Syosset Advance (7/12/24) by Litmor Publishing

CYO VOLLEYBALL CHAMPS

CYO volleyball champions! The Syosset 7th graders won 11 games this season and took home the championship title. Coaches Anthony Picatagi and Mike Rogers lead the team to victory!

Libraries, legislator collect supplies for students

Foresto named president of Jericho School Board

Dr. Chris Foresto, who is serving his first term as a member of the Jericho School Board, was elected president at the Board of Education's monthly meeting July 1.

Dr. Foresto, a radiologist, was elected over the objection of Board trustee Sam Perlman, who argued that Foresto should be disqualified because one of his three children attends a private school.

Perlman's objection sparked a heated debate between the two men, with Perlman contending that Foresto's election would send a negative message to the community about the quality of Jericho schools. Foresto argued that the decision to attend a private, parochial school was his son’s and that “Our son wanted a spiritual experience that public schools do not offer.” Foresto’s son attends Chaminade, a top rated boys school in Mineola.

Although Perlman said his objection to Foresto “was not personal,” a heated discussion ensued and Foresto was elected president 4 to 1. Former Board president Jill Citron was elected vice president.

Dr. Christopher Foresto was elected president of the Jericho Board of Education.

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) is partnering with the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, the Syosset Public Library, and Always Orthodontics in Syosset and the Martella family to host the Scott Martella “Supply our Students Drive” in support of the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.

Now through Wednesday, July 24 during regu-

lar business hours at each of those locations, donors can drop off needed school supplies, including but not limited to backpacks, folders, spiral and marble notebooks, looseleaf

See page 12

The Syosset Advance Published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp.

Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68 Postmaster: Send Address

Change to: The Syosset Advance, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208 Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris, Publisher

Group promotes teaching of Holocaust, genocide

BY GEORGE HABER

An organization dedicated to fostering teaching of the Holocaust and genocide has opened in Syosset.

The organization, Voices for Truth

and Humanity, is a nonprofit group headed by Jericho resident Jack Britvan.

“We’re working to make Holocaust and genocide education mandatory

Photo by Rikki Massand

Syosset FD blood drive draws 30 donors

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D –Plainview) thanked blood donors at a drive held at Syosset Fire Department on Friday, June 28.

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) thanked the more than 30 donors who took part in his office’s Friday, June 28, blood drive at the Syosset Fire Department.

Paired with the platelet donors who rolled up their sleeves, the blood drive yielded contributions that will help to save nearly 100 lives. Each donor received a pair of New York Mets tickets and a Mets t-shirt as a token of appreci-

ation.

“I am so grateful to each and every person who came down to the fire department to give the gift of life and do their part to address our region’s ongoing blood shortage emergency,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “We thank the Syosset Fire Department, New York Blood Center and the Mets for being such outstanding partners in this crucial endeavor for District 16’s communities.”

Are you a professional?

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

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, July 12, at 11:00 a.m.

Judy’s Italian Cucina: Bakery Style Italian Cookie Class (IN-PERSON)

Instructor: Judy Boshnack

Join us in our Italian cucina and learn the tips and tricks to making bakery-style Italian cookies. These tasty buttery delights melt in your mouth and are as beautiful as they are scrumptious. Cookie samples will be served after the lesson and you will go home with dough to bake more cookies at home. Fee: $5, Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Friday, July 12, at 2:00 p.m.

Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)

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

Thursday, July 18, at 2:00 p.m.

Botticelli (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: Jay Schuck, independent art curator and art historian

Explore the life and work of the Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli with art historian Jay Schuck. Artwork to be examined include the “ Primavera, ” “ Birth of Venus, ” “ Mystical Nativity, ” and more. No registration needed.

Thursday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m.

Rachel Harrison!

Author Visit and BYOB (VIRTUAL)

Grab your favorite beverage and zoom in to “meet” Rachel Harrison author of “ Black Sheep, ” “ Such Sharp Teeth, ” and “ Cackle. ” Registration required. Register at syossetlibrary. org.

Friday, July 19, at 10:15 a.m.

Learn the Technique of Quilling (IN-PERSON)

Instructor: Kelly Schulte-Smith

Create a beautiful unique work of art using paper, yes paper! There are several options to choose from. You will be shaping and manipulating color paper to create a one of a kind art piece. All materials are provided to complete your project. Fee: $5. Registration required. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

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 fun-filled hour of music and stories about the songs. No registration needed.

“Movies by Moonlight”

in town parks this summer

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 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! ”

Major upgrades complete at town golf course

Town Clerk Richard LaMarca, Tax Receiver Jeffrey Pravato, Town Supervisor Joe Saladino and ouncilman Lou Imbroto demonstrate the improvements at the Town of Oyster Bay golf course.

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced the completion of a $5 million upgrade at the Hon. Joseph Colby Golf Course in Woodbury. Improvements include new tee boxes on all 18 holes along with a new irrigation system for the entire course.

“We’re delivering a great experience for all golfers at our course and these improvements will certainly enhance their playing experience,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Make your reservation, enjoy the beautiful course and spend the day in the Town of Oyster Bay.”

The Honorable Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course is situated on 121 acres of Long Island’s coveted Gold Coast. It is a challenging 18-hole, par 70, championship golf course that features meticulously manicured greens complete with cascading waterfalls, narrow fairways, water holes, sand and grass bunkers, as well as a putting green. Completing the scene is a turn-of-thecentury mansion that offers a state-ofthe-art catering venue that sits majestically in the heart of our beautiful golf course. The ambience of this onetime Gold Coast estate is rich with elegance and hospitality, but updated with modern amenities. People can enjoy a round of golf as well as the incredible setting while dining outdoors course side or hosting a private event.

Visitors are welcome to utilize the Lucas Golf Center at the Oyster Bay

Driving Range and Pro Shop, under the management of PGA Director of Golf Bob Miller, which offers a full range of golf services. Instruction is available for all levels of golfing ability, beginner through advanced. Golfers can inquire about private lessons, group lessons and clinics at the practice range and on the course. The Pro Shop is stocked with brand name merchandise for all your golfing needs. For more information on instruction, driving range hours and the Pro Shop, please visit www. LucasGolfCenter.com or call (516) 3643600 to speak to a PGA professional. Applications for membership to the Honorable Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course are available and are processed at the golf course Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Membership is valid until the winter weather arrives. Prospective members must provide the following proofs of residency: Photo Identification (Driver’s License, DMV Photo ID or Passport); and Car Registration, Tax Bill or Utility Bill. Non-resident memberships are also available for an additional fee.

To reserve a tee time, please visit http://oysterbaytown.com/golf or call (516)677-5980. A $5 fee per player is applied at time of reservation. Daily senior citizens discounts are offered, along free golf for military and veterans on Veterans Day.

SUNDAY, JULY 14TH 6:00PM-9:00PM

THE HARRY CHAPIN BAND — AND — WILL SING FOR FOOD

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items as a donation to Long Island Cares.

EISENHOWER PARK LAKESIDE THEATRE

Before the event, be sure to check out Nassau’s top-notch Restaurants, Golf Courses, Beaches and Shopping. Nassau is back and open for business!

National Night Out to be held August 6

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D –Plainview) will be joining forces with the Nassau County Police Second Precinct at the Mid Island Y JCC on August 6.

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) is once again joining forces with the Mid Island Y JCC, the Nassau County Police Department’s Second Precinct and an array of community stakeholders to celebrate National Night Out at the Mid Island Y JCC from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6.

Held in thousands of communities each year on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is an initiative that seeks to promote “police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.”

fle prizes donated by local businesses, demonstrations, ice cream, popcorn and cotton candy, a bouncy castle, and much more.

“For the last 41 years, National Night Out events have been instrumental in building rapport between law enforcement agencies and the community members they work so tirelessly to serve and protect each and every day,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “Here in Nassau County, we have worked diligently to create what I believe is the finest police force in the nation, and I encourage everyone to join with us at the Mid Island Y JCC — either as a guest or a sponsor — for this wonderful community tradition.”

The event is scheduled to feature dozens of vendors, including the Nassau County Police Department’s Second Precinct and an array of local community partners in business, education, and healthcare. Family-friendly activities from National Night Out include giveaways from local businesses and community groups, refreshments, raf-

Anyone interested in becoming a vendor or a sponsor for this year’s National Night Out can contact Deputy Minority Leader Drucker’s office at 516-571-6216 or adrucker@nassaucountyny.gov for additional information.

Archive photo courtesy office of Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker.

