THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

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Vol. I No. IV

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SERVING THE FIVE TOWNS

APRIL 8-14, 2011

Nassau Police Using Technology to Bring Crime Rate Down

INDIAN POINT NUCLEAR PLANT UNDER SCRUTINY Operators Say Plant is Safe

By AUSTIN SYKES Standard Staff Reporter

By JONATHAN WALTER Standard Staff Reporter

The nuclear crisis in Japan has New York feeling a little hot under the collar about its own nuclear power plant. The nuclear power station at Indian Point, owned by the Entergy Corporation, has come under scrutiny lately. Following the Japan disaster and pressure from New York political leaders led by Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has placed the facility at the top of their list as they try to gauge the safety of the country’s 104 nuclear reactors, given its proximity to New York City. A recently released Harris Poll indicates that since 2008, the number of American adults who favor the construction of nuclear power plants has decreased from 49 percent to 41 percent. In addition, the number of adults who consider nuclear power plants very safe has decreased from 34 percent to 29 percent. “Entergy welcomes Governor Cuomo’s call for a review of Indian Point by the Federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission and stands ready to assist,” Entergy spokesman Jerry Nappi said. “All citizens of New York need to have access to the pertinent facts regarding Indian Point. We strongly believe that knowing the facts will answer the public’s questions and will also clearly demonstrate that this facility is safe-designed with a margin of safety beyond the strongest earthquake anticipated in the area.” Many Five Towns residents still seemed to hold optimistic views of nuclear power here in New York despite the Japanese disaster.

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Pictured are some of the models that participated in the Sababa fashion show on Sunday, pictured clockwise: Brittany Piket, Carly Danowitz, Ali Wasserman, and Rachel Fisher. The Sababa chapter of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, organized a fashion show benefit for Sunrise Day Camp on Sunday, April 3 at Congregation Beth Emeth. The benefit was in an effort to raise money to send a child to Sunrise Day Camp, which caters to children with cancer. The clothes were donated by Mixology.

Nassau County Police have gone high-tech in their methods of cutting crime. As a result, reported criminal activity in The Five Towns and surrounding areas has dropped significantly. Nassau County Police Department Detective Vincent Garcia attributes the drop largely to some new high-tech equip-

Schools Now Saddled with New State Mandates By SUSAN VARGHESE Standard Associate Editor

While some New York school districts are suffering from the state’s $1.2 billion in cuts to local schools, districts such as Hewlett-Woodmere are equally concerned about the additional 17.6 percent in costs they now have to bear in maintenance for special education students’ placement in residential facilities. “On time passage of the New York State Budget will permit districts to more accurately predict state aid for next year. While the small increase in aid negotiated by the legislature is welcome, it will not be large enough to offset the latest shift in obligations from the state to school districts, namely the new requirement for school districts to take on the state’s share of maintenance costs for special education students placed in residential facilities,” said Peter Weber, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of Business for HewlettWoodmere Public Schools. Representatives from the Lawrence School District could not be reached for comment, but according to the New York State Education De-

CONTINUED ON P. A4

partment’s figures, Lawrence received a total of $7,315,049 aid for the 2011 to 2012 year, $624,553 less aid than they got last year. Morris Peters from the New York State Budget Office noted that when the Committee on Special Education determines that a child needs to be placed in a residential environment, there are expenses for room and board, which is split between county, state and the school district. In the enacted budget, the state takes 18.4 percent of the cost of maintenance (room and board), while the other 17.6 percent of the obligation shifts to school districts. “If you’re making the determination where the child should go, its important line the decision making with the financial impact of that decision. If someone else is paying for whatever your expenses are, you have no motivation to consider price,” noted Peters, in explaining the new financial shift. However, according to the 2011-2012 Executive Budget Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Article VII Legislation Memorandum, The

Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is charged with overseeing the maintenance (room and board) costs of students who are placed in residential schools by the Committee on Special Education when the child’s needs cannot be met in the school district. “Currently, the maintenance cost shares are split as follows: 36.8 percent to the State, 43.2 percent to the local

social services district and 20 percent to the school district. This bill adjusts this allocation of costs so that the school district cost share will be 56.8 percent, and the State will no longer bear such maintenance costs.” Gov. Andrew Cuomo originally proposed a $1.5 billion decrease in aid, and then rein-

CONTINUED ON P. A2

ment recently acquired by the police department that’s made the streets safer – and also made preventing criminal activity from occurring a much easier task. One of the new pieces of equipment is called ShotSpotter, which triangulates the location of any gunshot fired in specified areas throughout Nassau County and The Five Towns with pinpoint accuracy. Officers are then alerted and are able to get to the exact location faster than ever. Detective Garcia explained that the system has reportedly helped cut down on gunshot occurrences by 60 percent – it works so well, he said, that it’s actually even better than the reports. “I’ve been doing this for 24 years now – this is the coolest thing I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Detective Garcia. The ShotSpotter operates through the same electromagnetic waves and frequencies used in the transmission of radio signals, and work simi-

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Hewlett Library Budget Passes 3.7% Increase from Last Year The Hewlett-Woodmere Library budget was passed 243 votes for to 94 against. Additionally, Frank Zaret was reelected as a Library Trustee. The budget of $5,889,403 is a $211,233 increase over last year’s budget, which amounts to 3.7 percent. The new budget will go into effect on July 1st, the start of the library’s fiscal year. “We’re pleased that the budget passed,” Hewlett-Woodmere Library Director Susan de Sciora. “It was a very difficult year. Everyone in the community and people on the

staff were concerned about increasing taxes. People forget that many of the staff members live in the community too. We’re going to be looking for more efficient ways of doing things to save money in the future.” The new budget includes money for recently started programs that the library is looking to expand on. “We’re going to expand the museum pass program,” de Scoria said. “The library will help people has membership at museum of modern art and people can place a reserve on

that card and they don’t have to pay the entry fee for each person. We’re also looking at different services for digital books. We want to get more people online through E-books on the library that they don’t have to buy and we want to expand that program.” Zaret, former president of the Friends of the Library, has served two years as interim trustee. This will be his first full term, which runs for five years. “I think that our library has a

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Waiting for Work on Doughty Boulevard By AUSTIN SYKES

Standard Staff Reporter

Mornings underneath the bright yellow sign of Doughty Deli & Grocery store, a small army of Hispanic and Latino immigrants stand guard, ready to be at someone’s service for the rest of the day. These are Inwood’s day workers, stuck in a seemingly neverending search for work. Some are illegal, others more than ready to show the necessary paperwork qualifying their eligi-

bility for employment within the United States. As residents of Lawrence, Inwood and nearby villages can attest, the day workers are up and at it well before sunrise. Rain or shine, they’re there, standing huddled together in tight packs – sometimes a group of two or three, other times they could pass for rag-tag basketball squad of five, waiting at their own makeshift half-court line for the game to start.

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Daffodils springing to life in Woodsburgh

C l a s s i f i e d s B 8 • E d i t o r i a l s A 1 0 • E v e n t s B 2 • M o v i e s B 2 • S p o r t s B 8 • We a t h e r A 2

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• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

Nassau Police Using Technology to Bring Crime Rate Down CONTINUED FROM P. A1 lar to GPS systems installed in many existing vehicles. Whenever a gun has been ďŹ red in a given area, it pinpoints the exact coordinates, immediately and automatically alerting police ofďŹ cers on the existing computer screens already installed and used in each police cruiser. This helps them get to the right location quickly -- potentially even before any 911 call could be made, which would help save lives of individuals unable to call for help. Detective Garcia said that because police ofďŹ cers are able to get to the scene so quickly, it has been extremely effective in cutting down on crime. “Over a three month period, shots ďŹ red in the area dropped from 134 down to one,â€? said Garcia. The ShotSpotter was provided for Nassau County Police OfďŹ cers through Asset Forfeiture funds –money collected from drug dealers and other illegal activity- or, as Garcia explained, “dirty money.â€?

Another bit of new technology police have attributed drops in the crime rate from 2009 to 2010 is a program installed in certain police cruisers that is able to scan license plates and inform police ofďŹ cers instantly of who the car is registered to – as well as any outstanding warrants and other reported criminal activity. The scanner also helps catch stolen vehicles, explained Detective Garcia. Armed with the new technology, criminal activity has declined, even with fewer police ofďŹ cers on the force than last year. The decline speciďŹ cally is in categories of burglary, larceny, robberies and assault. Burglaries, which Detective Garcia deďŹ ned as the unlawful entry into someone else’s property (without previous consent) and committing a crime therein. Larceny, on the other hand, explained Garcia, is stealing another person’s property, without their consent. Although the two sound similar, there are separations between the two. Grand Larceny occurs when

the criminal activity involves theft of property valued over $1,000.00 dollars. From here, there are degrees, each categorized. Safety is on your side – if you’re a Five Towns resident, that is. Criminal activity is on the decline in the majority of The Five Towns, according to 2010 ďŹ gures submitted from the Nassau County Police Department. The cumulative ďŹ gures for The Five Towns show total robberies down 60 percent from 2009 to 2010, a total burglary increase of 5 percent from 2009 to 2010 (one extra occurrence - a total 20 to 21) and a grand larceny percentage decrease of 24 percent from 2009 to 2010. Also, the Fourth Precinct reported all major crimes decreased from 90 to 79 (12.2 percent drop), and all other crimes are down 4.29 percent. In Hewlett Harbor last year there were fewer reported burglaries than the previous year, while Hewlett Bay Park reported fewer felonies and burglaries as well. In North Woodmere, burglar-

Hewlett reported an increase in Grand Larceny numbers by seven since 09 (totaling 28 in 2010), and had one less robbery (totaling ďŹ ve) and four less burglaries (totaling three) in 2010. Along with these new pieces of equipment, Nassau County Police Department also provides the Community Safety Unit for residents of The Five Towns, responsible for the coordination of criminal activity prevention, neighborhood watches, crossing guard services as well as serving as a liaison between the OfďŹ ce of Emergency Management. Additionally, the safety and security of residents of The Five Towns is protected through the Auxiliary Police Unit. The Auxil-

ies fell to a single reported occurrence in 2010 - lower than the 2009 number (ďŹ ve), although Grand Larcenies jumped at an alarming rate, amounting to 13 in total – eight more than 2009. Woodmere’s 2010 ďŹ gures, however, show that burglary reports rose from a 2009 total of ďŹ ve to 13 in 2010. Grand Larceny ďŹ gures rose as well, showing two more from 2009 to 2010, totaling 26. Woodmere showed considerably drops in robberies, however, with only three reported for 2010 (ďŹ ve less than 2009). Lawrence residents can feel safer with burglary reports down from 13 in 2009 to a mere four in 2010. Woodsburgh reported less grand larceny, down from three in 2009 to one from the 2010 year. In Atlantic Beach, grand larceny numbers rose by one reported incident in 2010 (totaling two). Inwood Burglaries have risen alarmingly by nine, totaling 25. Grand Larceny ďŹ gures mirrored the previous years’ reports of 35 in total, and 17 robberies occurring in 09 as well as 2010, respectively.

Schools Now Saddled with New State Mandates CONTINUED FROM P. A1

FRI. NIGHT

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A t-storm possible

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Norwalk 52/37 White Plains Greenwich 52/36 52/36 Huntington Mt.Vernon Paterson 52/37 52/38 Ronkonkoma 56/35 51/35 New York 56/42 Bay Shore 51/36 Jamaica Lindenhurst 52/39 50/38 Staten Island 54/39 Red Bank 51/39

Shown is Friday’s weather. Temperatures are Friday’s highs and Friday night’s lows. Greenport 51/33

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Hempstead 50/38 Hewlett Woodmere 52/39 52/39 Cedarhurst 52/39

Oceanside 50/39

gets,â€? said Barbara Bradley, the Deputy Director of Communications and Research on the NYSSBA. State leaders, such as Senator Dean Skelos, have also been trying to do their part, according to Scott Reif, a spokesman for Senator Skelos. “The bulk of the $272 million in restored aid went to upstate rural districts, because these were districts that were disproportionately impacted by budget cuts, including Long Island. They were hit the hardest. We ensured they were fairer, and cuts were spread more evenly. We would hope that things like layoffs and closing schools would be a last resort.â€? When asked about the maintenance costs for residential facilities, Reif responded, “Every district is going to have to make those decisions‌in what they’re spending. It was an extraordinary difďŹ cult year to put together a budget, we did close the budget without raising taxes‌â€?

stated $272 million in school aid, which resulted in a total of $1.2 billion in school aid cuts. Some schools are barely staying aoat from the school aid cuts alone according to a survey of 319 school district superintendents that New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) conducted. The survey found that 76 percent plan to increase class sizes, 72 percent plan to reduce or eliminate extracurricular activities, 49 percent plan to reduce transportation services, and 8 percent plan to close on or more school buildings. “We felt that there would be no silver lining for schools in this year’s state budget, while it’s on time and they can plan accordingly, the cuts are forcing school districts to make very tough decisions, larger class sizes, depletion of reserve funds‌we’re looking to see what districts will put forward in their proposed bud-

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iary Police unit operates as a 100 percent volunteer-driven initiative and is comprised of actual residents of The Five Towns and communities throughout Nassau County. The Auxiliary Unit ofďŹ cers undergo basic training courses at the Police Academy to further ensure safety satisfaction. On-duty responsibilities include routine patrol throughout the neighborhoods, villages’ towns and communities in marked vehicles. They further strive to prevent criminal activity by acting as the “eyes and earsâ€? of the Nassau County Police Department. Additionally, Auxiliary Unit ofďŹ cers will also aid in the direction of trafďŹ c during special events and parades as well as provide further services during times of emergencies.

Levittown 50/38

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We welcome and congratulate the SOUTH SHORE STANDARD and their refreshing coverage of events and happenings in a fair and balanced style in the 5 Towns.

The Last Dodger Doctor

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Vol. I No. II

March 25-31, 2011

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Drastic Cuts to Police Dept.

