Showcasing
their arts and crafts
The Baldwin Civic Association hosted an Arts and Crafts Festival on July 20, highlighting local entrepreneurs. Story, additional photos, Page 10.
Baldwin native races to Paris
Chris Borzor will compete in Paris Olympics, 100 meters event on Saturday
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Chris Borzor, 25 of North Baldwin, never sought the awards, the records or the spotlight that came with his success as a track athlete. His sole focus was to “just run.”
“I’m just running for fun,” Borzor said last week, before departing for the Olympics in Paris, where he will represent his native Haiti in the 100meter dash on Saturday. “I don’t really think about that in my head,” he added of the records and awards.
peting at the Summer Games.
“The past couple of months, though I knew I was going to the Olympics, I’ve been calm about it,” he said. “But the closer I get to the date, it’s like, OK, it really is coming true.”
’m going to go out there and do my best for my country.
CHRIS BoRZoR Baldwin Olympian
“Like, ‘Oh, I got to break this record.’ I just step on the track, run, and have fun with it.”
Borzor, whose family came to the United States when he was six, gained prominence for his sprinting at Uniondale High School and then at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Southern California, ultimately earning the opportunity to represent his homeland on the world stage as a member of the Haitian track team com-
Borzor’s interest in running can be traced back to the fifth grade, when he watched his older cousin Jonathan Prevost compete in track at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville. Prevost eventually signed his younger cousin up for the sport in a summer league in Baldwin.
“I was just running to run,” Borzor recalled. “I didn’t really know anything about it. I didn’t really start falling in love with it until I got to high school.”
Though he lived in Baldwin, he attended Uniondale High, and was a member of the class of 2018. There he excelled in the 100 as well as the 200- and 400-meter dashes and the long jump. As a senior, he finished fifth in both the 100 and 200 at the New York State Public High
Continued on page 15
Tim Baker/Herald
Nassau Dems urge Blakeman to release funds
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Nassau County Democrats, including Legislator Debra Mulé, accused Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman of not disbursing funds to certain legislative districts and plan to block him from borrowing any more money until he does.
Legislators from those districts say millions of dollars were promised early this year to pay for resources in their communities but remain “locked” by the Blakeman administration in favor of districts led by Republican legislators.
Baldwin, one area withheld from legislator’s first responder funds, also includes East Meadow, Glen Cove, Glenwood, Muttontown, Port Washington, Sands Point and Sea Cliff.
“I’ve never seen things like this happen since my time as a legislator,” Mulé said at a press conference on July 24 alongside other party members. “There is no such thing as a Republican fire or a Democrat fire, there are just fires.
“Shame on anybody who is preventing safety from happening — this is something my
colleagues on the majority should be standing up saying, ‘This is wrong,’ ” she added.
Until Blakeman honors the funding requests, which have already been agreed upon with the administration, Democrats will block borrowing until the county executive honors the requests, they say.
Republicans hold a 12-7 majority in the legislature.
Blakeman needs a supermajority of 13 votes to approve finance requests for larger countywide projects.
A request in Mulé’s district of Baldwin was made for the Baldwin Fire Department for a new bucket truck last December for $169,241.
“Here we are, seven or eight months later, and we still haven’t heard anything about this project,” Mulé said.
“During my administration, minority members of the legislature received over 2 million dollars for community projects in their districts,” Blakeman wrote in a statement to the Herald. “Previously, the Democrat members of the legislature tried to hijack the capital budget, withholding funds for a variety of infrastructure projects and public safety projects
A group of Democratic Nassau County legislators call on County Executive Bruce Blakeman to release funding for certain legislative districts. From left, Delia
of Westbury and Scott Davis of Rockville Centre.
including police body armor.
“If the Democrats are serious about moving projects forward they must immediately pass the capital projects budget and complete their due diligence and paperwork on project requests that to date have been incomplete and lacking important details. I stand ready
to work with either side of the aisle,” he added. According to a list sent to the Herald from the Blakeman administration, Mulé received $285,317 in funding for Sanitary District 2 to purchase a sand blaster in 2022 and a street sweeper cleaner the following year.
December 15, 2023: $169,241 for Baldwin Fire Department bucket truck
September 30, 2023: $167,500 for the Village of Muttontown Police Department License Plate Readers
July 29, 2021: $100,000 for Port Washington Fire Department turnout firefighting gear
October 31, 2022: $90,000 for Port Washington Fire Department Breathing Air Compressor
February 16, 2022: $70,000 for Sands Point Police Department communications system
August 8, 2022: $37,400 for Glen Cove EMS cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices
Courtesy Daniel Schrafel
DeRiggi-Whitton of Glen Cove, Scott Davis of Rockville Centre, Debra Mule of Baldwin, Siela Bynoe
South Shore Conservation Society impacts community
By AVITA JOHN
Earlier this year, some residents in Freeport noticed that Brookside Preserve, a beautiful piece of nature in their community, wasn’t being properly maintained.
There was garbage, signs of substance abuse, and overall neglect.
These Freeport residents loved nature and wanted to see the Preserve thrive, so they decided to act. They started by reaching out to their local legislator to discuss their concerns and potential ideas for improving the Preserve.
Local legislator Debra Mulé then assembled a team of experts in parks management and legislative affairs to help refine the community’s ideas. With the support of these experts, the citizens developed a detailed proposal for the revitalization of Brookside Preserve.
They collaborated closely with two legislators, Debra Mulé and Seth Koslow, and together they presented their proposal to the Nassau County Parks Commissioner.
Their efforts continued beyond the proposal.
In early 2024, the group solidified their commitment by forming the South Shore Conservation Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing volunteers to support Brookside Preserve and other green spaces in South Nassau, particularly in Freeport. This initiative is especially important since the previous group, the South Shore Audubon Society, responsible for helping Brookside Preserve is no longer involved, due to their partnership with Nassau County having ended.
The SSCS President as of this year is Erica Quiroz-DeVargas, with Jose Cuevas being responsible for External Affairs and Public Relations. Jasmine Pena and John Massey are serving as the treasurer and secretary respectively. Most of the group’s members are Freeport residents and have been working towards the revitalization of Brookside Preserve.
“We appreciate the support that we get from Debra Mulé and Seth Koslow… those are the two legislators that have been supportive of the improvement needed the Brookside Preserve and we look forward for the continued support as we look to continue to work hard to revitalize the preserve.” Cuevas expressed.
The organization also focuses on various sustainability-driven projects.
The South Shore Conservation Society quickly got to work. They want to partner with other community groups in the future to support efforts related to Brookside Preserve, which is owned and managed by Nassau County.
Previously, the South Shore Audubon Society had collaborated with Nassau County to oversee the Preserve, but that partnership had ended. This left the Preserve without proper oversight, making it the perfect time for the South Shore Conservation Society to step in.
Recognizing the importance of com-
munity-driven efforts, the Society began brainstorming ways to improve the Preserve. They proposed creating a community garden in an open lot adjacent to the Preserve, among other ideas.
Their dedication and strategic planning led to another meeting with Nassau County Parks officials, where they continued to refine their plans.
Pena began by saying, “As residents and being in a large minority population, we don’t see our green spaces being protected, and residents in minority hamlets don’t have access to green spaces for their family, as far as for recreational purposes or for exploration for students, enhancement, when it comes to environmental initiatives, we don’t have that here.”
She added, “So, it’s equally important for us to set the groundwork for our residents and really create something special all our surrounding areas, as far as Baldwin, Merrick, and Rockville center, they have these preserves, and they’re very well maintained.”
“But in Freeport, where we’ve been
left behind, so we need to make sure that our residents are involved…. Do know that this is a great opportunity for them and future generations….and listen, we’ve been creating a big buzz, and it’s been, it’s been successful so far.” Pena explained.
Currently, the South Shore Conservation Society is pursuing two main efforts. First, they aim to become a management support entity for the Preserve, not to take over entirely, but to help Nassau County with its upkeep and improvement. They plan to present a structured proposal to Nassau County, highlighting their organization’s commitment and capability to support the Preserve effectively.
Second, they have launched ongoing advocacy and cleanup efforts. The Society organizes monthly cleanups, rallying community members to join in and help keep the Preserve clean. These cleanups have become a key element of their advocacy, demonstrating their dedication and the community’s willingness to pitch in.
