Baldwin Herald 11-21-2024

Hernesto Galdamez/Herald

Sharema, left and Kareem Beach are making Baldwin their second home with their Beach BBQ restaurant, at 2092 grand ave. the spot serves brisket, pulled pork, ribs and other barbecue favorites.

Beach BBQ opens in Baldwin

Transitioning from food vendor to brick and mortar

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Kareem and Sharema Beach may be miles away from their home turf of Brownsville, Brooklyn, but they’ve never forgotten it.

Their restaurant, Beach BBQ, opened at 2092 Grand Ave., in Baldwin, on Aug. 3 — and the eatery brings the Brooklyn atmosphere with it.

An oversize photo of a No. 3 subway train passing through a station greets you. While the subway car draws the eye, it’s the background that holds more meaning — the apartment complex where Kareem Beach grew up.

“Brownsville is a tough neighborhood to grow up in,” he said. “But there’s also beau-

ty in there.”

Beach, whose parents and grandparents were also involved in the culinary arts, learned his barbecue recipes from them. He describes his style simply as “family cooking” — a relaxed approach centered around comfort foods like brisket, pulled pork and ribs as well as fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens.

Mealtime in his home wasn’t just about the food; it was also about being with family, with board games and conversation often accompanying the dishes. And Kareem’s wife, Sharema, wanted to recreate that atmosphere.

It is new territory for the couple, who have been married since 2006 and now live in

on page 3

Paul Wehr runs in the city marathon

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Baldwin native Paul Wehr crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon on Nov. 3, completing a grueling 26.2-mile race that not only tested his physical limits, but also served as a tribute to his sister, Kayla, who has been diagnosed with Huntington’s disease.

Wehr, who had no prior marathon experience, managed to complete the race with a time of 4:47.

IHope walk in 2021, as his sister began displaying symptoms of the disease, but she wasn’t officially diagnosed until the following year.

Huntington’s disease is a neurological disorder that causes the gradual breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, leading to difficulties with movement, cognitive decline and emotional changes.

t’s not just about the money — it’s also about the advocacy.

In June, he told the Herald his goal was to raise $5,500, as well as awareness of the disease, and he believes he was able to achieve both, just in time for the race.

PAul WEHR

Baldwin native

He participated on Team Hope, the signature grassroots fundraising campaign organized by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, which offers support to individuals battling the disease nationwide.

His initial alliance to the organization began when he participated in his first Team

Recent estimates show that about 41,000 Americans currently have visible symptoms of the disease.

“I felt proud that I was able to raise $5,500, and the whole Huntington disease team raised between $160,000 to $170,000 altogether at that point,” Wehr said. “I was just like, ‘All I have to do is keep moving (during the race), and I’ll be alright.’ And that’s what I did.”

Wehr was an all-wrestling athlete at Baldwin High School while also participating as a member of the Baldwin PAL judo club. He continued as a student-athlete while attend -

Continued on page 2

Wehr to continue his advocacy against HD

ing Hunter College and after he transferred to SUNY Oswego.

Wehr explained how dieting and pacing himself while training for the marathon played a factor in him being able to cross the finish line. His longest training run was 13 miles, he said.

“I was eating a very clean diet — low carbohydrate,” he said. “The week of, I did a really big carbohydrate load and just hoped that the fuel would carry most of the way, and I felt fantastic.

“The adrenaline and motivation helped push me the rest of the way,” he added. “I didn’t bunk out at all, didn’t slow down, walk or stop, other than talking to people on the side.”

One of those he greeted on the sidelines along the way was his sister, who gave him a big “sweaty hug,” he said, adding that he was wearing his Huntington’s disease shirt.

Wehr said he envisions himself participating in next year’s NYC Marathon, focusing more on raising money while continuing to be an advocate to the community.

paul Wehr of Baldwin completed the new York City marathon on nov. 3 with a time of 4:47, raising funds for Huntington’s disease in honor of his sister, Kayla.

“I want to be a lot more active online — step out of my comfort zone and talk about my experience,” he said. “It’s not just about the money — it’s also about the advocacy. I believe being more active online about it would get a lot more funding and a lot more eyes on it.”

News brief

n assau County Legislators d ebra m ulé and Seth Koslow attended the n assau p olice Veterans a ssociation m ilitary Ball on o ct.

Mulé, Koslow attend military ball

Nassau County Legislators Debra Mulé and Seth Koslow attended the Nassau Police Veterans Association’s sixth annual Military Ball at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Oct. 24. The event serves as a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization, which works to strengthen bonds between past and present Nassau law enforcement officers and activeduty service members and veterans.

All proceeds from the event benefit initiatives that support veterans, active-duty service members, and their families, as well as other veterans’ organizations.

“It was truly powerful to see such tremendous support for an organization that delivers crucial aid to the men and women who gave so much of themselves to preserve our freedoms,” Mulé wrote in a news release. “Singing the National Anthem at this gather-

ing was a truly moving and humbling experience, and I applaud the entire team at the Nassau Police Veterans Association for an incredibly successful evening that will make a real difference in the lives of so many people.”

“Attending the Military Ball was a privilege and an honor, and it was an incredible celebration of our veterans and their dedicated service to our nation,” Koslow said. “Nassau County has one of the largest veteran populations of any community in our nation, and it is fitting that we have an organization like the Nassau Police Veterans Association working so diligently to serve them and their families after they so bravely served our nation.”

— Hernesto Galdamez

Courtesy Paul Wehr

Office of the Legislative Minority

24.

The Beaches’ remember where they came from

Hempstead. They launched their entrepreneurship in 2020 by holding pop-up events at fairs and offering catering. Offering their specialties at Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s, in Malverne, was an especially eyeopening experience for them, starting with Sharema.

“They once had vendors come and sell your products, and it was products made by … individuals,” Sharema, who is also the founder of Beach Naturals, a skin care brand, recalled. “I was like, to (Kareem), ‘I’m making X amount of dollars in two hours.”

The couple began offering barbecue at the farm as well, which helped create a following for both of their brands.

That prompted them to open the restaurant — as well as a small beach naturals shop — on Grand Avenue, creating a legacy for their family, they hope, for generations to come.

“You want to leave something for your kids, their kids, and create something that we didn’t have,” Sharema said.

The location was once home to Benny B’s, a soul food restaurant that closed in February

2022. Inside, Sharema’s skin care products are also for sale.

The menu the Beaches’ offered at the market in Malverne featured the traditional meats, and they have brought these favorites to the restaurant, while also introducing new items such as fried whiting, catfish and wingettes.

They have come to appreciate how diverse and welcoming the Baldwin community is, and have also welcomed feedback about their food, including a suggestion to incorporate fried chicken.

“We were getting so many people asking for it, so we said, ‘All right, let’s start frying chicken,’ and that’s one of our best sellers,” Kareem said. “You cater to the neighborhood, but the foundation is smoked meat.

“Baldwin has been good to us,” he added. “The people have been very welcoming.”

The pair emphasized that it doesn’t matter where you start — anything is possible, and that photo of the No. 3 train serves as a reminder. “Just because you grew up there,” Kareem said of Brownsville, “doesn’t mean that you have to be a product of it.”

Customers are greeted by an oversize photo of a no. 3 subway train featuring the apartment complex where Kareem Beach grew up in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

Hernesto Galdamez/Herald photos

the restaurant offers diners who like to eat out a comfortable environment.

Myths About Estate Planning

The frst myth to explore about estate planning is that you can do it yourself over the internet. This supposes that a trust is a generic legal document where you plug in names, addresses and amounts you want to give and then off you go! However, experienced estate planning lawyers will tell you the job is ninety percent social work and only ten percent legal. Most of the time we spend with clients involves going over the social aspects of the estate plan. First, who should be in charge of your legal and fnancial decision-making in the event of death or disability? One person or more than one? Should they be required to act together or may they be permitted to act separately? How are the other family members going to feel about these choices? Who gets along with whom? What are my options and what do other people do and why? You need to be in a position to evaluate pros and cons and there’s no counselling on the internet.

Getting an estate plan from out-of-state is fraught with other pitfalls. Take the New York form of power of attorney, for example. In our experience, even trained lawyers often make

major errors in drafting and executing the complex New York form of power of attorney. What chance does a lay person have to get it right?

Then there’s the false sense of security one has in believing they have an adequate plan until it is too late – ultimately ending up with the family losing their home and life savings. Why? Because online estate planning does not address protecting assets from the extraordinarily high cost of long-term care either at home or in a facility. This involves planning with a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) -- only available from an experienced elder law frm and not from the internet.