d ffs an Layo y Freeze Salar Police for ounty and C kforce Wor

BY JONATHAN WALTER

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STANDARD STAFF REPORTER

New Budget is Over $93 Millio n

The axe will soon fall on 213 county employBY JC CHAN ees and everyone left will receive a two-wee STANDARD STAFF REPORTER w.S pay furlough if County k ww Executive Edward Mangano’s new budget propose | Knowledge has a d to the Nassau Interprice and educatio im Finance Authorit o. I n has y (NIFA) goes through a high value, but how IN . The high is it in The Five layoffs l. will reportedly save Towns? The propose Vo the county $9.7 mild budget of the Lawrenc lion while the furlough Public School District e will save $17.1 million. for next year is $93.1 The plan also includes million. There are currentl having the Nassau R y 3,148 students enrolled County Police Departm ALTE in the school district, ent redeploy 142 sworn ER AN W PO if the police ofďŹ cers and RT budget H Hopefully gets voted in on May 17, 2011, 41 civilian posts, mostly NAT STAFF REwe’ve seenvethe last Spring snowstor that education will JOHewlett’s from desk jobs to patrol ms. Local geese seem ti RD BY cost Grant cu approxima Park. DA unfazed duty. That will reporttely $30,000 a head. by the unseasonable Exe be on STAN edly save the county weather at 1 ty t 104,150 hours of police In the budget, $8.7 oun o may e nex Standard Photo by JC Chan. million is allocated 201 ofďŹ cers, supervisors, n u C th toand civilian overtim wards administrative m e add- Nassa Manga ming ut fro e costs such as curricuing up to $8.4 million lum, supervision, the in savings. ard beco fallo ith th Board of Education, The proposed changes to dw as central administration, don’t sit well with Po- E is way ristie nict w rim Fi public information, lice Benevolence Associat h h and s C ty’s co Inte other services. The ed ri Presiden h t largest expense will n ty James C cou Carver. be the oun actual school program the sau C cost which is $76.7 “They will have a million, making up the negative impact,â€? Carver Nas actual cost of instruct said. “Departments ion, can’t handle anymor special education, summer school, technol e cuts without it having BY JONATHAN WALTER a negative affect on ogy, transportation, public extra-curricular activitie safety. We’re at the STANDARD STAFF REPORTER bare minimum right such as athletics, and s now. transportation. The My job is to represen eir remaining $7.6 million t my members. I think on th will be put towards the County Executiv capital expenditures and e has to look at other wers JC Chan Frank Scaturro has anflo debt services. areas by nounce for ways to make cuts. d his second candiring rd Photo To raise this budget, The governm isSp ent’s d g da job the is to school protect the people dacy to represent New district will Stan utin e appropriate $78.9 through the York’s million from a tax spro the police deth partments, and he’s ). vola, that th e 4 e congres es ar levy, sional district in utiv notaddoing which comes from ac y E re that here.â€? local property taxes. said are “Our union leaders reti re re the 2012 election Exec New 120 York State will provide on lvato surer, rs al still have time to . Scaturnty ages the isofan expected $6.4 milfer voluntaryToconcess Vo l. wne Sa trea ts ro lost in a Republiu Cou gano lion in aid, and the ions that save their ) se d w ugh y D sacan prive t’s school makes up the IN IFA pubcolleaguesckjobs,â€? y Fi Mangan Nas ard Man mary against Nassau tric ries an r thro nitar prised rest of this budget from o said. “The severity n (N o. I Sa e lu $3.1 million in various Edw Coun-ciatio with proESE of these sala nted fo in is com s, the e. ty legislator Francis som actions II could be lessened if revenues, $1.5 million t sso wn Becker et no’s VARGH ITOR concessions andare dmer from an estimated cou loyees hich hanic sistan | $2.1 million 10,361 votes to 7,733 ance A owdo anga budg n surplus, w mec USAN SOCIATE ED p 20th in Woooffered and an agreement is reached s f1 S M as o . in n in sh 2010 in ch es w io tax em No BY DARD AS es with lin the the and hopes he has a up a rkers. illion rs, t mill ces, Mar le on our unions.â€? w.S reserves. reserves, and $900,000 from allwother ean ’s a chance tric bore dent, and ke STAN m 0.5 n nday purp woto ta n Another $22 million la I ta n to cl d it ar, unseat 4uthy. District h lic d $121 des $6 lary co ployThe propose will be saved through of erinte dent, ns Su etty Congres d adrbudget for the coming ealt b cost s, an ye the elimination of 307 begi ese pr oses- inclu d sa em ired p n’t Carolynof r h emwoman ten s a Town lion a dget p g school d su e’ year fo do th budgete in at $93.1 millionLis McCarthtsy an ublic d vacant county y qu 0 er se I .caomillion less than the y, I Sprin , like positions. NIFA has Ther Five 7 mil 11 bu cu yoffs p sup staff. 85,00 ever ployee Pari and ns as re n to previous year’s expendi ’t buthis timeJ. around. already $1 m m which 1. rs ,6 law the e 20 t tures, don in la s fro no w h a pla .6 billion worth of the vacancie accepted $15 milďŹ ce e $2 cove d em in pping to th ict No. riates ewdoing rned ga million. This reductio ple ycle.â€? n“I’m itom | was $94.1 forenthe it ’s $2 s. p o Th nce retire same sion Frank A dr conce m ic n was Man Scaturro “Since the last thing wh rding y Distr appro sala York gas p w tyThursday ra d h .# last sitime,â€? tion to the loss of educatio made inPanticipa r Nassau families need a b Mayorreasons ng geScatur-ees. me u coun’s blast to local Republic ew huemail s t is atasthis insu e an and acco nitar dget P. A2 in ans these tough econom ea Bvi rt e ard rN urs said. co 516 lla ybeen ye Sa Su ernor Cuomo’s propose nal state aid in Govic times is a double-d ow ly“I’ve D ON arhrokn incrlong afte stice A week tow alone, sursaalinter- to lance th plo for e bu -3 4 igit Ced nested d state budget cuts thSteandan INUE property tax increase again, ’t Ju with id actcountry icip nv-Varg baning dget urtbut Th ,000 ages is h in ding in order to close the New don’t know , I have cut governm u rd CONT es e rapin our 1 -0 lt bu ’s th history p As o m h 0 go state’s ea do York if C led to sis ent w r h 0 there is going spending,â€? Mangan projected $10 billion en g th governm a and 445 nsa l im To the invital-nt Ed eselion reschedul lose two to be a me rued o said. “This ďŹ rst round deďŹ cit. $6,5 and nI fell fo t is sp ,000 e elec eetient. how s wil m e love yruth congressional district. p sional itorcongres d 0 of cuts th A2 ic will l n 0 es Su with n ti affect districts to at 25 ce every area of the County ri 85,0 distr ca inan stson when “We must wake up mo I Sc pri et politics waslosevON P. before If they redistrict, s arthat h, o $4,5 to the new econom and coundeated the services we provide Diayear’s election depending UED , he isn’t dgyears thheoo.lTDhe next en $2,6 . The nal of tras t on em co u er IN ic old, redi ality and b st .â€? I’ve that rs th NT on where the lines government must isatr ready to CO o spent io e stafrte o stH nee my rict The county has also ic are drawn, be more efďŹ cient ance addit pose is spen make any kind of anwhole x fr trov m life and gl gah it and cut the cost of lla taen errsi t 15 edt. ingetting en asked NIFA to impleinvolved s, w you might .â€? it m do e, ic t. not bureauc nouncem al an to dis which n even ment its wage freeze racy,â€? Cuomo said a The be living ent. ag sionuyswent racigetsh huas erBecker tlose at the end of Februar powers as they have sch is in this district. I’m aver loybeenlast year on of brut alon ge b snfo y. “We must streamli anoto ool “I just feel that for esab timated th s n la not p year’s that surli o d s ei ye it election will anyone prised though. ne save $10.5 million. government because en r an savear against mil cling. eans McCaratio s, is relig P. A5 ta to If NIFA n em 4,166, raising fails to implement It shows his on thy,tist ge nua garnerin prDepONious te n- announce that they’re run- (Scaturr this power by April st option. Reducing back-ofďŹ taxes are not an elec g l46.4 recy at m nitatio aid $5 m of UE resi villa BoaINpercent o’s) lack of maturity 1 , there arin of n- ning for congres ce overhead, adminTh 0 sa den tion the s at this point in g p imu nce AN g fo istration, consultants s.COONT rdsaid ablevotes. of that ts of Becker 12 running for ofďŹ ce in ttin ra n and encouraging consoliC CH RTER Edu r is premature,â€? Becker and unhe the are ge e a m insu salaCONTINUED ON P. A7 said of andhastobeen dations are the best caconside istr May BY J STAFF REPO vo D e h 17 runken targets to ďŹ nd savings. ic ring Scaturro’s candida ees receiv healt erag ge of bro the on vote ice th t 15 w , 2011, cy. DARD â€? “We The school budget fo the ei STAN CONTINUED ON P. 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of E uste Man ray bar ell ga ill ns e ry reB e du olin llar dM r Sh bra Stan y JC CONTINUED ON P. A3 ben sdorf Forman cation slots Ch Gas ur do t the lvd an dard fo , li trian, ere ts on are and . rell B h Staf an fo wh 1 rice s. A Th f re Get pedes ces w ono th the the Town insula , the p $4.0 t port in Th e cost thei are up e Boa two in Asher y n ed er Ellen and instan hit m ost Five on Pe ewlett reach lowes prop e Five of educ Ther r thre for rd this cumhow e n “Che o alm yee tion in H s has The at th e’s a e-ye re-ele ye plo ed tw st bee “I’ve nce— been ositio Town ating den muc y. ga of Th rry Blos ESE posi ar te ction ar, n, o the s is ch o ll h t Road ium nesda found ckaway c. m ge bu ca ye an so ďŹ n e ti rm BY al mos pay? does ttin SUSAN VARGHESE ot ildren as on m FiveVARGHmsâ€? R ar t th nd traf e’s avai s en pre f Wed n be on Ro ista in r conducted by State to th . From g stee that a chea AN ToCIAwTEnsEDITOfrom lo a sh ming it more arou lion t of th Taxpay the lo d. STANDARD ASSOCIATE EDITOR o ce ca n V la Comptr co US p fo ola bl th pe a S e e st as pri h e ev e r ing ler DiNapoli’s ofďŹ ce pr hip id. .63 BY DARD ASSO on 48 Fr erty of the burd ers w atio uen dscal pa co for opos 2008-2 year has revealed ran osafďŹ cinter gotten just w rell sa 2009, was gas oco st and B for $3 mium il taxe budg en fo AN en 20 er ed af 00 ST that is t an g the te re 11 r MTA spends $560 mils. by k 9 bu et Nassau County is short e tr Lane in cadrs art te ,â€? Get ber study variSon pike t, goin for p budg 9.14 -2012, th dget budg r tionsupple The re thro $91.9 quic as th klin in $24 lion annually erac ecem c Law rn et pe r ug m ect up st million y ed t, has et at on n p al he overtim budgete rc Turn arhurs d $3.83 en in de ďŹ renc Dr, Br afďŹ bus fare, and the mer co e. It d $723,000 in revco co en si ex naid pas Fran s saBY SUSAN $6.2 ted of the h p d co as troc identi an also noted that the e D for th t. Th st has menue in thescvillage an Ine.VARGHESE Con of the and fďŹ cial alleCed lar an esday. can nMTA, enues atio which MTA paid e budget runs Nassau’s busreve d th millio with budg street parking mehha ic hoo istr lettEDITOR O n ďŹ c on wfrom ay g to STANDARD ASSOCIATE ict 14 e is Hew e prop rise 8,074 employees over an gerag made frompr parking hic f Te regu f Wed landers the es, reisgu ti and trafhmac viHew e w thin roadw orsens. s now brar nues, remai n from add $100,000 al av ade anters, oximl year meters, in th lett-W osed the free ride is is y su asabout $1 million in o an o Is per d B . Th age nd saying d f in n o s n n th n is y gr w u o in as o n er and n g 2009, Su de ve rw e la re 25 io ea at the chairman has nat $103 oo st is piwhich percent o tt p st up la ith of the n st r ven ne worldd s ar up nce Isla The Lon more he av ngover. ch Metropolitan Transothe ece ich are mostly tickets, but afďŹ cďŹ nes, an enelyexpecte such ues, ment in gen ate $34, ,3d88,3 comin d- is This in ewle are no blem. In Tow nou dget ofu regu 2011, ne By SuHsa annual salary of $350,00 the an revenue is from n, meMar n yAuthorit hcan f tr ivbut es also Th tickets, ye er in 000of 25 pay age. T n Lo portatio tsâ€? - o parking to asevery an bu e ead for 6 in nerVa and stio The oli Stan obe fo vehicle and the y proposed allegedl e, w includes day bruar to o or ap g la a 2.52 ar’s and ot come, al at Page ec for e Dis rollmout e pro ed ters, that 0, pst rray a gecounts. poin tersminute taxund thB1 pr en per st $4 million rice e $3.5 . 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A mo age wwould ayisit these hig hinthe number pb lavishga om $2 gthe ay yo that will fr . “I ues o sent ba s seem a ye as thousands of th s be $100 in w se over tu alk sig- s rest an ba hic th- worth e Five roaddarhurs ic m an was deffect er h ab Puer ernny els.l,â€? on frspendin eryd sevru re yenaro sotmweresident c want to R nd on g taki r in e Sch tween millio hich high,geCedarhu w s in d m evpereak n anAs 10 that pteak e kids k.TYo ad to 16th 0 way, w con ated m evhabits ďŹ B h ga have in e av o itriders. ili e h 0 e u’ rst that r 2012 colleag will p is acas f ce caused f Se g, mayor, 7, af n a g , m oo th th result, ic e w worry th th n o of th ty le veo thean h evM enin Trbut ,0 ne a rn tim n. Ano cr thousan in g 20 pri as l fo y driv to ds 25ring d s ag $2.7 14, 20 at ter e conside 14 l toe re e othfe . 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Parise noted. t C u ainst ebus o, cudrivers tirick run The vaette Cmen rs tht.e on CONT er u pas ill like all ternidthe ty upVillage 2009 arh isagputting the County ge ds re this is bec e sim t cred dur“Others h sh a re as Executiv t m 4 ate Edr- Man-aste Ced gW ofd lig th el Cedarhu n co uasse, dw thCeou a repve os, ht caalsom runacksby dr th wise people would rst, d not -201 from ich g-ti usines work, warnergo er at y gano atin e ofcide rlnyand and hon y RAV the co - M thout ty’s to toiv do to th Scou eting not b 29 inhic nonw ed Wednes ed urs park there laai Coun0, th lon Nassau m er re action nue fo CONT b erellectks the percent asserted de lig e’ 0red is dam re cuermillion su y ed ed 00h, is the from$2 lesttwhofocc . de o, f ty,â€? is o charged yota n onday, cordodm r tan 0 er ti all Mangan as gh quir e“the in e day h seet MTA tt IN 0 su “W and u To her d Bo “Budg crisis n ew n m 0 shopper ar h $1 . bud5,e on ďŹ UED enta H ts,d lemo co, p ďŹ le r is mismanaging s wouldn’t 5, 4,93 io nWo inllghtois the $2 tho sual. . tsuna- Th n nthe ON P. m5 - c en inbudgete tol probburevenue n Hew mer budget.â€? f her s statio and Pe th es e o its at The s fo N31, of $3 6,81 e $6 ďŹ nd a place to park, u runs fou ared.’â€? nomic tw en which er ďŹ to Coudsnty slily ic cuer con forc co thay tidnsin ko mpo A2 ue to Vil- trafďŹ c violations, in the e partsto price s ev people p as toe ar 00a co le th4 of Lawrenc meof , tick lage tan oco ga l Mangan unar ubin enta ey road toiswar 2010- would park nom thefrom ise,a scroung Road n’t osereferred Hempst er eadthanand Pre an eco id. that scresaem pw is on$2M0,0e th ing 2011 year. 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APRIL 8-14, 2011 • THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD •

Towns Sweeping Up Winter’s Debris By SUSAN VARGHESE Standard Associate Editor

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iss the debris and litter goodbye, as the Town of Hempstead will begin their street sweeping program, which runs from April 8 to October 17. The program removes the waste accumulated from the winter. The communities covered in the street sweeping program are Hewlett, Woodmere, Inwood, North Woodmere, and Hewlett Bay Park. The cost of street sweeping is included in the Town of Hempstead’s total highway budget which is about $70,596,928 and covers various items including repaving, storm drain cleaning, and snow removal. Although the street sweeping program will help keep the streets of the Five Towns pristine, there are other advantages, noted Kate Murray, Hempstead Town Supervisor. “Our street sweeping program is vitally important. Removing contaminants from our roadways prevents them from entering our storm drains and polluting our waterways.” For residents of Lawrence, street sweeping is done five nights a week, which is why parking on the street at night is prohibited, a Lawrence Village official said. In Cedarhurst, street sweeping starts at 4 AM until 12 noon. The business areas and the

parks and fields, are swept five days a week. Every residential street gets swept at least once a week, and on Saturdays, a blower cleans the sidewalks and gutters on the main streets, Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew Parise explained. According to Murray, the sweeping will occur in “threeday windows,” meaning that some areas could take up to three days to be swept, and for others, it can be done in one day. To assist the sweeping program, Murray advised that residents should move their vehicles from the street between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm on the dates scheduled. The sweeping takes place in 40 locations across Hewlett, Woodmere, Inwood, North Woodmere, and Hewlett Bay Park. Each home has received a flier regarding the sweeping schedule with a letter indicating the area being serviced. For example, the scheduled dates for section “F” in Woodmere are: April | 8, 11, 12, 27, 28, 29 May | 16, 17, 18 June | 3, 6, 7, 22, 23, 24 July | 12, 13, 14, 29 August | 1, 2, 17, 18, 19 September| 6, 7, 8, 23, 26, 27 October | 13, 14, 17 For any resident that hasn’t received a sweeping notice and schedule, the Highway department can provide specific schedules and can be reached at (516) 489-6000.

Local Post Offices Spared The Axe By SUSAN VARGHESE Standard Associate Editor

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hile many post offices in New York are being cut, Five Towns’ post offices are being spared the axe. On March 24, Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe announced a major redesign for the postal service, including elimination of 7,500 positions, and closing seven district offices. With five post offices in Five Towns within miles of each other, it may come as a surprise that none of the branches

are being consolidated. Kathy, a Woodmere Post Office employee attributed it to loyalty, “ A few elderly people that walk here, we have a lot of the same customers. We also have a big increase in parcels, about twenty regular customers who come in that sell stuff on EBay.” The cuts are in an effort to “ streamline, consolidate where it makes sense, and close locations that simply aren’t viable anymore,” said Darleen Reid, of the Northeast Corporate Communications for the United

CONTINUED ON P. B8

Hewlett Bay Park Donates to Police Auxiliary By AUSTIN SYKES Standard Staff Reporter

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oard members in Hewlett Bay Park are doing their best to keep their streets safe – and clean. On Tuesday night, the Village of Hewlett Bay Park donated $1,500.00 to the Nassau County Five Towns Auxiliary Police Unit 109 during their monthly meeting. More than ten members of Auxiliary Police Unit 109 were in attendance at the meeting. Speaking on behalf of Auxiliary Unit 109, Lieutenant Danny Gluck presented information to the board members about Unit 109’s duties as the “eyes and ears” for the Nassau County Police Department – where responsibilities range from nightly patrolling around the five towns, traffic control during fairs, parades and events, as well as responding emergency response actions and even assisting in Cedarhurst courtrooms as bailiffs. Lieutenant Gluck also reminded board members that Auxiliary Unit 109 operates as a 100 percent volunteer-driven organization.

“We’re the largest and fastest growing unit in the county,” said Danny. “We’re requesting some funding to help us out.” According to Lieutenant Gluck, the unit has eight squad cars total, handheld communication systems for all 18 members and sends an average of two patrols out at all times. Mayor Steven Kaufman approved a donation in the amount of $1,500.00 under a unanimous vote from the seven other board members. “I feel that you provide services we need,” Kaufman told the unit. Also during Wednesday’s meeting, Stasi Brothers street sweeping proposal of $1,500.00 was approved. Stasi’s proposal was the least expensive service offered, at nearly $1,000.00 cheaper than DuMor Construction’s $2,450.00 bid, and beating-out Meadowbrook Sweeping’s offer of $2,495.00, E. Cook’s $2,550.00 bid and DeJana Industries offer of $4,400.00, respectively. The board concluded the meeting after street lighting, fencing and Willow Pond Bill discussions. Their next meeting was set for May 16th, 2011.

Corrections | An article in last week’s issue about the school board elections misspelled a candidate’s name. Nicole Di Iorio is running for one of the trustee slots, not Nicole Di Lorio.

A3

A Look at The Five Towns’ Bravest:

Local Volunteer Fire Departments Have Proud History By JONATHAN WALTER Standard Staff Reporter

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here are four fire departments located in the Five Towns and each has its own unique history. Each department also has its own nickname that they would use during the 1800’s when the departments would hold competitions with each other which featured events such as ladder climbing, hose firing events, and a ‘bucket brigade,’ where competitors would race to carry water buckets to a destination. Such competitions have disappeared, but the legacy and tradition of those fire departments remain. This week features the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department as well as the Woodmere Fire Department.

Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department Chief of Department: Joseph Sperber Nickname: The Screech Owls History and Background: The Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire District was organized in 1882, making it 129 years old and one of the oldest in Nassau County. The department, located at the corner of Washington and Central Avenues, was established as the Washington Hook and Ladder Company, but changed its name when the villages changed their names. The department serves the Villages of Lawrence and Cedarhurst as well as the unincorporated area of North Law-

rence. In 2010, the department broke their own record for calls answered in a year with 1,090. The department’s current building was constructed in 1902 and with its tall stone bell tower, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Lawrence and Cedarhurst. Equipment: The station is home to three fire engines, which holds fire suppression devices and various firefighting equipment, including thermal imaging devices that can spot fires through walls and even locate people hidden in a burning building. A ladder-truck, which has an 85-foot aerial ladder mounted to the back, can reach the tops of the tallest buildings in Lawrence and Cedarhurst. All of the trucks contain self-contained breathing apparatuses that allow the firefighters to breath in a smoke filled room. They also feature a heavy rescue truck, which has the Jaws of Life device that can cut through metal to service in a rescue, and airbags that are inflated and used to lift heavy objects, among other rescue equipment. The station has an ambulance, which can provide medical support that assists in that aspect of a rescue operation. There are two boats currently in the station’s bays, one that is docked during the summer at the Lawrence Yacht Club and another Zodiac that can be launched anywhere off of the back of a pickup truck.

Personnel: There are currently 70 volunteer firefighters on the station’s staff. The staff is broken down into three engine companies, each of which mans one of the three fire engines, a ladder company, which is responsible for the ladder-truck as well as the heavy rescue truck, and an ambulance squad for those specializing in emergency medical services.

Chief of Department: Richard Jankosky Nickname: The Clam Diggers History and Background: The

trucks can hook up to any fire hydrant as well as draw water from any large body of water, from a pond or a bay to a swimming pool. Their ladder-truck is 43 feet long with a 110-foot ladder mounted to the rear of the truck, designed to reach the top of any building in Woodmere. The ladder-truck also carries a host of equipment and serves as the department’s “toolbox,” including devices designed for forcible entry and search and rescue operations. The department’s heavy rescue truck also has a variety of rescue devices, including the Jaws of Life and ropes for rappelling in what the fire fight-

Woodmere Fire Department has been around for over 120 years. They serve the Woodmere fire district as well as the additional protection districts of Hewlett Bay Park, Woodsburgh and Hewlett Neck. They answer in the neighborhood of 800 calls a year. Like all volunteer fire departments, how many members are available to respond to a call depends on the time of day. In the morning it is most difficult with members going to work. The station is located on Irving Place in the Woodmere business district near the corner of Broadway. Equipment: Like LawrenceCedarhurst, the Woodmere Fire Department has three fire engines, each of which carries 500 gallons of water and features different sizes of hoses and smaller ladders. The

ers refer to as a “high angle rescue.” They also have meters that detect levels of carbon monoxide or any other type of harmful gas. They also have two ambulances with advanced life support, and a zodiac for water rescues. Personnel: Woodmere Fire Department has around 100 members, however, only around 4050 are active. The department is divided up into six different companies. Squad Company 2 runs the heavy rescue truck. Hose Company 1, Hose Company 2, and Engine Company each run one of the three fire engines. Truck Company runs the laddertruck, and Rescue Company runs the ambulances. A group of EMT critical care specialists work in the Rescue Company. Check back next week for profiles of Inwood and Hewlett Fire Departments.

Woodmere Fire Department

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• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

Indian Point Nuclear Plant Under Scrutiny - Operators Say Plant is Safe CONTINUED FROM P. A1 “I’m still very pro-nuclear power,” local resident Ben Soffer said while shopping on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst. “I think that it should be used. You have to learn from the disaster in Japan and see what we can do over here now to make things safer. I’m a little concerned about the location because they built Indian Point within 50 miles or so of a very dense population and that’s not something that they can actually change now that it’s built, but if they were starting over, I’d say put it 100 miles away.” “We’ve lived here with it for such a long time,” Five Towns resident Jerry Feldman said of the Indian Point plant. “I personally like atomic power. An accident can happen without question. Whether it’s going to or not, I don’t know. I, particularly, am not worried about it.”

However, another Five Towner, Judy Belfy had an opposite view of the Indian Point facility: “I think it should be shut down. It’s not necessary. It’s on a fault line and when they put the plant there, they should have though about it, especially with them having to evacuate such a large radius around it. I think that there are too many clean alternatives to nuclear power, or even fossil fuel.” With such a close proximity to New York City, a nuclear emergency at Indian Point has the potential to be dangerous to its over eight million residents. The Japanese government’s danger zone around the Fukushima Daiichi reactors is currently at 20 kilometers (or 12 miles), although the International Atomic Energy Agency has recommended extending the danger zone around the plant in Japan to 40 kilometers (or 24 miles).