Hicksville Boys & Girls Club 2024 scholarship winners

J. Single Jr. (Board president), Hannah

The Hicksville Boys & Girls Club’s 2024 scholarship winners are Hannah Mathew and Oscar Duran Pena. Hannah has been volunteering her time at the Hicksville Boys & Girls Club for a few years now and will be attending Baruch College this fall. Oscar has been an involved member of our club since he was in middle school and will be

attending Nassau Community College this fall. Oscar’s scholarship was provided through a generous donation to the club from one of our Board members Randi Ross and her husband Steve. The club would like to congratulate our two winners and wish them success in their continuing educational endeavors.

Oyster Bay walking tours highlight history

Residents interested in local history are invited to embark on a journey through time with a guided walking tour of historic Oyster Bay, where echoes of the past meet footsteps in the present. Raynham Hall Museum, located at 30 West Main Street in the hamlet of Oyster Bay, offers a twohour, historic walk through Oyster Bay, spanning 1.5 miles.

“This fun and educational tour takes you to multiple historic sites, bringing participants back to our Town’s colonial roots and its role in America’s formative years,” said Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca. “From the spiritual Fort Hill Cemetery to the waterfront that once bustled with oyster harvesting and pirates, these tours offer a rich tapestry of tales, including those of notable figures like George Washington’s spy, Robert

Townsend, and Theodore Roosevelt. Whether you’re a history buff or simply seeking a picturesque walk, Oyster Bay’s Historic Walking Tour is a delightful blend of education and leisure.”

Historic Walking Tours are offered Saturday, July 20, September 14, October 5 and October 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. from Raynham Hall Museum, 30 West Main Street, Oyster Bay. Tours are offered for $25 ($20 for museum members) through Raynham Hall. The Historic Walking Tour through Oyster Bay was developed with the help of Margo Arceri, Culper Spy Ring historian and Three Village Historical Society Tri-Spy Tours founder.

For more information, visit https:// www.threevillagehistoricalsociety. org/tri-spy-tours

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. 11771-1539. 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 receiveroftaxes@oysterbay-ny.gov.

Get rid of your unwanted items by placing an ad for them in our Classifieds! We have reasonable rates, and you’ll have prompt results! Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for rates and other info.

Harry J. Single Jr. (Board president), Randi Ross (Board member), Oscar Duran Pena and Thomas Bruno (executive director).

Randi Ross (Board member), Harry

Mathew and Thomas Bruno (executive director).

LUXURY RENTALS FOR THOSE 62 AND OLDER

Apartments with Full Kitchens

Concierge Services

Daily Housekeeping

Private Car Services

On-Site Cinema

Outdoor Pool with Cabanas

Fitness Center & Yoga Studio

Spacious Patio & Fire Pit

Two On-Site Restaurants with al fresco Dining

Golf Simulator

Beauty Salon & Spa

Division Avenue High School Class of 2024 crosses the stage

Graduates showed their pride in reaching a momentous milestone.

More than a decade of lessons, achievements and connections were represented in a single unforgettable moment as the Division Avenue High School Class of 2024 crossed the stage and became graduates at the Hofstra University David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on June 22.

Cheers rang out from the bleachers as seniors processed toward their seats to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the string orchestra under the direction of Mark Martufi. Jessica Bhandal led the Pledge of Allegiance before senior members of the concert choir performed the national anthem under the direction of Alison Sellars.

Division Avenue Principal John Coscia reminded graduates that their perseverance is made possible by their strong unity. “Each of you has the ability to lift each other up without expecting anything in return, which is the

Division Avenue High School seniors proudly processed toward their seats in the Hofstra University David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on June 22 for their commencement ceremony.

hallmark of outstanding character and leadership.”

Superintendent of Schools Todd Winch urged the Class of 2024 to look ahead with ambition. “Now, armed with knowledge, experience and resilience, you stand at the dawn of a new day filled with the promise and excitement of an unscored future.”

Mr. Winch individually recognized graduates who will serve in various branches of the Unites States Armed Forces. Each received a flag originally hung in a Division classroom.

Salutatorian Ceyda Nazli congratulated her peers on a prideful accomplishment. “Functions are not always linear, and neither is problem-solving,” she said. “That’s why if you want to make your life less tiring, you need to give yourself grace along the way. Remember that you aren’t supposed to be anything you were told you are – you

Graduates entering the United States Armed Forces received recognition.

should just be.”

Seniors in the string orchestra joined their peers for a performance of “Cincopations” by Richard Meyer. Valedictorian Syeda Nowroz addressed her peers and related their diverse experiences to the virtual world in the video game, “Minecraft.”

“Despite the main objective of the game being to reach the end, players are given full freedom to do what they please,” she said. “Minecraft is more similar to our high school paths than you might think… Each person carves their own path, and just because you aren’t doing what that Science Olympian is doing, or what that football star is doing, doesn’t mean that you’re any farther from the path to success.”

Class of 2024 President Carly Perez reflected on her many experiences throughout her years in Levittown Schools. This year, Carly and her peers

visited Summit Lane Elementary School, where she had a memorable experience speaking with a younger student who asked about her own graduation year. “We sat there and did the math and came up with the year 2034,” she said. “I told her to enjoy the memories with the people around you, because one day the moments you shared with classmates will just be distant memories. The pure innocence of this little girl excited for the future reminded me of myself.”

Graduates viewed a collection of snapshots gathered in a commemorative video. Board of Education First Vice President Peggy Marenghi commended the Class of 2024 on their impressive accolades and accomplishments. Seniors pridefully turned their tassels marking them graduates, and each were called forward to receive their diploma on stage.

The Class of 2024 threw their caps into the air upon being named graduates.

Do you have grandchildren?

Enter our “World’s Most Beautiful Grandchildren” contest! Just send in your grandchildren’s photos and a brief description of the child (or children) along with your name and address to editor@gcnews.com

Senior members of the concert choir joined their peers for a performance.

Photos courtesy Levittown School District

Not a Subscriber?

Get your local paper delivered to your mailbox every week for less than the cost of a cup of coffee.

More local news: Learn about what’s going on in the Village and Schools.

• Elementary, Middle and High School Events

• School and local sports

• Police coverage

• Special features including interviews, special supplement sections, and much more. To subscribe return the form below to: Subscription Department, Garden City

Local non-profit receives grant to upgrade infrastructure

Citizens Options Unlimited, a disability services nonprofit, was announced on July 1 as an awardee receiving $91,592 as part of the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program (NICIP), administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).

The award will fund technology upgrades for Citizens’ Helen Kaplan Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) in Plainview, a program offering longterm care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have a higher level of need related to medical or behavioral complexities.

This award will significantly improve the program’s IT capabilities through the purchase, installation, and quality evaluation of new routers, switches, fiber optics, and additional hardware.

Free summer concerts at local parks, beaches

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 2, and features a wide variety of genres ranging from country to rock. All concerts begin at 8 p.m. 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 13

Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, Woodbury - Dr. K’s Motown Revue: America’s #1 Authentic Motown Revue Band

Tuesday, July 16

John J. Burns Town Park,

Massapequa - Uncaged: Zac Brown Tribute

Wednesday, July 17

Ellsworth W. Allen Town Park, Farmingdale - Decadia: Performing Hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s

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, PlainviewBadlands 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, Massapequa - New York Bee Gees Tribute Show: Playing the Bee Gees Greatest Hits

Tuesday, August 6

John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa - First Responders Night featuring The Marshall Tucker Band

*Start time: 6:00 p.m. -

Police displays for National Night Out, family-friendly activities, inflatables and food trucks at 6 p.m.; concert starts at 8 p.m.

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

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

*Start time: 6:00 p.m.

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

“Thanks to this award, the mission-critical tasks performed at the Helen Kaplan ICF will be accomplished through a more, energy-efficient, high-performance data and telecommunications network,” said Stanfort J. Perry, CEO, Citizens Options Unlimited. “Such a grant will create a meaningful impact on service delivery, from improved workflow among clinical and administrative teams to increased connectivity for telehealth.” Additional project outcomes include increased accessibility, confidentiality, and security of electronic records and system analytics at the ICF. See

Citizen’s Options Unlimited, a Plainview non-profit which provides disability services.

Recent Real Estate Sales in Syosset and Jericho

31 Kettlepond Road, Jericho

25 Belvedere, Syosset

20 Princeton Drive, Syosset

97 Celia Drive, Jericho

NASSAU COUNTY FORECLOSURE NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME

COURT NASSAU COUNTY MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY, A/K/A M&T BANK, S/B/M HUDSON CITY SAVINGS

BANK, Plaintiff against MELISSA WILLIAMS, et al

Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 8, 2019, and Amended on August 8, 2022 I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 29, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 2 Joan Court, Woodbury, NY 11797. Sec 15 Block 175 Lot 82. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Woodbury, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Approximate Amount of Judgment is $849,624.64 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 005816/2014. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine."

