Syosset Advance (7/26/24)

School supply drive benefits kids in need

From left, Syosset Public Library Director Christine Belling, Assistant Director Sharon Long, Deputy Minority Leader Drucker, Head of Adult Programming Alisa Fogel and Programming & Arts Librarian Pam Strudler pictured with donations on Wednesday, July 17. Photo courtesy Office of Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker

Dentist honors brother with oral cancer awareness

BY GARY SIMEONE

It was in 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, when Dr Parul Dua Makkar, a Jericho based dentist, had gotten word that her younger brother was terminally ill with cancer. Her brother, Dr Manu Dua, also a dentist, was living in Canada when he received the grim diagnosis of oral cancer. He found out the diagnosis at the young age of thirty-three, with the doctors telling him he had only a short time to live.

“I ended up getting my PCR test in the midst of the pandemic and then flying to see my brother in Alberta, Canada in December of 2020,” said Dr Makkar.

She said that her brother had written a series of blogs on topics such as parental love, hope, achievements, learning from failures and facing mortality at a young age.

“It was his dying wish to have these blogs published and I wanted to make his last wish turned into a reality. I put everything together and wrote the epilogue for the book, describing what it was like losing someone to cancer in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The book was entitled, ‘Life Interrupted- Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide.’

Dr Manu Dua died in March of 2021 and the book was published in August of that same year. He was thirty-four years old when he died after battling oral cancer for two years.

In the few years since the book was published, it has earned several awards including 2024 American Legacy Book Award, 2024 International Impact Book Award, 2023 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite and 2022 CIPA EVVY Gold Award in Motivational/ Inspirational memoir.

Dr Makkar has been extremely proactive since her brother’s passing, holding lectures and symposiums on the importance of early detection on oral and head/neck cancers.

One of her symposiums, entitled the ‘Dua Good Job Symposium, she talks

See page 8

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) thanks the Plainview-Old Bethpage and Syosset communities for their generous support of the Scott Martella “Supply our Students Drive” in support of the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.

During recent visits to the Plainview-Old Bethpage and Syosset Public Libraries, Deputy Minority Leader Drucker was updated on the impressive

proceeds of the drive so far, which 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 for-

Dr. Makkar said that her brother had made peace with his fate and wrote the blogs with his depth and wisdom, chronicling his realization of life and what truly matters.

“When I wrote the epilogue for him, I didn’t talk about his last days but focused on who Manu was as a person. I described how cancer doesn’t just affect the person, but the whole community and how a grim diagnosis can bring everyone together.”

Dr. Manu Dua

Levittown Chamber of Commerce Spotlight on Business

BY TARA CASSANO, LEVITTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce would like to introduce Patricia Patane, President of the Levittown Community Council for the last several years and a member of the Council since 2010. The position of President and the entire Board of the Community Council are all volunteers who have “day jobs.”Patane’s day job for the past 27 years is with AlcottHR as their Director of Administration. She is married to her husband Don with son Ryan and daughter-in law Irina… and don’t forget their Westie, Bailey.

The Levittown Community Council was formed in 1998 for Levittown’s 50th anniversary and continued with new events moving forward, including Levittown’s 75th anniversary celebration last year.

Patane says their mission is to promote pride and unity in the Levittown community…. To bring together organizations and residents of Levittown and surrounding areas for the betterment of the community.

When asking Patane about some other thoughts, she had this to say “An organization is only as strong as its board and its members.  We are fortunate to have a committed team of individuals who work tirelessly to provide the many events that we offer throughout the year: WinterFest, Earth Day Cleanup, Jr. Volunteer of the Year Awards, Lazy Days of Summer, Youth Recognition Award, Halloween Horror House, Home for the Holidays and new this year… a Halloween Pet Parade!”

Patane says the Community Council

Patricia Patane, president of the Levittown Community Council

also support their organization mem bers in the pursuit of their goals, which includes an annual contribution to Adopt a Family which benefits under privileged children in the community.  Events are free to the community, fund ed through the generosity of local busi nesses and membership fees. Annual membership is nominal: Individual is $15, Family is $20 and an Organization/ Business Membership is $50.

If you would like to support your community, and have fun doing it, please reach out to the Levittown Community Council for more informa tion on how you can be a part of this group. They can be reached at levittown council@yahoo.com and their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/ LevittownCommunityCouncilinc.

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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

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Brooklyn man arrested on weapons charge

Nassau County Police arrested a Brooklyn man for allegedly possessing an illegal firearm during a traffic stop on Friday, July 19, at 9:11 p.m. in Woodbury.

According to detectives, Criminal Intelligence Rapid Response Team (CIRRT) Officers while on routine patrol observed a gray 2011 Mercedes-Benz traveling northbound on Woodbury Road at a high rate of speed. Police say that a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun and a switchblade knife was recovered from inside the vehicle during the traffic stop. The operator of the vehicle, Emmanuel E. Pressley, 20, arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree and multiple VTL violations.

Love to write?

We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles 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.

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

Gun recovered during arrest.

Photo courtesy Nassau County Police Department

Emmanuel E. Pressley

Water conservation poster contest winners honored

The Hicksville Water District (HWD) recently held an awards ceremony to celebrate the 29 winners of the District’s 2024 Water Conservation Poster Contest. An annual tradition in the District, the poster contest helps Hicksville’s elementary school students to learn about the importance of water conservation, as well as the necessity of protecting our sole-source aquifer. Water is our most precious natural resource, and this contest allows students to express their own creativity as well as inspiring them to begin conserving water ahead of the very usage-heavy summer irrigation season.

“Our Water Conservation Poster Contest is always a highlight of our year,” said HWD Chairman Karl Schweitzer. “To see such enthusiasm for participating in this event year after year is encouraging for us, as it demonstrates that our community’s young people are developing a passion for protecting their environment at a young age. The work turned in by our students this year was fantastic, and it instills further confidence within us that our water will be protected for future generations.”

Hicksville Water District Chairman Karl Schweitzer (back, second from left) was joined by fellow Commissioners Nicholas Brigandi (back, far left) and William Schuckmann (back, center), as well as HWD Clerk Jennifer Sbrocco and Treasurer Vincent Abbatiello in celebrating the winners of the 2024 Water Conservation Poster Contest during the recent awards ceremony.

