to the beach to a high waterfall. Eric goes down (it is fairly steep, muddy and close to sunset and I don’t want to hold him back), but I walk along the edge of the resort where there is a partial view of the waterfall, and a great view of the open ocean and sunset.

We enjoy our dinner at the restaurant – the mushroom bisque is delicious, the rib eye served with bourbon and almond demi-glaze is done perfectly, with wonderful flavor. The chef seems to enjoy interesting flavor combinations. (Ragged Point Inn & Resort, 19019 CA-1, Ragged Point, CA, 888-584-6374, www.raggedpointinn.com).

Driving back to Cambria from Ragged Point, we stop for stargazing just around Hearst Ranch and hear the cacophony, the roar, of the elephant seals. There are breaks in the cloud cover, just clear enough to see constellations.

There is more to see around Cambria, that unfortunately, we did not have time for since we were continuing on our way down the Pacific Highway: Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is home to a number of endangered species and

Mighty Magnesium

BY CHARLYN FARGO

I’m often asked if you need to take a particular supplement. Magnesium seems to be especially popular right now. It’s been in the news, with a study published in July 2021 in Advances in Nutrition regarding its potential role in reducing cardiovascular disease and cancer.

But here’s the important thing: You need to get magnesium from food, not supplements. The systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies found higher dietary -- but not supplement or total -- magnesium intake associated with lower cancer and all-cause mortality, but not with cardiovascular disease mortality. The study found that each additional intake of 100 milligrams per day

of dietary magnesium was associated with a 6% and 5% reduced risk of all-cause and cancer mortality, respectively.

The recommended daily allowance for magnesium is 320 milligrams for women over the age of 30, and 420 milligrams for men over 30. However, the average American adult diet provides about 50 to 75 milligrams below what is needed. Most of us need to be eating more foods that are high in magnesium.

Just what does magnesium do?

Magnesium can play a role in regulation of blood pressure and vascular function, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defenses, as well as blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity, maintenance of healthy cells and bone health.

So, what should you be eating? Green

species of special concern. The Ranch is bordered by a riparian habitat that encompasses tidal effect zones, seasonal freshwater marshes, and wetlands filled with birds. A dramatic ocean bluff that runs more than a mile along the shoreline of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary where you can view migrating whales, elephant seals, and other ocean mammals. The Ranch features eight trails that meander through 437 acres of protected forest, riparian habitat, and grasslands. The benches located along the trails are each unique pieces of art that offer stunning ocean views. (604 Main Street Trail access at 2799, Bluff Trail, Cambria, CA 93428, 805-927-2856, https://www.fiscaliniranchpreserve.org/)

Covell’s California Clydesdales: 100 Clydesdale horses roam 2000 acres of pristine Monterey Pine forest and rolling pastures with an exquisite view of the ocean. Much of the forest of Cambria Pines by the Sea Ranch is protected in a nature conservation easement (Cambria Pines by the Sea, Cambria, CA 93428, 805-975-7332, https://www. covellsclydesdaleranch.com/)

Back at the Castle Inn we enjoy the heated pool and hot tub. The motel is perfect for our stay in Cambria, with a refrigerator, free wifi, continental breakfast, across street from Moonstone Beach boardwalk, 10 minutes drive, to Hearst Castle, 15 minutes from Elephant Seal Vista Point. (6620 Moonstone Beach Dr, Cambria, CA, 93428, 805-927-8605, castle-inn-cambria.hotelsone.com)

We set out again on the Pacific Highway 1, bound for Redondo Beach. More information: visitcambriaca. com

leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, bananas, citrus fruits and mangoes, for starters. Here’s a list of other magnesium-rich foods.

-- Green vegetables -- especially dark green leafy vegetables and okra. The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database shows spinach, Swiss chard and beet greens are highest in magnesium. But since these greens are high in oxalate, which binds to magnesium and reduces intestinal absorption, cooked forms of these vegetables and others (such as kale) may be top sources.

-- Deep-orange winter squash and sweet potatoes -- but sweet potato fries and chips and other orange vegetables (like

Continued on page 6

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

When a new house becomes a home

My sister, Susan, moved recently from one house to another and I got recruited to help her box things.

She and her husband, Don, had retired and were downsizing so that meant they had to toss certain things and donate things to charity then pack the rest of their belongings before the moving van arrived. The good news was this was a local move. They had picked a smaller house in the next town over so it’s not like they were going long distance.

Still, any move is a big undertaking and any recruits that could be brought in were appreciated. Susan phoned me about going there on a Saturday so I brought along my friend, Nicole, and the four of us had a nice lunch, chatted for a while then got busy sorting through items and packing them up.

We filled large boxes and plastic bins with lots of household items: with coffee mugs, cups and saucers, everyday dinner plates, serving platters and drawers full of utensils. We bubble-wrapped family photos, plaques and diplomas. There are lots of people in our large extended family - plus Susan and Don have three kids of their own and two grandchildren - so the family photos took quite a while to box.

In one closet I found a stack of board games so I pulled them out and placed them neatly in large boxes. I almost got off track because it was tempting to sit down and play a game of “Scattergories” or “Catan” but of course that would have taken too long and taken us away from the job at hand. I thought about it, though. The “Scrabble” board game was oversized so that took a little maneuvering but it fit.

