Rallying for Taylor Swift
Fans of Taylor Swift wore their best Taylor Swift-themed gear for ‘Let’s Sing Taylor’ event. Story, additional photos, page 10
Baldwin native tackles internet tips Alanah Angus named Girl Scout Gold Award class
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
While looking over old assignments from when she was a student at Baldwin Middle School, 19-year-old Alanah Angus, noticed that internet safety tips then have become outdated in the everevolving digital world.
“I recalled being like, ‘Wow, this is outdated,’ she said. “The internet doesn’t work like this anymore, and there are things I wouldn’t advise someone to do, especially at a young age.”
Some of the tips she read included avoiding the internet, not creating social media accounts, and not interacting with others online. However, since middle school, she believes the internet has evolved significantly becoming an essential part of
life for people of all ages, including young users.
A Girl Scout since third grade, Angus dedicated her Gold Award project during her senior year at Baldwin High School in 2022 to internet safety education in Baldwin and neighboring communities like Hempstead and Roosevelt.
In an Aug. 20 news release, her project earned her recognition as one of 51 Girl Scouts in this year’s Gold Award class—the highest honor in Girl Scouts.
“Every Girl Scout who achieved their Gold Award this year demonstrated remarkable resilience, dedication, and passion in developing and implementing a plan to tackle a societal challenge. We are immensely proud and impressed by each one of them for achieving their goals and making a
Proposal 1 pushed by voters group
Urges ‘flipping the ballot’ in pass updated Equal Rights Amendment
By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Baldwin voters will help decide on a ballot measure that would help protect vulnerable groups in Baldwin, and the League of Women Voters is spreading the word on why it’s important for it to pass.
The league is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that works to protect and expand voting rights throughout the country while empowering voters through education and litigation, locally and nationally. At an Aug. 21 meeting of the East Nassau chapter at the Levittown Public Library, members and guests learned about Proposal 1, formerly known as the Equal Rights Amendment.
When this passes, the Constitution for New York state will change, giving us all equal rights.
PEGGy STEIN League of Women Voters of East Nassau County
“When this passes, the constitution for New York state will change, giving us all equal rights,” Peggy Stein, a member of the chapter, said. “Women, people that are disabled and people that identify differently.”
According to the state Bar
Association, the state Constitution prohibits discrimination based only on race and religion. There are no such protections for gender or other classifications. Proposal 1 would prohibit discrimination based on a person’s ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and sex, including their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. At last week’s meeting, guests filled out postcards encouraging voters to “flip the ballot” and vote on Proposal 1. The postcards were mailed to addresses provided by New Yorkers for Equal Rights, a coalition that supports the amendment. Attendees filled out around 300 cards, Stein said.
Susan Gottehrer, director of the Nassau County New York State Civil Liberties Union, who spoke at the meeting, said that Proposal 1 would protect many groups of people who are under
Continued on page 16
Tim Baker/Herald
Hablamos Español
JamES J. carSon Jr.
JuStin mccarthy
JoSEph J. coppo, Jr.
Back to School Night’ fun at NUMC
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
The Nassau University Medical Center hosted its “Back to School Night” on Aug. 20, featuring a variety of activities designed to prepare students for the new school year while promoting safety and wellness in the community.
“This was a great event to support our community’s students and families as they prepared for the upcoming school year,” Meg Ryan, the interim chief executive and president of NUMC said. “Our Back to School Night was about more than just supplies for the classroom — it was about ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our children and community.”
This was a great event to support our community’s students and families as they prepared for the upcoming school year.
Held in the Main Lobby at NUMC’s campus in East Meadow, the event included an engaging bike safety session, emphasizing the importance of safe riding practices for children. Participants also had the opportunity to win one of two bicycles raffled off during the evening.
NUMC gave away 100 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to help students start the year equipped and ready. Attendees enjoyed refreshments throughout the evening, creating a festive and supportive atmosphere for families.
The lobby of the Nassau University
family from East Meadow perused a
MEg RyAN
Interim chief executive and president Nassau University Medical Center
In addition to the schoolrelated activities, the event featured a Narcan training session, providing valuable knowledge on how to respond to opioid overdoses, an important skill in today’s world.
The hospital also announced recently that its clinic will begin offering evening hours every Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m., offering general, pediatric and women’s health services.
“We are excited to offer these extended hours to better serve the needs of our community,” Ryan said. “There has been a growing demand for flexible health care options, and we are pleased to be able to meet this need. Our new evening clinic hours reflect our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality health care to all individuals, regardless of their schedule.”
The expansion aims to accommodate the increasing need for flexible healthcare options, allowing patients to receive care without interrupting their daytime commitments, the hospital said. The evening clinics are open for walk-ins, making it easier for patients to access essential medical services.
With the back-to-school season approaching, NUMC’s pediatric clinic is offering comprehensive physical exams and immunizations to ensure children are ready for the new school year. Additionally, the clinics provide a wide range of services for adults and women, including preventive care, routine check-ups, and specialized consultations.
Staffed by NUMC’s health care professionals, the evening clinics are dedicated to delivering compassionate and comprehensive care, whether it’s a routine check-up, a backto-school physical, or a consultation.
The hospital gave out backpacks, books and more — and three lucky winner also received raffle prizes. DJ White, 7, received a high-five after winning a bicycle helmet.
Alice Moreno/Herald photos
Medical Center was abuzz last week at its ‘Back to School Night.’ The Jaison
table, picking out which books to take home.
Marisa Plotkin, right from NUMC, handed out a book to a young visitor.
Meg Ryan, interim chief executive and president of NUMC, said the event was a great way to support the community’s students and families as they head back to school.
The hospital handed out 100 backpacks filled with school supplies.
Spotted lanternflies spotted across Long Island
By JENNA STANCO Intern
There is a new resident species on Long Island, and it might be making itself at home in backyards across the region. Since 2020, New York State has identified spotted lanternflies throughout the island, all boroughs, and areas upstate, despite various efforts to control the population.
Spotted lanternflies are a species of planthoppers, insects known for jumping from one plant to another, feeding on plant juices. They are native to eastern Asia and are believed to have come to the US on a stone shipment to Pennsylvania, according to a statement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Since their presumed arrival in 2012, the bugs have established survival and perseverance throughout the Northeast. They were first identified in New York on Staten Island, but now can be found all throughout Nassau County by the tens of thousands.
“There are concerns that the spotted lanternflies feed on agricultural species, and also both non-native and native plants,” said Jane Jackson from the North Shore Land Alliance. She explained that the future of the local ecosystem “remains to be determined” if the species is not controlled.
The insects can be recognized in dis-
tinct phases throughout their year-long life cycle but are most notably apparent by their white spots and jumping movements. Smaller, newly hatched lanternflies, called nymphs, begin to appear in May. As the insect grows and the summer unfolds, they become larger, eventually taking on their distinctive red coloration. Around late July to mid-August, you can begin to recognize the lanternfly in its adult form - gray wings and black spots. The bugs typically live until December and lay their eggs in the fall.
The State Agriculture Department has considered the species to be invasive and “has taken an aggressive approach to managing SLF in New York State, including conducting surveys of high-risk areas across the State, implementing an external quarantine that restricts the movement of goods brought into New York from quarantined areas, inspecting nursery stock, stone shipments, and commercial transports from those quarantine areas, and launching a comprehensive education and outreach campaign to enlist the public’s help in reporting SLF,” according to Hanna Birkhead, the associate director of public information.
The Department works closely with the United States Department of Agriculture, the New York State Department of Environment Conservation, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation in responding to the presence of the bugs.
Peace of Mind
In the midst of abundance such as we have never known, why are so many people unhappy? It may be that pursuing happiness is too vague a concept. Instead, we recommend pursuing peace of mind. Peace of mind can be found by eliminating those persons or circumstances that are preventing you from achieving it. Impossible, you say? Not if you are determined to find a way. Someone once said, “Tell me what it is that you want that you can’t have, and I’ll ask you what it is you aren’t willing to do.”
Recently, a client contacted us for advice on a family matter. She was the executor of an estate where the decedent had been in a second marriage and the two families were bickering over an old motorcycle, some personal effects and a relatively small amount of money. She wanted out as executor but her brothers wanted to fight. I asked her brothers whether they wanted peace of mind or to be right, since they couldn’t have both. They finally relented.
Too many people want the thing but are
unwilling to pay the price. You want out of the relationship or situation but the other side is asking too much? Pay the price and get on with your life, it’s worth it. It doesn’t have to be fair, it just has to get done. Emerson said “Do the thing and you will have the power.”
Many of the issues we see people grappling with involve fighting something or someone in a way that resembles Don Quixote tilting at the windmill. They are fighting all by themselves. We say “stop fighting”. Let it go.
We also meet a great many worriers. Worried about everything all the time. Perhaps it is no more than a bad habit. Why do we say that? Whenever we solved a client’s worry, they immediately started worrying about something else! Churchill recounted a dying friend telling him, “You know, Winston, I had a lot of troubles in my life. Most of which never happened.”