Consider this. Your chance of having your house burn down in any given year is about one in three thousand. Yet who doesn’t carry homeowner’s insurance every year? On the other hand, the mortality rate is stubbornly stuck at one hundred percent. Your estate plan for your family, your home and your life savings is simply worthwhile insurance that will one day pay off. Not only that, but you only pay for it once, not every year!

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

ELDER LAW ESTATE PLANNING SINCE 1991 trustlaw.com Trusts & Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com 100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success Other offces in Huntington

Baldwin Chamber of Commerce: highlights from this month’s meeting

The Baldwin Chamber of Commerce held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Basil Leaf Grill on Atlantic Avenue. Chamber President Victor Sookdeo announced a new community project, the cleanup and refurbishment of the island at Foxhurst and Grand, sponsored by the BCC and Gala Fresh. The meeting also highlighted the upcoming Tree Lighting Ceremony scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 8.

Mark Greenberg of Oceanside Direct was honored as Business Person of the Month, and Carol McParland of Superior Travel was congratulated for celebrating over 30 years in business in Baldwin.

In addition, guest speakers from the First Precinct’s Unit, Officers Vincent Colon and Dominick Padolecchia, provided tips on staying safe from theft and scams.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Crime briefS

Baldwin man arrested after altercation at polling place

A Baldwin man was arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance at an Oceanside polling station, according to a news release from the Nassau County Police Department.

Officers responded to 2852 Fortesque Ave., for a reported dispute. When they arrived, Mark Sebesta, 54, of Baldwin, who was a pollworker at Oaks Elementary School, was engaged in a verbal altercation with an unidentified man.

Police said Sebesta became aggressive

after falsely identifying himself as a law enforcement officer. He was then taken into custody and brought to a hospital “for evaluation and treatment,” the release said.

Sebesta was charged with menacing, harassment, obstructing governmental administration, and criminal impersonation.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Courtesy Nancy Capozzi

Mark Greenberg, right, was honored as the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Month.

Reporter’s notebook, the New York City Marathon

By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com

Runners are told to envision the finish line, but while training for the New York City Marathon, it was a journey in itself to get to the start.

For me, racing is less about the race, and more about the time put in leading up to it.

This go-around, in the 16 weeks I spent preparing for the New York City Marathon, very little went as planned, but I think that taught me more than a perfect training block and an ideal race day would have.

I kicked off training in mid-July with a goal-time focused plan. I was going to spend 16 weeks attempting to get faster to run a personal record.

This was different than any training I had done before, as I typically focus on completing the mileage at whatever pace feels good. I started running marathons and trained for my first because I appreciated the mental headspace running put me in, along with the individual challenge of exceeding my own expectations.

The preset paces set by my training app were hard to hit and sometimes impossible to hold.

Running in the summer heat didn’t help, and it felt like I was setting myself up for failure.

Then, as it does, life became busier. I was avoiding some of the marathon training runs that got me out of bed a year ago, preparing for my first long race. The speed training specific workouts had become a chore, and I wasn’t enjoying myself, which really disappointed me because I felt like I had disregarded the parts of running that brought me so much joy.

The combination of busier days, weather changes, and the toll on my body caught up to me, and I got sick around week 12 of training. I took some time off to recover, and I knew my longest run of the training block was at the end of week 13, a 20-miler. I wanted to complete this run to prove to myself that I could push for 20 miles, because in my head, if I could do that, I’d be able to complete the 26.2.

The run went well for the first 10 miles. The second 10 felt like a struggle from the first step. At mile 17 I needed to walk, as I truly could not go on without a break. I finished the 20 miles with a few more walk breaks, but I didn’t feel great about the run, nor did I feel great about the race.

We’ll

Natalie Mitchell Toler

as I drowned in my sorrows and told me this race was bigger than this injury. She said if I want to be a marathoner, these challenges will happen. Instead of feeling down, I needed to channel that energy into how to prepare.

Race day itself was hard, really hard. I crossed the finish line with no emotion, then later broke down in tears because of the intensity of the course.

Then, every runner’s fear occurred — I got hurt. My entire lower right leg was in pain.

What I was most upset about was the fact that I hadn’t enjoyed myself and didn’t feel the pride that I had felt going into my first marathon. I had envisioned the New York City Marathon my first World Major Marathon, to be magical, but I felt like I had such a weak training block and wouldn’t be able to soak up the energy of the day.

My mother sat me down one evening

After 24 hours, I had a bit different of a view. I remembered the feeling of being in the start village where over 50,000 runners gathered, all with the goal of completing this race, the spectators throughout the course, and the beautiful sunset in Central Park. I also remembered the walk from the finish line to my family, where they greeted me with a sign clad with photos of my late grandfather and I, who I fundraised $4,000 in honor of, for Team For Kids, the largest charity in the New York City Marathon.

In retrospect, this is all to say that as a runner and as a person, it’s important to have perspective and figure out how to shift and still accomplish goals.

It’s not always going to be easy, but I’m so glad I did it, and I can’t wait to do it again someday with the knowledge I have now.

Parker Schug/Herald

Parker Schug completed the News York City marathon in five hours and 27 minutes on Now.3.

BALDWIN HERALD — November 21, 2024

Getting the White House experience

Baldwin High School seniors recently had a chance to sit at the Resolute Desk in a life-size replica of the Oval Office during a one-of-a-kind educational excursion.

Students enrolled in the district’s career-focused courses, Senior Experience and Senior Internship, visited the White House Experience and Museum of Democracy at Long Island University’s Roosevelt School for a “Leaving2Learn” adventure.

The Baldwin district was among the first to experience this exhibit when it launched last year. The White House replica at LIU is the only one in the Northeast and one of only four in the entire country.

During the excursion, students had the opportunity to step into a variety of roles, from Secretary of Defense to Press Secretary, during a crisis simulation in the White House Situation Room. They even participated in a mock press briefing in a setting that closely resembled the real-life broadcasts seen on C-SPAN.

“Attending the White House experience at LIU gives students the opportunity to build essential decision-making skills by immersing them in real-world situations where timely and strategic

choices are crucial,” Gabriella Franza, aassistant director of instructional programs wrote in a news release. “This hands-on experience equips students to navigate complex challenges with confidence and clarity.”

Baldwin High School’s Senior Experience course, which launched last school year, offers seniors the chance to explore potential careers through hands-on, real-world learning. Students also have the option to enroll in Senior Internship, which provides further career exploration opportunities. Both courses are part of the district’s School2Career initiative, designed to empower students to take ownership of their education and prepare them for the future.

The museum’s partnership with the Museum of Democracy has made the Roosevelt School a permanent exhibition space for over a million pieces of presidential history, including the largest collection of political campaign memorabilia in the U.S. spanning from George Washington to the present day. The collection also includes artifacts related to social movements focused on freedom, democracy, civil rights, and social justice.

— Hernesto

Galdamez

Baldwin promotes

As the November presidential election was approaching, Baldwin High School took steps to engage students in the democratic process. In a joint effort between the Student Government and the Social Studies Department, the school hosted a Voter Registration Drive and launched a curriculum focused on the history and importance of voting.

The initiative, led by senior Diego Garcia and student government advisor Ursula Moorer, encouraged eligible students and staff to pre-register or register to vote in advance of the election. This gave students the opportunity to sign up on campus, ensuring they were ready to participate in the election process.

In addition to the registration drive, Baldwin High School’s social studies classes, under the guidance of

civic engagement with voter registration

Michael Butler, supervisor of social studies for grades 6 through 12, explored the significance of voting.

Students in classes taught by Tayla Plotke and Demi Spirou created infographics highlighting the importance of voting, while other social studies classes participated in various related activities.

For seniors, the initiative offered a second opportunity to register to vote directly in their social studies classrooms. With the collaboration between the Student Government and Social Studies Department, eligible students were successfully registered and pre-registered, highlighting the importance of civic engagement and inspiring all students to make their voices heard at the polls.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Courtesy Baldwin school district

Baldwin High School students from the Student Government and Social Studies Department partnered to host a Voter Registration Drive in preparation for this year’s Presidential Elections.

Courtesy Baldwin school district

Baldwin High School students traveled to Long Island University’s Roosevelt School for a ‘Leaving2Learn’ adventure by visiting a life-size replica of the Oval Office.