Susan found some loose cards from “The Match Game” and almost threw them out until she read the first question aloud and thought how fun it would be for us relatives play it. Susan and I both remembered Gene Rayburn on TV in the 1960s asking the questions. When she said it was too good to toss, I

said to keep it. Moving on, I very carefully emptied their large china closet. It held a beautiful display of china plates, crystal glasses and Lenox vases both large and small. Placing these things onto the dining room table, I wrapped them, boxed them and added extra bubble wrap for added protection. These were definitely the fragile pieces so I had to take my time and be extra careful as I wrapped them. Susan and Don would want to arrive at their new house with their china and vases intact so they could proudly display them again.

Some of Susan’s hobbies include scrapbooking and making cards so there were plenty of scrapbooking supplies, stickers and scissors. I found several paper flowers just waiting to be affixed. Lots of things to go through. Boxes and boxes of paper looked brand new so some could still be used and other things, i.e., scraps, could be tossed.

We started filling large trash cans with discards and packed the things that were still useful. We labeled everything as we went along because prior moves had taught us all that the more efficient you are at the beginning, the better off it is in the end. Arriving in the new house with boxes properly labeled is helpful if they’re going in the kitchen, dining room, etc.

Don’s hobby is playing croquet and he looks forward to sunshiny days when he can set up the game in the back yard and invite people over to play. Don struck me as more of a golf aficionado and he even had the build for golf: he was tall, thin and athletic. Who knew that croquet was more his thing? When I opened a closet I saw tons and tons of mallets, wickets and colorful croquet balls. That closet seemed to be filled with lots of croquet equipment and it wasn’t organized at all.

I spent some time transferring everything to a large, 40-gallon Rubbermaid bin on two wheels and I did it as carefully as possible because I knew very well that at their new house Don would be looking to play croquet. Extra towels worked well as wedges - they helped

keep everything in place so I was pleased with that.

The curtains that had been hung carefully on the living room windows and throughout the other rooms had to be pulled down, folded and put into a box.

Plenty of other things had to be cleared out. When Susan and Don left for their smaller but nifty new house, their current house had to be a blank slate for the new owners. They would choose the paint colors, the curtains and the area rugs they wanted. They would select new couches and recliners for the living room and hang their family photos on the walls. In short, they would make this house their own.

Taking a break afterwards I noticed that the walls of their house looked bare and the closets did, too. I knew that it was a time of transition - Susan and Don were going from one house to anotherbut that didn’t make me feel any better. A house was a home because of the many good times we, their extended family, had enjoyed there celebrating holidays and any old day of the week. In

my opinion, a house is a home because of the big personalities that bring it to life.

If I go back to Susan and Don’s old house six months from now - if I knock on the door and by chance the new owners invite me - I bet I’d hardly recognize the inside of the house, that’s how different it would be. Even the decorative pillows on the couch will be a different fabric and splash of color than something Susan and Don would have chosen but that’s okay because it’s their new home. And a house is never a home until you make it your own.

Don’t Take Financial Advice From a Guy in a Kayak

BY TOM MARGENAU

I’ve discussed this issue before in this column. I am a Social Security expert. I know all about the rules and regulations that can affect your Social Security benefits. But I am NOT a financial planner. I rarely tell people when to apply for their Social Security benefits. I give them all the facts and then let them decide, sometimes in consultation with a real financial planner, exactly when they should start their Social Security checks.

But even though I’ve stressed a thousand times that I am not a financial planner, people are always emailing me asking me when they should take their Social Security benefits. So how do I prove to folks that I’m not a financial guy?

Well, I think I finally have proof.

I was going through some old family photos the other day and came across this

picture. That’s my wife in the kayak. And I’m in another kayak behind her taking the photo. And that’s our neighbor’s boat! Let me explain. We were living at the time in San Diego. Or to be more specific, we were living on Coronado Island, which sits in the bay across from downtown San Diego. We were living in a part of town that was interspersed with canals. Every house in the neighborhood had a dock. And almost every dock had a boat moored to it.

Coronado Island was populated, for the most part, by people of means. For example, San Diego was a Navy town. The sailors who didn’t reside on base lived in apartments spread around the city. But the captains and admirals lived in Coronado. So did the captains of industry, as well as many doctors, lawyers and other professionals. And yet, a moderately paid government employee and his librarian spouse (that would be me and my wife) somehow managed to find a home we could barely afford in Coronado.

So there we were with a home on the water and a boat dock, surrounded by people who had the money to fill their slip. Many of our neighbors had boats similar to the one you see in the picture. But all my wife and I could afford were a couple of kayaks. Yet I can tell you, we sure had fun paddling around the canals and out into the San Diego Bay in our poor man’s yachts!

Anyway, here is my point. Look again at the picture. Would you rather take

financial advice from the person in the kayak or from the person who owned that huge yacht? I think it’s a no-brainer. Talk to the guy in the yacht about financial advice. But you can talk to me for Social Security advice.