Finally, from the Canadian thinker, Brian Tracy, “Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it”.
The insects can be found outside feeding on plants, particularly the tree of heaven, an invasive deciduous tree species also native to Asia. They tend to congregate and are known to suck the sap out of their plant of choice, though they only really do damage to plant species that are also considered invasive, according to John Di Leonardo, president of Humane Long Island, the leading animal advocacy organization on Long Island.
“I think that spotted lanternflies are here to stay,” Di Leonardo explains. “They’re just trying to survive, and honestly, they’re consuming a lot of nonnative plants. If we’re saying non-native is bad, invasive is bad, then we can be happy that these guys are helping clear out the tree of heavens while they’re here.”
Despite the insect’s potentially helpful nature, the state agriculture department continues to implement control measures to help combat the perseverance of the species. Emily Ordonez of the department’s public information office explains that if you are to spot any of the spotted lanternflies in Nassau County, the appropriate response is to squash or step on them.
“SLF threatens the agriculture and forestry industries, including apples, grapes, hops, maple, walnut, and others, and is
For over a decade, spotted lanternflies have been spreading across the Northeast, potentially disrupting native flora and fauna species.
also a nuisance pest. SLF nymphs and adults feed on over 70 different plants with piercing-sucking mouthparts,” Ordonez said. “With each female SLF eliminated, we are theoretically reducing next year’s population of SLF by 60-100, so we very much appreciate everyone doing their part to stop this pest.”
Despite this, the population growth of the spotted lanternflies in the Northeast during recent years can be considered unmanageable and attempts to continue eradicating the bugs are “a fool’s errand,” according to Humane Long Island.
Di Leonardo said various attempts to spray chemicals and set traps to damage the insects do more harm to the environment than the bugs themselves do.
“There was a lot of misinformation going out there that these animals are somehow harmful to humans, to many native plants, to pets, but all of that, pretty much, has been debunked,” said Di Leonardo. “They were originally saying that we were in danger of losing mature hardwood and forest to these animals. Now, you know, while they may feed on some of these, they pose almost no danger to them. The plants nearly always recover, with the exception of the tree of heaven and other invasive species.”
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Hofstra eyes return to national stage
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
Hofstra men’s soccer reached big heights in 2023, advancing to the NCAA Tournament’s third round stage for the second time in three years, but longtime head coach Richard Nuttall felt plenty was left on the table during the historic run.
The Pride led third-seeded North Carolina by a goal late in the second half before surrendering the equalizer with under five minutes remaining and eventually losing in penalty kicks following two scoreless overtimes. The heartbreaking loss was a big missed opportunity for Hofstra, who with a win would have hosted 11th-seeded Oregon State in the Elite Eight with a chance to punch a ticket to the prestigious College Cup.
“We are proud of what we accomplished, but we felt it was a lost opportunity,” said 35th-year head coach Richard Nuttall. “The reality is though we are punching way above our weight for what we are and I think we are the best midmajor in the country that is not a state school.”
Nuttall lost many key pieces from last year’s 14-3-5 team, but returns 12 players including All-America defender Pierce Infuso, a Merrick native who has returned for a fifth season as a graduate student. The Bellmore-JFK product was a third-team All-America honoree last season and an All-Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) First-Team selection.
“He is rock steady and does what he has to do,” Nuttall said of Infuso. “He is getting a lot of looks from MLS clubs and I believe that he has the ability to play at that level when he leaves here.”
Graduate student midfielder Roc Charles gived Hofstra an additional fiveyear veteran with Infuso returning for an extra year of eligibility. The Spain native is a co-captain with Infuso and scored a goal in Hofstra’s 4-1 win at American on Aug. 25.
Hofstra’s offense will be looking for new producers this season following the loss of leading leading scorers Ryan Carmichael and Eliot Goldthorp, who were both selected in the Major League Soccer
Super Draft. Also scoring in the American win with Charles were Pablo Hempelmann-Perez, Jacob Woznicki and Gabriel Pacheco with Laurie Goddard tallying an assist.
Woznicki, a graduate student who previously played at Stonehill College, then tallied two goals in Hofstra’s 2-0 win against Providence on Aug. 29.
Senior forward Teddy Baker, an England native, is expected to rejoin the team soon from injury after registering 11 points last season.
The backline led by Infuso, Pacheco, Eoin Farrell and Jack O’Malley posted a clean sheet in a season-opening 0-0 tie with Fordham on Aug. 22. Senior goalie Filippo Dadone, who replaced two time All-CAA keeper Wessel Speel in net, made five saves for his first career shutout.
Hofstra, which began the season ranked 17th nationally, was picked first in the CAA preseason coaches poll and is aiming for its fourth straight conference title, which would earn another automatic bid into the 48-team NCAA Tournament.
High expectations for Pride
The Hofstra women’s soccer team’s bid for its own three-peat last year and sixth CAA title in seven seasons fell short with
a heartbreaking overtime loss to Monmouth in the conference semifinals last November.
The Pride returned plenty of talent from last season’s 12-5-1 season and are fueled to write a better ending this fall. Hofstra was picked to finish second in the CAA behind Monmouth
“As much as it hurt, I think it was a valuable learning moment,” said 19thyear head coach Simon Riddiough of last year’s CAA semifinal defeat. “People sometimes underestimate the difficulty of winning championships.”
Hofstra lost last year’s leading scorer Wiktoria Fronc and will likely be relying on a scoring by committee this season rather than one dominant player, according to Riddiough. Potential offensive weapons who have emerged early this season include Millie Davies, Mathilde Braithwaite, Aimee Hodgson, Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir and Ellie Gough.
The bulk of last season’s defense is back in Olivia Pearse, Louise Hayden and
All-America defender Pierce Infuso, a Merrick native and graduate student, is one of a dozen returning players for the Pride.
Gabriella Marte. Pearse, a former standout at Seaford High School, proved to be a reliable leader of the backline with her tenacious play early in the season before a foot injury sidelined her in late August with timetable for a return to the field uncertain.
“I love her intensity and tenacity and her physicality,” Riddiough said. “I’m proud of the way she’s developed as a person as well and she’s becoming a really wonderful all round student athlete.”
The starting goalie spot was up for grabs entering the season following the departure of Skylar Kuzmich, who started in net for five seasons. Freshman Synne Danielsen of Norway and senior Mackenzie Sullivan of Arizona have both seen time in net so far.
Hofstra enters September unbeaten at 1-0-3 with a 2-1 win against Yale and ties against Ivy League contenders Brown and Columbia on its resume. The Pride kicks off the CAA schedule on Sept. 19 at home against College of Charleston at 7 p.m.
Former Seaford standout Olivia Pearse leads a talented and experienced Hofstra defensive corps.
Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletic Communications
Gillen outlines an antisemitic action plan
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York’s 4th Congressional District, announced an action plan to combat antisemitism outside a house in East Meadow last week. The district includes multiple communities with substantial Jewish populations.
Gillen was joined by residents, elected officials and Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Michael Stanger of the Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation.
Gillen’s action plan targets three areas of concern: Schools, synagogues and social media.
If elected, Gillen said she would work to leverage federal aid to colleges to force changes in codes of conduct, and increase funding to the U.S. Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights. For synagogues, she would fight to fully fund the FBI and the Department of Justice to help local police coordinate responses to threats to houses of worship. She added that she wants to enact content moderation requirements for social media platforms like X to remove hateful content.
East Meadow neighbors who joined Gillen at an Aug. 28 news conference said antisemitism is a problem in schools. Alisa Baroukh’s daughter attends Cornell University. Over the last school year — especially following Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack against Israel — her daughter was subjected to antisemitic incidents, she said.
“My daughter’s freshman year was marred by widespread antisemitic intimidation, which was hard considering we chose Cornell for the warm and inclusive environment that we saw during our tours,” Baroukh said. “This macro-level intimidation included online death threats toward Jewish students that resulted in the FBI swarming campus.”
According to Gillen, Republicans in the House of
Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York’s 4th Congressional District, outlined her action plan to combat antisemitism last week. Gillen wants to target antisemitism in schools, synagogues and social media.
Representatives have “moved to undermine key resources” that are needed to fight antisemitism.
“Congress has failed to address the surge in antisemitism in our schools, our synagogues and on social media,” she said. “Not one additional dollar has been spent or one law has been passed to combat this surge.”
Gillen said there had been “an unprecedented rise” in antisemitism nationwide, and that Congress has failed to pass policies that actually protect those of the
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Jewish faith.
The Anti-Defamation League, which fights antisemitism, said that the number of antisemitic incidents in New York jumped 110 percent in 2023, according to an April 2024 report.
“I find it unacceptable how little we are doing to actually protect our Jewish residents from this hatred, and that is why I’m here alongside Jewish parents, leaders and other community members to say enough is enough,” she said. “It’s time for action.”
