Sunday concerts are back this winter at the East Meadow Public Library. The Andrew Ahr Group, a jazz ensemble, kicked off the New Year with an eclectic arrangement that entertained all attendees. Story, more photos, Page 3.
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
The East Meadow Board of Education has opted out of the planning process for the State Education Department’s regionalization plan, which seeks to standardize educational services in schools across New York. The board previously expressed opposition to the plan and its rollout at meetings in late-2024.
Last year, the regionalization plan was pushed through in an emergency ruling by the education department, which many Long Island school districts felt bypassed input from stakeholders, like school boards and superintendents. According to the department, the plan aims to
enhance educational opportunities and operational efficiencies through increased collaboration among school districts.
As initially described on the education department’s website, the initiative does not intend to enforce mergers or consolidations, but rather to foster “cross-district conversations” and encourage shared programs and resources among component districts in each of the state’s 37 Board of Cooperative Educational Services, or BOCES, regions.
Nassau BOCES, Western Suffolk BOCES and Eastern Suffolk BOCES are the three regions on Long Island.
School districts, including East Meadow, were
Sands casino plan spurs eco debate
By KElSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com
The proposed $6 billion Sands development on the 72-acre Nassau Coliseum site has sparked new discussions about balancing economic development with environmental preservation, with the focus on one of Long Island’s last remaining undisturbed ecosystems.
Environmental organizations are working with county officials and Sands to address the project’s potential impacts on the Hempstead Plains, a 100-acre natural habitat adjacent to the Coliseum site that houses diverse wildlife and plant species. The Sands proposal includes a 400,000-square-foot casino, hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and a convention center, and is expected to create over 8,500 new construction jobs and over 5,000 more permanent jobs.
The South Shore Audubon Society held a virtual presentation on Jan. 9 that outlined its concerns about the planned
development. The issues it highlighted included bird mortality from collisions with building, light pollution affecting migration patterns and water resource management.
Sands, which has committed to building a LEED-certified resort, says environmental stewardship is central to its development approach. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a green building rating system used around the world.
“We have a long, well-documented history of environmental achievements and excellence across our worldwide properties,” a Sands spokesperson told the Herald. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Long Island’s environmental community to create a world-class resort that provides new entertainment, jobs and opportunity in the most sustainable way.”
A 28,000-page draft environmental impact statement for the project, submitted by Sands last Continued on page 2
Holden Leeds/Herald
Sands will address all comments in final EIS
November, outlines the Las Vegas-based gaming company’s plans to address potential environmental impacts. Local environmental groups, however, say that additional protections are needed for the unique habitat of the Hempstead Plains.
“We thought that not everything was covered (in the DEIS), that there’s going to be some environmental impacts on two of (the development site’s) closest neighbors, Hempstead Plains Preserve and Francis Purcell Preserve, as well as on the East Meadow Brook,” Russ Comeau, president of the South Shore Audubon Society, said during last week’s presentation.
The Hempstead Plains support as many as 30 different plant and animal species — some either endangered, threatened or of special concern in New York state — but over the years have been significantly reduced in size from their original 40,000-acre expanse across central Nassau County.
According to Comeau, over 100 species of birds migrate through Long Island, and some aspects of the proposed structures could increase the risk that birds will fly into them.
Paul Van Wie, president of the Friends of the Hempstead Plains, noted the area’s significance as both an ecological treasure and a historic site. The plains played a crucial role in aviation history and suburban development
Las
planning
build a $6 billion casino and resort on the property of the nassau Coliseum, which is adjacent to the Hempstead plains land.
while maintaining their importance as a critical natural habitat.
Water use has emerged as another focal point in the debate over the Sands proposal. The draft environmental impact statement indicates that the development would draw nearly 2 million gallons of water per day from Long Island’s aquifer. Comeau also expressed concerns about the potential pollution
of the East Meadow Brook, which he said already faces challenges from stormwater runoff.
Sands has indicated that it will address all of the environmental concerns raised during the public comment period in its final impact statement. The project requires multiple approvals, including a development lease from Nassau County, land-use approval from the
Town of Hempstead, and a competitive gaming license from New York state. The public comment period for the draft environmental impact statement continues until Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. Comments can be submitted via email, to sandscomments@nassaucountyny.gov, or by mail, to the Nassau County Clerk of the Legislature, 1550 Franklin Ave., Mineola, NY 11501.
Courtesy Friends of Hempstead Plains the francis purcell preserve, a part of the Hempstead plains, is behind the marriott hotel in uniondale. the South Shore audubon Society is concerned about the potential impact of the Sands casino project on the grasslands.
Herald file photo
Vegas Sands is
to
Andrew Ahr Group puts on a ‘groovy’ show
The Andrew Ahr Group, a groovejazz ensemble known for their eclectic arrangements and original compositions, captivated an audience at the East Meadow Public Library on Jan. 5 with an afternoon of engaging jazz music.
Led by guitarist Andrew Ahr, the group performed a mix of dynamic arrangements of songs by legendary artists such as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Grant Green, The Beatles, and The Foo Fighters. Their repertoire also included interpretations of works by Chuck Mangione, Ben Folds, The Get Up Kids, Radiohead, and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, as well as original compositions penned by Ahr.
The talented lineup included Ahr on guitar, Kevin Clark on guitar,
Dominic Duval on bass, Bryan Carrott on vibraphone, Alex Kaufman on drums, and Patrick Lehosky on percussion. Their unique sound blends jazz fusion with elements of funk and contemporary music.
Audience members enjoyed a vibrant performance showcasing the group’s versatility and musical artistry. For updates and information about future performances, fans can follow Andrew Ahr on Instagram.
The library, at 1886 Front Street, East Meadow, features musical performances most Sunday afternoons throughout the winter. For more on what’s ahead, visit EastMeadow.info.
–Jordan Vallone
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
The Andrew Ahr Group, a groove-jazz ensemble known for their eclectic arrangements, performed at the East Meadow Public Library. The group featured Kevin Clark on guitar, Alex Kaufman on drums, Bryan Carrott on vibrophone, Andrew Ahr on guitar, Dominic Duval on bass and Patrick Lehoksy on percussion.
Kevin Clark on stage in the East Meadow Public Library’s community room during the Jan. 5 performance.
The group’s repertoire includes renditions of legendary artists, along with a mix of original music.
Andrew Ahr, the group’s namesake, during the performance.
The community room of the library was packed with patrons who came out to see the show.
Potential penalties for opting out discussed
required to begin developing the regionalization plan in five steps, by slated deadlines. A “Strengths and Needs Tool” was due on Dec. 6, asking the district to report on items such as test scores, finances, transportation and special education services.
At a meeting in October, Kenneth Rosner, superintendent of East Meadow schools, said he had a “serious concern” about the emergency rule and how the plan was implemented, adding that “no conversations” were held. Some of the plan’s language suggests that local control could be taken away from school districts, and impact district autonomy, particularly when it comes to budgeting, staffing and educational programming decisions.
Iregionalization.
During the Jan. 8 meeting, board president Jessica Ricco-Simeone allowed trustees to voice their concerns. One trustee, Jodi Luce — who does not support the regionalization initiative — said she was worried that East Meadow could be penalized if it opts out of the planning process.
’m not willing to risk losing our community’s control over our schools.
DavID Carl Vice president, East Meadow school board
During a meeting on Jan. 8, the East Meadow school board decided to opt out of the regionalization planning process. The state education department granted districts permission to opt out in midDecember, and districts were required to decide by Jan. 15.
Even though the district is choosing not to take part in the planning process, it may still be required to take part in
“With
by
“We’ve been very clear that all of us are extraordinarily concerned about the possibility of the regionalization plan and that we all have, to say the least, reservations,” she said. “Nobody seems to be able to provide an answer as to whether or not there will be penalties of any kind for opting out. Primarily, my concern is fiscal penalties and the withholding of aid.”
East Meadow receives around $70 million in state aid annually.
The board has participated in meetings and forums with the state and other educational services, and it remains unclear whether East Meadow — and other districts — will face penalties for opting out of the planning process.
“In addition to the risk of fiscal penalties, nobody seems to be able to give us an answer as to whether or not we will be forced to participate in the long-term
the End in Mind”
Subtitled Dying, Death and Wisdom in an Age of Denial, Dr. Mannix’s book is a series of true stories allowing readers to “experience” what happens when people are approaching the end of their lives: how they cope; how they live; what matters most; how dying evolves; what a deathbed is like; how families react. She finds that there is little to fear and much to prepare for.
While many people imagine dying to be agonizing and undignified, Dr. Mannix reassures us that this is rarely the case. Instead, people gradually sleep more often until unconsciousness sets in. This was common knowledge when death took place in the home – until about 1900 when funeral homes first came into being. Knowing what to expect can be immensely comforting to the dying person and their supporters.
Palliative care specialists believe that enabling people to be architects of their own solutions is key to respecting their dignity. They are only in a new phase of life; they have not abdicated their personhood.
The author advocates reclaiming “death” and
“dead” from modern day euphemisms such as “passed away” and “lost” and further that despite a well-lived and contented life, we often say they “lost their battle” instead of that they simply died. These attitudes disable us from having straightforward, unambiguous conversations about death. The conspiracy of silence about death often leads to the heartbreak of the dying being unable to convey their hopes and wishes.
“The dreadful reality, told with honesty and compassion, allows patients and their families to make choices based on truth, instead of encouraging the misleading, hopeless quest for a medical miracle that promotes futile treatment, protracts dying and disallows goodbyes.”