I was reminded of all this when some of you reacted to something I said in a column a couple weeks ago. I told readers not to fret so much over the starting date for their Social Security checks. I specifically told a guy who was almost losing sleep because he wanted to make darn sure his benefits started exactly at age 70 that he shouldn’t worry. I said if his benefits happened to start one month early, he’d only lose a fraction of 1% in his ongoing benefit rate. So I said it was “no big deal.” And I thought my comment was literally that -no big deal. But here is an example of the reaction I got:

“I can’t believe the lousy financial advice you gave a reader this week! You told him it would be ‘no big deal’ if he got one month’s extra Social Security check at a reduced rate. You’re wrong. It would be a huge deal. You’ve got to remember that the loss he suffers will just continue to compound over the years. He could eventually lose hundreds if not thousands of dollars if he takes the reduced benefit rate.”

Well, please let kayak boy make a couple points in response to that criticism and others I received in a similar vein.

First, I was not giving this guy financial advice. I merely told him that I thought it wasn’t that big a deal if he ended up making a mistake and starting his benefits in August instead of September when he turned 70.

Second, let’s follow an example to find out if it would be a “huge deal” if that happened. Let’s say the guy’s full retirement age benefit is $3,000 per month. If he waited until age 70 in September to start his retirement checks, he’d get a 32% bonus. In other words, he’d get $3,960 monthly.

The delayed retirement bonus is actually two-thirds of 1% for each month benefits are delayed beyond full retirement age -- up to age 70. So, if this guy inadvertently started his Social Security checks in August, he’d get a roughly 31.4% bonus instead of the full 32%. In other words, his monthly Social Security check would be about $3,942.

That’s $18 less than his potential age 70 rate. But then you have to remember that he would be getting one extra Social Security check at the $3,942 amount. If you divide $18 into that, you will learn that he has to live 219 months, or about 18 years, beyond age 70 before he is going to come out on the short end of the Social Security stick by starting his benefits one month early. Or to put that another way, once he is 88 years old, he will start losing $18 per month.

I suppose there is a chance this guy could live to be 100 and end up losing hundreds or even a couple thousand dollars.

Of course, there is also a chance he’ll get hit by a bus at age 72. So is it “no big deal?” Or a “huge deal?” I guess it’s all in the way you look at it. If you are a money person and like to worry about these things, then consult a financial planner (who probably owns a big boat), go over all the numbers, create all kinds of spreadsheets, come up with all kinds of matrixes and then make a decision. (And hope you don’t get hit by that bus!) But if you’re like me, someone who

Continued on next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Give yourself time when considering moving

You are now considering selling your home. Going through the organizing and packing process can be extremely challenging if you are not organized. However, first off, have you thought seriously about where you are moving? What towns and schools, if you still have young children? Is your home larger than your current needs, and are taxes and overall expenses too high? Downsizing is the answer. Do you want to stay locally within the same town, or move out of state to where your children reside? Maybe you already have a second home and know where you will be living. These are important aspects of deciding where to move to. Finding a reliable mover with excellent reviews and testimonials will be a starting point. Ask close friends or people you know who can provide a mover who did a commendable job and that you had a satisfactory experience. Most important is asking the moving companies about their insurance and policy if something gets damaged or broken beyond repair. Will they replace the item or provide you with a cash settlement?

There are a multitude of decisions that will have to be considered. To simplify things one should create a checklist and contemplate the necessary steps to begin all those crucial aspects of your move. Googling “checklists when moving” will provide you with an excellent format and you can also add to it as needed. Whether you are upgrading or downsizing, moving can be stressful (and exciting too) at the same time, if you aren’t properly prepared. Give yourself and your family a cushion of at least 6 months. This will minimize the challenges and issues that will come about during that time. Once you have decided where you are going, you will need to sell your home.

Deciding who to hire will be critical in knowing all the details of selling and that will be handled by a knowledgeable, expert and reliable Broker, who has years of experience to get the job done responsibly. This will help to make your closing a happy ending. There is much to do in the process from the start to the closing table. You should walk around the inside and outside of your home as if you were

the purchaser, to ascertain what basic things need to be either repaired or replaced. You may or may not have a huge budget, but the cost of not doing anything just might be more costly in the long run.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

I don’t suggest that you do a new kitchen or bathrooms; unless you plan to live there for at least 5 plus years. But you must realize that, depending on the market, you may not recover the total investment in those major improvements. You will want to walk away with as much equity as possible. I always suggest that if you are going to sell sooner, do not spend a lot on upgrades as this is something that should be left to the buyer’s decision and specific tastes once they own your home. However, a good coat of paint will be a great start. Also, getting rid of clutter and knowing what you will be taking with you and what you will be either throwing out or donating for a tax deduction. Having your home look like a “shiny penny” will make buyers feel that you took care of your home over the years that you have lived there. As they say, “You don’t get a second chance at a first impression.”

Check out the exterior of your home and see what you can do to improve it. Spray all weeds during the cooler hours of the morning or evening. Edge the flower beds. Have your gardener fertilize your lawn with a summer fertilizer and apply insect control. Remove all branches that might be overhanging your home and trim and prune all bushes below the window sill. Clean all your windows inside and outside. Make sure your patios are clean and mold-free as well as your vinyl siding. Does the outside of your home need painting; then that is something to consider if within your budget. If you haven’t completed this during the spring, clean your gutters and leaders of all

debris. Check for any hazards that might cause a lawsuit as the home is being shown. Once you complete your packing, and after you remove all those items that you will not be taking with you; utilizing a cleaning service will make your job easier. Several franchised companies for cleaning and removals will cart away whatever you want to be thrown out. Some even donate acceptable and slightly used items to local charities (The Cancer Society or St. Vincent DePaul) as opposed to dumping them. Deciding what you need daily to live will make your packing a much easier process. Why procrastinate, when the process can be simplified by doing a little bit every day and then you will minimize the stress that goes along with your move?

