& Emergency
the east Meadow Fire department assisted in efforts upstate earlier this month, combating a massive drought-induced wildfire that spread in orange County. at the Jenning Creek wildfires were firefighter William guiliani, Captain Brian Messina, First assistant Chief Michael Wood, and ex-Captain edward Licciardo, along with about two-dozen additional volunteers from east Meadow.
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
As wildfires swept through Orange County, New York earlier this month, the East Meadow Fire Department joined efforts to provide much-needed aid to communities threatened by the flames.
A team of volunteers from East Meadow traveled to the site of the Jennings Creek wildfires, which broke out on Nov. 9 near Greenwood Lake in the Town of Warwick, about an hour-and-a-half north of East Meadow. One of the region’s most significant wildfires since 2008, it burned over 5,000 acres in New York’s Hudson Valley and
New Jersey. Many Long Island volunteer fire departments, escorted by the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office, assisted in battling the blaze.
Jeffrey Rosenthal, the third assistant chief in the East Meadow Fire Department, said the state implemented its fire mobilization and mutual aid plan, a statewide agreement for those in fire service to assist with large-scale fire incidents and natural disasters.
East Meadow provided one truck, Engine No. 614, and 25 personnel on Nov. 14 for its first trip upstate, Rosenthal said. About 17 people joined the second deployment on Nov.
Continued on page 12
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
The Nassau Health Care Corporation and Nassau University Medical Center say they intend to file legal claims against New York state for $1.06 billion, plus interest, for withholding Medicaid payments that the hospital says it is entitled to.
IAccording to notice-of-claims documents distributed to reporters at a Nov. 20 news conference in the lobby of the East Meadow hospital, a disproportionately large share of patients served by NUMC are eligible for Medicaid. NUMC is one of three public hospitals in New York that serve all patients, regardless of their ability to pay for medical care.
receive payments from the federal government, states — in NUMC’s case, New York — must contribute their assigned share, commonly referred to as the state share or non-federal share, to hospital funding. Typically, the state share matches the federal contribution.
According to the notice-ofclaims documents, in 2024 NUMC was due to receive DSH payments totaling roughly $100.2 million.
t should shock every taxpayer.
StEVE CoHEN Attorney
Because of the large number of Medicaid patients, the hospital receives federal funding through the Disproportionate Share Hospital program and the Upper Payment Limit program — both Medicaid programs authorized under the Social Security Act. In order to
The federal share of the DSH payments was half of that total, around $50.1 million, which was transferred to the State Department of Health for distribution. The state was required to provide the other $50.1 million from either state funds or local contributions. The state was then required to combine the federal and nonfederal shares and wire the total to NUMC.
The documents allege that the state orchestrated a ruse to mislead the federal government by requiring NUMC to front the
Continued on page 4
& Emergency Services & the EMFD
the east Meadow Fire department assisted in efforts upstate earlier this month, combating a massive drought-induced wildfire that spread in orange County. at the Jenning Creek wildfires were firefighter William guiliani, Captain Brian Messina, First assistant Chief Michael Wood, and ex-Captain edward Licciardo, along with about two-dozen additional volunteers from east Meadow.
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
As wildfires swept through Orange County, New York earlier this month, the East Meadow Fire Department joined efforts to provide much-needed aid to communities threatened by the flames.
A team of volunteers from East Meadow traveled to the site of the Jennings Creek wildfires, which broke out on Nov. 9 near Greenwood Lake in the Town of Warwick, about an hour-and-a-half north of East Meadow. One of the region’s most significant wildfires since 2008, it burned over 5,000 acres in New York’s Hudson Valley and
New Jersey. Many Long Island volunteer fire departments, escorted by the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office, assisted in battling the blaze.
Jeffrey Rosenthal, the third assistant chief in the East Meadow Fire Department, said the state implemented its fire mobilization and mutual aid plan, a statewide agreement for those in fire service to assist with large-scale fire incidents and natural disasters.
East Meadow provided one truck, Engine No. 614, and 25 personnel on Nov. 14 for its first trip upstate, Rosenthal said. About 17 people joined the second deployment on Nov.
Continued on page 12
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
The Nassau Health Care Corporation and Nassau University Medical Center say they intend to file legal claims against New York state for $1.06 billion, plus interest, for withholding Medicaid payments that the hospital says it is entitled to.
IAccording to notice-of-claims documents distributed to reporters at a Nov. 20 news conference in the lobby of the East Meadow hospital, a disproportionately large share of patients served by NUMC are eligible for Medicaid. NUMC is one of three public hospitals in New York that serve all patients, regardless of their ability to pay for medical care.
receive payments from the federal government, states — in NUMC’s case, New York — must contribute their assigned share, commonly referred to as the state share or non-federal share, to hospital funding. Typically, the state share matches the federal contribution.
According to the notice-ofclaims documents, in 2024 NUMC was due to receive DSH payments totaling roughly $100.2 million.
t should shock every taxpayer.
StEVE CoHEN Attorney
Because of the large number of Medicaid patients, the hospital receives federal funding through the Disproportionate Share Hospital program and the Upper Payment Limit program — both Medicaid programs authorized under the Social Security Act. In order to
The federal share of the DSH payments was half of that total, around $50.1 million, which was transferred to the State Department of Health for distribution. The state was required to provide the other $50.1 million from either state funds or local contributions. The state was then required to combine the federal and nonfederal shares and wire the total to NUMC.
The documents allege that the state orchestrated a ruse to mislead the federal government by requiring NUMC to front the
Continued on page 4
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By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
East Meadow High School’s athletes learned about the importance of giving back earlier this month, thanks to a partnership with the Million Meal Project, a hunger-fighting nonprofit organization that launched in Edgemont, New York in 2022.
In East Meadow, some of the high school’s athletes are part of a group “Athletes Helping Athletes,” which is sanctioned by the state. It is a mentorship program that pairs student athletes with younger students to promote leadership, sportsmanship and positive role modeling. The initiative often involves high school athletes serving as mentors to younger students, teaching them about teamwork, goal-setting and the importance of character both on and off the field.
Rachel Barry, East Meadow High School’s chair for physical education and health, said its chapter’s members are invited to join based on a referral from their coach. Students have to be in tenth-grade, so the group is comprised of sophomores, juniors and seniors.
“They have to participate in at least one season of athletics,” Barry said, “and typically, they are like our best leaders.”
The group delves into a lot of different areas, Barry said. Its members spend time with sixth-grade students in Woodland Middle School, covering different topics like preventing vaping or talking about bullying. The group also hosts students from the Rosemary Kennedy School for a field day, a Nassau BOCES school designed for students with moderate to severe developmental disabilities.
“They definitely get involved in a lot of stuff,” Barry said of the group’s members. “They are your best kids — so they are involved in everything.”
Barry said the school is always open to new ideas, and this year, Callia Chung, who’s on the varsity cheer team, brought the Million Meal Project to her attention. The nonprofit is a global partner of Rise Against Hunger and other organizations that fight food insecurity, and hosts meal packaging events, where food donations are assembled for distribution to those in need. It welcomes any local organizations — like Athletes Helping Athletes — to participate by cohosting events throughout the year, and Chung asked if East Meadow’s athletes could help its efforts.
Barry reached out to the nonprofit, set up a Zoom meeting, and eventually nailed down a date for a meal packaging event — Nov. 16. 100 volunteers, mostly student athletes, worked in the gym for around two-hours, packing thousands of meals for those in need.
“The concept of this event is they bring all the supplies, and we bring all the people to pack the meals,” Barry said. “It’s not necessarily a Thanksgiving-based event, it’s that time of year, but the Million Meal Project works throughout the entire school year.”
The Million Meal Projects brings all the supplies to meal packing events, while organizations like Athletes Helping Athletes provides the manpower. Harrison Haber, Evan Velez, Michael Valente and Jason Barros worked together at a meal packing station.
The event was successful thanks to Athletes Helping Athletes, a state sanctioned group that promotes leadership, sportsmanship and positive role modeling.
On dozens of folding tables throughout East Meadow High School’s gymnasium, student athletes packed food, before transporting the packages out to a truck.
The Million Meal Project’s goal in 2022 was to package 1 million meals for Rise Against Hunger — an organization that combats hunger around the world — by 2028. “Our work to end hunger starts with a meal,” Richard Kearny, the chief executive of the organization said in a 2022 news release posted on the Million Meal Project’s website. “For those facing hunger, a meal can provide much needed nutrition, support education, health and opportunities for bright futures.”
For more on the Million Meal Project, visit MillionMealProject.org.
Student athletes that participated assembled rice-soy meal packs, which are a nutrionally-rich meal that contain rice, soy, vegetables, vitamins and mineral supplements. Charlee Cuevas, Guilianna D’Alessandro and Hailey Kruk assembled meal packs.