In addition to cleanups, the Society acts as a communication conduit between the community and Nassau County. They have established contact with Nassau County police to ensure regular surveillance of the Preserve, addressing the issue of substance abuse. They also secured trashcans for the Preserve and arranged for regular trash pickup, making it easier for visitors to dispose of their garbage properly. Through these efforts, the South Shore Conservation Society has made significant strides in improving Brookside Preserve.
They continue to work closely on cleaning and bettering the preserve, driven by their love for nature and their desire to see the preserve and other green spaces in South Nassau flourish.
“We use a lot of social media platforms to reach our volunteers and potential members, and definitely a lot of us are very involved in our communities, so we do have a strong hold here when it comes to community endeavors and Freeport” Pena stated.
Photos courtesy of John Massey
The four core members of the South Shore Conservation Society are John Massey, secretary, left, Jasmine Pena, treasurer, Erica Quiroz-DeVargas, president, and Jose Cuevas who handles External Affairs and PR for the organization.
Erica Quiroz-DeVargas is the president of South Shore Conservation Society.
Jose Cuevas is responsible for External Affairs and Public Relations for the society.
Jasmine Pena is South Shore Conservation Society treasurer.
John Massey is currently the secretary of the South Shore Conservation Society.
Music and fun, Baldwin Porch Fest is this month
By CAMERON BROWN Intern
Following the success of Baldwin concerts held last summer at Silver Lake Park, the Baldwin Civic Association, led by Vice President Marguerite Keller, is gearing up to introduce the community to Baldwin Porchfest on Aug. 31, in celebration of International Playing Music on the Porch Day.
“The Baldwin Civic Association is excited to host our newest family-friendly event, aimed at showcasing the talent in our community and giving neighbors the opportunity to meet and commune with one another through our very first ‘Porch Fest,’” Kimberly Malone, Baldwin Civic Association president, wrote to the Herald.
The support from previous events, such as an arts and crafts festival, food truck Fridays Twilight Yoga and Oktoberfest, inspired Keller and volunteers to envision something even bigger: a Porch Fest, where people perform in their driveways, their front porches, big or small and lawns to showcase their musical skills.
Since the announcement last month, roughly a dozen musicians representing various genres, including folk and rock, have signed up to perform from their porches, according to Keller. A map detailing the locations and times of the performances will be published day of, allowing attendees to move from house to house
and enjoy the different acts.
A Porch Fest is not something new as community members in Long Beach and Rockville Centre have introduced it in their communities. Most recently last year in Long Beach as the event was immediately evident, with over two-dozen performers participating, the Herald previously reported.
To kickstart the day in Baldwin, there will be a barbershop quartet performance at the Kellogg House, located at 960 Merrick Rd in Baldwin at 12 p.m.
“Because the house is historical, I figured, let me get music from that time period of that house, and I came up with the barbershop quartet,” Keller said.
The home was constructed in the 1900s.
The event will conclude at the Baldwin Community Garden at 1980 Grand Ave. with a jazz performance.
“Given our mission to foster our wonderfully diverse community and to maintain (and improve) the quality of life in Baldwin, we hope our neighbors will come out, enjoy, and then join the BCA
and help us to do even more to make our town great,” Malone wrote.
Still encouraging performers to sign up, Keller has been using social media and distributing flyers to ensure a diverse lineup and several performances showcasing Baldwin’s talent. To become involved, email BaldwinPorchFest@ gmail.com.
“The goal is to spend a day listening to music, meeting new people, meeting your neighbors, and really just having a nice day,” Keller said.
The Elder Law Power of Attorney
A power of attorney allows someone you choose as “agent” to handle your legal and financial affairs, most often if you become disabled. However, not all powers of attorney are created equal. The standard form, used by many attorneys, is what we term “over the counter medicine”. Instead, we choose to use what we call the “prescription strength” elder law power of attorney.
It works just like medicine. What happens when you only have over the counter medicine but you need prescription strength? You know what happens – it doesn’t work, it’s not strong enough.
For example, the standard form allows the agent to make gifts up to $5,000 dollars per year. The elder law power of attorney has no such limitation, allowing the agent to gift any amount. Let’s say a client is going into a nursing home or needs care at home. We often save the family hundreds of thousands of dollars using the elder law power of attorney to gift out to the children those amounts that will help qualify the client for Medicaid benefits. Generally, even on
the nursing home doorstep, we can save about half of a parent’s assets by gifting. Now, if the client only has the standard power of attorney, they can only gift five thousand dollars a year. When it comes to Medicaid, it’s move it or lose it! Almost all of the client’s money will have to be used for their care.
Let’s say the client has $500,000 in assets and needs nursing facility care. We use the elder law power of attorney to gift $250,000 to the children (tax-free). So long as we use the remaining $250,000 to pay for our client’s care, the family gets to keep the $250,000 gift.
Other valuable powers added to the elder law power of attorney are (1) powers to create or modify trusts (2) powers to change beneficiaries on IRA’s, annuities and insurance policies, and (3) powers to refuse any inheritances left to the disabled person.
For clients age sixty and older, choosing an elder law attorney often makes the difference between keeping your home and life savings or losing everything to pay for long-term care.
&
Jaci Zitman/Herald
‘Deez Guyzz’ rocked the stage at Long Beach’s Porch Fest this past May.
HERALD SPORTS
Nassau HOF class of 2024 announced
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
The Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame will hold its 2024 induction ceremony Sept. 25 at the Crest Hollow County Club. For more information and tickets, go to www.sectionviii. org. Here’s a list of local honorees.
Tom Catapano
He’s been nothing short of a wizard since becoming Baldwin’s girls’ basketball coach in 2010. He’s guided it to 12 Nassau Class Conference AA championships, 10 Nassau Class AA titles, 5 Long Island Class AA crowns, a pair of New York state public school championships, and a State Federation title.
Canute Curtis
One of the greatest in a long line of great football players from Farmingdale, Curtis was a standout two-way star at running back and linebacker while leading head coach Don Snyder’s Dalers to an undefeated 10-0 record and the Rutgers Cup in 1991. His dominating performances as a senior were good enough to earn Curtis All-Nassau, All-Long Island and All-State honors.
Crystal Dunn
A genuine soccer phenom at South Side. So talented at a young age that she missed her junior season because she was playing for the United States Under17 team in New Zealand. The Cyclones won three state championships (2006, 2007 and 2009) with Dunn, who scored 46 goals and assisted on 35 others. She was a two-time All-American at North Carolina and played defense for the U.S. Women’s National Team and is a twotime Olympian.
Jim Graziano
The best big man developed at Farmingdale and one of the best to play basketball on Long Island. The 6-foot-10, Graziano was a four-year starter, outstanding as a freshman and improved every season until his senior year when he averaged 26 points and 15 rebounds. A three-time All-Long Island selection, he was the New York State Player of the Year in 1976. He starred at South Carolina and was drafted by the NBA’s Denver Nuggets.
Jay Iaquinta
One of the most decorated football coaches in Nassau County over the past three decades, Iaquinta has amassed 211 victories with stints at Lynbrook, Hewlett and Manhasset. Named the county’s Coach of the Year in 1986 and 2021.
Charlene Lipsey
She played basketball, volleyball, and softball at Hempstead before focusing on
track. In just three years she became a five-time state champ and the Gatorade New York State Runner of the Year. Lipsey went on to a decorated career at LSU and was an eight-time All-American and three-time SEC champion.
Matt McLees
Head coach of Carey’s football team for 16 years and the winningest coach in school history with 76 victories. He was named Nassau Coach of the Year three times, served as President of Nassau Football Coaches Association and is currently the Athletic Director for the Sewanhaka Central School District and Nassau’s football coordinator.
Gary Mims
He grew up in Freeport but became a son of Massapequa. He played three sports for the Chiefs (football, wrestling
and lacrosse) and returned home to coach the wrestling team for 29 years, beginning in 1977. He was named Nassau Coach of the Year three times and produced 31 county champions while winning 291 dual meets.
Rich Ohrnberger
A star two-way lineman for three years at East Meadow, in 2003 he not only won the Martone Award for being Nassau’s top lineman but also the Thorp Award as the county’s best player. After a stellar career as an offensive lineman at Penn State, he was drafted by the Patriots and later played for the Cardinals and Chargers.