There are only two days with fewer than 24 hours in each lifetime, one is celebrated every year, yet it is the other than makes us see living as precious. Dr. Mannix points the way to what we can become: beacons of compassion, living in the moment, looking backwards with gratitude and forgiveness, and focused on the simple things that really matter.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
Understanding the regionalization plan
The New York State Education Department’s regionalization initiative aims to:
■ Enhance collaboration: Encourage districts to share programs, staff, and services to improve educational opportunities.
■ Boost efficiency: Streamline operations across school districts within the state’s 37 BOCES regions, including Nassau, Western Suffolk, and Eastern Suffolk on Long Island.
■ Maintain local autonomy: According to NYSED, the plan is not intended to force district mergers or consolidations but to foster voluntary cooperation.
(regionalization) plan,” Luce said. “If participating in the long-term plan at some point becomes non-negotiable, how do we opt out of planning for something that we might be obligated to participate in? I just have significant reservations voting on this when we don’t have enough information to make an informed decision.”
Ricco-Simeone agreed with Luce’s comments, adding that the state is withholding information from districts.
“There are some districts on Long Island that can afford to not get state aid, but state aid is extremely important to the East Meadow School District, and I am in agreement with her that that is not something we can risk losing,” Ricco-Simeone said. “They have not said that’s what’s going to happen, but they also have not said that’s not going to happen. They could down the line say, ‘Well, if you weren’t part of the planning process and now it’s mandated that we do this, you’re penalized.’”
David Carl, school board vice president, said not opting out of the planning process was not a risk that East Meadow
Opting Out:
■ Districts like East Meadow were permitted to opt out of the planning phase by Jan. 15, though concerns linger about potential penalties or mandates in the future. Questions about withholding state aid or forced participation in regionalization remain unanswered.
Local Reaction:
■ East Meadow Board of Education emphasized safeguarding district autonomy and ensuring fiscal stability in its decision to opt out. Ongoing concerns center on transparency and long-term implications for districts that choose not to participate in planning.
could take.
“I’m not willing to risk losing our community’s control over our schools, over our children, over our taxpayer dollars,” he said. “I think most of the board would agree with this — that we’re just not willing to give Albany control over a community like East Meadow.”
Five board members, including Ricco-Simeone and Carl, were in favor of opting out, while trustees Luce and Matthew Melnick chose to abstain from the vote. The vote required Rosner to provide written notification of the board’s decision to the state by the Jan. 15 deadline.
That written notification, according to the board’s tab on the district’s website, included “an express reservation of the school district’s rights and remedies respecting its decision not to participate in the regionalization plan and/or any other action that negatively impacts local control of the district’s operations.”
The next board meeting is slated for Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., at the Salisbury School in Westbury.
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/eastmeadow
E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: emeditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: (516) 569-4000 Ext. 246 E-mail:
Book Review:
Kathryn Mannix, M.D.
MAKAYLA DAUBE
Mepham Senior Basketball
A FIFTH-YEAR VARSITY basketball player, Daube accomplished two rare milestones this season while leading the Pirates to 10 wins in their first 13 games. Mepham’s 2025 Valedictorian, she reached both the 1,000point and 1,000-rebound plateaus. On Jan. 9, in a 54-40 victory over Herricks, she also became the program’s single-game scoring leader with 34 points. In the fall, Daube helped Mepham to its first-ever volleyball county title.
GAMES TO WATCH
Friday, Jan. 24
Boys Basketball: Uniondale at Hempstead 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Kennedy at Elmont 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Plainedge at V.S. North 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Wantagh at Mineola 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Long Beach at Baldwin 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Mepham at Carey 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Glen Cove at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Oceanside at Freeport 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Manhasset at Hewlett 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: South Side at Clarke 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25
Girls Basketball: Floral Park at Lynbrook 10 a.m.
Boys Basketball: North Shore at Seaford 12 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Island Trees at Malverne 12 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Mineola at Wantagh 12 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Clarke at V.S. North 12 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Seaford at North Shore 12 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Wheatley at West Hempstead 12 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Uniondale at Farmingdale 12 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 27
Girls Basketball: Freeport at Oceanside 6:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Kennedy at South Side 7 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
HERALD SPORTS
Baldwin takes down East Meadow
By DYLAN BUTLER sports@liherald.com
There’s a drive and determination that manifests itself the bigger the game is for the Baldwin girls’ basketball team.
The Bruins are laser-focused on regaining their spot atop Nassau County after not winning a title last March for the first time in a decade.
A dominant 82-47 home victory over East Meadow Jan. 13 was the latest example.
“Last year, that really stung, and I don’t want that to happen again for me, especially my senior year,” Baldwin senior guard Payton Dulin said. “I’m just trying to level up every day. The team is just trying to level up every day, because we know this is a big year, and we have a good feeling about this year.”
It was actually the visiting Jets who jumped out to an early 6-3 lead, but that “punch in the face,” as Baldwin head coach Tom Catapano called it, served as a wake-up call for his squad.
And it sparked an unrelenting wave of attack. It started with consecutive 3-pointers by senior guard Monique Echols (15 points), then one by junior guard Alyssa Polinia and two more by Dulin.
“We couldn’t stop, just had to keep going,” said Echols, who scored all her points from beyond the arc. “Especially with the season we had last year, we have to make a statement to let everybody know that we’re back and we’re here this year.”
A pair of free throws from East Meadow’s Allie Twible ended the 21-0 run, but the next punishing wave came quickly.
That was a 22-0 surge, which featured an aggressive defense that forced numerous turnovers, domination on the offensive glass and was capped by a Dulin that gave her 18 first-half points and put Baldwin (8-1, 6-0 Conference AA-I) in front, 46-8.
“That’s just the name of the game. Our confidence comes from each other,” said Dulin, who scored a game-high 23 points and chipped in five assists. “When we see somebody else making shots, that builds
in a 5-foot-10 frame and Kayla Lederer’s 94-foot engine never stopped. “Kudos to them. They played really hard, they just fought to the very end,” East Meadow head coach Pete Olenik said. “That’s the type of girls they are. They are that way in practice, and that way in games. They just hustle, they work hard, they stick together. I’m proud of them.”
Olenik drew positives from the defeat,
which saw Angelina Cronin score 13
“This will make us stronger against the rest of the conference,” he said. “The only way you’re going to get better is if
Meanwhile, for Baldwin, the deepest team Catapano said he’s coached, there’s a realization, and perhaps a warning for the rest of the county, that they’ve not reached their highest level yet.
“We can still be a lot better than we are right now and I think that’s the message to them — we did a good job, we didn’t do a great job,” Catapano said. “We’re trying to make a deep run at this thing. So with that comes a huge standard they’re trying to uphold.”
A modern approach to traditional values
‘Character Education’ has a new name: Social and Emotional Learning
Catholic education has always been unique because it is values-based, and places a high level of importance on personal and interpersonal skills. This difference has been realized through the expectation of certain kinds of conduct in a Catholic school that reflects a student’s self-respect, and respect for others. Responsibility, and accountability for one’s actions have always been part of the higher expectation in Catholic school.
After years of experimenting with the latest educational fads, schools of all types across the nation are recognizing that investing in the social and emotional management skills of students will have a greater effect on the trajectory of their lives. Public, private and Catholic schools have all shown greater interest in what is now known as Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Catholic schools, because they have never lost sight of this, are further along in the development and implementation of SEL programs.
Catholic schools across the Diocese of Rockville Centre have maintained their focus on the ‘character education’ of students, even as more permissive educational models were being implemented elsewhere. While currentday Catholic school has embraced the integration of new educational technologies, personalized learning and new curriculum elements, the commitment to traditional values and religious tradition have never wavered. Catholic school has continued to teach biblical principles and traditional values, focusing imparting spirituali-
ty and self-discipline. In doing so, character education has systematically, yet seamlessly, been an integral part of the educational experience of generations of students.
Today, the heightened interest in SEL makes it clear that Catholic schools were on the right track all along.
Why Social Emotional Learning matters
Social Emotional Learning is viewed as attentiveness to the whole child’s needs. It is comprised of five major components: selfawareness, self-management, decision-making, relationship skills and social awareness.
Self-Awareness: A self-aware student will recognize how his or her thoughts, emotions, actions, and values impact their behavior.
Students are encouraged to embrace a growth mindset, recognizing that change is possible, and that they have the ability to become selfsufficient and confident.
Self-Management: Students are taught to regulate their own thoughts, emotions, and actions to align with their values. Selfmanagement emphasizes motivation, impulse control, organizational skills, and goal-setting.
Responsible Decision-Making: Students are encouraged to make responsible decisions within an ethical framework. Being a responsible decision maker requires problem identification, analysis, self-evaluation, and reflection.
Relationship Skills: Development of skills like communicating effectively, engaging in
appropriate social behavior, and participation in group and collaborative activities.
Social Awareness: The ability to empathize with others, including those with whom they disagree, as well as those from different moral, cultural, and ethical backgrounds.
As everyone who has attended Catholic school can attest, these five principles are traditional parts of a Catholic education. In fact, these characteristics are often the most easily
distinguishable differences in the way a young man or woman ‘carries themselves’ in their daily interactions with others. They are the characteristics that we subconsciously recognize and silently attribute to the student being ‘a Catholic school kid’.
Photo: Faith-based rigorous academics are enhanced by innovative teaching practices that prepare students for the modern tech-based world in which we live.