Student athletes in East Meadow High School packed meals with the Million Meal Project, an initiative thought of by Callia Chung, Chung, at left, worked with Maya Provitera at the Nov. 16 event in East Meadow High School’s gymnasium, where ahtletes assembled meal packs and loaded them onto trucks.
state’s contractual share of the DSH funds from its own operating account. As a result, NUMC received only half of the DSH payments it was entitled to, because the state required the hospital to fund its own non-federal share.
The hospital is alleging that is has been a victim of similar schemes since at least 2001. Over the past 23 years, NUMC has received approximately $1.08 billion from the federal government in DSH payments, but has not received a total of roughly $1.06 billion in non-federal shares.
“What New York state did is not just deliberate financial deception,” Steve Cohen, an attorney representing the hospital, said. “It risked the future of a hospital that is dedicated to our area’s most at-risk people. It should shock every taxpayer.”
Cohen told reporters after the news conference that the hospital is required to notify the state attorney general’s office of its intentions, so the state has time to prepare for legal proceedings. When additional litigation is filed, information about the case will be made public, Cohen added, and all legal proceedings will take place in New York’s Court of Claims.
The state’s financial misconduct has hurt this institution and the people it serves.
Health Care Corporation board, which oversees the operations of NUMC and the A. Holly Paterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale, the board authorized a contract with two law firms, Susman Godfrey LLP and Pollock and Cohen, to provide legal services to the health care corporation. The contract amount, at a contingency rate based on collections and additional funds, is not to exceed $325,000, according to the meeting’s agenda, which is posted on NUMC’s website.
According to Richard Kessel, the chairman and director of the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority, a public-benefit corporation that monitors and oversees the county’s finances, NIFA must approve hospital contracts over $50,000.
■ Nassau Health Care Corporation and Nassau University Medical Center are pursuing a legal claim against New York state for $1.06 billion
■ The hospital system claims the state orchestrated a ruse to withhold Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments that the hospital was entitled to
Meg Ryan Interim president and chief executive, Nassau University Medical
Center
“We are continuing to work with Nassau County on an appropriate solution for the future of NUMC,” Gordon Tepper, the Long Island press secretary for Gov. Kathy Hochul, emailed in a statement to the Herald. “Our concerns are the fiscal health of the hospital and patient care.”
At a special meeting on Nov. 18 of the Nassau
It is remarkable to us how many people we meet who have amassed signifcant wealth beyond their needs, yet have little or no inclination to share their good fortune with others, even their immediate families. It seems to us that the only value that any asset has is in its use — those who have assets they are unable to utilize are really no better off than those who don’t.
How much richer and happier many lives would be if only we learned to share more. Studies in psychology and neuroscience have demonstrated that acts of generosity trigger a release of endorphins, referred to as the “helper’s high”, leading to increased feelings of happiness and satisfaction.
Generous acts involve considering the needs of others, expanding one’s empathy and leading to deeper connections with others and a more meaningful and fulflling life. This may explain why those least able to give are sometimes the most generous. Generosity has less to do with what one has than the way one thinks.
“We’re required to approve the law firm contracts that they voted on a few days ago,” Kessel said. “We put them on notice that those contracts should be submitted to NIFA, and that no money should be spent until we’ve reviewed and approved them.”
According to the state, if NIFA does not approve the contracts, the law firms cannot be paid for their services. Asked about that possibility, Cohen told reporters that he hoped the finance authority “does the right thing.”
“You shouldn’t be retaliating against the people who are trying to uncover the wrongdoing,” he said.
The hospital has been under fire for years, accused of financial mismanagement, but this year NUMC has made significant strides toward recovery, receiving positive audits and upgraded safety ratings from a
“A fght is going on inside me,” said an old man to his son. “It is a terrible fght between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The same fght is going on inside you.”
The son thought for a minute and then asked, “Which wolf will win?”
The old man replied simply, “The one you feed.”
— Wendy Mass
Generosity may also involve giving of your time and attention. As theologian John Wesley put it three hundred years ago:
“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you ever can.”
■ The state says it remains concerned about NUMC’s fiscal health and patient care
variety of organizations. Matthew Bruderman, chairman of the Nassau Health Care Corporation board, attributes much of the hospital’s recovery to the work of Meg Ryan, NUMC’s interim president and chief executive, and her leadership team.
“As we prepare to initiate litigation, the facts will reveal that the state of New York deliberately violated federal law, depriving this hospital of the resources it needs to be financially sustainable,” Ryan wrote in a news release. “NUMC is a lifeline for Nassau County’s most vulnerable residents. The state’s financial misconduct has hurt this institution and the people it serves. Today marks the beginning of holding the state accountable and ensuring this community gets the resources it deserves.”
Own professional-grade camera
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1. Resume: Highlighting your photography experience and relevant skills. Portfolio: A link to your online portfolio or social media
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
It’s only mid-November, but the holidays are just around the corner. In East Meadow, there’s plenty of events to look forward to as the community kicks off another year of Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations.
The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Holiday Lighting at Veterans Memorial Park on Dec. 5, beginning at 6 p.m.. Attendees will enjoy fun holiday traditions, and be amazed by an amazing display that brings the East Meadow community together.
The Chamber, alongside the Kiwanis Club of East Meadow, will hold its annual Holiday Party at Borelli’s Italian Restaurant on Dec. 9. The restaurant is at 1580 Hempstead Turnpike, and the dinner kicks off at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $70.
To learn more about the holiday lighting or dinner, and to purchase tickets for the dinner, visit EastMeadowChamber.com.
Brittany Krilov/Herald file
Families had a blast at the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Lighting in 2023. This year’s event is slated for Dec. 5. There’s that — and so much more ahead — this holiday season in East Meadow.
Over at the East Meadow Public Library, fun events in early December will also kick off the holiday season, beginning with a visit from East Meadow’s Plant Man Paul Levine on Dec. 2. From 2 to 3 p.m., patrons of the library can enjoy an informative presentation by horticulturalist Levine, who will teach residents how to care for holiday plants like the poinsettia, paperwhite narcissus, Christmas cactus, Norfolk pine and others. An adult program, attendees will meet in the Community
Room.
Later in the evening, families can take part in Gingerbread House making program, which will run out of the library’s Makerspace Rooms A and B. Attendees can decorate their own gingerbread house using cookie cutouts,
royal icing and lots of candy. One kit will be offered per family for $5, and additional kits will be available for purchase at the event, if there are cancellations at the time of the program.
The session will kick off at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2. Registration opens on Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m. The first week of registration is open to East Meadow School District residents only.
It’s not quite Christmas themed, but certainly winter. Join Rosemarie Attard at the library on Dec. 4 for an adults-only ceramic painting class. Attendees will paint a stack of penguins for just a $5 registration fee. The painting program kicks off at 6:30 p.m., and registration for the event opens at 11 a.m. on Nov. 20.
Gerald Dickens, a relative of the esteemed English author Charles Dickens, returns to the East Meadow Public Library on Dec. 8 for his vibrant retelling of “A Christmas Carol.” Dickens will re-enact all 26 characters in the book, making for a lively afternoon that brings the story to life.
The program begins at 2 p.m. in the Community Room of the library. Registration opens on Nov. 25. This event is catered towards adults and teens.
For more on holiday events coming up at the library, visit EastMeadow.info. The library is at 1886 Front Street.
By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, other local elected officials, school district superintendents and school board trustees gathered in the Nassau County executive building on Nov. 21 to oppose the recent State Education Department Regionalization Plan.
The plan, introduced as an emergency rule on Sept. 25, directs school districts to pool resources, programs and services, which critics say threatens the independence of local districts. State Sen. Jack Martins, one of the plan’s main opponents, talked about fighting to preserve local control of districts.
“Long Island schools are regularly ranked among the very best in New York state,” Martins said. “That fact is due in large part to our local control and educational structure, which prioritizes our students’ success. We join our local communities in opposing any effort to force regionalization and fight to preserve local control.”
Blakeman echoed Martins’s sentiments, saying the plan was an attack on suburban school districts, and that he and others would continue to fight to keep power in the hands of the districts.
“Isn’t it interesting that cities such as Yonkers, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and New York City are all excluded from their plan?” Blakeman said. “This is just
Brian Norman/Herald
Sen. Jack Martins, along with other local elected officials, challenged the NYSED’s Regionalization Plan at a news conference on Nov. 21.
another attack on the suburbs by state government, which is completely controlled by left-wing politicians, and we will not stand by and let the Department of Education gut our school districts.”
Many opponents of the plan are questioning the decision to make it an emergency measure. State Sen. Steve Rhoads called it a rushed, and added that the language contained in it could lead to local districts’ complete loss of control of their operations.
“The State Education Department’s self-created emergency regionalization
mandate is vague and can lead to a complete usurpation of local control of schools budgets, tax dollars, and educational opportunities and resources vested in local boards of education,” Rhoads said. “Long Islanders pay some of the highest school taxes in the state, and their local and state officials should and must have a voice in where those dollars are being spent, and that voice is being jeopardized with the SED’s rushed, topdown regionalization plan.”