Alan Gerson, Esq., Referee File # CHJNY469

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.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of AAMLR

JERICHO LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/25/2024. Office location:

NASSAU. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to AMREY PAUL SINGH: 71 EAST ST HICKSVILLE NY, 11801. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Libraries, legislator collect supplies for students

From page 1

paper, binders, tabbed subject dividers, pencil cases and sharpeners, pens, pencils (colored and No. 2), highlighters, erasers, markers, glue sticks, lunchboxes, index cards, rulers, scissors, and calculators.

The drive is named in honor of Scott Martella, a former Smithtown School Board Trustee who made history when he was elected at age 22 and later became a top aide to former Governor Andrew Cuomo and former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. Martella was tragically killed in an August 2016 car crash on the Long Island Expressway. Since

his untimely death, there have been numerous charitable drives, including the “Supply our Students Drive,” in recognition of his commitment to improving the lives of others.

“In a life of just 29 years that was cut tragically short, Scott Martella made an impression upon all of us – and he set a remarkable example of what it meant to be a selfless public servant in all aspects of one’s life,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “I am proud to be working with so many outstanding community stakeholders on an initiative that pays tribute to Scott’s passion for public education and will help to ensure our young peo-

ple have the successful start to the school year that they all so richly deserve.”

For additional information, contact Deputy Minority Leader Drucker’s office at 516-5716216 or adrucker@nassaucountyny.gov.

School supplies can be dropped off at any of these locations:

• Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, 999 Old Country Road, Plainview

• Syosset Public Library, 225 South Oyster Bay Road, Syosset

• Always Orthodontics, 485 Underhill Boulevard, Suite 306, Syosset

Group promotes teaching of Holocaust, genocide

From page 1

for students from K through 12 in schools across the country,” said Britvan. So far, seventeen states have adopted the program. He said he has also gotten support from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Roger Tilles, a member of the New York State Board of Regents.

“Too many students in too many schools across the coun-

try are not being taught about the Holocaust and about genocide. Students are not studying history to make them aware of how bigotry and hatred can lead to persecution and mass murder of innocent people.”

Students need to learn that “Never Again” means “Never Forget.”

Regent Roger Tilles said, “There are lessons to be learned about the death and persecution which anti-semitism,

racial intolerance and extreme nationalism can bring to any society...The lessons of the Holocaust cannot be learned unless they are taught.”

Voices 4th President Jack Britvan adds, “Never Again means Never Forget!”

Further information about the organization, its work, and upcoming events is available at the organization’s website www.v4t.org

California Pacific Highway Roadtrip: Cambria is Enchanting Base to Visit Hearst’s ‘Enchanted

BY KAREN RUBIN

It’s a dark night when we pull into our hotel in Cambria, on California’s famous (and fragile) Pacific Highway 1, so it isn’t until I awake in the morning to a moist mist rising after a rain, that I realize what is just across the road from the picturesque Moonstone Beach and a magnificent boardwalk that extends 1½ miles over the fragile seagrass, the ocean crashing against the rocky shore just beyond where a few seals are resting, the sun making a gorgeous sparkling light, Cambria is an outstanding base to experience not only its own charms, but to explore Hearst Castle, San Simeon, the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, and even driving north on the Pacific Highway, to Ragged Point, just at the southern end of Big Sur where you can get those dramatic sheer-cliff/crashing waves against the rocky shore views.

Castle Inn which I found on hotels.com, is a delightful motel that is absolutely perfect for our purpose –the room is spacious and has a beachy (ocean) feel; the motel serves coffee, scones, apples, muffins, oatmeal for breakfast. Later, we will take advantage of its pool and hot tub under the stars, and is so close by to all the things we want to explore – especially having the Moonstone Beach and boardwalk just across the road. (6620 Moonstone Beach Dr, Cambria, CA 93428, 805-927-8605, castle-inn-cambria.hotelsone.com)

We grab coffee and muffins and immediately head out to Hearst Castle just eight minutes up the coastal road

The dining room at Hearst Castle, with its opulent medieval art and Italian banners, is distinguished by the ketchup and mustard bottles that point directly to who William Randolph Hearst was and what his “Enchanted Hill” meant to him © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

from Cambria in San Simeon.

We have to be at the Hearst Castle’s visitor center by 8:40 am for our pre-booked 9 am Grand Rooms tour the most popular of a selection of tours you can take (others include “Hearst and Hollywood” “Designing the Dream” “Art of San Simeon,” “Julia Morgan”, “Cottages & Kitchen tour” “Upstairs Suites Tour”, also accessible tours and private tours.)

We get our wristbands and go to “gate” for the bus that takes guests up to the mansion along the long winding road – just as William Randolph Hearst intended his visitors to experience his “Enchanted Hill.”

The tour starts immediately on the bus, with an excellent narration giving the background – history, architecture, biography – and pointing out

the sights along the way, accompanied by music of the 1930s and 1940s.

Hearst Castle is so much more than a magnificent mansion home (one of the most spectacular in the world), even more than an architectural jewel and a breathtaking art collection. It is the story of a fascinating man (love him or hate him or something in between, you still have to give the man credit for what he accomplished) who you come to know because everything about Hearst Castle is so personal to him. It is the story of an age – the coming of age of America, the coming of age of Hollywood and ascendancy of American culture. Everything you see is mind-blowing and breath-taking. And this mansion, which has come to be known as Hearst Castle, is his personal artistic creation – the archi-

Hill’

tecture and the art collection.

The tour is extremely well organized – it manages to be efficient and yet personal (I’m betting the earlier you can visit the better) - you feel as so many of Hearst’s guests must have felt the first time they were invited.

You realize that even if you think you know who Hearst was (and so many imagine Hearst to be the character of “Citizen Kane” but he is only a piece of that fictional character, and Marion Davies, his companion, was a smart, savvy and accomplished woman and quite a fine actress, not at all like the character of Kane’s), you come away with newfound respect and interest – in fact, as compelling a real-life story as the fictional Citizen Kane. (“Citizen Kane” screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz was one of Hearst’s guests here.)

You also come to learn – and admire - Hearst’s architect for his castle: Julia Morgan was one of the first female engineering majors at the University of California, Berkeley, the first woman to pass the entrance exam in architecture and graduate the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris – the preeminent architectural school of the timeand was the first licensed woman architect in California. (In 2014, Morgan was posthumously awarded the American Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal in recognition of her pioneering career and dynamic buildings, the first woman to be awarded the medal in its 107-year history, https://pioneeringwomen.bwaf.org/ julia-morgan/)

Even though you are walking through the mansion with a tour

Continued on next page

group, you actually feel like you were one of Hearst’s guests arriving for the weekend – the home is set out as it would have been – most remarkably, in the grand dining room (it may well have inspired Harry Potter’s Hogwarts dining room, and interestingly, the banners on display refer to an Italian horserace), there are bottles of ketchup and mustard because Hearst himself, for all the spectacular grandeur of the art and architecture, wanted a homey feel to his country home.

The art is breathtaking – Hearst collected the pieces himself, and drawing from his European travels with his mother when he was 10 years old, are predominantly Gothic and medieval – a lot of religious art which Hearst appreciated for the art, not the religious significance, the guide tells me.

In 1935 his collections were valued at more than $20 million (in the height of the Great Depression!), but then he fell into near bankruptcy, and at the age of 75, and had to sell off two-thirds of his collection, estimated at $15 million, at “fire sale” prices. (Marion Davies, by then extremely wealthy in her own right with movies and real estate investments in places like Palm Springs, lent him $1 million so he could keep Hearst Castle; when she died, her estate was worth $8 million; when he died, she gave the Hearst Company shares he left her back to his family and they promptly kicked her out and refused to let her come to his funeral.)

You can easily picture who Hearst, Davies and Morgan were, and the glorious celebrity life they lived because there are home movies, photos!. It is thrilling to sit in Hearst’s own theater and watch Charlie Chaplin mug for the camera. (Definitely take advantage of the outstanding 40-minute documentary about Hearst’s life in the five-story theater before or after the tour.)

In 1919 when he inherited the estate, William Hearst, then 56 years old, hired architect Julia Morgan telling her, ““Miss Morgan, we are tired of camping out in the open at the ranch in San Simeon and I would like to build a little something.”