Gillen is challenging incumbent Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican who defeated her in the 2022 election. D’Esposito has denounced antisemitism, and according to his congressional website, introduced a resolution last November condemning the slogan “from the river to the sea.” The slogan refers to the liberation of land claimed by Palestinians between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which is located in the modern state of Israel.
A spokesperson for D’Esposito told the Herald that the congressman has been to Israel several times, where he’s met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; is a board member of the U.S Holocaust Museum; and has been instrumental in passing several Israeli aid bills.
D’Esposito also introduced a Define to Defeat Act in April, which clarifies legislation, providing federal officers with an objective, contemporary definition of antisemitism, better helping them to assess and prosecute criminal and discriminatory incidents, motivated by antisemitism.
The act was introduced after D’Esposito said the U.S. and New York were continuing to endure “recordbreaking” levels of antisemitic attacks and hate. The legislation would “provide federal officials the tools they need to fully assess, investigate and prosecute this criminal behavior,” he said.
Stop by our Baldwin branch. Have a cup of coffee and learn how
Jordan Vallone/Herald
(walk-ins welcome!)
Senior H.O.P.E Fair
*Registration is required for a FREE meal ticket*
Reflecting on her project now as a college student
Continued from page 1
lasting impact on their communities,”
Rande Bynum, CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County wrote in a news release. “Their commitment is undeniable, and their efforts have positively affected countless lives.
“This year, our Girl Scouts addressed critical issues such as environmental justice and sustainability, mental and emotional health, gender equality in sports, and more. We applaud each of them for their significant contributions,” she added.
Sounds of (non) Silence Unreserved J U dgment
From March through the end of her senior year, Angus led presentations to students at the elementary schools in Baldwin, Hempstead, and Roosevelt about safe internet use, creating interactive materials and launching a YouTube channel to highlight the issue further.
The YouTube channel, focused more on topics such as practicing smart internet habits—such as recognizing when someone online is seeking personal information—and avoiding malicious websites.
Recalling her senior year, she remembers working on her Gold Award project while taking five Advanced Placement classes. Ultimately, the project taught her valuable time management skills that proved essential for undergraduate studies.
Angus is now a sophomore at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate Troy.
“What I learned from this experience was time management and how to manage my time,” she said. “One way I did that was scheduling when I was going to do things. I made sure I kept on top of my grades as well, and I was able to accomplish both.”
Although she received recognition a year later for her project, it helped serve as a reminder of her time as a Girl Scout and her upbringing.
“It has impacted me as a person because there’s so many skills that I’ve taken from my Gold Award and from Girl Scouts in general,” she said. “I’ve learned to become a leader and was able to do things that I was interested in.”
In my day, before both items became obsolete, it was chalk scratching across a blackboard. Now, it’s a cell phone (or watch) going off during a concert or show.
Either way, each is an example of a sound found universally annoying by those forced to endure what is collectively deemed “noise pollution.”
While some sounds, like the above, are obvious and include dripping faucets and metal garbage cans rattling in the early morning and printers continuously beeping to let you know they’re out of ink ‘till you’re out of your “beeping” mind, most annoying sounds are more subtle; yet often, just as annoying.
Such audio agonies include: sheets of paper being torn from a notebook... snoring... predawn leaf blowers ... cicadas ... each whistling breath drawn by the guy next to you who needs to blow his nose ... cars (and babies) without mufflers ... audible, but indiscernible, conversations ... trucks backing up ... broken doorbells ... whining ... car alarms that nobody shuts and to which nobody responds... dentists’ drills... glass breaking ... drawers that need oil ... construction before eight a.m. ... singing along by those who do, but shouldn’t ... squirrels on the roof (or worse, in the
attic) ...
Subways screeching to a halt ... vacuum cleaners ... the ticking of a clock (for those who remember when clocks ticked and tocked) ... cats crying in the night ... katz crying in the day ... motorcycles in residential areas ... sneakers on a gym floor... untuned instruments tuning ... windshield wipers on a dry windshield ... little kids banging on the piano (or drum or plate or other little kids) ... hairdryers ... radio stations fading as you drive beyond the range of frequency... train horns ...
Jack hammers ... squeaky shoes ... mumbling ... sirens at twelve-noon ... newspaper pages being turned ... your neighbor’s pool equipment (never your own) ... music played (and replayed and replayed) when you’re placed on hold ... wedding bands (the orchestra, not the rings) ... too loud or too close ... the snapping of chewing gum... the clicking of pens (by those who still use them)... unanswered tea kettles... people yelling “hello, hello” into an obviously disconnected telephone line... and perhaps, the most annoying of all:
The ‘yes” of the coward, the ‘no” of a loved one, and the politicians “maybe.”
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Courtesy ZE Creative Alanah Angus, 19, of Baldwin, was named as this year’s Girl Scout Gold Award Class.
The audience was packed with fans in their best Taylor Swift-themed gear.
‘Let’s Sing Taylor’ rocks Nassau County
Nassau County residents — and Long Islanders from all over — didn’t have to travel far to listen to the music of Taylor Swift. The pop and musical icon has been trekking around the world for over a year on her Eras Tour, but in Eisenhower Park last week, fans got to experience her stardom from the cover group, Let’s Sing Taylor.
Let’s Sing Taylor is a live band experience that serves as a tribute to Swift’s music. The group delivers lively and faithful covers of Swift’s extensive catalog, providing fans — known as Swifties — with an immersive and communal experience celebrating her work. The group has been performing at various venues across the country, bringing the magic of Swift’s songs to life with energetic performances that resonate with her audience.
The event was part of Nassau County’s summer concert series at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. Fans were decked in head-to-toe in outfits that reflected all of Swift’s “eras” — meaning her different albums and musical styles throughout the years.
Whether fans were there to listen to her classic country hits, or dance along to her pop repertoire, there was something for everyone to enjoy. For more on the cover group, and to catch their next show close to him, visit LetsSingTaylor.com.
—Jordan Vallone
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Calling all Swifties! Let’s Sing Taylor, a live band experience that performs the hits of Taylor Swift, was at Eisenhower Park’s Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre on Aug. 22.
Lucy Ghiuro, Ruby Baker, Violet Ghiuro, Claire Baker and Caroline Ghiuro had a blast at the show.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke ahead of the concert.
Maggie Lino, 5, from Rockville Centre, rocked a pair pink sunglasses.
STEPPING OUT
Extraordinary
The Jackie Mason Musical
BLOOMS
By Karen Bloom
Do you enjoy spending time outside to take full advantage of the season? While we transition into fall, there’s no reason to give up on summer’s blossoms just yet. Colors abound and late summer delghts linger on — for a while longer.
With your favorite book, a nice container or cup of your favorite (iced) beverage and a gorgeous bunch of flowers on your patio table, you can brighten up your days on your deck, patio or balcony — or even inside — and enjoy it all with a capital E.
Color explosion
Fall approaches with plenty of color
Floral décor that lasts
Many (bulb) flowers are still available in all sorts of unbelievable colors and shapes. Of course you could always buy a beautiful ready-made bouquet. But why do that? Create a spectacular summer bouquet yourself with loose flowers, leaves, and branches Display it on your tables — indoors and out — and enjoy the beautiful colors of typical summer bloomers like dahlias, gladioli and lilies.
Be creative with your planters to reflect your style and personality. Start out by choosing a sturdy vase or pot that is suitable for outdoor use. Or go for smaller vases scattered around the table to set a playful atmosphere.
Cut off the bottom of the flower stems diagonally, to help the flowers absorb water better and stay fresh longer. You’ll want to place your vase with flowers in the shade for best results. Regularly water your flowers to keep them fresh. Of course, on warmer days — and we’ll still have some of those remaining — you may need to do this every day. Also, if necessary, use rocks or sand to stabilize the vase and prevent it from toppling in windy weather. Complete the look of your patio table with a few cozy candles, lanterns or other seasonal items.
Nature thrives in the home garden
Thanks to their long flowering period, you can enjoy your florals for weeks or even months. Summer-flowering bulbs often attract pollinating insects as well, and thus contribute to biodiversity in your garden. Remove wilted flowers to extend the flowering period. Some summer bulbs, such as gladioli and dahlias, can be dug up after flowering and stored frost-free. You can then plant them again the following spring.
Certainly, there are so many choices. As you start to think about ideas for next year, that will add to your floral assortment, think beyond the summer bulbs gladioli, dahlias, lilies, and begonias. You might want to check out other unusual bulbous plants such as calla (Zantedeschia), pineapple lilies (Eucomis), freesias (Freesia) or blazing star (Liatris)
If you’ve planted lilies, you’ve got something special to delight your family and friends. If not,
consider doing so. The majestic blooms of lilies create an elegant look, whether on the balcony, terrace, or indoors. The variety of colors, from pure white and creamy yellow to deep red and purple, make them a great match for any style and taste. With their compact growth habit, potted lilies are perfect for use outdoors and indoors.
A bouquet of lilies always looks fabulous. With their rich range of colors, shapes, and fragrances, you’ll have plenty of choices every time, whether for yourself or to give as a gift.