Sschool districts across Nassau and Suffolk counties are preparing to chal -
lenge the plan. Roslyn school board President Meryl Waxman encouraged other districts to join the fight.
“Superintendents including mine have been told that this is a great big nothing, but what one says and what one does have to align,” Waxman said. “If you take the time to read the regulations and see what they say, they should be self-explanatory. These are emergency regulations, but what was the emergency? Roslyn wasn’t having an emergency until they created one.”
Nonetheless, many people believe that the plan can be beneficial for Long Island school districts. Responding to a rally against the plan on Oct. 31 at Locust Valley High School, Assemblyman Chuck Lavine said that districts can voluntarily participate in shared services, and that the protest was nothing more than political theater.
“The State Education Department website makes it perfectly explicit that any district desiring to engage in shared services with any other district can do so completely voluntarily,” Lavine said. “Held on Halloween, the Oct. 31 rally was nothing more . . . than political theater designed to frighten the public.”
Under the plan, school districts are required to submit surveys to the state by Dec. 6, identifying areas for collaboration. There will also be a comment period before the plan becomes final in January.
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By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Leon Campo, a former superintendent in the East Meadow School District, filed a $35 million lawsuit against the district claiming that he was threatened and retaliated against for defending another former administrator.
Campo started with the district in the 1970s, becoming superintendent in 2006. He officially retired in 2008, but the Board of Education asked him to return to his old job for the 2008-09 academic year. Campo was brought back again as interim superintendent between 2015 and 2017.
The lawsuit notes that Campo had already left the district when officials fired another former employee, Arthur Williams, in 2019. Williams is Black, and served as the supervisor for facilities and transportation for the district, as reported by Newsday.
Following his termination, Williams filed a complaint against the state’s Division of Human Rights, asserting the district discriminated against him due to race and age. In the lawsuit, according to Newsday, Campo alleged that during his time as interim superintendent from 2015 to 2017, Pizzo used racist and demeaning language against Williams. Campo supported Williams complaint against the East Meadow school district, and now believes his reputation is being damaged in retaliation .
Campo says district officials falsely accused him at a school board meeting of mismanagement and removed his name from the district’s headquarters — the Salisbury Center — which was formerly named in Campo’s honor.
According to a story published by the Herald last year, at a May 2023 school board meeting, East Mead-
ow’s business and finance assistant superintendent Patrick Pizzo told board members that during his time as superintendent, Campo mismanaged several projects.
When he started with the district in 2008, Pizzo told the Herald he found “boxes piled up” and business employees searching for scraps of paper and “desperately scrambling trying to put pieces together” because paperwork had been filed incorrectly.
Campo, however, in an interview with the Herald, denied Pizzo’s allegations that multi-million dollar
building projects were improperly “closed out” — a phrase used to describe the process of ending a project and applying for state aid.
“We went after every nickel we could because that’s the way it was,” Campo said. “To my knowledge, we didn’t lose any aid.”
Pizzo told board members at the meeting last year he discovered on his first day as the facilities and operations director in 2008 there were errors in closing out projects from the early 2000s. During that time, the building aid ratio for East Meadow was 52 percent, according to Pizzo, meaning that the district was eligible for more than half of the project to be paid for by the state.
For more than $55 million of projects, Pizzo alleged, deadlines to receive that aid had passed, resulting in a $29 million revenue loss. His findings were the product of five years of research and review by financial experts, which were then verified by two third-party experts in the field of capital close-outs and financial best practices.
“What he did was gross incompetence,” Pizzo said of Campo.
The lawsuit, filed with the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn on Nov. 19, names the school district as a defendant, along with the district’s former superintendent Kenneth Card, and current and former Board of Education members, including Alisa Baroukh, Scott Eckers, Jodi Luce, Matthew Melnick, Eileen Napolitano, Melissa Tell and Nancy Widman.
Kenneth Rosner, the current superintendent of East Meadow’s schools, said in a statement published by Newsday that the district is aware of the lawsuit filed against Campo, but had no further comment — and said the district does not generally comment on pending litigation.
With each passing year — especially in areas like Nassau County — we see less of the night
By NICOLE FORMISANO
Special to the Herald
As a child, Ken Spencer would wait until the sun sank below the ocean horizon, and then ride his bike down to the beach and lie in the sand, staring up into the sky as the final streaks of pink and orange slipped from view. Then quietly, one by one, billions of stars would wink into existence — diamond dust, he said, scattered across a sea of black velvet.
Now, at 82, the Sea Cliff resident is lucky if he can spot even the brightest stars amid a night sky that has, over the years, morphed into a wall of light-polluted gray.
Nassau County suffers some of the worst light pollution in the world. It’s harming local wildlife, damaging human health, and marring something as seemingly inviolable as the very sky above.
The word “pollution” often evokes clouds of smog, or continental landfills; little do we think of light itself as a form of pollution. But when we are irresponsible about how we artificially light the world around us, that additional light impacts everything it touches.
Summer nights on Long Island, for example, used to mean a world illuminated by fireflies. That likely won’t be the case for the next generation. The bioluminescent beetles can’t find potential mates amid an overlit world, and are becoming increasingly endangered.
Light pollution is increasing by 10 percent every year, according to DarkSky International, a nonprofit fighting to mitigate the problem. And we’re already suffering the effects.
Losing the night sky
“I know nothing with any certainty,”
Vincent Van Gogh once wrote, “but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”
For as long as we have existed, humans have been linked inextricably to the stars. They served as beacons by which humanity navigated, charting new lands and waters; their movement led scholars to new mathematical and scientific discoveries; they have long captured the imaginations of philosophers, poets and artists; they encourage people of every age, race, class and ability to lift their eyes to the sky, wonder at the vast sea of the universe, and recognize the miracle it is to be alive.
“It feels primeval,” Spencer said of the night sky’s singular ability to pull our eyes upward. “It’s something within us.”
the sky. And little by little, it’s become harder and harder to see the Milky Way.”
More than 80 percent of people will not see the Milky Way in their lifetime, according to DarkSky International, and that number is climbing each year. We in Nassau County cannot see the Milky Way without traveling to the East End — and even that sight is a fading echo of what once was.
The amateur astronomer, originally from Milford, Connecticut, began studying the constellations with his daughter in 1989. He remembers looking at the constellation Hercules, identifying the globular cluster of 300,000 stars at the demigod’s side. He looked for that once-familiar sight recently, but the stars were simply impossible for him to see. He used to drive down to the Custer Institute and Observatory in Southold, which served as a refuge for starry skies on Long Island. But even that, he said, is slowly being encroached on.
“Over the years, now it’s all big-box stores,” Spencer said. “They’re all lit up, and they have big, giant lights in the parking lot, so that light bounces up into
The night sky is integral for interconnectedness, Susan Serven, a spokeswoman for DarkSky International, said. It helps us understand that we aren’t separate from the cosmos, but part of it.
“It’s just been the last generation or two where we’ve lost that privilege to view our starry skies,” Serven said. “If we lose the ability to go out under our night sky, we lose the awe and wonder that humanity has experienced for millennia.”
When Valerie Giangrande, of Massapequa, says goodnight to her two teenage children, she sometimes has to ask, “Where are your glasses?” The teens will then put on what looks like orangetinted sunglasses before continuing to watch TV or scroll on their phone — sometimes with a sigh or an eye roll, but that’s OK with Giangrande. To the optometrist and applied quantum biology specialist, making sure her kids are shielded from the dangers of excess
blue light is worth a bit of teenage ire.
“It’s one of the biggest health risks that nobody thinks about,” said Giangrande, who is an eye doctor at Optical Concepts offices in Bellmore, Freeport and Patchogue. “Light literally controls every aspect of our bodies, which is a pretty big statement to make, but it controls everything. We’re wired by light.”
Just about every function of our body runs on our circadian rhythm, a natural 24-hour clock, she explains. And that clock is controlled by the sun. When the photoreceptors in our eyes take in the long red wavelengths of morning sun, our bodies understand that it is morning and start slowly producing cortisol. As the sun climbs in the sky, it gives off more shorter-wave blue light, which heightens cortisol production and tells our bodies that it’s midday. And after sunset, when our photoreceptors recognize darkness, our brains get the signal to produce melatonin, the sleep hormone, and go into repair mode.
These days, most of our natural clocks are running haywire. That’s because the vast majority of artificial light that contributes to light pollution — LEDs, phones, computers, televisions, billboards — emit blue light. Our bodies are constantly surrounded by signals that it is noon.
Overexposure to blue light is linked to what seems like every health risk under the sun, Giangrande said — insulin resistance and diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, insomnia and lower-quality sleep, and excess anxiety.
“Anyone who wakes up not refreshed, anyone who’s tired, anyone who can’t fall asleep, can’t stay asleep — blue light
Continued from PreViouS Page
toxicity,” Giangrande said. “Say we eat dinner, and then an hour later we’re really hungry again. That’s blue light toxicity, hands down.”