Lastly, make sure you provide your post office a change of address form, as much in advance as possible by doing this online. Here is a simplified and shortened link to get your form: bit. ly/3WpzcwJ

I hope the information that I have provided will make your current or future move easier and if you need any advice or a consultation, call me.

Hoping you and your Family, Friends, and Business associates have a Healthier, Safer, Happier and more Lucrativel Summer 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).

He will gladly provide you with 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, HOA, Condo or Coop.

He will also deliver to you “free” regular updates of what is currently available, under contract (pending), 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 with no obligations” or “strings attached” a 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market again, without any “obligations” or “strings” attached whatsoever! call Philip A. Raices @ our Global ”find me/follow me” Mobile: 1-(888) 355-1385 or email him: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com

Browse and search for your “Next Place to Call Home” our updated and newly revised site: https://WWW. Li-RealEstate.Com

Want his monthly Real Estate/ Business newsletter and bi-monthly “American LifeStyle” magazine delivered to you absolutely “FREE” W/O any Obligations or “Strings attached?” Email or text your full name, email and mobile to be included on his list of 129,000+ satisfied subscribers locally, domestically and internationally. Check out My New Digital Business Card. My question to you is, are you still using your old 1900’s passé paper business card? Do you still have a rotary dial 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 by clicking on the link below, click “Add to Contacts, then click create, then “DONE, then “DONE” again. https://WWW.onetapconnect. com/turnkeyrealestate-philraices

Continued from previous page

Getting Ready for a New Puppy

BY MARY HUNT

Whether a new puppy makes your dreams of the perfect family dog come true or turns into a total nightmare depends on how well you’ve prepared, starting with a well-planned first 24 hours.

Choosing your new best friend can be quite a challenge! Visit www.selectadogbreed.com to find the right dog breed to suit your lifestyle. Once you have established the kind of dog and size that is best for your lifestyle, you need to decide where to get the puppy. From a shelter or reputable breeder? Take the time to research this thoroughly. The shelter of course presents the most affordable choice.

Now it’s time to set up a family meeting to determine scheduling. Who will take the puppy to the papers or backyard and when? Who will be in charge of feedings three or four times a day? Who will make veterinary appointments for vaccinations and deworming? A new puppy should not be left alone until about eight weeks old, so make sure you have proper coverage.

Continued from page 2

carrots and sweet peppers) aren’t as high in magnesium.

-- Tomato-vegetable juice and tomato juice -- (low-sodium preferred for most people).

-- Whole grains -- cooked intact grains (brown rice, bulgur, quinoa) and wholewheat pasta are even higher in magnesium than other whole-wheat grain products.

-- Pulses (dried beans and peas, lentils, chickpeas) and soy foods -- especially soy options like edamame and tempeh.

-- Nuts and seeds -- peanut and almond butters, too.

Q and A

Q: Fortified juices, flavored and infused waters, coffee, tea, sports drinks and antioxidant beverages are all the rage. Are drinks viable sources of antioxidants?

A: There are upwards of thousands

Next, create a vocabulary list everyone will use. If Mom says “down” when puppy climbs on the couch, Dad says “down” when he wants him to lie down, and Junior utters “sit down” when he expects the pup’s rear to hit the floor, the result will be one confused dog! Putting the schedule and vocabulary list in writing helps everyone in the home to stick to it.

Next, draft a shopping list and purchase supplies. You will need food and water bowls, chew toys, grooming supplies, bedding, a collar and leash, identification tag, crate, gate and odor neutralizer. Pre-puppy shopping allows you to order from wholesale catalogs or visit the pet superstore in the next county without the pressure of needing it right now.

You’ll need to puppy-proof the area where the youngster will spend most of his time the first few months. This may mean taping electrical cords to baseboards, storing household chemicals on high shelves, removing plants, rugs and breakables, setting up the crate and installing gates. Once you think you’ve completely puppy-proofed, lie on the floor and look around once more to get a puppy’s-eye view.

When you pick up your puppy, remember to ask what and when he was fed. Replicate that schedule for at least the first few days to avoid gastric distress. If you wish to switch to a different brand of food, do so over a period of about a week by adding 1 part new brand to 3 parts of the old for several days; then switch to equal parts, then 1 part old to 3 parts new.

From the start, consistency is important. On the way home, puppy should ride in the backseat, either in one person’s arms or, preferably, in a crate or carrier.

Once home, take him to his toileting area immediately. Don’t let him think the new carpet is the place to go. Return him often to the same place to do his “business,” and soon he’ll make the proper association.

