East Meadow Herald 02-20-2025

Paul Grassini/Herald

County Champ!

Clarke High School senior Justin Gonzalez, top, captured the Nassau County Division 1 wrestling title at 160 pounds last Sunday night with a pin in the championship match against Calhoun’s Robert Bello.

EPIC Long Island to provide training to Hempstead employees

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

The EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies in East Meadow is partnering with the Town of Hempstead to provide specialized training for public safety officers and lifeguards focused on recognizing and responding to individuals experiencing a seizure.

The EPIC Family has been a lifeline for individuals facing epilepsy, intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges — offering personalized care and a supportive community — for more than six decades. The agency has three branches: EPIC Long Island, which supports individuals with disabilities; the Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island; and the South Shore Guid-

ance Center, a mental health and behavioral clinic in Freeport.

The acronym, EPIC, stands for “Extraordinary People In Care.”

Town Supervisor Don Clavin, members of the town board and a handful of lifeguards and public safety officials joined EPIC’s leadership to announce the training during a Feb. 10 news conference at the agency’s headquarters, at 1500 Hempstead Turnpike.

The lifeguards and public safety officers receive a breadth of training in multiple areas of emergency, but are not trained on how to respond to a seizure episode.

When Clavin was 16, he said, he worked as a lifeguard in a pool in Valley Stream when some-

book, ‘Go for it, Girl!’

By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com

Theresa Crosby, 47, celebrated the launch of her new book “Go for it, Girl!” with fans, friends, and family at the IBO Networking Center on Jan. 31.

Crosby, an East Meadow resident and mortgage banker, authored a book that is part autobiography and part wellness guide, exploring her experiences with mental health, bullying and abuse at the age of 12.

“I give my little story in the book about what happened to me, and I teach girls how to kind of navigate through every one of those situations,” Crosby said.

Each chapter of the book focuses on different events she experienced and what lessons she learned.

“I had a story to tell,” she said. “As a young girl, I went through a lot of stuff. I went through abuse, attempted suicide, divorce, being bullied very badly because I was very overweight and heavy.”

Crosby’s story begins in junior high school, reviewing

elements of her past up to that point and showing further developments as they occurred.

“Every chapter that I wrote was about my story, my personal experience and what happened, and then it gives a lot of advice — what to do, how to navigate it, and to never feel that you’re alone,” she said. “No matter what, no matter how different you are in this world, you’re still beautiful, you’re still strong and you can rely on other people.”

The purpose of the book is to give young girls in similar situations an outlet to understand what is happening to them and how to process their emotions.

“If I can write a book about the things that I went through and make it ‘PG,’ I can let girls know that they have a voice and they can empower themselves and be healed and they have a safe space to go to,” she said.

Today, Crosby is a mortgage banker, helping people find homes that meet their needs and support their lifestyles. By connecting people to their

Continued on page 20

things to know: Lunar new year

Meadowbrook Elementary’s annual tradition

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Students at Meadowbrook Elementary School in East Meadow embraced tradition and culture on Feb. 5 as they celebrated the Lunar New Year with their

Welcoming the Year of the Snake

This year marks the Year of the Snake, which symbolizes wisdom, intuition, and transformation in the Chinese zodiac. Leading up to the parade, students explored the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year, learning about customs, traditions, and the meaning behind the zodiac animals. By incorporating these teachings into the celebration, the school provided an immersive and educational experience for all participants.

annual parade.

This year, families that celebrate Lunar New Year welcomed in the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac cycle on Jan. 29. The zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with an animal that reflects certain personality traits and char-

acteristics. The Snake, the sixth animal in the zodiac, is often seen as a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and elegance. The event was filled with vibrant colors, music, and hands-on activities that enriched students’ understanding of this significant holiday. Here’s what made this year’s celebration special:

A parade of creativty and music The symbolism of red and good fortune

The festivities included a colorful parade where students showcased handmade lanterns, dragons, and noisemakers as they marched from the gymnasium to the all-purpose room. Adding to the excitement, Meadowbrook’s band performed a medley of songs that captured the spirit of the occasion. The combination of visual art, movement, and music highlighted the school’s commitment to integrating creativity into learning.

A central element of the celebration was the emphasis on the color red, a symbol of good luck, energy, and happiness in Lunar New Year traditions. Students and staff were encouraged to wear red to honor the occasion and bring positive energy into the new year.

The event provided an opportunity for students to not only celebrate but also gain a deeper appreciation for the customs and cultural values associated with the holiday.

The Lunar New Year celebration at Meadowbrook Elementary was a festive and educational experience, reinforcing the importance of cultural awareness and community spirit. By incorporating traditional elements into the school environment, students were able to connect with a global tradition in a meaningful and engaging way.

Photos courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District

Students at Meadowbrook Elementary School in East Meadow celebrated the Lunar New Year with their annual parade.

The festivities included a colorful parade where students showcased handmade lanterns, dragons, and noisemakers as they marched from the gymnasium to the all-purpose room.

Meadowbrook’s band performed a medley of songs as part of the celebration.

Questions we’ve been asked... Sonder elevate the Conversation

Is there a fee charged for making funeral pre-arrangements?

There is absolutely no fee or other charge in New York State when you make “pre-arrangements”. Moreover when you pre-fund those arrangements through the Pre-Plan Trust there is no additional expense in establishing the trust account. A trust account that remains under your control and your funds are FDIC insured.

No commission, no set-up fees, no extra expenses. Just accurate, helpful information, and a plan that conforms to all New York State Regulations and SSI-Medicaid regulations as well. An enhanced rate of interest on the Pre-Plan Trust enables us to guarantee the funeral home costs when a complete funeral is arranged and paid for.

If you would like to discuss these issues, call us and we’ll arrange to have one of our licensed funeral director professionals meet with you and answer your questions.

You’ll receive clear answers, an itemized list of the costs, and some peace of mind.

Leo F. KEARNS, Inc. Funeral Directors

Thomas L. Kearns, Patrick J. Kearns, Paul C. Kearns-Stanley (516) 794-0500 or 1-800-640-9500 (NYS)

445 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow (across from the East Meadow Post Office) www.LEOFKEARNS.com

Pet Trusts

Bob and Laura were ready to move forward with their estate plan to save estate taxes and avoid probate. The only hitch was who would take care of their beloved pets, Samson, the dog and Delilah, the cat, after Bob and Laura passed away.

Under New York law, trusts for the care of our pets are valid and enforceable. You can set up a pet trust in either a trust or a will. A trust is a private document that generally does not go to court, so if you create a pet trust within your own trust, it’s a private affair. A will, once submitted to court, is a public document and the court oversees the directions in your will, including your pet trust provisions.

Bob and Laura created pet trusts in their own living trusts. After more searching and discussion, they chose Bob’s brother, Rich, to be the trustee, or manager, of the pet trusts, meaning Rich will oversee and keep account of the money allocated to care for Sampson and Delilah. Rich will also be the caretaker. The trustee and caretaker do not have to be the same person but often that is the arrangement.

According to their trusts, after Bob and Laura are both gone, they leave $10,000 for each of their surviving pets. The trust money is to be used for the “proper medical care, support and maintenance” of their pets until the last pet dies. Then, the remainder of the money, called the “trust balance,” is distributed according to Bob’s and Laura’s wishes.

Instead of leaving a specific amount of money, a technique developed by Ettinger Law Firm may be preferable. What we suggest is that an amount to care for the annual feeding and medical care of the pet be placed in a trust, based on the actuarial life expectancy of the pet as determined by a local veterinarian. After all, the amount needed varies greatly depending on the age of the pet. To that, an average of five thousand or more may be added for unseen expenses. Consideration should also be given as to what a fair fee may be for the trustee.

Our free review of your estate plan every three years assures that the pet trust will be updated as circumstances change.

• Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com 100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success

offices in Huntington

Arecent assignment in my marketing communications course resulted in a student’s reference to the word “sonder.” He had selected a commercial from Starbucks, developed in the UK, in which the creative message was how “every table has a story.” It is an example of an unique selling proposition – the indisputable brand difference that Starbucks has relied upon to set its customer experience and establishment apart.

I had never heard of “sonder” and discovered via Dictionary.com that it was “…the feeling one has on realizing that every other individual one sees has a life as full and real as one’s own, in which they are the central character and others, including oneself, have secondary or insignificant roles...”

be the same because you were there. And “sonder” leads to an insight, regretfully late in my life, when I take for granted that a person’s full and real life is the reason that leads them to actions I do not understand. I’m secondary in their story and as a result they aren’t necessarily doing things that were meant for me to disapprove of in the first place.

Maybe the best thing about the concept of “sonder” is that our lives are full and real but we need not be self-centered about it. “Sonder” gives us all responsibility for and relationships with one another. As Urban Dictionary puts it, “‘…there aren’t any main characters in the world and everyone has a complex life, thoughts, crushes, relatives, dreams and mind just as your own..”

So in short, we are all in a universal movie, all with our roles to play, even when it isn’t Oscar season.

As supporting actors in life, we all have a role that impacts the people we know, love, care about or even just meet. Think of all the people you work with, pray with, helped raise or mentored. All the advice offered, all the tears dried, all the laughs shared. All the human touches for central characters who will never

And the interaction, the integrations are comforting whether in the home, the office, the grocery store or the LIRR’s 5:19 p.m. from Penn Station to Merrick.

A contributing writer to the Herald since 2012, Lauren Lev is a direct marketing/ advertising executive who teaches marketing fundamentals as well as advertising and marketing communications courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology and SUNY Old Westbury.

Crime brief

Fugitives arrested on Lenox Avenue

Two fugitives wanted for attempted murder in South Carolina were arrested in Nassau County following a coordinated effort by law enforcement, police said announced on Feb. 13.