Our digestive enzymes naturally go down at night, she explained. Often when we’re hungry at night, it’s because our blood sugar and insulin are still up because our body thinks it’s daytime.
There are some things people can do to reduce the harm done by light pollution, Giangrande said. To start your day, step outside — or even just open a window — to get exposure to the full light spectrum of the sun. Consider replacing blue-spectrum LEDs in your home with warmer, softer lighting. And perhaps most important, get 100 percent blue light-blocking glasses to use indoors after the sun has gone down.
“Light has to be regulated first before we do all the things,” Giangrande said. “Because there’s no supplement that can take over for the sunlight.”
Let there (not) be light
So, besides our screens, where is excess artificial light coming from? A few of the primary offenders in Nassau County are entire towns and villages using unshielded streetlamps; empty fields, gas stations and parking lots lit up all night by glaring spotlights; and homeowners who illuminate their — and, by extension, their neighbors’ — property with floodlights out of the erroneous belief that it discourages crime. Multiple studies have found that lighting has no effect on crime. In fact, it encourages crimes like vandalism and graffiti, and the glare from harsh lights at night actually makes it more difficult to spot hazards in the dark.
If overlighting accomplishes anything, it wastes money — more than $3 billion in the U.S. each year, according to DarkSky, or as much as $7 billion, according to another study.
Take the Meadowbrook Parkway, for example. The 869 streetlights that line the road are activated by photocells, which turns the lights on at dusk and off at dawn, a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation said. However, observant drivers will notice that long swaths of the parkway are peppered with orange lights even in the middle of the day. The NYSDOT did not respond to the Herald to answer whether this was intentional or indicative of faulty photocells, and how much energy and money is wasted by the lights each day.
But light pollution and its energy waste can be mitigated relatively easily by local governments. The Village of Oyster Bay, for example, has a lighting ordinance stipulating that all outdoor lighting be fully shielded. But despite such ordinances being demonstrably energy-efficient and cost-effective, few towns and villages have adopted them.
“The best way we recommend our advocates getting involved in changing actually how their backyards and their cities are lit,” said Chris Peterson, engagement director of DarkSky Inter -
an illustration of how much of the night sky is lost, and how much light is wasted, when it is ineffectively shielded — and, inversely, how well-directed, and timed, lighting can preserve our views of the stars.
Courtesy LightPollutionMap.Info this map, using data from naSa, observatories and the World alas 2015, shows light that is wasted, which is about 30 percent of all artificial light, darkSky international estimates.
national, “is to approach city councils, development offices, planning commissions, and propose an update to that lighting ordinance for the city.”
The nonprofit even provides a template for proposing such ordinances to local representatives, which illustrates the principles of responsible outdoor lighting. And if local reps are unswayed, individuals can still help by ensuring they are not overlighting their homes.
But if we don’t take action, we will soon live in a world where a starry night sky is a distant memory.
“It’s a terrible thing for children to not know the night sky,” Spencer said. “If you don’t know something, you don’t know what you’re missing.”
“The central core of me knows that night is important,” he said. “Important to us as a human species.”
Those looking to learn more can visit DarkSky.org.
Amid skyscrapers and smartphones, what do we have in common with our ancestors? The answer is the stars; the vast swath of universe that serves as our celestial home address. When I look up and see Cygnus flying over me in the winter sky, I’m looking at the same stars as people halfway across the world, or from thousands of years ago, whose names I’ll never know. The night sky serves as a keystone of the human experience, and connects us across space and time in ways that would otherwise be impossible.
As the world around us charges forward unceasingly — always asking for bigger, better, more — we rarely think of the things we lose little by little, day by day. We may not even notice when the Little Dipper dims into oblivion; when each star of Orion’s belt blinks out, one by one; when, one day, even brilliant Jupiter is extinguished, and we are left with a lone moon in a gray sky. I’ll tell my grandkids stories of the firmament, how light traveled billions of light years to make its way to us, and all we had to do to see it was look up. I wonder if they’ll believe me.
I’m not ready to give up the night sky. Are you?
–Nicole Formisano
Hundreds of turkeys were handed out to charities last week at the East Meadow Stew Leonard’s, helping those in need during the holiday season. County Executive Bruce Blakeman, above, addressed volunteers ahead of the handout.
Hundreds of turkeys were handed out last week at the East Meadow Stew Leonard’s to feed those in need during the Thanksgiving season.
2024 marks the 45th year of Stew Leonard’s turkey brigade — a tradition that has been passed down through generations. When new stores open, they too join in on the holiday goodness.
And on Nov. 21 outside of the East Meadow supermarket, members of the East Meadow Fire Departments, elected officials, Stew Leonard’s employees and members of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association helped distribute boxes of turkeys to dozens of local charities and organizations in an assembly line.
As cars pulled up, drivers opened the trunks, and the boxes were stacked inside. Some organizations that received turkeys this year included the Nassau County Veterans Agency, St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, St. Bernard’s Church Social Ministry and St. Barnabus Church, among many others.
This was the 8th year the East Meadow store participated in the turkey drive.
“It makes our Thanksgiving that much better,” Stew Leonard Jr., the president and chief executive of Stew Leonard’s, told the Herald at a previous turkey brigade in East Meadow. “Because we know that there are a lot of families out there who don’t have a great meal.”
–Jordan Vallone
Nine students in the East Meadow School District have been recognized by the New York State School Music Association for their outstanding musical talents and chosen to perform in the AllState Festival at NYSSMA’s annual Winter Conference, to be held Dec. 5to 8 in Rochester. Additionally, two students were also named as alternates.
To qualify, students had to receive a score between 98 and 100 on their solo performance, judged by an NYSSMA All-State adjudicator.
From East Meadow High School, Dave Alavanza has been selected to perform in the Symphonic Band on clarinet, Joshua Amy has been selected to perform in the Mixed Chorus on tenor, Daniel Persaud has been selected to perform in the Symphonic Band on trombone, and Ria Savan has been selected to perform in the Treble Chorus on soprano. From W.T. Clarke High School, Lia Addeo has been selected to perform in the Mixed Chorus on alto 1, Kysia Chan has been selected to perform in the Mixed Chorus on soprano 2, Saad Khan has been selected to perform in the Symphonic Band on trumpet, Kaiden Mayers has been selected to perform in the Mixed Chorus on bass 1, and Bayli Pham has been selected to perform in the Mixed Chorus on alto 1.
This year’s alternates are W.T. Clarke High School students Brian Bae and Charlotte Huang.
–Jordan Vallone
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Firefighters from each of the department’s six companies volunteered for the deployments.
On Nov. 14, volunteers in East Meadow were scheduled for a 24-hour shift to assist with the efforts, but were only needed for 12 hours. When they arrived at the Greenwood Lake firehouse for a briefing, Rosenthal said they were quickly rushed out the door for a possible structure fire at an iconic home on the lake, referred to as the “Pink House.”
“It’s this three-story house that was in danger of being burnt up,” Rosenthal said. “The fire was coming down the mountain and coming from both sides approaching the house.”
The East Meadow crew worked tirelessly to push the fire line back, and ultimately prevented the home from sustaining any fire-related damage.
Most of the firefighting techniques that the volunteers were using were relatively new to the department, Rosenthal explained. He recounted being at the scene of the 1995 Pine Barrens fire along Sunrise Highway near Riverhead, a massive Long Island wildfire that took days to contain.
“We’re not used to this,” he said of the upstate fires. “And even with the Pine Barrens, it was a different type of terrain. It was flat land trees. This was really mountainous.”
Volunteers in East Meadow were tasked with lighting fires to create a controlled burn to prevent existing fires from spreading to new areas. They also dug trenches and created pathways to ensure that fires couldn’t jump from one area to another, and assisted with putting out hotspots, or areas of smoldering ground.
Many East Meadow firefighters who volunteered did so on their own time, Rosenthal said. “Most of the people that went up, if not all of them, took time off of work using their personal days, their own vacation time, or their bosses let them off without pay,” he said. “They really used all of their own time to help other people — which was actually really nice. They didn’t have to do that, but they did.”
Brian Messina, a captain in East Meadow’s Company No. 4, who helped coordinate much of the department’s efforts upstate, said their deployments really strengthened the camaraderie between the volunteers in East Meadow.
After returning from their Nov. 14 deployment, Messina said they received word that a fire line they had worked hard to push back had broken through again.
“We all took it personally,” he said. “We were saddened — upset — and almost like ready to drop what we were doing, get in our own personal cars, and help push that line back. And ultimately,
I think that’s really what those residents truly needed, not just somebody to go there and put the fire out, but to treat their home like their own.”
The entire experience, Messina said, really opened the department’s eyes to new techniques.
“Our expertise is structural firefighting,” he said. “So going out there to a wildfire, and yeah you learn about in class, but being able to open yourself to ideas and conditions that we’re not used to dealing with on a daily basis, it was pretty special.”