Never fool yourself to believe there’s such a thing as a

Mighty Magnesium

of different substances in whole plants that can act as antioxidants. So, you don’t have to consume antioxidant beverages to get the desired compounds that may help fend off oxidative stress in the body -they are readily available in plant foods. Think food first. If you eat a balanced diet consisting of plenty of fruits, veggies, lean proteins, healthful fats and whole grains, you will likely take in enough antioxidants on a daily basis. When it comes to beverages, check the label for added sugars and calories.-

RECIPE

Here’s a recipe for these late summer days -- and it’s high in magnesium too. It’s from Eating Well magazine. Don’t be put off by the recipe’s name. Massaging the kale tenderizes it and helps the greens absorb more of the dressing.

Massaged Kale Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Beans Servings: 4

1 large sweet potato, cut into 1/2-inch

“free puppy.” The costs will be significant, so make sure you have allowed for this in your household budget. Cut costs by utilizing the low-cost clinics many pet stores host. You may find inoculations and exams to be a fraction of what the vet charges. Or call the humane society or local shelter for referrals to low-cost clinics. Go to www.friendsofanimals.org for discount certificates for spay and neutering.

Doing things right from the start prevents confusion for the puppy and the family. Get prepared and you’ll be one step closer to having your family’s dream dog.

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.”

thick wedges

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

2 teaspoons ancho chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

6 medium shallots, peeled and quartered

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 large clove garlic, grated

1 pound kale, stemmed and torn

1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup unsalted pepitas, toasted

Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 425 F. Toss sweet potato with 1 tablespoon oil, chili powder and 1/8 teaspoon salt on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Toss shallots with 1 tablespoon oil and 1/8 teaspoon salt on another large, rimmed baking sheet. Roast the vegetables, flipping once, until tender and caramelized, about 20 min-

utes. Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice and garlic with the remaining 3 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add kale and massage with the dressing until bright green and shiny and the volume is reduced by about half. Add beans, quinoa, feta, pepitas and the shallots. Toss to combine and serve topped with the sweet potato. Serves 4.

Per serving: 588 calories; 21 grams protein; 64 grams carbohydrate; 30 grams fat (7 grams saturated); 14 grams fiber; 12 grams total sugars (0 added); 691 milligrams sodium.

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

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of July 21-27, 2024

STARGAZERS

Spotting the First Cosmic Yardstick

One common misconception of beginner sky watchers is that we can tell the distances of the stars by just looking at them. It seems reasonable, after all, that brighter stars must be closer than fainter ones. Unfortunately, this is completely wrong.

Sure, this would be true if all stars were alike. In that case, if star A appeared four times fainter than star B, for example, it must lie twice as distant.

In reality, however, stars are quite different from each other. Some are hot, while others are relatively cool. Some pump out tremendous radiation, while others do not. And some stars might be huge and others quite small. For these reasons, we can’t assume a star that appears fainter must be farther away.

In fact, you might be surprised to learn that the opposite is often true. Stars that radiate the least can be seen only if they’re nearby, while those that are most luminous can be seen at much greater distances. So, if we can’t gauge stellar distances by just looking, how do astronomers do it? There are several techniques that, in principle, are rather simple but in practice require large telescopes and sophisticated instrumentation.

One way we can measure stellar distances is by triangulation. We all learned to do this in elementary school; hold your thumb out at arm’s length and alternately blink your eyes back and forth. You’ll see your thumb seems to shift its position relative to background objects, even though you’re holding it perfectly still. Since your brain knows the separation of your eyes, it can estimate the distance of your thumb from this shift.

Our binocular vision provides the “depth perception” that allows us to move safely about our world, but it’s completely useless when viewing a star. Instead, we measure a star’s exact position against the background stars at sixmonth intervals -- when the Earth lies on opposite sides of its orbit around the sun. From the shift we observe between these two measurements, we can calculate the star’s distance.

Unfortunately, this works for only the nearest stars. Thankfully, astronomers are a clever lot and have discovered a unique type of star that can help us plumb the depths of the cosmos.

The first of these to be discovered is named Delta Cephei, and we can see this faint star low in the northeastern sky after dark this week. Use the attached illustration to find it in the constellation Cepheus, the King. This star oscillates in size and temperature, but to us it just

appears to brighten and dim every 5.3 days.

It was in 1912 that Harvard College astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt noticed that the longer it takes one of these “Cepheid” variable stars to complete one cycle, the more luminous the star must be. In other words, by measuring a Cepheid’s variability anywhere in our galaxy (or beyond), we can know its actual luminosity. And by comparing

this with how faint it appears in our sky, we can estimate its distance.

In this way, Cepheid variables have become one of astronomers’ most valuable “cosmic yardsticks” and help us to measure distances across the universe.

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. .

This Column Is No Bologna

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

The first thing I noticed when I got into the Uber was the smell of salami. I immediately thought about the salami sandwiches with mustard on white bread my mother used to make me for lunches as a child, and like one of Pavlov’s dogs’, my mouth started to water. I probably hadn’t eaten a salami sandwich in 25 years, since my kids were little, but suddenly, more than anything, I wanted one.

I wondered if it would be rude to ask the driver if he had a salami sandwich. But then I was worried that if he had one, he might think I was going to ask him to share it. Or maybe he’d think I was passing judgment on him for eating a salami sandwich. Or maybe he would be insulted because he didn’t have a salami sandwich and his car just simply smelled of salami. It was also possible he had one of those car

air fresheners that was salami-scented.

It occurred to me that perhaps the smell of salami had nothing to do with the driver. Instead, maybe the previous passenger was the owner of the salami sandwich and had left the residual smell of phantom salami in the car.

