Mid-Island Times (12/2/22)

Town grant program to aid small businesses

Fire at Nassau County Police precinct

On Saturday, November 26, Syosset firefighters extinguished a blaze that took place at the Nassau County Police’s Second Precinct located at 7700 Jericho Turnpike.

According to police, the fire began in the station’s kitchen area and spread to two adjoining offices.

The Syosset Fire Depart ment along with several other surrounding Fire Departments

responded to scene and extin guished the flames. Arson/Bomb Squad detectives and fire mar shals responded to the scene. Investigation is ongoing.

No interruptions with Nassau County Police related services occurred due to the fire.

Residents that need to contact the Second Precinct can still call 516-573-6200 or dial 911 in case of an emergency.

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that $4.5 mil lion in Federal money secured by the Town will soon be avail able to small business owners and non-profit organizations financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Begin ning Tuesday, November 29th, businesses and not-for-profit organizations can apply to receive up to $5,000 in grant monies through this new ini

tiative, known as the ‘Oyster Bay Forward’ Grant Program.

“After a year-plus long pan demic and now facing an eco nomic recession, small busi nesses need all the help they can get to stay afloat,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Sala dino. “My administration ear marked these Federal funds to boost small businesses and not-for-profits, help them recover losses from the pan

demic, and keep their opera tions moving forward in the Town of Oyster Bay.”

The ‘Oyster Bay Forward’ Grant Program is open to businesses that employ up to 50 full-time equivalent W-2 employees as well as sole pro prietors. Additional eligibility criteria:

• Applicant must be the principal (i.e. majority owner);

Arrest in Plainview bank robbery

Nassau County Police arrest ed a Wantagh man on Monday, November 28, for allegedly rob bing a bank in Plainview.

According to Robbery Squad Detectives, Dean Marneris, 54, of Wantagh entered the TD Bank located at 500 Old Coun try Road, approached the male victim teller, 31, and demanded money. Police say that when the teller questioned Marneris, Marneris motioned as if he had

athletes commit to colleges

Supervisor Saladino joins with Town Clerk Rich LaMarca, Massapequa Park Village Mayor Dan Pearl, local officials and Chambers of Commerce to unveil the Oyster Bay Forward Program.

Dean Marneris.

Town welcomes new owner of Embassy Diner

Levittown Chamber plans Holiday Tree Lighting

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce will hold its Holiday Tree Lighting on Monday, December 5, at Veterans Memorial Park, at Shelter Lane and Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown. The event will take place from 6 — 8 p.m. and will include performances by students from the

Levittown and Island Trees school districts. There will also be represen tatives from houses of worship and performances by local dance studios. Santa Claus will arrive, transported by the Levittown Fire Department around 7:30 p.m. Free admission.

Give the gift of life: Donate blood

With hospitals facing a nationwide blood shortage this holiday season, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh invite residents to give the gift of life by donating blood on Thursday, December 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Hicksville Athletic Center, located at 167 S. Broadway in Hicksville.

Town

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey P. Pravato, along with Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter and local community lead ers, welcomed Gus Tsiorvas - the new owner of Embassy Diner to Bethpage. The Embassy Diner, located at 4280 Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage, has been in business for 62 years. Gus is no stranger to the business.

His father, Peter Tsiorvas, owned the Seaford Palace Diner in the 1990s before helming the Oconee East Diner in Islip, in which he remains a partner.

Supervisor Saladino congratulat ed Gus, management and staff on their commitment to grow and suc ceed in today’s competitive business climate, and wished them well on their new ownership.

Supervisor Saladino stated, “Blood supplies have seriously dwin dled as a result of the COVID-19 health pandemic and are critically needed for local hospitals to meet the demand and continue saving lives. Please consider participating in this blood drive to help bolster our blood banks and ensure as many people as possible can be helped. Together, we can give the gift of life this holiday season through a simple blood dona tion.”

Appointments are preferred for the Town’s Blood Drive. To qualify as a donor, a person must be between the ages of 17 and 75 years old (16

with parental permission and 76 or older with a doctor’s note), weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood within the last 56 days. Anyone who received a tattoo with in the past 12 months is ineligible to donate. It is recommended that donors eat well (low fat) and drink fluids in the days before the Blood Drive. Additionally, all donors will receive a voucher for a free Blizzard at Dairy Queen.

Councilwoman Walsh added, “It’s quick, easy, and safe to donate a single pint of blood which can save up to three lives. Donating blood at the Hicksville Athletic Center, is an incredible way for all of us to pitch in and give back during the holidays.”

For additional information regard ing the Town’s Blood Drive, contact the Town’s Public Information Office at (516) 624-6380. To make an appoint ment to donate at this Blood Drive, sign up today at https://donate.nybc. org/donor/schedules/drive_sched ule/298555.

Pets perish in Hicksville fire

A dog and six cats were killed in a house fire which took place on Friday, November 25, at 11:30 a.m. in Hicksville.

According to Nassau County Police detectives, officers responded to a working fire at an unoccupied home on Gardner Avenue. The Hicksville Fire Department along with the Jericho and

Westbury Fire Departments respond ed and extinguished the flames.

One Jericho firefighter sustained a minor laceration to his hand and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. One dog and six cats perished in the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation but not sus picious at this time.

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of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino welcomed Gus Tsiorvas, the new owner of Embassy Diner, to Bethpage.

Town kicks off Toys for Tots collection drive

Taxes Jeffrey

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato joined Contour Mortgage to kick-off the Town’s Annual Toys for Tots CruiseThru Collection Drive. In partnership with the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and Optimum, the Town is col lecting toys to help families and those less fortunate throughout the commu nity during the upcoming holiday sea son. The Town is once-again hosting its annual ‘Cruise-Thru’ Collection Drive

on Saturday, December 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Burns Park in Massapequa, in addition to organizing collection boxes at Town facilities through December 14. Toys for Tots Collection Boxes are located at the following locations: Oyster Bay Town Hall North (54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay), Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa), and the Ice Skating Center at Bethpage Community Park (1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage). For more information, please visit www.oysterbaytown.com.

Gift wrapping for charity

The Glen Cove - Hicksville - Syosset League of Mercy Hospital will be offer ing gift wrap services at the Broadway Commons Mall during December 14– 23, from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. (Christmas Eve hours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Large selection of gift paper, decora

tive gift bags, ribbons and bows. Prices range from $2–$10 depending upon size of package and options cho sen. Oversize priced accordingly.

All proceeds are donated to Mercy Hospital!

Receiver of

Pravato, Supervisor Joseph Saladino,‘Champ’ the Contour Mortgage Service Dog, Malia Freeburg of Contour Mortgage, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, and Retired Major Chuck Kilbride of USMC Toys for Tots

Coat collection nets dozens of donations

Town’s “Holiday on Ice” show to return

The Town of Oyster Bay’s annual “Holiday on Ice” Show will return at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center located in Bethpage Community Park, 1001 Stewart Avenue. Admission to the show is free. Students from the Town’s Ice Skating Program will perform an enchanting, holiday-themed skating exhibition and the evening includes an exhibition hockey game between the Elves and the Reindeer, which are two teams comprised of play ers from the Town of Oyster Bay Youth Ice Hockey program. Santa Claus is scheduled to visit with children and take holiday photographs after the show.

“This special holiday performance is an annual tradition for many families and children across the Town,” said Supervisor Saladino. “The show pro vides an opportunity for participants in the Town’s popular ice skating program to showcase the hard work they’ve put into in training all year. Join us on December 17, as the performance is sure to dazzle all those in attendance!”

In the spirit of “the season of giv ing,” attendees are asked to bring two

non-perishable food items for donation to Island Harvest, an organization com mitted to ending hunger on Long Island. Attendees are also welcome to bring a new, unwrapped toy for donation to the United States Marines Toys for Tots Collection Drive ,which benefits local children throughout the community.

Holiday on Ice performance attend ees will also be offered an opportunity to take part in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program, which offers residents the opportunity to fill out free holiday greeting cards, available in the lobby, for delivery to troops in the United States Armed Forces stationed in the homeland and around the globe.

Due to the Holiday on Ice show, the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center’s regularly scheduled public skating ses sions slated for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., will be cancelled on December 17. However, the Town’s two outdoor rinks, located at Marjorie R. Post Community Park in Massapequa and at Syosset-Woodbury Park will be open for visitors. Please visit www.oys terbaytown.com for more information or call (516) 797-4121.