By Danielle Schwab & Tim Baker

James Brucia, age 5, North Massapequa

You bake it in the oven. My mom and dad go to the store and look for one with meat and bones — bigger than me! Then they bake it for one second.

How To Make A Turkey

Evangeline Lynch, age 6, Malverne

You get the turkey from the store and the store gets it from the farm. You cut it up and throw it on the stove for one hour. My dad cuts the turkey into small pieces.

Madison Sinclair, age 5, Oceanside

My mommy takes everything she needs to make a turkey like lettuce, mashed avocados, tomatoes, and carrots. You cut a hole at the top and stuff it in. We have to cut it and it will bleed like yuck!

Peter Ferrante, age 6, Valley Stream

The turkey comes from the wild. You put six butters in the turkey and then a lemon to make it juicy and onions. My mom and nana put the turkey on the stove. We eat it with potatoes and marshmallows.

Luna Cappadora, age 5, Baldwin

I would go the store and I would make a list to know what ingredients I would need. But I don’t know so I would ask my mom. Then we put it somewhere, but I don’t know where. Then it gets cooked and it gets hard. My dad eats the most turkey!

Senior Expo makes its mark in Suffolk

By Alexa Anderwkavich

Herald Community Media and RichnerLIVE successfully wrapped up the final Senior Health & Beyond Expo of 2024, presented by Stony Brook Medicine, on Nov. 3, at the Suffolk Y JCC in Commack. This free community event attracted hundreds of attendees, including seniors, families and caregivers eager to explore the latest in wellness, lifestyle enhancements and valuable health resources.

The bustling expo featured a vibrant lineup of educational vendors and interactive activities that kept spirits high throughout the day. From yoga and fitness demonstration sessions to tarot readings, the event catered to diverse interests, and even offered guests an opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping.

“It was an incredible turnout,” Amy Amato, Executive Director of Corporate Relations and Events at RichnerLIVE, said. “We are happy to bring our community-loved event to the Suffolk area, and hope to continue to bring a wealth of knowledge and fun to our senior communities Island-wide.”

One of the highlights of the day was a dynamic live performance by the Seasoned Steppers and Dazzling Divas of Ms. Senior New York America. Their energetic routines brought smiles to the crowd, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. And a performance of a number from “The Nutcracker,” by the New York Dance Company, brought a seasonal touch to the day.

Raffle drawings every half hour kept the anticipation alive, with lucky winners taking home a variety of prizes such as Floatopia gift cards, gift baskets, Natural Remedies goody bags and more, plus two grand prizes: a $250 gift card and an overnight stay for two at the Inn at Fox Hollow, in Woodbury, which included dinner, champagne, roses, chocolates and a full breakfast. Friends and families engaged with experts during panel discussions and Q&A sessions on essential topics, including financial planning, alternative medicine and estate management, gaining valuable insights to improve their well-being.

“Yet another awesome event put on by RichnerLIVE,” Host Mae Caime, RN, CEO of VIP Health Connections and Founder of aMAEzing Midlife & Beyond, said. “From tons of vendors and interactive activities to the incredible showcase from Ms. Senior New York America’s Seasoned Steppers and Dazzling Divas. I love that the audience got up and danced along with them. Truly put a smile on my face.”

Attendees received complimentary swag bags brimming with goodies, and the first 175 guests were treated to a delicious to-go lunch provided by Bagel Boss. Seated fitness demos also kept audience members’ blood pumping while the event’s presenting sponsor, Stony Brook Medicine, provided health screenings, including blood pressure and cognitive screenings.

A special thank-you goes to Stony Brook Medicine and the other program sponsors — Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Centerlight Healthcare PACE, Cona Elder Law, Clear Captions, NYSARC, Brightview Senior Living, Whisper Woods of Smithtown, the New York State Department of Public Service Long Island, Carillon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, The Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island, Branch Funeral Homes, Nassau University Medial Center, and Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk — for their crucial support. Ideal Home Care was the event’s Refreshment Sponsor, while the Suffolk Y JCC provided a welcoming venue.

The 2024 Senior Health & Beyond Expo series concluded on a high note, leaving attendees with a wealth of knowledge, resources and unforgettable memories.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Parker Jewish Public Relations Director Pablo Rendon.

Members of AARP with their therapy dog, Bailey.

Cona Elder Law attorney Melissa NegrinWiener.

Pierre Menard, of Centerlight Healthcare PACE, told guests about their services.

Opening keynote speaker Dr. Stephanie Jones, of Stony Brook Medicine Geriatrics.

Participants listened to the guest speakers.

New congestion pricing plan reduces tolls

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

New York City’s congestion pricing program is back, with a revised pricing plan, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Nov. 14. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board gave a near-unanimous green light to the updated toll program this week. The decision effectively ends a roughly five-month pause the governor abruptly announced in June, just weeks ahead of congestion pricing’s anticipated launch.

At the time, Hochul raised concerns about the financial burden the program would create on motorists.

“As I said from the start, a $15 toll was just too high in this economic climate,” she said last week. “By getting congestion pricing underway and fully supporting the MTA capital plan, we’ll unclog our streets, reduce pollution, and deliver public transit for millions of New Yorkers.”

How much will drivers pay?

Originally, regular passenger vehicles traveling south of 60th Street in Manhattan were to be charged $15 on top of the tolls already paid. That toll has now been reduced to a $9 charge, a 40 percent drop. The scale-back will save regular Manhattan commuters $1,500 per year while, overall, the program will generate an estimated $15 billion in revenue for the transit agency.

Herald file photo

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s revised congestion pricing plan lowers tolls for drivers but increases the pressure on the MTA to meet its funding goals.

While the rollout is set for January, the plan’s opponents, including the state of New Jersey and President-elect Donald Trump, are looking to block its implementation in the courts. Experts note that shelving the tolling program altogether would have left the MTA’s financial future in doubt. Because of the

pause, the agency was already facing a gaping $500 million funding hole.

But some observers are scratching their heads over what they describe as the governor’s questionable calculus — promising to deliver all of the original estimated revenue despite charging only 60 percent of the original toll.

“How does the MTA end up with $15 billion with a $9 base toll?” transportation advocate Larry Penner said. “It previously required a $15 base toll to do the same. Who did the math?”

Long Island grumbles over toll program Time and time again, transit leaders and supporters have said the tolling program will steer transportation off city streets and onto public transit, making the streets more navigable for emergency vehicles, reduce emissions, and put the largest transit system in the country on firmer financial footing.

“New Yorkers deserve cleaner air, safer streets and ambulances that can get to them without gridlock, and the governor is stepping up for them and for riders who need trains and buses to get them where they have to go…” MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said.

Nevertheless, the program remains deeply unpopular with many on Long Island. Local leaders fear that a plan designed to ease congestion in Manhattan streets could create more of it in Long Island Rail Road station parking lots. Critics also say that forking over an extra charge for doing business in the city will hurt the bottom line of Long Island trucking companies and trades workers. Large trucks and sightseeing buses are expected to pay an extra toll of roughly $22. Small trucks and non-commuter buses will be charged $14.40.

Serenade Duo draws large crowd at Baldwin Library

The Serenade Duo, composed of musicians Gerry Saulter and Michelle LaPorte, captivated an appreciative audience at Baldwin Public Library on Saturday evening, offering an intimate concert of classical and contemporary pieces.

Saulter and LaPorte’s performance showcased a blend of musical genres, with a particular focus on the rich harmonies of chamber music. The event, which attracted local music lovers, was part of the library’s ongoing cultural programming aimed at bringing high-quality musical performances to the community.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Gerry Saulter, left, and Michelle LaPorte.

Gerry Saulter performing with the guitar.

Michelle LaPorte performed the flute.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

A large showing of Baldwin Public Library patrons to listen to the Serenade Duo.

Black Friday Weekend Sale Event

Friday, November 29th

Sat, Nov. 30th: 7pm - Midnight!

Sunday, December 1st

News briefs

MSSN honors healthcare leaders at soiree under the stars

Mount Sinai South Nassau hosted its annual Soirée Under the Stars fundraising gala at The Lannin in Eisenhower Park on Nov.9. The event celebrated three outstanding honorees for their contributions to healthcare and the community while raising critical funds to support MSSN’s Cancer Programs.

Linda Armyn, President and CEO of Bethpage Federal Credit Union, was recognized as the Corporate Honoree for her leadership in Bethpage’s community initiatives, including the hospital’s Truth in Medicine public health poll. Armyn, the first woman to lead Bethpage, has played a pivotal role in the credit union’s growth and its charitable engagement across Long Island.