LIRR record on-time rate isn’t whole story
By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
With New York City’s new congestion pricing system now in place, Gov. Kathy Hochul rode the rails to Syosset earlier this year, urging city-bound Long Island commuters to leave their cars at home and embrace “world-class” public transit.
On Long Island, the tolling program is expected to increase commuters’ reliance on the Long Island Rail Road. Weekday ridership climbed from about 77 percent of pre-pandemic levels in 2023 to roughly 80 percent last year.
Transit officials, meanwhile, are highlighting the improved service of the railway system, emphasizing a propublic transit message to court suburban commuters looking to avoid the $9 toll to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. LIRR President Rob Free boasted that a higher percentage of trains operated on time last year than ever before.
“Our 95.6 percent on-time performance in 2024 is our highest non-Covid year in the history that we’ve been tracking on-time performance,” Free said.
Three years of growth and growing pains
An analysis of LIRR data over the past three years, however, combined with riders’ firsthand accounts, paints a fuller — and undeniably more complicated — picture.
The number of late trains nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, from 8,691 to 17,064. The surge, Free contends, resulted from the increase in post-pandemic service over the last two years amid landmarks like the opening of Grand Central Madison terminal in 2023.
“We operated over 77,000 more trains in 2023 than in 2022,” Free said. “We’ve operated a little over 316,000 trains in 2024, compared to 302,000 trains in 2023. That’s a huge lift.”
The new service into Midtown Manhattan brought with it a complete overhaul of the system’s train schedules. Some service lines and connections were cut, while others added more frequent service.
By the end of November 2024, the number of late trains for the year dropped to 11,480, as disruptions eased — although the number of delays remained higher than in 2022.
LIRR’s own operations are main culprit for delays
Despite fears of commuter frustrations and confusion with the opening of the new terminal, the main cause of train delays in 2023 and 2024 wasn’t passenger-related interruptions. Instead, it was train operations — issues like scheduling conflicts, slow boarding and late departures. These were problems largely within the transit agency’s control that ate into the time passengers needed to board and disembark.
Other problems, like delays caused by train door malfunctions in an aging fleet, were up 79 percent in the first half of 2024, compared with the same period in 2023. And the much-needed upkeep of the LIRR’s ailing infrastructure, from
According to state data, while the LIRR achieved a record 95.6 percent on-time performance in 2024, the number of delays remain higher than in 2022 due to operational issues, infrastructure maintenance, and the impact of increased service volume.
Riders report overall satisfaction with their service but, complained about missed connections, and weren’t happy about the possibility of another fare increase.
signal repairs to track maintenance, has also been a major contributor to train delays over the past two years.
For his part, Free said that a “heightened focus on infrastructure maintenance” has helped, cutting switch failures by 31 percent in 2024, with further work focusing on improving safety and efficiency planned for this year — even if that means more delays.
Historic on-time rate, but average delays stay the same
LIRR trains are more punctual overall, but the average delay of a late train hasn’t gotten any shorter. Rather, wait times have held steady — between 11 and 12 minutes — over the past three years.
Given what he described as an “explosion” of service since the beginning of 2023, Free views this consistency in lateness as a sign of a functioning
system. In the nation’s largest transit system, with lines of service so “interconnected that one hiccup on one of our branches can have systemwide impacts on our total operation, the on-time performance we are achieving is nothing short of a miracle,” he said.
Still, critics point out that the data on train delays misses a key detail: the agency’s “on or close to schedule” standard allows for a grace period of up to six minutes. Delays under six minutes aren’t counted, masking a significant portion of minor setbacks that can still disrupt commuters’ plans.
Riders like Sasha Hanson, who commutes from Valley Stream to her interior design job at Stonehill Taylor in Manhattan, contends that these unofficial hold-ups can be just as vexing when they cause missed connections, particularly at Jamaica Station.
“It gets obnoxious, especially when transfer delays hit at the last minute— usually right as you’re getting off the train,” Hanson said. “It’s not like you can avoid it ahead of time on your commute.”
The “amount of trains that we operate through this terminal is a huge impediment to our operation,” admits Free. “We are looking to improve this situation by putting in higher speed switches, lengthening the platform, and installing a new signal system among other capacity improvements.”
Riders give LIRR high marks — but not for fares
Despite delays, last fall’s MTA survey found that 76 percent of nearly 22,000 commuters surveyed were satisfied overall with their service. Yet some commuters who speak well of the railway also balk at the idea of higher fares.
“I don’t think fares should increase, because it’s costing me a lot of money just to get to school,” said Raya Adiva, a Valley Stream resident and high school senior who depends on the LIRR to get to school in the city.
The specter of more expensive fares looms over commuters as the MTA Board approves a $19.9 billion budget for 2025, which includes plans for a potential 4 percent hike in fares and tolls.
“What’s important to keep in mind is that the price of a monthly ticket is still cheaper now than it was in 2019,” Free said. “The way we institute fares is predictable, so our customers know when it’s coming. We’ve done an incredible job of maintaining cost and giving people good value for their money.”
Data Wrapper Illustration by Juan Lasso/Herald
Tim Baker/Herald
Arena Football team to call Coliseum home
By MICHELLE RABINOVICH sports@liherald.com
Arena Football is coming back to Nassau County, and this time it’s in a brand-new league in the form of the ENTFLA – the Entertainment Football Association.
Spearheaded by Hall of Famer and former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Reed, flanked by league owner Doug Freeman with a slight style different: other than the fact that it will be indoors, is that it will be on 7-on-7 format with a reduced play clock, along with the elimination of kicking on fourth down, leading to overall higher-scoring and higher-paced games.
Uniondale and Nassau Coliseum will be the home of one of four teams in the ENTFLA, with the other teams based in Morristown, NJ, Danbury, CT and Fitchburg, MA. The season is projected to run from June to August.
The emphasis of the new league in the land of Billy Joel and bagels was to bring professional sports to local, blue-collar families without breaking the bank, with an added emphasis on entertainment appropriate for the entire family while at a pro game, confirmed by its mission statement.
League advisor Tommy Benizio said the real purpose is to bring something that’s affordable, fun and entertaining, giving families in Long Island a place to come without driving hours and pay hundreds of dollars in tickets and parking passes to watch football live in an arena.
Plus, it’s meant to be fun.
“Between the players flying over the wall, landing in your lap and knocking your hotdog out of your hand, you catch a football you get to keep it, the cheerleaders, the mascot, the dancing and T-shirt canons, it is a fun and entertaining thing for three or four hours on Sat-
urday nights,” Benizio said. “So before you can come into the building we want live music and jumping castles for kids and a beer garden, it’s a party.”
With over 100 high school football teams on the island, the league’s owners hope for a close connection between the youth of Long Island growing in the sport they love, and the professionals engaged in it. Roosevelt High School football head coach Joe Vito is excited to see how a local pro football team will create an additional positive influence for his players.
“I’m excited to be able to have my team come here and see and maybe dream about maybe being this one day,” Vito said. “I try to expose our kids to a lot of things and coming to this is will be something they’ll be exposed to, so they’re excited to get the opportunity to come.”
Reed, the league commissioner, is key on the possibility of giving all types of NCAA football players another avenue to play the sport they love even if they don’t make it to the Show.
“We’re gonna be pulling kids from college, that pool, and a lot of these that are going to play in this league, when they play in this league, it’s another avenue for them to get to the Big Time,” Reed said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re at, if you’re good enough and display those attributes that a team might want, you can find somewhere to go and get a chance. We feel this league is about that.”
Each team will play 8 regular-season games.
“Anytime that we could have another opportunity to have more of our kids play professional football, is a great opportunity that we love as we coach the youth,” Vito said.
The nickname for the “Long Island” or “New York” franchise will be determined through a naming contest. Visit goentfla.com for more information.
Courtesy ENTFLA Buffalo Bills legend Andre Reed is commissioner of the new Entertainment Football Association, which debuts in June with four franchises including Long Island.
Fire and Ice Assembly wows student at McVey
Students at George McVey Elementary School in East Meadow were entertained with safe, scientific experiments during the school’s Fire and Ice Assembly on Jan. 14.
Static Shannon from Mad Science of Long Island taught students about the amazing properties of fire and combustion. Afterward, they cooled off with spectacular demonstrations involving dry ice. Additionally, some of the students got to join Shannon in demonstrating her wacky experiments.
Mad Science of Long Island, which is based in East Meadow, is an organization that provides science enrichment programs and activities for children, offering hands-on science education through after-school programs, workshops, birthday parties, summer camps, and special events.
Programs, such as the assembly in East Meadow, aim to make science education fun and engaging for children through demonstrations, experiments, and interactive activities. Assemblies, like McVey’s, cover topics like chemistry, physics, biology, space, and various STEM subjects, presenting them in an entertaining and age-appropriate way.
–Jordan Vallone
Photos courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District
Static Shannon from Mad Science of Long Island entertained students at George McVey Elementary School in East Meadow with safe, scientific experiments during the school’s Fire and Ice Assembly.
Mad Science of Long Island, based in East Meadow, provides science enrichment programs and activities for children.
Static Shannon demonstrated the differences between fire and ice in her presentation.
Some of the students got to join Static Shannon in demonstrating her wacky experiments.
The governor assesses the state of the state
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Gov. Kathy Hochul kicked off her fourth year in office on Jan. 14 by outlining her proposed 2025 agenda in her State of the State address. That agenda includes more than 200 initiatives, many of which would have an impact on Long Island.
Here are some of the key proposals Hochul discussed.