Free performances at local libraries

In its first week, the annual coat drive hosted by Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (DPlainview) has already netted dozens of donations for the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless. Pictured above on Wednesday, Nov. 23, Legislator Drucker and officials at the Syosset Public Library display some of the donations that have already come in.

“At the dawn of a new holiday season, it is so wonderful to witness the tremen dous generosity of Nassau County res idents on display,” Legislator Drucker said. “Thanks to these contributions, our coat drive is already off to a tremen dously successful start - but our work

has just begun. I encourage every resi dent to give what they can in support of our collective mission of ensuring that everyone has the warm winter coat that they need and deserve.”

Donors can continue to make their contributions at designated drop-off locations at the Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset, N.Y. 11791 and the Jericho Public Library, 1 Merry Lane, Jericho N.Y. 11753 during normal business hours through Wednesday, Dec. 21. Anyone inter ested in donating a coat can contact Legislator Drucker’s office at 516-5716216 or adrucker@nassaucountyny.gov for details.

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The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that the Distinguished Artists Concert Series will continue through May 2023 with free perfor mances at local libraries throughout the Town.

“The Distinguished Artists Concert Series provides free musical and dance programs for the enjoyment of our residents,” said Town Councilman Steve Labriola. “I encourage residents to take advantage of these wonderful performances offered by the Town for free at local libraries.”

Scheduled performances for December and January include:

• Rhonda Denet and the Silver Fox Songs Trio on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hicksville Public Library – Performing “From Jazz to Soul: The Holiday Edition”.

• Vincent Roccaro & His Jazz Trio on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Syosset Public Library –Iconic songs accompanied by some of the finest jazz musicians on the planet! Registration is free and required, visit: syosset.librarycalendar.com/events/ month select the date of the concert and

register. Registration starts November 20.

• Emily & Vincent on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library – Performing “Christmas on Broadway”.

• Echoes of Sinatra on Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Syosset Public Library – Performing the music of Frank Sinatra. Registration is free and required, visit: syosset. librarycalendar.com/events/month select the date of the concert and regis ter. Registration starts December 18.

• Copperline on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library – Performing the music of James Taylor.

The Distinguished Artists Concert Series is sponsored by the Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) Division of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community & Youth Services. For the full concert schedule and further information, please call (516) 797-7925 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com/ CAPA.

Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D-Plainview) with Syosset Public Library officials displaying bags of coats that have been collected.

Photo courtesy Office of Legislator Arnold W. Drucker

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Bethpage HS students bring classic story to life

The Bethpage High School Masquers’ Guild proudly presented their fall production, “A Christmas Carol,” from Nov. 17–19. Students took to the stage at Bethpage High School to perform the classic holiday tale by Charles Dickens for administrators, community members, family, friends, students and staff.

The Masquers’ Guild successfully told the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Matthew Schneider, an elderly miser who is visited one night by his former business partner Jacob Marley (Adriana Lisa) and the spirit of Christmas Past (Emily Kossman), Christmas Present (J.T. Verdi) and Christmas Yet to Come (Ashdon Chadwick). After his journey through time, Scrooge turns into a kinder man who learns the true meaning of Christmas. Ava Mirabelli served as a captivating narrator, the entire cast kept audiences engaged and the crew and audio/visual team made sure each performance went on without a hitch.

The production was directed by Christopher DeStefano and produced by Trish Pané. Michael McCourt took the lead on stage design and Robert Verdi served as the technical director.

The Bethpage High School Masquers’ Guild performed “A Christmas Carol” for the community on Nov. 17–19.

Bethpage High School student Adriana Lisa played Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s former business partner, who visits him in the middle of the night.

Bethpage High School student Matthew Schneider played Ebenezer Scrooge in the school’s production of “A Christmas Carol.”

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

December events at the Jericho Public Library

Thursday, December 1

1:00 p.m.: HYBRID: The Passionate Reader with Mary Hirdt: “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson - Join Mary as she discusses “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson.

Deeply evocative and beautifully written, “Black Cake” is an extraordi nary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch. Listeners are welcome!

4:00 p.m.: Art Workshop with Art Teacher Amy (Grades 1–6): The Grinch - We all know who the Grinch is. Wouldn’t it be fun to draw him? Amy will teach you how! No prior art experi ence necessary!

7:00 p.m.: Book Discussion: “Chocolate Fever” by Robert Kimmel Smith (Grades 3–4) Pick up a copy of the book in the Children’s Room prior to the program. We ask that the book be read before the program, either by the child or a parent reading to the child. Bring a device to play Kahoot!

Saturday, December 3

10:30 a.m.: Saturday Storytime (Ages Birth to 30 Months) - Join us for this interactive program of Mother Goose rhymes, songs, stories and more!

11:00 a.m.: IN-PERSON: Table Top Adventures: Holiday Gifts from Your Kitchen with Lucy Van Horn - Join Lucy as she shows us how to prepare

some delicious treats for us to give as gifts…or keep for ourselves! There will be tipsy apricot date tea cakes, ham and leek muffins with a tasty fruit & nut spread and a cookie - Brutti Ma Buoni which translates to “ugly but good.” More recipes, more enjoyment for our taste buds!

Cost: $3.00 per person (Nonrefundable). Register online or at the Circulation Desk by November 28.

Sunday, December 4

2:00 p.m.: Hybrid: Nassau County Historical Society presents the HIDDEN History of NASSAU COUNTY with Richard Panchyk, Author, Historian - Nassau County was born at an auspicious and exciting time, on the cusp of a new century and a major transition. It went from a series of quiet farming communities to a hub for industry, playground for the rich, a training ground for soldiers heading to war and a cradle for the nascent avi ation industry. In this illustrated talk, Richard Panchyk shows the changes Nassau has gone through and uncov ers some of the hidden remnants of a time long gone. Books will be available for purchase and signing following the program.

Tickets are NOT required for this program. Please register to attend this program virtually.

Santa’s mailboxes have arrived at town offices

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that children can send their “holiday wish list” directly to Old St. Nick at the North Pole through a special network of Santa’s mailboxes which arrived in Town facilities from the North Pole. Mailboxes will accept letters now through Monday, December 12. The Town of Oyster Bay will forward letters to Santa at the North Pole. Letters received by Monday, December 12, with a legible name and return address will be answered by Santa before the holiday. No postage is necessary.

Colorful red mailboxes will be accessible from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. daily at the fol lowing locations:

• Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay

• Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa

• Ice Skating Center, 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage

For more information about Santa’s mailboxes, please call (516) 624-6380 week days from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. or visit the www.oysterbaytown.com.

Monday, December 5

2:00 p.m.: HYBRID: Art LectureThe Art of Vienna with Mary Maguire No other city in the world evokes the elegance and charm of Vienna. Whether it’s the classical music of Mozart and Beethoven, the gloriously gilded art of Gustav Klimt, the thrill and precision of the Lipizzaner Stallions, or the aroma and taste of the Sacher Torte, mit slag, of course. Vienna has it all! We will run rings around the Ringstrasse, stopping in at cathedrals, palaces and art muse ums. As Billy Joel wrote in his classic song, “Vienna Waits For You” on the afternoon of December 5 at the JPL.

6:00 p.m.: Teens: Scandinavian Paper Stars Create a beautiful three-di mensional Scandinavian paper star. Take it home and hang it to brighten up your room this winter!

7:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Elementary Science: Rainbow in a Jar (Pre-K to Grade 2) Become a scientist as you conduct experiments with just a few common household materials. Create a rainbow as you learn about density.

Tuesday, December 6

7:00 p.m.: Movable Toy Train (Grades 4–6) Discover the mechanics of how to create a movable piece of art!

Wednesday, December 7

10:30 a.m.: Songs for Baby’s Day (Ages Birth to 30 Months) Come and

enjoy this literacy building, fun and educational musical storytime.

2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Art LectureMurals in New York City with Sylvia Laudien-Meo - We can trace the history of Mural art back to prehistoric cave painting. It played an important role in NYC since 1900 when an important Beaux Arts building like the Appellate Court House on Madison Square was so richly decorated with paintings comple menting its architectural detail. Other examples are the Cunard building and Rockefeller Center, with its Mexican influence. The Depression Era saw an explosion of WPA murals in public buildings, including schools and post offices. There are still murals all over the city. The tradition is now firmly in the hands of international street art ists who continue to teach us valuable lessons. Join us and take a peek at the Murals in the city!

7:00 p.m.: Snowflake Story & Craft (Ages 3 to 6) Join us for this winter program when we read The Snowflake Mistake by Lou Treleaven and make a beautiful snowflake to take home.