According to detectives, after an extensive investigation, the Nassau County Fugitive Squad, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, located the suspects at a resi -

dence on Lenox Avenue in East Meadow. The individuals, identified as David Mills, 40, of Bellgrove Drive, Myrtle Beach, and Brittney Dawn Hunter, 32, of Red Rooster Lane, Myrtle Beach, were taken into custody without incident. Mills and Hunter were both wanted in Horry County, South Carolina, on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault.

Thomas L. Kearns

L auren L ev

Students explore space at Bowling Green

First graders Bowling Green Elementary School in East Meadow recently completed their CKLA astronomy unit. The CKLA — or Core Knowledge Language Arts — is part of the Core Knowledge curriculum used in East Meadow schools to build foundational skills in literacy and subject knowledge.

Many of the students dressed up as astronauts as their classroom was transformed into a space station.

Learning astronomy at a young age can profoundly impact students’ educational development and worldview. When students are introduced to the mysteries of space, planets, stars, and galaxies early in their academic journey, they often develop a natural curiosity about the scientific world around them. This curiosity can spark a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — fields that are of growing importance today.

Astronomy serves as an excellent gateway to understanding fundamental scientific concepts. The subject also helps develop critical thinking skills as students grapple with concepts of scale, distance, and time that extend far beyond their everyday experience.

Students at Bowling Green participated in numerous activities such as completing a space-themed puzzle, crafting planets and spaceships, studying astrological signs, and identifying keywords that are used in astronomy.

–Jordan Vallone

Photos courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District

First graders at Bowling Green Elementary School in East Meadow recently completed their CKLA astronomy unit.

A space-themed puzzle was also created by students, who used it as a way to see just how big the galaxy is. The astronomy unit sought to spark curiosity in many fields at Bowling Green Elementary School.

Students learned about space by identifying keywords that are used in astronomy, among many other activities.

First grade students at Bowling Green completed space-themed crafts.

HERALD SPORTS Gonzalez, King highlight Clarke’s effort

By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com

Clarke High School showed out for the Nassau County Division 1 Wrestling Championships last weekend, with more than one egg in the proverbial basket.

Justin Gonzalez, Clarke’s representative at 160 pounds, had a commanding 9-1 lead over Calhoun’s Robert Bello going into the third period of the finals Sunday evening at Hofstra.

Just over 80 seconds into that last frame, he earned a pin. Gonzalez, the senior who has gone undefeated this season, earned the title of county champion.

“It was mostly just control,” Gonzalez said. He read his opponent’s game plan in real-time on the mat, realizing that his opponent’s offense wasn’t getting the results he wanted, and confident in his own defense to use against him. “I probably broke him by the end, because he was holding on for so long,” Gonzalez added.

Rams coach Mike Leonard Sr. said he expected a high-paced final. “We

had a plan and he stuck to his plan.” Leonard Sr. said of Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said that at no point in the match did he feel scared, but instead, had fun and flew through it.

“My coaches ran into my head that it’s just another match and at that point, when you think like that, it doesn’t matter who you wrestle,” Gonzalez said.

Clarke also flaunted Richard King, who’s on an unusual journey to the state tournament despite taking a loss in the county quarterfinals at 124 pounds. It took him beating one of his teammates in the consolation round to realize that he can still claw his way back to the top three, just enough to qualify for states.

“I had a match that I’d been wanting for a while, I lost to that kid twice last year and knew that something had to change,” King said. “After I got that pin, I started to feel like I could do this, like I could take third and qualify for the states again. After I put Greg [Walpole] on his back and pinned him, it was definitely a good feeling.”

The coaches’ support could not have been understated in King’s unconventional path. “They told me to keep my head up,” King said. “Coaches mostly talked to me to tell me that each match is 0-0, so not to look at the rankings and that it doesn’t mean anything.”

Leonard Sr. added: “We knew he could be that good, he didn’t know he could be that good.”

The Rams had five wrestlers finish in at least the top six to earn AllCounty honors. Sophomore William Grassini took fourth at 131, and juniors Sebastian Mejia and Marcus Rosario placed fifth at 152 and 215 respectively.

“It meant the world to them, they all worked hard,” said Leonard Sr. “They’re all year-round wrestlers, they went to camp all together, they worked out together the whole time, and they’re brothers.”

Gonzalez and King now turn their sights on the state tournament up in Albany less than two weeks away, both putting their best foot forward Feb. 28 and March 1.

Paul Grassini/Herald

Clarke junior Richard King qualified for the state tournament by taking third place in the Nassau County championships at 124 pounds.

Immigration policies spark anxiety on L.I.

By SCOTT BRINTON

Special to the Herald

First in a series of stories on immigration through a partnership between Herald Community Newspapers and Hofstra University.

Sergio Jimenez, of Amityville, an activist with an immigrant rights coalition that includes the Workplace Project in Hempstead, was recently approached by an acquaintance with an unusual proposition: The man asked whether Jimenez would take over his car payments.

The Honduran man had had enough of the Trump administration’s treatment of the immigrant community, and planned to return to his home country. He needed someone to assume his car payments rather than abandon the vehicle.

“He’s going back to Honduras because he can’t stand all this suppression,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez spoke during a nearly twohour-long conversation on Feb. 5 that the Herald hosted at a restaurant down the street from Hempstead Town Hall, attended by 15 immigrants and advocates from the local community and beyond. They came to discuss President Trump’s immigration policy, with its increased focus on identifying and deporting undocumented immigrants.

To protect its owners’ privacy, the Herald is not naming the restaurant.

Trump, Jimenez said, is ignoring the potential economic impact of tens of thousands, perhaps millions, of undocumented and documented immigrants returning to their home countries, either because they are forced or choose to. If a growing number of immigrants leave, the economy will suffer, he said.

Immigrants comprise a third of Nassau County’s workforce and a third of its small-business owners, and New York’s immigrants, documented and undocumented, pay more than $3.1 billion annually in state and local taxes, according to the New York Immigration Coalition.

Nadia Marin-Molina, co-executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, which has an office at the Freeport Workers Justice Center, said she believes the Trump administration aims to “make people’s lives miserable and to scare people, to terrorize people into leaving themselves, because they can’t deport everybody that they say they’re going to deport.”

As of Feb. 3, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported nearly 8,800 arrests of immigrants from 121 countries, with almost 5,700 deportations and removals since Trump took office. As of 2022, an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants lived in the U.S., 3 percent of the population, according to the American Immigration Council.

Many immigrants were already on edge and thinking of returning to their homelands before Trump’s increased enforcement, according to Deyanira Barrow, who immigrated to the U.S. 35

An increasing number of immigrants are considering returning to their home countries because of the Trump administration’s “suppression” of immigrant rights, according to Hempstead-area activists. Advocates and 15 immigrants gathered to talk with the Herald on Feb. 5.

years ago following the Nicaraguan civil war from 1978 to 1990.

Theft is often why “our people say, no, no, I’m going back to my country. They know some people spend a lot of money for nothing,” Barrow, a Workplace Project activist from Baldwin Harbor who owns a cleaning business, said. An attorney might charge $3,000 to $5,000 to process an immigration claim and provide no services, she added.

Local cooperation with ICE?

According to the National Immigration Law Center, on Jan. 20, his first day in office, Trump signed executive orders calling for, among other measures:

■ A recommitment to mass detention of undocumented immigrants.

■ Potential punishment of municipalities that act as “sanctuaries” for them.

■ A DHS review and audit of federal grants and contracts with non-governmental agencies that aid them.

■ Possible reinstatement of countrybased immigration bans.

■ An examination of Temporary Protected Status designations that allow immigrants fleeing violence and natural disaster to remain in the U.S.

■ Expansion of the expedited removal policy that allows the federal government to deport undocumented immigrants without their day in court.

■ Authorization for local municipalities to act as immigration enforcement agents.

This final point was most disconcerting for a number of the immigrants interviewed by the Herald. They wonder whether local governments, such as the villages of Freeport, Hempstead and

Westbury, and area school districts might cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, signed an agreement with the Trump administration on Feb. 4 that deputized county police officers to carry out immigration enforcement in tandem with ICE.

Blakeman’s policy has received bipartisan support. Freshman U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat, issued a statement on Feb. 6, saying, “Violent criminals with no legal right to be here should be deported in accordance with the law. Nassau County detectives now being able to work directly with ICE agents on targeted enforcement against known noncitizen criminals will help keep Long Islanders safe.”

Whether local governments and school districts will cooperate with ICE is an open question. Last month, Hempstead Board of Education President Victor Pratt told Newsday, “We will continue to comply with federal mandates, and the law is the law, whether we agree with it or not.”

That prompted the immigrant rights organization LatinoJustice PRLDEF to respond. “Allowing ICE into our schools or working with this federal agency jeopardizes the safety, rights and wellbeing of the district’s student body,” Lourdes Rosado, the group’s president and general counsel, said.

Hempstead Schools Superintendent Susan Johnson posted a message on the district website last week to reassure concerned parents and students: “We understand that there are concerns circulating in our community regarding the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. During these times, it is important to know that our schools are safe spaces where all children are valued, protected and supported.”

No village or school district could be reached by phone for comment at press time.

‘The struggle continues’

“We are in a dire situation, as I see it,” Jimenez said. “Part of it is the lack of cohesion in the community. There’s no one representing, working with us, except organizations” like the Workplace Project.

The immigrant community was very active politically during the 1980s, “but then somehow the community fell asleep, and we remain sleeping,” Emilio Alfaro Ruiz, national advertising director for La Tribuna Hispana, a Hempstead-based Spanish-language newspaper, said. “It’s a state of mind. We have to tell the people that the struggle continues.”

Elected leaders of both parties have disappointed the immigrant community, Ruiz said, adding, “We always hope the Democrats will do more.” In particular, he said, the community had hoped that President Barack Obama, with a Democratically controlled Congress from 2009 to 2011, would push through comprehensive immigration reform, but that never happened.