The winners of the 2024 poster contest are as follows:

Kindergarten

• Angela Sangar - East Street Elementary School

• Elani Guzman - Dutch Lane Elementary School

• Humna Khan - East Street Elementary School

• Emma Maldonado - East Street Elementary School

Grade 1

• Alvin Jiang - Dutch Lane

Elementary School

• Viaan Asija - Dutch Lane Elementary School

• Briana Noah Aliva Hernandez - Dutch Lane Elementary School

• Ella Wasiq - Dutch Lane Elementary School

Grade 2

• Scarlet Torres - Dutch Lane Elementary School

• Josmaily Tavarez GutierrezOld Country Road Elementary School

• Avleen Kaur - Dutch Lane Elementary School

• Kavya Patel - Old Country Road Elementary School

• Hana Chan - Old Country Road Elementary School

• Daniel Delieto - Dutch Lane Elementary School

Grade 3

• Thomas Demuth - Dutch Lane Elementary School

• Nicole Montoya-Rivera - East Street Elementary Schoo l

• Sofia Himmelman - East Street Elementary School

• Samreet Kaur - Burns Ave

Elementary School

• Amira Mansuri - Lee Ave

Elementary School

Grade 4

• Yumi Chu - Burns Ave Elementary School

• Sukhbani Sogi - East Street Elementary School

• Keylin Julissa PerezHernandez - Burns Ave Elementary School

• Amisha Parhar - Burns Ave Elementary School

• Aarib Zaidi - Burns Ave Elementary School

Grade 5

• Farangiz MukhamedovaBurns Ave Elementary School

• Ashmeet Bariana - Burns Ave Elementary School

• Radhika Prajapati - Burns Ave Elementary School

• Manha Barak - Old Country Road Elementary School

• Angad Singh - Lee Ave Elementary School

The winners are determined after deliberation from the Board of Commissioners on creativity, design and overall message of water conservation.

Town honors Bethpage HS Ice Hockey team

The Town of Oyster Bay recently honored members of the Bethpage High School Eagles Ice Hockey team, winners of the coveted 2024 New York State Club Hockey Championship. The team showed exceptional resilience and overcame a 2-0 deficit with five minutes to go and eventually won the game in overtime. The Eagles also won their Conference Title and the Nassau County Championship on their way to an impressive 21-3-1 overall record. Supervisor Saladino congratulated them, their school representatives and their parents, presenting them with a Town citation, certificates and with beautiful signs which will be on display at their school.

Students inducted into business honor society

Last Thursday, select students from Bethpage High School were inducted into the Business and Marketing Honor Society in an outdoor ceremony in the school courtyard.

The Business and Marketing Honor Society recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in business and marketing education at the secondary level. Students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA in business courses, and show exemplary character, leadership and service in the classroom, as

well as in extracurricular activities. To certify their membership, students recited the following promise: “I pledge to uphold the high purpose of the Business and Marketing Honor Society of New York State to which I have been selected. I will maintain and encourage the high standards of scholarship, character, leadership, and service which embody the characteristics of a business leader.” Congratulations to all the new members!

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Students recite the membership pledge at the Business and Marketing Honor Society Induction at Bethpage High School.

Bethpage High School’s 2024 Business and Marketing Honor Society. Photos courtesy of Bethpage UFSD

Students from Bethpage High School are inducted into the Business and Marketing Honor Society.

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‘ Golf Simulator

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National Night Out planned for 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.

This year’s event will also include a special food drive benefiting Long Island Cares. All donors will be entered into a special raffle drawing as a thank-you for their generous support of the pioneering food bank founded in 1980 by legendary Long Island singer and philanthropist Harry Chapin.

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.”

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. Fam-

ily-friendly activities from National Night Out include giveaways from local businesses and community groups, raffle prizes donated by local businesses, including three bicycles generously donated by Target, refreshments, demonstrations, ice cream, popcorn and cotton candy, a bouncy castle, and much more.

“Time and again, the greater Plainview-Old Bethpage community has demonstrated its tremendous generosity in support of numerous charitable endeavors,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “I can think of no better of furthering the community-building mission of National Night Out than by partnering with Long Island Cares to honor Harry Chapin’s remarkable legacy and combat food insecurity in our region, and I encourage everyone who is joining us at the Mid Island Y JCC on August 6 to do their part and lend a helping hand to a family in need.”

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 516571-6216 or adrucker@nassaucountyny.gov for additional information.

School supply drive benefits kids in need

From page 1

mer 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.

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.

Dentist honors brother with oral cancer awareness

about her brother’s inspiration for the blogs he had written and how she came to write the epilogue and the publishing process.

To find out more information on the book and Dr. Manu Dua’s story you can visit the website, parulduamakkar. com/book

“I am absolutely thrilled to see so much support for such a worthwhile endeavor that will ensure deserving local students have a great start to the 2024-25 school year,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “However, it’s not quite time to put your pencils down quite yet because there’s still time to donate and honor Scott Martella’s advocacy for public education. I encourage anyone who has not done so already to visit Always Orthodontics, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library or the Syosset Public Library and make a difference in a child’s life today!”

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) greets family at a prior year's National Night Out.

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library

Saturday, July 27

10:30 a.m.: Summer Constellation (Grades 1 to 5) - Let’s learn about Orion’s greater dog “Canis Major,” and then work together as we create our own constellation using LED lights.

Monday, July 29

7 p.m.: IN-PERSON: Numerology: Your Hidden and Harmonious Numbers with Carole Ann DurandCome join us to learn about the ancient and universal symbology of numbers called numerology. Learn the science of numbers based on energy vibration. There are hidden number variations found in your birthday, birth name, phone number and more. Some who attend will be lucky to have Carole give a short reading.

Tuesday, July 30

4 p.m.: Save the Monarch Butterfly (Ages 7 to 12) - Join the quest to help save monarch butterflies, which are under consideration for the endangered species list. Ms. Robyn Elman, as featured in The New York Times will explain how she is trying to combat this from happening and how you can help.

7 p.m.: IN-PERSON: Chinese Book

Discussion with JINWEI: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey

See

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Wednesday, July 31

2 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Celebrating the Brilliance of Kander and Ebb’s Musical: Cabaret with Stephen Nachamie, Stage & Film DirectorStephen will take us on a journey from the inspiration to the many Broadway incarnations of  “Cabaret. ”This legendary show is based on Christopher Isherwood’s  “Berlin Diaries,” with a book by Joe Masteroff and music and lyrics by the legendary team of John Kander and Fred Ebb.

7 p.m.: Chess (Grades 1–6) - Learn different moves and develop skills to become a proficient chess player.

Thursday, August 1

1 p.m.: HYBRID: The Passionate Reader with Mary Hirdt: “Little Monsters” by Adrienne BrodeurKen and Abby Gardner, raised by their oceanographer father Adam, navigate complex relationships. Ken is a successful businessman with political aspirations, Abby is a visual artist dependent on her brother. Adam, managing bipolar disorder, stops taking medication for a final scientific pursuit. Secrets abound as the family prepares for Adam’s seventieth birthday, with new character Steph entering the scene. What happens next?

what’s happening at your library!

Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, like classes, lectures, concerts, movie screenings, and more, all for free or cheap!

Friday, July 26, at 1:30 p.m.

Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)

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

Tuesday, July 30, at 2:00 p.m.

Summer Author Visit with Elyssa Friedland (IN-PERSON)

Enjoy an afternoon at the library with author Elyssa Friedland, who will join us to discuss the writing of her 2024 release, “Jackpot Summer,” about four siblings whose lives are thrown into disarray when three of the siblings win the lottery and the father sells their family beach house.

Thursday, August 1, at 7:00 p.m.