V ictor Randazzo
It has been 52 years since Randazzo graduated from Long Beach , and his senior year was special. He was the New
Rockville Centre’s Crystal Dunn was a three-time state champion at South Side, a two-time All-American at North Carolina and a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Award as
best
player and went on to play in the NFL for three teams.
York State champion in the Still Rings competition and the Rope Climb. He won the Still Rings at the Empire State Games five times and went on to become the NCAA Still Rings champ for Southern Connecticut State, helping it to the 1976 collegiate team title.
Max Seibald
A special athlete, Seibald was an AllCounty selection in four sports (football, soccer, track and lacrosse) at Hewlett and a superstar in the latter. He led the Bulldogs to a county championship, beating Garden City in the finals, and was a four-time All-American at Cornell. In 2009 he won the Tewaarton Award as the nation’s top collegiate player. He was a five-time Major League Lacrosse All-Star.
East Meadow’s Rich Ohrnberger won the Thorp
Nassau’s
football
Photos courtesy Nassau County Athletics
Long Beach’s Victor Randazzo was the New York State champion in the Still Rings competition and the Rope Climb in the early 1970’s.
OBITUARY
Donnell Hickson of Baldwin dies at 43
Car crash kills Hickson, his son and daughter
By MELISSA BERMAN & KEPHERD DANIEL of the Baldwin Herald
Three communities are in mourning.
Baldwin resident Donnell Hickson, 43, who worked at the Oceanside Costco and was a track star at Lawrence High School died in a June 20 car crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which also killed his two children — son, Decir, 18 and daughter, Kyla, 11. He is survived by his wife Keisha and Decir’s mother, Martinique.
They were in a 2018 Honda Accord headed east around 4:25 a.m. on the Turnpike in Penn Township, Lancaster County when they collided with a FedEx tractor-trailer also going east, according to Pennsylvania State police.
The force of the collision caused both vehicles to leave the roadway, all three family members were pronounced dead on the scene, according to police.
Hickson ran winter and spring track, and also played football all four years at Lawrence. He graduated in 1999.
DHickson attended York College in Queens where he was an All-American and competed in the 2005 NCAA championships for the triple jump.
“He would do any event, he used to say to me, whatever events you need me to do, I’ll do,” McQuillan added.
Hickson never missed a track practice in all four years and had physical talents to compete in any event.
onnell was Lawrence track royalty, the class on 1999 lost a superstar in my eyes
BuD McQuILLAN
Lawrence High School track coach
Lawrence track coach Bud McQuillan expressed his deepest condolences and reflected on his time with Hickson and who he was as a person.
“He was a guy that would do anything for anyone, he always had a smile from ear to ear,” McQuillan
“He was a hell of a 400 runner and even better jumper,” McQuillan said. “He was one of the best triple jumpers on Long Island and became an all NY State jumper his senior year and competed in nationals down in Carolina.”
After graduating, Hickson applied his track knowledge to help McQuillan teach the young jumpers the skills they needed to be successful.
Hickson worked at Costco in Oceanside. As of press time administrative staff declined to comment.
An online fundraiser was created to raise money for his wife Keisha and son Martinique to help pay for funeral expenses and any other immediate or necessary expenses.
According to the fundraiser, Decir was preparing for college and his sister Kyla was an aspiring cartoonist.
“Donnell was Lawrence track royalty, the class on 1999 lost a superstar in my eyes,” McQuillan said.
The link to the fundraiser is GoFundMe.com/f/ three-lives-lost-two-mothers-need-our-support. There is no burial or funeral info at the time of print.
Courtesy Bud McQuillan
Lawrence High School track athlete Dimitri Drouillard, left, Donnell Hickson and track coach Bud McQuillan.
Some familiar faces at the GOP convention
A number of Republican elected officials from Long Island attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee July 15 to 18.
Included in the mix were the GOP congressional contingent from Long Island: Anthony D’Esposito, who represents a majority of the South Shore of Nassau County; Andrew Garbarino, whose district spans from Seaford to Calverton in Suffolk County; and Nick LaLota, whose district stretches east from Huntington Station to the twin forks and Montauk.
Not long after the convention, at which former President Donald Trump and his vice presidential pick, Sen. J.D. Vance, accepted their party’s official nominations, the political landscape changed dramatically, as President Biden decided not to run for re-election and Vice President Kamala Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee.
The Democrats will hold their national convention in Chicago Aug. 19 to 22.
–Jeffrey Bessen
GRADUATE OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 6 p.m.
At Hofstra University, graduate students plant the seeds to advance in their career. Hear from representatives across 200 programs that include business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and psychology, and learn all the ways your success can sprout at Hofstra University. Your future awaits.
For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, left and U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito outside the Fiserv Arena in Milwaukee, where the Republican National Convention took place.
Photos courtesy Matthew Capp
The Long Island Republican congressional contingent — Nick LaLota, far left, Anthony D’Esposito and Andrew Garbarino — on the convention floor.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Arts and Crafts Festival in Baldwin shines light for vendors
The Baldwin Civic Association hosted an Arts and Crafts Festival on July 20 that celebrated local creativity and craftsmanship.
The event showcased a variety of original, handmade art pieces created by members of the community. Attendees had the opportunity to purchase unique artworks directly from the artists, making it a special day for both creators and art enthusiasts alike.
Tim Baker/Herald Photos
Sara Hill and Elissa Kirchner, co-chairs of Arts and Crafts Festival through the Baldwin Civic Association.
Rachele Leone at her ‘Cray Clay Art’ booth.
From left, Jamilet Hernandez 11, Abigail Magwood 10, Erin Healey 11 showcase their booth of bracelets.
Richard Dow at his booth promoting ‘Rich Artistry.’
OUT
Sometimes, the tiniest things — in this case insects — have the biggest story.
Welcome to the world of “OVO.”
Cirque du Soleil brings the relaunched show to Elmont’s UBS Arena this month with new acts and characters. “OVO” is a colorful intrusion into a new day in the life of insects. Through Cirque’s signature mix of acrobatics, lively visuals and humor, unique personalities and abilities of selected insect species emerge.
“OVO” explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy. It’s where the every day becomes extraordinary. As told by the creative team: OVO is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects’ home is a world of beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion.
“Imagine you lift up a rock and find a whole habitat underneath it.” says Artistic Director Lydia Harper, who’s been with Cirque du Soleil since 2015.
The spectacle begins as a colony of insects embraces a mysterious egg brought by the Blue Fly. Then the egg disappears.
“It’s such an exciting way to start a show, because then you go, ‘anything can happen,” says Harper.
When that egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It’s love at first sight when a quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye — and the feeling is mutual.
The name “Ovo” means egg in Portuguese. This timeless symbol of the life cycle and birth of numerous insects represents the show’s underlying thread, according to Deborah Colker, the production’s writer, director and choreographer. An homage to her Brazilian heritage, it reflects her background in dance and interest in movement on a large scale.
“It’s a story about falling in love, making friends, meeting strangers, and what adventures they can take you on,” Harper says.
The “colony” of quirky insects each have distinct personalities, fully portrayed by each cast member. The social Ladybug is always clowning around. The cheeky cricket is full of jumping energy. The mysterious spider climbs through her web. With 52 performers, these are only some of the dazzling bugs you’ll meet.
And in true Cirque du Soleil style, the cast’s jaw-dropping acrobatics enhance each insect’s personality.
“There’s an aerial cradle number where we see 12 artists high above the stage. You’ve got humans throwing humans and doing double somersaults. It’s one of those moments where you stop and just go, ‘How are these people capable of this?” Harper says.
Featured as Scarabs in that segment are two gymnasts who competed in the Olympics — Olga
Buggin’ out with acrobatic finesse
A spectacular ecosystem comes to life in Cirque du Soleil’s ‘OVO’
Shcherbatykh (in 2004) and Nansy Damianov (in 2008).
The Chinese Pole act, one of the production’s newer showstopping additions, is performed by a formidable “army” of synchronized ants.
“There’s a lot of teamwork, you have them climbing up a pole, all in sync. It’s really beautiful,” Harper adds.
Embodying the characters personalities involves much more than gymnastic aerobatics; it requires careful attention to the show’s theme, along with an understanding of movement and cadence of the insects.
