As winter heating season approaches, PSEG Long Island reminds customers that programs exist to help people struggling with utility bills. There are also many ways they can lower their bills by using energy wisely.
“While PSEG Long Island is not a provider of natural gas or heating oil, we want all of our customers to be able to keep their homes warm this winter,” said Lou DeBrino, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Customer Operations. “To help customers manage their electricity expenses, we offer resources, tips and a variety of energy efficiency programs. There are also state programs that can help with heating costs. We know some customers are struggling to pay bills, and we encourage them to reach out to us to enroll in a deferred payment agreement and learn about available financial assistance programs. We’re here to help.” Assistance available to those struggling with bills
PSEG Long Island wants to work with any customer struggling to pay their bills and help them find a solution. The company encourages anyone with a past-due account balance to call 1-800-490-0025 so a representative can help them develop a deferred payment agreement tailored to the needs of their household.
PSEG Long Island also offers its Residential Energy Affordability Partnership Program, a free program for incomeeligible customers designed to help them save energy and lower their energy bills. A REAP technician will
visit a customer’s home to conduct a free home energy survey and may install energy-saving measures. To learn more, visit psegliny.com/myaccount/ customersupport/ financialassistance/reap. Additionally, PSEG Long Island wants to make customers aware of the financial assistance programs offered by New York State:
• The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can provide a heating fuel grant to eligible homeowners and renters depending on income, household size and how they heat their home. A family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $6,390 and still qualify for benefits. For more information, visit https://otda.ny.gov/ programs/heap/.
• Emergency HEAP, a subset of the HEAP program, offers eligible customers a grant to help low- and middle-income New Yorkers avoid having their home heating disconnected or or if they are running low or are out of their deliverable heat source (i.e. fuel oil, kerosene or propane). This emergency portion of HEAP is scheduled to open on Jan. 2, 2025. If customers are experiencing an emergency, they can apply for this benefit by reaching out to their local Department of Social Services location, which can be found here: https:// otda.ny.gov/programs/ heap/contacts/
• For low-income households facing no-heat situations, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is also accepting applications for its heating equipment repair or replacement benefit. Eligible homeowners can now apply for up to $4,000 for repair or $8,000 for replacement of a furnace, boiler or other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the household’s primary heating source working. Additionally, eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment to allow for its safe and efficient operation. Customers can apply for this benefit by reaching out to their local Department of Social Services location, which can be found here: https:// otda.ny.gov/programs/ heap/contacts/
Customers who apply for and receive one of these state or federal benefits are automatically placed on PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance Program, which provides a discount of $40 or more a month on their electric bill.
Customers who do not or cannot receive one of these state and federal benefits can apply for the Household Assistance Program in other ways. More information is available at psegliny. com/myaccount/ customersupport/ financialassistance/ householdassistance
How customers can lower their bills
The most effective thing customers can to do lower their bills is to use electricity more efficiently. Here are some helpful tips:
• Seal windows and doorframes with weather stripping or caulk, and remove or cover window air conditioners to help to prevent drafts that waste energy and money.
• Ceiling fans can be used to save energy in winter. Setting a fan to rotate clockwise on low pulls cool air toward the ceiling, pushing warm air down into a room.
• Lower your thermostat by just one degree to potentially reduce your heating bill. Lowering it two degrees during the day and five to 10 degrees at night will save even more.
• Use a programmable thermostat to automatically manage your home’s heating and cooling needs. ENERGY STAR® estimates that homes with high heating and cooling bills, as well as homes that are unoccupied for much of the day, can save approximately $100 a year with an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat. In addition, PSEG Long Island offers rebates on smart thermostats.
• Replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs since, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting accounts for about 15% of the electricity used in the home, and
Magic Of Lights Drive - Through Experience Illuminates
The Imagination During The Holiday Season
Magic of Lights, the family-friendly, drivethrough holiday lights festival, is celebrating the grandest holiday of the year with a dazzling, sparkling, and twinkling series of magical light displays in a 2.5-mile drive-through experience, the longest and brightest ever, at both Long Island’s Jones Beach State Park and at Holmdel’s PNC Bank Arts Center running nightly through January 4. Inside the comfort of their own vehicle, guests will enjoy Magic of Lights’ classic holiday favorites including Winter Wonderland, the 12 Days of Christmas, Toyland, festive Elves and Reindeer Road.