Exploring Bean to Bar Chocolate (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: Linda Johnson, chocolate curator from Chocology Unlimited, Stony Brook New York

Experience the rich and complex flavors of craft chocolate while learning about its journey from farm to bar. Explore the different varieties and intensities of chocolate, from white, to milk to dark. Uncover the secrets of this delectable treat. Fee: $5. Registration needed. Adults only. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Friday, August 2, at 4:00 p.m.

Comedy at the Library with Mark Brier (IN-PERSON)

Join us for a late afternoon of standup comedy with Mark Brier. Enjoy wholesome humor with rib-tickling jokes, anecdotes, and terrific impressions to make you smile. No registration is needed. All are welcome. No registration needed.

Car seat safety check held at Syosset Public Library

County Legislature

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) recently partnered with the Nassau County Police Department’s Office of Community Affairs and Nassau County’s Department of Traffic Safety to provide free Child Car Seat Safety Checks at the Syosset Public Library. Certified technicians applied their expertise toward ensuring that car seats are properly installed–and officials said that every family who had their car seats check needed to have them reinstalled for optimal safety and protection.

“The outcome of this child car seat safety event showed exactly why opportunities like these are so incredibly important for our most precious cargo,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “I am so thankful to the Nassau County Police Department, the Department of Traffic Safety and the Syosset Public Library for working with us, and I encourage everyone who regularly has the privilege of transporting a youngster like I do to get their car seats checked as soon as possible.”

Nassau

Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D –Plainview), right, parntered with the Nassau County Police Department to provide free car seat safety checks.

California Pacific Highway 1 Roadtrip Finishes in Redondo Beach

Our adventure down California’s famous (and fragile) Pacific Highway 1 – rightly considered one of the most scenic byways in the country - which began in San Francisco comes to an end in Redondo Beach.

You don’t have to go far outside of San Francisco for the incredible coastal scenes to come into view, as well as interesting, funky and fun beachtowns, like Santa Cruz (with its Coney-Island-ish amusement park on the beach) and Capitola (really scenic, where we stop to stroll), before coming into Monterey for our first night.

Monterey was made famous by John Steinbeck’s “Cannery Row” and now with a world renowned Aquarium; I love taking the self-guided history walk and visiting the history museum and Customs House).

We follow the Pacific Highway 1 as it hugs the cliffs that get ever more dramatic as we come into Big Sur. We pull over frequently to take in those breathtaking views that look like the edge of the Continent just fell into the ocean.

We come the Bixby Creek Bridge. Big Sur’s answer to the Golden Gate Bridge, it is a incredibly dramatic sight that actually competes for its man-made achievement with the spectacular scenes that nature has made. Completed in 1932 for $200,000 (a bargain at $4.6 million in 2024 dollars), the concrete span is one of the highest bridges of its kind in the world, soaring 260 feet from the steep canyon carved by Bixby Creek. It is awesome to contemplate how this

structure was even constructed and to learn that the bridge was completed before the road. There are a few viewing spots you can pull off before the bridge going south (and a short hike you can take for closer viewing) and another about a mile south looking back at it.

We get another, completely different perspective of the Bixby Creek bridge on the way back up to Monterey (the route to go south to Cambria because the Pacific Highway is closed off in sections), from the other side of the road.

Not much further, we see the Big Creek Bridge, which looks similar, but is not as dramatic in its setting.

We spend a couple of days hiking and exploring in the Big Sur (thoroughly enjoyed hiking the Tan Bark Trail, and then, across the road, a fan-

tastic walk to McWay Falls, an 80 ft waterfall flowing straight into the ocean), overnighting at the utterly enchanting, historic Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn (www.deejens.org, 831-667-2377), so we get to see an amazing sunset and hear the bellowing chorus of elephant seals at the Seal Beach overlook (I wonder to myself whether they purposely form a chorus or are they competing for attention.) We drive almost as far south as we can on the Pacific Highway before it is closed to traffic.

To continue south, we have to backtrack to Monterey, then drive inland and three hours south on Highway 101 to come into Cambria, where we thrill to see the spectacular Hearst Castle, the elephant seal rookery at Piedras Blancas, Moonstone Beach and Ragged Point (at the southern tip of Big Sur).

After Cambria, we follow the Highway along the coast – stopping in fun beachtowns including Morro Bay, Cayucos (which is on the Whale Trail), Pismo Beach (retro 1950s/1960s vibe, vintage Airstreams on the pier that serves as snack bar and visitors center), before slipping back inland. Here, we drive through California’s rich farmland and discover some astonishing places: Los Alamos (not the New Mexico atomic testing place, but this old-timey, 1880s town that has a Michelin-rated restaurant, a sensational saloon/hotel that looks like a movie set for a Western that gives you this overall surreal sensation of not knowing where or when you are).

We continue on to Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley, another surreal experience that makes you think you have suddenly been transported to Denmark (too weird after the Wild West vibe of Los Alamos and the ‘50s beach vibe of Pismo Beach – the town was founded in 1911 by three Danish immigrants, and somehow, have managed to keep the entire town architecturally and culturally Danish).

Then going back onto the coastal highway to stop at Santa Barbara which has fantastic nightlife – restaurants, music venues - they close down the main street for pedestrians and the music just spills into the street. We pass a movie theater where the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is underway, and find a live Beatles tribute band even in the tiny vegetarian restaurant we happen into, then, on the walk back, wander into a pub where the jazz is sensational, and a brewery featuring a hometown-rock band-made-good. In the morning, we

on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

California Pacific Highway 1 Roadtrip Finishes in Redondo Beach

Continued from previous page

find the festive recreation path along the beach, before continuing on to our final stop on our Pacific Highway roadtrip, Redondo Beach.

Sonesta

Redondo Beach & Marina

Redondo Beach is this laid back beach town – a place where (I suspect) they get more vacation home/condo owners from Los Angeles than transient visitors, so it feels like a community.

Our base is the Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina, a casual yet sophisticated citystyle hotel decorated in beach-y colors and motif, decorated with stunning photographs of nature and sealife – as comfortable for a corporate retreat or wedding as for a weekend beach getaway.

We arrive at the Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina in the night and flop down in a stunning and spacious suite, then go to explore Frenchman’s Wharf across the boulevard from the resort.

Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina is surrounded by views of the Pacific Ocean and the Palos Verdes Hills and 346 spacious guest rooms, 8 suites and a Presidential Suite. The vibe is coastal-chic, with custom hardwood finishes, fine furnishings, and colors that evoke the water and sand. Rooms have private balcony with views of the pool, marina and ocean. The rooms also equipped with in-room safe and mini refrigerator. Accessible rooms are available.

A true resort, the Sonesta Redondo

The Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina is a casual yet sophisticated city-style resort hotel decorated in beach-y motif as comfortable for a corporate retreat or wedding as for a weekend beach getaway.