Volunteers from each of east meadow’s six fire companies traveled upstate on nov. 14 and nov. 18. traversing mountainous terrain, they worked alongside experts in the field to push lines of fire back from homes and communities near greenwood Lake in the town of Warwick.
The department was planning for a third deployment, Rosenthal said, but it was canceled after they received word the fire was completely contained.
The community of Greenwood Lake was “fantastic,” he added.
“They made sure we had food and drinks, lip balm and nasal stuff, eye drops, like things you wouldn’t think of — they had it,” he said of the town’s people. “They had everything we needed to make us comfortable. It was amazing how everyone pitched together and became one community.”
Don’t miss the beats, the energy and the vibe when Secret Agent 23 Skidoo launches the museum’s Musical Explorers! Concert series.
Acclaimed husband-and-wife duo Andrés and Christina’s — known as 123 Andrés — catchy songs and lively concerts impart the joy of music, movement and language.
Reach for the rhythm in you with a colorful spectrum of musical performance
By Danielle Schwab
After everyone polishes off the turkey, families can embark on a musical adventure to usher in the holiday season, courtesy of Long Island Children’s Museum. The stage is set for a new concert series, “Musical Explorers!,” which kicks off this weekend, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
Young audiences are introduced to an excitingly diverse music scene, featuring an array of global sounds, culture, and artistic legends from the world of jazz, hip hop, Latin music, and more. Families will surely get in the groove at the museum’s inaugural series of concerts, which represent the vibrant genres of jazz, hip-hop and Latin music. Performers add their unique touch, blending imaginative storytelling into musical masterpieces.
“Music speaks to human nature, the human soul. Every culture has music. Everybody celebrates it. Everybody taps to the rhythm. So that’s what we’re looking to provide,” James Packard, the museum’s theater program director says. “Musical Explorers offers our audiences the opportunity to dive deeper into the many ways that music speaks to us.”
In curating the concerts, he selected Grammy-winning artists and top talents in family music so that a diverse range of genres reflecting the power of music are represented.
“We encourage families to use these performances to introduce their children to the rhythms of hip-hop, the soul of jazz, and the vibrant beats of contemporary Latin music,” he says.
The series begins this weekend with Grammy-winning hip-hop funk sensation Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. This dynamic three-person rap ensemble offers their young audience a fun and engaging introduction to hip-hop. Known for their electrifying blend of hip-hop with sci-fi-inspired storytelling and feel-good tunes, the band combines the raw energy of funk with the surreal magic of animation-inspired performance. Imagine a band with Jim Henson playing guitar or Shel Silverstein writing the bass lines and you’ve got Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. Prepare to get up and dance with larger-than-life stories through upbeat songs.
“We just came out with an album in collaboration with the Asheville Symphony. We took folk tales from around the world from various cultures and turned them into hip-hop songs to tell these stories,” Joel “Cactus” Sullivan, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo’s lead singer, says.
Sullivan and his bandmates journey back thousands of years, drawing from the rich traditions of Japan, West Africa and Persia to tell timeless life lessons.
And, it wouldn’t be hip-hop without some creative freestyle — with the help of members from the audience, of course.
“We get words from the crowd and then make up a song on the spot right there. There’s something magical about the improvisation that can happen with hip hop,” Sullivan adds.
Heading into New Year, everyone can jive to some outstanding jazz grooves with the iconic Jazz at Lincoln Center Quintet, on Jan. 19 and 20. The top-flight musicians swing into the sound of America. Their performances explore the Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance, examining the great Louis Armstrong’s journey from New Orleans to Chicago and New York — all from the museum’s intimate stage.
“Lincoln Center is a new connection for us,” Packard notes. “It will be a more traditional concert style, but geared at school-age kids, with interactivity and conversation going on between the musicians and the audience.”
Another performance to keep an eye (and an ear) out for is husband-and-wife duo 123 Andrés. The pair — Latin Grammy winners for Best Children’s Music Album earlier this year —
• Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1
• $11 with museum admission; available online at licm.org/ theater or in person at the museum box office
• 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
will arrive in June with their interactive bilingual performance that speak to the joy, energy and cultural richness of Latin America.
They’ll be sure to get everyone singing, clapping and dancing along to rhythms from across the Latin music spectrum.
“Music is a universal language the world over. It is a part of who we are spiritually. And so it goes on all the time, a thing that goes into your soul,” Packard adds.
The concert series reinforces the museum’s mission to bring musicians into kid-accessible spaces. It’s an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in a world of rhythm, melody and cultural appreciation — all within the welcoming environment of the LICM Theater.
“Music is a form of social-emotional learning,” Packard continues. “You can let out happiness or sadness. Exposing children to different styles they might find, ‘Oh, I really like hip hop,’ or ‘I really like the Latin beat’, or ‘I really like the jazz,’ and that can have an impact where they go in life.”
The Grateful Dead have been resurrected in the form of Dark Star Orchestra. Formed in 1997, this tribute band came up with the novel idea of recreating complete sets from The Grateful Dead’s gigantic list of concerts. Over 3,100 shows later DSO continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience to acclaim. On any given night, the band performs based on a set list from the Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. In this way DSO offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within the Dead’s musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra’s members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations.
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30, 8 p.m. $99.50, $69.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
The holiday treat returns, Audiences will once again be transported by the Sugar Plum Fairy to The Land of Sweets in this familyfriendly classic, set to the music of Tchaikovsky. LIBT’s production opens “Nutcracker” season here, sparkling with a talented cast of adult professionals and aspiring young student dancers. This version is both narrated and abridged, to introduce youngster to the story of Clara, her magical nutcracker and her enchanting winter adventure..
Saturday, Nov. 30, noon and 4 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. $37.50. Purchase tickets at liballettheatre. com or by phone at (631) 2714626. For more information, visit landmarkonmainstreet.org. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington.
Dec. 9
Jason Bonham, son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer, visits the Paramount stage, Monday, dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. He showcases his musical journey and family legacy, celebrating his father’s legendary career, with a concert featuring hits from Led Zeppelin’s iconic albums, and highlighting Jason’s own notable contributions to rock history. Encompassing hits from the iconic band’s entire career, including albums “Led Zeppelin,” “Led Zeppelin II,” “Led Zeppelin IV,” and “Physical Graffti,” the concert event is a dynamic tribute to Jason’s father, with “…a band that recreates Led Zeppelin’s music to such a degree that one can’t help but close their eyes and simply listen…” [-Classic Rock Revisited]. Jason displayed musical talent from a young age. By age fve, he could skillfully play drums, and at 17, he joined the band Air Race. Over the years, he contributed to various musical projects, including a Led Zeppelin reunion in 1988, touring with Jimmy Page, and forming his band “Bonham.” He collaborated with notable artists, recorded successful albums, and participated in a Muddy Waters tribute that earned a Grammy nomination.
Throughout the years, Jason collaborated with different artists, recorded with Foreigner, and participated in the highly anticipated Led Zeppelin reunion in 2007 at London’s O2 arena. His musical journey showcases a blend of family legacy, collaborations with rock legends and a commitment to preserving and celebrating iconic rock history. Jason always fnds himself at home behind the drumkit. From this spot, he has anchored the tempo for a myriad of the most legendary artists of all-time. It’s the place where he initially realized his destiny as a kid. It’s a triedand-true safe harbor for the expression of his purest emotions. Ultimately, Jason remains forever at home on the drums. $99.50, $89.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Partake of Thanksgiving traditions from days gone by during Old Bethpage Village Restoration’s annual holiday event, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30dec.1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Journey back to the 19th century as oldfashioned wood burning stoves, beehive ovens and hearths are all fred up as “villagers” prepare a variety of foods and baked goods, using historical recipes. Of course, a fat turkey is spitted and roasted, along with pie making and a demonstration of food preservation methods.
With fddle music, entertainment and children’s activities, including storytelling, and more. $15, $12 children 5-12 and seniors. 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. Visit oldbethpagevillagerestoration. org or call (516) 572-8409 for more information.
Emjoy a movie on East Meadow Library’s big screen, Friday, Nov. 29, 1-3 p.m. See “Planes, Trains and Automobiies,” the 1987 roadtrip comedy tells of an uptight businessman teams up with an irritating know-it-all blabbermouth to fnd any means possible to make it home for Thanksgiving when a major snowstorm strands them in the midwest. Starring Steve Martin and John Candy. 1886 Front Street. For more, visit eastmeadow.info.
The festive season is underway at Old Westbury Gardens. Enjoy a cream tea (featuring scones, Devonshire cream, assorted sweets, and tea), then a guided tour of decorated Westbury House, Tuesday, dec. 3, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.; Wednesday, dec. 4, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.; Thursday, dec. 5, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. $22.50 per person. Advance registration suggested. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.
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) 428-3693.
Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, through Jan. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades.
Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.