Many immigrant activists have grown tired of the fight, Ruiz said. As they see it, the “politicians don’t give a damn about us,” he said, “and I’m going to do my own business — self-care.”

Miguel Alas Sevillano, a community organizer with the Workplace Project and a Salvadoran immigrant, said the organization is holding a workshop series to help immigrants understand their rights under the law. “We prepare people in the community how to act in case ICE comes to our homes or our workplaces or any public area,” Sevillano said.

To learn more about the workshops, call (516) 565-5377.

Courtesy Scott Brinton

Flu surges in ‘under-vaccinated’ population

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

Anna Sequoia had never had the flu before. At 79, the Glen Cove resident thought she knew what to expect when she developed a sore throat while on a Caribbean cruise last week. But by the time she got home, the illness had taken a frightening turn.

“By the third night, I could barely sleep because of the coughing,” Sequoia recounted. “The coughing was so horrible my chest really hurt.”

Sequoia, who has asthma, went to an emergency room after struggling to breathe. “I told them that I was short of breath,” she said. “I immediately told them that I had been out of the country. They always want to know that. And at that point, everybody put masks on.”

Doctors diagnosed her with the flu and prescribed multiple medications, including Tamiflu, prednisone and a nasal decongestant. They also told her to use a nebulizer every four to six hours to ease her breathing. Now recovering at home, she remains shaken by the experience.

“I was scared, actually,” she said. “It’s frightening to me that people are walking around now without masks.”

Flu cases in New York have surged to more than 53,000, with Long Island recording 11,862 cases in a single week — the highest in at least two seasons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that flu-related doctor visits nationwide are at a 15-year high. The CDC estimates that, so far this season, 24 million Americans have had the flu, resulting in 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths.

In New York, flu activity has reached its highest level in years. The number of flu-related doctor visits

climbed 7 percent in the first week of February, approaching levels last seen during the 2009-10 flu pandemic.

Dr. Bruce Farber, chief of epidemiology at Northwell Health, said this year’s flu is being driven by low vaccination rates and changes in the virus strains.

“Flu seasons vary year by year, depending upon minor drifts in the virus,” Farber said. “Secondly, the population is under-vaccinated. Flu vaccination rates are much lower than they have been in years previous

… And then, of course, the matchup of the flu vaccine to this year’s strains is also always a prediction, at best.”

In New York, flu vaccination rates among children ages 6 months to 17 have dropped from 60 percent in 2020 to 49 percent this season, according to the CDC. Public health officials stress that the vaccine reduces the severity of illness and the likelihood of hospitalization, even if it doesn’t prevent infection entirely.

Health officials expect flu cases to remain high for several more weeks. “Rates have been very high the first week of February. They’re just starting to level off and fall,” Farber said. “It usually remains at high levels of infection for about eight to 10 weeks, and then slowly declines.”

Officials track the flu’s spread through hospital admissions, flu test positivity rates and emergency room visits.

The Nassau County Department of Health stressed the importance of flu vaccinations in an email to the Herald, noting that it is not too late in the season to get protected. In addition to vaccination, health officials recommend frequent hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces to reduce the spread of the virus. Those who are not feeling well should stay home from work, school and social gatherings until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication.

Those who need help finding a vaccine can call the county health department, at (516) 227-9697.

With between 20,000 and 60,000 flu-related deaths expected annually, Farber stressed the seriousness of the illness, particularly for vulnerable populations. “People should realize that this disease is responsible for a lot of mortality every year,” he said. “It’s not a cold.”

Courtesy Metro Creative

Health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination as the number of flu cases remains high.

Supports advocacy for those with epilepsy

one had suffered from a seizure, and he did not know how to respond.

“It was really intimidating,” he recounted. “I was trained for drowning (response), I trained for CPR, but I didn’t have (seizure training). This is something that takes place, and people need to have that training.”

More than 30,000 Long Islanders live with an epilepsy diagnosis, and nearly one out of 10 individuals are expected to experience a seizure at some point in their lifetime.

Ithink it is so important that we make an active push to raise awareness so that we can get more funding for research.

MIssy MILLEr Councilwoman, Town of Hempstead

Ensuring first responders and public-facing personnel are trained, the town said, is a critical step in promoting safety.

Town Councilwoman Missy Miller spoke about her experience caring for someone who suffers from the condition — her son Oliver. Epilepsy is a brain disease that causes seizures, or episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

“Many people have absolutely no idea (what epilepsy is), or they think it’s a condition that you just take medication and it’s controlled, or you have a surgical procedure and it’s fixed,” Miller said. “For a lucky percentage, that is the case. But for many like my child, there is no relief. I’ve been advocating for that relief for all of Oliver’s life.”

Oliver has been profoundly affected by his condition, Miller said. Reading a letter “addressed” to epilepsy, that she was asked to write for an advocacy research program, Miller shared insight into how epilepsy has changed her family’s life.

“You were the one diagnosis,” Miller read, “and my son has many diagnoses, that changed our lives, because you took so much from us. You took Oliver’s words, little by little. You took his ability to pull himself up, to sit and stand, his ability to walk, and eventually, his ability to even sit unsupported.”

Miller expressed pride in the town board for taking a step in the right direction to support seizure care. “I think it is so important that we make an active push to raise awareness so that we can get more funding for research,” she said.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Long Island is a member of the National Epilepsy Foundation, and has been serving Nassau and Suffolk counties since 1953, according to Lisa Burch, president and chief executive of the EPIC Family. Through a myriad of services, the foundation provides support, home visits, school advocacy, legislative advocacy and educational resources to individuals with epilepsy and their families or caregivers.

the epiC family of Human Service a

the

town Supervisor don Clavin recounted a time when he was a lifeguard at a town pool, and someone suffered a seizure, underscoring the importance for the new training.

“Raising awareness and providing proper training can make all the difference in an emergency situation,” Burch said. “The EPIC Family thanks the Town of Hempstead for this incredible partnership and is proud to collaborate with them on this outstanding initiative.”

Irene Rodgers, chief development and engagement officer with the Epilepsy Foundation, said the training program is designed specifically for law enforcement and safety officials, who are often first on the scene of emergencies. The training equips them with the knowledge to recognize and properly respond to seizures.

“Our training is free,” she said. “It’s a professional development program that helps law enforcement and public safety officers understand the many ways seizures can present. By partner-

ing with the Town of Hempstead, we are lucky to have the opportunity to provide this crucial education to public safety officials, expanding awareness and preparedness.”

The seizure awareness training is an hour-long course, offered once a month online, making it accessible to the town’s employees. More than 100 lifeguards will receive the training, and just over 50 public safety officials, Clavin said.

“Through this partnership, we aim to ensure that individuals experiencing a seizure receive the appropriate care they need, ultimately fostering a safer community for everyone,” he said.

For more information on services provided by the EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies and the Epilepsy Foundation, visit EPICLI.org.

and seizure emergency response.

By the numbers: Epilepsy on Long Island

■ Over 30,000 Long Island residents currently live with epilepsy

■ Nearly 1 in 10 people will experience a seizure in their lifetime

■ The EPIC Family of Human Service Agencies has served the community for 60+ years

■ 100+ Town of Hempstead lifeguards will receive seizure response training

■ 50+ public safety officials will participate in the training program

■ Training sessions are conducted monthly in 1-hour online courses

Jordan Vallone/Herald photos

gencies is working with

town of Hempstead to offer seizure response training to public safety officials and lifeguards. the epiC family includes the epilepsy foundation of Long island.

town Councilwoman missy miller, whose son has been profoundly affected by epilepsy, spoke about the need for more awareness surrounding seizure preparedness

with a focus on programs and activities

Extra help

Help your student achieve tutoring success

Your house is a whirlwind after school: Your kids need to have a snack, complete homework, keep up with music lessons you name it. So how do you fit tutoring into a busy household without distracting your struggling student, or making them feel left out of all the fun? Even when tutoring is necessary, learning sessions can be a tall order for kids who are already over-programmed and overtired. Here are some tips for how you can help your tutor make sessions more effective whether virtual or in-person even if your household is as busy as ever.

Designate A Special Spot

One of the biggest benefits of at-home tutoring is giving your student a chance to interact one-on-one with a certified educator. According to Parents.com, even young children who need more practice developing basic skills, like problem-solving, vocabulary, and working with numbers, can benefit from working with a tutor.

Of course, hiring a tutor isn’t always about helping your child get ahead. Tutoring also provides students with the extra help they need to complete school work, address a learning disorder, or master content they struggle with. Depending on your child’s learning style, your tutor might use visual aids, audio clips, or art projects. They’ll need enough room and

enough supplies to teach effectively.

During the hiring process, talk with your tutor about their plans for your child’s tutoring sessions. What kind of space do they need? Together, pick a quiet area in your home that you can dedicate solely to tutoring sessions. This could be the kitchen table, a study desk, or an out-of-the-way corner wherever there’s enough room with limited distractions.

When your child and their tutor have a place that’s all their own to sit down and get to work, it provides the structure and stability for good learning. This routine carries over to every session and makes it easier for your tutor to develop a rapport with your student, so they can accomplish even more together.

Have other children? Make sure they understand that the tutor and your student need time and space to work on their own. Establish this boundary early, so your kids all understand that tutoring time is important work time.

Institute Quiet Hours

Tutoring time can also be good “quiet time” for the rest of your household.

Encourage your other kids to take up quiet activities, like reading, homework, or imaginative play. Turn off devices like TV, phones, or loud games and take a break from constant noise and simulation.

Send Kids Outside

If true “quiet time” is a no-go at your house, try sending your other children outside , when weather permits, or to a different part of the house to play. Most kids don’t get enough exercise or imaginative downtime as it is, and this will help them burn off energy and encourage creativity while keeping indoors relatively quiet for tutoring.

Plus, outdoor time has multiple health and wellness benefits for your kids, even if they don’t stray far from home while you supervise tutoring.