Dr. Shahriyour Andaz, Director of Thoracic Oncology, received the Mary Pearson Award in honor of his leadership and compassion in lung cancer care. Dr. Andaz has been at the forefront of MSSN’s efforts to combat lung cancer, embodying the highest standards of patient care.

Shaeda Alloo, a veteran respiratory therapist, was presented with the Cupola Award for her dedicated service, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her professionalism and commitment to patients have made a lasting impact on

Stefanie Bradley, Supervisor of Environmental Services sang the national anthem.

the MSSN community.

The gala featured an expanded cocktail reception, a sit-down dinner, and an evening of dancing to live music. The live auction included notable prizes, such as tickets to the 2025 Ryder Cup at the Bethpage Black golf course.

Proceeds from the evening will bolster MSSN’s Cancer Programs, further enhancing the hospital’s ability to deliver exceptional care to the Long Island community.

— Kepherd Daniel

NOW OPEN

State program could help cover the cost of utilities

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

New York state officials announced that funding is available to help low- and middle-income households and older adults manage heating expenses during the winter months through the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP. The program, which can provide up to $996 to eligible households, is now accepting applications, according to a news release on the state’s website.

“New Yorkers should not have to choose between heating their home or putting food on the table, and we’re offering critical financial assistance to protect vulnerable New York households as the weather gets colder,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

HEAP, a federally funded program, is available to households with vulnerable members, including children under 6, adults aged 60 and older, and those with disabilities. Eligibility is determined by factors such as income, household size, and heating needs. For example, a family of four with a gross monthly income of $6,390, or an annual income of $76,681, may qualify — marking a significant increase from last year’s maximum of a monthly gross income of $5,838, and an annual gross income of $70,059.

bills this winter,” Barbara Guinn, commissioner of the state’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, said. “HEAP is a lifeline for low-income working families and older adults on a fixed income and also provides financial support to ensure those in emergency situations can keep the heat on and keep their homes warm during the cold winter months.”

Last year, over 84,000 Long Islanders, and just under 990,000 New York City residents, benefited from the HEAP program.

HEAP also offers heating equipment repair or replacement benefits, allowing up to $4,000 for repairs and $8,000 for replacements. Homeowners may also apply for a heating equipment clean and tune benefit, covering maintenance services like chimney cleaning and carbon monoxide detector installation.

The energy assistance program for heating complements other state programs designed to help low- and middle-income New Yorkers, such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s EmPower+ program, which provides low energy efficiency services to HEAP-eligible homeowners and renters, such as comprehensive home energy assessments that help determine plans for lower home energy usage.

Eligible households can receive one HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for up to two Emergency HEAP benefits, if they are in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off. Applications for HEAP benefits are now being accepted, while applications for Emergency HEAP benefits open Jan. 2, 2025.

New Yorkers can apply at NY.gov/Heat, at local social service offices, or through the mail. Older adults needing assistance can contact a local aging office or call (800) 342-9871.

“HEAP provides essential financial assistance that will help hundreds of thousands of low and moderate-income households in New York pay their energy

Laurie Wheelock, the executive director of the Public Utility Law Project of New York, a nonprofit organization that advocates for consumer protection, affordability and universal services for utility and energy related-sources, urged low- to middle-income New Yorkers to learn more about HEAP.

“No family should have to make the financially difficult decision between paying their heating bill or going without other necessities, like food and medicine,” she said in a state release. “HEAP can help by offering immediate financial relief to help you pay your heating bill.”

To learn more about the program, and for links to apply, visit Governor.NY.gov/ news.

GOV. KAthy hOchuL

Tim Baker/Herald

STEPPING OUT

A very merry celebration at UBS Arena

Explore Christmas magic with festive films and seasonal wonders at the first Great American Family Christmas Festival

By Danielle Schwab

‘Tis the season: so let’s get jolly! UBS Arena’s Northwell Park is just the place to do so — with a visit to the inaugural Great American Family Christmas Festival, now through Jan. 5.

Great American Media is partnering with UBS Arena and the New York Islanders to bring Christmas joy to new heights at what is one of the largest experiential holiday festivals in the country, according to the creative team.

It involves holiday movie world premieres, traditional Christmas tree lightings nightly, TikTokworthy holiday experiences throughout — an immersive experience for the entire family. Also meet the stars of Great American Christmas movies, weekends, along with film screenings, Q&As, panels, and scheduled photo ops.

“Over the past decade, my team and I have envisioned a Christmas festival that will attract people and offer fans a chance to meet the stars of our movies and immerse themselves in a oneof-a-kind festive experience,” Great American Media President-CEO Bill Abbott says.

With almost 100 Christmas movies produced, Great American’s Christmas franchise has warmed the hearts of audiences since its start in 2021.

“Our Christmas movies are all about an experience,” Abbott notes.

The ‘experience’ has now evolved from the screen to a fully immersive event.

“You think about what you do as a family between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and there really isn’t a lot to do. So we wanted to create that experience — when you walk in, you smell, see and feel Christmas,” he explains. “It’s a dream come true on so many levels.”

Visitors will find an ideal winter wonderland filled with five whimsical villages to explore, each offering numerous activities for all ages.

Start your journey by walking through Candy Cane Lane’s red and white arches, where you can snap some stylish “eflies” (Christmas selfies!) to add to the family Christmas album.

Next, you might want to head over to Santa’s Craft Village, where you can create personalized decorations — wreaths, holly and ornaments — to ‘deck the halls.’ Or even craft a do-it-yourself gift for someone special.

If you’re in the mood to skate, you don’t have to be on the Islanders to enjoy the rink at Frosty’s Frozen Skate. And when you need a break after gliding on the sparkling ice, cozy up at one of the fire pits nearby to chase away the chill.

The holidays always involve food, of course, and you’ll find all sorts of treats at the Eat, Drink, and Be Merry Village. Indulge in such classics as hot chocolate, giant candy canes, and gooey s’mores with peppermint twists. The village also offers private rentals of VIP igloos and firepits, by the way, creating an inviting atmosphere for corporate entertaining and socializing.

Much like Rudolph’s red nose, Rudolph’s Main Stage is a bright beacon, where the festival “community” gathers. Sing along to Christmas carols at “Carol-oke” or cheer on participants in the Ugly Sweater Contest. To add even more merriment to your day, screenings of 18 new Christmas films will be featured along with in-person meet-and-greets with many of the stars. Among the movies, don’t miss “Home Sweet Christmas,” premiering on Nov. 23. It follows childhood friends — Sam and Sophie — who are brought back together by the unexpected shared ownership of a charming tree farm.

“This is a beautiful, sweet story. It’s about long-lost love that’s reconnected. It’s about second

• Now through Jan. 5

• Tickets start at $15, with varied ticket packages available

• Go to greatamericanfamily christmasfestival.com to purchase tickets and for more information

• Northwell Park at UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont

chances at life, and it’s about the magic and mystery of Christmas,” says Cameron Mathison, who stars as Sam.

His co-star, Candace Cameron Bure is no stranger to Christmas film magic either.

“It’s such a beautiful genre that I have been lucky enough to be a part of since it really took off,” Bure says.“People come to love these Christmas movies, and they tune in year after year. There’s something so comforting about them, and it’s a time you can gather with your family and just be together.”

Guests can join the festivities with Bure and Mathison during opening weekend. Other star appearances include husband-and-wife duo Mario and Courtney Lopez. Be sure to check the website for a complete list of all special guests and their scheduled appearance.

And, naturally, the holiday celebration wouldn’t be complete without a bright and beautiful Christmas tree lighting ceremony, when Candace Cameron Bure will help usher in the festive season at the first lighting.

“For us, being involved in a project like this, and having the opportunity to put on something with partners who care so deeply is just fantastic,” Abbott says enthusiastically.

“And in New York. There’s no place like Christmas in New York.”

Whether you are going to take in the movies, meet the stars, or enjoy some family activities, the festival invites everyone to live their own Christmas story.

“What I’m most excited about is the essence of it. You’re almost in your own little version of a Great American Christmas movie,” Mathison adds.“You’re engulfed in Christmas.”

And who knows? While there, perhaps you’ll find your very own Christmas miracle.