“You take an inspirational source and you go, ‘How can I, as a human, create that so the audience understands who I’m trying to be without just crawling around on all fours pretending to be an ant? You’ve got to find the quality of movement and apply it to choreography or a stylized way of moving,” Harper explains.
• Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 15-18; times vary
• Tickets available at CirqueDuSoleil.com/ovo
• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
Add to that vibrant costumes, tech-driven set design and dynamic music — and the world of bugs transforms into the surreal.
“We have this huge wall that covers the whole back of the stage, and that’s brought to life by video projections. So, we have the ability to make it a very small, intimate moment or bring the whole space to life with projections and lighting,” Harper says.
Naturally, the show wouldn’t be complete without accompaniment of a seven-piece band of musician “bugs.”The score, punctuated with Brazilian-style percussion, was composed by Musical Director Berna Ceppas, who has worked extensively in the film industry.
“We have a singer who sings in a various languages. She’s got a bit of Portuguese in there, sometimes Spanish, with the lyrics influenced by the story,” Harper says.
The spectacle takes a magnifying glass to small moments — on big scale in true Cirque fashion — that represent a heightened world booming with life and beauty.
“I’ve always been so inspired and motivated by the ability to create a world that takes you so far away from reality. It’s escapism in its purest form, while blowing your mind at how humans can do these things,” Harper says.“You get to be transported out of this world, It’s kind of making the impossible possible right in front of your eyes.”
The Midtown Men
Former stars of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning jukebox musical “Jersey Boys,” reunited as The Midtown Men, bring their ‘60s vibe to Eisenhower Park. During their time in the mega-hit musical, these talented artists — Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony nominee J. Robert Spencer — shared the stage for over 1,000 performances. The high-octane musical tour de force that took the “Jersey Boys” phenomenon to Broadway and beyond, is now rocking the stage as a concert. These Broadway veterans, with their band, realized the dream they brought to life as the iconic Four Seasons. The dynamic foursome now celebrates the music that defined the 1960s. The Midtown Men is the next chapter for these accomplished entertainers, making them the first vocal group ever formed by the principal cast of a high-profile Broadway show.
Sunday, Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m. Free admission. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
Dance Theatre of Harlem
The acclaimed dance company appears on the Tilles Center stage as it continues its 2024 tour. With a storied history, the first Black classical ballet company, co-founded by dance icon and superstar Arthur Mitchell, has toured the world and introduced young minds and bodies to the power of dance. With all its renown, this boundary-breaking organization has maintained Mitchell’s core belief that ballet belongs to everyone. The 18-member, multi-ethnic company performs a forwardthinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary pieces. The dynamic program includes “Higher Ground,” with choreography by Robert Garland, featuring Stevie Wonder tunes;“New Bach,” and also choreographed by Garland, with music by J.S. Bach.
Sunday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m. Tickets are start at $64; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.
Photos courtesy Cirque du Soleil
THE Your Neighborhood
Gladys Knight
Hop aboard that “Midnight Train to Georgia” when the legendary soul chanteuse brings her Farewell Tour to Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, Friday, Aug. 9, 8 p.m. Gladys Knight is without a doubt one of the most influential, beloved, and important living singers on the planet. And while the Empress of Soul may have been in the business for more than 60 years now, that hasn’t stopped her from continuing to rock that beat as only she can do. She’s bringing her classic Motown-style R&B to audiences one last time before she bids us farewell. The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s fierce vocal power, elegant precision, and heartfelt performances have cemented her as one of music’s unquestionable icons. Among her many accolades she is rated by Rolling Stone as one of the top vocalists of all time.
For sure, very few singers over the last 60 years have matched her unassailable artistry. If you’re a fan of her classic Motown-style R&B, then you’ll surely want to see her perform — on more time. “That’s What Friends Are For,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Midnight Train to Georgia” — you know the hits, now hear her bring them to life once again in her inimitable style. You know the hits – from “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “License to Kill” to “That’s What Friends Are for” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” – now see her do them live in a once-ina-lifetime concert. The Farewell Tour is a celebration of Gladys Knight’s extensive, illustrious, and ground-breaking career, packed to the brim with iconic music that captivated the world back then and will continue to for a long time to come. She oozes the Southern aura through her soulful vocals and grace, allowing an audience to get totally swept away in unforgettable moments of romance, mystery, and charisma. Tickets start at $63. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com.
Movie Night
Enjoy a family film outdoors on Eisenhower Park’s big screen, Wednesday, Aug. 14, dusk, at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.
See Disney’s recent animated musical comedy “Wish.” Audiences are welcomed to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe, the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico, to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Eisenhower Park, Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
Music for Aardvarks
Baldwin Public Library hosts Music for Aardvarks, an interactive series tailored for children ages 4 months to 4 years, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Held every Wednesday in August, at 10 a.m., in the Community Room, these interactive sessions offer singing, dancing, musical storytelling, and jam sessions with instruments, promising a fun-filled experience for all. Registration required. 2385 Grand Ave. For more information and to register, visit BaldwinPL.org.
Dramatic Play
Theatre Playground returns to Long Island Children’s Museum with “Dramatic Play!,” Monday, Aug. 5, 1 p.m., taught by Lisa Rudin, Director of Theatre Playground. In this interactive, theater-inspired workshop, children will act out an original story and help choose how it unfolds. Music, props, and sound effects create a theatrical world where participants are immersed in the story.
Children express themselves as they create characters, explore different worlds, stretch their imaginations and build selfconfidence. This week’s theme: Unicorns and Dragons Save the Day! Costumes encouraged. $5 with museum admission. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
Super Mario Mondays
Kids in grades 6-12 can cool off with video games in the Teen Zone at Baldwin Public Library, Mondays, noon-1 p.m. Play against others. All games are rated E for Everyone. Registration not require; first come first serve. 2385 Grand Ave. Visit BaldwinPL.org for more information.
Storybook Stroll
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook
adventure, Saturday, Aug. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Michaela Goade’s “Berry Song.” Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Cedarmore Farmers market
Buy fresh food and produce from local vendors while enjoying various forms of entertainment at Cedarmore Farmers’ Market at Baldwin LIRR Train Station, Parking Field BA-5, Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.2:30 p.m., through Oct. 12
The market is in partnership with Leg. Seth Koslow and Leg. Debra Mulé. With a DJ, authors and artistic performances. For more information, visit CedarmoreFarms.org.
‘Walkin’ After Midnight’
Plaza Theatrical presents a showstopping tribute to the legendary Patsy Cline, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2:30 p.m. Through iconic songs and witty storytelling, Carter Calvert uses her award-winning vocal talents to create this captivating musical tribute. Calvert, a Broadway star and title character in Always… Patsy Cline (opposite Sally Struthers), gained rave reviews and triumphant accolades for her heartfelt portrayal of this legendary country recording artist.
She vocally captures Cline’s musical stylings pitch-perfectly in mega hits including “Crazy” and “I Fall To Pieces.” It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
Having an event?
Circus antics
Get in on the action with I. FLY Trapeze, Long Island’s only flying trapeze and circus arts school. Families will enjoy “Wild West Circus,” Saturday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m., at Eisenhower Park. I.FLY Trapeze puts spectators up close to the aerialists who perform amazing feats of athleticism and agility 25 feet in the air. Performances include Chains, Silk and Lyra, with comedy and on the grounds acts with Balancing and Baton, also a Flying Trapeze Finale. Next to the Nassau County Aquatic Center off Merrick Ave., East Meadow. Free parking available in lot 1A adjacent to the trapeze. For more information, please visit: IFlyTrapeze.com.
Storytime
Children ages 3-8, can join Girl Scouts for storytime, Saturday, Aug. 17, 1-3 p.m. The scouts will read stories and lead a craft at the Baldwin Community Garden. 1980 Grand Ave.
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
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will span various world cultures through a range of media.