A type of fish in Japan, Konago, has been found to contain levels of radioactive Iodine-131, twice Japan’s acceptable limit. The Food and Drug Administration as well as the Environmental Protection Agency have since confirmed that none of these radioactive fish have turned up in the United States. A minute amount of radiation has recently been found in milk in Washington State and radioactive isotopes from Japan have been detected in a dozen locations in New York State according to a report by New York State Department of Health. With the northern end of The Bronx a minimum of 35 miles away, and a large percentage of Five Towns residents commuting to the city, the Indian Point facility presents a potential danger to locals in the area, especially with New York being known for it’s wind prevailing out of the

Northeast where the plant is located. “I’m not specifically worried about it,” Sandra Haas said while shopping on Central Avenue. “We’re not in a high earthquake zone, but at the same time, whatever they can learn from Japan, they should, and they should probably use that to help reinforce the plants over here.” Nappi declared that the Indian Point facility was safe from any potential disaster, saying that the facility can withstand earthquakes of 6.0 magnitudes, flooding of up to 15 feet three inches, and category five hurricanes. He also described some of the $70 million dollars in security enhancements installed since 9/11/2001 including vehicle barriers, cameras, intrusion detection devices, enhanced training for personnel and weapons, all designed to prevent any potential terrorist attack.

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Nappi also said that being 30 miles inland, the plant isn’t susceptible to tsunami wave action. “There are training scenarios for operators and emergency responders that we never expect to see,” Nappi said, “but that we prepare and drill for nevertheless.” Since plans for a nuclear power plant in Shoreham in Suffolk County fell through in the late 1980’s, the opposition of nuclear power in the area has been serious due to a lack of a viable evacuation plan and increased public sentiment against nuclear power following the Three Mile Island incident in 1979 and then the Chernobyl incident in 1986.

On February 28th, 1989, former New York State Governor Mario Cuomo announced a plan to decommission the plant. After initially completing construction and running at a low capacity, the Shoreham plant was shut down and now operates as a 138 kilovolt switch yard (used to transform electricity from one voltage to another) where LIPA performs maintenance and stores cable reels on the property. It is also home to two wind turbines that produce 50 kilowatts of power each or .01 percent of the power that the nuclear plant would have provided.

Waiting for Work on Doughty Boulevard CONTINUED FROM P. A1 “I’ve been here for six years,” said a Nassau County Police Officer, who wished to remain anonymous. “They’ve been here as long as I can remember – well before me.” The majority of these men are Hispanic immigrants, and most speak with heavy accents. Some are fully aware of how incomprehensible they are that they reduce their sentences to brief words or phrases. “Trabajo,” one says. “One or two?” asks another. The worst cases use sign language to get their point across to whomever it is they’re speaking to, pointing back and forth between himself and the day worker who suddenly appeared beside him (almost out thin air) and looking just as hopeful. Everything is quick with these people. Cut the fat – get to the point quickly. The negotiation of prices will have to wait until the day worker is at the job site and away from the ten others in line behind him ready to do it for half as much. The more time they talk, the less time they’re scoping the streets for potential employers, and getting first in line for today’s paycheck. “The last time I got a call to check-them out was about a month ago,” said a Nassau County Police Officer, sitting behind the wheel of his SUV police-cruiser. “They police themselves, really. But every now and then one of them will get drunk and make noise, and we’ll have to step in.” The attendant working behind the counter inside of the Convenience store also wished to remain anonymous, and would not provide any information to The Standard regarding the throng of dirt-mud-andgrease stained day laborers, standing nearly five feet outside of the store entrance. Waiting. Sometimes it’s ten minutes – sometimes ten hours. It doesn’t matter. They will wait. And at the drop of a hat, it happens. The hours spent standing, waiting don’t matter at this point. Suddenly, work has arrived, and all hell breaks loose. Typically, it will be either a van or a truck – but not always. Sometimes, it will be a mid-sized sedan, or small compact car. If it’s the latter, that’s ok – it’s only going to mean more pushing and shoving among the ten or twenty hopefuls all gunning for the same spot in the back seat. The car sometimes won’t even be in park yet, it still hasn’t come to a complete stop and suddenly the driver has 10 Latinos all around him, elbowing and kicking each other, open-

ing car doors and scrambling over each other to get in his car. It all comes down to that spot and they’re not missing this chance for work. Not now. Work means money, and in this country, they need it. Sometimes, a lucky day worker will sense their ride to employment coming down the street before anyone else even sees it coming. This fiveto-ten-yard head-start comes in handy, and they’ll land safely in the front seat and let the others fight for a spot in the back. Whatever the kind of car it may be, all that matters to these men is who’s getting in, because any spot in there will land them some quick (and probably much-needed) cash. Things like a strong portfolio and good credit don’t matter here. Either they’re in, and on their way to tonight’s dinner, or they’re out, and shuffle in defeat back to the dreaded oilstained patch of asphalt underneath the bright yellow sign of Doughty Deli & Grocery. They missed their chance, and they will have to wait until the next opportunity. For those that made it in the car, life is much different. The driver, who they do not know in almost all cases, will take them to a location they also don’t know. This is accepted, the location is typically not important. They know that where they’re headed will hopefully bring them enough cash at the end of the day to feed themselves and their families at home -- also waiting. Nassau County’s unemployment rate is one of the lowest in New York, according to the U.S. Department of Labor figures from February. A reported 626,000 Nassau County residents were employed for the month of February of this year. 48,000 were listed as unemployed –and at 7.2 percent, Nassau County has the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the state, behind Rockland at 7.1 percent and Tompkins County at 6 percent. James Brown from NYS Department of Labor said that typically, most day workers are picked-up for quick jobs - where an extra set of hands are needed on something that doesn’t require much related experience or training. “Day work tends to be jobs dealing with short term projects and manual labor – anything from landscaping and construction – things like that,” Brown said. But how much are the local day laborers from Inwood bringing home at the end of the day? This, Brown said, depends on the type of work they’re doing, where it’s being done and, most importantly, who the employer is.

Library Budget Passes CONTINUED FROM P. A1

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• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

Legislative Roundup

Your Weekly Guide to How Our Elected Officials Are Voting and What They’re Voting On. Carolyn McCarthy U.S. Representative, New York’s 4th District Voted No on Passage of H.R. 1246 on Apr 1, 2011 “To reduce the amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Defense for printing and reproduction - Under Suspension of the Rulesâ€? Passed 393-0, 39 not voting Voted Yea On Passage H.R. 1255 Government Shutdown Prevention Act on Apr 1, 2011 “Prohibits the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Administrative OfďŹ cer of the House, respectively, from disbursing to each Member or Delegate the amount of his or her salary for each day that: (1)

there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department for failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution, or (2) the federal government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the public debt limit has been reached. Imposes the same restrictions on the President with respect to receiving a disbursement of basic pay during such period.â€? Passed 221-202, 9 not voting Voted Yea On Passage H.R. 658 FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 on Apr 1, 2011 “To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for ďŹ scal years 2011 through 2014, to

streamline programs, create efďŹ ciencies, reduce waste, and improve aviation safety and capacity, to provide stable funding for the national aviation system, and for other purposes.â€? Passed 223-196, 13 not voting Voted Nay On Passage H.R. 872 on Mar 31, 2011 “To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes Under Suspension of the Rulesâ€? Passed 292-130, 10 not voting (2/3 required) Voted Aye On Passage H.R. 471 Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act on

Wishing You and Your Family Peace and Happiness at Passover and throughout the year.

Mar 30, 2011 “Authorizes Secretary of Education to provide funds to the Mayor of the District of Columbia for: (1) the DC public schools to improve public education, and (2) the DC public charter schools to improve and expand quality public charter schools.“ Passed 225-195, 12 not voting Voted Nay On Passage H.R. 839 The HAMP Termination Act of 2011 Mar 29, 2011 “To amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable ModiďŹ cation Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an

offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis.� Passed 252-170, 10 not voting

Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D), 20th NY District: 20 Sponsor of Bill A5350A-2011 (Amended, recommitted to codes on Mar 30, 2011): Relates to the endangerment of the welfare of a child; establishes the crime of endangering the welfare of a child in the ďŹ rst degree. At present, the penal law only provides a misdemeanor crime for endangering the welfare of a child, without regard to the past history of the endangerer. This bill creates a felony crime of endangering the welfare of a child in circumstances under which an individual has previously been charged with child endangerment (in the ďŹ rst or second degree).

Nassau County Legislator Howard Kopel Voted: Yea on Resolution No. -2011 A Resolution to establish the Long Island First Working Group 7-0 Vote Passed

New York State Senator Dean G. Skelos Majority Leader, (R, C, IP) 9th Senate District Voted Aye on S754-2011: Authorizes use of closed-circuit television for the testimony of domestic violence victim witnesses in a criminal proceeding. An act to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to authorizing the use of closedcircuit television for vulnerable domestic violence victim witnesses. To increase accountability and reduce unregulated rate increases by the Long Island Power Authority

Warm wishes for a happy, healthy, and meaningful Passover to you and your family.

Legislator Howard J. Kopel 1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501 r ILPQFM!OBTTBVDPVOUZOZ HPW

News from HEWLETT HAPPENINGS

Intense Competition at Sports Night Cabaret Night Steals The Show By DAVID KAUFMAN

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hile things may not be quite as hectic as they were around the time I wrote my last column, there’s no indication that spring fever has began to subside for Hewlett students. The Hewlett-Woodmere Music Department’s All-District Jazz Night took place Wednesday, March 23, and was an incredible experience for audience members and musicians alike. Featuring the jazz ensembles from all three schools — Hewlett Elementary, Woodmere Middle and Hewlett High — the concert gave younger students the unique opportunity to see what lies in store for them and older students the chance to look back at how far they had progressed. The concert was also a testament to the success of Hewlett’s phenomenal music program, which is propelled by the extraordinary efforts of its faculty members and the devoted support from the community and Board of Education. On Friday March 25, Hewlett held its annual “Sports Night,” a night of friendly class competition dedicated to the memory of former Hewlett student,

Adam Barsel. The competition was intense. A three-year veteran of the Academic Bowl, I remained away from the action (and sports) for much of the night, but all of us participating could feel the excitement reverberating from the gymnasium to where we were competing. Confronted with the challenge of answering trivia questions pertaining to a decade that most of us barely even remembered (we were playing Trivial Pursuit “Millenium Edition”) each grade struggled to remember details from our early childhoods. Ultimately, the juniors emerged victorious in that component of the competition. But it was not enough. Despite the ensuing nail-bitingly intense games of volleyball, tug-of-war, and girls’ basketball, no team was able to upset its upperclassmen rivals and thus the results of the night came in descending order: the seniors placed first, the juniors second, the sophomores third, and the freshman in last. For us juniors, who had put so many hours into preparing a dance, a themerelated banner, and our t-shirts, it was a heart-wrenching loss. As Jerry Seinfeld would quip, out of all of the losers, we came in first in that category. Oh well, there’s always next year.

David Kaufman is a junior at Hewlett High School, and is the co-editor-in-chief of the Hewlett Spectrum, the high school’s newspaper. His opinion column, entitled “Keeping up with Kaufman” can be found in the upcoming issue of Spectrum or at www. hewlettspectrum.com.

This year, Hewlett students have performed particularly well in the field of economics. Hewlett advanced to the semifinals of the Euro Challenge, a competition for high school sophomores sponsored by the European Commission’s Delegation to the United States as well as the Moody’s Foundation, where students must prepare a 15-minute presentation of the analyzing the economic situation of the Euro Area. Advised by AP European history teacher, Dr. Patricia Nardi, the five members of the Euro Challenge team chose to focus on the sovereign debt crisis in Spain and received exceptionally high marks for their depth of knowledge and fluidity of their presentation. Hewlett also was fortunate enough to advance to the semifinals of the Fed Challenge, a competition for juniors and seniors not unlike the Euro Challenge but sponsored by the New York Federal Reserve, where students must analyze current U.S. economic trends and develop their own monetary policy recommendation for the Fed. What really stole the show in the past few weeks, however, was Hewlett’s annual Cabaret Night, a student-led performance and 29-year tradition that amounted to thousands of dollars being raised to fight pediatric cancer through the Laura Rosenberg Foundation. Though the event was overseen by Hewlett teachers, Barbara

CONTINUED ON P. B8

Our Schools

APRIL 8-14, 2011 • THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD •

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The HAFTR Players Present “Irena’s Vow”

AFTR High School is proud to announce the upcoming production of “IRENA’S VOW,” written by Dan Gordon, directed by Jennifer Winkler and featuring the talented HAFTR PLAYERS. The play is scheduled to run on Saturday evening, April 30th, 2011, at 9:30 PM in the HAFTR High School Auditorium, on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah). . A second performance was added for Sunday, May 1 at 2 PM due to demand. Set during the Nazi occupation of Poland, “IRENA’S VOW” is the extraordinary story based on the real life experiences of a remarkable woman, Irena Gut Opdyke, a Polish Catholic woman who was forced to work as a housekeeper for the highestranking German major in Tarnopol, Poland. Over a two-year period, Irena risked her own life in order to conceal 12 Jewish refugees (in plain sight!). All the while, Irena knew that their lives depended on her every decision. “Irena’s Vow” stars Robyn Steinerman, Jacqui Geller, Josh Abramowitz, Alexander Mehl, Leor Bareli, Alexandra Lumerman, Rivi Wartenberg, Evan Margolis, Samantha Lish, Ethan Zanger, Nicollette Digmi, Lizzy Plaut and features a special appearance by HAFTR’s own Rabbi Steven Moskowitz. The Student Directors assisting Ms. Winkler are Lauren Hoffman, Aliza Duftler and Zoey Glaubach. Freshmen Sean Bokor and Justin Winkler are the Technical Assistants. Steinerman agreed. “This is especially true in light of the terrible things that have recently

happened in Israel,” she noted, referring to the slaughter of the Fogel family in Itamar, Israel. “There is a sense that the Jewish people are alone in the world. Here we see that there are courageous people who have tremendous compassion and humanity, despite their religious differences. Despite the fact that it was not only socially acceptable - it was socially mandated to act with cruelty.” “I have to detach myself and put myself in the mindset of a cruel, evil person,” said Samantha Lish, who plays a particularly sinister character. She approaches the role by deconstructing her own knowledge of, and feelings for, what happened, and looking at the time period through the eyes of someone she has to portray, however despicable that person was. “Our cast knows that we have to show just how soulless these murderers were in order to do justice to the victims and the heroes,” said Mrs. Winkler. “It is important to know not only what did happen, but what is still happening, so that nothing of this magnitude can ever be repeated.”

Still happening? “I was shocked,” said Mrs. Winkler, “When looking for costumes for the play, I searched for sites that sold ‘WW2 Ger-

man uniforms’. I was concerned for about two minutes that my search would be erroneously flagged by the Anti-Defamation League or another watchdog group. Well, that concern was overshadowed by what I found online. There are so many Nazi, skinhead and Holocaust denying websites. I was stunned. I suppose I shouldn’t have been, but although viscerally I know that this evil still exists, the fact that it exists here, in my laptop, is a new level of horror.” “Irena’s Vow” addresses horror, but ultimately, said Steinerman, “It is a story of hope. That is what I’d like the audience to leave with. Hope.” “Irena’s Vow” is scheduled to open on Saturday evening, April 30, 2011 at 9:30 PM at the HAFTR High School Auditorium, 635 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516. Due to popular demand, a second performance is available on Sunday, May 1 at 2PM. Tickets are available by reservation or at the door. Call 516-476-1212 to reserve your tickets today.

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Sports

• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

Lawrence Loses Squeaker to Valley Stream BY JONATHAN WALTER Standard Staff Reporter

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alley Stream’s birds of prey swooped in on the Lawrence Tornadoes Varsity Baseball team as they blew an eight run lead en route to a 10-9 road loss to the Falcons on Monday in their season opener. The Tornadoes swung some hot bats out of the gate on the strength of a 3 for 4 day by starting pitcher Brandon Burrell, but errors in the fifth and sixth innings did them in as they relinquished the lead. “It was an awesome game,” Lawrence head coach Dennis Leonard said. “It was absolutely backbreaking to be up 9-1 and then drop the ball. Everyone had a hand in it.” After taking a 2-1 lead in the first inning, Burrell got things started for the Tornadoes in the second by lining a deep drive to left field that earned him a triple as he slid into third base just ahead of the throw. Burrell was also the hero in the third inning. He came to bat with two men on base just after a Valley Stream throwing error put Stephen Komisajevsky

Eddie Robinson slides into third base before scoring in the third inning during Lawrence’s game against Valley Stream South Photo Credit: Jonathan Walter nings of the game. He gave up just two runs over those frames and retired all three batters he faced in the second. That’s when his team’s defense began to let him down. After opening the bottom of the fourth inning with two walks, an errant throw to first base allowed both runners to score and the batter to go to third. A single then knocked in the runner on third, but Burrell was able to retire the rest of the batters in the inning with strikeouts. He finished his outing with

on first. Burrell lined another deep drive to left field to nearly the same spot he did before, but a nice bounce off of the outfield fence right back to the Valley Stream center fielder helped to hold Burrell to a double as he picked up two runs batted in and put Lawrence up 7-1. “It’s nice to see him doing it on both sides of the field,” Leonard said of Burrell. “He had a couple of big hits early.” Burrell was impressive with his pitching for the first three in-

five strikeouts. “Other than the two hits he gave up in the sixth inning,” Leonard said, “Brandon pitched a good game. Nearly all of the runs they got, we handed them. A couple of walks followed by a couple of errors is always going to lead to a few runs. He was outstanding. They had two drives there at the end of the sixth and before that they didn’t hit him at all.” The Lawrence defense wasn’t the only thing to disappear in the fourth inning. After scoring nine runs in the first three innings, the Falcons changed pitchers, removing starter Anthony Romano and putting in Andrew Castano. Romano came into the game and shut down the Tornado offense, holding them scoreless over the game’s final four innings. “I would venture to say that they took a step down from their ace starter to their second one,” Leonard said, “but he did the job. Obviously it had an impact. Whether it should have or not, I don’t know. I don’t think we got complacent and I think that we even tried to press the issue. You have to tip your cap to them for

toughing it out.” Down one run in the bottom of the seventh, the Tornadoes had one last chance to at least tie the game. Komisajevsky stepped in and poked a dribbler down the first base line. He was able to beat out the race to first base and earned himself an infield single. Lucas Siegel then struck out, and Burrell came to bat but was intentionally walked. Playing an aggressive style of baseball, Komisajevsky was thrown out running trying to steal third as Michael Pappalando struck out

for a strike-him-out-throw-himout double play to end the game. Batting leaders for Lawrence include Siegel who was 3 for 4 with two runs scored, AJ Gallo who finished 2 for 2 with one run, and Burrell who finished his day 3 for 4 with two runs, and three RBIs. We won 6-3. A.J. Gallo went 7, had 7 ks, no ER, 3 R. Pitched pretty well considering fielding behind him. Anthony Montilly. Solo homer run in 2nd, triples in 5th. Komis bros, both had RBI base hits.

Gallo Strikes Out Seven, Leads Lawrence Win The Tornadoes got their revenge in the second game of the series with Valley Stream South on Wednesday when they won 6-3 at home. AJ Gallo pitched seven strong innings, giving up 3 runs although none were earned due to errors, and struck out seven batters. “He pitched pretty well considering the fielding behind him,” Coach Leonard said. Anthony Montilli hit a solo home run for the Tornadoes in the second inning, and also contributed with a triple in the fifth. Komisajevsky brothers Stephen and Matt both came through with RBI singles.