For the next 28 years, the project that we know as Hearst Castle became his life’s work, his creation and hers

and unbelievably, was never actually finished, even though the mansion and villas now comprise 165 rooms atop the 1600 ft. high summit of a hill. Hearst, they say, was never as happy as when he was on his “Enchanted Hill.”

From the bus, we look out over the vast lands where Hearst had assembled exotic animals from around the world, ultimately creating the largest private zoo in America. Though most of the animals were removed by 1937 (when Hearst was near bankrupt during the Great Depression), some that remain are descendents of the original herds, like the Oudads, and get still have 200 head of cattle on the ranch.

Hearst was inspired to build his castle and collect art when he took the grand tour of Europe when he was 10 with his mother. And his mother, Phoebe Apperson Hearst. a philanthropist and advocate for women, introduced him to Julia Morgan. Phoebe began a lifelong interest in Morgan’s career when the two women’s paths crossed in Paris. The films and photos you get to see of Morgan, presiding over the dynamiting to level the summit and build the road, reviewing plans with Hearst, are fascinating.

Our guide, Gregory Anderson, tells us that Hearst Castle was Morgan’s 503rd of 700 projects – including Great Theater, Berkeley; Fairmont Hotel (opened within a year after the San Francisco earthquake 1906); El Campinino - and was

one of the few architects who knew how to work with steel reinforced concrete (important for earthquakes).

We stop in front of the first villa, Casa del Sol, “medium sized” at 3600 sq ft., built for a sunset view, Bob and Delores Hope honeymooned here; Edward Hubble, who originated the Big Bang Theory, stayed here; Actor Cary Grant requested a different room every time stayed (came 40 times)

We come to the 2500 sq. ft Casa del Mar cottage, where David Niven (“The Pink Panther) and Winston Churchill stayed (in 1929). Up until 1976, this was the villa that Hearst family members would stay. (William had five sons between 1904-1918, and there are some 70 descendents today and the family - the 20th wealthiest in the US - now when they come, they stay at the Senator’s House which the Hearst company still owns).

The most spellbinding features of the estate are the two pools – the Neptune Pool which has Grecian feel, is actually the third incarnation: 104 feet long, 58 feet wide and 95 feet wide at the alcove. It is 3.5 feet deep at the west end, 10 feet at the drains, and holds 345,000 gallons of water. Other notable aspects of the Neptune Pool include the oil-burning heating system, the Vermont marble that lines the basin, gutters, and alcove, and four Italian relief sculptures on the sides of the colonnades.

The indoor Roman Pool is a tiled indoor pool decorated with eight stat-

ues of Roman gods, goddesses and heroes. The pool appears to be styled after an ancient Roman bath such as the Baths of Caracalla in Rome c. 21117 CE.

Be sure to make time to see the “Building the Dream” biopic in the 5 story theater (plays every 45 minutes) about William Randolph Hearst’s childhood, his travels to Europe, construction of the castle estate, and his architectural collaboration with Morgan. “They built castle but also created legacy.”

Hearst Castle, which first opened for tours in 1958 and gets 600,000-700,000 tourists/year (in the 1980s, its heyday, a million tourists would come each year), is now a California state park.

There are no individual visits to Hearst Castle – you must register for a tour. Ticket prices start at $30/ adults, $15 children (5-12). (https:// hearstcastle.org/tour-hearst-castle/ daily-tours/). Reserve tickets online up to 60 days in advance; Reserve online (https://www.reservecalifornia.com/ Web/Activities/HearstCastleTours. aspx)

Every year from the end of November through the end of December, Hearst Castle offers a “Holiday Twilight Tour” to experience the estate as Hearst’s guests enjoyed it during the 1920s and 1930s during the Christmas season. Hearst Castle, 750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon, CA 93452-9741, 800444-4445 (8 am-6 pm PT), hearstcastle. org.

More visitor information: visitcambriaca.com.

Next: Cambria is Great Base for Pacific Highway Roadtrip

Aynvaul Micronation thrives on LI under residents’ noses!

BY GARY BENNETT

A little-known micronation, Aynvaul, has been flying under the radar on Long Island for nearly two decades. Founded in February 2006 by a then-middle schooler who drew its original flag in art class, Aynvaul has defied the odds and outlived its counterpart, “Independent Long Island”, which was formally dissolved in 2019. The brainchild of a young fourth generation Irish-American student, Aynvaul has continued to thrive, despite its obscure nature, evolving into a dream more meaningful. But what is a micronation?

Micronationalism is the movement of creating small, independent countries or nations that are not recognized by the international community. These new country projects, often referred to as micronations, can take many forms, from online virtual nations to bands of people to physical territories with their own governments and populations. Many micronations are created as a hobby, social gatherings, or just for entertainment purposes, while others may be founded with the goal of gaining actual international recognition. Some micronations have even attracted international attention and have been featured in various media outlets and documentaries such as Molossia and Sealand.

Despite its secretive nature, Aynvaul has managed to cultivate a community of around 100 individuals of varying affiliation with the micronation or its Irish-American heritage, making it difficult to gather information about

BY CHARLYN FARGO

If there’s a new villain in town, it’s sugar. That’s because a little goes a long way, but too much has been found to cause health problems.

Research shows a diet chronically high in sugar can contribute to obesity and blood sugar spikes. It can also result in a higher risk of heart attack and stroke due to sugar’s negative effects on blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes and fatty liver disease, according to the American Heart Association. It’s important to look on food labels for added sugars versus natural sugars. Natural sugars are found in milk (as lactose) and fruits (as fructose). Natural sugars are absorbed into the blood more slowly because the body has to break down the fiber first, which prevents a spike in blood sugar. So, while a medium banana has 14 grams of natural sugar, it also has 4 grams of fiber (and other nutrients such as potassium, protein, vitamin A, iron and phosphorus).

its inner workings for an outsider. Operating as an open association with no formal membership requirements or strict rules, Aynvaul’s community members are free to adopt and drop the identity at will. The micronation’s culture is deeply rooted in traditional Long Island Irish-American customs and traditions, with a strong emphasis on preserving the Irish language and reintroducing it into everyday life. While there is widespread support for language revitalization, debates about implementation and timeline persist among members. Despite these challenges, Aynvaul’s unique blend of creativity, community, and cultural heritage has allowed it to thrive under the radar for nearly two decades.

Aynvaul’s flag can be spotted in various places around Long Island - proudly displayed on private home walls, waving above market stalls at vendor events, fluttering from lawn poles on residential lawns, tucked away in back seats of cars, and flying high as a porch flag. If you ever find yourself exploring Long Island’s scenic communities or bustling towns like Garden City or Massapequa, keep an eye out for this striking flag featuring a bright gold sunburst on a dark green background with a bold red stripe running across it - it just might be waving proudly in someone’s yard!

When I interviewed him, Aynvaul’s founder and monarch, Gordon III, shared his vision for the micronation. “For us [Aynvauls], it’s about building a community to create a common identity for us to fall back to,” he said. “We

are Irish-Americans sure, but what exactly does that mean? We are often generations removed from our ancestors in Ireland and we have our own traditions and customs separate from your run-of-the-mill American “yank”. We are something all of our own, and that’s okay - take pride in our uniqueness - it keeps life interesting!”

He also addressed growing division between Irish-Americans and their Irish cousins, “In Ireland, people take issue with ‘Irish-Americans’, there is a feeling that Irish-Americans are trying to police them [the Irish of Ireland] on what it means to be Irish which creates issue or worse are “plastic” pretenders.” Further in the interview he was asked why he chose micronationalism over simply promoting cultural heritage through a cultural movement, he replied: “A cultural movement has to start somewhere - if the community wants it - it will take off eventually - but that is up to each individual to decide; anyone who wants to adopt our identity is welcome to so long as they want to learn the language and adopt the old culture as well. I’ll even hook you up with flags to fly.” When asked what sets Aynvaul apart from other micronations, Gordon said: “Well... most micronations... will try to make a big spin when they first start... but we didn’t make a big show when first starting up - for the first six years we just kept to ourselves while others like say Casidio Tallini... went to the news about his Independent Long Island.”

In another interview session with Gordon we touched on the topic of

Added Versus Natural Sugars

Added sugars include any sugar- or calorie-laden sweetener that is added to foods or beverages (such as cereal, soda, ketchup, sports drinks, candy and even some yogurts) during processing or preparation. The confusing thing is that added sugars can be manufactured, like high fructose corn syrup, or they can come from natural sources, like honey, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, sugar beets, concentrated fruit or cane sugar. The bottom line is they are still used as an added sugar, despite coming from natural sources.