Friday, December 9

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

Nominations for Hall of Fame

The Jericho High School Hall of Fame Committee is now accepting nom inations. The deadline is December 5. Please see the link below for the nomi

nation form and more information. https://www.jerichoschools.org/ resources/community/jericho-hall-offame

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Levittown athletes commit to play at colleges

Twelve athletes from Division Avenue High School and General Douglas MacArthur High School in the Levittown Public School District signed letters of intent to continue

their athletic careers at a variety of colleges and universities.

The talented athletes gathered with fam ily members and coaches at their respective

schools to mark the occasion. The signing of the letters indicates the students’ readiness to compete at the next level of their educational journey after they graduate in the spring.

Three

• Jack Pendergrass, who will play lacrosse at Barton College

• Olivia Agunzo, who will play bas

Ava Angiuli with her parents.

Joseph Forchelli and family.

Hallie Bray and mom.

Olivia Agunzo and family.

Jack Pendergrass and mom.

Carly Koprowski with her parents.

Michael Cassano with his family.

James Eden and parents.

Division Avenue athletes included:

Levittown athletes commit to play at colleges

ketball at Saint Leo University

• Joseph Yovino, who will play baseball at Elon University

Nine MacArthur High School athletes included:

• Kaitlyn Tung, who will play soccer at the University of Massachusetts

• Alexandra Thompson, who will play soccer at the University at Buffalo

• Hallie Bray, who will play soccer at Queens College

• Ava Angiuli, who will play soccer at Queens

College

• James Eden, who will play baseball at Adelphi University

• Carly Koprowski, who will play soccer and track at Adelphi University

• Joseph Forchelli, who will play lacrosse at Providence College

• Kieran Weber, who will play soccer at SUNY New Paltz

• Michael Cassano, who will play lacrosse at Marist College

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Kieran Weber and parents

Alexandra Thompson and parents. Joseph Yovino and family.

Kaitlyn Tung and parents.

All that Glitters, Shimmers & Glows this Holiday Season

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Polar Express at B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore

Our kids, 5 and 8, were so excited about the prospect of riding the Polar Express at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, they purchased special pajamas for the trip. This wasn’t just a hop on a train through some holiday scenery. We were amazed by how closely to the story/movie (really recommended to see the Tom Hanks movie before you go), the event tracks – down to the golden ticket (exactly like the movie), the conductor, the flush of steam and blow of the train whistle of the vintage train, where you meet the Hero Boy and the Conductor from the classic tale. The event starts with a DJ and dance party (reminiscent of the scene in the movie with the kids dancing as the boy gets on). Then you get on an actual train (not vintage)- its windows frosted just like in the story – for a 45 minute train ride. Chefs dance to the “Hot chocolate” song, delivering the sweet bev erage and a sugar cookie. At the end, the kids come into the North Pole - the historic Roundhouse (just like in the movie), decorated for Christmas, with a 35-foot tree, and get to meet Santa. Then there are activities (spend as long as you like) – making tree ornaments, and holiday crafts, see model train layouts and enjoy the museum exhibits. All the par ticipants receive the “first gift of Christmas” - an actual sleigh bell (just like in the movie). With such high expectations, I was worried the event would fall flat, but the kids came home more excited than they left. (Purchase timed tickets in advance at https://www.borail.org/events/polar-express-4/)

(B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223, 410-752-2490,  www.BORail. org)

Zoo Lights Returns to the Maryland Zoo

Zoo Lights has returned to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore through January 1, with seasonal lights, including displays shaped like the Zoo’s animals and a full roster of special events like BRRR Fest (which includes unlimited beer and wine sampling), food truck rallies, ice sculptures, holiday choruses,

crafts, Santa Saturdays, and Hanukkah readings provided by the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Free rides on the popular carousel and train are includ ed in the admission price. Proceeds directly ben efit the Zoo’s animal care and conservation pro grams. All event information, including times, entry prices, and the event schedule is available at: Marylandzoo.org/events (1876 Mansion House Drive, Baltimore MD 21217, www.marylandzoo. org ).

Ride Vintage Train, Trolley Car in a Hidden Valley in Pennsylvania

The East Broad Top Railroad, a small nar row-gauge railroad, and the adjacent Rockhill Trolley Museum in Rockhill Furnace (Orbisonia), PA are celebrating the holidays in true retro style with a one-ticket/two-ride event themed “Christmas in Coal Country” through December. Enjoy a one-hour train ride aboard a selection of heated cars. The train departs from the historic Orbisonia Station and travels north, where you encounter Santa who gives every child a special gift. Trains leave at 5p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Each “Christmas in Coal Country” ticket includes a ride on a vintage trolley car through the Blacklog Narrows, decked out in holiday lights. Trolley rides depart frequently throughout the evening and can be enjoyed before or after your train ride. Tickets also include writing letters to Santa. Every pas senger enjoys a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie and each child takes home a gift. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children. If you want to ride in the caboose, the cost is $30 for adults and $25 for children. For more information visit  www.east broadtop.com

Newport Mansions Add More Sparkle to Holidays

Holidays at the Newport Mansions, in New port, Rhode Island, returns to The Breakers, Mar ble House and The Elms, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, through January 1. Beautiful seasonal decorations, including themed Christmas trees, wreaths, gar lands and fresh floral arrangements, add a festive holiday décor to these spectacular Gilded Age houses.

Once again, the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the Great Hall of The Breakers – made up of 150 indi vidual poinsettia plants – provides a wonderful hol

Enchanted meeting with the conductor on the Polar Express at the B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore (Dave E. Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com).

iday photo opportunity. New this year, the Music Room of The Breakers – prominently showcased in Season 1 of Julian Fellowes’ “The Gilded Age” series on HBO – will feature a vignette of manne quins dressed in elegant Gilded Age fashions.

New at this year’s “Sparkling Lights at The Breakers” visitors can stroll in a complete loop around the property, enjoying a half-mile-long path glittering with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights while music fills the air. Highlights include a dazzling 50-foot-long tunnel of light and illuminated snowmen and reindeer. Guests will also want to stop by the Van“deer”bilt selfie station, or pause to watch the tree of lights change colors above the illuminated façade of the mansion. Also new this year, five fire pits light the way and help visitors stay warm. The back terrace has warming stations and adult beverages. holiday sweets and treats including s’mores kits to cook over the fire pit, are available to purchase. The Breakers Welcome Cen ter also has snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.

Now in its third year, “Sparkling Lights at The Breakers is open Thursdays through Sundays,

All that Glitters, Shimmers & Glows this Holiday Season

4:30-6:30 p.m. through December 23, and every evening from December 26-Janu ary 1, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tickets are for a spe cific date and time and include admis sion to the interior tour of The Breakers. Visit  www.newportmansions.org/ events/holidays-at-the-newport-man sions to learn more.

Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo

Zoo Lights presented by Florida Power & Light Company’s FPL SolarNow™ is illuminating Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society for the holidays on select nights through January 1, 2023 for the fourth year. New this year and to add a little extra icing to the night, “snow” will fall periodically in the Fountain Plaza. Each evening of Zoo Lights fea tures a WILD holiday celebration includ ing photos with Santa, decadent treats, snowfall, a DJ dance party and plen ty of holiday charm. The Zoo’s Winter Wonderland Pavilion will include a special holiday visual experience, not to be missed. Zoo Lights attendees can select from two specific times for entry; 6:00 PM and 6:45 PM. Tickets are limit ed each evening to allow for plenty of room to move about the Zoo. Visit www. palmbeachzoo.org/zoolights to purchase your tickets in advance.

The Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express Train Ride

Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel’s perennially popular Polar Express onboard holiday experience brings the pages of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s book to life, with chefs offering hot chocolate and cookies, and, of course, Santa Claus himself. Now in its 22nd sea son, The Polar Express runs on select dates through December 30, departing the Railway’s historic depot in Williams, Arizona, to the North Pole, leaving at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The train rides and visits with Santa at the North Pole last 90

minutes.  Tickets are available Sunday through Thursday for $57 (adults) and $38 (children); Friday and Saturday for $69 (adults) and $52 (children); and The Christmas Eve Limited for $95 (adults) and $64 (children). The Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel also offers the POLAR EXPRESS™ Package, which fea tures overnight accommodations and POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride tickets for guests. Included in this package is the POLAR EXPRESS™ train excursion, a one-night stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, and breakfast and dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant. Book online at www.thetrain.com/polarex press or call 1-888-848-3511.