And they move with the seasons. Lilies combine beautifully with seasonal flowers. Try lilies in combination with typical spring bloomers in spring, and with dahlias and gladioli in (late) summer. In fall and winter, for example, a bouquet of lilies with some added branches looks great (and will last a long time). In other words: you can vary endlessly with lilies.
Little rays of happiness
Flowers instantly bring color into your home, but also do so much more. They make people happy. And you will notice this straight away.
The simple act of putting them in the vase will trigger a dose of happy hormones. In fact, flower arranging has been shown to reduce stress. Taking a good look at every single one of the flowers before arranging them in a vase (and don’t forget to smell them!) will get you feeling all Zen.
Keep summer’s colors going as we transition into fall and enjoy the season’s last moments around your home.
Laughs abound on the Landmark stage,The show, based on the playwright’s 10-year whirlwind romance with comedy legend Jackie Mason, featuring a hilarious cast of characters. It begins at a deli in Miami Beach in 1977, where Mason — then a 46-year-old comedian — spots college girl Ginger (played by Jackie and the playwright’s real life daughter Sheba Mason in the Off-Broadway production). Along for the ride is her overbearing mom, Mrs. Olivier, and five more off-beat characters. Soon Jackie is wooing Ginger each winter whenever he’s in South Florida churning up laughs with the South Beach set. The trouble is, he’s also wooing a ravishing young Latina server, and also someone else. Come along and join in on Mason’s romantic misadventures as Broadway stardom emerges and Sheba is born.
Friday, Sept. 7, 8 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 8, 3 p.m. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Visit LandmarkOnMainStreet.org for tickets and information, or call (516) 767-6444.
Classical Mystery Tour
Imagine The Beatles playing in concert with a symphony orchestra. What would that have sounded like? Find out for yourself when Classical Mystery Tour performs, joined by the Massapequa Philharmonic. The four musicians who comprise the CMT band look and sound just like The Beatles, but Classical Mystery Tour is more than just a rock concert. The full show presents some two dozen Beatles tunes sung, played, and performed exactly as they were written. Hear “Penny Lane” with a live trumpet section; experience the beauty of “Yesterday” with an acoustic guitar and string quartet; enjoy the rock/ classical blend on the hard edged “I Am the Walrus.” From early Beatles music on through the solo years, Classical Mystery Tour is the best of The Beatles like you’ve never heard them: totally live.
Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
THE Your Neighborhood
Sept.
19
Killer Queen Queenmania keeps on rockin’ as Killer Queen returns to the Paramount stage, Thursday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m., with their homage to the beloved band.
Formed in the UK in 1993, Killer Queen played their first public shows at London University, following in the footsteps of the real Queen who had their first shows there 22 years earlier. By 1995 Killer Queen’s UK popularity had grown to such an extent they secured a residency in London’s Strand Theatre attracting nationwide BBC coverage — the first tribute to have a show in the West End. Even though the band never had any connection to Queen officially their reputation continued to grow both in the UK and abroad.
In 1999 they returned from a tour of Europe and Russia for an awards ceremony hosted by Suggs from Madness. He announced they had won the award for “Worldwide Best Tribute Band” Fronted by Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury, critics have described Myers’ resemblance to Freddie Mercury as “spooky;” his uncanny likeness was further proven when he recorded a #1 hit single singing as Freddie Mercury on Fat Boy Slim’s record “The Real Life.” Their expert musicianship, extraordinary energy, and accurate portrayal of the world’s greatest live band has rightfully earned them the title of Queen Royalty! Thrilling sell-out audiences across the globe the band recreates the high energy, powerful phenomenon that was Queen live. This quality, combined with Myers’ powerful threeand-a-half octave tenor range, expert musicianship and dynamic stage presence, has captivated audiences the world over. $54.50, $44.50, $39.50, $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
FCA TO HOST SENIOR H.O.P.E FAIR
Family & Children’s Association, one of Long Island’s largest nonprofit health and human services organizations, with funding made possible through the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will host a free senior H.O.P.E Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Samanea N.Y. mall in Westbury, center court, second floor.
H.O.P.E., which stands for Happiness, Opportunity, Positive, Energy, is geared towards older adults and their families. Attendees can receive information from over 50 vendors on agerelated mental health and substance abuse services.
“It’s no secret that Long Island’s population is aging,” FCA President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds said. “Every year, our senior division helps more than 10,000 seniors improve their quality of life. The H.O.P.E Fair will allow us to share these resources, and so many others, with the greater Long Island community.”
Lisa Stern, FCA’s Assistant Vice President for Senior & Adult Services, added, “We’re thrilled to bring the H.O.P.E Fair to Long Island’s senior population and their families. We couldn’t do this without our valued community partners and are happy to have vendors from diverse backgrounds participating and offering a multitude of help and services to the senior community.
The fair will also feature technology training for seniors in a friendly, relaxed environment, and four educational workshops will be held throughout the day on topics ranging from Medicare to scam prevention, mental health and substance use awareness, as well as caregiver support.
Additionally, any senior who registers prior to the event will receive a free boxed lunch and raffle ticket.
Samanea N.Y. is located at 1500 Old Country Rd. in Westbury. Additional details on FCA’s Senior H.O.P.E Fair, including how to register, vendors and workshops, can be found on www.fcali.org or by contacting Kim L. Como at (347) 573-1044
Hempstead House tour
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Wednesday, Sept. 11, noon-1 p.m.; also Sept. 25. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
Story and a craft
Families can enjoy a delightful morning of storytelling and creativity at the Baldwin Community Garden, Saturday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-noon, presented by the Baldwin Civic Association and the Girl Scouts of Nassau County. Engaging stories are read aloud in the beautiful outdoor setting of the garden. Following the stories, participate in a fun craft activity that sparks creativity and imagination. 1980 Grand Ave.
Tribute concert Plaza
Theatricals continues its tribute series, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2:30 p.m., with “Mirror of Mathis.” Vocalist-impressionist David Robbins thrills audiences with his 90-minute tribute to Johnny Mathis. His uncanny likeness and vocals that sound just like Mathis will leave you spellbound.
Singing along with Johnny Mathis since he was a youngster, by age 12 he was imitating Mathis and has been doing it ever since, delighting all. He performs at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
Board of Education meeting
Baldwin School District Board of Education meets on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 8 p.m. During this session, board members will discuss key issues including updates on district initiatives, upcoming budgets, and new policies affecting students and staff.
The meet is an opportunity for the community to stay informed and participate in discussions impacting the local education system. 960 Hastings St.
National Library Card
Sign-Up Month
Celebrate National Library Card
Sign-Up Month by taking a break to color a free bookmark at the Baldwin Public Library, through Sept. 30. The self-directed activity encourages relaxation and stress relief through coloring, and offers a chance to explore the benefits of having a library card. Colored pencils are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Stop by the Adult Reference Desk to pick up your supplies and enjoy this soothing and creative experience. 2385 Grand Ave. Visit Baldwinpl.org for more information.
Movie matinee
Enjoy a movie on Baldwin Public Library’s big screen, Friday, Sept. 6, 1-4 p.m. See “Bob Marley: One Love,” an inspiring look at the life and legacy of the legendary musician Bob Marley. This PG-13 film runs for 107 minutes. 2385 Grand Ave. Visit Baldwinpl.org for more information.
Cardboard Race
Join in the Annual Cardboard Boat Race, Sunday, Sept. 8, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at the Baldwin/Freeport Boat Ramp. It begins at the Milburn Creek boat launch on Atlantic Avenue; arrive an hour prior for sign-up. Participation is free. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before the race. 530 Atlantic Ave, Freeport.
Storybook Stroll
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for another storybook adventure, Saturday, Sept. 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Jen Arena’s “Acorn Was A Little Wild!” Later create a unique take home craft. The stroll starts at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), ending at the Thatched Cottage. For ages 3-5. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Having an event?
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program returns for a new season, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.
Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
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.
Art League of L.I. exhibit
Sept. 28
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.
BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN
NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE
cordially invites you to attend Nassau County’s
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Art League of Long Island presents “Retrospect - The Individual Art of Collaboration in Reconstructive Surgery.” The exhibit delves into the interplay between personal artistry and collaborative efforts in the context of breast reconstruction, showcasing how the healing process can transcend medicine to become an inspiring narrative of restoration and personal resilience. This unique exhibition explores the intersection of medicine and art through the lens of two accomplished breast reconstruction surgeons, Dr. Ron Israeli and Dr. Jonathan Bank, whose careers and artistic endeavors are deeply intertwined. The works on display show the multifaceted nature of artistic expression in medicine and surgery. Their work emphasizes the importance of collaborative creativity in the healing process, offering viewers a unique perspective on the emotional and physical aspects of breast reconstruction. On view Sept. 28 through Oct. 18. Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery at Art League of Long Island, 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. Visit artleagueli.org for more information.