Maybe the driver wasn’t even aware that his car now smelled of salami, in which case I would be the bearer of bad salami news if I mentioned it.

Regardless of whether the driver knew his car smelled like salami, the fact remained that I knew it smelled like salami, and because of this, I wanted a salami sandwich.

When I was a kid, I went through a phase in which I ate salami sandwiches every day. My mother tried to mix it up and give me peanut butter and jelly one day and bologna the next. But I was adamant that I wanted salami. Seeing how much I loved salami, I figured I would have passed the gene for it down

to my kids, so when the time came to pack them a school lunch, the first thing I made them was a salami sandwich. But alas, my salami DNA must have skipped a generation, because when they got home, the Doritos were gone but the salami sandwiches were untouched. When I asked about them, my kids proclaimed them “yucky.”

I realized suddenly that we were getting close to my destination and I wasn’t any closer to figuring out the mystery of the salami-scented car. It wasn’t critical that I found out -- I certainly could have lived to ride in an Uber another day if I never knew where the smell came from or if I even simply imagined the whole thing. But I was curious, so I finally felt I needed to ask.

“Excuse me,” I said, leaning forward to the driver. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

“Sure,” he said amicably.

“Were you eating a salami sandwich, because it smells like salami in here, which is a good thing because I like salami, but I just wanted to know.”

He was quiet for a moment, and I was sure I had offended him in some way. Maybe he didn’t know his car smelled like salami. Or maybe he was in fact a pastrami guy and saw salami as the lesser lunch meat.

“No, I didn’t have a salami sandwich,” he said. “But now that you mention it, I kind of want one.”

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.

LOST IN SUBURBIA

Astronomers can measure distance using stars like Delta Cephei, which is visible this week.

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

Garden City News • Mid Island Times • Bethpage Newsgram

Syosset Advance • Jericho News Journal

Williston Times - Mineola Edition

New Hyde Park Herald Courier • Manhasset Times

Roslyn Times • Port Washington Times • Great Neck News

DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.

2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”

2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

CNA/ HOME HEALTH AIDE

Available. Experienced young lady seeks employment as an aide or companion to care for the elderly. Excellent references. Please call 516-523-0697

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS!

Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first free months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391

HEARING AIDS!! High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45day money back guarantee! 855-598-5898

ACTIVITIES

GLEN COVE HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF ‘79 45th Reunion

September 21, 2024 6PM Contact Barry Feldman for details. (215) 534-7368 verythinguy2@gmail.com

MARKETPLACE

WOODWORKING TOOLS

10” Table Saw, Router Table, Routers, Router Bits, Nail Guns, Belt Sanders, Bessey Clamps, Porter Cable power tools plus numerous accessories. Call 516-294-0150

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOVENAS/PRAYERS

3 DAY NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

(Never Known to Fail)

Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother.

Oh Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power.

Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (say three times).

Holy Mary I place this pryer in your hands (say three times). Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days, and then you must publish it when your wish is granted. (MAK)

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

516-746-8900

Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-SilverMirrors-Lamps-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

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

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

GARAGE SALE

YARD SALE GARDEN

CITY

Saturday, July 20, 10am-2pm 114 Wilson St Garden City, NY 11530

Numerous items for sale. Something for everyone! Toys, CDs, DVDs, books, many children’s items, tools, household goods, gently used clothing (some new with tags), handbags, garden tools, games, odds & ends and much more!

Rain Date July 27 AUTOMOTIVE

AUTO FOR SALE

2015 CARGO VAN FOR SALE

Dodge Ram ProMaster. High Roof. 2500 Series. Good condition. Must see. $13,800. Please call 516-712-9409

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

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

OFFICE SPACE

WILLISTON PARK PROFESSIONAL OFFICE

Space for rent. Beautifully shared Office Space. Partially Furnished-2 Exec. Offices. Reception Area, Main Floor, Private Parking. $1900-p/m. Please call 516-248-4080

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

CONDO/CO-OP FOR SALE

GARDEN CITY

JEWEL BOX CONDO

Starting out or downsizing in Garden City?

Renovated 1 bedroom 1.5 bath maisonette with patio on beautiful grounds at Wyndham. Asking $695K Call or text: 516 410 5051 for details

REAL ESTATE WANTED

APARTMENT WANTED

Wanted 2 Bedroom Apartment. Mint condition. Phone- John Koerner 516-269-9107.

SERVICES

GET DISH SATELLITE

TV + INTERNET! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today ! 1-866-782-4069

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?

Don’t Accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider

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

SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277

ATTORNEY

STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ. Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122

www.dangelolawassociates. com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS SYSTEM TURN ONS Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs

Joe Barbato 516-775-1199

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076

MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies

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

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

MASONRY

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

Free Estimates

Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000

Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886

PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY!