Visit Sands Point Preserve’s Hempstead House and join in the holiday cheer, Sunday, Dec. 8, 1-4 p.m. The familyfriendly event includes activities for all ages. Meet and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy jazz and holiday music with Port Jazz Project, along with seasonal crafts, Dreidel Corner, “nutty” holiday scavenger hunt, reading nook with holiday and winter stories, and puppet shows with Wonderspark Puppets at 2 and 3 p.m. 127 Middle Neck Road. Admission is $40/car, members; $45/ car nonmembers, includes parking. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for the next in its series of bird walks, at Mill Pond Park in Wantagh, Sunday, Dec. 1, starting at 9 a.m. The park is on the north side of Merrick Road, four blocks west of Wantagh State Parkway. The group meets at the gazebo. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. Rain, snow or temperature below 25 degrees will cancel the bird walk. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit SSAudubon.org.
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.
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.
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will spans various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority.
Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 5-6, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; also Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 10-12, 10:-15 a.m. and noon. Ezra Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day & Other Stories” celebrates the joy in the small moments of a child’s world. Experience the wonder of a fresh snowfall, the delight of whistling for the first time, and the awe of finding a special treasure. In this childhood adventure, Keats’ classic books come to life, featuring live actors and shadow puppets telling the stories of “The Snowy Day,” “Goggles!,” “Whistle for Willie,” and “A Letter to Amy.” $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm. org.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, ARVEST BANK, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST BY MERGER TO ARVEST CENTRAL MORTGAGE COMPANY FKA CENTRAL MORTGAGE COMPANY, Plaintiff, vs. JOSE CANAS, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confrming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 26, 2024 and an Order Assigning Substitute Referee duly entered September 26, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 9 Grayston Street, Westbury, NY 11590. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Westbury, Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 10, Block 199 and Lot 43. Approximate amount of judgment is $890,821.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #012788/2013.
Ronald James Ferraro, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 232116-1 150013
LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, has set the following date of January 7, 2025 for the organizational meeting. The Board will meet at the district offce located at no. 197 East Meadow Avenue, East Meadow, New York beginning at 7:00 p.m. The general public is welcome to attend and observe this meeting.
Dated: November 18, 2024 Board of Fire Commissioners East Meadow Fire District Town of Hempstead
ATTEST: Eric W Becker Secretary 150199
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Offcers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 12/04/2024 at 9:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M.
711/24. LEVITTOWNMatt & Heidi Kinkel, Special exception to maintain accessory structure (shed) exceeding horizontal maximum with less than required rear yard setback., S/s Squirrel La., 425’ W/o Post La., a/k/a 36 Squirrel La. 715/24. LEVITTOWNSadaf Rahmatee, Variances, side yard, side yards aggregate, maintain addition (shed) attached to dwelling., S/s Saddler La., 257.10’ E/o Potter La., a/k/a 14 Saddler La. THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 719/24. - 724/24. LEVITTOWN - Thomas Seelinger, Special exception to maintain accessory structure (shed) higher & larger than permitted, exceeding horizontal maximum on all sides & not permitted in side yard; Special exception to maintain 2nd accessory structure (masonry wall seat) in conjunction with fre pit, exceeding horizontal maximum (not permitted); Special exception to maintain 3rd accessory structure (fre pit) not permitted; Special exception to maintain 4th accessory structure (BBQ island) not permitted; Special exception to maintain 5th accessory structure (shed) not permitted in side yard; Maintain 8’ & 10’ high living fence & maintain 12’ high living fence forward the dwelling which may substantially obstruct line of sight., W/s Twig La., 465.99’ S/o Rim La., a/k/a 26 Twig La. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Levittown within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at
https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 150164
LEGAL NOTICE
EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS 2025
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, will hold its regular meetings of the Board of Fire Commissioners in 2025 on the third Monday of each month commencing with the regular board meeting to be held on January 20, 2025. Each meeting will commence at 8:30 p.m. Each meeting will be held at the Fire District offce located at 197 East Meadow Avenue, East Meadow, New York 11554.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER
NOTICE that that all meetings of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District are open to the public. This notice is being publicized and posted in accordance with the provisions of Section 104 of the Public Offcers Law of the State of New York. By order of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District.
Dated: East Meadow, New York
December 16, 2024
ERIC W. BECKER
Secretary East Meadow Fire District 150200
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Sealed proposals to provide “Professional Accounting Services” will be received by the Board of Fire Commissioners of said district at District Administration Building at 2045 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793 on or before December 9th 2024 at 12
noon The information for bidders, general requirements of contract, form of proposal and specifcations may be obtained at the offce of the District Superintendent, located at 2045 Wantagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York 11793. The specifcations will be available November 19th 2024
The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Wantagh Fire District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, New York or its duly appointed representative reserves the right to waive any informalities in or reject any or all proposals or any part of any proposal or to accept that proposal or any part of that proposal which in its judgment is for the best interest of the said fre district.
No proposal shall be withdrawn pending the decision of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Wantagh Fire District and said proposal price shall be in effective for a period not less than sixty (60) days from date of proposal opening.
Note: return sealed envelopes to be marked “Professional Accounting Service RFP” Brendan J. Narell
Superintendent Dated: November 18th 2024 150174
LEGAL NOTICE SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Supreme Court of New York, Nassau County AJAX MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2021-G, MORTGAGEBACKED SECURITIES, SERIES 2021G, BY U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE, Plaintiff -against- MARIE LOURDES ROMULUS; PHANA ROMULUS; DYNO ROMULUS; MARIE ROMULUS; NERLANDE JEAN FRANCOIS, POSSIBLE HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARQUES ROMULUS; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF MARQUES ROMULUS; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (EASTERN DISTRICT) O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; ETR INC.; “JOHN DOE” AND “JANE DOE” said names being fctitious, it being the intention of plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, Defendants. Index No. 601525/2024. Mortgaged Premises: 564 Broadway Westbury, NY 11590 Section: 11 Block: 99 Lots: 7-9 & 42 To The Above Named Defendant(s): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action,
On Sunday, Nov. 24 the Wantagh Clergy Council held their Thanksgiving Interfaith service at Congregation Beth Tikvah in Wantagh. It was the first time since Covid that the service was held, and over ten houses of worship and their parishioners/congregants participated.
But these facts tell only half the story. The other half are the emotions embedded in the words and gentle phrases of prayer used during the ceremony.
Our world before Covid had these annual services but the feeling was lighter and very different. We recited, recognized and repeated common passages, songs and prayers. We ate cookies and drank tea after it was all over. No matter the many beliefs of the people in the room, no matter the edifice we sat in, we went home spiritually refreshed in our fellowship.
The deprived and disenfranchised in our communities. Wars that rage on around the globe. Climate change that rages around the globe.
How far have we come? How much more can we accept and bear?
So when we come together in the spirit of faith and thanksgiving in 2024 at this local service, the old perspectives are gone. I come to the conclusion that I will continue to question, but must be willing to dig deeper than ever to redefine hope, gratitude and mercy for the difficult years ahead. Even if it is in smaller, more precious increments, these three are meaningless unless they are used to help others and make something good in our lives.
So much for another service prior to a major holiday. Before we knew it, Thanksgiving was here, another year to slice up turkey and dish out cranberry sauce.
But even writing here that now “the world has changed” is a massive and dispiriting understatement post-Covid. The deaths. The disagreements, derision and division among our citizens.
There is no time to waste. During this service, I notice in the poetry. In the silent pauses between the spoken words and the song lyrics. We are called to find purpose and change destiny. We are called to care about others. To be thankful every day. To believe.
A contributing writer to the Herald since 2012, Lauren Lev is a direct marketing/ advertising executive who teaches marketing fundamentals as well as advertising and marketing communications courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology and SUNY Old Westbury.
may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. If you fail to appear or to answer within the aforementioned time frame, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECTIVE of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a Mortgage to secure $$344,000.00 and interest, recorded in the Nassau County Clerk’s Offce on August 28, 2006, in Book M30904, Page 564, Control Number 294, covering the premises known as 564 Broadway, Westbury, NY 11590. The
relief sought herein is a fnal judgment directing sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is located. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who fled this foreclosure proceeding against you and fling the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose
LEGAL NOTICE Notice of formation of JAY Quickfood LLC. Articles of Organization fled with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/31/2024. Offce location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 22106 92nd Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11428. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 150150 your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, New York 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff. 150181
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Q. We are buying a house and got an engineer’s report that said there are several problems, including the worst, a crack in the foundation wall. It is parallel to the floor of the basement, but there’s no crack on the outside, either because the outside wall was painted or because the crack is below ground. The engineer made it sound very serious, but it doesn’t look serious to us, just concerning. Do we get another engineer or architect — is there a difference? What should we do to decide if the house is worth the hassle? We really want the house, and made a commitment, since there are several offers and ours is the highest — above the asking price.
A. I have dealt with this problem more lately than at any other time in my career, because it’s being used a lot as a bargaining tool, since house prices are in the stratosphere. In most cases, the wording from the home inspector makes it sound extremely dire.