Affordability
Unsurprisingly, Hochul began the address with the issue on every New Yorker’s mind: the cost of living. New Yorkers have seen rising prices in housing, food, utilities, transportation and health care. According to RentCafe, the cost of living in New York is 26 percent higher than the national average.
The governor proposed tax cuts, rebate checks and savings from free school lunches, an initiative that could save a family of five $5,000 a year.
“I’m calling for a sweeping middle-class income tax cut benefitting 8.3 million taxpayers making less than $323,000,” she said. “The tax cut I propose today and will fight for in the coming months will deliver the lowest tax rates in seven decades and save hardworking taxpayers $1 billion.
“But that’s just the start,” she added.
Tim Baker/Herald
Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered her State of the State address on Jan. 14, discussing a wide range of policies. Above, the governor appeared at the Long Island Association’s State of the Region Breakfast on Jan. 10.
Education
Hochul unveiled a proposal that would offer free tuition to New Yorkers pursuing associate’s degrees in high-demand fields such as nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. The initiative would build on the state’s existing financial aid programs, and target residents between 25 and 55 seeking to learn new skills to look for jobs in essential industries.
Nearby states, including Massachusetts, have launched similar tuition-free college programs to address labor shortages and promote economic mobility.
Hochul also announced her support for universal free school meals. That would mean boosting state funds to expand an existing program that could reach 280,000 students who aren’t already covered.
Mental Health
Hochul, who is expected to seek re-election in 2026, took office in 2021 when residents statewide were grappling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Many students faced — and continue to face — mental health challenges.
That has been a central focus throughout her administration. In her latest initiative, she aims to address concerns about random acts of violence committed by those with severe, untreated mental illness. Her agenda includes strengthening Kendra’s Law, which mandates outpatient treatment for certain people with mental illnesses who are not receiving care.
She governor also proposed that households making up to $323,200 — roughly 77 percent of taxpayers — would be given an income tax break that could save households hundreds of dollars a year for roughly.
A proposed $3 billion in inflation relief rebates would provide one-time payments of $300 or $500 based on income level and tax filing status. The initiative would have to be approved by the State Legislature. Hochul’s budget also includes expanding the state’s child tax credit. Under the proposal, families could see the credit increase by as much as three times the current amount — up to $1,000 per child under age 4, and $500 for children ages 4 to 16. The changes would be phased in over two years.
Additionally, Hochul is advocating for a Teen Mental Health First Aid program, to equip high school students with the skills to maintain their mental health and offer support to their peers. She also promoted mental health resources for after-school programs, to ensure students access to licensed health care facilities through state-funded programs.
My mother may soon be applying for Medicaid. How does this affect funeral arrangements?
The latest Medicaid regulations now permit individuals to set aside a portion of their assets in an irrevocable trust account in order to have funds for future funeral expenses.
When an individual approaches the time when Medicaid coverage seems likely, social workers generally advise families to look into this funeral pre-funding option.
Here’s how we can help:
Family will make an appointment with us to discuss just what we are do when the death occurs.
discuss options and record their wishes not just about preferred funeral home services but cemetery, church, monument inscription, newspaper notices, We inform the family of exactly what the funeral home and third party costs at the present time.
Funds to cover those expenses can then deposited in our FDIC insured PRE - PLAN Trust. The Trust pays sufficient interest to allow us to guaranty those future funeral home costs into the future.
While the funds remain in the name of the individual going on Medicaid, eligibility to receive Medicaid coverage is not affected.
Taking on human trafficking at prevention symposium
By REI WOLFSOHN Correspondent
In observance of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, several members of the Nassau County community came together for a symposium at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building in Mineola last week to inform the public about human trafficking, and how to help prevent it.
The symposium detailed that there is a common misconception that human trafficking and human smuggling are the same thing, terms which are not interchangeable. Trafficking is the exploitation of sex or labor through force, fraud, or coercion. Smuggling is the importation of people into the country which avoids immigration laws. Over the past few months, Nassau County has seen more and more trafficking victims who are missing persons from other jurisdictions.
Christine Guida, the deputy chief of the special victims bureau with the Nassau County District Attorney’s office, has been managing these cases since 2012, and identified a common problem.
“A huge underlying theme is that victims do not identify as victims,” Guida said. “I never see someone come into my office and say, ‘I’m a victim of trafficking.’ They can admit to me every single thing the trafficker has done to them, but they will never believe that they are a victim.”
This is because they’ve been manipulated, put down and diminished, Guida said, and their sovereignty has been taken away.
“In the trafficking world there are always consequences,” Guida said. “You don’t make enough money in a night. You don’t text back the customers quick enough. You sleep too much, fall asleep with customers waiting…I’m constantly seeing victims that do not have a feeling of self-worth.”
According to Jessica Melton, the bureau chief of human trafficking at the Queens County District Attorney’s office, traffickers manipulate victims and survivors based on their vulnerabilities.
“This could be poverty, or facing discrimination, or being food insecure, or needing housing,” she said. “It could be people who have substance abuse issues, or mental health issues. Or fearing immigration consequences. Traffickers manipulate these fears.”
A misconception, Melton said, is that human trafficking always involves violence — but this is not the case.
“Some of these situations are violent,” Melton said. “But the majority of them, the trafficker uses very, very deep forms of psychological manipulation.”
A major theme of the symposium was that trafficking victims and survivors, as well as traffickers, can be anyone — and anywhere.
“I have cases in the wealthiest, most affluent, sections of Nassau County,” Guida said. “It’s everywhere. It’s at every hotel. It’s at the hotels where you’re putting your families up that are coming to visit you for Christmas — the Marriott, the Hyatt — the nicer hotels that we have.”
Dr. Pepper Martin, president of the nonprofit Women Intended For Excellence, helped organize the symposium with Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow, who represents parts of Merrick, Bellmore, and Freeport.
At the symposium, she stressed the point that everyone can be affected.
“This is something that transcends socioeconomic status, ethnicity — it affects everyone,” Martin said. “We’re impacted emotionally, of course, but we’re also impacted morally, ethically and financially because of this issue…I don’t want to glorify it, but this is a crime that literally doesn’t discriminate.”
there is a Human Trafficking Intervention Court in Nassau County. Guida said the court has a special trauma-informed purpose — to assist victims of human trafficking, that also may have committed crimes, like prostitution.
In observance of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a symposium was held last week in Nassau County featuring Jessica Melton, the bureau chief of human trafficking at the Queens County District Attorney’s office and Christine Guida, the deputy chief of the special victims bureau with the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.
Dr. Pepper Martin, president of the nonprofit Women Intended For Excellence, helped organize the symposium with Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow.
“The purpose of this court is to ensure that persons in prostitution and people who are charged with these crimes do not end up with criminal convictions,” Guida said.
“What we want to do is flood them with services, and resources, and give them what they need to get out of the life of prostitution.”
The courts also make sure that the traffickers don’t get their convictions vacated like the victims and survivors. The district attorney’s office weeds through the cases and makes sure traffickers don’t go to that court.
“We’re not looking to send a trafficker or promoter of prostitution to this court,” Guida said. “We want the people being victimized to have their cases dismissed.”
They also want to get the maximum punishment for the traffickers.
“We try our best to get upstate jail time,” Guida said. “We always want to get sex offender registration,
Psychologist Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams shared a person story about a loved one who was victim of human trafficking.
but it only comes with certain convictions.”
It’s difficult to both identify and investigate these cases, she added. “Our evidence gets lost quickly,” Guida said. “It’s a lot of electronic media.”
There’s plenty community members can do to prevent human trafficking from occurring. “How can you help?” Guida asked rhetorically. “Be aware of the red flags. Be aware of your surroundings…If you see a location, a massage parlor or something that doesn’t seem right, you can make a complaint…an anonymous tip. Talk to your children, your nieces, your nephews, your friends, your congregation members. Talk to them about the red flags.”
For more on the symposium and information shared, visit WomenIntendedforExcellence.org. Additional resources about human trafficking are available at the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 3737888, by texting 233733, or at HumanTraffickingHotline.org.
Rei Wolfsohn/Herald photos
LI TODAY welcome to CommunITy VoIces
Reflecting on 2024: A Milestone Year for Sands New York
The Sands New York project has achieved remarkable strides in 2024, building unprecedented support and solidifying its place as a cornerstone of Long Island’s future. Through tireless community engagement and collaboration, the project has become a unifying force, bringing together residents, leaders, and organizations with a shared vision of economic growth and revitalization.
From hosting local events to forming partnerships with esteemed community groups like EAC Network, Family & Children's Association, the regional Chambers of Commerce, and Island Harvest, the Sands team has made listening, learning, and giving back central to its mission.
This year, the voices of support have been louder and more diverse than ever. From civic leaders to grassroots advocates, Long Islanders from every walk of life have come together to contribute to the Sands project and champion its potential to transform the region. At public hearings and community forums, Sands has been met with unprecedented enthusiasm, a testament to the shared belief in sustainable development, good-paying jobs, and long-lasting benefits for the Long Island community.
Behind this progress is a dynamic team of Long Islanders committed to making Sands New York a reality. Together with the community, Sands New York aims not only to enhance the economic landscape but also to contribute as an integral part of the Long Island community. Looking to 2025, Sands remains steadfast in their commitment to collaboration, innovation, and delivering on the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
Check out our Sands New York 2023-2024 highlight reel at the QR code to the right.
Next Step for Sands Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The Sands New York team expressed gratitude to the hundreds of Long Islanders who showed up for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) hearing on Dec. 9 to share their voice in support of Sands New York. The DEIS, a 29,000+ page, 6ft tall document, is the most comprehensive environmental impact statement ever presented on Long Island, reflecting Sands’ steadfast commitment to sustainable development, community engagement and local investment.