In addition to the 200 foot long Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, there will also be other new light tunnels to delight and amaze.
Other illuminated displays include the 32-foot-tall animated Mattel’s Waving Christmas Barbie®, Prehistoric Christmas featuring life sized dinosaurs celebrating the season, and the legendary BIGFOOT® Monster Truck. Created with over two million sparkling lights, Magic of Lights is a nostalgic and festive event everyone will enjoy. The Toyota Holiday Village, which allows guests to walk through a magical out-of-car area
featuring Santa Photos, refreshments, and other holiday activities, will also return at both locations. A new augmented reality feature will be introduced this year as well to make the magical experience even more interactive, with details set to be released in November.
“We are excited to return Magic of Lights to both the Long Island and Holmdel communities for as its become a part of the local annual holiday tradition,” says Ken Hudgens, CEO of Family Entertainment Holdings, LLC. “Our innovative creative team has designed a drive-through
holiday wonderland light experience that promises to dazzle and delight guests of all ages.”
The Magic of Lights uses the latest CAD technology and is hand-crafted at the Magic of Lights warehouse in Medina, OH, then, transported to Long Island. The displays combine for more than 10 miles of LED lighting across all presentations, in the trees, and on the buildings. There are 10 different colors of LED bulbs used. The highest scene is 32feet tall, and the longest is several hundred feet long. The steel displays are designed, bent, cut, and welded into about 800 frames combined in different configurations to create each show’s giant winter holiday scenes.
Magic of Lights is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. (dusk) until 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. (dusk) until 11 p.m. For dates, times,
and ticket availability, visit magicoflights. com. Admission is $30 in advance or $35 at the gate on weekdays and $30 in advance or $40 at the gate on weekends through November. Price is based per car. Special pricing is available for limousines and buses. Group ticket rates are available. Tickets are available through TicketMaster.com.
At Jones Beach, Magic of Lights is supported by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and presented by Flagstar. Further, a portion of every Jones Beach entry ticket sold will support Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Foundation for Long Island State Parks Inc.
Guests are encouraged to share their favorite Magic of Lights pictures!
Facebook: @ magicoflightsjonesbeach
Facebook: @ MagicOfLightsNewJersey
Instagram: @
TheMagicOfLights
Magic of Lights is produced in partnership between Family Entertainment Live and Live Nation.
About Family Entertainment Live Family Entertainment Holdings, LLC is a diversified, entertainment holding company that develops family-oriented live events including Magic of Lights ®, an outdoor holiday lights drive-through experience produced at venues throughout North America and Hot Wheels® Monster Trucks Live, showcasing a toys-to-life show of Mattel’s legendary Hot Wheels Monster Trucks show presented across North America, Europe and elsewhere internationally. The Company is headquartered in New York, NY. For more information visit familyentertainmentlive. com.
EXOTIC WAREHOUSE
DECEMBER HAPPENINGS
THURS. DEC. 26 - 9:00AM
FRI. DEC. 27 - 3:00PM
HOLIDAY DISCOVERY DAYS
Sweetbriar Nature Center will be offering daily natural science programs over the school breaks for elementary school children. Sweetbriar Nature CenterECSS, 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown. for more informatio, please call 631-979-6344
THURS. DEC. 26 & JAN. 2
• Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
• Companion Care, Home Attendants and Personal Assistants
• Meal Planning & Preparation
• Hygiene Assistance
• Medication Reminders
• Laundry & Light House Keeping
• Grocery Shopping & Local Errands
344 Deer Park Ave. Babylon, NY 11702 76 Fox Trail Ct. Riverhead, NY 11901 39A County Rd. Southampton, NY 11968 www.agentletouchseniorcare.com
11:00AM-1:00 PM
FESTIVE LIGHTHOUSES
Did you know lighthouses were lit with whale oil? Design and decorate a unique lighthouse of your own - complete with batterypowered tea light and mini wreath - to light up your home this winter. The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St. in Cold spring Harbor. No registration required. For more information, please call 516-282-6426, Cristina Ainslie.
