HERALD
local basketball talent on display at 3-on-3 tournament
Community members from across Nassau County and Queens showed up to shoot hoops at the third annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament hosted by Universal Interactions on July 27. Story, additional photos, Page 3.
Shedding light on the dark side of racing
By NIColE FoRMISANo nformisano@liherald.com
Victor Bahna is a tech executive, a family man and a lover of horse racing — and the Malverne native surprised even himself when he recently added “published author” to that list.
“It only took me 59 years to get there,” Bahna said with a laugh.
Bahna’s debut novel, “Heliacal Star,” was released by Bahna’s publishing company, Bahna Publishing, on July 29. The suspense novel already has glowing reviews from the likes of the Seattle Book Review, which gave it five stars. The story follows a former bookie named Matt, and a horse trainer, Kristine, as they confront Matt’s past in organized crime.
ager, Bahna and his friends made their way to the racetrack one day, and Bahna was immediately hooked.
“Just the excitement of the race itself,” Bahna, who now lives in Washington, said. “I had not experienced anything like that before.”
I started appreciating just the elegance, the grace, the beauty of horses.
VICToR BAhNA Author, ‘Heliacal Star’
The story will hit particularly close to home — literally — for residents of Malverne and Elmont, because it grew out of Bahna’s love for the races at Belmont. When he was a teen-
He would sometimes bet on the races — typically in the $2 to $4 range, he said — but it wasn’t just the betting that made the races so engaging. The cheering of the crowd electrified the air.
“There’s nothing that’s predetermined,” Bahna said. “That’s also just part of the excitement. There’s the possibility you can win, but you have a stake in the game even if you’re a $2 bettor.”
And then there were the horses themselves.
“I started appreciating just the elegance, the grace, the beauty of horses,” Bahna said. “I often go just to watch them run. It’s just so amazing to hear
Continued on page 4
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Spotted lanternflies seen all over Long Island
By Jenna Stanco Intern
There is a new resident species on Long Island, and it might be making itself at home in backyards across the region. Since 2020, New York State has identified spotted lanternflies throughout the island, all boroughs, and areas upstate, despite various efforts to control the population.
Spotted lanternflies are a species of planthoppers, insects known for jumping from one plant to another, feeding on plant juices. They are native to eastern Asia and are believed to have come to the US on a stone shipment to Pennsylvania, according to a statement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Since their presumed arrival in 2012, the bugs have established survival and perseverance throughout the Northeast. They were first identified in New York on Staten Island, but now can be found all throughout Nassau County by the tens of thousands.
“There are concerns that the spotted lanternflies feed on agricultural species, and also both non-native and native plants,” said Jane Jackson from the North Shore Land Alliance. She explained that the future of the local ecosystem “remains to be determined” if the species is not controlled.
The insects can be recognized in distinct phases throughout their year-long life cycle but are most notably apparent by their white spots and jumping movements. Smaller, newly hatched lanternflies, called nymphs, begin to appear in May. As the insect grows and the summer unfolds, they become larger, eventually taking on their distinctive red coloration. Around late July to mid-August, you can begin to recognize the lanternfly in its adult form - gray wings and black spots. The bugs typically live until December and lay their eggs in the fall.
Courtesy Humane Long Island For over a decade, spotted lanternflies have been spreading across the Northeast, potentially disrupting native flora and fauna species.
The State Agriculture Department has considered the species to be invasive and “has taken an aggressive approach to managing SLF in New York State, including conducting surveys of high-risk areas across the State, implementing an external quarantine that restricts the movement of goods brought into New York from quarantined areas, inspecting nursery stock, stone shipments, and commercial transports from those quarantine areas, and launching a comprehensive education and outreach campaign to enlist the public’s help in reporting SLF,” according to Hanna Birkhead, the associate director of public information. The department works closely with the United States Department of Agriculture, the New York State Department of Environment Conservation, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation in responding to the presence of the bugs.
The insects can be found outside feeding on plants, particularly the tree of heaven, an invasive deciduous tree species also native to Asia. They tend to congregate and are known to suck the sap out of their plant of choice, though they only really do damage to plant species that are also considered invasive, according to John Di Leonardo, president of Humane Long Island, the leading animal advocacy organization on Long Island.
“I think that spotted lanternflies are here to stay,” Di Leonardo explained. “They’re just trying to survive, and honestly, they’re consuming a lot of non-native plants. If we’re saying non-native is bad, invasive is bad, then we can be happy that these guys are helping clear out the tree of heavens while they’re here.”
Despite the insect’s potentially helpful nature, the state agriculture department continues to implement control measures to help combat the perseverance of the species. Emily Ordonez of the department’s public information office explains that if you are to spot any of the spotted lanternflies in Nassau County, the appropriate response is to squash or step on them.