The DEIS is now available for public review online at nassaucountyny.gov and comments may be submitted through Jan. 21.
Michael Levoff, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs at Las Vegas Sands, told local media, "Sands is committed to a thorough and transparent review of our multi-billion-dollar project at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, evidenced by the 29,000-page, comprehensive environmental impact statement which showcases the many ways this transformative project will be a net benefit for all Long Islanders. We appreciate the constructive input from the public. We are also deeply grateful for the support we've received from residents and local organizations who believe that job creation, sustainable development, and meaningful investments in historically underserved communities can all be delivered as we work to bring the Sands New York project to life."
Sands invites residents, stakeholders, and local leaders to sign a NEW letter of support at the QR code on the right.
Partnering with Sands New York has been transformative for NOM Media, showcasing how strategic collaborations between corporations and local businesses can drive remarkable growth. Their commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs aligns perfectly with our mission of delivering innovative marketing solutions that create real impact
Theodore Massillon Founder / C.E.O. NOM Media
In a short amount of time, Sands has shown itself to be a valuable regional partner that genuinely cares about serving our community and improving the quality of life of Long Islanders. We believe they will make a dramatic difference in the lives of families across the region.
Theresa Regnante, President and Chief Executive Officer, United
United Way of Long Island Receives Major Gift from Sands New York
The holiday season shined a little brighter for 125 children facing hardship, thanks to a generous donation from Sands New York to United Way of Long Island. The funds provided children from EAC Network and Family & Children’s Association, Housing Help, and United Way’s YouthBuild program, the opportunity to shop for toys at Target in Westbury, spreading holiday cheer to those who need it most.
This initiative ensured children under the age of 10 experienced the magic of the holidays in a meaningful way. On Dec. 11, volunteers from Sands New York and United Way of Long Island accompanied the children during their Target shopping experience, helping them select toys that spark joy and creativity.
“We are so grateful to Sands New York for their incredible generosity,” said Theresa Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “This partnership exemplifies the spirit of giving and community, promising these children a holiday to remember. Their smiles are the true testament to the power of compassion.”
The initiative highlighted the importance of corporate philanthropy in fostering stronger communities and enriching lives across Long Island. Collaborations like these ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, can experience the joy and wonder of the season.
“The holiday season is about bringing
people together and creating moments of joy.
At Sands New York, we’re honored to partner with United Way of Long Island to bring smiles to children’s faces and share in the true spirit of giving,” said Tracey Edwards, Senior Vice President and Corporate Social Responsibility Officer for Sands New York. “Our team of volunteers was deeply moved by the resilience of the children and families we met, and this experience reminds us of the power of coming together as a community to make Long Island a place where everyone feels supported and valued.”
“It was an incredible experience for our team at Nassau Coliseum to be part of this event. Partnering with Sands New York and United Way of Long Island allowed us to contribute in a meaningful way, and seeing the children’s faces light up made it all the more rewarding,” said Joe Zino, General Manager of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. “It was a powerful reminder of what the holiday season is truly about.”
For more information about United Way of Long Island and its programs, visit www.unitedwayli.org.
Sands New York Launches a New Lighting Program for the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Sands New York joined Uniondale Community Council, Uniondale Community Land Trust, Uniondale Empowerment Resource Center, Uniondale Fire Department, John J. Byrne Community Center, and the Genesis program in hosting the Uniondale Holiday Kickoff on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
A short program included remarks from Sands executives and local elected officials, welcoming residents and ushering in the holidays. Youth from the Uniondale community officially lit the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in red and green, beginning a rotation of holiday colors throughout the season.
The event featured face painting, make-your-own ornaments, live entertainment with The New York Holiday Singers, hot chocolate and sweet treats, photo opportunities with Santa Claus, and more.
LI TODAY
Sands Raises a Glass to Long Island at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
During the holiday season, the Sands New York team toasted with friends and family at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to celebrate the achievements of 2024, and the journey ahead in 2025.
Tracey Edwards said, "We’re incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from our community and partners throughout 2024. This year has been filled with remarkable achievements, and it’s truly inspiring to see what we’ve accomplished together. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited for all the great work we will do together! Thank you for standing with Sands - and continuing the momentum towards the final Sands New York integrated resort, and its transformational impact on our community. ”
STEPPING OUT
Photos courtesy LICM
In the Orion spacecraft, future astronauts interact with buttons, levers and sounds as they learn facts about what it takes to bring humans to the Moon, and eventually to Mars.
Space explorers need to utilize limited resources on the moon to live and survive. At this work station, children transport objects to and from the surface using foam blocks.
for an out-of-this-world adventure
‘Moon to Mars’ touches down at Long Island Children’s Museum
By Danielle Schwab
Calling all future space explorers! It’s time to set course to the moon, and beyond, with opportunities for kids to fuel their imaginations and dream bigger — and farther — than ever before.
“Moon to Mars” has rocketed into Long Island Children’s Museum, on view through May 4. The traveling exhibit, — created by Omaha Children’s Museum and designed with support from NASA’s Deep Space Exploration Systems at Johnson Space Center — brings the wonders of space to life for young learners. Through six immersive play zones, future explorers get a first-hand look at current space technology and discover the possibilities of future missions.
“We have the resources to bring a really complex topic to life for children, where they can understand what makes a mission possible like what tools are used or why astronauts need to wear protective clothing,” says Ashley Niver, the museum’s director of education.
Inspired by the current realities and the future dreams of space travel, the exhibit’s connection to real NASA technology is what makes it so compelling. Kids can climb aboard the Orion Spacecraft, designed to carry astronauts on future Artemis missions — using buttons, levers and sounds — or take the wheel of the Lunar Rover to explore the moon’s rugged surface.
“With the recent advancements in space exploration, like the launch of the James Webb telescope and the evolution of SpaceX, it’s the perfect time to introduce an exhibit focused on the future Artemis Mission,” Niver says. “We have so many leaps in space exploration and so many new things on the horizon.”
Clearly, creating advanced space technology is no simple feat. It involves creativity, problem-solving and much trial and error on the part of a diverse team. Young space explorers have the chance to dive into that engineering process, designing and building their very own rockets, and then launching their creations across the room.
“There’s a lot of engineering components that come into this, involving critical thinking for kids. These people [the spacecraft systems developers] have an incredible amount of skill and knowledge about space and creating these structures, but there are still things that they might realize don’t work, and to solve the problem,” Niver adds.
“The exhibit offers children endless opportunities to nurture their curiosity through the most effective way we know they learn: play. It also provides a valuable opportunity for parents to discover ways to incorporate big concepts like space exploration, physics and engineering into play at home. Whether it’s building a Martian landscape with pillows or creating a rocket ship out of a cardboard box, these activities spark storytelling that encourages imagination and inspires the ‘big thinkers’ of tomorrow.”
After young “explorers” have landed at their destination, there’s still much to be discovered. Visitors can get geared up in a spacesuit and explore a new world.
Among the components, kids can construct a new base using pulleys and blocks at the Moon Base Builder to make the planet or moon inhabitable.
Once the base is complete, step through the lunar leaps and feel the changes in gravity as you walk — or jump.
• Now until May 4
• $18 museum admission, $16 seniors 65 and older
• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City
“You could take a leap and you have to work really hard to jump far on the moon. You wouldn’t have to do that because you don’t have the gravitational force pulling you as strong,” Niver explains.
Additional learning opportunities are found at the Space Academy Kiosk video display. It covers all things space exploration such as life in space, spacesuits, and real-life astronauts.
Each activity shows the boundless nature of space in kidfriendly fashion, perhaps even inspiring some future astronauts and space engineers.
“They can step into the role. It helps kids to connect to something that isn’t exactly what they know, they could put on a costume or a spacesuit and really embody that character. Hands-on play is a great way to engage them in content or topics that may be a little bit more foreign to them,” Niver says.
“The astronauts, at one point, were kids too. They dreamed of the same thing as you. You can understand the path that they went through that led them to their current career,” she adds.
As always, related programming enhances the exhibit experience. This time around, the museum is partnering with its Museum Row neighbor, Cradle of Aviation Museum.The Cradle’s portable, inflatable planetarium dome, the Digitalis Planetarium, will be in residence Feb. 17-21, for more space exploration. Families can discover the majesty of the stars and our universe during a 30-minute presentation led by a trained Cradle of Aviation educator. Four planetarium performances will be offered each day.
The LICM stage also gets in on the act with the futuristic production of “Interstellar Cinderella,” Feb. 7-March 21. Set in 3017, Cinderella is a space engineer who is looking to revolutionize space travel with her new invention.
While the exhibit is “in orbit” be sure to check out more related programming; information is on the museum’s website.
Acrobats of Cirque-tacular
Families will enjoy a new take on circus-style thrills when the Acrobats of Cirque-tacular visits the Landmark stage,. Cirque-tacular features one dazzling circus feat after another in a high-energy, family-friendly flurry of fun. Indulge your curiosity and celebrate your senses as this troupe of acrobats, aerialists and circus specialty artists bend, twist, flip, and fly into everyone’ hearts. Cirque-tacular’s performers — an ever-changing cast of elite aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, specialty acts and world-record holders from Broadway and Las Vegas stages — are hailed as “mesmerizing”, “incredible”, and “truly impressive.” The performers are revered as cutting edge leaders of the new American vaudeville movement. Explosive music that complements the performance and act adds to the fun.