How much added sugar is OK to consume? The American Heart Association’s new dietary guidelines recommend no added sugars for toddlers under the age of 2. For children over the age of 2 and women, the recommendation is a maximum of six teaspoons (25 grams), or under 100 calories per day from sugar. For men, the recommendation is nine teaspoons (36 grams), or up to 150 calories per day. Most American adults consume an average of 77 grams of sugar per day (adding up to

language preservation. When asked if anyone can consider themselves an Aynvaul without being Irish-American themselves, he replied: “Yes, so long as they aren’t appropriating it but seriously want to rekindle their Irish roots or even adopt new ones... they are fellow Aynvauls in my book.” When I asked why learn a dying language like Irish Gaelic? He explained: “Because our language is dying... As Padraic Pearse, an Irish teacher and political activist, was inclined to say, ‘A people without their language is a people without their soul.’ It’s not like we are in Ireland - that language is what actually makes us a sort of Irish and not just “plastic pretenders”... it is our duty as Irish-Americans to learn it.” He also emphasized that having a community cant language is advantageous.

Aynvaul’s unique approach to preserving Irish heritage and language has set it apart from other micronations. Its commitment to revitalizing local Irish language and culture has created a sense of community among its members and has given them a shared identity that transcends traditional notions of nationality. Whether you’re an IrishAmerican looking to reconnect with your roots or simply curious about this intriguing phenomenon, Aynvaul offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of micronationalism. So next time you’re strolling through Long Island’s hamlets or bustling towns like Garden City or Massapequa, keep an eye out for that distinctive flag flying high or low - it might just be flown by someone worth greeting in Irish.

over 60 pounds a year).

How do you know how much sugar is in food? Look on the labels. New labeling laws require added sugars to be printed on labels. The label lists total sugars, which includes sugars naturally present in food and added sugars. A line under “total sugars” lists how much added sugar is in the product and the percentage of added sugars based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

I’ve found a good way to cut back on added sugars (think cakes, cookies, pies and jam) is to substitute fruit, especially frozen fruit, for cravings. Freeze a handful of grapes or cut-up pineapple. Choose fruit spreads over jams. Use half the sugar a recipe calls for in baked goods (you’re not likely to even notice a difference). You can also try using some of the newer artificial sweeteners such as monkfruit, Sola, stevia, Swerve, Truvia and allulose.

As with salt, we can train our taste buds to crave less sugar over time.

Q and A

Q: Now that school is just around the corner, how can I get my kids to

take healthier lunches to school?

A: Try to get kids invested in choosing lunch options by making a game out of meal planning. Have your kids pick fruits and vegetables by color and focus on a different color each week, or challenge them to find a fruit or vegetable in the store that they’ve never tried before. Have them choose a protein, fruit, vegetable and whole grain to include each day with their carton of milk. While a sandwich works, mixing it up keeps lunches interesting. Let them choose between string cheese, a carton of yogurt, apple slices with peanut butter, almonds, grapes, baby carrots, sliced bell peppers and hummus; the possibilities are endless. Keeping lunches cold in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack is important. Pack as much as you can the night before to take the stress out of busy school mornings.

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.

Will Extra Earnings Increase a Social Security Check? Maybe.

BY TOM MARGENAU

When I talk to various groups and organizations about Social Security, my PowerPoint presentation includes a slide with a bar graph that shows the most common sources of income for elderly Americans. As you might guess, the longest bar on the graph is Social Security. About 85% of seniors get a Social Security check. Other bars on the graph represent various income sources such as “Retirement benefits other than Social Security,” “Veteran’s benefits,” “Asset income,” etc.

But today, I want to talk about another bar on that graph. That bar represents “Earnings from work.” As I’ve updated that graph over the years, I’ve watched that bar grow longer and longer. When I first started using that slide, earned income was just a tiny little blip. Only about 5% of seniors were working. But today, it’s about 35% and still climbing. In other words, more and more older Americans are working.

I haven’t bothered to search for data to explain why that is happening. But I can make two guesses. One: More and more seniors need to work to supplement their Social Security check. And two: Many seniors are just more inclined to work until later in life. I can back up that latter assertion with anecdotal evidence from my 32-year career with the Social Security Administration. When I started working there in 1973, most seniors started their Social Security benefits at age 62. By the time I retired in 2005, many older folks were waiting until their full retirement age to file. And today, almost 20 years after my retirement, I can tell from my emails that waiting until 70 to file for Social Security benefits is more and more common.

But no matter when you start your benefits, seniors who continue to work after their Social Security checks start rolling in usually have two questions for me. And they go something like this: “I’m 74 years old and just went back to work. Do I still have to pay Social Security taxes even though I’m already getting Social Security benefits? And if yes, will my current earnings increase my Social Security benefit?”

The answer to the first question is “Yes.” All people who work at jobs that are covered by Social Security (and almost all jobs are) must have payroll taxes deducted from their paychecks -- whether they are 16 years old or 116 years old.

The answer to the second question is “Maybe.” To understand whether the earnings you have and the taxes you pay after you start getting Social Security will increase your benefits, you have to understand how Social Security retirement benefits are figured in the first place.

Simply stated, your Social Security retirement benefit is based on your average monthly income, indexed for inflation, using a 35-year base of earnings. So, when

you initially filed for benefits, the Social Security Administration looked at your entire earnings history. Then, they adjusted each year of earnings for inflation. The inflation adjustment factor depends on your year of birth and varies from one year to the next.

Here is just one example. Let’s take a guy who was born in 1949. And let’s say that he made $7,000 in 1970. When figuring his Social Security benefit, the SSA multiplied that $7,000 by an inflation adjustment factor of 6.58. In other words, instead of $7,000, they actually used $46,060 as his 1970 earnings when figuring his Social Security benefit. (There are different inflation factors for each year of earnings.)

After the SSA indexes each year of earnings for inflation, they pull out your highest 35 years and add them up. Then they divide the total by 420 -- that’s the number of months in 35 years -- to get your average monthly inflation-adjusted income. Your Social Security benefit is a percentage of that amount. The percentage used depends on a variety of factors too complex to explain here. But for the purposes of this fact sheet, we don’t need to know the precise percentage. Suffice it to say that for most people, their Social Security retirement benefit represents roughly 40% of their average inflation-adjusted monthly income.

So, when you are working and paying Social Security taxes after you start receiving Social Security benefits, those additional taxes you are paying will increase your monthly Social Security check IF your current earnings increase your average monthly income. In other words, if your current annual income is higher than the lowest inflation-adjusted year of earnings used in your most recent Social Security computation, the SSA will drop out that low year, add in the new higher year, recalculate your average monthly income, and then refigure your Social Security benefit.

Here is a quick example of what I mean. Let’s go back to that guy who made $7,000 in 1970 and say that was the lowest year in his current Social Security computation. And let’s further say that he is now working and made $35,000 last year. You might assume that because $35,000 is much higher than $7,000, he should get an increase in his Social Security checks. But remember, the SSA didn’t use $7,000 in his benefit calculation. They used the inflation-adjusted amount of $46,060. Because his current earnings of $35,000 are lower than the low year of $46,060 used in his Social Security retirement computation, the additional earnings do NOT increase his average monthly income, so his Social Security benefit will not go up.

On the other hand, had his current earnings been $70,000, for example, that would increase his benefit. The SSA would replace his low year of $46,060 with the new higher year of $70,000, recompute

his average monthly wage and refigure his benefit.

Now let’s say you are in a situation like that. You’re working, you’ve had a good year of earnings and you are pretty sure it should increase your Social Security check. So, what do you have to

do to make that happen? The answer is: nothing.

The SSA has a software program that automatically tracks the earnings of working Social Security beneficiaries

Continued on next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

How has the Nassau County real estate market been doing?

Year over year the real estate market has done fairly well considering the average selling price, which as of June 2024 was $1,042,353. The average median selling price was $801,000; which means half of the homes sold above and half sold below the median sale price. The average original listing price was $1,053,617. The median original listing price was $799,000. We had 2.6 months of residential inventory as of June 2024 (the number of months it would take to sell all the listed available homes). Comparing year over year, active residential inventory as of June 2024 was up a slight 0.57%. The absorption time was down 21.63%. However, contracts were off 16.02% and the number of closed sales was up 7.57 percent. The number of residential units was at a high of 1284 units in May 2024 and a low of 707 units in November 2023. In June 2023 the number of available units was 1141 compared with 1121 units in June 2024.