Singles Looking Good for Hewlett Tennis BY JONATHAN WALTER Standard Staff Reporter

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ewlett varsity boys tennis doesn’t have to worry about their singles game. The team’s top three players, J.J. Tauil, Dan Grinshteyn and Harrison Brenner all return to anchor a solid singles lineup. It’s the team’s doubles game that has four-year varsity head coach Ron Remick worried. After losing to Cold Spring Harbor in the semi-finals last season, the team graduated its top three doubles teams. “I’m not sure about doubles yet,” Remick said. “It’s a work in progress, so we’ll have to wait and see how things go overall with that. We’re going to have

“He’s a bit more consistent,” Remick said. “He’s a smart player who gets you to come to the net and picks his spots. He can place it with drop shots, hard shots, and can adjust his style to whatever his opponent’s weaknesses are and be able to take advantage of them.” Remick expressed confidence in his team’s ability to make the playoffs this season. “With the team we have,” Remick said. “I hope to be contending for a playoff spot. Hopefully we stay healthy enough to be able to get into one of the top two of three overall spots. The top spot in our league makes the playoffs and there are seven teams in our league.” Roslyn, who finished first in

to reconfigure things a bit, but sometimes it’s hard to reconfigure your singles because then everyone is moving up.” The team’s number one player is the Fordham bound Tauil. He’ll step in and lead the team with his tournament experience. “He competes,” Remick said. “He’s very consistent and he has a great serve and volley. He hits with a lot of pace, a lot of speed.” Next on the depth chart is junior Dan Grinshteyn. Remick praised his consistency and the angles he’s able to achieve with his shots. “He also hits the ball pretty hard,” Remick said. Harrison Brenner, another junior, rounds out the top returning singles players.

Lady Bulldogs Lose Tight Match to Roslyn

Hewlett’s league last season, local rival Long Beach and perennial tennis powerhouse Garden City are some of the big rivals that Hewlett has to overcome this season. Remick also expressed a desire to meet Cold Spring Harbor in the playoffs again to get some revenge for last year’s 4-3 loss. “It was a close match,” Remick said, “but they are the two time champions and hopefully we’ll play well enough to have a chance to see what we can do against them this year. I’m really looking forward to the season. We have a good mix of experienced tournament players as well as some youth and I’m looking forward to see what we can do.”

By AUSTIN SYKES

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By SUSAN VARGHESE Standard Associate Editor

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ast week’s victory for Hewlett’s Lady Bulldogs Lacrosse Team was short-lived as they lost on Monday 14-13 to Roslyn. “If the girls played well and we lost, I could deal with that, but if they don’t play up to the level and the ability they know how to, its upsetting,” said Head Coach, Rosemarie D’Ambrosio. Four minutes into the first quarter Hewlett scored a point, Jenni Rogoff made the goal with Val DeNapoli assisting. It was a slow start for Hewlett, but they stepped it up at the end of the first quarter resulting in a score

of 6-4. Roslyn’s, Samantha Karp, was a strong competitor, having scored five times. The second quarter was a close call, as Hewlett and Roslyn were neck and neck at a score of 9 to 9, but Roslyn broke the tie. With two minutes left on the clock, Zara Ahmad scored and Sam DiSalvo scored three times bringing Hewlett to a score of 13, but Roslyn still had one up. With eighteen seconds left in the game, a time out was called, and Hewlett lost by one point. “We won the majority of our draws today, when you win the majority of your draws, you should be in the lead, be ahead of the other team, Val De-

Photo Credit: Jonathan Walter

Napoli had a great game today, and the rest of the girls didn’t,” D’Ambrosio said. DiSalvo, a freshman scored a total of six goals, Rogoff scored two goals, and had four assists, DeNapoli had two goals and one assist, Dani Kandel had two goals, Ahmed had one goal, and goalie, Meri Oshrain had six saves. “You can only move up from here. My girls are better than what you saw today. They just didn’t bring it today, I think they left it at home. We will be working very hard, every game counts towards playoffs. We can’t have any more losses. We only move up from here,” D’Ambrosio noted.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Walter

Wantagh Warriors Bite Bulldogs at Home, 8-6 Standard Staff Reporter

Hewlett head coach, Rosemarie D’Ambrosio, talks with her team during halftime

J.J. Tauil returns a volley during Hewlett’s tennis match versus Long Beach

eading into Monday’s home game, Hewlett High School’s Varsity Baseball team didn’t look too shabby. They were keeping up with – and even outscoring - the number two team in the state for the first few innings Monday night. The team looked confident during the first half of Monday night’s game, and there were even some points in the fourth inning where Hewlett looked like they definitely had a shot. The Bulldogs were wearing away at Wantagh’s pitcher early-on, knocking-out some clean base hits and even commanding a 2-point lead in the third inning. The momentum came to a crash about mid-way through the fourth inning, as Wantagh pitcher Greg Welch turned-up the heat and struck-out several of the Bulldogs. In the seventh inning, things were clearly not in Hewlett’s favor. Wantagh’s hitting made things worse for the Bulldogs, as heavy-hitters Nick Frendo

and Andrew Streichler came-up big at the plate. An error from Hewlett’s end opened the door for even bigger at-bats for the Warriors – and they took full advantage. A double in the seventh inning, followed by a walk and another double sent two more Warriors safely home, and left another one at second. The score suddenly was now Wantagh 5, Hewlett 3. At this point in the game, the momentum Hewlett carried early-on was now a far distant memory, and suddenly things were officially on Wantagh’s side. The Warriors would only continue taking control. One more base hit on the Hewlett defense had the bases loaded for Wantagh, and a huge double here sent all three home, leaving the score at 8-3, Wantagh. With one final at-bat, Hewlett was able to drive-in a few solid base hits and chalk-up 3 runs before the games finish, leaving the final scoreboard reading 8-6, Wantagh. For the Bulldogs, however, the loss was not all bad. There are a few things to take into account.

After all, Hewlett came into the season with the loss of seven of their 2010 seniors to graduation. Hewlett also had to jump headfirst into a totally different conference from what they were accustomed to, due to the league’s decision to categorize teams from a skill-based system to a population based system. Add this with the fact that Hewlett Head Coach Andy DeBernardo is leading the young Bulldog Baseball team into only his second season as the team’s head coach; what you’re left with is, well, Bad News Bulldogs. The worst part? All of this is before the season could even begin. The now 0-3 Bulldogs will have to pick-up the pieces and get back on their feet soon, if they want a shot at the Playoffs in 2011. The following round-two match at Wantagh High School on Wednesday turned out to be another Hewlett loss, this time even heavier, with a final score of 15-6. Hewlett faces Jericho High School at home late this afternoon (Hewlett Elementary School on Broadway) at 5:00 pm.

New York NCSY Holds Its Fifth Annual Community-Wide Basketball Tournament, May 1, At Sites In Five Towns

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he New York NCSY Basketball Tournament has become ‘the place for elite Jewish basketball

teams for ages 16 and up.’ Once again this spring, the New York Region of NCSY, the Orthodox Union’s internation-

al youth movement, will hold a Community-Wide Basket-

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APRIL 8-14, 2011 • THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD •

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Tigers Slay Cougars For Second Straight Win By JONATHAN WALTER Standard Staff Reporter

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New York NCSY Holds Basketball Tournament CONTINUED FROM P. A8 ball Tournament for players ages 16 and above. It will take place in a variety of locations around the Five Towns on Sunday, May 1. Now in its fifth year, the games will start off early in the morning at different gyms, playing intense basketball, coming together for lunch and the “Sweet Sixteen” (the remaining 16 teams in the tournament) at Lawrence High School, starting at 12:00 pm. The purpose of the tournament, says New York NCSY Regional Director Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, is “to build awareness and community support,” for the work of NCSY. Funds raised by the tournament will be used to support the programs of New York NCSY, including sending teens to Israel for the first time. Chairmen of the event include New York NCSY Board Members Avi Esses, Jeremy Frenkel, Charlie Harary, Kenny Sicklick, Elliot Steinmetz, and Hillel Olshin of Woodmere; and Ephraim Lowy of Lawrence. This competitive basketball tournament is a highlight for many ballplayers. There will be two levels of competition going on simultaneously: a 5-on-5 full-court tournament for those ages 16+; and 3-on-3 half-court tournament for those ages 30+. Declared Elliot Steinmetz, “The annual NCSY Basketball Tournament has become the place for elite Jewish basketball teams to test their mettle and see how they rank in the most competitive tournament in the Jewish world for ages 16+.” “Win or lose,” added Kenny Sicklick, the players and their sponsors know that the day’s proceeds have gone to help more than 120 teens get to Israel for their first time this summer, and for many it will be the most impactful Jewish experience of their lives.” According to the Tournament’s coordinator Carol Rhine, New York NCSY Chief Operating Officer, “NCSY here in New York has been growing exponentially over the past five years. It is our job at NCSY, in partnership with the community, to ensure that we provide for Jewish teens not a ‘once in a lifetime experience,’ but rather, a ‘first in a lifetime experience.’” “In order to continue our growth, as well as appropriately service our existing teen programming, we are beginning our first-ever $100K fundraising campaign,” stated Board Member Jeremy Frenkel. “Our Fifth Annual Community-Wide Basketball Tournament will be the kick-off event for this campaign.” NCSY has made sponsorship opportunities available: $360 for a Friend of NCSY sponsorship; $500 for family sponsorship; $720 for a Tournament sponsorship; $1,000 for a Team Sponsorship; $3,600 for a Court Sponsorship. Sponsors will be announced as the tournament approaches. The entire community is invited to join New York NCSY from 3:00 pm-6:00 pm for children’s entertainment, arts and crafts, and a family BBQ at Lawrence High School, 2 Reilly Road, in Cedarhurst. A raffle will also be drawn at the event featuring two round-trip tickets to Israel. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door.

Harris Fisch attempts a bunt before hitting his go ahead single in the bottom of the fifth inning

he LawrenceWoodmere Academy Tigers began their Private School Athletic Association baseball championship title defense with a second straight win to start the season as they defeated The Martin Luther High School Cougars 3-0 at home on Wednesday. Starting pitcher Jakob Kayne lead the way for LWA with seven shutout innings pitched, and catcher Michael Grasberg provided two of the team’s three runs when he picked up two runs batted in with a single in the bottom of the sixth inning. Offensively the Tigers started out slow and were held scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning when Harris Fisch started things off with a hard single up the middle and ended up on second after an error by the Cougars centerfielder. That’s when Benny Shulman came through

with a single that gave the Tigers the first run of the game. “In our first game it was our two, three and four hitters that kind of carried us through the game and we won that way,” LWA head coach Micahel Cohn said. “This time it was the bottom of the order. Our number five hitter, Michael Grasberg, came through with a two RBI single to add insurance and I know Benny Shulman had his first career hit and RBI and he was our number nine hitter today. He hasn’t really been showing a whole lot lately, but that was a big run for us.” In the bottom of the sixth inning, Kayne smacked a double up the middle with one out. The Cougars intentionally walked Ian Shoenfeld to set up a double play. That’s when Grasberg came through with a single into left field. Another error by the Cougar outfield allowed Shoenfeld to score all the way form first base. “They intentionally

walked the batter in front of me,” Grasberg said, “so I wanted to make them pay. I hit it right past the shortstop and two runs scored. This 2-0 start is great. It gives us a lot of confidence.” According to Cohn, in his seven shutout innings Kayne had over ten strikeouts. “It was a great pitching performance out of Jake (Kayne) today,” Grasberg said. “That was key. When the other team doesn’t score runs, you’re going to win the game. He was hitting his spots and had good velocity.” Despite the 2-0 start to the season, Cohn has been trying to keep his team’s thoughts off of last year’s championship run. “I don’t want to dwell on last season,” Cohn said. “It’s nice to say we’re the defending champions, but this is a totally different team and a totally different season and we have our own expectations and our own goals. As much as we want to repeat, it’s for these guys and not for last year.”

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• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

Opinion DEAR THAT’S LIFE

Howa r d Ba r banel

“You Talkin’ to Me?”

Editor and Publisher

Susan V a r ghes e

Lee R eynolds

Associate Editor

Director of Advertising

Jonath an Wa l ter Austin S ykes

Ba r bara P fister er Office Manager

By Miriam L. Wallach

Staff Reporters

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The South Shore Standard is published by Standard Media Group, LLC, 1024 Broadway, Woodmere, NY 11598 • (516) 341-0445 • Fax: (516) 374-4068 StandardLI.com • All Contents ©2011, Standard Media Group.

EDITORIALS

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No Nukes

e report in this week’s issue that the nuclear power plant closest to us, Indian Point is on the government’s watch list as being the number one facility of concern by the National Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Governor Cuomo has also been pushing for stricter oversight and transparency at the plant. With all the radiation spewing from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant, ruining agriculture and fishing for miles around and even blowing low-level radiation to the U.S., it is imperative to be vigilant about a nuclear facility just 55 miles from The Five Towns. The owners of Indian Point maintain that it is about a safe as safe can be. While that may be so, we are concerned about cataclysmic events that are beyond our control and the ruinous results of such an event. Also, nuclear waste is extremely toxic and doesn’t disintegrate for 10,000 years. This waste is a ticking time bomb for future generations. One nuclear plant in the New York metropolitan area is far more than enough and one potential accident or incident will be beyond our imagination in its ramifications. Here in New York we should be looking to exploit one of our greatest abundant resources – wind. We should encourage the development of wind farms upstate, along the coasts and out in the Atlantic. Nothing toxic is generated by wind power. There are no dire safety concerns about wind. Wind would create jobs and lower our power costs. Let’s see if New York can start riding with the wind.

Government Standoffs

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he high drama being played out in Washington this week between the House Republicans, Senate Democrats and The White House over the second half of the 2011 budget and the 2012 budget is somewhat reminiscent of a similar scenario back in 1995 when Congress allowed the Federal Government to shut down for lack of funding legislation. The Republicans have been adamant that the culture of spending in Washington be changed fundamentally from one of unbridled deficits and high taxation to one of lower taxes and fiscal discipline. In just the past two years the federal deficit has ballooned to over $14 trillion and is more than $4 trillion higher than it was at the end of 2008. Part of the cultural problem can be summed-up in three words: “Other People’s Money,” or “OPM.” Unlike the individual homeowner with a sizeable down payment and equity built up over many years of mortgage payments and unlike the entrepreneur who often has much of his or her own money invested in their business, politicians generally have no “skin in the game,” and are in effect playing with Monopoly money, inasmuch as that money can be about as real to them as the play money on the board game. Politics itself becomes a kind of game and part of winning the game is catering to constituents and special interests to garner campaign contributions and be reelected. The malady of “OPM” afflicts just about every level of government in our society. Whether it is at the national, state, county or town level, far too many of our elected officials lack sufficient skin in the game and/or true empathy for the plight of Joe Taxpayer. “A billion here and a billion there and pretty soon you’re talking real money,” supposedly attributed to the late Senator Everett Dirksen (1896-1969) sums up the politicians’ casual and cavilier attitude towards the peoples’ money. (Dirksen by the way was upset with 1965’s $328 billion national debt ceiling.) OPM also was a contributing factor in the 2008 financial meltdown and recession as banks, hedge funds and Wall Street played way too fast and loose with everyone else’s money. The $64,000 question is why does government spending have to constantly go up? Why do we need legions of civil servants pushing papers and regulations up the collective wazoo? We would welcome seeing a budget from any governmental body that actually was lower than the year prior and any budget plan that brought spending and taxes down consistently. We don’t know how the Washington budget feud will be resolved but we think it’s fair to say that the majority of Americans are fed-up with being skinned alive by free spending politicians with no regard for just how hard it is to earn a dollar these days for most of us. Kudos to those who will stand up for the taxpayer and confront the culture of “Other People’s Money.”

VOX POPULI

Those Who Faced The Most By GEORGE SAVA

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ecently our community lost a friend and patriot. His name was Paavo Nurmi. Many of you may not have known of Paavo or if you did you may have known him as a lifelong resident of Inwood. To me Paavo was a hero, one among many heroes who have lived quietly as our neighbors. As a Marine veteran of World War II, Paavo served honorably in the Pacific theater. Like many at that time, he sacrificed and in fact surrendered his youth and offered his life for a greater purpose. When he came home he refused to look back but instead focused on the future and thus

the combat faced was internalized and rarely spoken of. For those who are part of the military community there is one fact that is clearly understood, those who faced the most usually speak the least. From days past in unknown fields in Europe and the Islands of Japan to today in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, individuals, who serve under the symbol of liberty, continue to move forward into an unknown and troubled world armed with the hope and determination to make it better for all. For those who serve, little is asked, but many things are earned. Beyond simple appreciation our society has attempted to establish safeguards for veter-

George Sava was the 2010 Democratic Nominee for N.Y. State Senate, 9th Senate District. He is an attorney with Port & Sava, a local law firm, and a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. George resides inThe Five Towns with his wife and three children.

ans and their families. Although meant for good, the bureaucracies established have too many times led to gridlock and failure. The recipients of the failure, those who have endured physical and/or emotional disabilities as a result of their service, too often opt to go it alone rather than get lost in a system, a system which time and again has failed our veterans. Stories about VA centers are infuriating. Examples include a VA facility that literally was in danger of collapsing due to the thousands upon thousands of backlogged files languishing in rooms and on top of filing cabinets. In 2010 it was estimated that some 500,000 claims were waiting to get processed. With current military commitments around the world, we can only expect more and more claims. In fact according to some estimates there will be a 30 percent

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LEGISLATIVE SOAPBOX

When “We have to have it” collides with “We can’t pay for it” By HOWARD J. KOPEL

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he scene is being played repeatedly all over the country, at every level of government. Budgets are under severe pressure and tax revenues are down. At the same time, expenses keep rising, as labor contracts, awarded in flush times and mandates for services, imposed by the federal and state governments, inflict ever higher costs. Who can argue with the idea of helping the old and disabled travel? Everyone agrees that youth programs are important. We all enjoy having beautiful and well equipped parks and beaches. Of course, we must educate our children. And, obviously, we have got to maintain a robust and effective public safety infrastructure. Then, all of a sudden, we have to focus on paying for all of this. We cannot simply borrow the money. That is a path to disaster, as anyone that runs a business or family knows. Just raising taxes won’t work anymore. Here, once again, we have almost universal agreement that

money should be gotten elsewhere, captured in the late Senator Russell Long of Louisiana’s pithy observation that accurately summarized the typical attitude as “Don’t tax you, don’t tax me, tax that fellow behind the tree!” We have encountered the legendary “perfect storm” in 2011 combining increased demand for services, economic weakness, decreased borrowing ability and already too high taxes. Nassau is a microcosm of the national problem. It is one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, and it is flat broke, to the extent that there is a state control panel involved in our finances. How is this possible? Simple – Over the ten years that Democrats controlled the County before 2010, spending was out of control, and left us with a terrible hangover that we now must confront. You should know that County taxes are actually only 17 percent of your total property tax bill. The overwhelming majority of our taxes go to the schools – 77 percent of all real estate taxes. However, the County, being the largest and most visible government unit is often

Howard Kopel is Nassau County Legislator for the 7th District, which covers all of the Five Towns and other areas. He is also a Principal in Sutton Alliance, a national Title Insurance Company located in Valley Stream.

blamed for the terrible tax burden in our County. Notwithstanding that most taxes are not paid to the County, the new Republican majority has pledged to not to raise County taxes (we don’t control the other taxes) under any circumstance, in recognition of the distress faced by our residents and businesses. Instead, we have pledged, together with our new County Executive, to balance our budget by means of cuts and efficiencies. This is what our residents have told us that they want, and it is what we are doing. However, every cut, or failure to fund a particular need, elicits cries of pain, and many, if not most, of them are justified. So, what do we do to reconcile the seemingly irreconcilable For my part, I will not vote for increased taxes in this budget cycle. The empty stores and offices and cries of pain that I constantly hear from residents prove that we cannot afford it. Instead, I am searching for ways, some big and some not as big, to improve our lives here in the 7th District, using funds already committed for capital expenses. Here are just a few examples: I succeeded in having the long neglected sidewalks along Branch Boulevard replaced.