Holiday Happenings in the Wilmington/Brandywine

Yuletide at Winterthur: Through January 8, Henry du Pont’s mansion is transformed into a magical holiday spectacle, with food, music, exhibits, a gingerbread house, holiday programs and activities, and a Christmas tree display featuring decorations inspired by past First Ladies. Reservations are recommended for the Yuletide exhibits,  and it’s your last chance to see Jacqueline Kennedy and Henry Francis du Pont: From Winterthur to the White House before it closes on January 8.

Holidays at Hagley:  Step back in time to 1803 as you visit the du Pont ancestral home Eleutherian Mills decorated in vintage holiday charm. There is also an “All Creatures Great and Small” exhibit celebrating stories of pets, wildlife, and other animals which made their habitat at Hagley over the last 200 years, both in the historic home and outdoors.

“Holidays at Hagley: All Creatures Great and Small” features Holiday Home and Garden Tours, the fifth-annual Gingerbread House Competition, Santa Days, evening Twilight Tours, and more.

A Longwood Christmas: Through January 8, stroll past poinsettias,

A GREENER VIEW

pinecones, snowflakes as you tour the special holiday gardens. As the sun sets, you see thousands of dazzling lights strung across miles of trees; warm up in the four-acre Conservatory with holiday sing-alongs sung to a 10,010 pipe Aeolian organ – the largest organ ever constructed in a residential setting. You can also grab a hot chocolate and cozy up to one of the many fire pits.

Brandywine Christmas at Brandywine Museum of Art:  Renowned for its collection from three generations of Wyeth family artists, during the holiday season the museum is famous for showcasing the region’s most impressive model train display, this year, celebrating its  50th anniversary Throughout the season they display festive trees and have crafts, live musical performances, and imaginative “Critter” ornaments made by local volunteers.

Holiday Light Express:  In Wilmington, throughout the month of December you can take a 45-minute ride in 100-year old (heated) coaches and experience thousands of holiday lights of decorated homes along the route.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Candlelight Theatre’s performance of White Christmas. Filled with laughter, romance, spectacular dance numbers and the unforgettable songs of Irving Berlin.

More information and planning tools from Visit Wilmington, www. visitwilmingtonde.com, 800-489-6664.

Washington, DC is that Shining Holiday Beacon on a Hill Destination DC (Washington.org) offers up a score of holiday happen ings including the 100th annual National Christmas Tree. Highlights include:

Dazzling Light Displays

• “Season’s Greenings” returns to the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Choosing a Fresh Christmas Tree

Q: My spouse wants an artificial Christmas tree. He says it is safer, but I think a fresh-cut one is better for the en vironment. Is it?

A: You might not think that cutting down a tree is good for the environment, but it might still be better than the artifi cial tree. Artificial trees often use a wood en core, so at least one tree was cut down to produce. Artificial trees use petro leum and metal resources and are often made overseas, requiring higher ship ping costs for raw materials and finished trees. Eventually the tree will be worn out and it is a difficult item to recycle, so it will probably end up in a landfill. The box it came in might get recycled. Few

people think about the final resting place of items when they buy them. The artifi cial tree will last for more years than a real one, but at what point does it become a better ecological decision?

Fresh-cut Christmas trees are grown on farms. Farmers have been preparing your tree for a long time. A six- to eightfoot evergreen tree takes from six to 12 years to grow. This year’s tree has sur vived about a decade’s worth of record cold, heat, droughts and floods.

Over one million acres of Christmas tree farms will supply 90% of the 30 to 40 million trees harvested this year. Be cause some trees won’t survive, over 100 million trees will be planted next spring

to replace them. Each acre of Christmas trees provides the daily oxygen require ments of 18 people. They also provide wildlife habitats and protection from soil erosion.

In the United States, each region orig inally used the evergreens that were na tive to that area, keeping shipping costs low. Now, the trees are shipped all over and people in the warm southern states can choose from trees grown in West Vir ginia, Michigan and Oregon.

After the holidays, the tree can be re cycled in several environmentally bene ficial ways. Some towns collect the trees

Model trains run each day in the gated outdoor gardens and the Conservatory features poin settias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants (through Jan. 2, 2023).

• Explore the world’s largest light maze,  Enchant  at Nationals Park through Jan. 1, plus ice skating, holiday beverages, a holiday market and a chance to meet Santa Claus.

• Environmentally friendly LED lights and dozens of glowing animal lanterns transform the  National Zoo into a winter wonderland with ZooLights, through Friday, December 30, 5-9 pm

Holiday Events and Performances

• Experience Charles Dickens’ beloved Yuletide story of trans formation and redemption, “A Christmas Carol,” at Ford’s Theatre, through Dec. 31.

• The Washington Ballet pres ents “The Nutcracker” through Dec. 30.

• Bells of Bethlehem at  Museum of the Bible showcases six bells from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. This is the first time any of the bells is on display in the United States.

Winter activities include ice skat ing at Washington Harbour Ice Rink and in the shadow of the  National Gallery of Art  (through March 5, 2023).

More information and planning help at Destination DC,  washington.org/win ter.

© 2022 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com

The old days of stoop sitting in Brooklyn

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

I was playing board games recently with a group of retirees and afterwards we all sat around chatting. Someone mentioned growing up in Brooklyn and another woman talked about being a “Manhattan gal.” We compared notes about which was better and naturally both boroughs have their strong points. Manhattan has the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building but then Brooklyn has Jackie Gleason, Joan Rivers and Neil Diamond. Plus “a tree grows in Brooklyn,” I said and everyone laughed.

My friend, Margot, talked about her fond memories of walking along her street in Bay Ridge eating crisp apples in autumn and Joyce said she recalls her grandparents taking her siblings and her to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo where they walked and walked and saw the different animals - the longnecked giraffes, the adorable monkeys, the penguins that seemed to march with such precision and so many more. Then they settled down under the shade of a giant old tree to have a picnic lunch.

People seem to have specific mem ories of being Brooklynites. You can strike up a conversation anywhere in the whole wide world just by saying the word “Brooklyn.” The name Brooklyn is of English origin meaning “beauti ful brook.” Derived from the English surname which meant “one who lives near a brook,” no one I know is familiar with that derivation but that’s neither here nor there. We can thank the Dutch for the stoop. In the Netherlands, flood ing is a constant threat for homes and the Dutch brought the idea of a raised parlor floor over a high basement with them to the New World.

Over the years I have discovered that in the city some people make stoop sitting a fine art. That’s in contrast to many people on Long Island who sit on their porches but not their stoops. Porches are great things - there’s some thing magical about sitting on the porch of a Victorian house with friends and

relatives sipping some cold glasses of iced tea on hot summer days - but if you happened to grow up stoop sitting in Brooklyn, it has a way of sticking out in your mind.

My friend, Sarah, grew up in the Midwood section of Brooklyn and she said that stoop sitting was and still is a good way to connect with neighbors, to say hello to passersby and sometimes even to meet new people because con versations just seem to have a way of striking up. People did it more than 50 years ago, and 60, and it was a good way for people to keep an eye on kids as they came and went. And for young moth ers to sit outside enjoying some fresh air while holding a baby and talking with other young mothers. They had a chance to exchange tidbits of news with in each other’s families and to get all of the neighborhood news.

From the perch of a stoop you were well above street level - there are eight or nine steps up to the entrance of a Brooklyn brownstone - and you could see almost everything that was going on in the neighborhood. Kids going off to school or returning, older neighbors heading off to the butcher, the baker or the grocery store, and the power walk ers or joggers who always seem intent on exercising whether it was rain or shine.

In the 1950s and 1960s most neigh bors knew each other by their first names and if something was amiss, they promptly let the family know. This wasn’t just the days of TV’s “Father Knows Best” - it held true for decades to come.

The brownstones, first built in the borough in the 1800s, were practical buildings that were built to last. Not only are brownstone steps a pretty architectural touch introducing the front door of the building but they have sturdy wrought-iron railings. I picture the brownstones in Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope and immediately recall my childhood years. When convers ing, you say one word “brownstone,”

to any Brooklynite and it immediate ly brings them back. Fond memories, fond times, even if hindsight does entail 20/20 vision.

One N.Y. Times writer has called stoop sitting in Brooklyn a “ring side seat on urban drama” (Barbara Flanagan, 1987) which I thought was a nice way of putting it. Stoop sitting can be a strange sight to those who live out side of Brooklyn, but to those who do it, there are advantages - having a bird’seye view of the goings on in the world and not getting wet from sitting on a lawn. As some people say, grass is nice but brownstone is better. Brownstones have lots of steps compared to many of today’s homes with four steps up and into the living room or kitchen.