FRIDAY, DEC. 27TH
5:30PM Activities, 7:00PM Movie
A VERY GRINCHY PAJAMA PARTY
Wear your favorite pajamas and immerse yourself in a world of Grinchy mischief and holiday cheer. This special family evening is packed with activities, a beloved holiday movie, and delicious treats. Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd. in Garden City. For general info 516-5724111. Reservations 516-572-4066
Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more info, call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
TUES., DEC. 31st
8:30PM-1:30AM
THE NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
Hosted by:The Holy Name Society. Music provided by: The Switch LI Food Catered by: Seaqua Catering Maria Regina Auditorium - Pontieri Hall. To Purchase tickets visit https://linktr.ee/hns_mariaregina and select "New Year's Eve Party Tickets", Choose the number of tickets you wish to purchase and then checkout. **TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD AT THE DOOR** Email: HolyNameSociety@ MariaRegina.com
TUES., DEC. 31st
8:00PM-1:00AM
NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA 2025
Celebrate New Years Eve at The Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station with Cocktail Hour, Buffet Dinner, Ball Drop, & Live Music! Call 631-828-4818 to reserve your spot or get your ticket now on our website! https:// themeadowclub.ticketspice.com/ new-years-eve-gala
NOW THRU DEC. 31st
8:00AM-6:00PM CHRISTMAS AT HICKS
Pictures with Santa, every day through December 23. Make sure to bring your own camera for pictures. A walkthrough Christmas story features Santa, his elves and friends as they prepare for the big day! A festive animated story for the young and young at heart! Please bring your donation of a
non-perishable food item(s) for Long Island Cares and drop off at the end of your walkthrough. 100 Jericho Turnpike in Westbury. For more information, please call 516334-0066
NOW THRU JAN. 02, 2025
10:00AM-3:00PM
CHRISTMAS HOUSE
LONG ISLAND
If you are looking for an exciting and fun, indoor family holiday attraction, Christmas House Long Island is now open daily at the Broadway Commons, 358 N. Broadway in Hicksville. This unique 45+ minute walk-through features interactive and imaginative experiences that will delight people of all ages! For more information, please call 516-878-0273
NOW THRU JAN. 04, 2025 Sunday-Thursday
5:00PM- 10:00PM Friday & Saturday 5:00PM -11:00PM
MAGIC OF LIGHTS
Jones Beach State Park. 1 Ocean Parkway in Wantagh. Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience, which features holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience this all from the comfort of your own car! One carload, one price. For dates, times, and ticket availability, visit magicoflights.com.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines can make special occasions even more enjoyable. That is why they're generally reserved for big events that warrant toasts, like weddings or New Year's Eve celebrations. But bubbly can be enjoyed at any time of year. Many people mistakenly believe that all sparkling wines are champagne, so much so that the term champagne has become something of an umbrella term. However, true champagne is made in the Champagne region of France from a combination of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes. It can only be made in the region's traditional method, called Méthode Champenoise, and the taste will typically be nutty and toasty. Sparkling wines can be produced across the globe in various ways. The taste will vary depending on how it is produced. Sparkling wines are named depending on where they are made. Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine, cava a Spanish variety and sekt is a German version.
LEGAL NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS
Notice is hereby given taxpayers of the Town of Babylon, that the Undersigned Receiver of Taxes has received the 2024/2025 Tax and Assessment Roll and Warrant.
She will accept payment for taxes at her office in the Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, N. Lindenhurst, N.Y. 11757 or by mail, beginning December 2024 daily between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Tax Office will be closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. First half taxes are due December 1, 2024 payable to January 10, 2025 without penalty. After January 10, 2025 one percent per month will be added on the first half to May 31, 2025 after which date, additional interest will be charged by the County Comptroller at his office at County Center, Riverhead, N.Y. 11901.
The Town of Babylon Tax Office will be accepting partial payments with penalty. We offer echeck and credit card payment through a telephone service or by the internet which includes American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover. For payments by telephone call 1-800-2PAYTAX (1-800-2729829) or visit the web site at www.acipayonline.com. At the prompt, use Jurisdiction Code 4232. You must have your item number and tax amount available. Transaction fees will be charged to the taxpayer based on the amount of the total charge. Total amount Warrant to be coHected by the Receiver of Taxes for the 2024/2025 tax year is $880,757,568.90.
Taxes become a lien December 1st of each year. First and Second half payments may be made at the same time.
JENNIFER MONTIGLIO RECEIVER OF TAXES
DATED AT BABYLON, N.Y.