It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
In the garden
Enjoy the glorious grounds of Old Westbury Gardens and listen to some stirring sounds, with Gardens favorite the husband-and-wife folk duo Hungrytown, Sunday, Aug. 4, 3-4 p.m Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson, joined by cellist Suzanne Mueller, present their original music blending traditional and modern influences, at the Barn.. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Let’s make mocktails
Experience an evening of mocktail magic at Baldwin Public Libray, Thursday, Aug. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Join Melinda Space from Them’s The Breaks Chocolate Shop as she showcases the art of crafting mocktails like Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, and two seasonal specialties. Learn about glassware, rimming techniques, and perfect accompaniments while enjoying tastings of these delicious creations. Participants will also receive four recipes to recreate the magic at home. Registration required. . 2385 Grand Ave. For more information and to register, visit BaldwinPL.org.
1,
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU
NATIONSTAR
MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A
CHAMPION MORTGAGE
COMPANY, Plaintiff
AGAINST JEAN RENE
DEVIS AKA JEAN-RENÉ
DEVIS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 9, 2018, 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 August 14, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 1844 Browning Street, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 36, Block 413, Lot 364, 365. Approximate amount of judgment $442,503.81 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #001531/2017. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. 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. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Oscar Prieto, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-006526 81420 147870
LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, v. MARIE JEROME, ET AL, Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on March 4, 2014, I, George P. Esernio, Esq. the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on August 13, 2024 at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Ct. Dr., Mineola, NY 11501, at 02:30 PM the premises described as follows: 858 Seaman Avenue
Baldwin, NY 11510-2816
SBL No.: 54-470-320
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.
The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 010925/2013 in the amount of $284,962.27 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 147909
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: bevitalize, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 5/16/24. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 1502 Victoria St Baldwin, NY 11510
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity 147913
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MARGARET A. BURCH
A/K/A MARGARET A. MILLS A/K/A MARGARET A. GREEN, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 4, 2023 and an Order Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on January 29, 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 August 21, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1459 Prince Street a/k/a 1459 Prince Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 36, Block 373 and Lot 69. Approximate amount of judgment is $454,243.16 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #609911/2019. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.
Kenneth Gartner, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No. 190226-2 148013
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: AB Social Health Management, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 05/30/2024. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to:2322 Grand Ave, Baldwin, NY 11510 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 147988
AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com
LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF NEW YORK
SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR CARRINGTON MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-FRE2 ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff, v. JOSE LOPEZ AKA JOSE M. LOPEZ, ET AL, Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on March 22, 2024, I, Peter L. Kramer, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on August 28, 2024 at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Ct. Dr., Mineola, NY 11501, at 02:00 PM the premises described as follows: 1112 Pacific Street Baldwin, NY 11510
SBL No.: 54-370-729 ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.
The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 615211/2022 in the amount of $710,437.19 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 148126
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU Marleni Carrasco, Plaintiffs, -against- Dante Ortiz and Grand Bank, N.A., Defendants. Index No. 605952/2023 TO ALL CREDITORS NOT PARTIES TO THE ABOVE ENTITLED ACTION WHO HAVE LIENS ON THE UNDIVIDED SHARE OR INTEREST OF ANY PARTY: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that each and every person not a party to the above entitled action who, at the date of the order dated June 3, 2024 appointing the undersigned referee to inquire as to creditors, had a lien upon any undivided share or interest of a party in the property hereinafter described, is hereby required to appear before the undersigned at 2280 Grand Avenue, Suite 202, Baldwin, New York 11530, on or before September 15, 2024, to prove such lien and the true amount due or to become due by reason thereof. The property herein is described in the complaint as follows: 1641 Oak Street, North Baldwin, New York 11510. DATED: July 12, 2024. Referee: Jerry Merola, Esq. 2280 Grand Ave, Ste 202, Baldwin, NY 11510. Tel: 516-887-1975 148117
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 08/07/2024 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M.
510/24. BALDWINMichael A. Sciortino, Renewal of grant to maintain 2-family dwelling., N/s Arlington Ave., 200’ W/o Grand Ave., a/k/a 703 Arlington Ave. 512/24. - 513/24. & 523/24. BALDWINHKHR JAR Enterprises LLC d/b/a Checkers Drive-In Rest. Renewal of grants: Maintain 2nd menu board sign (not permitted) in conjunction with Checkers Restaurant; Maintain one doublefaced, illuminated, detached ground sign, overall height 18’; overall size 120 sq. ft. (60 sq. ft. per face) & set back 6’6” from Grand Ave.; Maintain menu board sign (not permitted) in conjunction with Checkers Restaurant., W/s Grand Ave., 476.5’ N/o St. Lukes Pl., a/k/a 1840 Grand Ave.
ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Baldwin within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available a t https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.
148233
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS
BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
LEAD REMEDIATION AT SHUBERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SED NO.
28-02-10-03-0-010-023
Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for:
BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
LEAD REMEDIATION AT SHUBERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
SED#
28-02-10-03-0-010-023
CONTRACT G – GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORK
Will be received until 10:00 AM prevailing time on August 9, 2024 at the Business Office of the Baldwin Union Free School District, located at 960 Hastings Street, Baldwin, NY 11510, at which time and place where all bids received will be publicly opened and read and where the identity of all offerers will be publicly disclosed.
Complete digital sets of Bidding Documents, drawings, and specifications, may be obtained online beginning July 29, 2024 as a download at the following website: melville.h2mplanroom.co
m Complete sets of Bidding Documents, Drawings and Specifications, may be obtained from REVplans, 28 Church Street, Unit 7, Warwick, NY 10990 Tel: 1-845-651-3845, upon depositing the sum of $100 (One Hundred Dollars) for each combined set of documents. Checks or money orders shall be made payable to Baldwin Union Free School District. Plan deposit is refundable in accordance with the terms in the Instructions to Bidders to all submitting bids. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with the printer and pay for all packaging and shipping costs. Please note REVplans (melville.h2mplanroom.co m) is the designated location and means for distributing and obtaining all bid package information. Only those Contract Documents obtained in this manner will enable a prospective bidder to be identified as an official plan holder of record. The Provider takes no responsibility for the completeness of Contract Documents obtained from other sources. Contract Documents obtained from other sources may not be accurate or may not contain addenda that may have been issued. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at melville.h2mplanroom.co m Plan holders who have paid for hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use, and coordinate directly with the printer for hard copies of addenda to be issued. There will be no charge for registered plan holders to obtain hard copies of the bid addenda. Bids must be made in the standard proposal form in the manner designated therein and as required by the Specifications that must be enclosed in sealed envelopes bearing the name of the job and name and address of the bidder on the outside, addressed to: BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, clearly marked on the outside: Bid For: Lead Remediations at Shubert Elementary School. Each proposal submitted must be accompanied by a certified check or bid bond, made payable to the BALDWIN UNION
FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total amount of the bid, as a commitment by the bidder that, if its bid is accepted, it will enter into a contract to perform the work and will execute such further security as may be required for the faithful performance of the contract. Certification of bonding company is required for this bid, see Instructions for Bidders section. Each bidder shall agree to hold his/her bid price for forty-five (45) days after the formal bid opening.
A pre-bid meeting and walk thru is scheduled for August 1, 2024 at 10 am. Potential bidders are asked to gather at the main entrance to the school, at which time they shall be escorted to the area of work. This meeting is not mandatory; however, it is highly recommended that all potential bidders attend.
It is the Board’s intention, and it reserves its right to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, providing the required security who, to the Board’s satisfaction, meets the experience, technical, budget and all specification requirements and has references and responses from references that are deemed acceptable by the Board. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids, or portions thereof, or alternates, or alternatives, to waive any informality and to accept such bids, or portions thereof, or alternates, or alternatives which, in the opinion of the Board, are in the best interests of the School District.
Board of Education Baldwin Union Free School District 960 Hastings Street Baldwin, New York 11510 148174
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS
BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER AT BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL SED NO.
28-02-10-03-0-009-041
Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for:
BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER AT BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL SED# 28-02-10-03-0-009-041
CONTRACT G – GENERAL CONSTRUCTION WORK
Will be received until 11:00 AM prevailing time on August 9, 2024 at the Business Office of the Baldwin Union Free School District, located at 960 Hastings Street, Baldwin, NY 11510, at which time and place where all bids received will be publicly opened and read and where the identity of all offerers will be publicly disclosed.