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2 p.m. $38. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
‘Dancing with the Stars’
Dancing with the Stars is back on tour to heat up winter with a dazzling live production. See the ballroom brought to life in this new edition featuring everyone’s favorite Dancing with the Stars pros and special guests. They’ll perform glittering new numbers as well as some of the unbelievable showstoppers featured in season 33. The high-energy show puts the dancers in the spotlight, showcase their dynamic moves as seen during the series, along with some lively new twists. The tour delivers an unforgettable night of electrifying dance performances from worldrenowned dancers who topped the leaderboard.
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com, tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Intergalatic adventures take flight.
Feb. 1
‘Easy come, easy go’ Queen-mania rocks on. Almost Queen returns to the Paramount stage with their homage to the beloved band, Saturday, Feb. 1 , 8 p.m. They don’t just pay tribute to the legendary band, Almost Queen transports you back in time to experience the magic and essence of Queen themselves. The band — featuring Joseph Russo as Freddie Mercury, Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon, and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor — is “guaranteed to blow your mind” with iconic four-part harmonies and expertly executed musical interludes. dynamic live performance showcasing signature four-part harmonies and intricate musical interludes. The band’s authenticity shines through in their impeccable attention to detail and genuine costumes, while their live energy and precision captivates fans of all ages with an unforgettable concert experience. Almost Queen’s concerts are a true testament to the band’s love for Queen’s music.
The carefully curated setlist featuring Queen’s best-loved songs, like “Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” and “Radio Ga Ga,” along with lesser known tracks. And of course, no Queen tribute concert would be complete without classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions!” It’s no wonder fans keep coming back for more. $79.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $34.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
Jan. 25
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Open House
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education (CTE) high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. Following an introduction to the school led by administrators, there will be self-guided tours of the facility. Additional open house sessions are offered in February. Interested students and their families can register for the Open House at nassauboces. org/barrytech or call (516) 6226812 for more information. 1196 Prospect Ave., Westbury.
Icebreaker
Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
Start off the New Year on the right foot with a series of races at Eisenhower Park, Saturday, Jan. 25. The Icebreaker Marathon and other races are slated to begin around 9 a.m. in Field 2, near Parking Lot 2. To register and for more information, visit EliteFeats. com/25icebreaker.
Comic showcase
Plaza Theatricals’ rolls into 2025 with the latest edition of the 50+ Comedy Tour, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2:30 p.m. Laugh along with an all new lineup of some of the funniest comedians on the scene. And they all have one thing in common: they’re all over age 50!
Hosted by Long Island Comedy Festival’s Paul Anthony, the lineup includes “Banjo” Les Bayer and Chris Monty. $40, $35 seniors. Get in on the fun at Plaza’s stage at Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical. com.
Rockville Centre Choral Society Recruitment
Like to sing? The Rockville Centre Choral Society wants you! The non-sectarian chorus sings in Lynbrook and around the South Shore. New members are welcome. The chorus sings a variety of genres: pop, folk, showtunes, light classical and standards. All voices are welcome. No experience necessary. RCCS meets Wednesdays, 7:45-9:30 p.m., and performs two concerts yearly. Rehearsals are held at St. James United Methodist Church, 11 St. James Place, Lynbrook. For more information, email rvcchorus@ gmail.com or call (516) 599-5705.
Breastfeeding Support Group
Mercy Hospital offers a peer-topeer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms are welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure you and your baby’s spot. Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.
Tech Help
East Meadow Library’s popular technology assistance program is still going strong. Help is available in the lobby area Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-4 p.m. Feel free to drop in with your tech questions. No appointment necessary. For more information, visit EastMeadow.info. 1886 Front St., East Meadow.
Bingo at Beth-El
Get your game on at a weekly bingo game at East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center, starting at 6 p.m. Prizes, progressive games, bell jar prizes and refreshments will be provided. Proof of vaccination is required. 1400 Prospect Ave., in East Meadow. For information, contact (516) 483-4205.
Lunar New Year
Welcome the Year of the Snake at Long Island Children’s Museum, Saturday and Sunday, Jan 25-26, noon-4 p.m. Stop by to learn all about the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival and learn about this special year, which is believed to bring an abundance of opportunities and fortune. everyone.
Enjoy dance and musical performances, on the LICM stage, view live artisan demonstrations and create themed take-home crafts.
For ages 3 and up. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Having an event?
Jan. 31
Installation Dinner
East Meadow Chamber of Commerce holds its installation dinner, Friday, Jan. 31, at Bayview on the Water. The chamber celebrates a great year of business and installs new officers, beginning at 7 p.m. To register and learn more, visit eastmeadowchamber. com. 295 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport.
Mah Jongg
Enjoy an afternoon of Mah Jongg and canasta, every Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at East Meadow Beth El Jewish Center. $5 contribution per person. Snacks are provided. No outside food allowed due to dietary laws. Bring your own games and cards. Mah Jongg lessons available. 1400 Prospect Ave. For further information call (516) 4283693
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/ Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. On view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Hempstead House tour
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Sunday, Feb. 16, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
23, 2025 —
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST C/O U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff AGAINST JEAN LESLEY
JEAN-LOUIS AKA JEAN
LESLY JEAN-LOUIS, ET AL., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 12, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 3, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 33 2nd Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Westbury, Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 11 Block 109 Lot 137 and 376. Approximate amount of judgment $409,294.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604695/2023. 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”.
Lawrence S. Farbman, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-002694 83528 150743
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of formation of Cassandra NP in Family Health PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on September 19, 2024. Office located in Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the PLLC 50 Dorothy Dr. East Meadow, NY 11554. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
150909
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER’S
SALE
Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 18th, 2025, will sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 13th, 2025 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property.
Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six-month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 2019 lien sale Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased. Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/526/CountyTreasurer
Should the Treasurer determine that an inperson auction shall be held, same will commence on the 18th day of February 2025 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.
A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/527/Annual-TaxLien-Sale
A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 06th, 2025. Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public
hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audiotape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 1-3715.
Dated: January 23, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, NewYork
TERMS OF SALE
Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.
However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.
The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act(FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et.seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC) receivership.
The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.
The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf,
covering their investment in said tax lien. The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk. The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase shall be of no further effect. Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale. Furthermore, as to the bidding,
1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.
2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to
CRIME bRIEf
Man
charged in $700K fraud scheme
An Illinois man has been arrested and charged with grand larceny after allegedly orchestrating a scheme to defraud a Nassau County law firm out of $709,000, police said Thursday.
According to detectives from the Fraud and Forgery Unit, the law firm received an email in February 2024, purportedly from a known business associate, requesting a change in payment instructions for an upcoming settlement. Believing the email to be legitimate, the firm wired $709,000 to the newly provided financial account.
gation, authorities determined that the funds had been diverted to a business account belonging to the defendant, Robert Weathersby, 42, of Calumet City, Illinois.
RobeRt WeatheRsby
Weeks later, the firm was contacted by the actual business associate, who reported that the settlement funds had not been received. Following an extensive investi-
Weathersby was arrested without incident by the Chicago Police Department and later extradited to Nassau County to face charges. He is charged with grand larceny and was arraigned on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at Nassau County Court, 262 Old Country Road, Mineola.
Detectives remind the public to be cautious when receiving requests for changes to financial transactions and to verify the authenticity of such requests directly with the source. Cases like this highlight the importance of vigilance in preventing fraud.
Public Notices
any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.
3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.
4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made in connection with said bid shall be forfeited.
Dated: January 23, 2025
THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York 151098
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU METRO CITY BANK Plaintiff, Against WILLIAM KISH, et al Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 07/05/2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 2/25/2025 at 3:00PM, premises known as 1455 Rose Lane, East Meadow, New York 11554, And Described As Follows:
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 50 Block 546 Lot 27
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $559,625.01 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 609251/2019 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.
Richard Lawrence Farley, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 1/15/2025 File Number: 19-301084 CA 151128
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE OF DWELLING SERIES IV TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. BERNADETTE O’ROURKE A/K/A BERNADETTE GONZALEZ, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 2, 2018 and an Order Extending Deadline and Other Relief duly entered on February 6, 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 February 25, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., premises known as 218 Belmont Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 251 and Lots 308-310. Approximate amount of judgment is $669,424.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #000501/2014. No cash will be accepted. Ellen Savino, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 222451-6 151122
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU SPECIALIZED LOAN SERVICING LLC, Plaintiffagainst - HENRY CONWELL, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on September 5, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 25th day of February, 2025 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Premises known as 1771 Nostrand Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554. (Section: 50, Block: 244, Lot: 186)
Approximate amount of lien $640,836.36 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 011513/2012. Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee.
McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: December 30, 2024
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 151057
LONG B EACH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Exciting and growing Merrick company looking for a detail-oriented, motivated individual to join our team, part-time. Primary responsibilities include order processing and ful llment in a modern, comfortable o ce environment, not a warehouse. Opportunity to grow and take on more responsibilities as the business expands. Perfect for a stay-at-home parent.
Blomdahl USA Call Dave 516-868-7149
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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 $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
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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
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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
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 $16.50 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 $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OFFICE ASSISTANT PT
Flexible Hours. General Office Duties. Phones, Filing, Light Bookkeeping. $20$25/ Hour. Salary Commensurate With Experience. Email info@cousinsmetal.com Or Call 516-536-7755
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 $34,320 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
NYU Langone Health is recruiting participants for an exciting new study exploring why and how some people with dementia experience a return of mental clarity as they approach the end of life.