Coordinate Breaks And Boundaries

Most young children can only study for 20 to 30 minutes at a time before they need to move on to another activity or take a break. Teens and tweens can likely study for longer periods of time, from 30 to 40 minutes, before they need to get up and stretch or rest their eyes.

Photo: Children can benefit from having someone focused on them who can support their learning and help them to understand and accept their own learning styles.

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Attention parents and students: De-stress for spring success

In years past, the onset of spring signaled to students the beginning of the end of the school year. Today, this season has increasingly become one of the most stressful times of the year due to the convergence of extracurricular activities, sports, end-of-year assessments, projects and, for high-school students, college admissions.

“As stress builds for students during the second half of the school year, the best release to this ‘academic pressure cooker’ may also be the most simple —time,” says education expert Dr. Richard E. Bavaria. “Through effective time management and other strategies, students can create ‘found time’ and find themselves better prepared for all of the activities and challenges that come along with the final months of the school year.”

Inside and outside of the classroom, there are many ways that students can manage their workload and create time for stress-reducing activities at home.

Implement some recommended strategies to help your kids achieve academic success.

Spring cleaning: Organization both at home and at school will save students time by eliminating the need to search for homework assignments, books and other items necessary for spring success. Create a “homework zone” that houses study tools and allows students to study without distraction.

Organized kids do better in school than haphazard kids. Help them to set up their planners (written or electronic), to keep their notebooks and backpacks neat and orderly, to break up large assignments into smaller ones so they don’t seem overwhelming, to maintain a work space at home that’s actually workable and not a disaster area, and to stick to the goals you’ve set together.

Also establish or re-establish helpful routines. Give your kids the consistency of fairly regular routines (weekends and holidays can be breaks). Bedtime, wake-up, study, homework, play, family time kids rely on these routines, and the structure helps them to feel safe, know what’s expected of them and be successful.

Spring check-up: Stay informed about the end-of-school activities for which your child will be responsible. Encourage students to use plan-

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ners to create timelines, or place a large calendar with deadlines and test dates in a visible area of the house.

Spring tune-up: Help your child evaluate the subjects or areas that she finds most challenging. Assigning a priority to homework items according to their level of difficulty will save time by ensuring your child devotes the most energy to the areas that require extra focus and attention.

Spring in your step: Exercise is a great way to alleviate stress and stimulate the mind. Taking short exercise breaks between assignments can refresh a student’s energy level and renew focus. Maintain healthy habits since healthy kids are better learners. Help your children by making sure they’re getting enough sleep, insisting on their good eating habits, and making sure they’re involved in regular and aerobic exercise.

Spring break: Compressing study time into one all-nighter may seem like a good way to save time, but the brain is less efficient without taking a break to rest, and a student’s memory can be affected. A better alternative is to ensure your child obtains the recommended amount of sleep by spreading study efforts out over a period of time.

Spring forward: Use your family’s “found time” to celebrate spring successes! Show your child that you are confident in her academic abilities, and reward the little things, such as improved concentration while studying or proactively organizing her homework space.

Recommit to learning: With your children, come up with one or two major goals that they want to accomplish for the remainder of this school year. Raising that algebra grade? Getting homework done on time and turning it in the next day? Organizing a study area at home? Using a planner regularly and efficiently?

Agree on some age-appropriate rewards and consequences. Commit to a family-centered goal that education is important to all of you, and work together to support, encourage and help each other.

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By Lesley Sauls

Any parent who has asked a child how the day went is likely to have received a glazed stare, shrugged shoulders or the dreaded oneword answer: “Fine.”

Getting into the mind of a child can be akin to breaking into Fort Knox. There has to be a secret code, but what is it? It may seem impossible, but there are some sure-fire ways to engage your child and become privy to the goings-on about which every parent wants to be aware.

Plant the seed of communication before your child even knows what you are up to.

Be sincere

Offer your highs and lows, too, edited for young ears, so that she can see that everyone has ups and downs in life and that you value her enough to share yours. You will soon earn her trust in return and be included in her private thoughts.

Joan Bohman, director of professional standards and continuing professional development for the National Association of School Psychologists, supports laying groundwork as soon as possible for family communication.

“If, during early school years, children know that the parent is going to ask what they learned today, it becomes a standard topic in which all are expected to take part. Then the

Talking points Start

early and communication won’t get a bad rap

pattern is set for older years.”

She adds: “Parents need to be careful to listen and validate the students’ point of view rather than jump in with the ‘right answer’ or ‘right way’ to think about something.”

Conversation starters

Meet your son’s friends, teachers and afterschool program instructors. Volunteer at school if you have time and participate with class

activities as often as possible.

Schools are constantly providing announcements. Scour them for potential conversation starters about upcoming projects, school programs, retiring teachers, peer successes and any other topic you can find. Ask your child’s friends carefully placed questions, and the answers you receive will become conversation starters to use at home.

A question that can be answered with a

one-word answer most likely will be, so ask open-ended questions that can’t possibly be satisfied with a “yes,” “no” or “fine” answer. Instead of asking how your daughter’s day was, ask about specifics.

Ask what kind of math problems she is working on, what she read during her free time and what exercises she did in gym class. You’ll get short answers, but each will open a door to more questions. Relate similar stories from your youth and you’ll likely elicit questions that can easily be bounced back to her.

Age and timing is everything

Consider your child’s age when you gear up for an after-school chat. Younger kids will be open and eager to tell you about their day right away. Parental attention at that age is key, and they’re ripe for conversation. Tweens and teens usually need a little time to themselves before they’re willing to talk. It’s better to let them come home and shift gears from school to family before you start asking questions.

Of older kids, Bohmann suggests, “Ask questions about the day while working on another task. If the student helps set or clear the table, that may be a good time to talk. “

Photo: Knowing when and how to talk to your child or teen makes a world of difference in getting them to open up.

LI TODAY welcome to CommunIty VoIces

Sands New York Celebrates Black History Month

Sands New York proudly celebrates Black History Month by honoring the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black communities throughout history. This month is an opportunity to reflect on the impact of Black leaders, innovators, and changemakers who have shaped our American society and industry.

Sands recognizes that diversity is not just something to acknowledge—it is a fundamental strength that drives innovation, inclusivity, and progress.

Sands’ commitment to diversity extends beyond celebration; it’s embedded in the way they do business. Sands actively supports minorityowned local businesses, fostering opportunities for growth and collaboration within our communities. Through

meaningful partnerships, inclusive hiring practices, and continued investment in supplier diversity, they strive to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

This Black History Month, Sands reaffirms their dedication to equity, inclusion, and uplifting the voices that have long been at the heart of progress, including our own Senior Vice President, and former Governor of the State of New York, David Paterson.

Paterson shared his thoughts on the significance of Black History Month and the opportunities Sands is creating in

his home community:

"Black History is American history—and this month is a time to honor the legacy of those who came before us and to ensure that progress continues for future generations. For me, it’s also deeply personal—it’s about recognizing the resilience, talent, and contributions of Black Americans who helped to build strong, diverse communities, especially right here in Nassau County, a place I’ve always called home.”

“Sands is creating real opportunities for economic empowerment, career growth, and diversity in industries that have long lacked representation,” he continued. “I’m proud to be part of a company that not only celebrates Black history but actively invests in a more inclusive future."

Las Vegas Sands Named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for World and North America

Las Vegas Sands was again recognized on the Dow Jones Sustainability™ Indices, with placement on both DJSI World and DJSI North America for the fifth consecutive year.

Sands China Ltd., the company’s Asian subsidiary, was named to DJSI World and DJSI Asia Pacific for the third consecutive year.

Sands and Sands China are the only two companies out of 18 invited to participate in the Casino and Gaming category listed on DJSI World this year. Sands is the only company in the Casino and Gaming category listed on DJSI North America, and Sands China is one of only two companies in the Casino and Gaming category listed on DJSI Asia Pacific.

Corporate Sustainability Assessment. It represents the top 10% of the largest 2,500 companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria. DJSI North America and DJSI Asia Pacific represent the top 20% of the 600 largest North American companies and the top 20% of the 600 largest companies in the Asia Pacific developed region in the S&P Global Broad Market Index based on the same criteria.

The Sands New York team has gone above and beyond in their outreach to the community, working to build bridges with every chamber, every nonprofit, every organization that might be impacted by their project. Not only have they sought to mitigate any potential issues, but they are working to craft a proposal that will be truly inclusive, and create long-term positive impacts.

Lashawn Lukes, President of the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce

DJSI World comprises global sustainability leaders identified by S&P Global through the

“To close this year with our fifth consecutive placement on DJSI speaks to the tremendous collaboration within many areas of our company, all working hand-in-hand to advance our environmental, social and governance initiatives,”

Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief

Continued on page 4

Sands sustainability practices include energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy, water conservation and eliminating unnecessary single-use plastics and packaging waste. This type of corporate sustainability commitment is exactly what Long Island needs.

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment

Celebrating Creativity and Community with the UON2D Global Art Foundation

on Jan. 31st, the UON2D Global Art Foundation, in collaboration with Harvest Christian University and the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, hosted an evening of celebration, inspiration, and networking at Jericho Terrace in Mineola.

The event honored individuals and organizations making a meaningful impact in the arts, education, and business communities. Attendees were treated to a night filled with talent and creativity, leaving them inspired by the incredible work being done to foster a more connected and empowered society.

Sands New York, a proud sponsor of

the event, reinforced its commitment to supporting initiatives that uplift communities and celebrate artistic expression. Their dedication aligned with the mission of the UON2D Global Art Foundation, which harnesses the power of art to bridge cultures and empower individuals.

The event also highlighted the missions of Harvest Christian University and the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, both of which are dedicated to education, business development, and community engagement.

“We were thrilled to come together and recognize the incredible individuals

and organizations driving progress in our community,” said Tracey Edwards, Corporate Social Responsibility Offer for Sands New York.