Songbird

Experience the sensational voice of Karine Hannah as she brings “Songbird: The Singular Tribute to Barbra Streisand” to life. Her musical palette and vocal capabilities are wide and varied, but her passion for singing and performing Streisand’s music has been her signature and staple since childhood. Accompanied by her band Water Colors she delivers Streisand’s hits with emotional depth and authenticity. From her humorous and bawdy onstage banter to her breathtaking renditions of timeless classics, Hannah’s tribute is more than just a concert; it’s a heartfelt celebration of Streisand’s enduring legacy. As Karine reimagines Streisand’s beloved songs, you’ll be transported through decades of unforgettable music, filled with the passion and artistry that have made Streisand a living legend.

Saturday, Nov. 23, 8 p.m. $54. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

The Weight Band

The Weight Band — helmed by by Jim Weider, a 15-year former member of The Band, who replaced Robbie Robertson — pays tribute to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ensemble’s timeless and enduring 1968 album “Music from Big Pink,” on the Paramount stage. Named for the classic The Band song “The Weight,” The Weight showcases the album in its entirety, along with outtakes and other favorites by The Band. The concert also include cuts from their latest album “Shines Like Gold,” a dynamic set of classic Americana that draws upon roadhouse rock, funky swamp pop, blues, country soul, and folk music. Drummer Levon Helm urged Weider to launch The Weight Band in 2013, as a vehicle for carrying onThe Band’s musical legacy.

Sunday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m. $45, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

CourtesyUBS Arena/Dennis DaSilva

Unwrap some holiday cheer and immerse yourself in the wonders of the season at UBS Arena’s festive extravaganza.

Courtesy Great American Family

Screen a movie at the festival with the film’s stars.

“Home Sweet Christmas” kicks off the film schedule with Cameron Mathison and Candace Cameron Bure.

THE Your Neighborhood

Dark Star Orchestra

The Grateful Dead have been resurrected in the form of Dark Star Orchestra. The band brings its Fall tour to the Paramount stage, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30, t 8 p.m. Formed in 1997, this tribute band came up with the novel idea of recreating complete sets from The Grateful Dead’s gigantic list of concerts. They adapt their playing and sound depending on what era of Dead they’re tackling on the night, and while they slavishly recreate the sound of the band down to the minutest detail, they also embark on epic improvisations that would make their heroes proud. Performing to critical acclaim for over 3,100 shows, DSO continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. Their shows are built off the Dead’s extensive catalog and the talent of these seven fine musicians.

On any given night, the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. This allows fans both young and old to share in the experience. By recreating set lists from the past, and by developing their own sets of Dead songs, DSO offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra’s members seek out each era’s unique style and sound while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations. DSO offers much more than the sound of the Grateful Dead, they truly encapsulate the energy and the experience. It’s about a sense of familiarity. It’s about a feeling that grabs listeners and takes over. It’s about that contagious energy — in short, it’s about the complete experience and consistent quality that fans enjoy. $99.50, $69.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Let’s Talk Turkey

Long Island Children’s Museum is gearing up for Thanksgiving, Sunday, Nov. 24, 1-4 p.m. As Thanksgiving is approaching, get ready by creating a colorful turkey, at the drop-in program. Take your terrific turkey home to adorn your Thanksgiving table. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Visit LICM.org or call (516) 224-5800 for more information.

Movie matinee

Bring the family to enjoy a movie on Baldwin Public Library’s big screen. Sit back and watch everyone’s favorite cat, in “The Garfield Movie,” Friday, Nov. 29, 1 p.m. Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, scruffy street-cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson), Garfield and Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, highstakes heist. For more information, call (516) 223-6228 or visit baldwinpl.org. 2385 Grand Ave.

Tea time

The festive season is underway at Old Westbury Gardens. Enjoy a cream tea (featuring scones, Devonshire cream, assorted sweets, and tea), then a guided tour of decorated Westbury House, Tuesday, dec. 3, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.; Wednesday, dec. 4, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.; Thursday, dec. 5, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. $22.50 per person. Advance registration suggested. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

Dance Baldwin

Haitian Dance

Explore and celebrate Haitian culture at Baldwin Public Library, Jessica St. Vil-Ulysse and teaches traditional Haitian dance Thursday, Nov. 21 and Dec. 5, 7-8 p.m., part of a dance class series. Register in person at the Adult Reference Desk, by calling (516) 223-6228, Ext. 145 or visit baldwinpl.org. 2385 Grand Ave.

Let’s Skate

Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, through Jan. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades. Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Holiday Tales At The Hearth

Visit Sands Point Preserve’s Hempstead House and join in the holiday cheer, Sunday, Dec. 8, 1-4 p.m. The familyfriendly event includes activities for all ages. Meet and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy jazz and holiday music with Port Jazz Project, along with seasonal crafts, Dreidel Corner, “nutty” holiday scavenger hunt, reading nook with holiday and winter stories, and puppet shows with Wonderspark Puppets at 2 and 3 p.m. 127 Middle Neck Road. Admission is $40/car, members; $45/car nonmembers, includes parking. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.

Having an event?

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues Saturday, Nov. 23, 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.

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

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.

It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

In concert

Plaza Theatricals’ welcomes everyone to a “Motown Holiday Dance Party,” Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m. Celebrate the holidays in true Motown style. Enjoy a sensational afternoon of soulful tunes, joyful dancing, and nostalgic vibes at the electrifying concert. Get ready to groove, spread the festive cheer and make unforgettable memories. See the show at 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

The Baldwin Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to the festive Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Sunday Dec. 8, 3:30-5 p.m., at the Baldwin Historical Society. Enjoy live performances, pony rides, and a special visit from Santa! 1980 Grand Ave.

8pm

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, vs. LUTHER NICHOLAS A/K/A LUTHER M. NICHOLAS, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confrming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 31, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 4, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 896 School Drive, North Baldwin a/k/a Baldwin, NY 11510.

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 36, Block 508 and Lot 15. Approximate amount of judgment is $281,125.47 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #612280/2022. Cash will not be accepted.

Melissa D. Mohan, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 149700

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY, Plaintiff AGAINST JEAN RENE DEVIS AKA JEAN-RENÉ DEVIS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 09, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 11, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1844 Browning Street, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 36, Block 413, Lot 364, 365. Approximate amount of judgment $442,503.81 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #001531/2017. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in

accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Oscar Prieto, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 16-006526 82878 149791

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR MFRA TRUST 2014-2, Plaintiff, vs. MAUDLYN DIXON, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confrming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 31, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 764 Allwyn Street, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 575 and Lot 11. Approximate amount of judgment is $400,108.55 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #614087/2019. Mary Ellen Divone, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 171801-2 149990

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR LEHMAN XS TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-3,

-againstMARIO MARROQUIN, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Offce of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on November 8, 2023, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR LEHMAN XS TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-3 is the Plaintiff and MARIO MARROQUIN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on December 17, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 678 BALDWIN AVENUE, BALDWIN, NY 11510; and the following tax map identifcation: 54-30-186. 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, STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index No.: 608039/2017. Mark S. Ricciardi, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 149983

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking on Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 10th day of December, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor

vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations:

BALDWIN

HOWARD PLACE - west side, starting at a point 41 feet north of the north curbline of Stanton Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-436/24)

BELLEROSE TERRACE 239th STREET - west side, starting at a point 64 feet north of the north curbline of Superior Road, north for a distance of 15 feet.

(TH-432/24)

ELMONT

BLACKSTONE STREETnorth side, starting at a point 48 feet east of the east curbline of Gotham Avenue, east for a distance of 19 feet.

(TH-375(B)/24)

BELMONT BOULEVARDeast side, starting at a point 293 feet north of the north curbline of Rosalind Avenue, north for a distance of 18 feet.

(TH-446/24)

JACOB STREET - east side, starting at a point 122 feet south of the south curbline of Rosalind Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-465/24)

LANGDON STREET - north side, starting at a point 37 feet east of the east curbline of Clement Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-461/24)

FRANKLIN SQUARE HERMAN AVENUE - south side, starting at a point 188 feet west of the west curbline of Birch Street, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-507/24)

GARDEN CITY SOUTH

WELLINGTON ROAD

SOUTH - west side, starting at a point 45 feet south of the south curbline of Terrace Avenue, south for a distance of 18 feet.

(Tha-457/24)

LEVITTOWN

BLUE GRASS LANE - north side, starting at a point 120 feet east of the east curbline of Shelter Lane, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(485/24)

ROOSEVELT

EAST RAYMOND AVENUE

- north side, starting at a point 321 feet east of the east curbline of Nassau Road, east for a distance of 18 feet.