Beach offers a heated outdoor pool and tennis court (lights for night play, free to use; rackets and balls available) on the recreation deck, a fully-equipped fitness center (open 24 hours; there are plans to offer massage therapy), rental bikes ($20/two hours; $30/day, helmet and lock provided), and on-site dining at SOL (made-to-order omelet station for breakfast, Asian/American fusion for dinner) and the Harbor Bar & Bistro (local favorites and signature cocktails in a hip atmosphere, for lunch and dinner) and being a luxury hotel, in-room

dining is also available. It also offers meeting rooms and a ballroom that can accommodate up to 500, making it one of the largest facilities in the area. It even has a laundry available for guest use. The resort also has its own garage for valet and self-parking.

This is the beach vacation portion of our Pacific Highway 1 trip that had taken us along the Big Sur cliffs and forests, the rocky beaches and coves of Cambria and extraordinary cultural, historical and natural attractions of Monterey and San Simeon.

Now we are level with the ocean –the surf pounding with dramatic waves that so entice surfers.

The next morning, after breakfast in its SOL restaurant, I take out take out one of the resort’s rental bikes and bike the 12 miles along the recreational path along the beach up to Venice Beach - it is so colorful and fun and the ride is really beautiful with the beach on one side, and homes and shops on the other (excellent rest facilities along the way).

Nearby attractions include: Redondo Beach Pier and International Boardwalk, Seaside Lagoon, Riviera Village, Hermosa Beach, Del Amo Fashion Center, SoFi Stadium, Kia Forum, Intuit Dome, Dignity Health Sports Park, Manhattan Beach Village shopping Center, The Point on Pacific Coast Highway in El Segundo, Porsche Experience Center.

The Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina is also just a short ride (like 30 minutes) to Los Angeles International Airport. Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina, 300 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, 310-318-8888, sonesta.com/redondobeach.

More trip planning help: https://highway1roadtrip.com/ and https://www. visitcalifornia.com/

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

Roadtrippers Autopilot App Helps Map Out Trip, Accommodations, Attractions

Powered by patent-pending AI technology, Roadtrippers

Autopilot™ makes personalized road trip recommendations based on interests and travel style, suggesting accommodations, meals, routes and stops along the way. The app makes it simple to plan a trip and then navigate with a car or RV using CarPlay through an Apple device such as an IPhone or the vehicle’s compatible device.

The beauty of Roadtrippers is that it works for all styles of travel, regardless of traveling alone or in a group. When setting up a trip, it asks questions such as number of adults and children as well as pets, type of vehicle, budget and accommodations and dining preferences. Travelers can map out a trip but easily adjust when they stop for fuel, a meal or to stretch their legs.

One of the best features of Roadtrippers is its Extraordinary Places  which helps map out a personalized trip with recommendations for stops at sites suited to their travel styles. Many people are looking to visit as many national parks and monuments as possible while others are

on a five-year mission to see sites where aliens have supposedly landed. Still others just want to see quirky items.

What do travelers find most important while they’re on the road?

Safety: Whether or not someone traveling alone is more of a target for thieves and other criminals, the traveler often feels less secure than couples or groups. The Roadtrippers app provides information about campgrounds, municipalities and attractions that help assure travelers of their safety, and included user reviews help to reinforce that perception.

Accommodations : About those beach scenes. Yes, they do exist, but they make a very small percentage of campsites. Hotels can vary widely as well, and that roadside motel might have great photos that misrepresent the property.

Dining: Fast food may be convenient and consistent, but eating like a teenager loses its appeal quickly. Use the app to find restaurants, diners and cafes that serve fresh foods made from scratch or look for local farmers markets and grocers.

Attractions : Some people like to meander the backroads until they happen upon a stop they find interesting like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin in Wisconsin. Others take the opposite of this whimsical approach and have specific goal in mind such as visiting major or minor league baseball parks. With thousands of attractions in Roadtrippers, both extremes as well as everything in between are covered.

Flexibility : Planning a trip is good, but adjusting on the fly is better. Travelers who find a town or campground or national park that calls to them should consider staying longer than they intended. Sure, there might be a meet-up time with friends or a wedding next Saturday, but the best experiences are often those that were not on the schedule.

Roadtrippers  is a leading road trip planning app, helping people experience the world around them by streamlining discovery, planning, booking and navigation into an engaging and intuitive process. Roadtrippers has helped millions of users plan more than 38 million trips across 7 million points-

of-interest and covering more than 42 billion miles. To learn more about Roadtrippers, visit www.roadtrippers. com

When going for a treat is a delightful idea

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Whenever I speak with my cousin, Donna, the conversation invariably seems to get around to the subject of what we are doing for fun since both of us are retired. Donna is 11 years older than I and as such is the oldest of my cousins. There doesn’t seem to be anything we can’t talk about, however.

Even though she always seemed light years ahead of me in terms of graduating from high school, going to college then getting a full-time job and getting married, we always talk and talk until we really have to get off the phone to take care of whatever it is that needs our attention.

Two of our favorite topics of conversation are hobbies and going for treats aka taking a break from our responsibilities and going out to just have fun. Donna and her husband, Tim, relocated from Long Island to Virginia 15 years ago after retiring, becoming empty nesters and downsizing their home. Donna started playing bridge and pickleball and she also got involved in volunteering at her local hospital.

Tall and thin with long, flowing black hair, Donna always was the fashion conscious one among us. We young cousins were often envious because Donna made everything look so natural and easy. Her younger sister, Peggy, and I often said that Donna had the gift of gab - she could get talking to almost anyone and inevitably they would laugh about different things and act like they’d known each other for years. An observer would never know they’d just met that day.

When Donna’s three children were grown and suddenly her time was pretty much her own, Donna got into the habit of getting in the car and going out for breakfast. If she went with a friend, fine but otherwise she went solo to the diner in her neighborhood and ordered her favorite meal off the menu.

“If you want to call and chat, do it in the afternoon or evening,” Donna told me because at first I didn’t know about her new routine. Years ago Donna never got in the car and went for breakfast but as mentioned, once the kids are grown, often the parents’ work is done. Donna enjoyed this daily routine - and it was daily unless she and Tim were driving out of town or were on vacation in another country.

As we talked, Donna explained that treating herself was one of her ways of enjoying life. It’s something she does on her own - she and Tim do other things as a couple plus with the kids and grandchildren whether it is on a holiday or any old day of the week.

Donna said that she’d get talking at the diner with her fellow patrons, the servers or owner and they’d chat about the latest news events or whatever was on their minds. “It’s a good way to relax and start my day,” Donna often said. “I feel like I’m treating myself and I deserve it.”

Diners often are happy, bustling establishments and many times they are central places where the local residents meet and share tidbits of news. Donna liked being in the midst of that and she’s also content listening to music and reading a newspaper while waiting for her order.

The first time Donna mentioned this new routine I was surprised because for so many years Donna has always done things for others. She got a job after her kids married and got houses of their own and after a few years she decided to stop working.

When Donna mentioned eating breakfast out almost every day I thought about how sociable Donna is and realized it was a great idea.

Cousin Peggy said that when she and her husband retired they adopted a show dog who’d retired from the ring

and needed a good home. Peaches was their dog and as she made herself right at home, Peggy said her reward was knowing they had done a good deed by adopting a dog. Peggy always loved dogs anyway.