Slate & Tile Specialists

All types of Roofing Local References

Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869

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

FREEDOMCARE. Let your loved ones care for you and get paid! Paid by Medicaid. Choose family or friends as your paid caregiver. Check your eligibility today! Call FreedomCare now! 1-855-385-7556

SERVICES

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock

Skim Cutting, Old Wood Refinish, Staining, Wallpaper Removal & Hanging, Paint Removal, Power Washing, Wood Replacement

JOHN MIGLIACCIO

Licensed & Insured

#80422100000

Call John anytime: 516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office)

JV PAINTING

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR Painting. Handyman. We can help with most jobs. Licensed and Insured. Call John 516-732-8937

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

If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803

CLOCK REPAIR SERVICES

Over 40 years experience

Servicing Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx & Manhattan. We repair a variety of Grandfather Clocks, Wall Clocks, Mantle Clocks and All Antique Clocks.

Authorized service center for Howard Miller & Ridgeway David & Nuriel Clock Repair 917-608-5883

PASSION FOR SENIORS.

CERTIFIED HHA’S, COMPANIONS & HOMEMAKERS. 24 hour care available. Also Nassau locations.

*Trained in *Dementia and * Alzheimer’s care. Call 718-850-3400

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Grilled seafood to excite backyard BBQ guests this summer

Grilled Diver Scallops and Fall Vegetable Shish Kebabs with Hazelnut Brown Butter

Grilling is a passion shared by millions of people across the globe. For some, there’s simply no better way to prepare meals in summertime than to do so over an open flame.

Recent years have seen many people expand their culinary horizons beyond traditional grilling fare like hamburgers and hot dogs.

12 fresh large diver scallops

4 fennel bulbs, trimmed, cored, and diced into 11⁄2inch cubes

4 large parsnips, peeled and diced into 11⁄2-inch cubes

1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced into 11⁄2-inch cubes

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1. Remove the scallops from the refrigerator to come up to room temperature. Prepare a medium fire in a gas or charcoal grill. If using charcoal, arrange the coals in a thin layer to evenly control the heat.

2. Combine the fennel, parsnips, and butternut squash in a large bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.

3. Transfer the vegetables to a cast-iron skillet (or anoth-

Indeed, there’s no shortage of options for grilling afficionados looking to expand their repertoire. Individuals who love seafood can try this recipe for “Grilled Diver Scallops and Fall Vegetable Shish Kebabs with Hazelnut Brown Butter” courtesy of John Holl’s “The American Craft Beer Cookbook” (Storey). Makes 4 servings

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 12-ounce can Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils, or similar beer

8 skewers

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 tablespoon finely chopped toasted hazelnuts

er grill-safe pan), season with salt and pepper, and place the pan on the grill. Cook, with the lid closed, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are a light golden brown, about 25 minutes.

4. Remove the skillet from the grill and deglaze with 1⁄4 cup of the beer. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and let cool for 5 minutes. Reserve any drippings in the skillet for

later.

5. Using two skewers for each shish kebab, alternately thread the scallops, fennel, parsnips, and butternut squash onto the skewers. Using two skewers for each kebab will prevent the ingredients from spinning on the grill.

6. Season the kebabs with salt and pepper and lightly coat with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Grill the kebabs, turn-

Watermelon Fire and Ice Salsa

Tortilla chips dipped in a tangy salsa often make the perfect opener to a meal. Salsa traditionally is made with tomatoes, but people often can find different fruits filling in for tomatoes or complementing them in various salsa recipes. During the height of the summer entertaining season, salsa can be transformed by watermelon, a popular summertime fruit. Watermelon’s

3 cups chopped watermelon

1⁄2 cup green peppers

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon chopped cilan-

ing once, until you’ve reached the desired level of doneness for the scallops, about 5 minutes per side for medium. Set aside and tent with foil while making the sauce.

7. Return the skillet to the grill; add the butter, hazelnuts, and remaining 1 1⁄4 cups beer to the vegetable drippings. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted and lightly browned.

8. Transfer the kebabs to a serving plate, pour the brown butter sauce over the scallops, and serve immediately.

A Few Beers to Try with This Recipe:

• Lagunitas Pils

• Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils

• Samuel Adams Noble Pils

• Saranac Bohemian Pilsner

• Summit Pilsener

high water content and subtle, sweet flavor contribute to its refreshing, some might say addictive, nature. However, this recipe for “Watermelon Fire and Ice Salsa,” courtesy of the The National Watermelon Promotion Board, adds jalapeño peppers to the mix to bring a little heat to those cool watermelon pieces. Makes 3 cups.

tro 1 tablespoon green onions

2 tablespoons jalapeño peppers

1. Combine ingredients. Mix well and cover. Refrigerate for 1 hour or more.

Casino bus trip

St. Ignatius Loyola Church will be hosting a bus trip to Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, PA, on Wednesday, July 31.

Please arrive at 8:30 a.m.

Return will be at approximately 8:30 p.m. The cost of $55 per person includes the driver’s tip and a

give-back of $35 slots play.

Parking: # 999 So. Oyster Bay Road (dead end).

For reservations, please call Barbara at (516) 935-5576 or Karen at (516) 937- 5527.

Please make checks payable to “St. Ignatius Church”.

MacArthur High School seniors step forward as graduates

As is tradition, seniors tossed their caps into the air after being named graduates.

General Douglas MacArthur High School seniors marked a momentous occasion as they reached the culmination of their years in Levittown Schools at the 63rd commencement ceremony held at the Hofstra University David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on June 22.

Families packed the bleachers and made their cheers heard as seniors processed to “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the band under the guidance of Joseph Romano. Class of 2024 President Anastasia Angelakis led the Pledge of Allegiance before senior choir members, led by Lisa Levenberg, sang the national anthem and “Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA.