“This event was not just about celebration—it was about not-for-profit capacity building, strengthening connections, and opportunities to collaborate building a brighter future for all.”

With opportunities to network, engage with thought leaders, and celebrate artistic and educational excellence, the evening was truly an unforgettable experience. Guests left feeling inspired and motivated to continue making a positive impact in their respective fields.

To learn more about the Sands as the world’s preeminent developer and

Photo provided by Sands New York

Sands New York served as a proud sponsor of the UON2D Global Art Foundation event celebrating those making impacts in the arts, education, and business communities

Uniondale Community Council Honors Local Leaders at the 40th Annual Trustees Dinner Dance

The Uniondale Community Council hosted its annual Uniondale Community Dinner Dance, a night dedicated to celebrating individuals who have worked tirelessly to make Uniondale a thriving, safe, and vibrant community. Held at Verdi’s of Westbury on January 31st, the evening brought together local leaders, residents, and supporters for a night of recognition, unity, and celebration.

As a sponsor of the event, Sands New York emphasized its commitment to supporting Uniondale and investing in its future. Former New York State Governor and Sands Senior Vice President David Paterson reflected on the importance of community leadership, stating, “Uniondale is a shining example of what happens when dedicated individuals come together to uplift their community. Sands is honored to support this event and celebrate those who make a lasting impact.”

The evening was filled with heartfelt speeches, lively entertainment, and an undeniable spirit of togetherness. As the Uniondale Community Council continues its mission of advocacy and empowerment, the event served as a reminder that strong communities are built by those who dedicate themselves to the service of others.

Long Island Fight for Charity Announces $130k for Long Island Organizations

The Long Island Fight for Charity celebrated another remarkable year, capping off its efforts with closing ceremonies that highlighted the generosity and community spirit of the region. This year’s event raised $130,000 to benefit several Long Island charities, including the Long Island Community Chest and EAC Network. As an event sponsor, Sands New York is thrilled to congratulate and thank the boxers for their hard work and training. Cumulatively, this event has now raised over $2 million for Long Island since its inception.

Photo provided by Sands New York Sands New York joined the Uniondate Community Council along with other local leaders and residents for the Uniondale Community Dinner Dance.

Photo provided by Sands New York

This year’s Long Island Fight for Charity, sponsored by Sands New York, raised $130,000 to benefit local charities.

LI TODAY

sustainability officer, said. “We greatly value DJSI as a benchmark for our performance as well as its valuable feedback. To receive recognition on these lists is a fantastic endorsement, but we also learn from the process every year.”

Sands has leveraged the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment along with a number of external benchmarks and industry standards to shape its corporate responsibility programs and establish ESG targets, which have helped the company gain recognition through DJSI as well as other corporate responsibility rankings. Most recently, Sands was included on Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies. The company ranked 60th out of 600 companies included on Newsweek’s list and first in the hotels, dining and leisure industry.

Among the many targets Sands has set to drive its corporate responsibility progress during its 2021-2025 ESG reporting

cycle are three primary ambitions aimed at increasing the company’s impact in the areas of workforce development, community service and carbon emissions reduction. These ambitions map to Sands’ People, Communities and Planet corporate responsibility pillars.

Under the People pillar, Sands aims to invest $200 million in workforce development by 2025. As of the end of 2023, Sands had invested $68 million in workforce development initiatives, bringing the company’s cumulative investment to $181 million since 2021.

Under its Communities pillar, Sands has set a target to contribute 250,000 Team Member volunteer hours by 2025 to advance causes in local regions. By the end of 2023, Sands Team Members had logged 222,823 volunteer hours in support of local nonprofits and community issues since 2021.

The company’s primary ambition under the Planet pillar of its corporate responsibility platform is to achieve a 17.5% reduction in

carbon emissions by 2025. As of the end of 2023, Sands’ carbon emissions-reduction performance was 50% below the base year, despite resort visitation returning to pre-pandemic levels, which drove energy consumption increases.

Sands will update on 2024 progress made toward these ambitions in its next ESG report published in spring 2025.

The DJSI, including DJSI World, were launched in 1999 as the pioneering series of global sustainability benchmarks available in the market. The index family is comprised of global, regional and country benchmarks. The S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment is an annual evaluation of company sustainability practices and covers over 13,000 companies globally. It measures performance on a wide range of industryspecific economic, environmental and social criteria that are relevant to the growing number of sustainability-focused investors.

A HUGE THANK YOU from the Sands New York team!

Thanks to your help, Sands New York has submitted over a thousand letters of support for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) ahead of public comment closing on January 21st, 2025.

Our commitment to creating a transformative project for Long Island remains stronger than ever, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership throughout this journey.

Residents and leaders in the community have attended several public meetings showing their support for the Sands New York project.

Photo provided by Sands New York

Fitting it all in Managing the after-school activities juggle

For many families, the morning rush isn’t the most chaotic time of the day. Instead, the sanitybuster is that long stretch from the time school lets out until the final activity ends and everyone is home.

Surviving the afternoon activities juggle is all about planning and time management and it’s also an opportune time to teach kids some valuable skills.

“The opportunity with activities is it’s a great time for kids to learn time management,” says Carolyn Dalgliesh, a professional organizer who specializes in helping kids who are anxious or distracted.“It’s a skill that will help them throughout their lives.”

Without preparation, the activities crunch can get kids and parents on a quick path to burnout and exhaustion.

Consider these tips from the experts for making your child’s after-school activities a fun and rewarding part of childhood and for teaching your child the skill of time management.

Choose the right activities. There is no need for everyone to run ragged getting to volleyball practice if your child no longer enjoys it. “We talk about mindful choices,” Dalgliesh says. “You want your child to get value out of any activity, whether it’s a great social outlet or a chance to run off a lot of energy.”

Consider timing. If you’re lucky enough to have choices in times, choose wisely. “Think about how well your child does with transitions,” Dalgliesh says. “For some kids, coming home triggers wind-down time, [so] parents may want to go to the library after school to do homework instead of stopping by the house.”

Honor the family meeting. There is a central principle when it comes to family time management: Everyone must get together once a week, with calendars in hand, to plan out the next week. Figure out how each kid will get to and from each activity, and make plans for meals and snacks. When doing the planning, try to carve out at least one night when the family can have dinner together. Make your weekly meeting fun by following it with a family movie or

game night. Or, suggests Grey, dole out allowance and lunch money at the end of the meeting.

Maintain a family calendar. Each family member needs his or her own week-at-a-glance calendar, and you also need a family calendar. Yes, that’s a lot of calendars, but it will help ensure all activities are well-planned.

Get the activity bags ready. Get your kids in the habit of packing their activity bags on Sunday night. Designate a place for them to hang or store their bags. For activities requiring a lot of gear, use a checklist to make sure nothing gets left behind.

Embrace meal planning. It’s important to plan simple, consistent meals, especially if you’re a busy family with a lot of activities. For example, kids love theme dinners such as “Taco Tuesday,” and can help with preparation and assembly. Also plan snacks, making sure to have high-protein nibbles available for kids before they embark on a strenuous activity.

Make car time special. If you spend a lot of time driving to and from activities, make that time count. Try an audiobook, choosing a story everyone in the family can enjoy. Dalgliesh plays a conversation game with her children.

She has a set of cards with prompts such as, “What is the worst meal you ever had in a restaurant?” or “What is your favorite vacation memory?” She passes the deck to her kids has them pick one. “It’s about finding those moments to connect,” she says.

Be flexible. Even the most carefully made plans can be rendered useless by a thunderstorm that cancels soccer practice, a sick child, or an unexpected work disaster.

Empower your kids. Give your kids as much control over their own planning and scheduling as they can handle. Different kids need different tools. Especially as kids get older, they need to own their organization system.

Discover what’s coming in the

MAR 6

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Finance

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Kids Camp and School

Kids Camp and School is an in-depth guide on summer camps, after-school programs, and educational institutions, ensuring families have all the information they need to make informed decisions.

STEPPING OUT

Those ‘wild’ days

Director Billy Bustamante, whose credits include Broadway and off-Broadway, brings his flair to the Madison Theatre’s latest production.

The stage is set for a

By Danielle Schwab

Isteamy Prohibition tale at Molloy’s Madison Theatre

t’s “the party to end all parties” and everyone’s on the guest list.

You’re invited to travel back to the decadent world of 1920s Prohibition-era Manhattan when the roaring musical production of Andrew Lippa’s “The Wild Party,” arrives on the Molloy University campus shortly, March 7-9.

Audiences can expect a lively show filled with vibrant jazz and eclectic guests — also some uninvited “surprises” — that’s sure to keep the joint buzzing.

Observing the talented young performers involved with Molloy’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory, guided by Director-Choreographer Billy Bustamante, you’ll surelly be thinking: ‘Let’s raise the roof, let’s make a scene!’

Set in the Roaring Twenties, it tells the tale of two vaudevillians, Queenie and Burrs, as they throw the party to end all parties. Jealousy and decadence abound in this spicy concoction whose tasty musical stew of jazz, blues, gospel, and Tin Pan Alley sounds remarkably contemporary.

Vaudeville dancer Queenie, (played by senior Jessica Olexy) and her intense partner Burrs (senior Cade Eller) host an evening of delight only to see it spiral into chaos with every twist and turn.

• Friday through Sunday, March 7-9; times vary

• Tickets start at $35; available at madisontheatreny.org or the box office at (516) 323-4444

• Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

Sondheim’s “Here We Are” (choreographer). Now Molloy’s theater students can benefit from his talents.

“I have history with this story,” Bustamente says. “I directed an off-Broadway production of the other version back in 2016, so this feels like a full circle moment, getting to explore this story again through different writers.”

There’s even a ‘show within a show’ musical number, “ A Wild, Wild Party,” a favorite of senior Angelo Domingo, who appears as a party guest, the rambunctious boxer Eddie.