(TH-472/24)

(NR)VALLEY STREAM

DeWITT STREET - east side, starting at a point 66 feet south of the south curbline of Oliver Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-439/24) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:

(NR) LAWRENCE

WEST AVENUE - west side, starting at a point

30 feet north of a point opposite the north curbline of North Street, north for a distance of 18 feet.

(TH-121/12 - 7/10/12)

(TH-473/24)

SEAFORD

HICKORY STREET - north side, starting at a point 310 feet west of the west curbline of Jackson Avenue, west for a distance of 14 feet.

(TH-322/21 - 9/23/21)

(TH-495/24)

WEST HEMPSTEAD

PARK AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 162 feet north of Lincoln Place, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-493/02 - 12/03/02)

(TH-499/24) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: November 19, 2024

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARDOF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor

KATE MURRAY 150092

VIRGINIA DRIVE (TH 440/24) North Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Robert Avenue, east for a distance of 30 feet.

ROBERT AVENUE (TH 440/24) West Side -NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Virginia Drive, north for a distance of 49 feet.

ROBERT AVENUE (TH 440/24) East Side - NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Robert Avenue, north for a distance of 30 feet.

LUCILLE AVENUE (TH 475/24) West Side -NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Russell Street, north for a distance of 30 feet.

LUCILLE AVENUE (TH 475/24) East Side - NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from thenorth curbline of Russell Street, north for a distance of 30 feet.

RUSSELL STREET (TH 475/24) North Side - NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Lucille Avenue, east for a distance of 30 feet.

FRANKLIN SQUARE

LUCILLE AVENUE (TH 498/24) East Side - NO

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 10th day of December, 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 492/24) South Side -NO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 238 feet east of the east curbline of Walnut Street, then east for a distance of 30 feet.

BELLMORE

ROYLE STREET (TH 452/24) North Side - NO

PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 22 feet west of the west curbline of Bellmore Avenue, then west for a distance of 78 feet.

ROYLE STREET (TH 452/24) North Side - NO

PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 286 feet west of the west curbline of Bellmore Avenue, then west for a distance of 518 feet.

ELMONT

JERUSALEM AVENUE (TH 501/24) North Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the west curbline of Tadmor Street, west for a distance of 30 feet.

OCEANSIDE LAWSON BOULEVARD (TH 450/24) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the north curbline of Weidner Avenue, north for a distance of 52 feet.

ROOSEVELT HENRY STREET (TH 438/24) North Side - NO PARKING ANYTIME - starting at a point 97 feet east of the east curbline of Brookside Avenue, then east for a distance of 25 feet.

SEAFORD

OCEAN AVENUE (TH 444/24) East Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Somerset Drive, south for a distance of 30 feet.

the curvature of the road to the south curbline of Birch Street.

(Adopted 12/5/72)

LEVITTOWN HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE (TH 334/24) North SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 175 feet east of the east curbline of Loring Road, east for a distance of 56 feet.

(Adopted 9/4/24)

NORTH MERRICK JERUSALEM AVENUE (TH 235/80) North Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the west curbline of Tadmor Street, west for a distance of 15 feet.

(Adopted 7/22/80) UNIONDALE WARWICK STREET (TH 263/16) North Side - NO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at the termination of the dead end, then west for a distance of 88 feet.

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Russell Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.

RUSSELL STREET (TH 498/24) South Side -NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Lucille Avenue, east for a distance of 22 feet.

HERMAN AVENUE (TH 507/24) South Side - NO PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 12 feet west of the west curbline of Birch Street then west for a distance of 176 feet.

HERMAN AVENUE (TH 507/24) South Side - NO

PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 208 feet west of the west curbline of Birch Street then west to the east curbline of Hewlett Street.

HEWLETT EAST ROCKAWAY ROAD (TH 435(B)/24) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Milbar Heath then east for a distance of 60 feet.

LEVITTOWN HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE NORTHSIDE MARGINAL ROAD(TH 334(B)/24)North SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 175 feet east of the east curbline of Loring Road, east for a distance of 56 feet.

NORTH BELLMORE BELLMORE ROAD (TH 402(B)/24) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 22 feet south of the south curbline of McKinley Avenue, south for a distance of 48 feet.

NORTH MERRICK

OCEAN AVENUE (TH 444/24) East Side - NO PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 30 feet south of the south curbline of Somerset Drive, south to a point 30 feet north of the north curbline of Naomi Street. (NR)VALLEY STREAM ROSEDALE ROAD (TH 460/24) North Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Laurel Hill Drive, then east for a distance of 45 feet.

ROSEDALE ROAD (TH 460/24) North Side - NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the west curbline of Laurel Hill Drive, then west for a distance of 50 feet.

WOODMERE

NORMAN WAY (TH 511/24) West Side - NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Carol Avenue north for a distance of 40 feet.

NORMAN WAY (TH 511/24) East Side - NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Carol Avenue north for a distance of 38 feet.

ALSO, to REPEAL from Section 202-1 “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” from 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, then east for a distance of 25 feet.

(Adopted 9/17/24) BELLMORE ROYLE STREET (TH 175/92) North Side -NO PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at the west curbline of Bellmore Avenue, west to a point 140 feet east of the east curbline of Bedford Avenue.

(Adopted 10/27/92) FRANKLIN SQUARE HERMAN AVENUE (TH 427/72) South Side - NO

PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at the east curbline of Hewlett Avenue, east following

(Adopted 9/20/16) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid. Dated: November 19, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARDOF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 150085

Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460

E-mail your ad to:

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department.

Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

DELI COUNTER HELP: Overnight Position 10pm-6am/ 2pm-10pm/ All Shifts. Experienced Preferred. Oceanside 24Hr. Bagel 516-678-7070

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

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 jbessen@liherald.com

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

HBCI SUPERVISOR FT: Seeking LCSW or LMSW for Crisis Intervention Program, Cedarhurst NY. 3+ yr exp, Supervision exp. $80K Annually + benefits Claufer@hamaspikkings.org 516-875-8400 x144

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

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.

A town complicates the permitting procedure

Stunning New Construction

Q. We want to add a bathroom on our second floor, where there is currently only a half bath. We bought the house a few months ago, and want to make things right with a baby on the way. We interviewed a couple of contractors, both of whom told us that they can do the job but don’t want to get permits. The architect we spoke with warned us that it may take longer, and his fees may be much higher, because the town we live in has greatly increased the amount of work that needs to be done to get a permit. I’m sure you recommend getting a permit, but what can we really anticipate? We really need to get this done.

A. The contractors and the architect are correct. Your town went from what may have been a simpler process to a much more involved one. It isn’t unusual for them to require plans of the entire home when all you want to do is a bathroom.

The typical scenario starts with calling the architect, who stops by and looks at what you want to do. You discuss with them the possible locations for the tub or shower, the toilet and sink, and where pipes will need to run for code compliance and to logically drain properly. The roof must also be looked at, to avoid putting the vent stack too close to a valley in the roof or an upper window or wall.

Estate

WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

VALLEY STREAM: 2 BR, EIK, LR, DR, Parking, References, Credit Check,1 Month Security, 1 Month Rent. $2500 All. 516-428-5777

The plans used to be of the area where the bathroom was going, including the adjacent rooms and hallway access. At that point, the plans typically showed where smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are located, all for your safety. The architect will set up an agreement and time to measure, set up the plans over a time period based on their workload, and prepare the paperwork to submit.

An application fee is charged when the plans are filed and, once filed, they are assigned a reviewer and a number. At that point, depending on the reviewer’s concerns about the rest of the house, they may decide that more information is necessary. No matter what experience your architect has, they know there are an endless number of things that can be asked for. It has become common for reviewers to ask for entire house plans, when only the floor area where the bathroom is to be is necessary, above and below.

Often, the architect, anticipating what can be asked for, provides more than in the past, mainly to try to keep the process flowing and to get you to the point of a permit. The basic requirements in the drawings can sometimes be much more than was ever on any checklist, and can include direct quotes of code notes, for example. One examiner asked to have notes removed after another demanded to see them, so there is a perceived randomness to the process as well. Your architect can help you through this. Good luck!

© 2024 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes,

IKEA SOLID OAK: Unassembled, Media Cabinets, New in Box: DVD, CD VCR $50 each. 516-486-7941

Cable/TV/Wiring

DISH

+ Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

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

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Home Improvement

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076

CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641

Miscellaneous

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391

Plumbing

PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES!

Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. Family Plumbing. 516-599-1011.