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following:
1. Resume: Highlighting your photography experience and relevant skills.
Requirements:
2. Portfolio: A link to your online portfolio or social media.
• Own professional-grade camera
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
• Reliable transportation.
• Strong work ethic, punctuality, and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to interact with subjects and collaborate with our editorial team.
Veterans rally to reopen Mitchel commissary
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The Mitchel Field commissary in Garden City has been closed since early July with structural damage, leaving some 80,000 veterans on Long Island with no choice but to travel to Fort Hamilton, in Brooklyn, to avail themselves of commissary services.
Commissaries provide veterans, active-duty and retired military personnel — many of whom live on fixed incomes — with a way to shop for groceries at a discount, with savings of up to 30 percent off compared with conventional supermarkets.
Kerry Englander, commander of the Nassau County American Legion, emphasized the challenges created by the sudden closure and the importance of the services the commissary provided.
“The veterans and current military need this facility, especially with the economy the way it is today,” Englander said. “I believe that if the military and veterans are utilizing this facility, it should be opened up.”
Frank Colón Jr., commander of American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre, said that by closing the commissary, the Department of Defense has created a major inconvenience for Long Island veterans, many of whom cannot travel to Fort Hamilton.
“It’s a hardship on the veterans. Especially in these times,” Colón told the Herald. “It shouldn’t be like that. You’ve got veterans from Suffolk and Nassau County that go here. You think a guy from Suffolk County is going all the way to Fort Hamilton? It’s a hike.”
John Meyer, of American Legion Post 246 in Baldwin, said he has been using the Mitchel Field commissary for the past 20 years because the “prices are right.”
“It’s one of the few benefits that we get,” Meyer said. “This (facility) is for the veterans, especially the ones
Daniel Offner/Herald
Frank Colón Jr., commander of American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre, spoke about the closing of the Mitchel Field commissary and what it means for veterans in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
who are retired and did their time, and come here to get a third off of what they pay outside.”
He explained how at one point, it was restricted to only disabled or recently retired military servicemen and women. However, this has changed in recent years, opening up access to provide services to more veterans on Long Island.
“This is a godsend,” Meyer said. “For most people, this is the ideal place because it’s close to mid-Island. And with this closed, everybody’s got to go to Fort Ham-
ilton. That’s another 27 miles down the road. I used to work in Coney Island for transit. I’m not going down there for nothing.”
Ralph Esposito, director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, noted the impact of the commissary’s sudden closure. “It’s a good place to go,” he said. “It saves vets lots of money. Right now, it’s hurting the veterans.” He also mentioned the increasing demand at the Veterans Food Pantry, known as Vet Mart, which has been in operation near Nassau University Medical Center since 2015.
“Because it’s closed, our numbers are getting bigger,” Esposito said. “I give away food for free, so now they’re all coming to me.”
The Vet Mart feeds about 600 people a month, including veterans and their families. The pantry also relies on volunteers, who deliver food to those unable to get to the offices in East Meadow.
In response to speculation that the facility could remain closed until early 2025, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and representatives of Congressman Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota and Tom Suozzi rallied alongside local veterans outside the Garden City facility last week to demand that the Defense Department do everything in its power to expedite the repair and provide a clear-cut timeline for when they expect it to reopen.
“I am demanding that we have the Department of Defense answer our questions immediately,” D’Esposito said. “Leaving our local veteran community in the dark over the future of this commissary is wrong, and we will not stand for it.”
Blakeman added that food insecurity has been a priority of his administration. “Nassau County will work with Long Island Cares and Island Harvest to make sure that we can get food for our veterans,” he said.
The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale, New York
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
STANLEY M. BERGMAN CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD & CEO
HENRY SCHEIN
DISTINGUISHED VISIONARY
STANLEY M. BERGMAN
Chairman of the Board and CEO Henry Schein
ORGANIZATION OF EXCELLENCE
LONG ISLAND SELECT HEALTHCARE
EXCELLENCE IN NURSING ADVOCACY
NEW YORK STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION (NYSNA)
MICHELLE BALLAN, PhD, MSW
Professor and Associate Dean for Research, School of Social Welfare Professor, Renaissance School of Medicine Stony Brook University Health Services
KIMON BEKELIS, MD
Director Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island
JORDAN BRODSKY, MD
Medical Doctor & Rheumatologist Rheumatology Consultants
MICHAEL N. BROWN
CEO Fellow Health Partners
ALANNA M. CARCICH, MBA
Senior Director, Operations Northwell Health Orthopedics
CATHERINE CANADEO
Founder & CEO
Catherine Canadeo Health & Wellness Corp
ROXANNE CARFORA, DO CEO, Founder & Physician AgelessMD
MEET THE 2024 AWARD WINNERS*
NICOLE CHRISTENSEN, BCPA
Founder & CEO Award-Winning Patient Advocate & Care Coordinator
Care Answered
TODD J. COHEN, MD Chief of Cardiology, Director of Medical Device Innovation New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
TORI COHEN
Executive Director
Long Island Alzheimer's & Dementia Center
CATHY SUE CUTLER, PHD Chair, Isotope Research and Production Brookhaven National Laboratory
CAROLYNN EIPEL
Founder CareFirst Home Solutions
HEIDI FELIX
Vice President of Sales LifeVac
NICK FITTERMAN, MD, MACP, SFHM
Executive Director Huntington Hospital Northwell Health
MARY GMITEREK-APAT, D.C. Chiropractor Dr. Mary's Chiropractic and Wellness Center
DOUG GOLUB
Principal Consultant Data Potato
CAROL GOMES Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer Stony Brook University Hospital
AARON GROTAS, MD
Board-Certified Urologist PRINE Health
LORI GOODSTONE, DHEd., RN Professor, Department of Nursing Farmingdale State College
HOWARD GOODMAN, DC Executive Director Long Island Weight Loss Doctor
RENEE HASTICK-MOTES, MPA
Senior Vice President/ Chief External Affairs Officer
Episcopal Health Services President
St. John's ICARE Foundation
ROBYN JOSEPH, DPM, FACFAS, CWSP, PMP
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery / Founder & President Northern Ankle Foot Associates
JILL KALMAN, MD
Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, and Deputy Physician-In-Chief Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
FELICIA KASOW Managing Director PURE Mammography
JENNIFER LAZZARO, AUD. Doctor of Audiology Hearing and Brain Centers of America, Long Island
NANCY C. LEGHART
BRIAN MAYRSOHN, MD CMO & Founder Maywell Health
JOHN MCGUIGAN CEO AHRC Suffolk
PARUL DUA MAKKAR, DDS
Owner
PDM Family Dental
DENIS NANKERVIS, DO Trauma Medical Director/Assistant Professor of Surgery at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Peconic Bay Medical Center Northwell Health
LILLIAN PALEY
LINA PATINO, DDS
Owner Aspen Dental - Riverhead
CAROLYN K. QUINN
Executive Director
Cohen Children's Medical Center SVP Pediatrics Northwell Health
MEGAN C. RYAN, ESQ.
Interim CEO & President
Chief Legal Officer NHCC Nassau University Medical Center
MICHAEL N. ROSENBLUT
President and CEO
Parker Jewish Institute For Rehabilitation & Healthcare
DEAN RISKIN
Co-Founder & CEO
Hair We Share
CAROLYN SANTORA, MS, RN Chief Nursing Officer & Chief Regulatory Officer Stony Brook University Hospital
MELISSA SCHACHTER, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD Speech Language-Pathologist & Director The Speech Language Place
MARY SILBERSTEIN, LCSW-R Senior Director of Strategic Alliances and Special Projects Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services, Inc
LISA STERN, LCSW-R AVP of Senior & Adult Services Family & Children's Association
AMYEE ST. PIERRE
Vice President, Senior Consultant, Health & Performance HUB International
ROUMIANA TZVETKOVA, DMD
Owner
Aspen Dental - Deer Park
JOSEPH VERDIRAME
Managing Partner & CEO Alliance Homecare / TrustHouse
Executive Director St. John's ICARE Foundation *LIST IN FORMATION
Vice President of Clinical Services & Recruitment Silver Lining Homecare Agency
BALDWIN
5,
News brief
Freeport-Merrick Rotary leaders honored by county legislator
The Rotary Club of Freeport-Merrick Rotary was congratulated by Nassau County Legislators Debra Mulé and Seth Koslow at the organization’s installation dinner on June 27. During ceremonies held at Frank’s Steaks in Rockville Centre, the legislators recognized the Rotarians who will lead the organization for the next year and thanked them for their commitment to community service.
“Throughout its existence, the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club has emphasized the power of bringing people together in pursuit of a mission of selfless service in our community,”
Koslow said. “Congratulations to the dedicated volunteers who have stepped up to lead the Rotary into another year of making a positive impact in Nassau County.”
—Jack Schwed
“For over 80 years, the motto of ‘service above self’ has inspired the members of the Freeport- Merrick Rotary Club to roll up their sleeves and improve the lives of others,” Mulé said. “It was great to see that this tradition will continue for yet another year under the leadership of these outstanding public servants.”