The Pirates of Penzance

Shiver me timbers! Book your passage to the Madison Theatre when Molloy University’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory, stages the classic musical, accompanied by the South Shore Symphony, Sail away to the whimsical world of Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved operetta, where a merry band of parading pirates — led by their Pirate King — clash swords and nightsticks with the bumbling Bobbies on the shores of Cornwall. The story revolves around Frederic, who was apprenticed by mistake to a band of tenderhearted pirates. He meets the daughters of Major-General Stanley, including Mabel, and the two young people instantly fall in love. With its humorous blend of romantic entanglements and memorable melodies, this delightful production promises an evening of laughter and theatrical magic.

Friday through Sunday, Feb. 2123, times vary. Tickets start at $35. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 3234444.

“At this party, everyone has a secret and something to hide. This show explores what happens when those secrets and the masks — that we all wear — get ripped off,” Bustamante says.

Based on Joseph Moncure March’s 1928 poem of the same name, the award-winning off-Broadway musical wowed audiences with its look into love in a messy and exciting fashion when it debuted 25 years ago.

the award-winning off-Broadway musical wowed audiences with its the score,” Bustamante says. “The nature of the music

While the narrative poem is almost a century old, Lippa’s adaptation brings a modern take to the story, blending the captivating allure of the 1920s with a modern feel.

“The music is a lot more contemporary and eclectic, all while being rooted in jazz. There are some really exciting pop, Latin and contemporary musical theater elements in the score,” Bustamante says. “The nature of the music allows audiences today to engage with the story and see themselves in the characters’ experiences in a really impactful way.”

From larger-than-life dancing sequences such as “Juggernaut,” to soulful reflections as in “What Is It About Her?,” the production traverses the range of human emotions and complicated identities those vaudeville entertainers of that era.

“All these people at the party are people who don’t belong in other places. The nature of what it meant to be a vaudevillian performer was you were uplifted and applauded at one moment and then not allowed certain restaurants or rooms at the next,” Bustamante explains.

“At its core, it’s something really beautiful. But on the

“At its core, it’s something really beautiful. But on the other hand, these are all damaged people because of the lives that they’ve had to leave, and that sets the stage for an evening where a lot can really go down.”

This isn’t the first time that Bustamante has helmed the story. In fact, he was involved with a different musical adaptation of the famous poem, created by Michael John LaChiusa. His resume includes acting in productions such as Broadway Theatre’s “Miss Saigon” in addition to his directorial turns in “Here Lies Love” (assistant director) and Stephen

as a party guest, the rambunctious boxer Eddie. says.

“It was the number that introduced me to the show, and it has just a very fun, infectious vibe,” Domingo

an

For the cast of 25, this production is an opportunity to hone their performing skills before going forward professionally.

opportunity to hone their performing skills before [being with] working professionals who are

“The [CAP21] program teaches you a lot about how to be an individual in theater. Because we’re in New York, you get the experience of [being with] working professionals who are working on Broadway, Off Broadway and developing musicals,” Domingo continues.

“I’ve grown in more ways than I thought I ever would. And when it comes to my training, I achieved things that I thought would take way longer to achieve already.”

Czech National Symphony Orchestra

So get ready to head to the theater — it’s time to join the party.

I thought I ever would. And when it head theater — it’s time to join the party.

audience Party” feeling

“I hope that our audience can leave “The Wild Party” feeling entertained, but at the same time a little educated and with a deeper understanding of themselves,” Bustamante

understanding of themselves,” Bustamante says.

masks serve you, and what masks might you

“And our version of the show can really help ask the question of our audience: ‘What masks serve you, and what masks might you be ready to let go.’

Recognized as one of Europe’s first-rank symphonic ensembles and renowned for its versatility, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra brings its current U.S. tour to Long Island, under the baton of music director Steven Mercurio. Dynamic guest soloist Maxim Lando, an American pianist and winner of the 2022 New York Franz Liszt International Competition, joins CNSO. He and violinist Sandy Cameron perform beloved works from the Romantic repertoire — Jan Václav Hugo Voríšek’s Sinfonia Re Maggiore, Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 and selected works from Antonín Dvorák, including Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33 and Czech Suite.

The Wild Party contains mature themes.

Saturday, Feb. 22, 3 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Photos courtesy Madison Theatre Angelo Domingo and Mariposa Boyd step lively on stage.

a different musical adaptation of the famous poem, created by Michael John LaChiusa.

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21,-22, 11 a.m and 1:30 p.m.; also Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 26-27, 10:15 a.m. and noon. It is 3017 in this futuristic, musical retelling of “Cinderella.” She’s now a space engineer looking to revolutionize space travel. When the Prince holds a space parade, Cinderella saves it by helping fix the Prince’s spaceship and shows the Prince her new hyper warp speed engine.

But first, she’ll have to keep her evil stepmother from throwing a wrench in her plans! $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.

Annual Chili Cook-off

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church holds its 10th Annual Chili CookOff, Sunday, Feb. 23. It kicks off around 11 a.m. The Orthodox Christian community will gather and enjoy meet before The Great Lent begins. 369 Green St., East Meadow. Visit HTOCEM. org for more.

In concert

Jupiter String Quartet returns to Adelphi University

Performing Arts Center, Friday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m. The intimate group of violinists Nelson Lee and Meg Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel (Meg’s older sister), and cellist Daniel McDonough (Meg’s husband, Liz’s brotherin-law) are brought together by ties both familial and musical.

The ensemble brings its well-honed musical chemistry to three works shaped by bold musicality and deeply meaningful thematic inspirations, including Warmth from Other Suns by Carlos Simon; String Quartet No. 3, Glitter, Doom, Shards, Memory by Shulamit; and String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130 with the Grosse Fuge by Ludwig van Beethoven. 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.

Having an event?

A Band Called Honalee

Plaza Theatricals welcomes the modern-day folk trio, Sunday, Feb. 23 , 2:30 p.m. Inspired by the music and legacy of Peter, Paul & Mary, the ensemble offers up an energetic interactive tribute. Satisfying diehard PPM lovers as well as newcomers to this wonderful era of music, their concer features all of PPM’s beloved hits, including “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Blowing in the Wind,” and of course “Puff The Magic Dragon.”

With stirring vocal harmonies and polished showmanship, they also offers favorites from Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell, The Mamas & The Papas, Joan Baez, The Weavers, and more. $40, $35 seniors. Groove along at Plaza’s stage at Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit plazatheatrical. com.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/ Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.

Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Hempstead House tour

Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, Feb. 23, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901. Feb.

and family who supported her journey of writing her novel

facility in melville.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT.

NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. STEPHANIE DACUS, et al, Defts. Index #607556/2023.

Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered October 31, 2024 and order entered Jan 16, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a Section 11, Block 503, Lot 5. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. The foreclosure sale will take place “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court appointed Referee will cancel the foreclosure auction.

KRISTIN MORO, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY 11021. #102080 151277

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR CABANA SERIES V TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ROBERT WINKLER, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 11, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 18, 2025 at 2:00

p.m., premises known as 524 Pontiac Road, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at North Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 51, Block 479 and Lot 12. Approximate amount of judgment is $719,717.83 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #616227/2022.

Matin Emouna, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 222115-1 151559

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, PEAK GARDEN WESTBURY TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. DEIJH, INC., ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 7, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 195 Garden Street, Westbury, NY 11590. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 11, Block 503

and Lot 25.

Approximate amount of judgment is $627,379.58 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #607687/2023.

Brian Carmody, Esq., Referee

Vallely Law PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 151727

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF Nassau, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as Owner Trustee for RCAF AcquISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. Edward Marinelli, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 14, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1 Windmill Lane, Levittown, NY 11756. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Levittown, near Hicksville, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 46, Block 390 and Lot 32. Approximate amount of judgment is $421,609.99 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610259/2023.

Peter H. Levy, Esq., Referee

New book guides girls on sensitive challenges

Continued from page 1

future homes, Crosby can connect with them on a personal level.

“I want to affect people at the deep root of their core, and I want to make a difference in their life, because it’s the biggest thing you’ll ever do,” she said.

Susan Snyder Gatti, business advisor and founder of Disruptive Spark, was one of the test readers for Crosby’s book.

“I read the book, and it’s incredible,” Snyder Gatti said. “It’s just a wonderful story of resilience and how being able to look back over your experiences and see them from a completely different perspective.”

LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No: 230803-1 151725

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST RAYMOND D. VIOLA, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 8, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 24, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 26 Gleaner Lane, Levittown, NY 11756. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Levittown, near Hicksville, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 46, Block 438, Lot 9. Approximate amount of judgment $717,579.13 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #613616/2022. Jon Michael Probstein, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 20-000361 84399 151653

As a business advisor, Snyder Gatti sees Crosby as a role model for young people and adults alike.

“When people in your workforce are able to connect their personal passions and missions to their daily work life, that’s really when we see results,” Snyder Gatti said. “I think Theresa is just a perfect example of that.

“She’s Theresa, the mortgage broker, who wrote this incredible book that seeks to impassion and empower young girls. The beautiful part of that is now she gets to combine both things.”

Bonnie Papish a realtor for over 30 years, met Crosby at the gym, where they became fast friends, assisting each other in business and in developing a community among local businesses.

“Theresa is very personable,” Papish said. “She’s very transparent. She’s very approachable. She really puts other people’s needs above everybody else’s.”

Papish was one of the voices that encouraged Crosby during the writing process.

“I’m so proud of her, I always give her so much credit, because sharing such personal life experience is difficult,” she said.

Tom Gibson, founder of IBO Net -

theresa Crosby, author of “go for it, girl!” signed copies of her book at a networking event on Jan. 31.

working, has known Crosby for decades.

IBO Networking is an organization that focuses on creating events where community members can meet each other, share their experiences, and find new connections. Crosby has been a captain of the group for over five years, helping expand its scope to other cities around the country.