Years ago some people would stoop sit all day long but now most people go out to work. Stoop sitting is a pastime that’s fading quickly because of societal changes but those of us over 40 will always remember many of our neigh bors stoop sitting - and we’ve probably

done a little bit of it ourselves.

I was six years old when my family of eight moved from Flatbush to Rockville Centre so my days of stoop sitting with my grandparents are long past. We moved into a split-level house that was built in 1954 - not a majestic brownstone that’s so prevalent in NYC.

My parents never mentioned stoop sitting once we were comfortably ensconced in living on Long Island and at six I was too young to think much about it. My siblings and I were in new schools and new lives and to be perfect ly honest, my friends and neighbors lived in colonial houses, Tudor homes, ranches and Cape Cods so no one ever talked about stoop sitting on brown stones.

There are other marks of a native Brooklynite - our accents stand out, that’s for sure - but in my mind, stoop sitting takes priority. Once a stoop sit ter, always a stoop sitter. It’s a hard habit to break!

BY TOM MARGENAU

Around this year’s Thanksgiving hol iday, I’m going to suggest that we Amer icans give thanks for the Social Security program. I know lots of people like to think that the “good old days” (before So cial Security) were, well, good old days. But many times, they were not. And if you’d like to get a glimpse of what life was like before the Social Security program came along, I suggest you read a book called “Growing Up,” by former New York Times columnist Russell Baker.

In it, Baker tells the story of what it was like to grow up in the 1920s and 1930s. For most of us, the Great Depression is the stuff of history books and hard-luck stories revealed in an occasional docu mentary about the era. But Russell Bak er lived one of those stories and writes eloquently about his life and those times.

His book brings the era into focus for people whose vision of history has been blurred by the good life. For me, it also illustrates the reason why we have and need a Social Security system in this country.

Many people have attempted to ex plain to me that America would be better off without Social Security. They point out that this nation was founded on the principles of personal freedom and that our pioneer spirit encourages people to make it on their own without govern ment interference. As one recent letter writer told me: “If people could make it on their own in the good old days before we had Social Security, they ought to be able to make it on their own now without the government’s help!”

The problem with that argument, of course, is that many people were not “making it” before Social Security came into existence. And those “good old days” were very bad for very many people.

In his book, Baker describes the peri od just after his father’s death. His father left a widow and three small children, in cluding Russell, who was then about 10. Russell’s youngest sister, Audrey, was 18 months old. His newly widowed mother decided to leave their home in Virginia to move in with relatives in New Jersey. Immediately following the funeral, she had many tough decisions to make. One of them was giving up Audrey!

“The giving up of Audrey was done in a time of shock and depression for my mother,” Baker writes. “When the undertaker was paid, she was left with a few dollars of insurance money, a worth less Model T, several chairs, a table to eat from, a couple of mail-order beds, a crib, three small children, no way to earn a living, and no prospects for the future.”

A few days later, Baker’s Uncle Tom and Aunt Goldie arrived to pick up his little sister. “My mother helped them carry out the crib and boxes packed with baby clothes. When the car was loaded, my mother bundled Audrey into blan

Give Thanks for Social Security

kets, carried her outside, handed her to Aunt Goldie, and kissed her goodbye for ever!”

That scene struck a nerve with me because my father also died when I was young. Like Baker’s father, my dad left a widow and small children. Also like Bak er’s family, my mother was left with a little insurance, a few pieces of furniture and an old car. But unlike the Bakers, we had brighter prospects for the future because my father left behind something else: Social Security survivors’ insur ance.

My mother, brothers, sister and my self each received a monthly check from Social Security based on my father’s earnings. My siblings and I were able to receive benefits up to the age of 22 if we stayed in school, and my mother re ceived checks until my youngest broth er turned 18. (The laws have changed slightly since I was a beneficiary. Today, benefits to children are generally cut off at age 18, and a widowed mother’s checks stop when the youngest child turns 16.)

Survivor benefits are a very import ant part of Social Security. They have been paid since 1940. Yet even today, many young workers are not aware of this protection they are guaranteed through their Social Security tax deduc tions.

Most young people complain about the amount of Social Security taxes they pay. But I think if they really consider why our society provides a comprehen sive Social Security program, they might be more inclined to accept Social Securi ty taxes so that no other young, widowed mother has to give up her little Audrey and “kiss her goodbye forever.”

Here is a postscript to what I just wrote. I ran a column similar to this one several years ago. After that column ran, I heard from more than a few members of the government-bashing and Social Security-bashing crowd. I saved just one example. Here is what he wrote -- in part. (His rant went on for more than a page!)

“It’s the namby-pamby liberals like Baker and you who have ruined this country. Russell’s father should have provided for his family, and your father should have provided for you. We don’t need the government to make up for slackers like your fathers. And don’t even get me started on widows’ benefits. These women should work and take care of themselves and not expect the govern ment to show up each month with a wid ow’s dole!”

My goodness! I sure am glad I don’t live in that guy’s world. What a cold, uncaring and empathy-starved place it must be! Maybe I should have pointed out to him that Baker’s mom spent many years cleaning floors in tenement houses to help take care of her family. And my mom worked all her life to help pay the rent and put food on our table. Oh well!

I also want to point out that someone

reading this column might conclude that Social Security is unique to the United States. Just the opposite is true. The idea of Social Security is a worldwide phe nomenon. Almost every country on the planet has a Social Security system in place for its citizens, and almost every one of those programs provides survi vor benefits to widows, widowers and minor children. It’s just too bad our pro gram came along too late to help Russell Baker’s mother and her children.

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

COPYRIGHT

2022 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Analyzing the cost of renting over purchasing

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

I have been observing the current market and the 137 responses that I received from my previous column on November 7th. Although my survey isn’t comparable to any national survey via the labor department or any other government entity, it’s a small micro cosm of the feelings of our local Long Island purchasing community who subscribe to my column. It appears approximately 62% of my respondents think renting or staying in place is more advantageous than purchasing right now. It is based mainly on our current interest rates causing the increase in their monthly payments. However, they also thought that pric es were still too high and felt uneasy about the market, even though there currently is still historically low inven tory that should keep prices strong.

From what I have researched the double-digit increases are a thing of the past and we may just see 2-4% increases or possibly less, again partially affected by future demand. Although our infla tion has decreased slightly, it’s the costs of most materials, available land for new construction, and interest rates that have adversely affected the envi ronment of being able to sell and earn a profit which has greatly impacted new construction. Twenty-four percent were contemplating moving to more reasonably priced locations including out of NYS. Fourteen percent were still trying to purchase with a conventional or variable-rate mortgage.

If you earn $100,000 or more, have a very low debt/income ratio, and have at least a 10% down payment (prefera bly 20% for more choices in co-op apart

ments) you should qual ify for a mortgage. If you are planning to stay in the area for 10-plus years, have children, and want a more secure environment of owner ship then you must cal culate the cost over the years of renting, with the lack of tax deduc tions, and the reduction in wealth during the time that you will be renting. Also, you will have little control over increas es and the chance that your landlord might not renew your lease or even decide to sell.

Even if you still need or want to buy as rates have increased you should seek out and discuss with your CPA or financial planner whether owning will enable you to be in a stronger financial position. For a few, if cutting out those wasteful expenditures, like Starbucks, eating out, etc, or even leasing a less costly vehicle, one less vacation, or buying fewer clothes enables you to purchase, then you just might be able to do it. When inflation was running rampant and interest rates were as high as 18.5% in 1981, people were still purchasing, but then refinanced later when rates came down. Although our current rates are much higher, they should come down over the next year or two and you will have the opportu nity to refinance. Also, you will have less competition during the winter as opposed to next spring, so you may find it easier to locate a home, with some trade-offs, that will satisfy your

A GREENER VIEW

current needs and wants.

If you are considering renting a home as opposed to an apartment, again anticipate the costs of rent, utilities, etc., and make a comparison to the cost of homeownership. As you pay down your mortgage (which I call a fixed lease), you are slowly building your nest egg and devel oping appreciation for the future. Most importantly, if your busi ness or job allows you to work from home, then the room(s) you occupy will qualify as a deduction based on the percentage of the size of your home. All things being equal as the cost of a home will continue to increase so will your wealth as the years go by.

There will be those that purchasing right now will not make any financial sense and the struggle to even attempt it would not be beneficial as well as the undue stress that it may surely cause. So give it some serious thought and do what makes sense in the head and cents in your pocket.