NYU Langone Health is recruiting participants for an exciting new study exploring why and how some people with dementia experience a return of mental clarity as they approach the end
These episodes are known as paradoxical lucidity. If you have a loved one suffering from advanced dementia, they may eligible for this study.
These episodes are known as paradoxical lucidity. If you have a loved one suffering from advanced dementia, they may eligible for this study.
If interested, please contact the Parnia Lab research team at 917-227-0932 or pl@nyulangone.org.
If interested, please contact the Parnia Lab research team at 917-227-0932 or pl@nyulangone.org
The fires in L.A. got us wondering
Cozy Cape: Your Dream Home
Q. I, like many others, am upset about the terrible fires happening in California. We were discussing it the other day, and are wondering what your opinion is about how these fires spread so quickly, considering that we were also having high winds at the same time. Are our homes safe? Do we have better building regulations? Could the same thing happen to us that’s happening in California? What can we do to prevent this and what do you think California should do?
A. It can happen here. We must all listen, observe and learn from this tragedy to avoid repeating it in our own communities. I have often written about the beginnings of rules and regulations, which began after the great fire of London in 1666 and, in this country, after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. It took many decades and many lives lost to recognize that building codes were needed, however.
Unfortunately, the typical response, historically, is to immediately express horror, but as time goes on, become complacent that something that bad couldn’t happen here. Yes, it can happen anywhere, and certainly in communities where the buildings are closer together. So we need to listen when we’re told that it could happen, and realize why fire could burn down any community where nature’s forces work against our best planning.
We have seen the devastation, and some of us realize the many elements that contribute to disaster, such as drought, high winds, finish materials that combust and lack of ability to escape, to name a few. Our building codes are focused on life safety and limiting fire spread. At the right temperature, nearly everything burns.
California has similar codes, but many buildings were constructed prior to the newest, more stringent codes and did not have safety requirements for one- or two-hour resistive surface materials, interior sprinklers or opening protective devices like special shutters that drop to enclose spaces and reduce fire spread. Our roofs, siding, fences and interior materials, just like California’s, can ignite readily when hot embers land on them.
Rebuilding in California will have to include interior sprinklers, non-combustible exterior materials and community training in what to take, when to evacuate and how to do so safely without blocking the path of emergency responders. I expect that we will see greater distances between dwellings and backyard structures, less vegetation, cannons mounted on utility poles to shoot fire-retardant and fire break walls that can lift out of the ground to separate buildings. There are products on the market to do all of these things, though most have been developed for flood prevention or highly flammable building conditions. More people will choose cement board siding that mimics everything from stone to wood siding to preserve styles that are consistent with the building shape, and metal, cement or ceramic tile roofs that will not combust if a hot ember or coat lands on it, and metal window frames. Remember to choose safe materials. Good luck!
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T“he Sopranos” revolutionized television entertainment when it made its debut on HBO in 1999, and continued through 2007. On the surface, it was an organized-crime story centered on a mob guy in New Jersey named Tony Soprano. Below the surface, however, “The Sopranos” explored new levels of the complexity of human nature.
Yes, Tony Soprano was a monster capable of vicious brutality. But he was also an uppermiddle-income family man living in suburbia with a wife, Carmela, and two children he truly loved. Sure, he had his goomba, but he genuinely cared about and provided for Carmela, and would say hardly a bad word about her. He was a doting father who would take his daughter, Meadow, to visit prospective college campuses while taking time out along the way to murder
opinions
‘Woke up this morning . . .’
someone who had crossed him. All in a day’s work.
Then there was Tony’s mother, who had also plotted to kill him. Underlying all these contradictions was the reality that this vaunted tough guy and super stud was in therapy with Dr. Melfi, who treated him for anxiety and depression.
TThere was also a supporting cast of rogues and characters that would cause anyone anxiety. Big Pussy was Tony’s loyal friend, who turned out to be an FBI informer — a “rat.” Tony killed him, and dumped his body off the family boat so he could swim with the fishes. Bobby Bocola was an overweight killer who could play Santa Claus, and got himself shot to death in Trainland, the model train store on Sunrise Highway in Lynbrook.
Uncle Junior was an aging mob leader and family patriarch who was capable of casual cruelty.
hree of the stars of ‘The Sopranos’ offer their takes on what made the show special.
Christopher, Tony’s young protégé, killed his girlfriend, Adriana, when he found out that she, too, was an informer. Paulie Walnuts smothered his mother’s friend to death with a pillow when she caught him stealing her money.
Recently, my wife, Rosemary, and I went to the historic Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts to see “In Conversation With the Sopranos,” with Steve Schirripa (Bobby Bocola), Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) and Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy), who reminisced about their experiences on the show and answered questions from the capacity crowd. The audience was made up of real people — middle-income Long Island families, many of whom, no doubt, had moved out here from New York City. Listening to the questions they asked, you’d conclude that they must have watched and rewatched every “Sopranos” episode. Schirripa is a good friend and a truly great guy, totally down to earth. I’d met Imperioli and Pastore when they did a similar show with Steve about six years ago in Westbury. Both are very talented but regular guys.
The show was terrific, with the trio
discussing how they got their parts and their opinions of the other actors. James Gandolfini — Tony Soprano — was the glue that made “The Sopranos” work so well, and was extremely generous and always supportive. Dominick Chianese (Uncle Junior) was an exceptional actor and a totally mild-mannered gentleman off screen. Tony Sirico, who played Paulie Walnuts, was a psycho on and off screen but a loyal friend.
Particularly funny was Pastore’s story about how a real-life mob-connected restaurant in the Bronx had proudly displayed his framed photo on the wall — but because the show depicted him as a “rat,” the picture was taken off the wall and destroyed. Their presentations were terrific, as was the question-and-answer session. They had a great rapport with the audience. After the show I met briefly with them, and told them “The Sopranos” would never grow old. Schirripa and I said we’d connect again soon. I’m looking forward to it.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
When was the last time you read a book?
iam a minority in so many ways that I never realized I’m part of a shrinking population of people who read books for fun. We read because we want to. We read because, for some of us, there’s no better way to spend our time. We read because there’s no other human experience that can transport us to another time and place, completely immersing us in the joys and tribulations of people who are the invention of a writer’s mind. I’ve known for some time that young people aren’t choosing to read books when the competition is TV or social media. I don’t need studies to tell me that, head to head, when it’s reading vs. streaming, reading loses with most teens most of the time.
The Atlantic recently ran a piece by Rose Horowitch revealing that at some of the country’s “elite” colleges, many students are neither willing nor able to read the books they’re assigned for classes. They say they just can’t do it — can’t concentrate for so long, can’t stay
with a narrative. Classes that once required some 10 books for the year now assign “excerpts.”
The students aren’t failing to perform. We have failed in preparing them to read properly.
When Horowitch investigated further, she discovered that the problem begins in high school. In recent years, with the ascendance of social media and smartphones, there has been a parallel decline in reading. More disturbing, many teachers are accommodating the change by dumbing down the curriculum, assigning summaries or chapters instead of whole books.
GPT to see what AI could do with the assignment.
Damn good is the answer. Plot summary, excellent. Discussion of themes, better than I could do. Analysis of language, good enough.
A re parents of young kids reading to them, or are they, too,distracted by phones?
Last week I began teaching a book group for adults. We do a book a week for eight weeks; they’ve had the syllabus since May, so there has been ample time to prepare. These folks are in the class for the pure joy and intellectual stretch of abandoning themselves to a narrative imagined by someone else.
I realize that high school and college kids can probably get by with ChatGPT to find summaries and analyses of the books they’re assigned in class. So, after I had reread the first book for my class and completed my notes, I went to Chat-
But what is missing entirely is any discussion of the emotional component of reading. The summaries can inform you, but they can’t make you feel. I’m remembering reading “Sophie’s Choice” in 1982, my heart twisted around the character as she chose which of her children would live. I’m talking about reading “Beloved” as a teen and perceiving racism in a profoundly new way. When I discovered “Lonesome Dove,” I disappeared for days into the Old West, way past the clichés of cowboys and cattle drives.
This isn’t just a woe-is-me essay. There’s an answer to the problem, and it is to limit or ban smartphone use and social media for children and young teenagers. We limited cigarette smoking and we demanded seat belts. Enlightened and committed leaders can do this. Informed parents can do this.
Kids read before they could Google. They picked up books before they could stream. Living in a world where high
school and college students don’t or can’t find the intellectual bandwidth to read a book is tragic for them personally and for our country. I wonder if parents of young children are regularly reading to them and introducing books, or if they, too, are distracted by phones.
Children who don’t read books grow up to be adults who don’t read, and never learn the subtleties of language and the possibilities of lives and worlds other than their own.
As we begin a new year, here are the books that I’m teaching. Maybe you’ll read one or two. If you do, write to me and we can share our impressions.
“Migrations,” by Charlotte McConaughy; “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” by Oscar Wilde; “Something I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You,” by Alice Munro; “The Matrix,” by Lauren Groff; “Slow Horses,” by Mick Herron; “The Wren, the Wren,” by Anne Enright; “A Day in the Life of Abed Salama,” by Nathan Thrall; “Of Mice and Men,” by John Steinbeck.
We worry about the rise of book banning in today’s America. Remember the horrific dystopia of “1984”? The irony is that book banning and book burning aren’t necessary in a culture that doesn’t read books.
Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
RAnDi KREiss
Herald editorial
Serve the constituents, not the parties
earlier this month, those who were elected and re-elected in November took their oaths of office.