“SLF threatens the agriculture and forestry industries, including apples, grapes, hops, maple, walnut, and others, and is also a nuisance pest. SLF nymphs and adults feed on over 70 different plants with piercing-sucking mouthparts,” Ordonez said. “With each female SLF eliminated, we are theoretically reducing next year’s population of SLF by 60-100, so we very much appreciate everyone doing their part to stop this pest.”
Despite this, the population growth of the spotted lanternflies in the Northeast during recent years can be considered unmanageable and attempts to continue eradicating the bugs are “a fool’s errand,” according to Humane Long Island.
Di Leonardo said various attempts to spray chemicals and set traps to damage the insects do more harm to the environment than the bugs themselves do.
“There was a lot of misinformation going out there that these animals are somehow harmful to humans, to many native plants, to pets, but all of that, pretty much, has been debunked,” said Di Leonardo. “They were originally saying that we were in danger of losing mature hardwood and forest to these animals. Now, you know, while they may feed on some of these, they pose almost no danger to them. The plants nearly always recover, with the exception of the tree of heaven and other invasive species.”
Family Children’s Association awards scholarships
The Family and Children’s Association, a leading health and human services nonprofit organization on Long Island, held its 39th Annual Scholarship Breakfast last month at Nassau County Community College.
The event celebrated the shared accomplishments of its 46 scholarship recipients, who drew inspiration from two guest speakers: past scholarship winner Andrea Gomez and motivational speaker Anthony Robles, the 2011 NCAA individual wrestling national champion in the 125-pound weight class and a three-time All-America wrestler. Born with only one leg, Robles is the author of “Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion.”
Gomez opened the program, speaking of her journey to college, the challenges she faced immigrating from
Honduras, her time in foster care, and her determination to succeed.
Robles gave the keynote address, holding the audience in rapt attention as he chronicled his journey to achieve his wrestling titles and life goals. Both speakers touched upon their successes and setbacks, stressing the importance of persistence, accepting help, guidance, and belief in oneself.
New this year, all attendees were invited to interact with and contribute inspirational, positive quotes or words of wisdom to FCA’s “Wisdom Wall.” In addition, through a collaboration with Little Words Project which creates inspirational bracelets popularized by Taylor Swift and other celebrities, FCA customized its own “Unstoppable” bracelet. Guests who made a $35 donation received a bracelet specially designed to honor FCA’s 2024 scholar-
ship recipients. One hundred percent of the profits go directly to FCA and benefit the more than 35,000 Long Islanders they help every year.
The scholarship breakfast celebrates the generosity of scholarship donors, the extraordinary achievements of the scholarship winners, and the dedicated staff who administer the program. Scholarship recipients are encouraged to meet the FCA donors who help make their education journey possible, gaining further opportunities for career insights and guidance.
Over three decades, FCA has awarded more than 1,500 scholarships collectively worth over $2 million to students engaged with FCA’s programs and services, enabling at-risk teens to pursue higher education and improve their lives. In 2023, 35 students received scholarship support, and this year, 46
students received scholarships.
FCA is a nonprofit agency helping more than 35,000 Long Islanders each year. For 140 years, the organization has worked to protect and strengthen vulnerable children, seniors, families, and communities on Long Island.
FCA believes in the potential of Long Island — a place where no child, senior, family or community is left to struggle alone with barriers to health care, education, employment, or economic prosperity. Long Island continues to be one of the greatest places in the world to live and raise a family for many; FCA exists to ensure that be the case for all.
For more information about FCA, visit FCALI.org.
–Jordan Vallone
Hoop hype at Elmont basketball tournament
Community members got active at Elmont-based nonprofit Universal Interactions’ third annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Lincoln Park in Hempstead on July 27.
Sixty four teams participated in the tournament, but Team 750 reigned champions.
Elmont alum Qai Kellman, Nick Campion, Tyrese Apple and Chidi Obichere were awarded a $3,000 check for their hard-fought win.
The tournament featured a DJ and commentators who kept everyone who attended engaged in the competition.
Fenol C. LaRock, Christiano Marcello and Antonio Marcello, all executive directors of Universal Interactions, started the tournament in 2021. They were inspired by a similar tournament that was hosted throughout their youth to create their own tournament.
To learn more about the organization’s upcoming events, visit @UniversalInteractions on Instagram, ElmontCommunityCenter.org/Events, or contact (646) 732-8105, (516) 853-1609 and universalinteractionsinc@ gmail.com.
–Nicole Wagner
Photos courtesy Christiano Marcello
Fenol C. LaRock, Christiano Marcello and Antonio Marcello, executive directors of Elmont-based nonprofit Universal Interactions, celebrate the final four teams in the third annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
Jonathon Grimsley, of Valley Stream, charges with the ball towards the hoop.