I make two observations when reading these reports or hearing about the problem: 1) The report wording or buyer’s explanation is often not specific, but recommends a structural engineer, not an architect, and 2) the problem, when I review it, is most often not as serious as it is made out to be. By that I mean that except for about one out of every thousand cases, the wall is not imminently going to fail, and the person who wrote the report is not a licensed engineer or architect. They generally lack the structural training and testing, and therefore the credentials, to represent themselves as qualified to make specific recommendations, only to bring the condition to your attention, although you may already have noticed it.
As for whether you choose an architect or engineer, they both have training and credentials in this area of expertise. The engineer, if he or she is specifically a “structural” engineer, is more qualified for much more specialized and sophisticated structural design, but an architect must have formal structural training and testing in order to be licensed and registered. You can verify the licensure by searching the office of professions at op. nysed.gov and inserting their name and the field of practice. I often do this for clients, and have discovered that many home inspectors aren’t “engineers,” but do have home inspection credentials.
Again, in most cases, whether in or out of a flood zone, I have seen this condition, and the repair is often, but not always, to remove broken or exposed areas around the cracking and to inject structural repair epoxy specifically formulated for masonry or concrete repair. You most definitely should get qualified licensed professionals to look at the wall, since anyone else could not legally call themselves licensed to take responsibility for carrying out the work or its lasting result, and could be held liable for costs if a failure occurs, and you certainly want to avoid failure. Good luck!
© 2024 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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I look forward to representing you again
Serving New York’s 4th Congressional District has been an honor. Indeed, being entrusted with the sacred honor of representing my Long Island neighbors on Capitol Hill is a duty I have taken extraordinarily seriously every day. I am grateful to the people of this district for placing their faith in me, and look forward to representing you again. It has certainly been a consequential and active 118th Congress, and I am proud of the accomplishments I was able to achieve on behalf of the 4th District. As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I worked tirelessly to help pass House Republicans’ signature H.R. 2 border security legislation — a sweeping plan to end the border security crisis, which is in stark contrast to the disaster Democrats have allowed to fester along America’s southern border.
What’s more, I was proud that the House passed legislation I introduced to formally condemn the antisemitic chant, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which is used by antisemitic actors to call for the destruction of Israel. My commitment to combating antisemitism also extends to my tenure as a member of the Holocaust Memorial Museum board and my work to help found the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group — a panel created to foster stronger ties between the U.S. House of Representatives and Israel’s legislature, the Knesset. As a retired New York City Police Department detective, I also endeavored to support law enforcement professionals across the country with such legislation as my Police Our Border Act, which passed in the House and will help law enforcement agencies across the country better respond to the ongoing border crisis.
I
’m proud of everything I accomplished in Congress, from bills to committee work.
hours of committee work I engaged in through my seats on the House Homeland Security, Transportation & Infrastructure, and House Administration committees. What’s more, my leadership role as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology allowed me to conduct important oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency — an organization that is extraordinarily important to South Shore communities that are prone to flooding emergencies, like many in our district.
Governing is difficult, and requires coalition building, compromise, and a willingness to reach across the aisle — a fact I understand after being named the 11th-most bipartisan member of Congress and serving as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus.
These are only a few of the 37 pieces of legislation I introduced, the 448 bills I co-sponsored and the thousands of
Before the presidential election, the Herald published an editorial explaining why the familyowned newspapers would not be endorsing political candidates.
If I had read the piece in a vacuum, I would agree with it entirely. It states, in part, “Our focus is not on swaying voters toward a particular candidate, but on delivering comprehensive and unbiased information about the issues that matter most to Long Islanders. We are not here to tell our readers how to vote for political candidates; rather, we are here to arm readers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.”
Sounds perfect. But we are living through an unprecedented and exceedingly imperfect time in our nation’s history. This year, not endorsing meant keeping silent when silence may have implied that both presidential candidates met minimal standards for serving in the nation’s highest office. By any standard, that is not true of President-elect Donald Trump.
Media across our country have some-
In addition to my legislative and committee work, I successfully secured over $20 million in direct funding for community projects across the 4th District to benefit our neighbors. These secured federal resources funded a new Nassau County Police Department training village, important flood-mitigation infrastructure in the Village of Floral Park, technology upgrades for the Freeport, Lynbrook and Rockville Centre police departments, and more.
we can’t keep it
how made it seem as if a convicted felon with a rich history of lying and a refusal to take on the serious issues of governance is a reasonable choice. But in our president-elect, we have an aspiring autocrat, a morally bankrupt man with a vengeful heart.
He has already begun fulfilling his promise to dismantle the government by selecting big donors, MAGA loyalists and inexperienced toadies for his new cabinet. None of this is a surprise. He said he would do it, and he is. Whether they get confirmed is dependent on the ever-weakening backbone of Republican senators, who live and die, politically, at the whim of the man they follow.
tarian government.
D onald Trump did not meet the presidency’s minimal standards.
We are in the beginning days of DJT’s revenge tour, fulfilling his promise to punish those who opposed him, challenged him and tried to bring him to justice. He wants people at the table whose loyalty is to him. Their expertise and leadership qualities seem incidental to the main qualification: unquestioning obeisance to the leader.
So the idea of not endorsing candidates, this extraordinary year in particular, does not sit well. The fallout from the coming Trump presidency could be a catastrophic shift toward an authori-
My successor, Laura Gillen, will need to navigate these challenges while serving in the House Democratic minority, which will prove difficult. Indeed, the fact that Gillen will be in the minority lends itself well to being a vocal partisan critic of the House Republican majority and the incoming Trump administration, because both will be working in overdrive to correct the many mistakes of the Biden administration and Democrats across the country who forced Americans to endure crippling inflation and a border crisis. Gillen’s position in the House minority does not lend itself well to delivering for 4th District neighbors like I was able to do by leveraging my position in the majority.
Gillen made bold, empty promises, and now it is time for her to deliver. Voters will be watching.
Anthony D’Esposito is completing his term in the 118th Congress.
I understand the dilemmas. Do endorsements really affect voters’ choices? Historians, psychologists and journalists bat the question around, with no clear answer. Do endorsements alienate too many readers? In the world of newspapers, these issues loom much larger on the local level than with big newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, which also declined to endorse this year.
Local papers live in the community. They have responsibilities to their readers, to the truth and to the realities of just staying in business. With local newspapers closing every week across the country, conflicting interests must be reconciled, very carefully.
I started at the Nassau Herald more than 30 years ago, and for many years it did endorse candidates, from local officials to the presidency. Leatrice Spanierman, my mentor and colleague and the Heralds’ longtime executive editor, interviewed candidates every fall and wrote endorsements. The candidates, including member of the U.S. House and Senate, came to her office; they knew the value of local newspapers’ endorsement. The Heralds had a voice, and used
it as a means of informing readers. The editorial in the Oct. 31-Nov. 6 issue, explaining why the Heralds were not offering endorsements, stated that “the one place where you might see opinions about local and national political candidates … is in columns in our editorial pages, like those written by Randi Kreiss and Peter King. These essays are distinguished from Herald news content by featuring photos of the authors, making it clear that they reflect the writers’ perspectives and not the views of the Herald.”
I understand the need to create distance. I like the distance, too. I don’t speak for the Heralds. No one high on the masthead has ever tried to influence what I write or don’t write. The paper stays above the fray by giving King and me platforms for different points of view. I would be fine with any newspaper’s no-endorsement policy if this election had been like any other in America’s long history. But it was not. Nothing about this race was normal. The times demanded speaking up for democracy. For the immediate future and for as long as it can, the press must use its voice to call out the bad guys and amplify justice. This Thanksgiving, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share my views. Our free press never seemed so precious.
Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
Incorporating:
With the holiday season upon us, our minds turn to traditions — Thanksgiving meals filled with comfort and gratitude, and other gatherings of family and friends over the coming weeks.
These moments of celebration are precious, but they also give us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to give back. Thanksgiving, rooted in the idea of gratitude, serves as a poignant reminder of our privilege and the responsibility to extend a hand to others. Here on Long Island, where vibrant communities thrive amid significant challenges, there is no shortage of causes deserving our time, attention and generosity.
Friendsgiving, a relatively recent tradition, embodies the spirit of connection by bringing friends together to share a meal and express their appreciation for one another. It can also be an occasion to unite for a greater purpose. By turning these gatherings into opportunities to collect donations or volunteer, we can channel collective energy into tangible support for those in need. Whether it’s hosting a food drive or organizing a group to serve at a local soup kitchen, Friendsgiving can be a powerful reminder of the broader community we’re all a part of.
On Long Island, the contrast between abundance and need is striking. While many of us prepare for feasts, thousands struggle to put food on the table. Nearly 284,000 people will suffer from hunger on Long Island at some point this year, according to Community Solidarity, a nonprofit that provides groceries, fresh produce and warm vegan meals to lowincome communities.