The number of condos and coops varies depending on what month you are looking at. In July 2023 the number of available units was 181 and fluctuated from a low of 117 in December 2023 to a high of 214 in May 2024 of condos and coops units. The number of available units usually increases in January and escalates through May during the selling season. However, as of June inventory of both classes of condos and coops increased consistently in 2024 except in March where it was down 1.80%. For most of 2023, inventory was down as buyers gobbled up what they could, and absorption time varied from 3.3 months in July 2023 to a low of 1.8 months in March 2024. As of June 2024, the absorption rate was 2.7 months. There were 122 contracts in July 2023 with a low of 105 in December 2023 and then increased. As of June 2024 where there were 161 contracts. There is a direct correlation with the time of year, the number of units available, and the number of contracts. Last winter was milder than normal with less than 6 inches of snow, which allowed more

Continued from previous page

and refigures their benefits to see if any increase is due. It generally happens between May and October of each year.

In other words, if you are getting Social Security benefits, and if you are working, and if your latest earnings increase your average monthly wage and thus

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

buyers to purchase and sellers to sell. Historically normal inventory has been 6-7 months; so we are still way below the typical and ordinary threshold. When the market imploded in 2008, we had an oversupply of 11 months and prices were severely impacted due to the reduced demand. To stimulate the economy the Fed funds rate (the overnight rate at which banks lend to each other) was reduced to 0.25% until 2015, when the rate began increasing. Currently, mortgage rates for the top tier of borrowers having 750+ credit scores can be secured in the low 6% range.

the sidelines and becomes less relevant as a potential bidding war can occur. Demand fluctuates depending on the time of the year. There are still more purchasers than available homes. In my 42+ years in the real estate industry, I have never experienced the craziness of the market today on Long Island. Cycles occur where prices go up when there is inadequate supply and then level off and come down based on excessive inventory beyond what would be considered normal. It’s basic supply-demand economics.

are the top 4 foreclosure states in 2024. There was a 7% increase in bank repossessions from the previous quarter but a notable 20% decline compared to a year ago.

There is talk about a potential rate cut in September as layoffs increase and job creation has slowed. However, the jury is out as to whether or not this will occur. If it does, then the last quarter of 2024 might be an excellent time to consider selling and purchasing.

Prices are still strong due to the severe shortage of homes. There is still quite a lot of money out there, especially from those paying outright for their purchase, searching for their next place to call home and investment properties. If it makes sense in the brain it will make cents in one’s pocketbook. Regardless of the interest rates, it’s an amazing time for those who need or want to sell, downsize, or upgrade and cash in and take the money and run to the bank. I have noticed sellers, who have accumulated a lot of appreciation and are financing their next purchase, are utilizing much larger down payment; or if downsizing, paying cash for their purchase. So the higher interest rates aren’t a major concern in those situations. My most recent contract has my buyers putting down almost 50% for their purchase.

Pricing your home to entice more consumers to consider visiting your place is critical in getting the highest price within a quicker time frame. It starts with attracting as many eyeballs as possible on the internet and local weekly papers. Pricing at or slightly below the market will create a stronger feeding frenzy. Once emotion sets in price sometimes can be pushed to

However, the pandemic has caused the normal averages and statistics to be thrown out the window. The normal market had been drastically altered as people exited large cities to get as far away from people and Covid-19 as possible. This created a demand that was not typical. More people began permanently working at home as companies shut down between March 2020 and June 10, 2020. The fashion in which real estate was purchased also changed as more needed office space at home and it became a crucial facet of decision-making. Slowly the working environment morphed into a hybrid atmosphere as some had to go back to work several days a week, as my daughter experienced.

Until the supply of homes becomes more normalized, which could take 5-10 years, my professional opinion is that only a huge surge in foreclosures, much higher rates, or a long-contracted catastrophic event will slow this market. However, current foreclosures did increase in the first quarter of 2024; 32,878 in March a drop of less than 1% from the previous month and a 10% decline from 2023 as per ATTOM, a property data provider. Foreclosure starts increased nationwide by 2%, spiking in New Hampshire, Illinois, and Florida. However, Illinois, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Florida

SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU

your Social Security benefit, you generally will see that increase by October of the following year. For example, you would get an increase for your 2023 earnings by October 2024. The SSA sends you a notice indicating the increase in your monthly benefit, which is retroactive to January of the year you get the notice.

If you don’t get an increase, that

means your earnings were simply not high enough to raise your average monthly income and thus your Social Security benefit.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand

Philip A. Raices is the owner/ Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 42+ 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 also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

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

Save his My New Electronic signature/Bio/Reviews to save to your contacts: https://onetapconnect.com/ turnkeyrealestate-philraices

Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon. com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

BY MARY HUNT

Of all my pet peeves (yes, I do have more than a few), I put laundry stains right up at the top of the list. That’s why I was so interested to read today’s first great reader tip. Blueberry stains are one of the most challenging. But who knew they could also be one of the easiest to remove?

BLUEBERRY STAINS

My family eats a lot of blueberries and gets the juice on their clothes. I keep a spray bottle of water and vinegar mixture by my clothes washer. Whenever a blueberry stain shows up, I spray the mixture on it and the stain turns pink. I throw it in the washer with the other clothes, and it comes out perfectly. -- Kristen, Washington FREEZING PIZZA

The best way to store leftover pizza is to freeze it. Then when you want a piece, just pop it in the oven. It is almost as good as the day you bought it, and it’s not dried out. I buy the two-pizza specials on delivery pizza and freeze one. -- Anonymous, email

MARY SAYS: Reheating in the oven reigns supreme. It’s the best way to

BY MARY HUNT

Late fees, punitive interest rates, over-limit fees, loading up your credit report with negative information -- it’s enough to make you scream!

It’s not that your creditors are doing anything illegal. You just didn’t understand the power you gave them when you accepted that credit card (it was buried in the fine print). And now it seems like they’re staying up nights looking for new ways to stick it to you. If you’ve just about had enough, maybe it’s time for you to turn the tables and get back at them.

PAY EARLY

Nearly 30% of a credit card company’s profits are derived from fees -- annual fees, late fees and over-limit fees. You’d think they would be pretty satisfied with all that interest you send them each

EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE

No More Laundry Stain Blues

achieve that perfect combination of a crispy crust and melty cheese that we all crave. Follow these simple steps to reheat your pizza to perfection: Preheat your oven to around 350 F (175 C). Place the frozen pizza directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet. Bake the pizza for approximately 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on it to make sure it is heating evenly and doesn’t burn. Remove the pizza from the oven when it is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. -- MH

PUPPY STAINS

Our daughter gave us a puppy. Of course, there were accidents on the rug. My daughter told me to blot the spot with a paper towel, sprinkle one-fourth inch of baking soda on the spot and let it dry for about 24 hours. Then I just vacuum up the dried baking soda. It works great!

-- Marie S., Indiana FLUFF

AS YOU DRY

When I dry comforters, sheets, blankets or anything that just wads up in the dryer, I also throw in a tennis ball. It separates the sheets, blankets, etc. It only costs a few bucks for three cheap balls. The kicker is they last forever, and your linens dry much faster, saving electricity. -- Patricia M., email

SINGLE CUP OF OJ

I make orange juice from concentrate, but sometimes I end up throwing half of it away because I don’t drink it fast enough. While visiting my friend, I noticed she would make a glass of orange or grape juice by scooping out a spoonful of frozen concentrate from the container in the freezer, putting it in a glass the size of the drink that she wanted, adding water and stirring. I thought this was a great technique! -- Diana M., email ANTS BEGONE

To get rid of those annoying little kitchen ants, lay out dryer fabric sheets. Put them behind your canisters, appliances and even bathroom sinks. The ants will quickly disappear. -- Melissa, Tennessee RECORD THAT NUMBER

I pay my bills online. At first, when I got the confirmation numbers, I was writing them down on scraps of paper near my computer and losing them. So now I always have my checkbook register handy, and when I deduct the amount in it, I write the confirmation number in the transaction description line. My computer is much neater now, too. -- Nancy P., email

How to Stick It to Your Creditors

month. But no. They want more. The days when issuers allowed 10 or 15 days for a payment to arrive after a due date before charging a fee are long gone. Now those fees kick in if you’re even five minutes late, and they can range from $20 to $39 per occurrence*.

Get back at your credit card company by making a decision right now to never pay another dime in late fees. Be quick with your payment. Send it in the preprinted envelope that came with your statement (or pay online). Don’t enclose a note, use a paper clip, decorate with stickers or do anything that will pull it out of the fast track and into the slow line known as manual processing.