Telephone Services

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

Tree Services

FRANCISCO'S TREE SERVICE AND LANDSCAPING: Tree Removal, Stumps, Fertilization, Planting, Land Clearing, Topping. Free Estimates. Lic# H206773000. Office 516-546-4971, Cell 516-852-5415

HErald Crossword Puzzle

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Health & Fitness

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719

Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582

HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060

Legal Services

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider

Telecommunications

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803

Deals on Wheels

opinions Trump makes the comeback of all comebacks

Donald Trump’s overwhelming victory in the presidential contest marked the most astonishing comeback in American political history, and a dramatic realignment of political coalition forces.

Only one previous president, Grover Cleveland, in the 19th century, was re-elected after being defeated in a bid for a second consecutive term. And no president, of course, has been elected after being indicted in state and federal courts, found guilty of multiple felonies in one of those cases, and found liable in a number of civil cases. Bottom line: There has never been a president like Donald Trump.

He has beaten the odds at every juncture since making his famous descent down the Trump Tower escalator in 2015. He was thought to have no chance to make it through the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, never mind win the nomination. And once he was the

president-elect Donald Trump issued a number of warnings during his successful campaign to return to the White House. He talked about exacting retribution against anyone who opposed him or had the temerity to alert the public about his positions. But the most significant statement that should have been given a warning label was Trump’s pledge to give Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a significant role in the nation’s health agencies. He is now Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services. As a general rule, winning candidates have every right to reward supporters with cabinet position, but the possibility of giving RFK Jr. the authority to tell Americans what vaccines you can give your children or the medications you can give your elderly parents was not on the ballot this year. Respected scientists across the nation have been warning the public for years about the numerous conspira-

nominee, the main topic of debate was how large his landslide defeat would be.

Then, after his entirely unexpected election in 2016, he had to overcome a baseless but debilitating Russia collusion investigation and two impeachment trials. His refusal to accept his 2020 defeat, and his irresponsible delay in denouncing the Jan. 6 criminal riot at the U.S. Capitol, were thought by friend and foe to have ended his political career.

counties. The last Republican presidential nominee to do that was George H.W. Bush in 1988.

He was the frst Republican to win the popular vote on L.I. since 1988.

Yet Trump re-emerged, a political Lazarus, and reclaimed by free and open balloting the highest office in the land and the most powerful position in the world. And it was a solid, overwhelming victory, considerably more impressive than his 2016 Electoral College win, in which he had razor-thin margins in key states, aided by votes siphoned from Hillary Clinton by third-party fringe candidates. In this year’s election he had solid vote margins in all of the battleground states, and was the first Republican to win the popular vote since George W. Bush in 2004.

Here on Long Island, Trump won the popular vote in Nassau and Suffolk

While I have had differences with the president-elect, I strongly supported his candidacy this year, just as I supported so much of his agenda when I was in Congress during his first term. Despite the almost constant swirl of controversy around him for those four years, his significant accomplishments included making the United States energy-independent, crushing ISIS and its Islamist caliphate, keeping us out of foreign wars, preventing aggression by Russia and China, expanding our economy, keeping inflation below 2 percent, making our southern border more secure than at any time in decades, and brokering the Abraham Accords with Israel and its Arab neighbors. The Biden-Harris record was the opposite in almost every regard, as reflected in its unfavorable ratings, mired in the high 50s.

Trump also tapped into the alienation felt by increasing numbers of Americans, who turned against progressive policies of open borders, cash-

Beware of RFK Jr. in D.C.

cy theories that RFK Jr. has spread that inflame public opinion. At the height of the coronavirus outbreak, then President Trump initiated Operation Warp Speed to make vaccines available for public use. At the same time, RFK Jr. was warning the public of the dangers of those vaccines.

T his promoter of conspiracies is the wrong choice for our health agencies.

An example of his antivaccine mistakes was the 2019 measles outbreak on the island of Samoa. In 2018, two children had died from a vaccine mixup, and RFK Jr. met with leading Samoan antivaxxers a few months before the outbreak, and they began to warn the public about the danger of taking any measles vaccinations. Following that meeting, the measles vaccination rate dropped from 60 percent to 31 percent.

Afraid to take the vaccine, island residents reported 83 deaths from measles, many of them young children. A year later, RFK Jr. labeled a leading Samoan anti-vaxxer a “medical freedom hero.” In spite of that outbreak, which he denied being involved in, he has subsequently traveled around the United States insisting that vaccines are causing a “holocaust.”

I have crossed paths with Kennedy

less bail, anti-police bias, defunding the police, high inflation and increased gas and grocery prices. This caused traditional allies such as the Teamsters, hardhat construction unions and growing numbers of African-Americans and Hispanics to turn away from the Democratic leadership of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Donald Trump and I grew up in Queens at the same time. Though Sunnyside and Jamaica Estates were in very different social strata, Trump definitely has working-class attitudes, and speaks the language of neighborhood families and values. As he prepares for his second term as president, he is uniquely positioned to restructure American politics and society to focus on greater empowerment for people who work hard, strive to live in safe communities and have endless belief in America’s exceptionalism. They believe that it isn’t racist or biased to prevent illegal immigrants from crossing our borders or to stand with the police. They are and will be integral allies of the 47th president as he strives to make America even greater.

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

in the past. He was the chair of Riverkeeper, an environmental advocacy organization whose principal cause was its opposition to the Indian Point Energy Center, a nuclear-energy facility in Westchester County. Although he is an environmental attorney, he is not a scientist. During the battle to shut the plant down, he made numerous unsupported scientific claims about the facility, which were challenged frequently by its owners.

Because Kennedy has spread so many conspiracy theories, it is hard to pick his most outlandish claims. In 2006, in a Rolling Stone interview, he said he was “convinced that fraud during the 2004 presidential election allowed President George W. Bush to steal victory from Democrat John Kerry.” He asserted that Republicans had “mounted a massive, coordinated campaign to subvert the will of the people” and ensure Bush’s re-election. He claimed that “350,000 voters in Ohio were prevented from casting their ballots,” which turned out to be a glitch in the machines that was corrected.

Another of Kennedy’s conspiracy theories was his past insistence on the

innocence of his father’s murderer. On Dec. 8, 2021, Kennedy published an op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle that claimed that Sirhan Sirhan was innocent and should be released from prison. On subsequent occasions, Kennedy supported Sirhan’s release from prison despite the unanimous opposition from the Kennedy family, including his mother, Ethel.

To give you an idea of what could occur if RFK Jr. is confirmed as secretary of HHS, it’s important to understand the powers of that cabinet position. RFK Jr. would be in charge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health.

It should be noted that Kennedy has never held any government position, and his main claim to fame is that he is a member of a family that has been nothing less than a political dynasty. Hopefully, Congress will recognize the dangers of giving him such a major role in Washington.

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

JERRY

Incorporating

Hernesto Galdamez Editor

Multi

Multi

micHelle auclair

nicole WelcH

2 Endo Boulevard

Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax: (516) 569-4942

Web: www.liherald.com

E-mail: baldwineditor@liherald.com

Seditorial

Shop local Nov. 30 — and every day

mall Business Saturday is Nov.

30. Created in 2010, this annual date is both a celebration and a promotion, dedicated to supporting mom-and-pop businesses and encouraging consumers to shop locally. There are few more significant dates on the calendar to show your support of local enterprises, because whether it’s the central shopping area of one of Long Island’s villages or the multitude of strip malls that dot the Nassau and Suffolk County landscapes, small businesses are the backbone of our communities.

They are more than just storefronts or online shops — they are deeply embedded in the fabric of our towns. They are owned and operated by neighbors, friends and families that have a vested interest in the well-being of their neighborhoods.

Yet despite the critical role they play in the local, regional and national economy, small businesses often struggle to compete against larger stores. As consumers, we must recognize their importance and actively support them to ensure not only their survival, but their success.

Small businesses are significant drivers of local economic activity, making up 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses and accounting for nearly half of the country’s workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

letterS

Despairing? Avoid the ‘cacophony’ of the internet.

To the Editor:

Re Herald columnists Scott M. Davis (“A call for tolerance amid the acrimony”) and Will Sheeline (“What comes next? How about our neglected unity?”) and letter writer Mireille Taub (“Not giving in to ‘our season of despair’”) in last week’s issue:

For Mr. Davis, the first task is “tamping down the divisive rhetoric.” Mr. Sheeline notes the need “to heal the nation’s wounds,” and Ms. Taub feels “abandoned,” in need of a “torch” to illuminate the path to civility. Those of us who agree must realize that an opposition exists who promote divisive rhetoric for fun and profit, and who benefit from our open wounds and prefer treating them with salt rather than salve.