“It’s a great way for people to come and really connect and get to know each other,” he said. “Theresa, when she did her book, saw that this was a great opportunity for her to come to the hub and invite a lot of her friends, networking friends, associates and alike, to really connect there.

“She’s a whirlwind. She’s an amazing person. It takes a lot of courage to write the book that she wrote. You have to really admire someone who’s willing to share their personal life and hard times.”

“Go for it, Girl!” is available online and in print from Amazon, Kindle and at Barnes & Noble.

News brief

Three men arrested for illegal sale of THC

Three men were arrested on Feb. 13 as part of an investigation into the illegal sale of cannabis and THC products at local businesses, Nassau County police said.

According to detectives, the narcotics and vice squad conducted an investigation that led to the arrests at three separate locations. Mohammed Abdo Hamo Al Rawhani, 31, of Brooklyn, was taken into custody at Convenience Plus, located at 939 N. Broadway in Massapequa. Officers recovered 15 packages of a greenish-brown leafy substance believed to be cannabis, 13 packages of suspected THC, and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.

Mohamed Gamil Hassan, 27, of New York City, was arrested at Farmer in the

Deli Smoke Shop, located at 145 Merrick Ave. in Merrick. Police recovered four packages of suspected cannabis, 27 packages of suspected THC, 417 assorted illegal flavored vape products, and U.S. currency.

Nagmedeen R. Hassan, 27, of Valley Stream, was taken into custody at The Koughty Shop Inc., located at 2740 Grand Ave. in Bellmore. Officers recovered U.S. currency.

All three defendants are charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful sale of cannabis. They were arraigned on Feb. 14 at the First District Court.

–Jordan Vallone

Friedman Vartolo

theresa Crosby met fans, friends

at the iBo networking

Photos courtesy Theresa Crosby

Stunner – Move Right In!

Houses in flood zones had to be raised, but businesses?

Q. I am interested in leasing a building that I am certain was flooded during several recent storms. The landlord says the sheetrock and insulation were replaced, and there were only a “few inches of water.” I doubt that. The metal building is stained around the bottom 4 feet, in between tall weeds, since nobody takes care of it. It’s in an industrial area. I wonder why I had to lift my house, but these buildings, which clearly were seriously flooded, never had to make changes to deal with future flooding. I can’t risk losing inventory, and I don’t see where there was much done to prevent water from getting in. I probably won’t take the lease, but I still wonder why these buildings didn’t either have to be raised or make changes for better flood protection.

A. Most commercial buildings were not considered “substantially damaged,” a definition by the Federal Emergency Management Agency requiring flood-prevention implementation. In most cases, only when renovating, waterproofing materials were required to be added to either the inside or outside of buildings, but this was not enforced uniformly with required permits. Part of the reason that flood-proof materials were added was, just as you said, to prevent loss of inventory, but also because businesses can’t be out of commission for very long without losing money.

Flood protective panels that attach at the exterior doors and windows, membranes placed on interior walls behind new finishes, and waterproofing of exterior walls up to 2 feet above the flood elevation, designated by FEMA for your area, have become standard practice for projects where people are concerned about their businesses continuing to operate after the next serious storm. The owner or tenant has to be concerned enough to implement these safeguards, because most commercial buildings in flood-prone areas were either not considered damaged enough to lift or not required to flood-proof unless brought to the attention of officials.

The issue comes down to one thing: insurance. Many people think of FEMA as just a federal government program, but it’s much more than that. It’s a large insurance company, one of the largest in the world. Because there are so many disasters to handle each year — roughly $200 billion worth of damage — most insurance companies stopped insuring coastal communities around the country. There’s just too much risk. So FEMA is designated to cover the high risk, backed by taxpayers to pay for the gaps and losses. That falls to taxpayers because otherwise-thriving communities would cease to exist, tax revenue would be lost, bonds and debt failures would occur and the economy could collapse. It’s all tied together. So even though evaluation or enforcement may not have been done, taking steps as a tenant may be your only recourse. Consult with experienced professionals to create a flood-proof building. Water gets through floors, gaps in walls and places you may not have thought of. Good luck!

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opinions Recalling the presidents I’ve met

As we celebrated Presidents’ Day on Monday, I thought back on presidents I’ve had the opportunity to meet over the years. Except for my first meeting with Richard Nixon in 1967, before he was president, all of those meetings resulted from my involvement in politics.

In the summer of 1967, between my second and third years of law school, I worked as an intern in Nixon’s Wall Street law firm. (The fellow intern I was assigned to work with that summer was Rudy Giuliani — who was then a liberal Democrat.)

In addition to the chance encounters we had with Nixon in the hallway or elevator, we interns had a long lunch discussion with him, during which he demonstrated his expansive knowledge of foreign and domestic issues. Surprisingly, he also displayed a certain shyness.

A quarter-century later, in 1993, the then former president was in Washington to address Republicans in Congress, where I told him how much I appreciated the long-ago internship. He was no longer shy, but seemingly at peace. The following year, I attended his funeral in

California.

President Gerald Ford was in the closing days of his 1976 campaign against Jimmy Carter when he spoke at a massive rally at the Nassau Coliseum. At a reception afterward, Ford was gracious and friendly, a class act.

The next time I saw him was in 1998, at Sonny Bono’s funeral in California.

From Nixon to Trump, there have been 10, and each left a different impression.

I had just two brief encounters with Jimmy Carter, the first an introduction at Yitzhak Rabin’s funeral in Jerusalem in 1995. The second was about 10 years ago, when I was on a Delta Shuttle, waiting to take off for Washington, when Carter got on the plane, recognized me, shook my hand and gave me a warm hello and a big smile — an awkward moment for me, since I had attacked him for something on national TV just the day before!

Except for a White House briefing for New York Republicans in 1987, my dealings with President Ronald Reagan consisted of handshakes and photos at political events in Nassau County and Manhattan. I was always struck by his sense of dignity and leadership. He never disappointed.

President George Bush 41 was the last of the old-school presidents, in the best sense of that term. He was very knowl-

edgeable and always respectful of his office. In addition to greeting him at political events before and after his presidency, I was invited, along with other newly elected Republicans, to meet with him in the Oval Office in his final days as president in January 1993. It was inspiring and memorable. He didn’t have a word of regret or complaint. True stature.

Though President Barack Obama offered to appoint me ambassador to Ireland, my dealings with him were infrequent and businesslike. He was always polite, and always “no drama Obama.”

My contacts with Joe Biden were when he was senator and vice president, primarily at social events in Washington. He was invariably cordial and humorous. Always greeted me with a big grin, and would kid me that Irish guys should always be Democrats. He was sharp; very different from how he was as president.

The presidents I spent the most time with were Bill Clinton, George Bush 43 and Donald Trump, all of whom are within two years of me in age. I worked closely with Clinton on the Irish peace process, traveling with him on his historic visits to Northern Ireland. I stood with him during his impeachment. He

couldn’t have been more gracious and friendly to my family. He and Hillary were the first to call the night my mother died. We remain friends.

I saw up close how dedicated the younger George Bush was to helping New York and defeating Islamist terrorism following the horrific Sept. 11 attacks. I was with him in the ruins of the World Trade Center three days afterward, and over the succeeding months and years was at numerous meetings he had with cops, firefighters and 9/11 victims’ family members. A true patriot. Great sense of humor.

Donald Trump was and is one of a kind. He and I grew up in Queens at the same time. Though we lived in different Zip codes, one on one he was like the guys I grew up with, totally down to earth. Despite his public persona, he could be caring and concerned, like when he reached out to my daughter when she was sick, or when he invited my grandchildren to the White House. Most significantly, I’ll always be appreciative of his visits to Long Island, where he led the effort to crush MS-13. These are just some of the recollections from my front-row seat of the 10 men who led our nation over the past six decades.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

Somewhere, the Founding Fathers must be fretting

As best I can remember when I was in fourth grade, we were taught that there are three branches of government — the legislative, the judicial and the executive. And we were taught that they were co-equals, with each possessing powers that the other branches couldn’t interfere with.

To make it simple, our teacher stated that the legislative branch, represented by Congress, is responsible for making laws. The executive branch, headed by the president, enforces laws made by Congress and oversees federal agencies. The judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court, interprets laws and ensures that they comply with the Constitution. In my lifetime, over many decades, I have seen how the wishes of our Founding Fathers were complied with. While I was too young to understand the maneuvers of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, when he stepped over the line, the

Supreme Court reversed a number of his actions. In blunt terms, he was told that some of his actions violated the Constitution.

Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama saw their controversial legislation overridden by a vote of three-fourths of Congress. And on quite a few occasions, the Supreme Court told Congress that it had violated the Constitution and its actions were null and void. That seemed to be in line with what I learned at Public School 26 in Brooklyn.

Wcal issues. Some are consistent with campaign promises Trump made, but others clearly step on the toes of the 435 members of Congress.

e once learned that the White House, Congress and the courts were co-equals.

Having served in the State Assembly for 23 years, I am very much aware of how the systems work in both Washington and Albany. I have seen the Legislature in Albany flex its muscles and override the governor on many occasions. I have seen the courts tell the Legislature that it has stepped over the line and violated the state Constitution.

On Jan. 20, President Trump issued an avalanche of executive orders. Many of them have escaped public attention, because voters don’t spend all their time watching the news and following politi-

Under Article I of the Constitution, Congress is given the sole authority to appropriate money for the operation of the government. There is no language that allows the president to impound funding authorized by Congress. The president campaigned on the promise of abolishing the U.S. Department of Education, but only Congress can dissolve a federal agency.

Some of the most challenging developments in the new Trump term are the actions taken by Elon Musk. He may have been given a blanket direction to cut government waste, but he is not allowed to abolish any federal agency that has been created by Congress. Musk has effectively shut down one agency already by restricting funding, but his powers will no doubt be challenged in the federal courts.