MacArthur Principal Joseph Sheehan welcomed guests and urged graduates to keep moving forward into the future. “Be ready to embrace the new experiences that lie ahead and step on to that road to the future with steadfast confidence,” he said. “Have faith in your own abilities, work hard,

and there is nothing you cannot accomplish… I strongly encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself to you and seize the moment.”

Mr. Sheehan also paid tribute to Assistant Principal Anne Rao, who is a MacArthur Class of 1986 graduate and will be retiring at the close of the school year. “Mrs. Rao, on behalf of all the members of Generals Nation and the MacArthur High School family,” he said, “thank you for all you have done in ensuring MacArthur High School was, still is, and will always be the best high school ever.”

Superintendent of Schools Todd Winch reminded graduates that they are fully prepared to take on the challenges that may lie ahead. “This moment signifies not just the closing of a chapter, but also the start of an exhilarating new one,” he said. “Embrace the uncertainty that accompanies new beginnings. Life is a journey of exploration, unveiling opportunities along

Graduates entering various branches of the Unites States Armed Forces were individually recognized.

Diplomas were proudly displayed by graduates.

Class of 2024 President Anastasia Angelakis addressed her peers.

General Douglas MacArthur High School salutatorian Benjamin Campbell and valedictorian Zarif Jamal stood with Assistant Principals Terence Ryan and Anne Rao and Principal Joseph Sheehan before the commencement ceremony on June 22.

MacArthur High School seniors step forward as graduates

the way.”

Salutatorian Benjamin Campbell addressed his peers and urged them to take joy in the little moments. “It’s hard to not constantly get caught up in chasing success,” he said, “but don’t forget to enjoy the happy moments… When it feels like everything in the world is against you, find those little things that you simply love and feel grateful for.”

Anastasia Angelakis returned to the podium to reflect on the hurdles she and her peers have overcome. “Freshman year was a blur,” she said. “I don’t want to focus on COVID-19 and the pandemic, but it’s important to acknowledge how it completely defined our experience and shaped the Class of 2024 in profound and challenging ways… Nevertheless, we learned the importance of adaptability and resilience, setting the foundation for the years ahead.”

Valedictorian Zarif Jamal thanked the family members and staff who have helped his peers reach this milestone. He reflected on the “golden rule” —

“Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

“Kindness and respect — the golden rule,” he said. “Without the golden rule, we would be living in a world full of disrespect. However, those who stand their ground to be respectful of others are the ones who strive toward happiness.”

Seniors joined fellow musicians in the symphonic band to perform “Alvamar Overture” before a commemorative video produced by students featuring dozens of MacArthur memories was shown.

Board of Education First Vice President Peggy Marenghi congratulated graduates before beginning the conferring of diplomas. Each graduate crossed the stage and shook hands with trustees and administrators. Following the symbolic turning of their tassels, mortarboards were launched into the air, marking the Class of 2024’s becoming alumni of Levittown Schools.

Photos courtesy Levittown School District

Scam prevention seminar

On June 12 at the Mid-Island Y JCC in Plainview, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads, in collaboration with Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, organized a comprehensive scam prevention seminar for the community. The event featured informative presentations from the Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Office of Crime Victim Advocate, and Family & Children’s Association. Attendees were provided with valuable information on common scams, how to recognize them, and what steps to take if they suspect they have been targeted. Senator Rhoads was happy to team up with Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz to take a proactive step towards combatting scams and protecting the community.

“Movies by Moonlight” in town parks this summer

We’re

The Town of Oyster Bay will be hosting free “Movies by Moonlight” in local parks on Thursday evenings this summer, beginning July 11 and concluding on August 8. Residents are welcome to bring blankets and chairs when attending these family-friendly movies.

“Residents and families looking for a fun night need look no further than their backyards this summer as the Town is ready with a summer to remember,” said Supervisor Saladino. “We’re thrilled to once again show family-friendly films at our parks, along with character meet and greets, inflatables, games, and more.”

Seating and pre-movie activities will begin at 6:00 p.m. including character meet and greets at select movies, inflatables and games. All movies begin at sundown and are subject to change. They will be held weather permitting.

For additional information, please call (516) 797-7925 or visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com.

Summer Movies:

Thursday, July 11

Marjorie R. Post Community Park, Massapequa - Movie: Wish Thursday, July 18

Ellsworth W. Allen Town Park, Farmingdale - Movie: Migration

Thursday, July 25

Plainview - Old Bethpage Community Park, Plainview - Movie: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Thursday, August 1

Harry Tappen Beach, Glenwood Landing - Movie: Trolls Band Together Thursday, August 8

Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, Woodbury - Movie: Scoob!

Senior choir members sang the national anthem and “Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA.

#1 IN THE U.S. FOR NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSURGERY. AGAIN. AND AGAIN. AND AGAIN.

For the third consecutive year, NYU Langone Health has been named the Best Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. We’ve achieved and held the #1 ranking by providing innovation and progress for thousands of patients with epilepsy, stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurological conditions.

We take on complex cases that other neurosurgeons have found inoperable or too difficult and still maintain one of the nation’s lowest mortality rates for neurosurgical procedures across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island. Learn