Among things to avoid are the cacophony of X, the empty “just askin’” stylists. Forgo the entertainments of online shouters and shills, for

Approximately 50 percent of our country’s gross domestic product is created by small businesses.

When you shop at a local boutique or dine at an independently owned restaurant, more of your money stays in the community. Studies show that roughly 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business remains in the local economy, and every dollar spent at a small business creates an additional 50 cents of local economic activity. This “local multiplier effect” supports other businesses, schools, public services and infrastructure, creating a virtuous cycle of economic growth.

Small businesses also bring diversity and innovation to the marketplace. Unlike big-box stores, which often rely on standardized products and services, small businesses can adapt quickly to the unique needs and preferences of community members. They can experiment with new ideas, foster creativity and offer personalized customer service that large chains simply cannot replicate. This adaptability not only benefits consumers but also encourages healthy competition, pushing more businesses to strive for excellence.

Small businesses enrich our lives by providing a sense of identity and authenticity. Walk down the main street of any village and you’ll find unique shops, eateries and services that reflect the culture, history and per-

sonality of the area. These businesses distinguish one community from another, creating vibrant destinations where people want to live, work and visit.

Shopping at a local store instead of a large retailer, ordering from a familyowned restaurant, and posting positive reviews online are small but meaningful ways to show support. Attending farmers markets, artisan fairs and community events also help small businesses. Voting for your favorite small business for a Herald Long Island Choice Award is another small gesture to acknowledge these shops; you can vote at LIChoiceAwards.com.

Local, state and federal government have and must continue to play a crucial role in fostering an environment in which small businesses can succeed. Small businesses need more tax incentives, affordable loan programs and streamlined regulations to alleviate the burdens their owners face, especially in light of high property taxes, inflation and competition from online retailers. We hope our elected officials embrace creative solutions to ensure that Long Island’s local stores can thrive.

Supporting your favorite small business doesn’t require a big effort — simple actions can have a profound impact. We urge you to shop at your local small businesses not only next Saturday, but every day of the year.

opinions Fentanyl is taking too many lives

the other day, i was browsing my linkedin feed and came across an illustration that caught my eye. There were three glass jars, all the same size, each containing a black ball. The first jar’s ball filled the jar. The second jar’s ball was smaller, and the third was tiny. A caption read, “People tend to believe that grief shrinks over time.”

Underneath was another set of jars, increasing from small to large. This time the balls were the same size, filling the first jar entirely, and as the jars grew larger, it was as if the jar was growing around the ball. The caption read, “What really happens is that we grow around our grief.”

Grief is universal. Some grieve when a favorite restaurant closes, while others mourn a pet or a relationship. But what about a parent grieving the loss of a child? As a father of two daughters, i can’t fathom losing one of them. The thought gives me a pit in my stomach. i can only imagine the pain becoming part of me, like an organ or an appendage. in theory, i agree with the illustra-

tion’s message. it offers context to the unfathomable. But what if your child were murdered? Would that change things? What if the murder were preventable? i hope to never find out. Unfortunately, it’s a reality for many families, especially because of fentanyl.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of fentanyl. Most likely, you know someone who has died from it or has been affected in some way. Kids are dying, and families are being torn apart. you might be mistaken if you think it’s not happening in your neighborhood.

iHere are some sobering facts from the cDc:

■ Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.

■ in 2022, it caused more than 73,800 preventable deaths.

n my years of recovery work, I’ve attended too many wakes and funerals.

Many associate overdoses with rock stars or homeless junkies, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. your child doesn’t need to be a drug addict to die from fentanyl poisoning — it’s everywhere. complacency is fentanyl’s greatest ally. it’s being found in drugs like marijuana. Unless drugs are prescribed by a doctor or come from a reputable dispensary, you’re playing Russian roulette.

consider that scene in “The Deer Hunter”: your child is christopher Walken, the gun he’s holding to his head is the party your child is attending, and the lone bullet is that Xanax laced with fentanyl that they’re trying for the first time.

Letters

their game is rant, not repair. Realize there is now an economic sector of agitprop “influencers” whose income stream derives from clicks, experienced in the provocation of internet duels, ad hominem insult and scaremongering. To respond is to feed the opposition.

One example of the opposition’s subtle damage is the new version of “Snow White,” with multi-racial dwarves. The ever-ready right-wing trolls howled over this blasphemy. One of them, Benny Johnson, declared that it signified “a nation in decline.” Johnson gets clicks, and hopes that his “owning the libs” provokes many more.

Don’t fall for it. Rather, discover and share more sober, solution- oriented sources of information, for that is the only “torch” available. Help carry it by supporting organizations that seek the path of unity, provide the bandages and shun divisive rhetoric. A place to start: Make sure that all Americans can continue to share the simple childhood fantasy of “Snow White” and its dwarves, without the trolls.

BRiAn Kelly Rockville Centre

Voting is easy in New York, but elsewhere?

To the editor:

i thought i lived in a democracy, where every voice is heard. When voting in n ew york state, no i D is required when you show up at the polls. i f for some reason you are asked for proof of residency — maybe you registered to vote and left out the number on your driver’s license — all you need to do is come back with a gas or electric bill with your name and address.

Quite a few states, however, require a photo iD when you vote. The most common way to comply would be with your driver’s license. Unfortunately, people with limited incomes may not have a car or be able to afford another form of photo i D. you also may need proof of your birth date with a birth certificate. if you’ve lost or misplaced yours, you need to pay for a legal copy.

All of these hurdles can be used to suppress voting in regions where the governing party would rather not have you vote. We should all be able to fulfill our democratic responsibility, and not have to jump through hoops to do it.

JAy BlAcKMAn East Meadow

■ Accidental overdose is now the second-leading cause of death among young people.

in Texas, law enforcement has seized over 505 million lethal doses of fentanyl. That’s enough to kill every person in the U.S. it’s simple math: Fentanyl = death.

in my profession, i facilitate free narcan training. narcan reverses opioid overdoses. it saves lives.

People often ask, “Why would a drug dealer want to kill their clients?” The answer is simple: fentanyl is cheap and highly addictive. That translates to higher profits and return customers: high risk but high reward.

in my almost 15 years of recovery, i’ve attended too many wakes and funerals for kids and adults. There’s an expression in recovery: Sometimes you have to step over the bodies. That should be reserved for battlefields, yet we live on a battlefield where fentanyl is a weapon of mass destruction.

i serve on a community Prevention

coalition working to educate our kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. it includes school administrators, social workers, police officers, local merchants, and parents who have lost loved ones to fentanyl. We focus on combating the spread of this deadly drug through our communities.

Grief shouldn’t be part of a parent’s job description, yet it often is. While it’s impossible to avoid all grief, we can reduce the chances of preventable loss. We must act to effect change. you don’t have to be a crusader, but sitting on our hands isn’t an option. We can spread awareness to prevent more fentanyl poisonings.

A mentor once told me, “if you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem.” Here’s the call to action: Join your local community coalition. Get trained to administer narcan. Talk to your kids about substance dangers. Write to local officials about their plans for the opioid crisis, and consult professionals about prevention strategies. Pick one action, and you’ll be part of the solution. A community that works together always wins.

Jason Mayo is a certified recovery peer advocate at a nonprofit community recovery and outreach center on Long Island. He is a contributing writer for The Sober Curator, has written for the Forbes Business Council and is the author of the children’s books “Do Witches Make Fishes?” and “The Boy and the Billy Goat.”

Framework by Tim Baker

LuminoCity’s Holiday Lights Festival in Eisenhower Park — East Meadow

Jason maYo

Giving Birth? Look No Further than the South Shore’s Only High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care

Mothers looking for a hospital at which to give birth should consider the quality indicators used by U.S. News & World Report ® to determine institutions deemed High Performing for Maternity care.

Mount Sinai South Nassau is the only South Shore hospital to earn the rating of High Performing based on eight key measures:

• Reduced C-section delivery rates

• Low early elective delivery rates

• Low overall unexpected newborn complication rates

• Increased routine VBAC rates

• Increased exclusive human milk feeding rates

• Low episiotomy rates

• Routine birthing-friendly practices

• Transparency on racial/ethnic disparities

If you want the best birthing experience for you and for your baby, look no further than Mount Sinai South Nassau.

Learn more at southnassau.org/maternity, or call 877-SOUTH-NASSAU.