Elmont alum Qai Kellman, Nick Campion, Tyrese Apple and Chidi Obichere claimed victory at the third annual Universal Interactions 3-on-3 basketball tournament as Team 750 on July 27.
Tim Baker/Herald photos Neighbors from throughout Nassau County and Queens competed in Universal Interactions 3-on-3 basketball tournament at Lincoln Park in Hempstead on July 27.
This novel will set readers’ hearts racing
and watch them in action.”
But there’s a dark side to horse racing as well — one that Bahna hopes his book will shed a little more light on.
After horses’ racing careers are over, some end up in the breeding industry; others become show horses. And others find themselves locked in dark trailers headed to Canada or Mexico, where they will be slaughtered and their meat sold in other countries.
When Bahna decided in 2017 to write a book, he discovered that more than 100,000 horses were being slaughtered every year in Canada and Mexico combined — though that total was down from 300,000 two decades earlier. Many were former racehorses.
“I want to bring a little more awareness to that part of the industry, because no one really talks about this much,” Bahna said. “So I thought this was an opportunity for me to perhaps shed light on this a little bit. But I wanted to do it in a way where I wasn’t preaching, and I wasn’t sermonizing. I just wanted to lay out a story-like framework, and that really was the starting point.”
A frightening trip to a slaughterhouse could have been the fate of a spunky, lovable, 18-year-old former racehorse named Rooster City. Instead, he is living his best life on a farm in Washington thanks to Bahna.
After Rooster City, then age 7, pulled a
rooster City is a former racehorse that could have been sent to a slaughterhouse. instead he is living on a farm and enjoying frequent rides and plenty of baby carrots.
leg muscle during his racing career, he could have been cast aside like so many other thoroughbreds. Instead, Bahna, who owned him, wanted to do the right thing. Now Rooster City enjoys his days on the farm, ridden frequently by Bahna.
“He’s Mr. Personality,” Bahna said fondly. “He’s sassy, he’s playful. He’s a very determined horse.”
Rooster City’s light could have been
prematurely extinguished had he been in the hands of a less caring owner. And unfortunately, that continues to be the fate of thousands of horses each year.
But the good news is that those numbers continue to decline. Last year, only 20,000 or so horses met their end in slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico, thanks to a drop in overseas demand for horse meat, racetracks providing improved aftercare for horses, and more
29. ‘Heliacal Star’ explores the dark side of horse racing.
social media awareness. More horses than ever before are enjoying second careers after their racing days, whether as show and dressage horses, therapy horses for people with special needs, or just lifelong companions on a farm.
“Hopefully,” Bahna said of slaughterhouse deaths, “we get that number down to zero soon.”
“Heliacal Star” is available on Amazon, at tinyurl.com/HeliacalStar.
Leaving a Vacation Home to Family
We all know the road to you know where is paved with good intentions. Nowhere is this more true than leaving a vacation or beach home for the children to share after the parents have passed. We have often advised that if they are all happy and get along well this might very well lead to the end of those good feelings and relationships.
Inevitably, some will do more work on the premises than others, some will use the premises more than others, there will be disagreements as to maintenance and repairs. Some may never visit or use it at all.
Initially, all expenses tend to be shared equally, since all are equal owners. The foregoing issues, however, will quickly arise and then it will often be difficult or impossible to determine what each child’s fair share of the expenses should be. The one living across the country who never visits may insist that they be “bought out” or, if that’s unaffordable to the others, that the house be sold so that they can get their share.
Sooner or later, one of the siblings dies
and their share goes to a sister-in-law or brother-in-law who may remarry and bring a stranger into the shared arrangement. Or let’s say an owner of one-third of the house dies, and now their share goes to their four children. How is that going to work?
Vacation homes are an excellent example of why good estate planning is often more social work than legal work. In these cases we anticipate the problems and spend the time to figure out who wants and uses the home and perhaps leave it to those children only and compensate the others with money or other assets. If they all use and enjoy the home, we sometimes require that it be held jointly with the right of survivorship, allowing the last of the joint owners to decide who to leave it to.
While the possibilities are endless, each case should be looked at and thought through so as to keep harmony in the family by preempting any potential conflicts. Otherwise, it’s often a case of the old adage that “no good deed goes unpunished”.
Photos courtesy Victor Bahna a novel by Victor Bahna was released on July
Students have fun during summer program
The Elmont school district welcomed more than 350 students to its annual Summer Accelerated Program this year.
The program, which was held at Clara H. Carlson School throughout July, provided academic and enrichment activities for students in pre-K through fifth grade.
The program offers students a review of the previous school year and prepares them for their upcoming grade level.