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need to have a word with my GPS. While I am not in the habit of having conversations with inanimate objects, I seem to have a love/ hate relationship with that device. In an effort to remind it who’s boss, it may be time to have it out, once and for all. I am a big believer in the human brain and in the gift of common sense that God has given us, in varying degrees. If the GPS tells you to take the George Washington Bridge from Long Island, it may direct you to the Major Deegan. Smarter than the average bear, however, you know that the Yanks are at home, playing a day game. Having no death wish and in the hopes of avoiding any unnecessary aggravation, you go a different route, even though the silly computer keeps trying to redirect you through the Bronx. Before you are able to instruct the GPS to plot an alternate route, it keeps instructing you to take the next left, all in an effort to right your course and return you to what it considers to be the straight and narrow. You continue to ignore it and take the road less travelled on, in this instance, because you know it will make all the difference. It is at this point that if the GPS had a personality, an actual brain or a hint of sarcasm it would start telling you off. Its first line might be something like, “Moron: I told you to take that left three blocks ago.” Continuing on your route of choice, despite the constant redirection, the slurs and comments would continue. “Learning curve is over, Mr. Magoo,” the voice will say. “Open your eyes, stay in your lane and exit when I tell you, too.” Still, you stick to your guns because you know that while the GPS is one of the life’s best inventions (E-ZPass being a close second), it was still developed by a human being and is not smarter than you are. I imagine that my GPS mocks me when I input my home address to get out of “Back” Lawrence. I needed its help for years to make my way home from Woodsburgh. I still cannot give someone directions through that area, but at least I can now get home without leaving breadcrumbs. There are sections of Lawrence, however, that are completely confusing and without the help of the computer, I would be lost there forever. Programming in my”She can’t get home from here, again?” Yes, I know I only live a couple of miles away and that I can navigate my local supermarket better than parts of The Five Towns, but that is my reality. Once my GPS was done telling me off and calling me names, it would be my chance to give it a piece of my mind. I would start by letting it know that only if I was alone on the planet, there were no traffic lights and speed limits

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Miriam L. Wallach,

MS.ed., M.A., has been writing “That’s Life” for close to five years. She lives in Woodmere with her husband and six children and can be found all week long on her blog at www.dearthatslife.com.

APRIL 8-14, 2011 • THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD •

BY THE LEGENDARY DANNY O’DOUL

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THE ZEITGEIST WITH HOWARD BARBANEL

Springtime For Cedarhust and The Avenue

h, the smell of flowers blooming, trees blossoming and the Cedarhurst meter maids beginning to perspire under their Village-Issued hoodies and polo shirts. Such are the lovely springtime smells of The Avenue. Morton’s will change over from winter-wear to shorts, tank tops and tshirts. Williams Sonoma will break out the barbecue gear. Jildor will put on clearance all its boots and snuggies and break out the open toe platform strapless sandals in shimmering metallic gold. And, Supersol will totally reinvent itself as a store for all “Seasons,” a monumental groundbreaking change that has left the new store virtually indistinguishable from its low-key predecessor. But, nevertheless change is in the air, if not actually on the ground, on The Avenue There are many new and fun allergens on The Avenue, and only, some of them are emanating from the perfume counter at Kiss and Makeup – where miracles and makeovers go hand in hand and ordinary Five Towns wives are magically transformed into extraordinarily beautiful princesses. Ragwood, tree pollen, grass-borne spores, puffballs, mildew, weed-mites, screamers, laughers, the whole shebang of rhino-muco-upper respiratory-sinus stuffing and histamine-inducing complexes

are all available on The Avenue, at no cost to you, courtesy of the lovely spring foliage at picturesque Cedarhurst Park – just steps away from abundant metered parking. So, it was with a warm heart and a stuffed aching head that I ventured out to do some low speed cruising in my new Japanese car, which, if you haven’t heard, I just leased for $0 down and $248 per month. This is like getting a full-course meal at Chosen Island for $1.95! To continue on last week’s “Bagel Theme,” in The Standard, it would be like getting a dozen bagels at Bagel Boss for $9.99 (oh, wait, that’s about what it costs)! Well, just know that spectacular deals, like the deal I got on my Sushi Motors Accolade, are not dropping like dew from the budding trees on The Avenue. In fact, sushi of any kind, while abundant on The Avenue – is still more than $248 a month. And that’s eating it just three times a week! No spring survey of The Avenue would be complete without a special shout-out to “Off The Wall,” the frozen desert lounge that looks like IKEA and

Kohler got together to design a sweet shop so hightech and European that you’d swear you’re in Sweden sampling some Fruzen Glace. It is such a big hit with the local teens that HAFTR is considering opening up a new “Off the Wall Annex.” There is even a new bookstore that offers literary closeouts, cut-rate Eastern-European superhero comics and even “books-on-a-stick.” In fact, it’s right near “Seasons” Glatt Kosher Super Duper Market. Don’t worry, our friends at (Behind the) “Blue Door Books,” will still be the place for all those brand new best sellers and hard-to-find Ecuadorian soccer monthlies. Heck, they even have an Elvis book, so you got to love them! Well, I think I’ll ride over to The Avenue now to smoke a fragrant no-name Honduran Robusto cigar, grab a Cup One Bank free Keurig and go and sit myself down on an ergonomic green bench out on The Avenue and watch the sights, smell the smells and inhale the fumes of the wonderful Italian coupes, British Roadsters and German super cars. After all, its springtime for Cedarhurst and The Avenue!

This is The Legendary Danny O’Doul signing off for now, soon to resume my courageous adventures saddled snugly in my new Japanese machine.

LEGISLATIVE SOAPBOX

When “We have to have it” collides with “We can’t pay for it” CONTINUED FROM P. A10 Construction should start soon, and mothers should no longer have to push carriages in traffic. The Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant is finally being rebuilt, after years of appalling neglect. Sewage is not a sexy subject, but it is a necessary part of our infrastructure. This will ultimately clean our waterways, and ease the burden of citizens who live nearby and suffer from intolerable odors. I am actively involved with the County Department of Public Works to ensure that needed

construction projects do not unduly inconvenience residents or endanger health and safety. That is why, for example, I insisted on recent construction at Peninsula and Rockaway take place at night. What can you do? Pay attention to local politics – local is where we all live, and where our quality of life is largely determined. Stay in touch with your representatives on every level. Tell us what you think and want them to do on issues such as spending and taxes. Politicians will pay attention and respond to public

opinion. Attend community meetings and, especially, your local school board meetings. Remember that the schools are where the vast majority of local taxes are spent. Make sure that you are happy with the members of the Board, and what they are doing. Above all, go out and vote! The turnout in local elections is dismayingly low. When people are elected with only a relatively few votes, they will do as those few voters wish. If that is not what we want, and we didn’t vote, we have ourselves to blame.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Seeking End to Clergy Exemptions To the Editor: I read with great interest the two articles related to our local school districts (14, 15) in the April 1-7 edition. I have followed events in both districts over the years. One recurring and central issue are the budgets and the property taxes required to fund them. The current economic situation and decreased state aid have only made matters worse fiscally, not only for the districts but for the taxpayers. It is in this environment that I ask why the State continues to allow Clergy Exemptions (Real Property Law 460). This is an anachronistic exemption rooted in the 19th century and long overdue for repeal. This exemption for privately help property (not institution property) allows an exemption of $1500 of assessed value. In Suffolk County which assesses at 100 percent the exemption is $1500. In Nassau, which assesses at 0.25 percent of full value, this translates into thousands of dollars more. There are some properties in District 14 that received school tax exemptions of over $11,000, with over $300,000 in taxes district wide (data from the Department of Assessment May 2010) shifted to other tax payers. Town and County taxes are similarly exempted. The Clergy Exemption is more generous, and less restrictive, than the exemptions for well deserving volunteer firefighters, and veterans. Last year there were 37 Clergy Exemptions in District 14. As of March 2011 there were

43, a 16 percent increase; even more taxes shifted to other tax payers. Currently there are 54 Clergy Exemptions in SD 15 (data from Department of Assessment March 30, 2011). It is time for this exemption to end. The State should repeal RP 460. Very truly yours,

Cary Brozik Woodmere

My Deepest Condolences I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt sympathy to your columnist, the Legendary Danny O’Doul, upon the loss of his beloved Mercury Grand Marquis. I can truly understand his sorrow at never again will being hailed as a livery cab and never again smelling the teenage hockey carpool sweat that has been absorbed into the Olympic sized back row. Hopefully, his spirits will be raised by the numerous Five Towns readers who take pleasure in his weekly column. His

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humor and wit is one of the reasons I choose to read the South Shore Standard before the New York Times every Saturday morning with my coffee. No, it is not free coffee. I have not perfected the O’Doul art of tracking down every free cup in town…but I am now inspired to do so.

Dr. Julie Levine Woodmere

Cartoons Not Funny To the Editor: It’s nice to have a secular local newspaper, even another with a right wing slant. However, I am disappointed in your choice of the “Hope n’ (sic) Change” editorial cartoon to represent your political agenda. It is vulgar, not amusing, and worst, it is racist. Would the author call either Presidents Bush their wars’ “Baby Daddy”? Of course not. Promoting racism reflects negatively on both your paper and your agenda.

Carl B. Maltzman North Woodmere

The Standard welcomes your comments, feedback and Letters to the Editor. Please keep letters at a reasonable length (about 500 words maximum if possible) as they may be edited for size. Please include your full name, address and daytime phone. Email to Letters@StandardLI.com

Morphing Into Daffodils and Slogging Through the LIRR T

he weather people are forecasting temperatures finally, finally hitting the low 60’s on Sunday and staying that way at least through mid-week. Can’t come a moment too soon as I’m scheduled to attend my first Mets home game on Monday evening and there’s nothing quite as uncomfortable as watching baseball as though it were November football – that is, in the freezing cold. Also, as I wrote last week, my tulips are is desperate need of solar radiation. Thankfully, as you read this, the daffodils are in bloom throughout the neighborhood. The Mets, I’m happy (and relieved) to say have acquitted themselves respectably in their first week of play on the road against some very good competition, so its not an embarrassment of any kind for people hither and yon to be publicly informed of my Monday evening plans. As long as they play .500 ball or better, all will be good with the world. The other night Channel 13 aired Dr. Zhivago, the classic, epic 60’s film starring Omar Sharif along with the luminous Julie Christie and Geraldine Chaplin and directed by David Lean. My favorite scene in the movie is when the Zhivagos are snowed-in at Verikeno and we see a slow dissolve through the window of ice crystals morphing into bright yellow daffodils as Winter turns to Spring. Amazing cinematography for its time. This time of year reminds me of that cinematic moment as I’m highly partial to flowers of any and every kind.

One of the reasons I so enjoy living here in the suburbs is because of our bucolic surroundings (except for January through March) and I’m one of those people with no hankering for Manhattan, finding it dirty, claustrophobia-educing, cramped, crowded and expensive. I’m also hardly enamored of the Long Island Rail Road, which I try to avoid. So, unfortunately, on Monday afternoon I had some meetings in Midtown and Midtown means the LIRR as parking there is something like $200 an hour. Newsday recently reported what we all probably already intuitively know: A recent study by the Citizens Budget Commission of the nation’s Top 10 commuter railroads rates the LIRR as one of the most inefficient commuter railroads in the country. Quoting Newsday: “The LIRR pays 57 cents for each mile that a passenger travels, the highest of all the railroads included in the study and well above the 37-cent average. The LIRR also ranked ninth worst out of 10 in cost per active vehicle, and eighth in cost per mile of service. It was seventh in cost per passenger trip and sixth in cost per hour of service.” Now, the LIRR is blaming some of this on “unfunded pension liabilities” that the MTA inherited from the formerly independent LIRR back in 1965! The railroad is saying that very soon there will be more people drawing pension benefits than actually working! The bane of virtually every governmental institution in the New York area (and much of the country) are pension mandates and lifetime bene-

fit entitlements after as little as 20 years on the job in an era when people (thankfully) live into their 90s. Many of these pension schemes were devised when the average life expectancy was 67, so the actuaries who concocted these plans thought only a few people would live long enough to seriously collect on them. As we’re seeing, this is unsustainable from a financial standpoint. The solution will bedevil and encumber us for years to come. There are other quality issues plaguing the LIRR as well, such as why on an 8:08 p.m. Babylon Branch train from Penn Station there were no seats available and tons of people were jammed-in standing with an off-peak roundtrip ticket price of $14.50? (I often use the Lynbrook Station because there’s a train every 20 minutes in the evening, as opposed to the one train every two hours on the Far Rockaway branch and because said Lynbrook bound train generally makes the trip in under 35 minutes without changing in Jamaica). Commuters know of the LIRR’s manifest shortcoming far more than I and deserve medals for bravery above and beyond the call of family duty for slogging into Manhattan on a daily basis on this unnerving of conveyances. Listen-up wives and kids – show some love and appreciation for all the guys scrambling to catch the pre-8:00 a.m. express – it’s an amazing sacrifice made to give you all an idyllic life in the country that they basically see only on weekends. As for me, I live my live within a few square miles of The Five Towns and am grateful for it each and every day.

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• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

APRIL 8-14, 2011 • THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD •

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HOUSE & HOME • SPORTS • FASHION & FEATURES

WOODMERE FLORIST HAS A BLOOMING BUSINESS Text and photos by SUSAN VARGHESE

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ow glass cubes bursting with short-stemmed tulips, lilies, and Apple Blossoms will be adorning holiday tables across Five Towns. Woodmere Florist’s owner, Elaine Nelson, noted that subtle pastels arranged in low vases are big sellers for holidays like Passover. Nelson explained that for holiday table arrangements, flowers like Cymbidium orchids are cut short because people want to be able to see over them. Although some may prefer muted colors and simple flowers, Nelson said that others prefer hot shades like purple and orange in exotic arrangements comprised of Ginger and Birds of Paradise flowers. A single rose can cost five dollars, but it comes with fillers such as baby’s breath Monte Casinos, and Statice, and oftentimes, it’s arranged by one of the floral designers at Woodmere. Flowers often come with a connotation of a hefty

Pictured is Elaine Nelson with Gerber daisies

price tag, but Nelson noted that daisies and plants are some alternatives that wont burn holes in residents’ pockets. “Mums also make a full showing because they’re big and round. A lot of people don’t think Mums are that nice, but it’s what the [floral] designer does that makes them beautiful,” Nelson added. “We did one wedding with orchid plants as centerpieces, (orchids start at $75), but they were in a Grecian style vase, and it was simple, but elegant.”

About Woodmere Florist The Cymbidium orchid, which can also be used as a corsage ($25 for one)

Soft hues of pink that can still make a bold impression

Family owned and operated Woodmere Florist bought what used to be, Pansini Florists. Pansini was built close to 100 years ago, and Nelson obtained ownership about 11 years ago, she said. “My son admired Mr. Pansini, and he was sort of a mentor to him. That’s why we bought it, so my son would have something in the future,” Nelson explained. Since the flowers they carry originate everywhere from Ecuador to Holland, they’re able to cater to specific requests, Nelson said, “everything is made to order.”

Baby’s breath and Statice

During the tough economy, flowers may not be a priority to everyone, but according to Nelson it can brighten moods. “I think flowers make people happy. Some people think what’s the sense in sending flowers because they die anyway? My designer always says when you eat something, you don’t see it two minutes after you bite it, but you still want to eat it. I know myself, when I see a flower, my eyes sort of light up. When my husband sends me flowers, it’s like ‘oh, he loves me!’”

Samples of synthetic arrangements because everything is made to order

SPECIAL EASTER HOLIDAY SECTION, APRIL 15th

Ad Deadline: Wednesday, April 13th, Noon.

516-341-0445 • Ads@StandardLI.com Real Reach • Real Results • Real Impact • Real Cost Savings!

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• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

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DEBBIE REYNOLDS, CW Post Campus Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, Greenvale, 8:00 p.m. Debbie Reynolds brings her timeless talent as a singer, actress and dancer to the Tilles center this Friday. Tickets are available for $32, $47 or $67 depending on seating and can be picked up at TillesCenter.org.

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Our recommendations on where to go and what to do

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ACROSS 1 Bench taking a line that’s rather stiff (6) 5 Correspondent’s one-sided view? (8) 9 Consider move to trap king, giving check (10) 10 Ruin, somewhat run-down (4) 11 Dowdy female originally having little drink, back on the booze (8) 12 Cricketer in game getting duck, playing erratically? (6) 13 Pair of mules, say, too short for the foot (4) 15 Town street joins a turning off short road (8) 18 Run no single story, going over report (8) 19 Trick seen while chatting (4) Solution to Crossword 21,687 I NDEF I N I TE TH I N B I E E R A A I MPRESAR I O S L AM S L L R V T T E J O L T S P E ARM I N T A M H I T A N H BEAMENDS D I NGL E S P E M T D OU TW I T P ANORAMA L O N C N R B Y UNPACK I NG SN I P T L H N R G D A I T EM DECORA T I ON O S M V T N K N E S T WA V E L E NG T H

21 Track being repaired — get involved in a row? (4,2) 23 Closed street to hold an Eastern dance (8) 25 Players take the pitch (4) 26 Beam and wave following court action (3-7) 27 Dog with leash may snarl (8) 28 Protest with 50% again out (6) DOWN 2 Smell from river, by the mouth (5) 3 Obsession could make one moan repeatedly (9) 4 German scientist’s very important invention given priority (6) 5 Sweet sort of complexion (7,3,5) 6 24 hours in a Thursday shift — hard going! (8) 7 Reported fish in lock (5) 8 Fliers about to jump lights at stop? (9) 14 Spread of meat and drink served up inside base (9) 16 Warning to evacuate — note being within range of gun? (4,5) 17 Kill report I preferred (8) 20 Reading filth, ended up corrupt (6) 22 Praise from one-time partner almost had an effect (5) 24 Dock, perhaps, taking time on river (5)

ROCKVILLE CENTER SPRING CRAFT FESTIVAL, Rockville Center Commuter Lot, Rockville Center, 11:00 a.m. Rockville Center will host its annual spring craft festival featuring numerous arts and crafts, as well as plenty of food vendors. The event will be held on both Saturday and Sunday and admission is free TIBERIUS, JAM BAND, Backstage Night Club, Woodmere, 9:00 p.m. Jam band, Tiberius (think Grateful Dead), will be performing at the Backstage Night Club

in Woodmere, attached to Woodmere lanes, and will feature a special guest. This event is free for all to attend.

Sunday, April 10th PET FIRST AID AND CPR, 910 Railroad Avenue, Woodmere, 9:00 a.m. Fido Fitness Club will host a seminar on learning to give proper CPR and rescue procedures in the event of an emergency with your pet. The sign up, call 718347-7387. Registration costs $79 or $99. Certificates will be presented to those who complete the course. NUNSENSE, Peninsula Public Library, Lawrence, 2:30 p.m. The hilarious musical comedy, Nunsense, will be performed in Peninsula Library meeting room. Plaza Theatrical Productions will put on this international acclaimed production and tickets are available free for School District #15 residents and can be picked up at the library.

We welcome submission of events of interest to the community. Please email your event information, including any photos to Events@StandardLI.com.