I hope everyone had an enjoyable, fun, and relaxing Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

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

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 years experience in the Real Estate indus

Choosing a Fresh Christmas Tree

and oils that do burn rapidly, so if they do catch fire, they will burn hot and fast.

so that they can be chipped and used as mulch. You can cut off the branches and use them as mulch to cover areas of the garden. Some forest preserve districts sink them into lakes so that they can provide shelter for small fish. They can be left in a corner of the yard to provide shelter to birds on cold winter days.

Do not burn the tree in the fireplace, because the sap can help catch the chim ney on fire. Speaking of burning, Christ mas trees are not fire hazards by them selves. Just like any other plant or piece of furniture, they don’t just burst into flames on their own. It is faulty wiring or some other source of heat or spark that is the real fire hazard. Don’t keep a cut tree in the house too long or let it dry out. Evergreen trees are filled with resins

Fresh trees have flexible and fra grant needles. The sooner you choose a precut tree, the sooner you can get it into water and the longer it will last. Even if you just store it outside in a bucket, it will be better than sitting on the lot with no water.

Selecting a good Christmas tree re quires several steps. Before you leave home, measure the location where the tree is going so you know how tall (in cluding the star or angel topper) and how wide the tree can be. The location should not be near any heating ducts that can’t be closed or duct taped shut. A sunny window may be too warm and dry out a tree too quickly.

The open pores at the bottom of the trunk will become clogged with resin

and dirt. Have the tree seller cut off the bottom inch of trunk, or when the tree is home, you can cut off the bottom inch or two of the trunk so that water can be taken in. Make the cut on a diagonal, not flat across the bottom, so that the cut will not be blocked when it is on the bottom of the tree stand. Do not make the cut at too steep of an angle or else it will not stay under water. Water keeps the tree fresh, which prevents needle drop and increases resistance to fire. Check the water level several times a day for the first few days, because a fresh tree can use several gallons of water during that time.

Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@ greenerview.com.

COPYRIGHT 2022 JEFF RUGG

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS

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

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

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of December 4-10, 2022

Step outside during dusk on Wednesday, Dec. 7, and look low in the east-northeastern sky. There you’ll see the rising full moon, and nearby you’ll notice a glowing orange “star”. But this isn’t a star at all; it’s the Red Planet Mars.

Mars now appears against the stars of Taurus, the bull, which of course lie trillions of miles farther and appear only roughly along the same line of sight. The planet reaches its closest to Earth during this orbital cycle on that night, when it lies about 51 million miles away.

If you own a small telescope or can visit your local planetarium or amateur astronomy club, you’ll get quite a closeup view of Mars at this time. With even the lowest magnification you’ll easily see its orange disk, but a larger tele scope with higher magnifications will show some dark features on the planet’s surface. Mars will be in a great position for viewing all month long.

On the evening of Dec. 7, however, don’t just glimpse at Mars and quit because, if you’re patient, you can watch the moon play a game of hide-and-seek with the Red Planet. What you will see (and when) depends on where you live; some sky watchers will see Mars on the left side of the moon, while others will see it on the right. And some may not

STARGAZERS

Don’t Miss This Lunar Coverup!

see it at all.

Why? Because on that evening the moon (only 246,000 miles away) will drift in front of Mars and create what astronomers call an “occultation.” When and where you observe will deter mine whether you’ll see Mars or if it will be hidden behind the solid disk of the moon. The occultation will be visi ble to sky watchers throughout most of North America and northern Europe, but those in the far eastern and south eastern U.S. and Mexico will miss it

Stargazers near Los Angeles, for example, will see the planet’s vanishing act (its “ingress”) behind the moon’s eastern limb around 6:30 p.m. PST. From the Kansas City area, the ingress will occur at around 8:56 p.m. CST; from Pittsburgh, watch for the planet’s disap pearance around 10:34 p.m. EST. Many East Coast locations, like New York City, for example, won’t see the occul tation at all because Mars will pass just below the moon and will not be blocked by its disk.

It’s not only the planetary disappear ing act that will be of interest. Not long after the planet vanishes, it will reap pear on the opposite side of the moon. Spotting this, however, will be more challenging since it’s tough knowing exactly where Mars will emerge from behind the moon’s western limb. From Los Angeles, this “egress” will occur at around 7:30 p.m. PST. From Kansas City watch for it around 9:52 p.m. CST, and in the Pittsburgh area, it happens

around 10:58 p.m. EST.

Because the exact times of this occul tation depend on your location, you should get more accurate times for your town by calling your local planetari um, observatory or amateur astronomy club. And always plan to begin your watch at least 15 minutes early so you

can watch the moon approach the plan et in the sky.

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennis mammana.com.

COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM

On Dec. 7, the moon will drift in front of Mars and create what astronomers call an occultation.

LOST IN SUBURBIA

For Whom the Toilet Paper Rolls

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

“Can you pick up some more tissues at the supermarket?” I asked my hus band.

“I’m not going out right now,” he replied. “Just use toilet paper.”

I looked at him, aghast.

“I can’t do that,” I said. “It’ll scratch my nose.”

“Does it scratch your butt?”

“No.”

“Then why would it scratch your nose?” he wondered.

“Hmph,” I hmphed.

I shook my head. I got that they were both soft paper products, except one came in individual squares and the other came on a roll. However, I still felt that it was necessary to have different products for different parts of the body; the same way that napkins were for meals, and paper towels were for clean ing up. Using them for anything other

than their intended purpose would be anarchy. I was pretty sure that if we started to use paper products wantonly and recklessly, a hole would open up in the universe and all the paper prod ucts would be sucked into a swirling vortex, leaving us with rocks for toilet paper just like in the caveman days. It wouldn’t be pretty, and it would defi nitely clog the toilets.

I could understand why this was difficult for my husband to see. He was a pragmatic, any-port-in-thestorm kind of guy. Also, I was having a hard enough time getting him to just CHANGE the empty toilet paper roll, much less understand that you don’t use the toilet paper to blow your nose.

“You do realize that toilet paper and tissues are essentially the same thing,” he said.

“They’re not,” I said.

“How do you figure?” he asked.

“Well, tissues are pretty straightfor

ward, but toilet paper is complicated. First of all, there’s the whole question of how you gather it. When you take some, do you wad it, or do you fold it? And then there’s the whole one-ply ver sus two-ply issue and whether you want quilted or rippled. And don’t get me started on which way to hang the toilet paper. Do you hang over or under? You don’t have any of these problems with tissues.”

He looked at me like I had toilet paper for brains.

“I wonder how you have room in your brain for the important things,” he said.

“This is important,” I replied. “Otherwise, we’d be using rocks for toilet paper.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s OK. I’ve got you covered.”

“OK, fine. Whatever,” he said. “I’ll get you some tissues when I go out, but first I have to go to the bathroom.”

And with that he exited to the down stairs bathroom and closed the door.

Several minutes later, he called out from the bathroom.

“Hey, honey, do we have any more toilet paper? We’re all out.”

I knew we had more toilet paper, but it was upstairs, and I didn’t feel like going up, especially since he was the one who had left the roll with nary a square to spare.

“Hang on,” I shouted back.

And then I slipped him a piece of paper towel under the door.

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

COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS

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VET/TECH KENNEL ASSIS TANT

needed. All shifts available. Duties include helping doc tors with appointments/treat ments. Cleaning cages/offices/ equipment. Must like animals, be reliable, dependable & work well with others. Please call to schedule inter view.

Port Washington Animal Hospital: 516-883-2005

SITUATION WANTED

ELDER CARE Experienced woman seeks position to care for the elderly live in or live out. Certified HHA. Excellent references. Please call 516-800-6442

HEALTH AIDE: Certified Aide seeking to pro vide private duty care to Gar den City or local area resident. Available Monday through Friday, part time or full time, flexible hours, exceptional ref erences.

Call Annmarie, 917-586-7433

EMPLOYMENT

CAREER TRAINING

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

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING Become a Medical Office Pro fessional online at CTI! Get trained, certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-5436440 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) Computer with internet is re quired.