Complete digital sets of Bidding Documents, drawings, and specifications, may be obtained online beginning July 29, 2024 as a download at the following website: melville.h2mplanroom.co m
The Owner has decided to solicit bids from one contractor in accordance with General Municipal Law § 101,the Bidder shall submit with its bid a separate sealed list that names each subcontractor that the bidder will use to perform work in the contract, and the agreed-upon amount to be paid to each, for: (A) Plumbing and gas fitting, (B) steam heating, hot water heating, ventilating and air conditioning apparatus and (C) electric wiring and standard illuminating fixtures. After the low bid is announced, the sealed list of subcontractors submitted with such low bid shall be opened and the names of such subcontractors shall be announced, and thereafter any change of subcontractor or agreedupon amount to be paid to each shall require the approval of the public owner, upon a showing presented to the public owner of legitimate construction need shall include, but not be limited to, a change to sub-contractor status as determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of subdivision two of section two hundred twenty-two of the labor law or the subcontractor has become otherwise unwilling, unable or unavailable to perform the subcontract. The sealed lists of subcontractors submitted by all other bidders shall be returned to them after the contract award. Complete sets of Bidding Documents, Drawings and Specifications, may be obtained from REVplans, 28 Church Street, Unit 7, Warwick, NY 10990 Tel: 1-845-651-3845, upon depositing the sum of $100 (One Hundred Dollars) for each combined set of documents. Checks or money orders shall be made payable to Baldwin Union Free School District. Plan deposit is refundable in accordance with the terms in the Instructions to Bidders to all submitting bids. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with the printer and pay for all packaging and shipping costs. Please note REVplans (melville.h2mplanroom.co m) is the designated location and means for distributing and obtaining all bid package information. Only those Contract Documents obtained in this manner will enable a prospective
Borzor will compete in the 100-meter dash in Paris
School Athletic Association Track and Field Championships.
In his senior year, he qualified for the New Balance Nationals, and got a taste of national competition.
At Cincinnati, where he earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies, Borzor set university records in the 200 (20.55 seconds) as well as the indoor 200 (20.84) and 300 (33.98).
He studied for a master’s in gerontology at USC, where he continued to excel on the track.
His coach at Cincinnati, Nadine Faustin-Parker, who had run for the Haitian national team in 2000, 2004 and 2008, set up an interview for Borzor with team officials, in which he expressed his interest in running for his country. Then, in June, he competed in the 100 meters in the North American, Central American and Caribbean
Studying for a master’s, Borzor attended the university of Southern California, where he continued to excel as a sprinter.
Athletics Association New Life Invitational, in Nassau, Bahamas, where he broke the Haitian national record with a time of 10.14 seconds, and earned a spot on the country’s Olympic team.
“It was cool,” Borzor said. “I didn’t know I broke the record until the next day. It was an exciting moment.
“I know, in the Olympics, I’m going to pick it up again,” he added. “I’m trying to do it on a big stage.”
The recent international spotlight on Haiti has been challenging for Borzor to comprehend. In Portau-Prince, the capital city, gangs have engaged in fierce battles, escalating tensions. In early March of this year, the violence reached a new level, as gangs launched attacks on two of the country’s largest prisons and critical infrastructure, including the interna -
tional airport.
“My country has been through a lot in a couple of years,” Borzor said. “I’m going to go out there and do my best for my country.”
He left for Paris on July 23, and the preliminary heats of the 100 meters are scheduled for Saturday.
Seeing his younger cousin have a chance at this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Prevost, expressed pride and a sense of inspiration, knowing that he played a role.
“It means a lot to me,” Prevost said. “He’s my younger cousin. I grew up with him and watched him grow up early on. So when he came to me and said he wanted to run track, it meant a lot to me.
“To see it come full circle I know how dedicated he is to the sport, and how much work he puts into it,” he added.
Public Notices
bidder to be identified as an official plan holder of record. The Provider takes no responsibility for the completeness of Contract Documents obtained from other sources. Contract Documents obtained from other sources may not be accurate or may not contain addenda that may have been issued. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at melville.h2mplanroom.co
m Plan holders who have paid for hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use, and coordinate directly with the printer for hard copies of addenda to be issued. There will be no charge for registered plan holders to obtain hard copies of the bid addenda.
Bids must be made in the standard proposal form in the manner designated therein and as required by the Specifications that must be enclosed in sealed envelopes bearing the name of the job and name and address of the bidder on the outside, addressed to: BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, clearly marked on the outside: Bid For: Health & Wellness Center at Baldwin High School. Each proposal submitted must be accompanied by a certified check or bid bond, made payable to the BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total amount of the bid, as a commitment by the bidder that, if its bid is accepted, it will enter into a contract to perform the work and will execute such further security as may be required for the
faithful performance of the contract.
Certification of bonding company is required for this bid, see Instructions for Bidders section. Each bidder shall agree to hold his/her bid price for fortyfive (45) days after the formal bid opening. A pre-bid meeting and walk thru is scheduled for August 1, 2024 at 9:00 am at the project site. Potential bidders are asked to gather at the main entrance to the school, at which time they shall be escorted to the area of work. This meeting is not mandatory; however, it is highly recommended that all potential bidders attend.
It is the Board’s intention, and it reserves its right to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, providing the required security who, to the Board’s satisfaction,
meets the experience, technical, budget and all specification requirements and has references and responses from references that are deemed acceptable by the Board. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids, or portions thereof, or alternates, or alternatives, to waive any informality and to accept such bids, or portions thereof, or alternates, or alternatives which, in the opinion of the Board, are in the best interests of the School District. Board of Education Baldwin Union Free School District 960 Hastings Street Baldwin, New York 11510 148173
Photos courtesy Chris Borzor Baldwin resident Chris Borzor will compete in the 100meter dash on Saturday at the olympics in paris, representing his home country of Haiti.
Borzor set numerous school records on the track at the university of Cincinnati.
and South Shores with
and
Butcher/Counter Person Requirements: Friendly, Knowledgeable, Reliable, Phone Skills, Custom Cutting $18-$20 Per Hour Salary Based On Experience Contact Bill 516-766-3523, Days CDL DRIVER/ WAREHOUSE HELP
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com
County's
written
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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
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Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to
HomesHERALD
A Waterfront Dream
Avenue. Expanded Ranch. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Open layout. Den/ family room. First floor master bedroom. Security system. Taxes: $16,309.12
Avenue. Ranch. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Open layout.
Taxes: $10,162.56
Malverne $620,000
Rolling Street. Cape. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. First floor master bedroom. Handicapped accessible home with ramp and wide entrance door. Taxes: $15,128
Merrick $1,187,500
Pettit Avenue. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Large center hall move-in ready home. Gourmet custom eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and center island. Open floor plan. Formal dining room. Great room with gas fireplace. Ensuite master bedroom with 2 walk-in closets and spa-style master bathroom. All large rooms and oversized bedrooms. High end finishes include cathedral ceiling and custom wood built-ins in office/den. 2nd floor laundry room; also sauna/steam room. Double water filtration system with UV light for whole home. Oversized backyard with 2 tier deck, inground swimming pool with waterfall and professionally landscaped garden. Taxes: $20,015
Oceanside $696,500
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Taxes: $14,008.13
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Lincoln Avenue. Colonial. 4 bathrooms, 2.5 bedrooms. Eatin kitchen with granite countertops and
Lightning rods on the roof?
Q. My neighbor is getting lightning rods installed on his roof as a precaution amid all the storms we’re having. He said his brother in South Carolina had a fire when his roof was struck. The rods, he said, attract lightning, which keeps the rest of the roof safe. Is this a standard thing for your house, and is lightning really a problem? I never worried about this, and never knew anybody having an issue with it. Should I be considering it?
A. Lightning rods aren’t a bad idea; they’re just not a common thing to have. A lightning rod’s purpose is not to attract lightning, but if lightning should be headed in the direction of your roof, rods and attached cabling can direct it to the ground. Grounding is intended to complete the path to a safe point where it can dissipate.
When you see lightning, usually at the end of a hot summer day, what you’re witnessing is a natural phenomenon that’s similar to the static electricity you produce when you rub a wool blanket and see sparks fly. You’re seeing the accumulation of electrically charged ions that will build up until they can be connected to an oppositely charged set of ions.
Most lightning never reaches the ground because of cloud movement. Charges are often created by a column of warm air radiating from the sun-heated ground. The atmosphere cools as the sun’s heated rays are reduced from the shadow of moisture accumulating in the clouds or at dusk.