OPEN HOUSES Morton M. Haves Inc., Office: (516) 374-0100 HEWLETT at 1745 HANCOCK ST. Sunday, April 10th 11:00-1:00 PM Spacious 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom. Great room layout $575K HEWLETT HARBOR at 270 PEPPERIDGE RD. Sunday, April 10th 1:00-3:00 PM

Prestigious Local. 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom. Large fam. room $875K HEWLETT NECK at 250 DOLPHIN DR. Sunday, April 10th 1:00-3:30 PM 5 bedroom, 3 full bathroom. Beautiful waterfront home $1.595M WOODMERE 776 UNIVERSITY ST. Sunday April 10th 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom. Water views. spacious home $549 K

Lori & Associates LI Realty Inc., Office: (516) 791-8300

MOVIE LISTINGS MALVERNE CINEMA 350 Hempstead Avenue, Malverne, NY (516) 599-6966 Jane Eyre | 2hr 1min | Rated PG-13 | FRI&SAT: 2, 4:30, 7, 9:45pm | SUN: 2, 4:40, 7:30pm Barney’s Version | 2hr 12min | Rated R | FRI&SAT: 4:30,9:45pm | SUN: 4:30pm Of Gods and Men (Des homes et des dieux) | 2hr 0min | Rated PG-13 FRI&SAT: 2:10, 7:10pm | SUN: 2:10, 7:10pm Win Win | 1hr 46min | Rated R FRI&SAT: 1, 3:15, 5:30, 7:40, 9:45pm | SUN: 1, 3:15, 5:30, 7:40pm Potiche | 1hr 43min | Rated R FRI&SAT: 1, 3:15, 5:30, 7:40, 9:45pm | SUN: 1, 3:15, 5:30, 7:40pm Gnomeo & Juliet | 1hr 24min | Rated G | SAT&SUN: 12:30pm Winter in Wartime (Oologswinter) | 1hr 43min | Rated R SAT: 1, 3:15, 5:30, 7:40, 9:45pm | SUN: 1, 3:15, 5:30, 7:40pm

UA LYNBROOK 6 321 Merrick Road, Lynbrook, NY-(800) 326-3264 ext. 624 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules | 1hr 36min | Rated PG FRI&SAT: 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10pm | SUN: 1:30,4:30, 7:30pm Insidious | 1 hr 45 | Rated PG-13 FRI&SAT: 2:10, 4:55, 8:05, 10:25pm | SUN: 2:10, 4:55, 8:05pm The Lincoln Lawyer | 1hr 59 min | Rated R FRI&SAT: 1, 3:45, 7:15, 9:45pm | SUN: 1, 3:45, 7:15pm Paul | 1hr 40min | Rated R | FRI&SAT: 1:45, 4:15, 8, 10:20pm | SUN: 1:45, 4:15, 8pm Hanna | 1hr 51min | Rated PG-13 | FRI&SAT: 1:45, 4:15, 8, 10:20pm | SUN: 1:15, 4:15,8pm Arthur | 1hr 50min | Rated PG-13 | FRI&SAT: 2:10, 4:55, 8:05, 10:25pm | SUN: 2, 4:45, 7:45pm

GREEN ACRES CINEMAS 610 West Sunrise Highway, Valley Stream, NY - (800) 315-4000 Hop | 1hr 30min | Rated PG | FRI&SAT: 1:40, 4:30, 6:50, 9:10pm | SUN: 1:40, 4:30, 6:50pm Source Code | 1hr 34min | Rated PG-13 FRI&SAT: 1:50, 4:35, 7:20, 10pm | SUN: 1:50, 4:35, 7:20pm Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules | 1hr 36min | Rated PG FRI&SAT: 1:10, 4, 6:30, 9pm | SUN: 1:10, 4, 6:30pm Soul Surfer | 1hr 45min | Rated PG FRI&SAT: 1:20, 4:15, 7:15, 9:50pm | SUN: 1:20, 4:15, 7:15pm Your Highness | 1hr 42min | Rated R FRI&SAT: 1:30, 4:10, 7, 9:30 pm | SUN: 1:30, 4:15, 7:15pm Arthur | 1hr 50min | Rated PG-13 | FRI&SAT: 1:35, 4:20, 7:05, 9:40pm | SUN: 1:35, 4:20, 7:05

SUNRISE MULTIPLEX CINEMAS 750 West Sunrise Highway, Valley Stream, NY - (800) 315-4000

LET'S TALK! SPRING 2011

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT MINI CENTER

ALL NEW 8PSLTIPQT t $MVCT t 5SJQT t %FNPT t %JTDVTTJPO (SPVQT 4VQQPSU (SPVQT t .FFUJOHT

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Register: 516.837.3339 or WoodmereGOP@gmail.com BRINGING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER! Your ideas and input are important to us! That is why we are offering activities and meetings about topics

YOU WANT. OVER TWO DOZEN ACTIVITIES TO ATTEND FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF JUNE Brochure: 516.837.3339 or WoodmereGOP@gmail.com Upcoming up just this week (activities are from now thru June!)

SUNDAY, APRIL 10 Weekly Chess Club Every Sunday from 6 PM-8PM Steve Salpeter, Chess Instructor MONDAY, APRIL 11 Widow and Widower Support Group Second Monday of Every Month at 7:30 PM Arlene Sevetor, Host WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 CPR Licensing Course for Medical Professionals or CPR Licensing Course for the Public Meets every Tuesday except on second Tuesday of Month when it meets on that Wednesday at 7:30 PM David Silversmith, Instructor THURSDAY, APRIL 14 Understanding and Using the Social Network (all levels) at 7:30 PM Michael Bronspigel, Instructor, National Social Media Expert FRIDAY, APRIL 15 Medical Help at the Push of the Button (Disabled, Infirmed, Seniors) Free Demos at 9:30 AM and 11 AM Demonstrations by: Jasmine Padron and Matt Magnone, Lifewatch Location and Registration: COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT MINI CENTER at the Woodmere Republican Club and Young Republicans Club 1026 Broadway, Woodmere, NY 11598 Attendance is limited – Register now FREE for YRs, WRC members and children under 10 FREE demos, meetings and events $7 one-time fee for all else, for each course no matter how often it meets CPR: call 516.330.0659 or 516.837.3339 FOR A FULL BROCHURE OF ALL ACTIVITIES: 516.837.3339 or WoodmereGOP@gmail.com

See you there!

LAWRENCE at 41 BAYBERRY RD. Sunday, April 10th 12:00PM-2:00PM 6 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom. Foyer, granite EIK, IG heated diving pool $1.19M WOODMERE at 839 LOWELL ST. Sunday April 10th 12:00PM-2:00PM 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, huge Eik. lower level A/C Units $639 K WOODMERE at 991 ALLEN LN. Sunday April 10th, 11:30AM-1:30PM 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom, reduced taxes, great block $649 K

Pugatch Realty Corp., Office: (516) 295-3000 WOODMERE at 58 CENTRE ST. Sunday April 10th 11:00 AM-12:30 PM Beautiful Colonial, 3 Bedroom, 1.5 bathroom, updates, wood floors $399 K CEDARHURST at 325 ARGYLE RD. Sunday April 10th 12:00 PM-1:30 PM Hi-Ranch 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, Vaulted living room ceiling $449 K

Battle: Los Angeles | 1hr 56 min | Rated PG- 13 FRI&SAT: 1:25, 4:05, 7:20, 10, 12:35am | SUN: 1:25, 4:05, 7:20, 10pm Rango | 1hr 47 min | Rated PG | FRI&SAT: 1:15, 3:45, 6:35pm | SUN: 1:15, 3:45, 6:35pm Limitless | 1hr 45 min | Rated PG-13 FRI&SAT: 1:30, 4, 6:50, 9:40, 12:15am | SUN: 1:30, 4, 6:50, 9:40pm The Lincoln Lawyer | 1hr 59 min | Rated R FRI&SAT: 9:10, 11:50pm | SUN: 9:10pm Sucker Punch | 2hr 40min | Rated PG FRI&SAT: 1:40, 4:10, 6:40, 9:20, 11:50pm | SUN: 1:40, 4:10, 6:40, 9:20pm Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules | 1hr 36min | Rated PG FRI&SAT: 12:35, 3:10, 5:30, 8, 10:25, 12:40am | SUN: 12:35, 3:10, 5:30,8, 10:25pm Big Momma’s: Like Father, Like Son | 1hr 47 min | Rated PG 13 FRI&SAT: 1:05, 3:50, 6:30, 9, 11:35pm | SUN: 1:05, 3:50, 6:30, 9pm Hop | 1hr 30min | Rated PG FRI&SAT: 12, 12:30, 2:20, 2:50, 4:35, 5:05, 7, 7:30, 9:15, 9:45, 11:30pm, 12am SUN: 12, 12:30, 2:20, 2:50, 4:35, 5:05, 7, 7:30, 9:15, 9:45pm Source Code | 1hr 34min | Rated PG-13 FRI&SAT: 12:05, 2:40, 5, 7:15, 9:35, 11:55pm | SUN: 12:05, 2:45, 5, 7:15, 9:35pm Insidious | 1 hr 45 | Rated PG-13 FRI&SAT: 12:20, 2:45, 5:15, 7:50, 10:20pm, 12:45am | SUN: 12:20, 2:45, 5:15, 7:50, 10:20pm Hanna | 1hr 51min | Rated PG-13 FRI&SAT: 1:10, 4:20, 7:05, 9:50pm, 12:25am | SUN: 1:10, 4:20, 7:05, 9:50pm Arthur | 1hr 50min | Rated PG-13

SPECIAL EASTER HOLIDAY SECTION, APRIL 15th

Ad Deadline: Wednesday, April 13th, Noon.

FRI&SAT: 1:20, 4:15, 7:10, 9:55pm, 12:30am | SUN: 1:20, 4:15, 7:10, 9:55pm Your Highness | 1hr 42min | Rated R FRI&SAT: 12:10, 2:35, 5:10, 7:45, 10:15pm, 12:40am | SUN: 12:10, 2:35, 5:10, 7:45, 10:15pm No eres tu, soy yo | 1hr 45min | Rated PG-13 FRI&SAT: 12:40, 3, 5:20, 7:40, 10:05pm, 12:20am | SUN: 12:40, 3, 5:20, 7:40, 10:05pm

AMC LOEWS FANTASY 5 18 N. Park Ave., Rockville Centre, NY - (888) 262-4386 Hop | 1hr 30 min | Rated PG | FRI: 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30pm

516-341-0445 Ads@StandardLI.com

SAT: 11:30am, 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30pm | SUN: 11:30am, 2, 4:30, 7pm Source Code | 1hr 34 min | Rated PG- 13 | FRI: 3:30, 6, 8:30, 10:45pm SAT: 11am, 1:15, 3:30, 6, 8:30, 10:45pm | SUN: 11am, 1:30, 4, 6:15, 8:30pm Limitless | 1hr 45 min | Rated PG-13 | FRI: 3, 5:30, 8, 10:30pm SAT: 12, 3, 5:30, 8, 10:30pm | SUN: 11:45am, 2:30, 5, 7:45pm Your Highness | 1hr 42min | Rated R | FRI: 2:30, 5, 7:45, 10:15pm SAT: 11:45am, 2:30, 5, 7:45, 10:15pm | SUN: 1:35, 4:40, 7:25pm Soul Surfer | 1hr 45min | Rated PG | FRI: 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 10pm SAT: 11:15am, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 10pm | SUN: 1:35, 4:40, 7:25pm

APRIL 8-14, 2011 • THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD •

ON THE MARKET

Late Night Humor

The Best of This Week’s Post 11pm Wit “I think elections should be quick. If I have an election that lasts longer than four hours, I call the doctor.”

41 Bayberry Road, Lawrence, NY 11559 Jimmy Fallon

David Letterman

Conan O’Brien

Jay Leno

“President Obama will run for reelection in 2012. He’s not breaking up with us! He wants to work things out! He’s forgiving our poor record on post-recession job creation, our incessant demands to be talked to, every time we go to war.”

–Jon Stewart

Stats: A lot size of 11,155 square feet (97X115) with 10 rooms. 6 Bedrooms including one maids quarters, 3 full bathrooms and one half bathroom. The property is going for $1,199,000.00 with taxes of $17,979.02 Details: Beautiful 6 Bedroom, 3.5 Bathroom two-story Colonial home. perfect for entertaining. Situated in a quiet neighborhood only 5 minutes walking distance to nearby shopping center and train station. Elegant Grand Foyer, Sunken Living Room, Spacious den with working fireplace and grand dining room. Bright eat-in kitchen with new appliances, granite countertops and view of the 8 foot in-ground pool. Additional large bonus room above two story garage and maid’s quarter complete with full bathroom. Seller Says: “I loved the colonial feel and style of it. I liked the fact that it was not a through street – it’s very child-friendly. It has ample space and a beautiful dining room, too. Very nice and bright inside – every room has a lot of light. It’s wonderful for entertaining also, with the pool and all of the great sized rooms.” Why I’m Selling: “I own a home in Florida, and will be moving into a condo soon. I don’t have a need for a home of this size anymore.” Contact Lori Schlesinger at Lori & Associates LI Realty, (516) 791-8300

19 Woodmere Boulevard South, Woodmere, NY 11598

Stats: A lot size of 15,942 square feet with twelve rooms. 5 full bathrooms and one half bathroom. The property is going for $1,725,000.00 with a total taxes of $30,352.00 Details: Spectacular 6 bedroom, 5.5 baths, contemporary home. Dramatic master bedroom with marble bath, huge formal dining room and living room, gourmet eat in kitchen with granite countertops, in-ground pool and hot tub. Plus exercise room and sauna. Oversized finished basement. Over 5,000 square feet of living space. Circular driveway – a must see! Seller Says: “Totally renovated contemporary home. Beautiful new master bedroom with fireplace. Spacious rooms throughout. Wonderful family home great for entertaining and all the amenities you can ask for.” Why I’m Selling: “Scaling Down To A Smaller Home In The Area.” Contact Mark Lipner At Pugatch Realty Corp, 516-295-3000

Properties Sold in the Five Towns since March 23 1337 Broadway, Hewlett. Coop with three rooms. One bedroom, and a full bath. Maint Charges: $1184. Built in 1956. Unit #: L-11 Sold on 3/25 for $83,000 1586 Stevenson Rd., Hewlett. Colonial style with eight rooms. Four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and one half bathroom. Taxes: $19,109. Built in 1940. Lot Size: 108x139 Sold on 3/25 for $505,000 889 Lakeside Dr., Woodmere. Split style with seven rooms. Three bedrooms, and two full bathrooms. Taxes: $9,275. Built in 1954. Lot Size: 110x120 Sold on 3/24 for $630,000 16 West Ave., Lawrence. Victorian style with nine rooms. Four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and one half bathroom.

Taxes: $6,500. Built in 11908. Lot Size: Unlisted Sold on 3/27 for $320,000 1 Meadow Dr., Woodmere. Co-op with five rooms. Two bedrooms, and one full bathroom. Maintenance Charges: $961. Built in 1950. Unit #: 1J Sold on 3/28 for $206,000 28 Saint George Pl., Inwood. Two story with nine rooms. Three bedrooms, and two full bathrooms. Taxes: $5,843. Built in 1928. Lot Size: 31x118 Sold on 3/23 for $154,000 485 5th Ave Cedarhurst. Colonial style with seven rooms. 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Bathrooms. Taxes: $5,100 Built 1908 Lot Size 31 X 105. Sold on 4/01 for $225,000 795 Kearny Dr. N. Wood-

FREE EVERY FRIDAY

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mere. Split style with 10 rooms. 4 Bedrooms, 4 Full Bathrooms. Taxes: $18,566 Built in 1960 Lot Size: 87 X 100 Sold on 3/30 for $480,000 680 Flanders Dr. N. Woodmere. Split style with 10 rooms. 3 Bedrooms, 3 Full Bathrooms. Taxes: $9,444.62 Built in 1961 Lot Size: 67 X 104 Sold on 04/06 for $610,000 340 Rockaway Tpke Cedarhurst. Shopping Center Approx Interior Square Feet: 1,680 Built in 1952 Lot Size: 170 X 100 Sold for $250,000

“President Obama announced his re-election campaign, though it’s not really a surprise. He did all the things that make it official: He filed the paperwork, redesigned his website, and printed another fake birth certificate.”

–Craig Ferguson “President Obama said he plans on running for re-election against the Republicans. After the tax cuts for the rich, the bailouts for Wall Street, and the bombing in Libya, I already thought he was the Republican candidate.”

–Jay Leno “Fox News’ Geraldo Rivera was caught in the middle of a firefight between pro- and anti-government forces in Libya. He was lucky to get out alive because both sides were trying to shoot him.”

–Jay Leno

“As far as I’m concerned, the election starts with the first attack ad, which should appear in about 20 minutes.”

“Southwest Airlines said that the hole that ripped through the fuselage of one of their airplanes was not terrorism-related. Thank goodness! It was just maintenance neglect.”

–Craig Ferguson

–Jay Leno

–Craig Ferguson

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• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

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Five Towns Passover Guide  APRIL 8-14, 2011 • THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD •

Tell It Forward: Making A Meaningful Seder By DVORA MEYERS

Special to The Standard

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esach, which is more commonly known in English as “Passover,” is a holiday that commemorates the Israelites exodus from Egypt where they were enslaved for over 200 years. As just about every kid who has ever attended Hebrew school knows, the reason we eat matzah is because our ancestors, in their haste to escape slavery, did not have enough time for to allow their bread to rise. This left us, their descendants, with unleavened bread and a compulsive need to find every last breadcrumb in a spring cleaning ritual run amok. The eight day long holiday (observed for only seven in Israel) has evolved significantly since Biblical times. Back then, it coincided with the barley harvest and was celebrated with sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem. But as Jews moved away from their agrarian roots, Passover morphed into a potent symbol for communal and personal liberation. And the time when the festival is firing on all of its symbolic cylinders is during the Seder. First, there is all of the symbolic food we consume. “We eat matzah, horseradish and other bitter vegetables to reflect on the bitterness of the time,” Rabbi Zalman Wolowik of the Chabad of the Five Towns said, referring to difficult lives of the Israelite slaves. We engage in this sort of role play in an attempt to symbolically re-

experience the moment of deliverance, noted Rabbi Andrew Warmflash of the Hewlett East Rockaway Jewish Center. This is all part of the effort to transmit the story of the Exodus from one generation to the next. The education imperative is the reason that the seder tends to be geared towards children. “The holiday of Passover is about family, more specifically, our children,” Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum of Temple Israel of Lawrence stated. “The injunction of the seder is to tell the story of the exodus to your children. And so when the children ask the Four Questions and it is incumbent on the parents to respond.” One of the most significant lessons both young and old can take away from Passover is the importance of freedom. The Passover Haggadah uses four different words to describe the liberation, which is represented by the four cups of wine we imbibe at the table. This signifies an incremental approach to freedom, according to Rabbi Kenneth Hain of Congregation Beth Shalom in Lawrence. This was seemingly mentioned with an with an eye cast towards the recent revolutions in the Middle East where citizens have overthrown their despots with the same zeal for liberty that motivated the slaves to leave Egypt thousands of years ago. But as the Israelites learned, becoming free was only the first step. “After freedom, then what?” he asked. “Is there chaos or structured community?” For the Israelites, the solution

was the Torah, which gave form to their newfound freedom. Though the action in the story of Passover moves fast – from the plagues to the Red Sea to Sinai – many seders progress decidedly slower and can try the patience of participants, especially when one is hungry. The “when are we going to eat” question is one of the biggest difficulties people have with the seder, noted Rabbi Elliot Skiddel of Congregation Beth Emeth, a reconstructionist temple in Hewlett. He has an incredibly obvious solution to this problem – keep little noshes out on the table

for guests to munch on. How charming and simple. “The first thing I always tell people is to remember that Pesach is not Yom Kippur. There’s no special requirement to fast before the meal,” he said. And it’s not just hungry adults that can grow restless. Kids can also get fidgety during the long ritual. Rabbi Skiddel suggested a couple of ways to combat the inevitable squirminess. “Give everybody paper and crayons and ask people to draw their favorite part of the story,” he advised. Engaging the children in an activity will help them stay awake and in-

volved. Of course, you can also just shorten the seder and distill it to its main points. “It’s okay to skip things. There’s no regulation that says you have to read every word,” he said. Rabbi Skiddel suggested The 30 Minute Seder by Robert Kopman as a useful guide through the abridged ritual. This abbreviated approach does not represent a break with tradition. After all, our ancestors made haste on their way out of the Egypt, which is how we ended up with eight days of unleavened bread. It only seems fair that we should make haste to the brisket.