Long after the last ballot is counted, and as soon as the oaths are administered, the most important chapter begins — the work of governing. And now that Gov. Kathy Hochul has delivered her State of the State address and the legislative session is underway, New York’s elected officials face an urgent challenge: to move beyond partisan rhetoric to deliver for the people who entrusted them with power. While the election season is often defined by fiery speeches and ideological divides, the responsibilities of governing require cooperation, compromise and a steadfast focus on serving the taxpayers.
Hochul laid out her vision for the year in her address last week, touching on issues that transcend party lines, including affordable housing, public safety, economic growth and climate adaptability.
These are not Democratic or Republican issues; they are New York issues, and they demand solutions from leaders on both sides of the aisle. Yet the immediate responses to Hochul’s proposals
letters
Peter King walks a tightrope with Trump
To the Editor:
showed how entrenched partisanship can overshadow a shared commitment to progress.
Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but some of the reactions to the State of the State were all too predictable, either filled with vitriol for Hochul’s policies or unquestioningly agreeing with everything she said.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of divisiveness. The political climate in New York, as in much of the country, is polarized, with both parties often more focused on scoring points than solving problems. But taxpayers deserve better. They expect their representatives to work together — less as Democrats and Republicans than as public servants dedicated to improving the quality of life in their communities.
Addressing housing affordability, for example, isn’t merely a policy discussion — it’s a pressing issue for families struggling to make ends meet. Likewise, public safety can’t be reduced to talking points; it affects the lives of residents of cities, towns and villages across the state. And economic growth isn’t about partisanship — it’s about creating jobs, supporting small businesses and helping communities thrive. These priori-
Re Peter King’s column “Once again, there’s a New Yorker in the White House” (Jan. 9-15): King should be commended for his once again skilled sleight of hand when it comes to comments about President Donald Trump. King managed to call him an “overlord” while at the same time showering him with praise for his supposedly singlehanded eradication of MS-13 on Long Island. King can certainly walk the tightrope very well. Lest we forget, Trump’s focus on the gang was a convenient opportunity for him to launch his narrative that all migrants are criminals, murderers or rapists. The FBI, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and, most important, Long Island law enforcement should be praised for their diligent, exhausting work on this scourge. And any child could see through Trump’s blatant politicization last year of Officer Jonathan Diller’s murder. Really, Peter. How amusing that King chooses to focus on Trump’s New York roots, his beginnings in Queens and King’s memory of a smiling Trump appreciating King’s New York accent. As if these things could overshadow our new president’s slew of bankruptcies, criminal indictments, multiple accusations of sexual abuse and documented perpetration of fraud on the public via Trump University and the Trump Foundation. King also
ties require collaboration, creativity and the willingness to engage in tough but constructive dialogue.
The stakes are high. Trust in government is fragile, and elected officials must demonstrate that they can deliver results. That means setting aside political differences to focus on what unites us: a shared desire for a prosperous, safe and equitable New York. It means finding common ground on key issues while respecting differing perspectives.
As the state’s leaders embark on this legislative session, they must remember that their duty is not to a political party, but to the people they represent. Voters have made it clear time and again that they don’t want endless gridlock or partisan posturing; they want solutions. They want leaders who prioritize progress over politics.
The work of governing is not glamorous, and most of the time it doesn’t make headlines. But it is the foundation of a functioning democracy. Now that the campaigns, the election and the swearing-in ceremonies are behind us, it’s time for the winners to roll up their sleeves, put the rhetoric aside and get to work. The future of our state — and the trust of its people — depend on it.
notes that Trump has made friends with County Executive Bruce Blakeman, former Congressman Lee Zeldin and county Republican Party Chairman Joe Cairo — MAGA supporters all. Birds of a feather flock together.
Of course, King is afraid that he and all the other Long Island MAGA tools that
Trump used while campaigning will be discarded in his junk heap of no-longeruseful sycophants now that the election is over. King is genuflecting to Trump again in an attempt to garner favor for New York in light of Trump’s continuing belligerent rhetoric about blue states and big cities. Most importantly, Long Islanders need a
opinions Rubbing elbows with three great men
Columnists generally like to write about happy things, or at least not dwell on the subject of death. But over the past few weeks, three very significant people have died, and in some or many ways, I had direct contact with all of them. I refer to the late President Jimmy Carter, Chuck Dolan and Dick Parsons.
I don’t claim to have been a buddy of President Carter’s, but I had one interesting experience with him that is still fresh in my memory. During my years in the Assembly leadership, there was a custom that all potential Democratic candidates for president be introduced to the members of both houses of the Legislature. It was the job of an assigned member to escort the potential candidate around the Capitol for the meet-and-greet.
Apparently, nobody in the leadership offered to take then Governor Carter to
meet the elected members. Almost by default, I raised my hand and offered to do the escort work. My first task was to meet Carter at the Albany airport. At the stroke of noon, he arrived in the waiting area, looking to find his good shepherd. I greeted him and drove him to the Capitol so he could make his pitch for why New York should support his candidacy.
it was the White House operator, and to my surprise, President Jimmy Carter was calling.
During the following three hours, Carter made his case for being the next president. Late that afternoon, we returned to the airport, and I wished him the best of luck. He wasn’t convinced that he could win over doubting Democrats, but he was determined to go to all of the key delegate-rich states to convince the doubters that he was the man for the job.
Two years later, the modest and humble Georgian was the president. On a February afternoon, our home phone rang, and the woman calling said she was the White House operator. Despite being skeptical, I took the call, and to my surprise it was Carter calling.
Letters
repeal of the state and local tax write-off cap imposed as punishment by Trump during his first term. Former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito promised to get that done, but caved in the end. Maybe the recent visit to Mar-a-Lago by Reps. Andrew Garbarino, Nick Lalota, Mike Lawler and the rest was enough to satiate Trump’s need for sucking up from his MAGA crew, and we’ll see a lifting of the SALT cap.
New Yorkers don’t need to “work to find common ground with the president” to become great again. We are one of the most beautiful and economically stable states in the country, with resources and opportunities not available in any other part of the nation. Do we have problems to be addressed? Sure we do. But we’re still great.
ELIzABETH MuRPHY Franklin Square
Town hikes taxes, and mailers, ads keep coming
To the Editor:
Nassau Republican officials at every level shamelessly waste taxpayer money on mailers and op-ed pieces that are purely partisan attacks on Democrats, and they cite one-party rule in Albany, overlooking the stark reality that Nassau County, its cities, towns and most villages, is currently ruled by a single-party GOP machine, as it has been for most of
He told me that he would be making a number of public-works grants on Long Island, and asked if I had any preferences for a grantee. I recommended my hometown of Long Beach as the recipient of federal dollars — but I never heard from Carter again.
On a note closer to home, I was one of thousands of people who had a chance to know Charles Dolan, who created Cablevision and countless other innovations. He was a giant in the communications industry, but he was just plain Chuck in private.
I had the good fortune to be invited to his Christmas receptions and his famous July Fourth parties. On every occasion, he had the ability to make you feel like you were the only person at the event.
One August, Chuck invited my wife and daughters to the Hampton Classic, a major event for equine aficionados. Chuck had acquired a new camera and took pictures of my family, which I used on our family holiday card that year. I credited him as the photographer, and I got a call from him, thanking me for giv-
ing him the recognition. At all times, Charles, the titan of the industry, was just plain Chuck.
My last tribute is to the late Dick Parsons, a giant in so many businesses who was known for his great negotiating skills. I met him in the late 1960s, when he was a counsel to Gov. Nelson Rockefeller. He eventually went into the private sector, as chairman of the Dime Community Bank and Time Warner.
I still fondly remember a lunch appointment of ours on the afternoon of the O.J. Simpson trial verdict. We spent an hour discussing how Simpson could avoid a conviction, but at all times he was just Dick Parsons, a regular guy talking about a world of issues.
After decades of meeting great people, I very much miss those who were humble and gracious, never making a big deal of the power and influence they were lucky to possess. There aren’t many of those people left on this planet.
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.
Framework by Tim Baker
our lives.
We all suffer from the Nassau and Town of Hempstead GOP’s relentless crusade to stay in power by gerrymandering, doling out patronage and perks to friends and family in the town’s employ, spending millions of taxpayer dollars on partisan mailers and television ads while imposing double-digit tax increases and fees on beleaguered taxpayers.
While Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin gave generous raises to his inner circle, again, he and his Town Board socked every town homeowner with a double-digit tax increase, sneaking in a 12.1 percent tax hike in December and over $850,000 in raises this month without mentioning it in any of the town’s famous and constant mailers. And this year the town refuses to post the names of those receiving raises. What are they hiding?
The town’s devious attempt to hide this nepotistic, self-serving resolution to give themselves, their families and friends substantial raises epitomizes Clavin’s resolve to hide the truth from voters. Or is this just a way to avoid recusing themselves from voting on raises to relatives?
It’s time for this charade to end. Clavin must stop raising our taxes in years he isn’t running, and then sending out tax-paid mailers at $80,000 a pop, claiming he is freezing taxes in an election year.
DAvE DENENBERG Merrick
In last week’s brief “Gillen sworn in as a Congresswoman,” a few of the people in the accompanying photograph were misidentified. Those in the photo included Owen Finegan, Myles
The view from the Nassau University Medical Center — East Meadow
JerrY kremer
Finegan, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Chris Finegan, u.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, Austen Finegan and Laine Finegan. The date of Gillen’s swearing-in was Jan. 3.