The biggest surprise to me, as a former state and local official, is how civil service protections are being totally ignored. Notices have been sent to thou-

sands of federal workers offering them buyouts with no guarantees that they will keep their jobs if they don’t take them. Actions taken by the administration to force career employees out of their jobs defy what the civil service system is about.

The most eye-popping development is the failure of any Republican member of Congress to complain about the impact of the funding impoundments on their own home communities. Major cancer research hospitals in Louisiana, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas have made urgent cries about the loss of anticipated dollars. Special drugs for serious diseases can’t be purchased without assurances that the money will be available. Rather than free up these dollars, the White House is focusing on efforts like halting the production of pennies that are popular with the public. There seem to be no people in Washington who are echoing the voices of the Founding Fathers. That is our loss.

Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

mEadow

Established 2001

Incorporating:

Meadowbrook

In civil discourse, everyone deserves respect

in February we celebrate Black History Month, honoring the achievements, resilience and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. In March we recognize Women’s History Month, acknowledging the pivotal role of women in shaping our society. Throughout the year, we take time to celebrate mothers, fathers, military veterans, educators, grandparents and others who have made an impact on of our lives, and continue to.

These moments of recognition remind us of something fundamental: Every person, the members of every ethnic and demographic group, and those of every faith deserve R-E-S-P-E-C-T, as the great Aretha Franklin sang. Yet in today’s world, respect often seems to be in short supply. This reality is magnified by the noise blasting from social media, the nonstop discourse on television and radio masquerading as news, and the constant barrage of opinions that seek to divide rather than unite.

We can, and should, engage in constructive discussions on pressing issues such as climate change, education, housing, economic opportunity and social justice without resorting to dehumanization. It is possible to stand firm in our

letters

How about taking on property taxes, Jerry?

To the Editor:

Re Jerry Kremer’s op-ed in the Feb. 6-12 issue, “Cleaning the 2024 slate is comforting”: While we don’t share the same political philosophy, I respect Mr. Kremer’s career and his accomplishments. He was known in Albany as a fellow who actually did the people’s business.

His piece had a regular-guy ring to it. His protestations were mine, as were the laments. I no longer go to Yankee Stadium. I do get to Citi Field for a game or two, but the Mets are moving into the high-priced arena as well. I’ll still go, but I do mourn the old days.

Supermarkets are on my canceled list. I have throwback moments at Costco now.

Jerry’s recollection of the movies took me back to a story my father told me when I was a kid. The son of Sicilian immigrants who didn’t have much, he told me that one day, as a 14-year-old, he found a quarter on the street. With that quarter he got a trolley ride, a hero sandwich and a triple feature. It was 1934, and a quarter got you somewhere in Brooklyn.

Jerry did skip over my major annoyance, property taxes. Last October, the Herald printed my op-ed, “Nassau is no county for old

beliefs while recognizing the humanity of those who see the world differently. Diversity of thought is essential to a thriving society. Healthy debate strengthens our communities, fosters new ideas and leads to meaningful progress. But progress is only possible when conversations are grounded in mutual respect.

As we address the challenges facing our nation, we must acknowledge that the path forward is not always clear. Intelligent, clear-thinking people will advocate different solutions based on their experiences and beliefs. That is to be expected. But what should never change is our commitment to engaging with one another as individuals deserving of respect, regardless of our differences.

It isn’t enough to simply argue about policies or demand that others see the world exactly as we do. True progress requires dialogue. It requires the humility to recognize that none of us has all the answers, and we must be open-minded enough to find solutions together, even when our collective problems seem impossibly difficult.

We must also reject the idea that disagreement makes those who disagree

into enemies. Too often, political and social divisions are deepened by rhetoric that seeks to demonize rather than understand. But a just and equitable society cannot be built on division. Rather, it requires the recognition that, despite our differences, we are all part of the same human family.

In the year ahead, let’s recommit to fostering a culture in which mutual respect is not an afterthought, but instead a guiding principle. Let’s teach our children — not just with words, but also with actions — that disagreement is not a reason to hate, but an opportunity to learn. Let’s model the kind of civil discourse that allows communities to grow stronger rather than splinter apart.

Black History Month, Women’s History Month and all the other days on which we honor those who have shaped our communities serve as indelible reminders of the R-E-S-P-E-C-T everyone deserves, every day. Despite the challenges we face, a just, equitable society remains within our reach — one in which opportunity isn’t determined by race or Zip code, where debate isn’t defined by hostility, and where respect is a cornerstone of its foundation.

men.” I’ll be 80 this summer, and my property taxes, which I’ve been paying for 47 years, are now north of $30,000. I hope that in his editorial role, Jerry can advocate

for seniors who want to stay in their homes.

PHIL COMO Sea Cliff

It’s time for the county executive to do his job

as I enter my 14th year as a Nassau County Legislator and reflect on my time in office, it dawned on me that I have served for all of those years as a member of the Legislature’s minority caucus. While there have been disagreements with county executives and my colleagues in the majority along the way, I have always maintained cordial and productive relationships, and worked with county executives of both parties to get things done for my district and the county’s taxpayers.

the Nassau County Charter, a capital plan must be adopted by Dec. 15 each year — but the Blakeman administration has achieved this only once in the past three years. The 2025 plan is once again running late, jeopardizing economic growth, good jobs and increased safety and quality of life generated by these projects.

Since Bruce Blakeman took office as county executive in 2022, however, progress on crucial initiatives, grants and capital infrastructure proposals has stalled — and minority caucus-represented areas have shouldered a disproportionate impact. To get all areas of the county back on the right track, I urge the Blakeman administration to begin addressing these key priorities:

■ Finalize a comprehensive, equitable capital plan that invests in the communities of all 19 legislative districts. Per

B■ Get the politics out of CRP grants. Since the beginning of 2024, the majority has received more than 30 Community Revitalization Program grants, and the minority has received none. Some grant proposals for volunteer firefighters, village police departments and other first responders in minority districts have been held up for years. These funds need to get out to our communities regardless of legislators’ party affiliation.

donate heavily to his campaigns and profit handsomely off a broken system. Until then, the best way to protect yourself from overtaxation is to grieve your home’s assessed value, and the deadline to do so is March 3.

ruce Blakeman has failed to deliver on his promises for three years.

■ We need real solutions to stabilize the future of Nassau University Medical Center. NUMC is an essential part of our regional health care matrix, a Level 1 trauma center with a state-of-the-art burn center and an in-demand drug detox facility. Moreover, it serves as a lifeline for some of the county’s most economically vulnerable patients. The Blakeman administration must stop treating this vital facility like a political football and have a serious conversation with the state about keeping it open.

accounts collecting interest, and the ordinance currently making its way through the Legislature to create a grant portal for agencies on the front lines of addiction, treatment, prevention and recovery services is long, long overdue.

■ Last, but certainly not least, disband the dangerous, illegal militia. Nassau County has one of America’s besttrained police departments, and it is instrumental in making us the safest county of our size year after year. An armed militia with minimal training by the county — regardless of its participants’ previous experience or background — is not something the public or police ever asked for or needed, and Blakeman has no legal authority to marshal such a force. End the militia and allow our outstanding law enforcement professionals to do their jobs without interference.

■ Blakeman promised to “fix” the county’s assessment system. He hasn’t and it’s only gotten worse. His administration has frozen the assessed values of our properties for three consecutive years. With each passing year, the tax rolls become even more unfair and distorted. The administration must live up to its promises and put the people ahead of the big tax-grievance firms that

LeTTers

There’s good news about younger readers, Randi

To the Editor:

Re Randi Kreiss’s recent column, “When was the last time your read a book?”: I was happy to be informed about Randi’s impressions of the reading habits of children and young adults. This is a subject that I have a firsthand knowledge of.

Over the past 10 to 15 years, I have observed a tendency among my paying customers, most of whom are, in fact, 16 to 30 years old. Most come to me to fill a gap in their knowledge of classics, science fiction, general fiction, mystery and other literary genres. It seems that high schools and colleges assign them books that are online, but those who come to me seem to prefer hard copies. For me the trend is notable and rewarding, and boosts my hope that reading physical books, particularly classics, has not lost its luster in our over-technological, disgustingly over-computerized society.

AMNON TISHLER

Booklovers Paradise Bellmore

Alarmed at Blakeman’s ‘outrageous behavior’

To the Editor:

I am alarmed at the lack of alarm in Nassau County in response to County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s outrageous behavior.

First he organized an independent local armed security force, and denied it was a “militia.” It actually fits the dictionary definition of a militia, which means Blakeman is either uninformed or disingenuous — or both.

Then he declared that the New York Post, a tabloid owned by Rupert Murdoch, is the official publication of Nassau County, because Blakeman doesn’t like the leanings of Newsday, which, for better or worse, has been a Long Islandcentric publication for decades.

Both moves are autocratic and partisan, and both are indefensible — but the public outcry has been muted, at best. I believe we need to react to — and reject — this sort of overreach, which I do not believe represent either the feelings or the interests of many Nassau County residents.

RICHARD

SCHWARz Bayville

■ Distribute the opioid funding the county has been sitting on for years. In the past several years, the county has received nearly $100 million in settlement funds from the distributors, manufacturers and retailers of the addictive opioids that continue to devastate families. But the Blakeman administration has only spent roughly $3.3 million of that money to date. It is infuriating that so many people have died in the past year while settlement funds sat in bank

Blakeman took an oath to serve all of Nassau’s 1.4 million residents, but his hyper-partisan approach and failure to deliver on promises has been evident throughout the past three years. We deserve better, and addressing these key issues would be a step in the right direction for an administration that has routinely focused on matters far beyond its proper jurisdiction or control.

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton represents Nassau County’s 11th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s minority leader.

Framework by Tim Baker

DeLia DeriGGi-wHiTTon