Any time of day, columns of warm air, helped by low atmospheric pressure — which is literally less pushing of air molecules against one another — allow the heated air against the ground to rise. As these columns of air rise, the ions in the air molecules “rub” against the cooler clouds that have been gathering evaporated moisture from the heated ground. This all happens faster than you can read this, so the friction building up causes large and rapid accumulations. When a path of released ions forms, as the electrically charged ions rapidly move toward oppositely charged ions in the clouds, bright flashes of light energy, from quickly uniting ions that are crashing into each other, are given off.
After all, opposites really do attract in nature, not just to form a wedding party. The sound of thunder is caused by the extremely fast and very large force of the atmosphere being separated by the electricity and then crashing back together again to fill the vacuum from the bolt of lightning that just parted the air.
There is a lot of energy in lightning, certainly enough to cause a fire from the heat and friction — between 100 million and 300 million volts, although it’s the 30,000 amperes (amps) that can kill a human. Install lighting rods to feel safer and protect property, but research a trained professional to get the spacing and materials correctly installed. Based on your experience and knowledge, the decision is yours. Good luck!
© 2024 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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There’s just no predicting what will happen next
Barely two months ago, I wrote a column saying that the 2024 presidential race was already a campaign like no other. Little did I, or probably anyone, know what the subsequent weeks would bring.
The cascade of events that would shake the political firmament began on the evening of June 27, in Atlanta, when President Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off in a nationally televised debate on CNN — a debate called for by Biden and conducted pursuant to the rules of engagement that he set. A presidential debate this early was unprecedented. Not only was it more than two months earlier than any previous debate, but neither candidate was yet the official nominee of his party.
It was Biden who called for the debate, and challenged Trump to go mano a mano with him. I never understood why Biden or his handlers issued this challenge, unless they thought
iWhenTrump wouldn’t accept. If so, their thinking couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only did Trump immediately accept the challenge, but the debate was a devastating defeat for Biden, causing even fervent supporters to call on him to consider bowing out.
PAs events unfolded, I would wonder whether people in the Biden campaign had set him up for failure and coordinated the calls for his withdrawal. Those calls increased steadily over the following weeks. Some carried the implication that Biden was too mentally enfeebled to get the job done, or in some cases made that charge directly. Some calls, including one from mega Hollywood star and Democratic fundraiser George Clooney, were loud and overt. Others, from Democratic icons Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi and power brokers Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, were more subtle, but just as damaging.
resident Biden’s political career ended as if it had been planned this way.
Biden attempted high-level damage control, but only furthered the image of his being impaired. Every day, more Democrats were calling on him to withdraw.
Then there was the horrific assassi-
Joe was
must admit that from time to time, I get a little emotional. It takes something significant to trigger that reaction, but I’m proud of the fact that I care enough to react to such moments. I couldn’t help but feel strong emotion when I heard that President Biden had decided to end his distinguished political career.
My personal history with the president dates back to the mid1980s. I was asked to co-sponsor a series of fundraising events for Joe when he was seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate. At the time, I didn’t know him very well, but those informal parlor meetings gave me a chance to see him in action. At the outset, I was very impressed with his encyclopedic knowledge of numerous facets of the federal government. He could recite statistics with no notes, and showed a keen understanding of foreign affairs. He had one obvious flaw: He talked too much. His campaign
nation attempt in Pennsylvania, in which Trump escaped death by inches, one Pennsylvanian was killed and two were seriously wounded. The lasting image of that day would be a bloodied but defiant Trump holding his fist high, defying death and demonstrating grace and courage under fire. That was followed just days later by an exceptionally successful Republican convention, and a triumphant Trump path to victory seemed very real — especially with the drumbeat of anti-Biden stories emerging from Democratic sources. Big-money donors stopped contributing. More stories of Biden’s memory lapses showed up in the media. When it seemingly couldn’t get worse for the president, he came down with Covid-19 and had to self-isolate at his Delaware home — a particularly cruel but apt metaphor. Also damaging were media accounts now appearing of conversations days earlier that Schumer and Pelosi had with Biden urging him to withdraw for the good of the party. (I’ve known Nancy Pelosi for more than 30 years, and we had a good relationship. She is mentally sharp and as tough as
ever, doing what she has to do to get things done.)
There were no sounds or sightings of Biden. Then, on a quiet Sunday afternoon, a letter on his personal stationery signed with an auto-pen appeared on social media, announcing that he would not run for re-election. Just like that, Biden’s 50-year career had ended, and not with a bang. Almost as if it had been planned this way all along — which it most likely had — support for Vice President Kamala Harris came from throughout the Democratic universe. (And, belatedly, from Biden himself.)
Eighty-one million dollars from Democratic donors appeared literally overnight. Democrats hailed Harris as the country’s savior. Much of the mainstream media followed suit. Many of those who did so much to push Biden out now hailed his patriotism and courage. Taking his cue, presidential historian Jon Meacham compared Biden to George Washington!
There are now fewer than 100 days to Election Day in this most tumultuous year. What could be next? Hang on. God only knows!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
born, they threw away the mold
team used every signal possible to get him to quit talking, but he loved to regale his audience with Washington stories.
I was pleased to see that every one of the guests came away impressed with Biden’s feel for how the government worked. And during his many fundraising opportunities, he couldn’t help but talk about his personal tragedy. It was at the beginning of his first campaign that his first wife and two of his children were killed in a car crash. In the aftermath of that horrible event, Biden was prepared to quit the race and go back to being a private citizen. But his close friends insisted that he continue campaigning, and he was subsequently elected to the Senate. Biden continued his legislative career, and eventually became the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. An appearance before that extremely significant committee is the first stop for any candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Bill Clinton was sworn in as president. My wife, Suzan, and I spent some quality time with him, and marveled at how gracious he was and how much he had grown over those many years.
Y es, he talked too much, but he also gave unexpected shout-outs.
By that point, I had learned one thing about Joe Biden. He remembered people who had helped him, and never turned his back on any friend, at any time. That Inauguration Day he was busy holding a hearing on some federal court appointments, and he invited us to sit in the committee hearing room to see how the confirmation process worked. He was a strong chairman who warmly welcomed all of the judicial candidates and treated them fairly as he questioned them at length.
me and yelled out, “Give a shout-out to a guy who helped me in so many ways.”
And so I fast-forward to now, when Biden has decided that he will no longer pursue his political dreams. His decision to give up his candidacy for the White House was a gut-wrenching one for him and his millions of admirers. No one on the Washington scene can match his talent for getting things done on a bipartisan basis. In fact, when he leaves the White House, there will be no one left with that unique talent.
In 1997, I had the good fortune to visit with then Senator Biden on the day that
As the years rolled by, I lost contact with Biden, but followed his many moves as he eventually advanced to the vice presidency. Then, by chance, I was invited to attend a speech that he gave in a Manhattan hotel to promote one of his many good causes. I was standing a few rows back at the event, not expecting him to see me or know I was there. But just before he left the stage, he spotted
Say what you will about today’s Joe Biden, but his critics can’t erase the many things he has accomplished. When all the naysayers, including Donald Trump, are gone from the planet, the historians will tell the great story about a humble man from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who was responsible for historymaking achievements, and who joined George Washington and Lyndon Johnson in giving up his dream job for the good of the country.
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.
PETER KinG
JERRY KREMER
HERALD
WHeraLd editoriaL
Olympic spirit shines on Long Island
ith the eyes of the world focused on Paris for the Summer Olympics, Long Islanders have special reasons to feel connected to the global spectacle unfolding across the Atlantic. Our very own Crystal Dunn, from Rockville Centre, is once again representing the United States in women’s soccer, while Wantagh’s Andrew Capobianco is competing in diving. These hometown heroes remind us that Olympic dreams can indeed be born and nurtured in our local communities.
Dunn’s journey from Nassau County fields to international stardom, and Capobianco’s path from Long Island pools to the Olympic springboards embody the Olympic spirit of perseverance, excellence and community support. Their success stories aren’t just about individual achievement; they’re a testament to the robust youth sports programs, dedicated coaches and supportive families that form the backbone of Long Island’s athletic culture.
As we cheer for Dunn, Capobianco and Team USA, we’re reminded of the countless young athletes in our own backyards who harbor similar aspirations. From the soccer pitches of Eisenhower Park to the diving boards of the Nassau County Aquatic Center, Olympic potential is being cultivated daily across the Island.