STAY BELOW

Your credit card account most likely has a credit limit. But running up a balance that is anywhere near that limit is

deadly for your credit score. The rule of thumb is that you should never be using more than 30% of your credit limit. For example, if your limit is $1,000, you should never have a balance of more than $300 at any time during the billing cycle. Zero balance is even better!

Get back at your card company by creating a wide margin between your balance and your limit.

STOP USING

Your card companies are playing the odds. They know the more you use your cards, the better their chances that you’ll go nuts and rack up a big load of debt. When your balance becomes greater than the amount you can pay off in a single month, they’ve got you. They’re doing all they can to encourage that to happen.

Get back at your company by not adding new purchases to your burgeoning load of debt. You’ll do yourself a favor and get back at them at the same time.

OPEN EYES

All your creditors know what’s in your credit report. They read it regularly. You should too. Part of your agreement with them is that they can check up on you whenever they like to see how you are handling your financial affairs.

Get back at your creditors by staying ahead of them. Manage your credit report by reading it regularly. If you don’t understand what it says, ask. And if you see something on there that you know to be untrue, dispute. But don’t stop there. If your creditors are punishing you for things on your credit report that were not

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

true, don’t sit back passively. Get it fixed, then confront them. Don’t back off until they reverse the action.

PAY OFF

Probably nothing will benefit you more than bringing your balances to $0. It’s like getting a tax-free raise because you get to keep all that money you’ve been sending each month to your creditors.

Go ahead and stick it to your creditors by refusing to send them one more penny in interest.

*As of recent updates, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has set specific limits on late fees. For example, the maximum allowable late fee for the first violation is typically capped around $30, and subsequent violations within six billing cycles may be capped around $41. These amounts are subject to periodic adjustments for inflation.

STARGAZERS

Find the Apollo Lunar Landing Sites

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of July 14-20, 2024

It was 55 years ago this month that humans first set foot on the moon. I’d been excited about this since I saw in our local newspaper a closeup photo of the lunar crater named Alphonsus, captured by the approaching robotic Ranger 9 spacecraft in 1965.

I peered at the moon -- and the crater Alphonsus -- as often as I could through my small backyard telescope, and I even had a board game called “Melvin the Moon Man” that was my absolute favorite! But none of this could compare to events I hoped would one day become reality.

And then, on the evening of July 20, 1969, it finally happened. Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong became the first human to step onto the powdery lunar surface, followed soon after by lunar module pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.

I remember it vividly. I had just completed a cross-country drive with a friend and arrived home only minutes before the historic moment. How exciting it was to watch it on TV as the words “live from the moon” appeared across the screen.

NASA had been preparing for this moment for nearly a decade -- first with the Mercury spacecraft that carried one astronaut to learn if humans could function well in space. Then came the

Gemini program, which teamed two astronauts to test out rendezvous and docking maneuvers.

Finally came the Apollo program, which flew three astronauts to test the equipment and procedures necessary to make a lunar landing and safe return to Earth.

After the Apollo 11 flight, five other missions landed on the moon. Apollo 13, of course, suffered an oxygen tank explosion while the astronauts were 200,000 miles from home and never landed on the moon. The astronauts made it home safely, but not before enduring some remarkable tests of human bravery and engineering.

This terrifying story was told dramatically in Ron Howard’s 1995 award-winning film “Apollo 13.” If you’ve never seen it, drop everything and watch it. It will leave you breathless!

Decades have passed since those inspiring years of lunar exploration. Unfortunately, we no longer have the technology to return humans to the moon -- it’s coming soon, I hope -- but there’s still a way to relive those exciting Apollo missions. All we need to do is break out the binoculars or a small telescope on the next clear night and have a look at our nearest cosmic neighbor.

There we can find the places where each of the Apollo missions landed. Of course, we can’t see the actual landing sites or the landers, rovers or flags left behind -- these are much too small for

even the largest of telescopes to see from Earth -- but we can see the areas where astronauts have visited.

This is a good week to do this project. The moon is now in its waxing gibbous phase and will be full on the night of July 20. You can use the accompanying image to check out each of the landing

areas as the moon rises in the east just after sunset.

And if you happen to spot Melvin cavorting on the lunar surface, give him a smile and wave for me!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. .

Turn Your Wheel and Cough

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t really know much about cars. So when my car started making a funny noise, I had no idea what it could be. I knew this noise wasn’t its regular noise. The regular noise usually sounded like “vroomvroom,” but this new noise sounded a little like “cough-cough.” Although I wasn’t very car-savvy, I was a mom, and being a mom, I was pretty sure I knew what the problem was.

“The car has a cold,” I told my husband.

“Excuse me?” he replied from his place on the couch where he usually sat when I told him something was broken and was going to cost us a lot of money to fix.

“It has a cold,” I said. “It seems very low-energy, and it has a cough.”

“Cars don’t get colds,” he said.

“Well, its symptoms are very flu-

like,” I argued. The car reminded me a little of my husband when he got a “man cold.” It was coughing and sluggish and needy. The only difference was, the car didn’t look up its symptoms on WebMD.

“Cars don’t get colds,” he repeated more slowly, as though saying it slower would make me agree with him faster.

“OK, so maybe not a cold,” I said reluctantly. “Then it’s probably, um ... the carburetor!”

He shook his head. I knew he thought I had no idea what I was talking about because, to be honest, I did have a history of having no idea what I was talking about. In these instances, I would guess it was something I knew the name of, like a carburetor, so it would seem like I did, in fact, know what I was talking about, although it was highly unlikely that I did.

“Do you even know what a carburetor does?” he asked.

Yes,” I said enthusiastically. “It

berates the car.”

He raised an eyebrow dubiously.

“What about the transmission?” he asked.

“It transmits things,” I said. “That is its mission.”

He shook his head and looked at the dog for support. The dog wisely stayed out of it.

“You know nothing about cars,” he said. “Just admit it.”

“I do so,” I argued.

“OK, let’s try something easier. Where does the washer fluid go?

“On the windshield.”

“No. I mean, where does it come from?”

“The store,” I said emphatically.

“Where do you put it in the car?”

“In the backseat until the gas station attendant can pour it in.”

He exhaled deeply. “... And where does he pour it into?

“The car,” I replied.

He got up from the couch and banged his head against the wall.

“Forget I asked ... anything. Ever. About cars,” he said. I shrugged. I could understand his frustration. We’d had similar conversations about women’s shoes.

“OK,” I said. “Well, I guess I’ll make an appointment with the mechanic to figure out what’s wrong and get it fixed.”

“You don’t need to do that,” he replied.

“Why not?” I said.

He picked up his laptop.

“I’ll just look up the symptoms on CarMD.”

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.

July 20 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

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

HELP WANTED

MUSIC DIRECTOR IN EAST WILLISTON, N.Y.

Min reqmnt: B.M. in Orch. Instruments, Piano or rel. Mail resume to The Young Nak Presbyterian Church of New York, Attn: Hoseop Choe, 65 E. Williston Ave., East Williston, N.Y. 11596

PERSONAL ASSISTANT

Part Time Position. Various duties including driving to doctor appointments, shopping, misc errands. Must be licensed driver and be able to furnish references upon request. Call 516-292-1857 or 516-253-8454

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

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)

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED MOTHER

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

Oh Star of the Sea, help me herein and show me here 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 succor 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 cause in your hands (say three times). Amen.

This prayer is never known to fail and is to be said for 3 consecutive days. In Gratitude (M.T.F.)

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

516-746-8900

Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-Silver-MirrorsLamps-Artwork

Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit.... Our Shop

109 Eleventh St.

Garden City

Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4

Shop Our Online Store ATStewartExchange.org

Items to Consign?

Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange.org

All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society

Like us on Facebook & Instagram

MUST BE SEEN! RARE

AUTHENTIC GIANT PACIFIC CLAM SHELL 30 INCHES WIDE.

Great decorative piece in excellent condition. Perfect for backyard or pool area. Call for appointment 516-287-6999.

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!

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

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

JAGUAR XJ8

2003 4 door

Dark green good condition

2nd owner

156,000 miles good engine needs trans rebuild or could be as a car for its many good parts.

Located in Syosset asking $850 Call Arnold 516-817-9554

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS

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

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

APARTMENT FOR RENT

GARDEN CITY BORDER APARTMENTS.

Huge, Bright King 2 Br 2 bath apt $2,650- + Electric.

Reserved Gated Parking. Laundry room, Air conditioning, Dishwasher, Hardwood floors. LIRR. NO BROKER FEE, www.gardencityborder.com. Voice or text: 516-524-6965

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

APARTMENTFOR RENT

GARDEN CITY LUXURY APARTMENTS FOR RENT

3, 2, & 1 Bedrooms. Updated. Ample Parking Immediate Occupancy Starting at $3,200 516-313-8504 Garden City Properties 516-746-1563

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

WANTED

APARTMENT WANTED

Wanted 2 Bedroom Apartment.