Donna and Peggy’s brother, Kevin, said he treats himself after working for many years by saving up and going to rock concerts either in NYC or on Long Island. His favorite bands are the Foo Fighters and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

My older sister, Michelle, likes to golf with three other ladies and once she retired, they hit the links as often as they could - and as the weather permitted. Golfing is Michelle’s treat, and so is going out afterwards for a late lunch or early dinner. Either way Michelle is happy with the good food and hanging out with her friends.

When my turn came, when I retired after working full-time for 41 years on Long Island and in NYC, I wondered how I would spend my time. Working a part-time job was good because it kept me in a routine but also had some flex-

ibility.

I credit Donna with planting the seed for me to do something fun and different once retired. When working I never thought about going out to breakfast or stopping at a specialty coffee shop and hanging out for a while. Or going to pick up a dozen bagels for my family. During the work week I rarely had the time to do that.

Some of my earliest memories of Donna go back to Brooklyn when, growing up in our respective houses, she would talk about wanting to take the bus the next weekend to one of the local department stores to do some shopping. Or at least to go browsing. I admired Donna’s taste in clothes, makeup and hair styles. And she sure knew how to accessorize an outfit. Later, I admired the fact that she wants to give herself a treat every day.

Donna got me thinking … What would I like to do? A frozen coffee or frappe hits the spot every time but I ask: what’s your idea of a good treat?

BY TOM MARGENAU

Senior Citizens Who Become Disabled

Disability benefits for senior citizens: It’s a topic I’ve written about before. But because older folks are always asking me about getting disability benefits from Social Security, I don’t mind updating the column every year or so.

First, here are some ground rules that vary depending on your age. If you are over your full retirement age, forget about it. Once you reach that age, disability benefits are no longer payable. To put that another way: The retirement benefit you are getting pays the same rate as any disability benefits you might be due.

If you are under age 62 and disabled, then you should definitely file for Social Security disability. There is information about how to do that later in this column.

If you are over 62 and not yet on Social Security, then you should file for retirement and disability benefits at the same time. The Social Security Administration can start your retirement payments right away. If your disability claim is eventually approved, they will switch you to the higher disability rate.

But if you are between age 62 and your full retirement age and already getting Social Security retirement benefits, you may or may not want to file for extra disability payments. Or to be more precise, the closer you are to your full retirement age, the smaller your disability boost will be -- and you may decide it’s just not worth all the hassle.

That’s because your disability rate (normally equal to your full retirement age benefit) must be reduced for every month you’ve already received a Social Security retirement check. And you will eventually reach a point where you simply gain very little by filing for Social Security disability.

Here is a quick example of that. Sam filed for retirement benefits at age 62. His benefit was reduced roughly one-half of 1% for each month he was under his full retirement age of 67. So he is getting 70% of his FRA rate. At 66, he had a heart attack. If he files for disability benefits and his claim is approved, his regular disability rate -- again, equal to his FRA benefit -- must be reduced by about one-half of 1% for each month he’s already received a retirement benefit. At age 66, he’s received 48 retirement checks, so his disability rate must be cut by about 24%. So instead of a 100% disability rate, he’d get about 76%. Sam would have to decide if it is worth all the hassle of filing for disability just to get bumped up from his current 70% rate to 76%.

I’ve used the phrase “all the hassle” twice already. Let me tell you what the hassle is by giving you a quick rundown of the Social Security disability application process.

First, you will fill out a bunch of papers. The primary one is a form that asks you to describe your disability and how it prevents you from working. That latter

point is the key. The rules say you don’t get disability benefits simply because you have some kind of physical or mental impairment. Instead, the law says that to get disability, you must have a physical or mental impairment that keeps you from working. So you must describe in detail how your disability prevents you from doing your job.

That form also asks you to list your medical providers. The government can’t make a decision about your case without having the evidence to back up your claim. So make sure you thoroughly list the names, addresses, phone numbers and any other contact information you have for every doctor, hospital, clinic or other medical professional from whom you’ve received treatment.

The Social Security Administration contracts out disability decisions to an agency in each state that is staffed with doctors and other medically trained personnel. They are the folks who decide if you meet the legal definition of “disability” for Social Security purposes. In a nutshell, the rules say your impairment must be one that will keep you from doing any kind of work for which you are suited and one that is expected to last at least 12 months.

There is a pretty good chance you will be asked to go to a Social Security doctor for additional evaluation. Make sure you don’t miss that appointment.

Your disability claim will usually take about three months to process. If it’s approved, you’ll start getting disability checks six months after they say your disability began. (That six-month waiting period is built into the law.)

If your claim is denied, you will have to decide if it is worth it to appeal that decision. If you decide to do that, the first appeal is usually just a review of your case by the state agency that made the first decision. If your claim is denied again, then you can file for a hearing before a Social Security judge. Because of backlogs, those hearings can take a year or more to set up.

By the way, the “word on the street” is that all disability claims are denied the first time and that it takes a year or more to get a final decision. That’s just not true. About 35% of all disability claims are approved the first time in the aforementioned three-month window. Another 15% or so are approved after the first appeal. It’s only those claims that end up in the hearing judge’s backlog that take a long time to process.

Do you need a lawyer to handle your disability claim? Quick answer: not right away. You certainly don’t need legal help to file a disability claim or to file for the first review if the claim is denied. But if you find yourself heading for a hearing before an SSA judge, many folks feel more comfortable having a lawyer there to represent them. Just be aware that they are usually going to take about 25% of any back pay benefits you receive if they win the case for you.

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

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

REAL ESTATE WATCH

Affordable housing and its impact on local real estate

We have a severe affordable housing crisis on Long Island and in many cities around the U.S. This began with the historic demand from consumers who had left large cities and towns in combination with the historically low interest rates during the Pandemic, housing prices went through the roof. Before the Pandemic, the market in 2019 had run its course and was cooling off as every cycle has its start and finish. However, once Covid-19 became a serious threat to life, those cities with large populations saw an unprecedented exodus. New York City (lost 328,000 residents), Chicago (lost 91,000), Los Angeles (lost 176,000), and were the top 3 that lost a considerable number of their inhabitants. The top 3 that gained population were Phoenix, AZ (added 78,000 to their population), Atlanta, Ga (increased 43,000), and Miami, Fla (gained 34,000). Prices in those cities and outlying suburbs and areas away from the big cities and towns saw a marked increase in their housing prices.

Because a portion of the population was able to do their jobs and businesses from home, it created an environment that was never experienced before in the U.S. Those homes with an extra room or 2 to enable one to work remotely, became a crucial part of the decision-making when purchasing. Remote work was the key word to describe that situation. Then hybrid work became the term as people went back to work part-time. The other factor causing our current critically low housing inventory was the Fed lowering interest rates to the lowest in history. About 2/3 of homeowners refinanced either to the low rate or did a rate and term refi, lowered their rate substantially but reduced the time to

repay the loan.

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Do the words “healthy” and “takeout” even belong together? They can. Like everything else concerning your diet, it all depends on your choices.