December 4, 2024
2024/2025 TAX RATE ON $100 valuation - TOWN OF BABYLON Valuation of Hamlets and Incorporated Villages
2024-2025
TOWN OF BABYLON
Jennifer Montiglio, Receiver of Taxes TAXABLE DISTRICTS
2024-2025
State Funding Keeps Adventureland Spinning Forward
New York State will help Adventureland remain a Fireball, as “Long Island’s Amusement Park since 1962” is set to receive $205,600 in funding for its five-year improvement project, Sen. Monica R. Martinez announced. The $10 million to $15 million modernization plan will introduce several new attractions to the park while retiring some long-time favorites. But don’t expect too much Turbulence from those closures. In their place will be the new thrill ride, Top Spin; a Miniature Pirate Ship; a refurbished Viking Voyage; and the installation of a water main that will support
additional attractions, all made possible in part by this grant.
Funding is being provided through a Market New York grant, a program that supports regionally themed marketing projects that promote tourism destinations, attractions and special events, as well as tourism facility capital improvement projects.
“Adventureland not only holds fond memories for nearly every Long Island child and family, but it also holds an important place in our regional economy,” said Sen. Martinez. “It employs over 650 local workers who keep the Train, and other rides, moving throughout the
park’s operating season. Supporting Adventureland’s improvement is good for patrons, impactful for our community, and beneficial for New York State.”
The upgrades are expected to be Musik to the ears of visitors to the adventure park, which has operated rides, games, and attractions for children and adults of all ages on its East Farmingdale campus for more than 60 years. The multi-phased redevelopment project began earlier this year and is expected to continue until 2028, with park employment projected to increase by 10% upon completion.
• Create and design marketing materials, including flyers, and brochures
• Perform clerical tasks such as scanning, photocopying, filing, and organizing documents
• Answer and direct phone calls in a polite and efficient manner
• Manage and maintain a clean and organized office environment
• Proofread documents for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
• Manage office supplies
• Perform other duties as assigned
ST. CHARLES CEMETERY FARMINGDALE, NY Administrative Assistant Requirements
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to handle inquiries and complaints professionally
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively
• Accurate data entry skills with attention to detail
• Clerical experience in an office setting is preferred
• Phone etiquette skills to handle calls with professionalism and courtesy
The position offers an opportunity to work in a professional office environment with a supportive team. The successful candidate will have the chance to develop their administrative skills while providing excellent customer service.
Monday - Friday, 35 hour work week, from 9am-5pm Half day (over time
LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer.
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LOOKING TO ADVERTI SE YOUR BUSINES S? Call Classified and
• Install timers and motion detectors to automatically manage indoor and outdoor lighting and help ensure lights are not on when they’re not needed.
Place your ad in the Classifieds 631-226-2636 Ext. 276 THE power of CLASSIFIED!
BUYING?
SELLING? RENTING?
THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experi enced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, Ext. 276
power” by using energy efficient power strips or unplugging electronic devices when they’re not in use. Items plugged into outlets use electricity even when they’re turned off.
• Customers on Timeof-Day rates can run the dishwasher, clothes dryer and other high-energy-use appliances outside of peak hours.
• Customers on Time-of-Day rates can charge electric vehicles to run outside of peak hours.
COMPLETE LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVIC ES Fall Clean-ups, New Lawn In stallation Sod, Top Soil , Seed Mulch, Aeration Fall Flower Bed, Tree / Shrub Plan ting, Pruning & Trimming Complete Tree Service Any Style Fence Installation /Repair Driveways, Pati os, Pavers, Cobblestone Retaining Wa lls Power Washing (Cedar Houses, Siding, Decks, PVC Fences) LG Guevara Landscaping & Tree Service licensed/insured Call Leno 631 365 5853
GET YOUR AD NOTICED! Ca ll Our Classifi ed Dept. 631-226-2636 Ext. 276
THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experienced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, ext. 276
• Install a high efficiency air source heat pump (ASHP) to lower energy usage, save money and provide greater comfort in cold and hot months. Rebates are available from PSEG Long Island’s Home Comfort Program for ducted ASHP units and ductless mini split systems. Additionally, PSEG Long Island’s Home Comfort Plus program offers enhanced rebates for customers who meet certain income qualifications.
money-saving ideas and rebate information are available at psegliny.com/ saveenergyandmoney/ energystarrebates.