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as owner Trustee for VRMTG Asset Trust, Plaintiff AGAINST Paul Meato a/k/a Paul Mateo, as CoAdministrator of the Estate of Carlos Almondovar, Jr.; et al.,
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 18, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 1, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1900 Carleton Place, Baldwin, NY 11510-2231. 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, State of NY, Section 36 Block 419 Lot 0283. Approximate amount of judgment
$526,498.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 014315/2013. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Karl Seman, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: August 6, 2024
For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 148653
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL, INC., Plaintiff - againstRAY MICHAEL GEORGE A/K/A RAYMOND M. GEORGE, et al
Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on July 19, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 “Rain or Shine” on the 1st day of October, 2024 at 2:00 PM. 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.
Premises known as 1009 Centennial Avenue, North Baldwin, NY 11510.
(Section: 36, Block: 466, Lot: 7)
Approximate amount of lien $717,696.00 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 002593/2017.
Michele Bencivinni, Esq., Referee.
McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170
Tel. 347/286-7409
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
On Aug. 21, Attendees at the League of Women Voters meeting at the Levittown Public Library wrote postcards urging voters to support Proposal 1, formerly known as the Equal Rights Amendment, in the November election.
LWV members write postcards urging voters to ‘flip the ballot’
Continued from page 1
attack.
Dated: August 6, 2024
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 148618
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 17th day of September, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations: BALDWIN BALDWIN AVENUE (TH 346/24) South Side -NO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 239 feet east of the east curbline of Walnut Street, east for a distance of 25 feet.
SEAMAN AVENUE (TH 382/24) North Side - NO
STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 10 feet east of the east curbline of St. Luke’s Place, then east for a distance of 217 feet.
EAST MEADOW
POWERS AVENUE (TH 384/24) North Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting form the west curbline of Bernard Street, west for a distance of 30 feet.
ELMONT
LEIGHTON ROAD (TH 352/24) North Side -NO PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 40 feet west of the west curbline of Bieling Road, then west for a distance of 86 feet.
BEDFORD AVENUE (TH 379/24) South Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Clinton Street, east for a distance of 25 feet.
FRANKLIN SQUARE
DELMAR AVENUE (TH 345/24) South Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Jefferson Avenue, west for a distance of 25 feet.
WANTAGH
CYPRESS STREET (TH 351/24) West Side -NO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 262 feet north of the north curbline of Merrick Road, then north for a distance of 17 feet.
ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: September 4, 2024
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.
Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 148724
“Courts are walking back rights,” Gottehrer said. “Governments are walking back rights. This proposal will actually embed protections in the Constitution, which is really important.”
In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion. Afterward, states across the country moved to either implement abortion bans or protect abortion rights.
WNew York state.
“It is abundantly clear that any attempt to ban trans women and girls from sports is prohibited by our state’s antidiscrimination laws,” Gabriella Larios, the NYCLU’s staff attorney, wrote in a news release. “… This latest round of hateful legislation is unacceptable, and we won’t let it stand in New York.”
hen this passes, the Constitution for New York state will change, giving us all equal rights.
“It will put reproductive health care, including abortion, pregnancy and contraception, under the guise of sex discrimination,” Gottehrer added of Proposal 1. “And this is new, and that’s where it gets a little legalistic, but putting it under the category of sex discrimination will make sure that those pieces are protected. And I think we know that contraception, at this point, is also probably going to be under attack.”
Peggy Stein League of Women Voters of East Nassau County
Gottehrer said it’s difficult for someone to file suit in the state when they are discriminated against, because it’s their responsibility to prove it. Proposal 1, she explained, would correct the way courts interpret discrimination, making it easier for someone to prove that the government is infringing on their rights.
“This is going to help so many people,” Gottehrer said. “There’s so many people that are struggling, and so many people that are marginalized, and the psychological impact of being part of a marginalized community is devastating.”
“The ERA was advanced to protect access to abortion care, enshrine this basic right in our Constitution, and protect people from discrimination,” state Attorney General Letitia James wrote in a statement. “We will continue to do everything in our power to protect these rights and ensure everyone can live safely and freely in the great State of New York.”
Although New York is recognized as a liberal state, Gottehrer said that doesn’t mean everyone’s rights are protected. Last month, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed a law that would prohibit transgender athletes from playing in women’s sports at county-owned athletic facilities. At a July 15 news conference, Blakeman said the law was necessary to protect women’s sports.
“For us it’s a matter of common sense, it’s a matter of fairness and it’s a matter of integrity,” he said.
After the bill was signed, the New York Civil Liberties Union, along with James, filed a lawsuit against Blakeman and the county, arguing that the ban is illegal in
■ New York voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that aims to expand anti-discrimination protections to include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and more.
■ The amendment would provide legal protection against discriminatory policies like the recent ban on transgender athletes, ensuring broader equality for all.
■ If passed, Proposal 1 will protect reproductive rights and make it easier to challenge discrimination in the state.
Charles Shaw/Herald
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HEWLETT-WOODMERE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Assistant Director for Special Education Services
Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools (HWPS) is located on the south shore of Long Island and is consistently ranked as one of the highest performing Districts on both state and national levels. The District educates approximately 2800 Pre-K through 12th grade students across five schools. Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools is dedicated to providing all students with enriching and exciting educational experiences in caring, student-centered environments.
We are seeking an innovative, experienced, and collaborative administrator to provide support and guidance to the District's P-12 special education programs.
Required qualifications: NYSED certification in administration (SDA/SDL).
Preferred qualifications: Minimum eight years' experience as a building level/district administrator; requires extensive knowledge of current special education law, non-public school mandates, and STACs; experience chairing CSE meetings, budget process, and supervision and observation of staff; the ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, staff, and community members.
Interested candidates must apply on OLAS by September 20, 2024 at: www.hewlett-woodmere.net
Completed OLAS application must include: cover letter, resume, and letters of recommendation. Equal Opportunity Employer 1268222
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
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
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com
E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com
DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.
HANDYPERSON WANTED
EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.
REQUIREMENTS:
Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.
POSITION DETAILS:
Flexible: Part-time or Full-time.
Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.
Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com
Executive Assistant/Legal Secretary
Location: Rockville Centre, NY
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Salary Range: $65,000 - $85,000 commensurate with experience, benefits, 3 weeks PTO (combined sick/vacation)
Busy Landlord/Tenant Law Firm is looking for a team member to provide comprehensive administrative support, including reviewing and responding to emails and telephone calls.
The position also involves working along with a Senior Partner in the preparation/proofreading of documents, correspondence, notices and pleadings as well as managing the Senior Partner’s calendar, appointments and meetings.
The individual will also handle a variety of office tasks including physical filing of papers, to e-filing on NYSCEF, printing, copying and organizing records to manage case files, deadlines and to prepare for upcoming trials. If interested, please send your resume to Kathleen@rosenblumbianco.com ; telephone calls will not be accepted.
Immediate Opening at our Garden City Location DESIRED SKILLS: Electrical * Welding * Carpentry Mechanical * Plumbing Part Time/Fulltime (benefits available with full time) $18-$30 per hour based on experience Richner Communications, Inc 2 Endo Blvd Garden City, NY 11530 Send resume to careers@lixtherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 ext 211
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
To Deliver Papers To Businesses in Massapequa, Amityville and Babylon 2 Days Per Week Must Have Own Vehicle/Van This is an independent contractor role for Richner Communications Compensation based on stops starting at $275/week If Interested contact Jim at jrotche@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 x211
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
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
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
OFFICE HELP PT: Computer Literate. Answer Phones, Packing, Process Orders. Baldwin Dental Supply Company. 516-783-7800
OUTSIDE SALES
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 assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Health Care/Opportunities
CNA: MALE & FEMALE CAREGIVERS Experienced with a wide range of Medical Care including Dementia, Alzheimer's & Parkinson Patients. Caring & Dependable. Driver. References Available. Derrick@917-363-8924
Health Care/Opportunities
WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED!!! HHA's, LPN's,
HomesHERALD
Preparing to sell in an area that flooded
Q. We live in an area that was flooded, and have a few items to take care of before we sell. My husband put in a deck when we first moved in, around 1982. It has been there so long, but the real estate people told us it still needs a permit. It’s only 24 inches off the ground. They also mentioned that it’s too close to our back property line, but we’re next to a waterway and have no neighbors behind us. Is that still the same problem? Our fences are new and so are the front steps, which we rebuilt to add planters and a bench. What can you tell us about what we should do before we sell?
A. Take a lovely vacation and relax, enjoy yourself and then prepare for a lot of minutia that will likely delay your ability to sell, unless you negotiate the price down for a buyer who can persuade a lender that they will take over the list of items you mentioned. In situations like this, there are many peripheral issues.