For most of us, food from restaurants is a part of life -- busy schedules, athletic practices and late nights at work all contribute to a pace that results in little time left for a home-cooked meal. More than 65% of Americans regularly order food to go, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Here’s the key -- think about what you’re going to order before you get to the drive-thru window or pickup line.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

So we now have millions of homeowners with the lowest rate who will not be moving any time soon, due to the current considerably higher costs. There are those that have gained phenomenal appreciation and have a large equity position. They can put a larger downpayment for their next purchase to upgrade, so interest rates aren’t as much of a concern. The real problem is more purchasers going after a finite inventory. This will continue increasing overall prices for first-time and repeat purchasers. It is the same old supply-demand econnomics 101. The question is when will it end and we see prices adjust downwards? This will only occur when demand is reduced for whatever reason and supply has the opportunity to increase; which I said last week could take 5-10 years. Affordable housing hasn’t yet been seriously addressed and no concrete steps or solutions have been considered or taken to ease the continued loss of the population of Millennials, GenZ, and GenX to other lower-cost states; who also may not have any state income tax. Foreclosures are still at historic lows (20% lower than in 2023) and there isn’t enough housing available. Even rental prices increased drastically for those who couldn’t afford to buy due to downpayment requirements by the banks and the higher-priced housing. Personal credit issues caused much higher rates for those who do not have Tier 1 credit. Stricter bank regulations were enacted, due to the 2008 impact of the implosion and collapse of the mort-

gage industry, eliminated no doc, stated income, or what we call “liar” loans to secure financing.

The local, state, and Federal governments now have to step up to the plate and be cognizant of our real problems, and have more creative ideas and lower-cost funding, which could lead to solutions. This will hopefully keep more of our residents here instead of leaving NYS. My professional opinion is to construct affordable housing upstate, where land is plentiful and more economical per square foot. Constructing lowcost housing on Long Island is cost-ineffective and more importantly, our water supply from our underground Aquifers will be depleted more quickly as per research (seatuck.org) that has been done; we may only have 50 years remaining before greater pollution or salt infiltration becomes the major obstacles for potable water. Traffic would be even more unfathomable than it already is today. The infrastructure would suffer greater wear and tear and would increase drastically.

Abandoned and unused buildings in NYC and its five Boroughs could also assist in providing reasonable rental housing. Even a rent-to-purchase situation could be devised, where you have an option to purchase. First-time buyers could be given, as it is done when grants are provided to first-time buyers. Having an ownership position will assist in creating a family’s future wealth. Also, those who own tend to be more proactive and spend more on upkeeping and upgrading their properties than those who lease. We need to move forward more quickly to solve the

housing dilemma locally and nationally for the U.S. to stay competitive and have capable and available workers for our local and national economy.

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

Start with more vegetables and fruits. You can swap sliced apples for the fries in a kids’ meal from McDonald’s and a fresh fruit cup at Chick-fil-A. Many restaurants will double the vegetables (such as broccoli or a side salad) in your takeout meal upon request. If your favorite pizza place offers a cauliflower crust, give it a try. Even simple things like adding lettuce, tomato, onions or pickles to a burger can help boost your veggie intake. Try a veggie burger or portobello mushroom burger if it’s offered.

Another key is to phase out fried foods. Ask for items steamed, baked, broiled, grilled and roasted instead of fried. Even fast-food restaurants that specialize in

fried chicken often offer grilled chicken. For Chinese takeout, try swapping in a steamed summer roll or dumpling for the deep-fried version. Many times, we simply don’t ask. Does your favorite Mexican restaurant offer baked tortilla chips and soft-shell tacos instead of deep fried? Choose fajitas with onions and peppers over a cheese-laden burrito. The same goes for dipping those chips -- salsa is a better option than the queso. Speaking of cheese, the sauces, dressings, butter and similar extras can make an otherwise healthy meal much less so. If you don’t want to skip them completely, ask for less -- ask for half the cheese on your next pizza and the dressing for

your salad on the side so you control the amount you’re eating. Instead of sour cream on your burrito, try sliced avocado or salsa. Choose a marinara sauce over the creamy Alfredo on your pasta. When you can, ask for brown rice over white and whole-wheat bread over white. Load your next sub sandwich with plenty of veggies on whole-wheat bread to boost the fiber.

The bottom line is fast food can be healthier with a few tweaks. It’s all about thinking ahead and perhaps trying your favorite foods prepared in a different way.

Continued on next page

Inexpensive Ways to Celebrate the 2024 Summer Olympics

BY MARY HUNT

The 2024 Summer Olympics are right around the corner (opening ceremony: July 26, 10:30 a.m. PDT). What a perfect time to bring family fun and patriotism into your home! Celebrating the Olympics as a family can be a fantastic way to bond, learn and have fun without spending a fortune on tickets, travel and accommodations. Here are some creative ideas to help you embrace the spirit of the games and make lasting memories.

BACKYARD OLYMPICS

Transform your backyard into an Olympic arena with a series of fun and active stations. Create relay races using pool noodles as batons, set up sack races with old pillowcases, and craft mini hurdles from broomsticks and buckets. It’s a great way to get everyone moving and laughing.

OLYMPIC BINGO

Make watching the Olympics even more engaging with Olympic bingo. Create bingo cards featuring common events, symbols and athlete actions. Cross off squares as you spot them during the broadcasts. The first one to complete a line gets a small prize, adding a playful twist to viewing sessions. Hint: Do a quick online search for printable summer Olympics bingo!

DIY OLYMPIC-THEMED MEDALS

Bring out the artist in everyone by crafting your own Olympic medals. Use

cardboard cut into circles, paint them gold, silver and bronze, and attach ribbons. Have a mini awards ceremony after your backyard Olympics, celebrating each other’s achievements with your handmade medals.

OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY

Design a homemade Olympic torch using a paper towel roll and some craft paper. Take turns passing it around the yard or neighborhood, creating your own torch relay. It’s a fun way to symbolize the start of your family Olympics and get everyone excited.

WATCH AND DISCUSS

Plan family viewing sessions for different Olympic events. After watching, discuss what you saw -- talk about the athletes, their strategies and the spirit of sportsmanship. It’s an opportunity to enhance family fun by learning more about different sports and appreciating the hard work and dedication of the athletes.

to let their creativity shine and feel more connected to the events.

BAKE OLYMPIC TREATS

Get into the Olympic spirit by baking themed treats. Make cookies or cupcakes, and decorate them with icing to resemble Olympic rings, torches or gold medals. It’s a delicious way to celebrate and enjoy some family baking time. I’m loving the easy recipes in this online article: “These 30 Olympic Recipes Are Pure Gold.”

HOST A SPORTS DAY

Dedicate a day to playing various sports together. Let family members pick their favorite sport, from soccer to swimming, and spend time enjoying each activity. It’s a fun way to stay active and share your love for sports. Create a simple tournament, then celebrate the winners in fun (hilarious?) medal ceremonies.

LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

CREATE OLYMPIC ART

Encourage your kids to draw or paint their favorite Olympic sports or memorable moments. Display their artwork around the house to add an Olympic flair to your home decor. It’s a wonderful way

The Olympics are a wonderful opportunity to learn about the world. Pick a few countries participating in the games, and explore their cultures, traditions and history. It’s educational and can be

a fun way to expand your family’s global awareness.

DESIGN OLYMPIC FLAGS

Get creative with some paper or fabric, and design flags that represent your family. Use symbols and colors that reflect your heritage and values. Hang them up around the house or yard to add a personalized Olympic touch to your celebrations.

BRINGING THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT HOME

The Olympics are more than just a series of sports competitions; they’re a celebration of unity, determination and the human spirit. By incorporating these activities into your family routine, you can capture some of that magic and make the games a memorable experience for everyone without breaking the bank. So gather your loved ones, get creative and let the Olympic fun begin!

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.”

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Q and A

Q: Why are fried foods so bad for you?

A: Fried food has been linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and heart failure. A meta-analysis study (17 studies with over 560,000 people and six studies with over 750,000 people over 10 years) found the highest intake of fried food was linked to a 28% higher risk of cardiovascular disease events, 22% higher risk of coronary heart disease

and 37% higher risk of heart failure. The meta-analysis study was published in the journal BMJ in January 2021. Bake, grill, broil or roast for better outcomes.

RECIPE

I find we eat at home more when I plan ahead by literally writing on my calendar the meals for the week. (Yep, I learned from my mom who used to do this to feed our family). Try this Mexican chicken casserole (low in fat, high in fiber). It can be assembled ahead, covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to two days before baking. It’s from “Jane Fonda:

Cooking for Healthy Living.”

MEXICAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Servings: 4

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

1 tablespoon cumin seeds

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 large tomatoes, peeled and chopped

14 ounces canned yellow hominy

1 1/2 cups cooked pinto beans

1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup nonfat dairy sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Coat a large nonstick frying pan with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add the chicken, bell pep-

pers, onion, garlic, cumin seeds, oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper and saute, stirring frequently, until the chicken is golden, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the hominy, pinto beans and rice and cook for 5 minutes more. Remove from heat and add the cilantro and sour cream. Stir to mix well. Transfer to the prepared dish and bake until bubbly, about 45 minutes. To serve, divide among 4 individual plates. Serves 4.

Per serving: 400 calories; 36 grams protein; 55 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams total fat (1 gram saturated); 66 milligrams cholesterol; 7 grams fiber; 448 milligrams sodium.

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

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

STARGAZERS

Along the Milky Way

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of July 28 - Aug. 3, 2024

Each year around this time, we get our best view of our Milky Way during the early evening hours. If you’ve ever seen this sight from a dark location, you know how amazing it is.

Those who have never seen it often believe it’s bright and colorful, because photos can show it that way. The problem is that cameras see the heavens differently than the human eye does.

Cameras capture detail and color that our eyes are too weak to see. Compounding this problem is that many amateur photographers don’t understand the Milky Way, so they edit their images with garish colors reminiscent of a 1960s acid trip (so I’m told).

No, the Milky Way appears as a soft, subtle and colorless cloud arching across the heavens. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear stargazers remark, “Well, looks like clouds are moving in. I think I’ll be heading home.”

Noooo! This is the best part of the sky show!

This week our early evenings will have no moonlight to interfere with sky viewing, so it’s a great time to travel far from city lights to enjoy the Milky Way. You will, of course, need to allow your eyes to become dark-adapted by not looking at bright white lights for at least half an hour. You can, of course, use red light to help preserve your night vision.

Once your eyes are adjusted to the darkness, you’ll have little trouble spotting the Milky Way midway up in the eastern sky.

In the northwest, look for it passing through the constellation of Cassiopeia, the queen. Don’t get hung up on trying to find a queen; look instead for a “W” of five equally bright stars not far above the northwestern horizon.

Follow the Milky Way’s band upward and toward the south, and you’ll see it crossing right through the

Summer Triangle nearly overhead. And if you continue following it southward, it’ll lead you right to the end of the Scorpion’s tail.

You’ll certainly notice that the Milky Way is not evenly illuminated along this arc but shows brighter and darker areas. The bright regions are called “star clouds”; they’re not really clouds, of course, but areas where so many stars appear that the human eye sees just a “cloud.”

And those dark areas that look like holes in the Milky Way? These are called giant molecular clouds, which are so thick and opaque that they appear only in silhouette against the background stars. It is within these clouds that new stars and planetary systems are continually being born.

Gaze at the brightest part of the Milky Way just east of Scorpius and you’ll be peering toward the galactic center. Though we cannot see the galactic core itself, astronomers believe it is where a supermassive black hole lurks some 26,000 light-years away.

Don’t limit yourself to viewing with your eyes; binoculars reveal countless stars, star clusters and gaseous nebulae invisible to the eye -- “deep sky” objects that just beg to be studied further with a small telescope.

Don’t miss this week’s chance to do some stargazing while enjoying a relaxing stroll along the Milky Way!

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

Italiano?

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

On a typical day, I will probably get about 30 spam emails. Most of them are for diet pills, a few are for magic cellulite cream (are you noticing a theme here?), and occasionally I get one from a Nigerian prince letting me know he has a million dollars for me if I just give him my bank account number to transfer the funds. Of course, I never fall for the Nigerian prince scheme, but I have bought the cellulite cream more than once.

Then all of a sudden, I started getting a bunch of spam emails that were distinctly different from all the others.

“Hey honey, I’m having a weird thing with my email,” I said to my husband when he got home from work.

“What weird thing?” he asked.

“I’ve suddenly started getting a lot of spam in Italian.”

“Why is that weird?”

“Well, I don’t speak Italian.”

“Maybe it’s because you like lasagna?”

I shook my head.

“I don’t think that’s it,” I said. “Regardless, I don’t know how to stop it.”

“Just unsubscribe,” he said.

“I don’t know how. It’s in Italian.”

I tried to think if there was anything I had done that would cause me to get emails in Italian. No one in my family is Italian, I hadn’t traveled to Italy or signed up for Italian language lessons. I didn’t have an Italian pen pal and hadn’t visited any Italian websites. I hadn’t ordered excessive amounts of pasta or sauce online. I did have something of an addiction to gelato, but that secret was just between me and the ice cream scooper at the gelato place at the mall.

There had been a short time once

when I was getting emails in French, but that was because I had ordered something from a French website, and I speak a little bit of French, and maybe also because I like french fries and like to get French manicures. Regardless, I was able to translate them enough to unsubscribe and stop getting them. But even though I used Google Translate and was able to decipher some parts of the Italian emails, I still couldn’t figure out how to stop them, or why I was even getting them in the first place. Interestingly, many of them were for Italian diet pills and magic Italian cellulite cream, which made me realize even the Italian spammers think I have a weight issue.

While I was pondering all this, I got yet another Italian email, which I translated and learned was from an Italian prince notifying me to say I had won a villa in Italy, and all I had to do was give my bank account number to cover some

minimal taxes. I thought about putting him in touch with the Nigerian prince so they could compare notes but decided to delete the email instead.