Organizations like Island Harvest and Long Island Cares work tirelessly to combat food insecurity in our neighborhoods. A donation of non-perishable items, a financial contribution, or volunteering for a few hours can make a profound difference to families facing hun-
To the Editor:
Re Peter King’s column last week, “Trump makes the comeback of all comebacks”: It’s fair for Mr. King to celebrate Donald Trump’s “comeback,” and to take his share of reflected glory for strongly supporting him. But, weeks into the transition, is there no trepidation over what is being wrought?
Mr. King long served honorably
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island: BBBsli.org
Citizens Campaign for the Environment: CitizensCampaign.org
Community Solidarity: CommunitySolidarity.org
Family & Children’s Association: FCAli.org
Interfaith Nutrition Network: The-Inn.org
Island Harvest: Island Harvest.org
Long Island Cares: LICares.org
Save the Great South Bay: SaveTheGreatsouthbay.org
ger this season.
Beyond food insecurity — limited or uncertain access to adequate food — there are numerous other causes that need our support. The holiday season can be especially difficult for those without homes. Groups like the Interfaith Nutrition Network, in Hempstead, provide shelter, meals and supportive services to help the unhoused regain some sense of stability. Contributing to these efforts — whether through monetary donations, clothing drives, or simply offering your time — can help others who are less fortunate experience the warmth of the season.
At this time of year, we also highlight the importance of supporting our local youth. Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island and the Family & Children’s Association offer mentorships and resources to empower young people. By donating to these programs or
in a Congress that will now be directed to self-emasculate. There are threats of courts-martial, military-assisted deportations, even gender tests for House members. Furors will multiply over staff, from cabinet positions on down. Promises are made of $2 trillion in budget cuts. Mr. King’s experience-based thoughts might be useful.
We sail soon into heavy seas aboard the USS “Caine Mutiny,” with Captain Queeg in command.
BRIAN KELLY Rockville Centre
becoming a mentor yourself, you can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life.
And let’s not forget our environment, which sustains us all. As we celebrate the bounty of the land, consider supporting groups like Citizens Campaign for the Environment or Save the Great South Bay. Their work to protect Long Island’s natural beauty ensures that future generations can enjoy the landscapes and waterways we too often take for granted.
Of course, there’s also local news, which continues to face economic headwinds. Organizations like the Empire State Local News Coalition help sustain New York’s local news organizations — like the Herald — so reporters can tell the important stories about your friends and families, and shine a light on all of the issues mentioned here.
The beauty of giving back is that it doesn’t always have to be monetary — your time and skills can be just as valuable. Many local nonprofits, shelters and community centers are in dire need of extra hands during the holidays. A few hours spent wrapping gifts for underprivileged children, serving meals to veterans, or taking part in a community cleanup can ripple outward in meaningful ways.
Finally, don’t forget Dec. 3, Giving Tuesday, the annual nationwide day of charitable giving. For more information on this growing grass-roots effort, go to givingtuesday.org.
As we gather around dinner tables this season, let’s remember that gratitude is most powerful when it inspires action. Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving remind us of our interconnectedness — our shared humanity and the strength of our communities. Together we can ensure that everyone, in every corner of Long Island, feels the gratitude of the holidays. Each of us has the power to make the season brighter for others. This year, let’s not just celebrate; let’s give.
acouple of weeks ago, I was sitting in the waiting room of a car repair shop with my dad, minding my own business, as one does while waiting to pick up a car that’s being worked on. There were a few other customers there, most of them quiet and keeping to themselves, but one man, sitting to my right, was running his mouth about politics.
obviously happy that Donald Trump had won the presidential election, the man said something along the lines of, “It’s a good thing kamala harris didn’t win, because no one would ever respect her” — due simply to the fact that she’s a woman.
If I’d been in the mood for an argument, I probably would’ve said something like, “I sure hope you don’t have any daughters or a wife at home who’d love to hear you say that.” But alas, I didn’t want to get into a conflict with a stranger, so I kept my mouth shut, and
on the way out the door a few minutes later, my dad and I laughed to ourselves about how ridiculous the guy sounded.
Like everyone else, I had my thoughts going into this election cycle, and truthfully, it doesn’t matter whom I voted for, because it’s a done deal at this point.
Sure, there are men, like the one we encountered, who have their misogynistic beliefs that women are unfit for office. But I’ve found that it’s not just men who are dismissing the ability of a likely qualified and certainly accomplished woman to run a country.
ier, many aunts and lots of cousins, who are successful and honest and righteous people.
It’s a shame, I think, that somewhere along the way, the man at the shop and the women who are reinforcing such a negative, internal bias didn’t have that same guidance. And if they did, then something else has failed them.
’ve heard too many women say that they could never vote for a woman for president.
It’s women, just like me, who have serious doubts about their own gender. I’ve seen and heard from many of them, “I’m a woman, and I could never vote for a woman.”
I’m seldom at a loss of words, but that has stumped me. I am extraordinarily thankful that my sister and I grew up in a household in which we were told that we could accomplish anything, so long as we set our minds to it and put in the work. I am so thankful to be surrounded by extraordinary women, like my mother, my grandmoth-
To the Editor:
The Las Vegas Sands proposal to spend $6 billion — that’s billion with a B, folks — had me wondering from where Sands expected to recover their investment plus the daily cost of operations and the profit from the project. It wasn’t really a wonder, more of a fact, given all the expected losses the gambling public would be leaving behind.
A real concern is the draining of huge amounts of our underground aquifer to feed this unnecessary beast, a waste of our local water supply.
The proposal is now also offering an expansion of lanes on the Meadowbrook Parkway from three to four. All this would accomplish would be the removal of the mature trees and greenery along that stretch of parkway, leaving no shoulder.
Yes, it’s a parkway, meaning there are no commercial vehicles. So without an adjacent commercial highway, all the daily delivery trucks that would be needed to supply this property would be feeding off the Long Island Expressway, the only commercial road, for miles through our local streets. That would be an unneeded burden on our local streets and neighborhoods, 24/7.
We do not need this disaster in the making.
Lastly, the Sands has been spending a
lot of money locally on public relations, newspapers inserts, etc., to make the proposal sound appealing. Don’t believe the wizardry, which, when you look behind the curtain, is really a corporate giant taking local amenities and infiltrating our local environment, all in the name of a profit to feed its own goals.
MIchAEL LEfkoWITz Accountants + Advisors East Meadow
To the Editor:
This holiday season, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, if you’re too tired to cook, consider sharing a meal with family, friends or neighbors and patronize your local diner or restaurant. for decades I have enjoyed many excellent meals at many local diners.
Diners have been part of my life since I was a teenager. Eating out is a periodic ritual, and their portions are generous. Between the soup, salad, rolls, coleslaw and pickles, along with the main course, diner dinners satisfy the heartiest appetites. Who’s never taken a doggie bag home with leftovers to eat the next day? Many times we’ve bagged our desserts to go.
Many Long Island neighborhoods have seen changes over the years. New immigrant groups sometimes favor
My entire life, I’ve been inspired by the people around me, as well as the women — the trailblazers — who are making our world a better, more inclusive place. And it really is a shame that a large chunk of our population still believes that someone who’s deserving of a prestigious role, like the presidency, should be denied that simply because she’s a woman.
If you voted for Donald Trump because you believe in his policies and his vision for America, that’s fine — and that’s your right as an American. But if you voted for him simply because you found yourself unable to support a woman, for whatever reason, then, boy, are we in serious trouble. That’s an insult to every woman who’s come
before you — every woman who’s willed her way through glass ceilings, and endured hardship after hardship, solely on the basis of sex.
I’m a big reader and thinker, and I implore anyone who thinks so negatively about the abilities and strength of women to pick up a book. Read “The Nightingale,” by kristin hannah, and be blown away by a tale of courage. Read “The Dressmakers of Auschwitz,” by Lucy Adlington, and learn a true story of sewing for survival. Read “The handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood, and think about what life could be like if we let misogyny win.
In a world where the impossible can become possible, little girls should know that they can be whoever they want to be, career women, moms, a blend of both — or the top candidate on a presidential ticket.
The election results aside, women soldier on. We must actively challenge the biases, in ourselves and others, that continue to hold us back. only then can we create a future in which every woman knows that her voice matters and her potential has no limits.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? jvallone@liherald.com.
their own ethnic foods and restaurants. Diners have also lost customers over time to fast-food restaurants. Remember, these people are our neighbors. our local entrepreneurs who own and operate diners have continued to invest in our communities, creating new employment opportunities without the assistance of federally funded taxpayers’ stimulus dollars. They work long hours, pay taxes and provide local
employment. If we don’t patronize our local restaurants, these workers don’t eat, either.
Why not honor the fond memories of some our favorite diners that have come and gone by continuing to patronize those that remain? h ere’s hoping that diners don’t go the way of the dinosaurs.
LARRY PENNER Great Neck