For example, the waterway may be either a local or state jurisdiction that limits how close you can build to a “protected” environment. As if that’s not enough, your municipality is one of the few that has many outstanding requirements that it claims it notified every homeowner about right after Hurricane Sandy. Prepare for the ambush of having to get a “proof of loss statement from the National Flood Insurance Program.”
I have heard time and time again, “Oh, we had no damage,” which is great, since the national clearinghouse that compiles records about every property will prove that. If it turns out that there was a large payout from private insurance or public funding, the NFIP letter will show that more is needed, including recent building plans, a possible plumbing permit, electrical inspection and documents to close out a repair permit — yes, even from over a decade ago.
When I arrive at a home and have to go into detail about how many requirements there are and how strict they’ve become, I always think of our custodian in elementary school. His name was Gus, and I remember his large, round face and how disgusted he was when he was called to a classroom where a child had thrown up lunch from the cafeteria. I identify with Gus, because mopping up these not-so-simple messes, the ones that someone told you were simple, is getting more complicated the longer people wait.
This doesn’t seem to be the case in every jurisdiction, mostly the largest ones. Many decks built long ago don’t meet recent code standards, and there’s no such thing as “grandfathered.” The hours spent explaining these things, and then reexplaining them when a handyperson doesn’t install the correct connectors or takes a shortcut with a required footing support, add up to more cost and animosity. Good luck!
Ask The Architect Monte
Stuff HERALD
Garage Sales
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Cleaning Services
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Electricians
E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
Exterminating
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Handyman
HANDYMAN
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Home Improvement
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Power Washing
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Tree Services
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Autos
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Your lawn may be killing you — and many other creatures
You know those little yellow flags stuck on lawns in your neighborhood? Think of them as tombstones.
Those markers signify a recent application of pesticides, a broad category of chemicals designed to kill insects, weeds and fungi. There’s some evidence that they can kill animals and people, too.
Roundup, one of the most common herbicides, has been banned or restricted in some states and countries due to fears of its impact on human health and the environment. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is listed by the World Health Organization as a probable carcinogen.
Pesticides like this one are being applied with abandon on Long Island’s lawns, endangering the Island’s only aquifer while threatening the health of its human residents as well as the birds, bees and household pets that share our biosphere.
“Several types of cancer, immune-
response deficiencies, neurological diseases and birth defects have been associated with exposure to lawn chemicals,” a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publication states.
Suffolk County registered by far the heaviest doses of pesticides used among New York counties in 2021 — 6.5 million pounds, according to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation. Nassau ranked as the sixth most chemically doused county, with 1.6 million pounds of pesticides used to keep homeowners’ grass weed- and bug-free.
PSociety of the United States, which included Trepanier’s comment in a report last year.
“Rates of lymphoma in pets of pesticide users are significantly higher than occurrences in the pets of non-chemical users,” the Mid-America Research Council added.
esticides are being applied with abandon on Long Island’s yards.
In reporting on the DEC finding, Newsday observed, “Far too much pesticide is poured to attain lawns that could be mistaken for putting greens, with far too little concern for the environment, experts say.”
Research shows clear links between herbicide exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and bladder cancer in humans, Lauren Trepanier, professor of internal medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, says. Both of those cancers are also common in dogs, notes the Human
Pretty much no living things — except lawn grass — co-exist well with pesticides. Butterflies, lightning bugs and honeybees, along with every other type of insect, are killed by chemicals that are advertised as fatal to mosquitoes.
In fact, scientists say we’re in the throes of an “insect apocalypse.” And if present death rates continue, they add, there won’t be any insects left alive a century from now. That will be bad news not only for the bugs themselves, but also for birds, flowers and food. Insects are responsible for pollinating 75 percent of all flowering plants, including about onethird of the crops consumed by humans.
Birds are experiencing just as precipitous a population decline as bugs. A study published in 2019 by Science, a research journal, found that 3 billion North American birds have died off
since 1970 — a loss of nearly 30 percent of their total numbers.
Pesticides kill birds both directly and indirectly. Birds ingest poisonous chemicals when they mistake pesticide granules for food, the New York Audubon Society points out. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute adds, “Birds that eat insects are literally at a loss when insecticides cause a drop in the number of insect prey available, especially when they have young to feed.”
But here’s some good news: The damage pesticides are doing to suburban environments, and the entire planet, can be greatly mitigated if homeowners like those on Long Island make a simple choice. They can replace their lawns (which are pretty to look at but otherwise useless) with shrubs, trees and native plant species that are well adapted to the local climate and pests. And they can save lots of time and money as well if they give Mother Nature the chance to reproduce benignly.
Kevin J. Kelley was a congressional staff member in the 1980s, and is a retired journalist and journalism professor who worked for newspapers in New York, Vermont and Kenya and taught at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. He lives in Atlantic Beach.
Reading about local schools? Consider yourself lucky.
i’ve been in the local news business a long time. Not long enough to remember the first handwritten newspaper, distributed in Venice in 1566, or the first printed news sheets, published in Germany in 1605, but I go back.
I can recall cutting and pasting printed stories on boards, each one a page of the paper. If the story didn’t fit, you just cut a paragraph or two from the bottom.
Thus the importance of the first sentence or two, known as the lede, and the first three paragraphs, which basically told the story. We used typewriters and yellow paper to write, which my editor would periodically rip up, declaring, “You have no right to desecrate the language of Shakespeare.” She was a stickler. We had no computers — until the morning we came in to work and found that our Smith Coronas had been replaced by Kaypros.
I was hired away from the late South Shore Record, owned by the indomitable Florence Schwartzberg, by Leatrice Spa-
nierman, a brilliant editor and a natural newspaperwoman. Leatrice, who recently celebrated a fabulous birthday, was socially, intellectually and emotionally intertwined with the Herald brand. We turned out big local papers in those days at our Lawrence headquarters.
Our team wrote 10 to 20 local stories every week, and our motto was, “Everything that happens anywhere in the world has a Five Towns angle.” And it was true. If a ship hit an iceberg in Antarctica, for sure there was someone who knew someone on board.
W ay too many American towns and cities have lost newspapers in recent years.
Local lowlifes freaked out more if they landed in the Nassau Herald police blotter than if their mug shot had appeared in The New York Times, because their kids might see the paper. We journalists lived and worked in town. Our reporters went to all the village and school board meetings. We covered football games and charity balls. Everything was copy.
This is all to say that local newspapers are essential to a functioning democracy, and I am grateful to have enjoyed this golden age of local journalism. This is also to say that across the country, small papers are closing. As reported on CBS News recently, “Accord-
ing to an Associated Press analysis of data compiled by the University of North Carolina, more than 1,400 towns and cities in the U.S. have lost a newspaper over the past 15 years. The loss of a reliable local news source has many consequences for the community. One of them is the inability to watchdog the actions of government agencies and elected officials.”
This is also to say, stay true. Subscribe to and read and advertise in our papers. We need to mind what’s going on in our schools, and to do that we need reporters to monitor the board meetings, and to do that we need to pay them.
The local paper covers everything from potholes to parades. If you want the scoop on former Congressman George Santos, read about it in the Herald. Are you concerned about County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s idea for a kind of armed militia to prepare for emergencies? The ongoing debate over a casino license for the county? These stories need to be covered in our local newspapers, and we need the staff and the readership to support our efforts.
The dailies look at news through a wide-angle lens; our focus is more intense.
The North Shore Coalition Against Substance Abuse’s annual golf outing was in one of our papers last week, and I saw a story out of Freeport about Petros Mestheneas, who was named Firefighter of the Year. And to prove my point about there being a local angle to every story in the world, Boston’s new archbishop is a Valley stream native and a former auxiliary bishop of Rockville Center.
In the Nassau Herald, Melissa Berman wrote the quintessential local news story about a 100-year-old oak tree that was cut down to build a parking lot. It’s a terrific local story, with ties to larger issues of overdevelopment and housing needs vs. parking needs.
In recent Heralds there was coverage of the county’s Jimmy Buffett tribute at Eisenhower Park, the clam-eating contest in Island Park and the Chabad Hebrew School of Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh accepting enrollments for the new school year. There were obituaries of Ana Mercedes Hernandez, Joseph C. Smetana, Robert “Bob” Heggy and Joyce Marino Corso.
The obituaries are the guiding light of local newspapers, reflecting the past of the community and its people, reminding us of the special ties that bind friends and neighbors together.
Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
KEVin J. KELLEY
RAnDi KREiss
HERALD
HeraLd editoriaL
As schools reopen, drivers know the drill
“school’s Open — Drive Carefully” has been the annual refrain in a back-to-school safety-awareness campaign that is now nearly 80 years old. But it’s worth repeating every September.
Driving carefully in and around school zones is crucial in the effort to ensure the safety of children, parents and school staff. School zones are areas in which there are likely to be children crossing streets, walking along sidewalks, riding bikes and meandering as only kids do. They are less aware of traffic dangers, and their presence necessitates heightened caution from drivers.