“I think I know what to do to deal with these Italian emails that I can’t read,” I finally said to my husband.

“Are you going to block them?” he asked.

“No.”

“Are you going to send them to your junk mail filter?”

“No.”

“Then what are you going to do?” I shrugged. “I’m going to learn Italian.”

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

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

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This week provides a great opportunity to observe the Milky Way.

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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

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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

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

516-746-8900

Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-SilverMirrors-Lamps-Artwork Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit.... Our Shop 109 Eleventh St. Garden City Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4

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.)

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

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 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

OFFICE SPACE

WILLISTON PARK PROFESSIONAL OFFICE

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

REAL ESTATE WANTED

APARTMENT

WANTED

APARTMENT WANTED

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

SERVICES

GET DISH SATELLITE

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

SERVICES

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?

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

JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING

We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship Thousands of frames to choose from!!

Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495

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

ATTORNEY

STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ.

Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates. com HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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

SERVICES

HEALTH SERVICES

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

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)

SERVICES

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

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 AfterYour Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545

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

CLOCK REPAIR SERVICES

Over 40 years experience

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

Authorized service center for Howard Miller & Ridgeway

David & Nuriel Clock Repair 917-608-5883

PASSION FOR SENIORS.

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

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

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

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

Sweet potatoes add substance to potato salad

When warm temperatures arrive, few people want to spend extra hours in the kitchen whipping up elaborate meals. Many would rather be outside enjoying the great weather. That’s why sandwiches, barbecues and picnic fare are so popular this time of year. What accompanies these outdoor foods? If you guessed salads, you’d be correct.

Potato salad, three-bean salad, coleslaw, and macaroni salad are go-to side dishes, which can be picked up at many grocery store deli counters. Yet, it’s just as easy to make popular sal-

4 cups cubed, peeled, cooked sweet potatoes (about 4 to 6)

3⁄4 cup chopped green onions

1⁄2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1⁄2 cup dried tart cherries

1⁄4 cup plus 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

1. Combine sweet potatoes, green onions, parsley, and cherries in a large bowl; gently mix.

2. Whisk vinegar, mustard, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well blended.

Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Salad Raspberry-Almond Linzer Cookies

ads at home and have them chilled and ready for the next barbecue. Plus, homecooking makes it possible for recipes to be customized. This recipe for “Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Salad” from “Vegan Cooking for Beginners” (Publications International, Ltd.) from the PIL editors proves that russet, red or yellow potatoes are not the only ones that make delicious potato salads. Change the flavor profile and even the nutritional benefits with this sweet potato version. Makes 6 servings

2 tablespoons coarse mustard

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

Pour over sweet potato mixture; gently toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Note: You can cook the sweet potatoes in boiling water or in the oven.

Sweet ending to patriotic parties

Canadian citizens celebrate Canada Day every July 1, while their neighbors to the south commemorate Independence Day a few days later on July 4. It is customary for people to enjoy these days of national pride with barbecues, parties, parades, and other types of celebrations. Naturally, food is at the centerpiece of these events. Although appetizers and main courses (typically foods cooked on the grill) get a lot of fanfare, when the sun begins to set, both the fireworks and desserts are allowed to shine. “Raspberry-Almond Linzer Cookies” with their striking red centers, can complement the color scheme of Canada Day or July 4 parties, or any other patriotic parties. Those in the U.S. also can alternate filling the cookies with blueberry jam to achieve that red, white and blue appeal. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of “Real Simple Easy, Delicious Home Cooking” (Time Home Entertainment) from the Real Simple Kitchens. Makes 36

2⁄3 cup almonds

1⁄2 cup packed light brown sugar

2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for the work surface

1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder

1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes; let cool.

2. In a food processor, finely grind the almonds with 1⁄4 cup of the brown sugar. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.

3. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and the remaining 1⁄4 cup of brown sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the almond mixture, then the flour mixture, mixing until just combined (do not over-mix).

4. Shape the dough into two disks, tightly wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours.

5. Heat oven to 350° F. Line 2 baking sheets with

1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

1 12-ounce jar raspberry jam

parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll each disk of dough to a 1⁄8-inch thickness. Using a 2- to 2 1⁄2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out rounds and place 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Using a 3⁄4- to 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut the centers out of half the cookies. Reroll and cut the scraps as necessary.

6. Bake the cookies, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until the edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

7. Sprinkle the confectioners’ sugar on the cookies with the holes. Spread 1 teaspoon of the jam on each of the remaining cookies; top with the sugared cookies. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

“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

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!

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, August 1

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

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

Grand re-opening celebrated

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D –Plainview, center), presents citation to Scott Campbell of Metro Franchising in honor of the grand re-opening of the newly renovated Dunkin’ restaurant.

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) joined franchisee Scott Campbell of Metro Franchising and the Syosset business community to celebrate the grand re-opening of the newly renovated Dunkin’ restaurant at 59 Jackson Ave. in Syosset on Wednesday, July 17. The celebration was marked by a Free Coffee for a Year giveaway, complementary Dunkin’ swag, special VIP offers, and Campbell’s donation of $5,000 to The Viscardi Center in conjunction with the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. Deputy Minority Leader Drucker presented a Nassau County Legislature Citation to Campbell and

courtesy office of Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker

his team in honor of the momentous occasion.

“For so many of us, the Jackson Avenue Dunkin’ has been a staple of countless morning commutes starting at the Syosset LIRR station, and it is wonderful to see that this community staple is still going strong,”

Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “It was a pleasure to congratulate Scott Campbell and his entire team for their continued success and thank them for commemorating this milestone by donating to the Viscardi Center and empowering young people in our area to thrive in the face of disabilities.”

POB Library celebrates completion of memorial garden

Marilyn Leibowitz, chairperson of the Plainview Old Bethpage Library Board, receives citation from Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview)

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) joined the leaders of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, his colleagues in government and the community for the rededication of the Alma Craib Memorial Garden on Tuesday, June 18.

Established in 1972 by the Plainview Garden Club, built by student volunteers from BOCES, and paid for by donations Plainview-Old Bethpage citizens, organizations, and businesses, the garden was created to honor Mrs. Craib, founder of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Senior Citizens Club and member of the Plainview Garden Club. A Sept. 11 memorial was added in 2016, and the

newest revitalization effort emphasized the fostering of an atmosphere of serenity and accessibility for all visitors.

“Throughout a life dedicated to service, Alma Craib led by example and inspired the community to create a lush and serene space that fosters an atmosphere of peace, understanding and tranquility,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “The revitalized Amla Craib Memorial Garden embraces all of these qualities and more, and I thank Library Director Maryann Ferro and her team, the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library Board, and all of the community leaders who played a part in bringing this project to fruition.”

Casino bus trip

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

Please arrive at 8:30 a.m. Return will be at approximately 8:30 p.m. The cost of $55 per person includes the driver’s tip and a give-back of $35 slots play.

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

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

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

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