Tasty and Simple Recipes for Passover RUSSIAN SALAD

By LEVANA KIRSCHENBAUM Special to The Standard

Kosher For Passover PECAN BROWNIES The Passover version of this timeless classic is virtually identical to the year-round one: Osem Matzah cake meal is that good! Secret of delicious brownies, beside of course delicious chocolate: Do not be tempted to bake a minute more or they will harden. • 8 ounces best-quality dark chocolate, chopped, or 2 cups best-quality semisweet chocolate chips • 1 cup margarine (try your best for a good natural brand) • 4 eggs • 1 cup sugar • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract • 1/2 cup Osem Matzah Cake Meal • ¾ cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans (12 to 15 min-

utes in a preheated 325 degree oven) Preheat oven to 375°F. Melt the chocolate and margarine in a small saucepan over very low heat or in a microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. In a food processor or with an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the chocolate mixture and mix. Add the Matzah Cake meal and vanilla and mix, pulsing until just combined. Fold in the nuts with a spoon. Pour the batter into a greased 12-inch square pan (or any pan of a comparable size) and bake for 35 minutes until the top is barely firm. It will set completely with the residual heat sticking to the pan. Chill before cutting, so you can cut them neatly. Store refrigerated in a sealed container. Makes about 3 dozen.

Levana Kirschenbaum was co-owner of Levana Restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and the pioneer in Kosher upscale dining. She is a cooking teacher, and gets countless devoted fans for her fearless, practical and nutritious approach to cooking. She gives weekly cooking demos at her classroom at Lincoln Square Synagogue, and gets cooking demo engagements around the country. She has published “Levana’s Table: Kosher Cooking for Everyone”, “Levana Cooks Dairy-Free!”, and a bookdvd set based on her demo series called “In Short Order. She has also recently launched a line of spelt all-natural desserts, called, what else, Levana. Go onto her website to find out more about her demos, at www.levanacooks.com, or about her desserts, at www.levanadesserts.com.

We grew up eating this hearty “salade russe” as we called it. The name signals the presence of a few Russian staples: beets, dill, pickles. The authentic way includes chopped hard-boiled eggs into it, about 3 to 4 for the amounts given below: Add only if you intend to make a main course out of it, or serve them in a little bowl on the side. I love to make this dish with Osem pickles, as they are crunchy and thin. Delightful with cold fish, poultry, or meat dishes. • 1 large beet • 2 large Yukon or other good potatoes • 2 large carrots • ½ small red onion • 3 Osem pickles • 1 small bunch dill • 2 ribs celery, peeled • 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1/4 cup unfiltered apple cider vinegar • Salt and pepper to taste Peel and dice all the vegetables 1/2 inch. Cook the beets separately (so as not to turn the whole dish an unpleasant red) in a wide-bottom pot or a large skillet, with water just to cover, until tender and the water cooks out. Cook the potatoes (or turnip) and carrots the exact same way in another pot. Transfer all the vegetables to a bowl. Cut the onion, pickle, dill, and celery in large chunks and place in the food processor. Pulse the mixture until minced. Add the oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper and pulse 2 to 3 more times, until just combined. While the vegetable mixture is still warm, pour the ground mixture over them and mix thoroughly. Store refrigerated in glass jars. Makes about 8 cups. Serve at room temperature.

Five Towns Community Seders

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he Passover Seder is one of the most widely observed Jewish rituals. Many people journey home to their families or celebrate with friends. But for those looking to broaden the meaning of “family” to include members of their local Jewish community or simply want to meet new people and celebrate in a larger gathering, there are communal seders options to choose from across the denominational spectrum.

April 18 Chabad of the Five Towns Orthodox 74 Maple Avenue Cedarhurst (516) 295-2478 http://www.chabadfivetowns. com/

8:00 P.M. $54 per adult and $36 per child

April 19 Congregation Beth Emeth Reconstructionist 36 Franklin Avenue Hewlett (516) 374-9220 http://www.rcbe.org/ 6:30 P.M. $48 per adult, $22 per child

Temple Hillel Conservative 1000 Rosedale Road North Woodmere (516) 691-6344 http://www.templehillel.org/ 7:15 P.M. $50 per adult, $25 per child

APPLE RAISIN FARFEL This delicious and super-nutritious dish is sure to be equally at home as a side dish and as a breakfast or even dessert! Kind of a new-age Matzah Brei but without the eggs. I created it years ago for my then-small daughter Bella, a cereal eater who at first asked “but Mommy, Cheerios don’t RISE, so why can’t we have them on Passover?” but stopped asking after she tasted this delightful treat, and instead asked for it! This is practically no work: It’s all about combining the right flavors! Breakfast: • 3 cups milk • 3 cups water • ¼ cup butter • 2 green apples, unpeeled, diced small • 1 cup dark or golden raisins • 2 tablespoons cinnamon

• Optional: only if you like it a little sweeter: sugar or honey to taste • Salt to taste • 1 pound box Osem Whole Wheat Farfel Bring all but last ingredient to boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce the flame to medium, and stir in the farfel. Cook covered about 5 minutes. If you like it thinner, thin with a little water or milk. Serve hot Side dish: Pareve Use all water (6 cups total) or half natural apple juice and half water, and use olive oil instead of butter. Proceed just as above. Muffins: For a more dramatic presentation: Let either of the above mixtures cool, and pour it into greased muffin molds: serve cold as muffins, or reheat and serve warm as a side dish.

Thank an Israeli Soldier This Passover T hank Israeli Soldiers (TIS) is a non-profit organization that was established to educate, embrace, and empower Israeli soldiers, according to Mimi Jankovits, TIS director. TIS organizes educational programs in Jerusalem, the United States, holds special events, and sends care packages to soldiers. TIS, which works closely with the Israeli Defense Force, is currently sending care packages to soldiers and their families who may need extra help to have a Seder, Jankovits said. The package includes matza, grape juice, olives, and all the staples and ritual foods peo-

ple need to have a Seder meal, except for the chicken and the vegetables. We want to tell the soldiers that people are behind

them around the world There’s nothing like saying thank you and taking care of the people that take care of us, – Jankovits added. The Passover Care Package is currently $100 and a small care package is $18. Care packages can be sent through thankisraelisoldiers.org.

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• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

A Passover Guide for The Five Towns

By DVORA MEYERS

Special to The Standard

The Food Many Jews (including this one) tend to associate Passover with food deprivation. Adherents to the rules of the holiday must refrain from all leavened foods, wheat and in some traditions, legumes, beans and even corn. (This means that the unhealthy staple of the American diet, high fructose corn syrup, is mercifully off limits for eight days.) Yet in recent years, even the most curmudgeonly Passover eater must admit that the food offerings suitable for the holiday have increased both in number, quality and taste. Yanky Brach of Brach’s in Lawrence is excited by the improvements that brands such as Geffen have made to their products, especially when it comes to their cakes mixes and new frostings. “Fantastic cakes even by chometz standards,” he crowed about this year’s line. “There’s been a lot of focus on taking it up a notch,” he observed. Brach was also enthused about the progress that has been made in the realm of Passover cereals, which no longer taste like you’re eating soggy cardboard doused in milk. Not exactly the breakfast

of champions. He recommends Geffen’s King Krunch or Pashkez CrunchO’s for a more pleasing taste and tactile sensation. Howie Klagsbrun, the floor manager at Gourmet Glatt in Cedarhurt, spoke with similar gusto about the Manischewitz macaroon pie shells and Streit’s Mac ‘n Cheese and other products that seek to mimic their year round leavened counterparts. But he reserved his highest praise for the packaged baked goods. “The Schick’s cakes are fantastic – rum balls, sugar free items. The chocolate rolls have sold out already,” he said. Both vendors mentioned their stock of Lieber’s almond milk, which should be a welcome addition for lactose intolerant Jews (of which there are more than a few). Also available at both stores are a range of certified gluten-free (GF) products, including matzah meal and both machine and handmade shmura matzah. It is amusing to think that these items are relatively novel, having only been introduced in the past few years, despite the fact that this entire holiday should be a Celiac’s gluten-free, eight day long dream. Another big win for GF folks is the recent rise of quinoa. Brach called the increasing popularity of quinoa a “game changer”

for the kosher for Passover food business. As a result of its permissibility and its widespread adoption, he’s noticed that certain grocery products, such as Pereg’s rice seasonings are being repurposed and used to prepare quinoa, and have sold very well as a result. He foresees that more quinoa friendly products will be introduced in the future. There are several products from Israel that are appearing consumer’s Passover pantries, including Lay’s brand potato chips and frozen chicken nuggets, tenders and cutlets from Of Tov, which have the potential to sell well year round. But it’s not all rosy in the Passover food department. “Coke is offering their smallest Passover choices ever,” Barach noted. The soda brand typically produces a limited run of bottles made with sugar instead of corn syrup for Passover observant consumers. So this Pesach might be a little less fizzy for some but at least we won’t have to chew corrugated cardboard soaked in milk anymore. Overall, I think this can be declared a win for Passover eaters.

The Entertainment The meal is ready, the table is set and the kids are…

restless. Though the seder is a ritual aimed at children, its duration can seem like the enemy of their limited attention spans. Fortunately, there are many kidfriendly, educational products available for the holiday. Aharon Appleton at Five Towns Judaica in Lawrence suggested some of his top picks to entertain and illuminate children (and distracted adults). The store carries a designyour-own-afikomen bag kit that a kid can use to create her own matzah holder. If one of the reasons behind the hiding of the afikomen is to keep kids awake and engaged throughout the seder night, seeing her own bag in use can be an even greater motivation for a child to remain at the table and behaved. And if the use of her afikomen bag isn’t working, there are always toys. A perennial favorite, Appleton noted, is the box/bag o’ plagues with a different toy to represent each macah, such as sunglasses for darkness. (Note to kids: This is about the only socially acceptable situation for you to wear sunglasses indoors. Take advantage of it). Same principal applies for the finger puppet kits. Ten fingers, ten plagues, ten puppets. This should keep your kids’ dig-

its occupied so they don’t use them to break the fancy stemware. The technology on the fake frog front has improved greatly since I was a child. (I think I pretended that a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle was the amphibious creature made infamous by the macah.) This year there are new windup frogs to help kids playfully reenact the second plague. “We’re sold out of these frogs that you wind up and they do back flips,” he explained. Well, maybe next year. In the plague-free Passover entertainment oeuvre, there are some delightful books for kids. “For young children, Sammy Spider’s First Passover is always a big seller,” Appleton said about the charming and popular picture book. For the slightly older camp (including grownups), Appleton suggested The Katz Passover Haggadah to engage them in the seder service. This new edition is beautifully illustrated by artist Gadi Pollack and offers plenty to look at aside from the traditional text.

family and guests. If they’ve got to take the Long Island Railroad to reach your home, then they’re in luck: The LIRR will be running nine special trains for Passover. “It’s part of early afternoon service that we operate out of Penn Station for customers leaving work early to observe Passover,” said Sam Zambuto, spokesman for the LIRR. The extra eastbound trains are scheduled for the afternoons of Monday, April 18th and Tuesday April 19th between 2:24 and 3:48 p.m.

Babylon Branch 2:22 PM express to Lynbrook, then all stops to Babylon. 3:00 PM stopping at Jamaica, Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon. 3:31 PM express to Rockville Centre, then all stops to Babylon.

Far Rockaway Branch 3:48 PM stopping at Jamaica, Locust Manor, then all stops to Far Rockaway.

Port Washington Branch

You’ve bought your food, cooked and cleaned. Now all you’ve got to do is wait for your

3:40 PM stopping at Woodside, Flushing Main St., then all stops to Great Neck. More information and schedules can be found at the LIRR’s website.

tal steps and each cup, with its transformative quality of feeling a bit more liberated after each cup, brings that home. “ Here are Moshe Fink’s top five red wine picks for this year’s holiday that you can bring home: Sol de Chile Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 ($11.99)

Gamla Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 ($17.99) Goose Bay Pinot Noir, 2009 ($19.99) Alexander Winery Sandro Cabernet Merlot, 2007 ($22.99) Karmei Yosef Winery Bravdo Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 ($29.99)

Getting There

Best Bets for The Four Cups

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assover is a good time to be doing business for Moshe Fink, the owner of Château De Vin on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst. He estimates that business jumps 25 percent during the two weeks before the holiday as Jews everywhere stock up in order to drink the four ritual cups of wine at the seder. “Many people that don’t normally drink wine, because of the holiday of Passover, they need to drink wine and they head to the liquor store,” said Fink who opened the store 20 years ago. Most wines, he explained, are made kosher for Passover since they are produced only once a year. There are few exceptions,

T

like Manischewitz wines which have a special kosher for Passover brand since the usual brand uses a corn sweetener. (In some traditions, the consumption of corn and corn derivatives is forbidden on Passover.) As for his own four cups, Fink uses a semi-dry wine with fairly low alcohol content. “Everyone has their own personal preference and everyone’s got to do what works for them,” he said. Though beer and whiskey are forbidden on Passover, Fink says there are a wide range of alcoholic beverages that are kosher for Passover including cognac, vodka and tequila. Most of the ko-

sher for Passover vodka is made with sugar cane or potatoes. The store also carries an imported vodka, aptly named “Moses Vodka.” “It’s actually very good all year around,” Fink noted. Matt Levy, general manager at Kosherwine.com, has noticed that the trends in Passover wine are skewing towards a more upscale palate. “We’re seeing people choose higher end wines, which range in cost from anywhere from $20$100 a bottle to make their seders more special,” he said. The retailer is especially pleased to have acquired the Yarden Yonatan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvi-

gnon (2007), which is “drinking fantastically and is going to be really good in the years down the road,” he noted. Of course, the four cups of wine traditionally drunk on Passover aren’t just good for a sommelier’s business. They’re good for the spirit and laden with religious and moral symbolism. “Textually it represents four expressions of liberation that are found in Exodus,” explained Rabbi Kenneth Hain, of Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence about the significance of the number four. “Beyond that it represents a sense that the process of freedom isn’t accomplished in one leap. There are incremen-

Top Five Passover YouTube Videos

he mammoth success of the Maccabeats’ Hanukkah YouTube video for “Candlelight” has virtually guaranteed that every Jewish holiday will now feature new songs and attempts at viral fame. Here are a few of the best, most innovative YouTube Passover offerings, both past and present:

ing just how short lived it is. http://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=DOkexg5oiOQ&feature=pl ayer_embedded

Best line: “Seder plate better than Darth Vader plate.” Oh, indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=BIxToZmJwdI Moses even uses Google Maps to find Pharoah’s palace. Now if only he had remembered to consult it before he left Egypt.

Google Exodus

Dayenu, Coming Home

In this tech happy video from Aish, the Exodus story is told by way of Google searches, Yahoo answers and Skype. (God, like your mom, has figured out Skype. Just wait until He friends you on Facebook.)

From the Ein Prat Fountainheads in Israel comes a remake of the most parodied song of 2010 – Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You.” Except in this Passover version the put down is not being directed a girl but at the Egyptians.

Seder Plate The Macaroons’ latest song has been turned into an adorable animated music video from JDub Records and Kveller. In this catchy tune, a celebrity seder plate, complete with limousines, bling and the backing of a super cute animal band (do they do weddings and bar mitzvahs, too?) enjoys his elevated status during Passover while bemoan-

http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=E_RmVJLfRoM In the second part of the video, the Fountainhead adapt Diddy’s “Coming Home” to serve their Ag-

gadic purposes. Apparently Diddy still makes music. Who knew?

20 Things To Do With Matzah Here’s an oldie but goodie from singer-songwriter Michelle Citrin and Will Levin that suggest. Their songs suggest ways to get rid of your leftover matzah.

thought, “This so feels like a high school comedy circa 1999”? If so, the makers of this YouTube video from 2006 understand how you feel. Using scenes from Cecil B.

“Passover’s over and wouldn’t it be neat if you could use all the matzah that you didn’t eat,” Citrin sings. Her tips include using the unleavened stuff as a coaster, bookmark and insulation. http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xMSEFCQCKPo I couldn’t agree more. That stuff should be used for everything except eating.

10 Things I Hate About Commandments Have you ever read Exodus and

DeMille’s classic film The Ten Commandments, a soundtrack featuring Beyonce, Usher and the Ramones, and featuring Samuel L. Jackson as Principal Firebush, this hilarious short demonstrates how a little editing, narration and the right music can turn any Bible story into a starring vehicle for Julia Stiles. http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=u1kqqMXWEFs

Kulanu Cooks Up a Storm for Passover A

s a part of the Kulanu Cooking Demonstration Series, Deedee and Mark Honigsfeld hosted lessons of their own cooking at their Woodsburgh home on April 6. Kulanu director of development, Mindy Rosen-

Chef Mark Honigsfeld cooking up a storm

Fruit pastry topped with whipped cream

garten, said that Kulanu (a private school in Cedarhurst focusing on children with special needs) means “all of us” and explained that “everyone with a disability has something to offer...they can enrich your life.” The next cooking demonstra-

A handmade “Godzilla Tempura Egg Roll”

tion will be held on May 5. For more information and to see about getting copies of these delicious looking Passover recipes or to reserve a seat at the next demonstration, call Danielle Aronovitz at 516316-1902.

Another pastry to satisfy any sweet tooth

Photo Credit : Susan Varghese

APRIL 8-14, 2011 • THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD •

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• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

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Real Estate for Sale

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Coldwell Banker Residential Hewlett- Open house on Sunday- 1745 HANCOCK ST. 11:00am-1:00pm Great room layout. 4br, 2.5ba, 50 x 200 property $575K MORTON M. HAVES, Inc. 516-3740100 Hewlett- New to market. Beautiful 5 BR, 3 bths, split. All updated, in SD#14. Separate entrance can be M/D with proper permits. Owner motivated, present all offers... $550K 5 Towns Home Realty 516-569-5710 Hewlett Harbor- Open house on Sunday- 270 PEPPERIDGE RD. 1pm-3pm Prestigious Local. Motivated. 5br, 3.5ba. Lg Fam Rm. $875K MORTON M. HAVES, Inc. 516-374-0100 Hewlett Neck- Open house on Sunday250 DOLPHIN DR. 1:30pm-3:30pm 5br, OS lot plus 100’ of Bulk headed Waterfront $1.595M MORTON M. HAVES, Inc. 516-3740100 Hewlett:(Hewlett Park)Lg 1Br,1Bth,corner unit, Lr,/Dr,Eik,Hardwood Floors...Cheap $110,000 or Rent $1250/ month call Lori & Associates 516-791-8300 Inwood— 2.5BR, 1bth, huge Eat-in country kitchen, detached garage, water view. Secluded 60x145 lot size, low taxes, country club section of Inwood. $298K Call 516507-8607 Inwood— New to market. Charming Victorian on quiet tree-lined street with water view. 7BR, great for large family. A must see! $529K 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-5695710 Inwood - For Sale By Owner. 3BR house for sale in mint condition in Inwood. Close to Yeshiva Ketana within walking distance of Far Rockaway. Full finished basement with separate entrance and meters. Brand new appliances. $385,000. Please call 718-2888434 Lawrence- Colonial on Ocean Ave. Huge Mst Suite plus 2 Kids Br’s, Lr, Den/fireplace, Eik, Fdr,IG Pool, all situated on 123x180 property. Asking $1,350,000 Call Lori & Associates 516-791-8300 Lawrence- Completely redone, move-in mint home. When you say “just bring your toothbrush” this is it. C/H Colonial features Formal Lr w/fpl, New Eik w/granite counter tops which opens into spectacular huge family room, 2-car garage, FBsmt. This home wont last, asking $989,000 Call Lori & Associates 516-791-8300. Lawrence- “New Listing” X-Large 5BR Exp Ranch With Den & Huge Bsmt On 100x145 Property $1.1M Call Irene Steiner Direct 516-652-7099 Pugatch Realty Corp. Email: isteiner@pugatch.com . Lawrence- New To Market! Magnificent 7BR + 3BR Guest Suite, CH Colonial With Every Amenity, Super Kid Friendly Block $POR Call Irene Steiner Direct 516-6527099 Pugatch Realty Corp. Email: isteiner@ pugatch.com . Lawrence- Spacious 7BR Country Manor Home On Private Road With Heated IG Pool & Breathtaking Waterviews, Huge Rooms, Private Estate $POR Call Irene Steiner Direct 516-652-7099 Pugatch Realty Corp. Email: isteiner@pugatch.com Lawrence- Residential Land For Sale Builders Acre For One House, Water & Golf Course Views, Price Reduced $699K Call Irene Steiner Direct 516-652-7099 Pugatch Realty Corp. Email: isteiner@pugatch.com Lawrence- Co-op For Sale or Rent. Elevator building, 1Br, New Bth, New Kit, Lr/Dr, $149,000 or rent $1400/month. Call Lori & Associates 516-791-8300 Lawrence- Co-op For Sale or Rent. “The Plaza”: Doorman, Elevator building 1Br, New Granite Kit, New Marble Bth, Terrace, Give away price $199K or Rent $1495/ month call Lori & Associates 516-791-8300 Lawrence/Far Rockaway- New to market. Spacious 1 BR, light and bright, doorman/ elevator building, walk all... $195K 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Lawrence- 1BR White Glove building, 1.5bths, terrace, w/d, CAC, 24-hour doorman, parking. For sale or rent. Call 516-2953491 Lawrence- New to market. Spacious 5BR, 3.5bth split, large LR with fireplace, FDR, large EIK, den, oversized property on quiet tree-lined street. Walk all shuls. $1,050M 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 Lawrence- Ours Alone! Brick, C/H COL, Stately brick, w/old world charm, Hi ceilings, 6Br, 4.5 baths, Kosher EIK, Lg. FDR, Library, Fin. Bsmt., Lg Prop., walk all. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Lawrence- Luxury 2BR Co-op apt for sale. First floor, parking available, must see! $169K Please call 718-873-5422 Merrick- Open house on Sunday- 3200 HEWLETT AVE. 12pm-2pm Open bay water front with bulk head. 4 br, 2.5 ba CAC. $989K MORTON M. HAVES, Inc. 516-3740100 Miami Beach- Carriage Club North— Split 2BR, 2bth, large circular terrace, high ceilings, 15 floor panoramic view of intercoastal. 917-797-5774 North Woodmere- Open house on Sunday- 776 UNIVERSITY ST. 11am-1pm Priced reduced! Spacious floor plan. Mint Condition. $549K MORTON M. HAVES, Inc. 516-374-0100 North Woodmere- New to market. Custom 6BR (4 on one level), new granite kitchen, LR, FDR, 2 dens, quiet tree-lined street. Walk all shuls. $679K Owner. 516902-8908 North Woodmere- Decorator’s Dream. Beautiful bi-level, large granite kosher EIK, FDR, large LR, den, 4BR, waterview, all systems, walk all shuls. Owner motivated. Present all offers.. 5 Towns Homes Realty 516-569-5710 Oceanside- Brand new construction.