Mint condition. PhoneJohn 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! 1-866-7824069

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: 1-888454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider

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

ALARM SYSTEMS

FIRST CALL SECURITY

Serving Garden City & Surrounding areas for over 20 years. Free Switchovers

We Service All Brands Installation, Expert Service Control Your Alarm With Your Smartphone No Phone Line, No Problem! Call Now For Free Estimate.. 516-747-9111

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900 SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS SYSTEM TURN ONS

Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs

Joe Barbato 516-775-1199

BEAUTIFUL BATH UP -

DATES 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

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

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

AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-

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

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! 1-866448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

We’re looking for writers in our community to compose articles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section. Love to write?

Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com

• Attach article and any photos (1MB), along with your name and contact info.

• Articles must be between 1,500 – 3,000 words.

• Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰

Savory crêpes are the star of this lasagna

Lasagne di

Crespelle (Crepe Lasagna)

Lasagna is the perfect dish to feed a crowd. It can feature everything from cheeses to meats to vegetables, and often the leftovers taste even better than the meal on the first day.

Lasagna typically is made with long sheets of pasta, but “Lasagne di Crespelle” from “Nick Stellino’s Family Kitchen” (G.P Putnam’s Sons) utilizes thin crêpes as the pasta in this dish. Also, a mix of both meat and béchamel sauces create a depth of flavor that can be a welcome surprise.

Serves 6 generously.

2 recipes Savory Crêpes (see below)

6 cups meat sauce

3 cups béchamel sauce

1. Preheat oven to 375.

2. Prepare the crêpes, meat sauce and béchamel sauce. Fold the nutmeg into the béchamel sauce.

3. Lightly grease a lasagna pan with olive oil, and pour in 1 cup of the meat sauce. Top with

Savory Crêpes

Makes 14 to 16, 8-inch crêpes

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup cold water

1. Measure flour, 3⁄4 cup water, milk, eggs, butter, and salt into a blender or mixing bowl. Blend or whisk until smooth. Refrigerate, covered, for 15 to 30 minutes.

2. When ready to cook the crêpes, add the remaining cold water to thin the batter to the consistency of heavy cream.

3. Heat a very seasoned skillet or a 10-inch nonstick fry pan over medium-high heat and

1⁄8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

a layer of crêpes and spread with a thin layer of the béchamel sauce (about 1⁄4 cup), then sprinkle with grated cheese and top with another layer of crêpes and a thin layer of meat sauce. Repeat layering to the top of the pan, making plenty

1⁄2 cup cold milk

2 eggs

of layers; keep each layer thin. 4. Finish with a layer of crêpes and béchamel sauce, and sprinkle with the grated cheese and parsley. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until light brown and bubbly. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

add a few drops of olive oil.

4. Lift the pan from the heat and ladle about 1⁄4 cup of the batter into the center. Quickly tilt the pan in all directions so the batter forms a thin, lacy pancake. Cook the crêpe for 30 to 40 seconds, until the edges curl and brown slightly. Flip the crêpe with a flexible heat-resistant spatula or nimble fingers, and cook the other side for about 15 seconds, until

spotted with brown and dry. Remove from the pan.

5. Stack the cooked crêpes on top of each other to keep them warm.

If the batter becomes thick toward the bottom of the bowl and the cooked crêpes do not have tiny lacy bubbles around the outside rim, add a teaspoon of water to the batter, mix, and continue cooking.

St. Ignatius Loyola Church will be hosting a bus trip to Wind Creek Casino in

Casino bus trip

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) 9375527. Please make checks payable to “St. Ignatius Church”.

Attention students!

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

POB hosts alumna talk on fashion studies

POBJFK High School's fashion classes had the privilege of hosting Ellyn Park, an alumna currently studying fashion design at Drexel University, for a special guest presentation on June 4. The event was organized by Rosemarie Elder, the school's esteemed fashion teacher.

Ellyn Park, who graduated from JFK High School and excelled in Mrs. Elder's fashion class, returned to share her impressive college portfolio with current students. She showcased her innovative designs and discussed her enriching internship experience in Korea.

The students were captivated by Ellyn's journey from JFK High School to Drexel University and her exploration of international fashion design. Her visit provided valuable insights into the world of fashion design and inspired aspiring designers in the classroom.

"We are thrilled to have Ellyn return to JFK High School and share her experiences and achievements with our students," Elder said. "Her journey is a testament to the dedication and creativity that we nurture in our fashion program. We hope her story motivates our students to pursue their passions and strive for excellence in their future endeavors."

Alumna Ellyn Park visited with Fashion 1 and 2 students at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School to share her portfolio and experiences at Drexel University.

Photo courtesy of Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District

Electric circuit reliability work begins in Levittown

PSEG Long Island has announced that it is improving the reliability of the energy grid in Levittown by doing work in this area. The storm hardening work on this distribution circuit is part of many system improvements included in the “Power On” program.

“We are working hard to reduce the number of outages that occur during severe weather by strengthening the electric lines that directly power homes and businesses,” said Peggy Keane, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Construction and Operations Services. “This Power On infrastructure improvement project in Levittown is part of PSEG Long Island’s ongoing, multi-year effort to continue to improve electric reliability for customers.”

The work began in early June and is expected to last for approximately seven months. PSEG Long Island’s licensed and approved contractors will work along distribution lines in Levittown. To ensure traffic moves safely, PSEG Long Island will provide cones, flaggers and signage at the worksites, as needed. Local officials will also be notified in advance regarding any potential traffic concerns.

The storm-hardening improvements include:

Stronger poles: PSEG Long Island will replace some existing utility poles with stronger, more durable poles that are capable of withstanding winds up to 135 mph. The new poles will be approximately the same height as the existing poles, have a stronger base and will be placed no more than 5 feet from the current pole locations.

PSEG Long Island will actively coordinate the removal of old poles with other utilities and municipalities.

Narrow profiles: To help wires deflect falling limbs instead of catching them, PSEG Long Island will be installing shorter cross arms atop some poles.

Stronger wire: Current wire will be replaced with more resilient and durable wire.

Upgrading: PSEG Long Island will upgrade or replace worn equipment as necessary.

Crews will be working on the following streets in Levittown:

Dogwood Lane between Newbridge Road and Wolcott Road

Private rear property along Old Farm Road between Dogwood Lane and Bittersweet Lane

Rear property along Bittersweet Lane

Rear property along Butternut Lane between Bittersweet Lane and Bucket Lane

Rear property along Eagle Lane between Bucket Lane and Jerusalem Avenue

Jerusalem Avenue between Mallard Road and Hempstead Turnpike

Hempstead Turnpike between Jerusalem Avenue and Grassy Lane

Rear property along Grassy Lane between Hempstead Turnpike and Bucket Lane

Jerusalem Avenue between Meridian Road and Heather Lane

Rear property between Old Farm Road and Azalea Road

Rear property between Azalea Road and

PSEG Long Island crews perform storm hardening work as part of the company’s multi-year effort to strengthen the grid.

Periwinkle Road

Rear properties along Carnation Road, Ivy Lane, Primrose Lane, Hyacinth Road, Buttercup Lane and Poppy Lane

Rear property along Periwinkle Road between Poppy Lane and Peony Road

Rear properties along Mistletoe Lane, Gardenia Lane, Bluebell Lane, Lily Lane and Tulip Lane

Power On, a program that started in the spring of 2020, continues the work now

that the FEMA program has concluded. Since the launch of Power On, more than 352 miles of the most vulnerable distribution mainline and branch line circuits on Long Island and in the Rockaways have been storm hardened with stronger poles, thicker wire and other modern equipment. Power On focuses on mainline circuits, the backbone of the distribution system. The main lines feed the many branch lines that power the homes and businesses in individual communities.

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.

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

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 ceremo-

ny 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.

“I’m

saving about $1,800 a year in energy costs with LED lighting.”*

—Guy Brogna, All Music Inc, Plainview

Meet Guy. He’s a local small business owner, rock bassist, and fan of LEDs. It didn’t hurt that he got $5,900 in rebates to replace his store’s old lighting with energy-efficient fixtures.* He says his store and his guitars look great in the new LED glow. And, with the monthly energy cost savings, he couldn’t be happier.

psegliny.com/businessrebates

Find the highest quality care at one of 100+ NYU Langone Health locations across Long Island.