MARKETPLACE

INVITED ESTATE SALES

BY TRACY JORDAN is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE

AUCTIONS now! Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the win ning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and clean ing out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516279-6378 to schedule a consul tation or receive more infor mation. Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcom ing Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

AUCTIONS

COOL OLD STUFF IN GLEN COVE VINTAGE SHOP. WINNER OF BEST OF NAS SAU COUNTY 2021. GREAT PRICED items for Boat and Home. See ALL online: Wilsonsdrydock.com. For info/ appt Please call 516-662-2821

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY! Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dish es, Flatware, Watches, Cloth ing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104

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

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

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

WHEELS FOR WISHES benefitting Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. Your Car Donations Matter NOW More Than Ever! Free Vehicle Pick Up ANYWHERE. We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not. 100% Tax Deductible. Minimal To No Human Contact. Call: 877-798-9474 Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. www.wheelsforwishes.org

REAL ESTATE

FOR RENT

APARTMENT FOR RENT

GARDEN CITY BORDER APARTMENTS

Huge, bright 2BR, 2 bath apt. $2,485 + electric. Gated park ing. Laundry room, air condi tioning, hardwood floors, Near LIRR. Avail 1/15/23.

NO BROKER FEE www.gardencityborder.com Voice or text: 516-524-6965

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

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

ACE PAVING & MASONRY

Free Estimates. Budget friendly solutions. If you’re looking for any ma sonry service, be it a drive way installation, chimney re pair, asphalt, or concrete work, foundation and basement re pair. Trust our team to handle it for you. With more than 45 years of combined experience, we promise you impressive re sults. We guarantee we’ll beat any like for like quote, so you can enjoy budget-friendly ser vices when you hire us. www.acepavingandmason ry.com Call: 516-814-1511

AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS

FALL DRAIN OUTS

Backflow Device Tests

Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs Joe Barbato 516-775-1199

CHIMNEY KING ENT. INC.

FREE ESTIMATES

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

Since 1982 chimneykinginc.com

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

DON’T PAY FOR COVERED HOME REPAIR AGAIN!

American Residential War ranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANC ES. 30 DAY RISK FREE / $100 OFF POPULAR PLANS. 833-398-0526

FOAM INSULATION SOLU TION

Update your home insula tion for FREE!

Save Money on your energy costs.

Certified Partner of National Grid

Ask about the Total Home Care Program Rebates Call 917-870-7373

HANDYMAN

Careful & Reliable

Serving GARDEN CITY and surrounding area since 2003 Repairs & Installations of all types Carpentry, Moldings, Lighting and More 35-yr Nassau Resident References Lic#170101 Phone/Text Friendly Frank: 516-238-2112 Email: Frankcav@opton line.net

MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREAT MENTS Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Drap eries

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

MASONRY

All types of stonework Pavers, Retaining Walls, Bel gium Block Patios, Founda tions, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Side walks, 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

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

WIREMAN/CABLEMAN

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

HEALTH SERVICES

FAMILY CARE CONNEC TIONS, 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 Liv ing Placement

PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams Medicaid Eligibility and Aplli cations 516-248-9323 www.familycareconnec tions.com 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

MICHELANGELO

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

SERVICES

PARTY HELP

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

SERVICES

A & J MOVING & STORAGE: Established 1971. Long Island and New York State special ists. Residential, Commercial, Piano & Organ experts. Boxes available. Free estimates. www.ajmoving.com 516-741-2657 114 Jericho Tpk, Mineola NYDOT# 10405

SERVICES SERVICES

DISH TV

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

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

MAGNUM SECURITY SYS

TEMS, INC.

Serving Garden City for 40 years.

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

PASSION FOR SENIORS

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

The Last Hope Thrift Shop is a treasure trove. We have home decor—new & vintage, holiday decorations, small appliances, pet products, toys, unique one-of-a-kind finds, plus new clothing with tags or in good condition and accessories, handbags and jewelry (silver, gold, costume and vintage) and much more. If you love the thrill of the hunt, please come down get some great buys and support our cause.

Your Thrift Shop purchases and donations can be magically turned into veterinary care, pet spay/neuters, pet supplies, transport fees and everything needed to care for our homeless dogs and cats.

More VOLUNTEERS needed so we can be open more days.

Email joannascheps@aol.com for additional information.

Donations accepted at the Thrift Store when it is OPEN, or at Last Hope in Wantagh, if labeled “Thrift Shop”. Please do not leave donations outside. We cannot take books other than animal or pet books, VCR tapes, picture frames, full sets of dishes or glasses.

Last Hope is Part of the Chewy.com Rescue Program

If you haven’t tried Chewy.com yet for your pet food and sup ply purchases, this is a great time to check them out. Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilita tion is now part of their rescue program. For each new customer that makes a purchase, Last Hope will receive a $20 donation. Click on the ad below or go directly to the Last Hope page at https://www.chewy. com/rp/5941

A warm stew to chase the chill away

Jalapeño Pork Stew With Pickled Onions

As the mercury dips and snow and ice making conditions outside less inviting, a warm and welcoming meal inside can be just what the doctor ordered.

Serves 8

This recipe for “Jalapeño Pork Stew With Pickled Onions” from “Real Simple Dinner Tonight: Done!” (Time Home Entertainment) by the editors of Real Simple

is tailor-made for a cold day. This hearty dish will warm anyone up, both from the heat of the stew itself and the spicy kick of the jalapeños.

1 cup fresh orange juice

1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained

4 tablespoons olive oil 5 pounds boneless pork shoulder or butt, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 2 tablespoons ground cumin Kosher salt and black pepper 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1) Heat oven to 325° F. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large ovenproof pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

2) Season the pork with the cumin, 1½ teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. In batches, cook the pork until browned, turning occasional ly, 6 to 8 minutes; transfer to a plate.

3) Add the flour and the re maining 2 tablespoons of oil to the pot and cook, stirring for 1 minute.

4) Add the orange juice, toma toes, garlic, jalapeños, and 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Return the pork to the pot, cover, transfer to oven, and cook until the pork is tender,

2½ to 3 hours.

12 cloves garlic

1 to 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and sliced

1 large red onion, thinly sliced

1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar

1 1-pound package frozen cut okra

1 ½ cups grits

5) Meanwhile, in a small bowl, toss the onion with the vinegar, ½ cup water, and ½ teaspoon salt. Let sit, tossing occasionally, for at least 30 minutes (and up to 4 hours).

6) Skim off and discard any

fat from the stew. Add the okra. Cover the pot, return it to the oven, and cook until the okra is tender, about 15 min utes. If the stew is too thin, place the pot on the stove and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes

Getting married?

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S H O P L O C A L

T H I S H O L I D A Y S E A S O N -

Bruce Blakeman Nassau County Executive

Gardiners Ave. students get crafty for holiday

Christmas Tree Lighting

Students

Arrest in Plainview bank robbery

From page 1

a gun in his waistband. According to police, the teller complied with Marneris’ demand and surrendered an undisclosed amount of US curren cy. Police say Marneris grabbed the money and fled on foot. There were five employees and two customers in

the bank at the time of the robbery. No injuries were reported.

Subsequent to the investigation, police arrested Dean Marneris at the McDonalds located at 818 Old Coun try Road Plainview at 4:14 p.m. with out incident. He was charged with Robbery 3rd Degree.

Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview ) joined residents, clergy members and congregants to celebrate the holidays and light the community Christmas tree at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Sunday, Nov. 27. With one of the area’s largest community Christmas trees as the backdrop, this seasonal cel ebration was filled with family-friendly activities, free snacks, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa.“For the last 26 years, Good Shepherd’s annual Christmastime cel ebration has created a festive setting for rejoicing in the wonder and beauty of the holiday season,” Legislator Drucker said. “Thank you to Pastor Marc Herbst and the entire Good Shepherd family for hosting a wonderful celebration and continu ing a tradition that so many people look forward to year after year.”

W. Drucker

POB Hawks soccer team honored by town

Town grant program

From page 1

• Entity must be a for-profit busi ness, or 501c3 or 501c19 non-profit orga nization, with annual revenue between $35,000 and $5 million;

• At least 60 percent of non-profit expenses must have been programmatic in 2019;

• Applicant must be in operation at the time of application and have been in operation prior to January 1, 2021;

• Must have fewer than 50 full-time equivalent W-2 employees;

• Certification and demonstration of economic hardship due to pandemic; and

• Not be in default or arrears on past or current federal and state financ ing or funding programs.

Grant monies can be utilized for a

variety of purposes, including expenses that helped mitigate hardships caused by the pandemic. These could include the purchase of inventory and supplies, rent payments, utilities, property taxes, lease or purchase of equipment, as well as operating and emergency mainte nance.

Applications will be processed through the National Development Council (NDC) – who was retained by the Town to administer the ‘Oyster Bay Forward’ Grant Program. Additional eligibility criteria, including required documents, as well as applications for eligible business and non-profit organi zations are available at TOBForward. com, where interested parties can also sign up to participate in an informative webinar further detailing the applica tion process.