A study by Safe Kids Worldwide found that 25,000 children are injured every year in school zone accidents nationwide. The Transportation Research Board found that vehicles near schools account for 43 percent of all pedestrian accidents involving children ages 5 to 9.
And it’s no surprise that speeding is a significant factor in school-zone accidents. The risk of a pedestrian fatality increases dramatically with vehicle
Letters
Curran’s wrong about the ‘war on women’
To the Editor:
speed. The American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that someone on foot who is struck by a vehicle traveling 25 mph has a 25 percent chance of sustaining serious injury or dying, but that risk increases to 50 percent if the vehicle is traveling just 10 mph faster. School zones commonly have speed limits of 20 mph or less, so adhering to those limits is vital to minimize those risks.
Distracted driving is another major concern near schools. A study by the National Safety Council found that distracted drivers cause one in every four car crashes nationwide. In school zones, texting or talking on a phone or fiddling with dashboard technology can have catastrophic consequences for a child who may suddenly dart into the street or cross without warning.
School zones are most congested during drop-off and pick-up times. According to the National Center for Safe Routes to School, parents driving their children to school account for 25 percent of morning traffic. The volume increases the likelihood of accidents, particu-
In his recent column, “The real war on women in New York,” Assemblyman Brian Curran suggests that “the fate of women’s reproductive health” in New York will not be affected whether or not Prop 1, the New York Equal Rights Amendment, passes in November. Simply put, this is not true, and echoes the same reassurances we heard right before Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Prop 1 is in fact our crucial opportunity to ensure that the fate of reproductive health care is secure in New York. It’s an opportunity we cannot let go to waste.
Prop 1 will guarantee access to reproductive health care — including abortion, birth control, and in vitro fertilization — in the New York Constitution so it is permanently shielded from government interference.
Before Roe v. Wade was overturned, many of us took for granted that our reproductive freedom would always be protected. Since then, reproductive health care like abortion, contraception, and IVF has been under attack across the country. While New Yorkers may assume that we are insulated from these battles, the reality is that the state law covering our reproductive rights can be repealed or changed based on who is in the State Legislature or the governor’s mansion. That’s why we need to pass Prop 1: to cement our reproductive rights in the State Constitution so they can’t be rolled back by politicians down the line.
Further, Prop 1 will close loopholes in the Constitution that could allow government discrimination
larly when drivers are in a rush. Along with potential injuries, there are legal consequences for school-zone scofflaws, starting with hefty fines for speeding in those zones, often doubled or tripled during school hours. And here on Long Island, red-light cameras have been installed at busy intersections near schools, and more buses are being equipped with cameras to catch one of the most potentially dangerous vehicular infractions of all, passing a stopped bus with its red lights flashing — in either direction.
Whether you’ve seen “Schools Open — Drive Carefully” for dozens of years or are a new driver, common sense dictates that following that single instruction is key to helping ensure that children arrive at school safely and return home safely each day, along with the administrators, teachers and other staff to whom we entrust them. Do your part by slowing down and keeping your eyes on the street and the crosswalks — in other words, giving school zones your undivided attention when you’re at the wheel.
against people based on their age, disability, ethnicity, whether they are pregnant, or whether they’re LGBT — because those in power shouldn’t be able to take advantage of any New Yorker, especially the most vulnerable among us.
All New Yorkers deserve the freedom to control our own bodies, lives and futures. Prop 1 puts the power to stand up for these freedoms in the voters’ hands.
SAShA AhujA Campaign director, New Yorkers for Equal Rights
Long Islanders can’t fight climate change alone
To the Editor:
Every time someone writes a column against fossil fuels, such as Lauren Krueger’s “To beat the heat on Long Island, we must fight fossil fuels,” I cannot believe what I’m reading. It’s total nonsense! Nothing that the united States does will impact climate change, global warming or whatever else you want to
The case for an incorporated Village of Baldwin
our family, like many others, moved to Baldwin for its beautiful diversity, high-quality schools, safe neighborhoods, and proximity to New York City. We had long admired its picturesque homes and manicured lawns, signs of a peaceful and prosperous quality of life.
Indeed, Baldwin is full of great assets and resources, yet few would argue that the community has realized its full potential. For instance, residents and civic leaders have complained of long-delayed economic revitalization projects, inadequate traffic control, aging infrastructure, scarce youth programs, and untapped development, to name just a few challenges. But what if Baldwin residents and civic leaders could effect these outcomes directly, and had the power to shape our own future?
In other words, what if Baldwin were to become an incorporated village?
As it stands, Baldwin is an unincorporated “census-designated place,” also known as a hamlet, within the Town of Hempstead. It has its own school and fire district, as well as civic organizations, but is not its own self-governing municipality.
Incorporation is the process of converting an unincorporated area into an independent municipality with its own governing body — a mayor, a board of trustees — and legal powers. Traditionally, communities have sought to become incorporated villages to enhance services and build up their political, economic and civic power.
rphy remains a part of the town where it’s located, and its residents continue to be residents and taxpayers of the town. Currently, the Town of Hempstead provides the functions listed above for Baldwin. Were Baldwin to become a village, it would take on these responsibilities for itself.
esidents ought to at least have a conversation about shaping their future.
As Spider-Man comics have taught us, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Incorporated villages are responsible for all aspects of local civic governance, including providing or procuring services; deciding service levels and how much to tax; implementing short- and long-term budget, capital, and land-use planning policies; making decisions on zoning matters; and promoting the character and identity of their communities.
When a village is created, its geogra-
Letters
call it, and “beat the heat on Long Island.” Nothing!
According to Google, as of November 2023, the top five countries, by percentage of carbon emissions, were: China, 30.9 percent; the U.S., 13.5 percent; India, 7.9 percent; Russia, 4.7 percent; and Japan, 2.9 percent. China and India are responsible for almost three times the carbon emissions of the U.S. In addition, China continues to put new coalfired electric generating plants online. China is laughing at us!
China gets nearly 60 percent of its electricity from coal, the U.S., 16 percent. If the U.S. gets rid of fossil fuels for our cars and electrical generation facilities, it will have a very limited effect, or no effect, on beating the heat on Long Island. All it will do is drain our wallets and pocketbooks, and make some people feel good. “Look at me! I’m saving the environment!”
RoBeRT KRALICK Glen Head
Vance, and Trump, demean military service
To the editor:
Nothing raises this veteran’s ire more than candidates who demean veterans, and by extension, those on active duty. o n Aug. 8, the Republican vice presidential nominee, J.D. Vance,
accused Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz — with little evidence — of “stolen valor,” saying he lied about seeing combat “in war.” Then Vance drew a comparison between his four years of service, during which he was a combat correspondent in the Marine Corps, and Walz’s 24 years of service, during which he achieved the highest enlisted rank in the Army National Guard.
Neither Walz nor Vance has seen, as Vance says, “any real fighting.” In either case, their choice to serve was commendable and should not be a topic of criticism. The underlying issue is the one that deserves every patriot’s attention: the disdain for those in uniform by the draft dodger at Mar-A-Lago.
There is well-cited evidence of former President Donald Trump demeaning veterans, including remarks made about the sacred grounds of U.S. military cemeteries in Normandy, France, and Arlington, Virginia. He categorizes us as suckers and losers. He is the last person this apolitical veteran would choose to be commander in chief of our armed forces.
WILLIAM (CoTY) KeLLeR Freeport
William Keller is a 21-year Navy veteran who served in Vietnam and on six ships, two of which he commanded. He was also a professor of national security affairs at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Why is this important?
In 2023, lawmakers in Albany passed a bill that Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law to establish the New York State Commission on Village Incorporation, a neutral three-member board whose primary responsibility is to facilitate village incorporation in the state. Before the legislation was passed, residents seeking incorporation had to petition town supervisors, which presented a clear conflict of interest, with a significant tax base at stake.
The new law also raises the petitioning threshold from 500 signatures to 2,000 to ensure a broad base of support. And last but certainly not least, the village incorporation law requires petitioners to prepare a feasibility and impact study. According to the Department of State, the first part is a fiscal, service
and taxation assessment of the proposed village that includes a property inventory, tax and revenue information, estimated costs of operations, and anticipated municipal services. The second part is an assessment of the proposed village’s fiscal, economic and land-use impact on the surrounding town.
State legislators say these higher incorporation thresholds will help to ensure not only the viability of new villages, but also their sustainability. There are examples of villages having to be dissolved after incorporation due to mismanagement or a lack of proper planning.
Ultimately, Baldwin’s future should be in its own hands. To be clear — a community’s pursuit of village incorporation is a tall order, a significant administrative undertaking and a financial burden. But Baldwin residents ought to at least have the conversation, and be made aware of changes in state law affecting the incorporation process. The fundamental question remains whether Baldwin can realize its fullest potential as a community by incorporating as a village.
Karl A. Valere is chief of staff and senior policy adviser to Assemblyman Khaleel M. Anderson. He lives in Baldwin.
Framework by Tim Baker
The hats were courtesy of Let’s Sing Taylor — Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
karL a . VaLere
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