Beautiful CH col. Large 4 BR (1 level), 2.5 bths, granite EIK, FDR, den with fp, full bsmt, in cul-de-sac, walk all, best price $675K 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Woodmere- Split, Huge Mst Suite (30’x25’) w/ Jacuzzi bth, walk-in closets, pvt Den Plus 3Br & maids room, 3.5 Bth, Lr,Fdr,Eik, Den, FBsmt, 2-car garage. Asking $649,000 call Lori & Associates 516-791-8300 Woodmere- “Great” 4BR Splanch With Large Bedrooms, Basement & Lg Living Rm W/Cathedral Ceiling $699K Call Irene Steiner Direct 516-652-7099 Pugatch Realty Corp. Email: isteiner@pugatch.com . Woodmere- New To Market! 6BR, 4bth Expanded Ranch, Possible M/D With Proper Permits $499K Call Irene Steiner Direct 516-652-7099 Pugatch Realty Corp. Email: isteiner@pugatch.com Woodmere- 917 Midway, SD#14 $500’s Milky Forst Properties, Inc. 516-239-0306 Woodmere- 945 Tee Ct. Mint ranch on beautiful cul-de-sac $749K Milky Forst Properties, Inc. 516-239-0306 Woodmere- Open house on Sunday931 MIDWAY 1pm-3pm Six Br. home on wonderful quiet mid block location Bright EIK. $549K MORTON M. HAVES, Inc. 516374-0100 Woodmere/Cedarhurst- Oppty! 12,000 sq. ft. approx. 90’x150’, Colonial, 17 rooms, full bsmt. with hi ceilings, clean 2 car garage plus storage, 6 space parking, 2 family, professional use, accountant, Esq., medical and/or educational and religious uses. Grand colonial with charm and great possibilities. Available at once... $875K Negotiable Owner 516-322-3555

International Jerusalem: Amazing Jerusalem Home. German Colony— 8 rooms, 3 levels, 212 meters, renovated, garden, including additional studio apt. $1,800,000 flexible, more properties available. Yaniv Gabbay Re/max Vision 011-972-52-614-1442 gabbay.yaniv@gmail.com Jerusalem— Ramot Beit— Large renovated home+ Separate unit. 7BR, 3.5 full bath, 3 space parking, garden, $1.050K 972-544637720, 972-2-6232680, eli@ramotrealestate.co.il, www.ramotrealestate.co.il Property no 1220 Jerusalem— Ramat-Eshkol - 3 apt, 2 of 3BR + 1 of 1BR, 3 space parking. 3BR— $565K each. 1BR— $340K eli@ramotrealestate.co.il, www.ramotrealestate.co.il Property no 1219

Real Estate for Rent Cedarhurst: Townhouse 2Br/2Bth,New kit,Lr,Dr,CAC, indoor parking garage$1850/ month call Lori & Associates 516-791-8300 Cedarhurst— 1st floor apt. All new 3BR, 1.5bths, EIK, FDR, LR, w/d, parking, yard. Walk all. $2150. 5 Towns Homes Realty 516569-5710 Cedarhurst— New to market. Freshly painted, LR, FDR, large kitchen, 3BR, 1.5bths, basement, in prime location, walk all. $2250 5 Towns Homes 516-569-5710 Cedarhurst— All new bright 3BR, 1bth, upstairs apt. 2 family house, LR, FDR, EIK w/ new appliances, h/w floors, yard and parking, walk all. $2200. 5 Towns Homes 516569-5710 Cedarhurst — All new, bright 3 BR, 1.5 bths, ground floor apt in 2-family house, LR, FDR, EIK/ w new appliances, new carpet, w/d included, yard and parking. Walk all... $2,150 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Cedarhurst — All updated charming Col. New granite EIK, FDR, LR with fireplace, 4+ BR, CAC, in the heart of Cedarhurst. Walk all. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Far Rockaway Apartment Rentals: 1, 2, and 3 BR available, completely renovated, 24 Hr Doorman, Large LR/DR area, Close to LIRR. Weissman Realty, LLC 516-791-6100 Lawrence: Elevator building, Renovated 1Br, New Bth, Sunken Lr/Dr,New Kit, $1400/ mth call Lori & Associates 516-791-8300. Lawrence: Garden Apt, Sponser owned, 1Br, 1Bth,Lr,Dr,Kit $1225/mth call Lori & Associates 516-791-8300 Lawrence — Coop Rental. 1BR. 1NU Bth, LR, DR, EIK... $1,300 5 TOWN HOMES 516569-5710 Lawrence/Far Rockaway —Jr 4 (2 BR) Spacious doorman/ elevator building, walk all $1,500. 5 TOWN HOMES 516-569-5710 Woodmere…..Village Plaza Realty . Brooklyn warehouse — 10,500 square foot, 1 story warehouse plus 2000 square foot offices. Five minutes from Flatbush Avenue and Nostrand Avenue. 2 loading docks, high ceilings. Call owner 917-796-1742 Woodmere- 37 Woodmere Blvd, we have the entire building. 1Br,1Bth,Elevator $1450/month. Call Lori & Associates 516791-8300 Oceanside— House for rent. Beautiful ranch. 2/3BR, large LR with fireplace, DR, granite EIK, on oversized fenced property, walk South Nassau Hospital and houses of worship.. 5 Towns Homes Realty Call Edi 516-728-2977 Studio. New EIK, private entrance. $850 includes utilities 203-387-9991

VOX POPULI

Those Who Faced The Most

CONTINUED FROM P. A10

increase in veterans’ disability claims this year as opposed to last year. Because of this, it is incumbent upon all elected officials to ensure that when a veteran steps forward his or her needs are met. It is difficult for many veterans to step forward and request the veterans’ benefits earned. When they do step forward they should not meet a brick wall of bureaucratic red tape which, I feel, belittles their service. To that end, governmental agencies must do what is right for our veterans which means that when a veterans steps forward their claims are processed quickly and decisions within the agency are made quickly. No more delays and no more red tape. This also means that our elect-

ed leaders must take politics out of the veterans’ system. In 2010, after eight (8) years of service to veterans as the Director of Nassau County Veterans Services, Mr. Ed Aulman, was relieved of his duties by the new County Executive Ed Mangano. Since the position is a political appointment by the County Executive some would argue that the move was inevitable. While it is the County Executive’s prerogative to appoint any individual they deem more politically like minded, there are some positions that should stay above politics. After Mr. Aulman was relieved of his position, numerous veterans’ groups stepped forward and urged Mr. Mangano to reconsider. He did not. Now I can’t speak personally nor do I have knowledge as to Mr. Aulman’s job performance

or the reason for his removal, but when veterans’ groups step forward in support of an individual for a governmental veteran position, our representatives must listen and not, as I fear, simply write off an appointee as not politically like minded and thus expendable. This applies to all our representatives whether they are Republican, Democrat or Independent. Political appointees can and should be competent. Service, duty and honor are not just the province of military heroes but also politicians and their political appointees. Mr. Mangano is certainly entitled to appoint his government, and in fact earned that right upon election, but with that executive power comes the responsibility to choose wisely especially when you are choosing someone who will serve all those that served.

DEAR THAT’S LIFE

“You Talkin’ to Me?” CONTINUED FROM P. A10 were practical jokes could I really make it from here to Teaneck, NJ in 42 minutes. The GPS in my car does not live in real life -- if it did, it would know that the Belt Parkway is more of a parking lot than parkway and that taking Broadway through Hewlett at about 3:30 pm on any giv-

en day is as stupid as driving down Central Avenue on a Friday afternoon. I would also let it know no matter how many focus groups came back and approved that voice, they were all wrong and it was still annoying. Finally, I would let it know that this is not an episode of “Knight Rider” and it is not KITT. Until then, it does not really have a

speaking part in my life, I will make that left turn when I feel like it and I will never take the Cross Bronx in the middle of the afternoon. As for now, I’m on Ocean Avenue and I have no idea how to get home. I am quickly reminded of who is really in charge. Excuse me: Am I supposed to make a left here?

HEWLETT HAPPENINGS

Intense Competition at Sports Night Cabaret Night Steals The Show CONTINUED FROM P. A7 Gluck, Cary Epstein, and Calum Pasqua, each of the four components of the event—comedy, vocals, the band, and the dance team—was led and directed by students captains, with little

interaction between the four groups until the very end. Despite only having a short few months to prepare, the Cabaret Night team did not fail to deliver an incredible performance this year, and raised a remarkable amount of money for its

noble cause. I’ll admit, keeping up with all of the spring excitement is almost as maddening as it is to write about it. Though the school year’s not quite over yet, I look forward to the time when things start to wind down.

Local Post Offices Spared The Axe CONTINUED FROM P. A3 States Postal Service. The specific numbers of customer traffic in local post offices are not readily available, according to Reid. However, nationally, there’s been a decline in total mail volume in the past few years. In 2006, there were 213 billion pieces of mailed nationally, and for 2010 there are a projected 150 billion pieces mailed. “Given the extraordinary decline in mail volume — a decline of nearly 26 billion pieces last year alone — we must take action to reduce the size of our retail and delivery network,” said Kenneth Hale, Long Island District Manager. “By consolidating, streamlining and adjusting our operations, the Postal Service becomes a more efficient and effective organization, one best positioned to serve our customers.”

According to the United States Postal Service, unless dramatic changes are made, “cumulative loss will reach $238 billion in 2020.” In the age of text messaging and email, some people still prefer the personalization a handwritten letter brings. A “lifetime” Cedarhurst resident said, “Letters are important, people can email all they want, but I like a personal touch. Someday you’ll get a president who won’t know how to write script!” Yael Baron, a Five Towns resident prefers the Internet. “ I’m mostly on social media. I don’t care if there are five post offices or five million, although I think one is enough.” On the five post offices in The Five Towns, Baron said, “Maybe a lot of people are lazy and need convenience. I’m used to going to the Lawrence post office. People like familiarity.”

Despite the fact that local postal branches aren’t being closed, not all employees are at ease. “I don’t feel relieved. If it’s not me being cut, it’s still one of my brothers or sisters being cut,” said Lisa, a post office courier in Five Towns. Long Island post offices aren’t on the chopping block now, but Reid noted that the future of the post office might lie outside of the familiar brick buildings sprawled across The Five Towns. “ People are going to an ATM to get stamps, to CVS to get stamps, we have stuff at Walmart where you can buy prepackaged priority mail. People are navigating to other ways of doing business with us…now you can do everything from your computer. That’s the future of the post office…increase our alternate access, and decrease our ‘brick and mortar’ post offices.”

Community Happenings

Commercial Real Estate for Rent Cedarhurst: Sublet 1 to 4 desks w/all utilities plus internet included. Heart of Cedarhurst, Storefront $250/per desk call Lori & Associates 516-791-8300 Cedarhurst — Office rental: Executive 2 Bths, Fully Web wired, 1,250 sq. ft., CAC. 5TGR 516-322-3555 Far Rockaway— Large, bright 3BR, 1.5bths apt in 2-family house. Great location off Reads Lane. $2100 includes heat and parking. 5 Towns Homes Realty 516569-5710 Woodmere:Professional office space for rent,1320Sf off Broadway. Fully renovated, Waiting Rm seats 14 people,3 Exam rms, Cac, Can be subdivided,Street level w/municipal pkg lot arross the street.,$2000/mth or rent individual rooms, call LORI & ASSOCIATES 516-791-8300 Woodmere: Professional building, upstairs 5 large pvt offices, 2 Bth’s, Waiting room $2200/month, can subdivide into individual rooms, call Lori & Associates 516791-8300

Business Opportunity Become an Acai Berry Juice distributor and earn commission immediately. Online trainer, work from home, no investment, email yara2003@aol.com

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray (2nd right), Councilman James Darcy (3rd left) and Town Clerk Mark A. Bonilla (right) present an official Town of Hempstead Citation to Chris McGrath of Hewlett (3rd right), who was recently honored as Citizen of the Year at the 2011 Inwood Civic Association Dinner Dance. Also pictured (left to right) are District Court Judge Anthony Paradiso and Dinner Dance Chairperson Frank Mistero of Atlantic Beach.

APRIL 8-14, 2011 • THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD •

B9

Light, Tasty and Creative Cuisine for Passover Easy Recipes to Enhance The Holiday

P

assover, like all Jewish holidays, is filled with food tradi-

tions from matzah balls to brisket. But given the limitations – no leavened prod-

ucts, beans and legumes permitted – a Pesach cook has to be truly creative and

resourceful in the kitchen to produce delicious and satisfying fare. Or in

Stuffed Turkey Breast

Pomegranate Braised Brisket

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 1 hour | Total: 1 hour 45 minutes Ingredients • 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 1 medium onion, peeled and diced • 6 button mushrooms, sliced (about 2 cups) • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 cups frozen spinach, defrosted and drained well • 2 boneless skinless turkey breasts (approximately 2 pounds) • 1 large egg, beaten • 3 tablespoons matzoh meal • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt • A pinch of red pepper flakes • 1 cup chicken broth

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. 2. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and sauté for 4 minutes or until slightly softened. 3. Add mushrooms and garlic. Sauté 5 to 7 minutes more or until tender. 4. Stir in spinach and cook for 2 minutes. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes. 5. Working with one turkey breast at a time, carefully slice horizontally, without slicing all the way through, to make a large pocket in the middle. 6. In a large bowl, combine mushroom spinach mixture with egg, matzah meal, parsley,

The Joy of Kosher, Jamie Geller’s new monthly food and lifestyle magazine.

lieu of creativity, you can simply try out these ready for Passover recipes from

Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: about 4 hours | Total: 4 hours 30 minutes

salt and pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Divide mixture evenly between each turkey breast and stuff to fill the pocket. 7. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large dutch oven or heavy bottomed saucepan over medium high heat. Sear turkey breasts for 3 to 5 minutes per side until lightly browned. 8. Carefully add broth; cover and transfer to preheated oven. Cook for 45 minutes or until internal temperature reaches165°F. 9. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing each breast into 8 slices, serving 2 slices per person.

Ingredients: • 1 four-pound 1st cut beef brisket • ½ teaspoon kosher salt • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 3 medium onions, peeled and cut into 1/8ths • 6 cloves garlic, smashed • 2 cups pomegranate juice • 2 cups chicken broth • 3 tablespoons honey • 3 bay leaves • 1 small bunch fresh thyme 1. Preheat oven to 375° F.

Yield: 8 servings

5. Flip brisket over and continue roasting for 1 to 1 ½ more hours or until tender. 6. Let brisket rest for 10 minutes before thinly slicing against the grain. Strain liquid and serve on the side as au jus.

2. Season brisket with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large roasting pan or dutch oven over medium high heat. Sear brisket for about 4 minutes per side or until browned. Remove and set aside. 3. Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and sauté onions and garlic for 5 minutes over medium low heat until softened. 4. Return brisket to pan and add pomegranate juice, broth, honey, bay leaves, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Transfer to preheated oven and roast for 2 hours.

Yield: 8 servings

Recommended Wine: Gamla Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon This slow cooked hearty brisket makes the perfect pairing for a robust Cabernet Sauvignon.

White Wine Poached Chicken with Dill Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 45 minutes | Total: 55 minutes Ingredients

• 1 large bunch fresh dill

• 2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced • 2 small zucchini, cut into ¼-inch thick rounds • 2 small bulbs fennel, trimmed and thinly sliced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt • 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts • 4 cups chicken broth • 2 cups dry white wine

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add shallots, zucchini, fennel, and garlic and sauté for 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly softened. 2. Season with salt and stir. 3. Add chicken breasts on top of vegetables and cover with broth, wine, and dill. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer until chicken is

cooked in about 15 minutes. 4. Remove chicken and vegetables and set aside, discarding dill. Boil liquid for 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly reduced.

5. Slice chicken and place on a serving platter with vegetables. Pour sauce over top and serve immediately.

Yield: 6 servings

Recommended Wine: Baron Herzog Chardonnay Chicken breasts generally get much of their flavor from the accompanying ingredients with which they are made. The garlic, veggies, and herbs together with the broth and white wine make this flavorful dish a great pairing for a light, refreshing chardonnay.

Celebrating

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Retailer: We will reimburse you the face value of this coupon plus 8¢ holding provided you and the consumer have complied with with the terms of this offer. Invoices providing purchases of sufficient stock to cover presented coupons must be shown on request. Any other application may constitute fraud. Coupon void where prohibited taxed or restricted. Consumer must pay any sales tax. Cash value 1/20¢ Reproduction of this coupon is expressly prohibited. Mail to: Aron Streit Inc. CMS Dept.70227 One Fawcett Drive Del Rio, TX 78840 DO NOT DOUBLE

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Retailer: We will reimburse you the face value of this coupon plus 8¢ holding provided you and the consumer have complied with with the terms of this offer. Invoices providing purchases of sufficient stock to cover presented coupons must be shown on request. Any other application may constitute fraud. Coupon void where prohibited taxed or restricted. Consumer must pay any sales tax. Cash value 1/20¢ Reproduction of this coupon is expressly prohibited. Mail to: Aron Streit Inc. CMS Dept.70227 One Fawcett Drive Del Rio, TX 78840 DO NOT DOUBLE

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Retailer: We will reimburse you the face value of this coupon plus 8¢ holding provided you and the consumer have complied with with the terms of this offer. Invoices providing purchases of sufficient stock to cover presented coupons must be shown on request. Any other application may constitute fraud. Coupon void where prohibited taxed or restricted. Consumer must pay any sales tax. Cash value 1/20¢ Reproduction of this coupon is expressly prohibited. Mail to: Aron Streit Inc. CMS Dept.70227 One Fawcett Drive Del Rio, TX 78840 DO NOT DOUBLE

B10

• THE SOUTH SHORE STANDARD • APRIL 8-14, 2011

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