The Town of Oyster Bay recently honored the Boys Varsity “Hawks” Soc cer Team from Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School for their 2022 Nassau County Class AA Champi onship. The Supervisor presented the student athletes with citations and a sign to recognize their championship win.

stated, “The success of this team speaks volumes about this school’s remarkable athletic program headed up by Athletic Director Joseph Braico and the sup port athletes receive from their coach es, administrators, the school board, and, of course, the incredible parents who make significant sacrifices to allow their children to achieve these success es.”

Photo courtesy Office of Legislator Arnold

The Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School boys varsity soccer team was recently honored by the Town of Oyster Bay for winning the Nassau County Class AA championship.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino

at Gardiners Avenue Elementary School in the Levittown Public School District had “wobble” fun. They recently assembled Thanksgiving crafts in the shape of turkeys to take home to their families. Photo courtesy of Levittown Public Schools

“Cruise-Thru” Toys for Tots collection planned

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that the Town’s mas sive ‘Cruise-Thru’ Toys for Tots Collection Drive will take place at John Burns Park in Massapequa on Saturday, December 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, December 4). In partnership with the United States Marine Corps and Optimum, the Town is collecting toys to help families and those less for tunate throughout the community during the upcoming holiday season. In addition to the ‘Cruise-Thru’, col lection boxes are located at Town facilities through December 14.

Town Supervisor Juseph Saladino

said, “The Toys for Tots Drive has long been a huge success under the leadership of the U.S. Marine Corps, especially here in the Town of Oyster Bay, as just last year we collect ed over 20,000 toys for Long Island children. I encourage all of our resi dents who are able to donate to this amazing cause, as the Toys for Tots Drive helps ensure that disadvan taged children within our commu nity do not have to go the holiday season without something to bring them happiness.”

The ‘Cruise Thru Holiday Toy Drive’ will provide residents an excellent way to contribute directly

to the cause and help bring a smile to a child’s face this holiday sea son. Additionally, the event will fea ture an appearance by Santa Claus, and a drop box where kids can drop their letters to Santa off at. Letters dropped off with a legible name and return address will be answered by Santa before the holiday.

“Toys for Tots sends a message of hope to less fortunate children who otherwise wouldn’t be receiving presents this holiday season. I urge residents, who can, to donate new unwrapped toys to any of our dropoff locations,” said Town Councilman Tom Hand. “By making a donation,

you can help ease the financial bur den of families hardest hit by the effects of the coronavirus this holi day season.”

Toys for Tots Collection Boxes are located at the following locations:

• Oyster Bay Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay;

• Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa;

• Ice Skating Center at Bethpage Community Park, 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage.

For more information, please con tact Councilman Tom Hand’s Office at (516) 624-6309; or visit www.oyster baytown.com.

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, December 2, at 2:00 p.m.

From the Hays Code to X-Rated Movies: A History of Hollywood Censorship (VIRTUAL)

Presenter: Brian Rose, professor emeritus, communications, Fordham University

From its very beginning in the 1890s, motion pictures have delight ed the public and upset civic and religious authorities who felt that movies needed to be regulated. This presentation will look at 125 years of movie censorship and the many ways Hollywood has tried to deal with this issue. For Zoom link, go to syossetli brary.org.

Monday, December 5, at 11:30 a.m.

Simply Fit (IN-PERSON)

Instructor: Marilyn Bunger

Especially suited for the older adult; combines the basics of strength training and stretching. You will need to bring light weights. Seven sessions. Fee: $28. To register, go to syossetlibrary.org.

Monday, December 5, at 3:00 p.m.

Mixed Media Art Class (IN-PERSON)

Instructor: Meagan Meehan

This class is for both adults and teens. Everyone will paint a can vas and decorate it with clay, rhine stones, bottle caps, and more. All materials will be supplied and no art experience is needed. Fee: $5. To reg ister, go to syossetlibrary.org. .

Tuesday, December 6, at 9:45 a.m.

Yoga for Energy (IN-PERSON)

Instructor:Jenny Lu.

This class combines the ancient wisdom of Qi energy with modern techniques to maximize the brain’s functions. Each class includes stretching, core strengthening, breathing exercises, meditation and relaxation. Classes are suitable for all levels. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. Nine sessions. Fee: $36. To register, go to syossetli brary.org.

Tuesday, December 6, at 3:00 p.m.

Title Swap Tuesdays (IN-PERSON)

Excited to hear about our favorite books? Join the Readers’ Services librarians for a fun, lively in-per son presentation of all the books we can’t stop talking about. Leave with a list of great reads! No registration needed.

Tuesday, December 6, at 6:15 p.m.

Yoga for Relaxation (IN-PERSON)

Instructor: Laurie Ahleman.

Learn basic yoga postures and relaxation techniques that will enable you to develop a daily prac tice of your own. You will need a yoga mat. Seven sessions. Fee: $28. To register, go to syossetlibrary.org.

Wednesday, December 7, at 11:15 a.m.

Tai Chi (IN-PERSON)

Instructor: Jenny Lu

Mindful, gentle, flowing move ments to improve balance, strength, and stability. Wear sneakers or soft sole shoes. A chair can be used if

needed. Eight sessions. Fee: $32. To register, go to syossetlibrary.org.

Thursday, December 8, at 11:00 a.m.

Qi Gong (IN-PERSON)

Instructor: Jenny Lu

Qi Gong is an ancient Asian heal ing mind-body practice that means energy work. Each class includes gentle stretching, guided breathing, energy meditation and mindful move ments to improve balance, strength and immune function. Classes are suitable for all levels. Wear sneakers or flat sole shoes. Nine sessions. Fee: $36. To register, go to syossetlibrary. org.

Thursday, December 8, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

NY Project Hope Table (IN-PERSON)

Representative from the Charles Evans Center will be on hand to discuss their services with New York Project Hope. Charles Evans Center (CEC) in collaboration with New York State’s Project Hope offers emotional support to the COVID-19 pandemic affected communities in Nassau County. NY Project Hope at Charles Evans Center provides crisis counseling services, support by self-empowerment and teaching stress coping skills, as well as link age to community and healthcare resources for individuals/communi ties that can be of assistance to them in their time of need. Talking with a crisis counselor is free, confidential, and anonymous.

Thursday, December 8, at 2:00 p.m.

Before the Crown: Bringing Britain’s Monarchs to Life on TV and Film (HYBRID)

Presenter: John Kenrick, entertainment historian

Long before “The Crown,” film makers have been taking us into the lives of British royals. From the leg endary Arthur and his Round Table, past the Plantagenets, through the Tudors, right up to the Windsors of today, kings and queens have come back to life thanks to great actors giving memorable performances. The lecture pulls back the curtain on a legacy that includes “Camelot,” “Becket,” “The Private Life of Henry VIII, ” “Elizabeth R,” “Edward & Mrs. Simpson,” “The King’s Speech” and “The Queen” to name a few. No registration needed for in-person or Zoom. For Zoom link, go to syossetli brary.org.

Friday, December 9, at 2:00 p.m.

Rigoletto (HYBRID)

Presenter: Tanisha Mitchell, opera singer and librarian

Labeled a “masterpiece,” Verdi's “Rigoletto” explores the struggles of a cursed court jester who tries to protect his daughter, Gilder from the lustful Duke of Mantua. Tanisha explores the music and drama all wrapped into Verdi's memorable six teenth opera. An aria will be per formed by the speaker. No registra tion needed for in-person or Zoom. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary. org.

Someone once said that after you do something two years in a row, it becomes a tradition. Jericho Cares is very excited about the support it received toward its sec ond annual Thanksgiving Sharing event.

On Saturday, November 19, multiple local organizations came together to pro vide full meals to families in need. The Morgan Walsh Memorial Fund, the MidIsland Y JCC and Chase Bank in East Meadow facilitated baskets for each family. All Round Foods and ShopRite of Plainview donated baked goods and pies. Generous donors donated gift cards for turkeys and extra food to let families choose their favor

ite items.

To make the packages even more spe cial, Girl Scout troops from across Nassau County provided hand made notes. The VFW Post 6394 in Syosset was a wonderful place for volunteers to visit with families who have been receiving monthly packag es as they picked up their Thanksgiving package. When we started two years ago with the mission of helping one family at a time, Jericho Cares could not have imag ined it would be starting new traditions. But it is looking forward to the third annual Thanksgiving Sharing next year!

riday, December 2, 2022

Volunteers from JP Morgan Chase helped support Jericho Cares. Volunteers with some of the donated food.

Santa Claus.