But the Olympics offer us more than just athletic inspiration. They provide a moment for global unity, a rare opportunity when the world sets aside its differences to celebrate human achievement. In these divisive times, such moments of collective joy and shared purpose are more valuable than ever.
Letters
No, we’re not a nation of one religion
To the Editor:
On Long Island, we can take a cue from this Olympic spirit. Our communities, diverse in culture, ethnicity and economic background, can find common ground in supporting local sports and celebrating shared achievements. Whether it’s a high school championship game or a community swim meet, these events have the power to bring us together, fostering a sense of local pride and unity.
Moreover, the Olympics remind us of the importance of investing in our youth and their dreams. Long Island has a proud tradition of producing worldclass athletes in a variety of sports. From Jim Brown in football to Sue Bird in basketball, our local heroes have shown that with proper support and resources, the path from local fields and pools to international arenas is possible.
This Olympic season, let’s recommit to supporting our local sports programs and recreational facilities. Let’s ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality coaching, safe playing fields, well-maintained pools, and the opportunity to pursue their athletic passion. This isn’t just about creating future Olympians; it’s about building healthier, more connected communities.
The Olympic motto — “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together” — can serve as an inspiration beyond sports. In our local governance, business practices and community initiatives, we can strive to be more efficient, aim for higher goals, build stronger bonds, and do it all collaboratively.
As we watch the Olympics unfold, let’s use this opportunity to reflect on
Re Will Sheeline’s column last week, “We are not a nation of one religion”: We’re not even a nation of one Christianity, and that’s part of the problem. Those demanding a national “return” to some mythical origin are selling a bogus product, relying on American’s ignorance of history and religion.
The bait and switch begins by invoking the Puritans. They opposed England’s established church, and were allowed to leave, partly as exile, in order to set up a “plantation” along the lines of Ulster and Jamestown. They were Christians, but subject to the King. Some 170 years later, the United States was founded, and one of the things the American Revolution rejected was the ancient combination of church-state.
Thomas Jefferson, a biblical scholar, composed
our own community. How can we embody the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect in our daily lives? How can we support the Crystal Dunns and Andrew Capobiancos of tomorrow who are practicing in our local parks and pools today?
Let’s also remember that not every young athlete will make it to the Olympics, and that’s OK. The real value of sports lies not in the medals won, but in the life lessons learned: teamwork, discipline, resilience and the pursuit of personal bests. These are qualities that serve us well in all aspects of life, from the classroom to the boardroom.
In the spirit of the games, let’s challenge ourselves to go beyond being spectators. Volunteer at a local youth sports league, mentor a young athlete or simply show up to cheer at a high school game or swim meet. These small actions can have a profound impact on young people’s life and contribute to the vitality of our communities.
As Crystal Dunn takes the field and Andrew Capobianco climbs to the springboard in Paris, they carry with them not just the hopes of a nation, but also the pride of Long Island. Their journeys from local fields and pools to the world stage are reminders of the potential that exists in every corner of our community.
Let the Olympic flame ignite a renewed sense of community spirit here on the Island. Together we can create an environment where every child feels supported in pursuing their dreams, athletic or otherwise. In doing so, we’ll be building a stronger, more united community — one that truly embodies the Olympic ideal.
opinions
Perhaps now — finally — we can work together
sometimes good things come from bad things. That’s why I am hopeful.
The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump once again shook the foundation of America’s democracy. Deadly shots fired could further tear our country apart . . . or not.
This horrific event might just give America a new opportunity to heal the divide.
President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump and elected officials can all help us come together as a nation.
I have always tried to work across party lines. At my swearing-in speech before Congress in February, I said, “Wake up. The people are sick and tired of finger-pointing and petty partisan politics.”
We know our country is fractured. Partisanship prevails. Confrontation has replaced cooperation. Anger and hate speech seem much too common. Congress is literally a House divided against itself.
Our founders disagreed on many things, but were unanimous in their
contempt for partisan politics, calling it “a dangerous vice and a moral disease.”
I have championed the belief that we must find common ground, that we must work across party lines to actually get things done for people. We can disagree with one another, but we must remember that we are in the solutions business. Again, we can disagree, but we must not hold one another in contempt. Contempt is one of the biggest problems in our politics. It’s a recipe for disaster.
tI have always worked hard to build coalitions of like-minded Democrats and Republicans to solve problems. Right now I am focused on the border. So what is causing this intense division?
15 percent — and those who vote tend to be more extreme on the political spectrum, extremist candidates on both sides tend to win.
A candidate in a safe seat only need win the primary; the general election is safe. To win the primary, too many candidates just pander to the base.
he attempt on Donald Trump’s life shook the foundation of our democracy.
Second, the more extreme you are on social media, the more “likes” or “follows” you get. We have all seen hateful, venal posts that seem to get more views than even the cute cat videos. Extreme social media is also more likely to generate small donor contributions from a vast audience. “Let’s work together” just doesn’t seem to generate much excitement.
tent. They are blowing up issues where we have the slightest disagreement and trying to make us unrecognizable to one another.
Our laptops and cellphones have become treasure troves of misinformation, disinformation and phony websites. Computer algorithms are programmed to feed us more and more of the same content we seem interested in.
But I still have great faith in the American people, and in our system.
Biden, Harris and Trump have a wonderful opportunity in the coming months to move beyond divisive rhetoric and try to bring us together. We can disagree — disagree strongly — but not promote contempt or hate, and certainly not violence.
I think there are four major factors contributing to today’s divisions: safe seats, social media, cable news, and our foreign adversaries.
The first major problems we face is gerrymandering, drawing congressional and other seats to favor one party. Ninety percent of House seats are safe — overwhelmingly Democratic or Republican. The only way to beat a member of Congress in a safe district is to primary them. But since so few people vote in primaries — fewer than
Letters
his own Christ-centric bible, yet when later asked why the Constitution didn’t mention God, he replied, “We forgot.” The founders, and American society, were “Christian,” but of a wide variety that included Anglicans, Baptists, Quakers and even the (then) widely hated Catholics, and the often suspect Jews.
The founding era of the 1780s was dominated by the Enlightenment of liberal ideas, of science, and of democracy as a natural extension of the Christian precept of equality. Abandoning “established” religion was affirmed as a form of progress. It reinforced the common goals of unity, democracy, of free expression and liberty of association.
American culture was dominated by what was later called mainline Protestantism. This Christianity, retaining much of Catholic theology, held truth and God as aligned; reason, logic and science were God-given tools to comprehend the universe and means to improve the human condition. That Christianity supported the democratic republic being constructed.
Seventy-five years later, this was what Lincoln meant by “our ancient faith”: the tradition of church-free, ethical democracy. The U.S. did not then have a Pledge of Allegiance, no “under god” until 1953. About 100 years after Lincoln, this remained the core of Martin Luther King’s philosophy: a Christian-infused population would bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice. It has.
Under the label “Christian,” House Speaker Mike Johnson types seek to sell a “biblical worldview” model, the Jeff Landry sorts spout his Commandments as a preamble to the Constitution, and the Lauren Boebert fools are “tired” of America’s history of opposition to their dominion. They promote, under the costume of Christian morality, an Old Testament time of “divine right” governance, rigid social hierarchy, slave economies and tribal warfare. America is far too Christian a country to accept such foolishness.
Third, cable news. Think Fox and MSNBC. Depending on the show and the target audience, cable news networks hire talent and invite guests who will reinforce their own narrative that the other side is destroying our country. The crazier the quotes, the more airtime you get.
Fourth, and the most pernicious, our foreign adversaries Russia, the Chinese Communist Party, Iran, and North Korea are using our freedom of speech, our social media and more, and they are sowing disinformation and discon-
Framework by Tim Baker
I’m hopeful, too, that we might all seize this moment to recognize that politics is serious business, and realize how harmful hate is and how badly it affects the political climate.
No foreign adversary can ever hope to defeat America. None ever has. The greatest threat to our republic comes not from external forces, but from within. Only internal divisions could topple our government.
Now more than ever, let’s all find common ground, work together, and make America the best it can be.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
BRIAN KELLy Rockville Centre
tom sUoZZi