Students participate in STEAM, art, music, physical education, social-emotional learning and Lego robotics lessons. The daily activities and projects incorporate interdisciplinary learning.
There was also an “Elmont Road Trip” themed spirit week, with each day focusing on a different place across the United States. Students also enjoyed relay races and games during outdoor field days.
All grade levels participated in the STEAM Read Aloud Challenge, which combined STEAM and Project-Based Learning components. Students read “Randy Riley’s Really Big Hit” by Chris Van Dusen and “The Life of a Plastic Bottle” by Suzanne Fossey. After reading the books, the students were tasked with creating their own robots and creating art out of used plastic water bottles.
The students presented what they worked on to families and friends at the Summer Showcase and Art Exhibit on July 24. They displayed their STEAM Read Aloud Challenge projects, provided Lego robotics demonstrations, showcased their artwork and more.
while learning last month.
The summer accelerated program in the Elmont school district offered a chance for kids to have fun
AI helps level the educational playing field
Embracing new technologies like ‘adaptive learning’ is proving to be key to keeping
By Nicole Wagner & Danielle Schwab
Continuing a series exploring the presence of artificial intelligence in our schools — and, over time, in society as a whole. Thoughts? Questions? Ideas? Email us at execeditor@liherald.com.
While some educators have gotten acquainted with artificial intelligence hesitantly, many school districts across Nassau County have embraced the technological tool in the classroom. It’s no secret that AI is changing the academic landscape. Educators, parents and students are in a race to keep up with its abilities, and especially about how it can — and will — be used in education. A helpful visual representation of just how AI can help students is a ramp. Ramps are used in buildings to make different levels accessible to people who can’t climb steps. But many of those who can take the steps use ramps as well. AI can be seen as a tool that all students can use to make education more accessible and to serve their individual needs.
Meeting students where they are
The Franklin Square school district has embraced AI as a way to help individualize education for students from pre-K through sixth grade. District Superintendent Jared Bloom spoke with the Herald about the multitude of ways AI can help keep students engaged, tai-
loring lessons to their interests.
One tool that district students and parents have used is Goblin.Tools, an AI-powered site that can identify an essay’s key points if a student need to create a Power Point or poster board for a given assignment.
“You can even break those chunks into smaller chunks,” Bloom said. “So it really becomes manageable, and you can really understand what are the key components of that assignment.”
Another way in which AI can help teachers and students is by varying the reading level of a passage. This has been a welcome change for educators in Franklin Square, Bloom explained: 20 years ago, teachers had to find a handful of different reading passages for the various skill levels in their classrooms.
student’s interests, whether it be music, sports, art or anything else. “We know that when students are interested in a topic, they’re going to be more engaged and more open to learning,” Bloom said.
Nassau County BOCES’ Special Education Department, which serves 1,800 students at 10 Nassau BOCES schools, is exploring AI’s potential in special education. Ken Kroog, assistant director of the department, said that AI can help students through what’s known as “adaptive learning.” During online assessments, AI tailors questions based on a student’s performance in real time.
“Now you can take one passage and run it through AI, and be able to hand that reading out to kids all on the same topic without having to go out and get new material,” Bloom said. “And that’s very helpful for students.”
The promise of personalization in any subject excites Bloom about AI. A fourth-grade math problem can be plugged into AI and personalized to a
“So let’s say if I answer correctly or achieve a certain level of proficiency, the subsequent questions will challenge me at a greater level,” Kroog explained. “So you get a real clear picture of where, exactly, I’m performing across the different skill areas.”
Students who are visually or audibly impaired can use tools like Otter.ai to transcribe a lecture to better understand what is going on in the classroom.
Katherine Lewis, a disability counselor at Nassau Community College, said she uses this tool to help students. AI can be a great help for students who are strug-
kids engaged
gling to understand a topic — and for families who can’t afford a home tutor.
“To be able to sit with your child and utilize some of these tools that are out there, free of charge, helping support an understanding of a particular topic, is pretty magical,” Bloom said.
Students at NCC can benefit from AI when the college’s learning centers are unavailable. Genette Alvarez-Ortiz, vice president of academic affairs, said she hoped it could be used around the clock to help students when staff are not accessible.
“In terms of availability, there are challenges with the evening coverage and weekend coverage,” Alvarez-Ortiz said of the college’s learning centers. “We may be able to look at AI as a possibility to help support our learning centers.”
Benefits that AI offers educators Staff in the Franklin Square school district have reported that personalization and customization of lessons for students can “support students in new and different ways that we wouldn’t have been able to do as easily” without AI, according to Bloom. These tools help teachers save time when creating lesson plans.
“I’m really hopeful that we’re going to be able to get to that point where we’re utilizing AI to make everybody’s life a little bit better and easier,” he said,
Courtesy Nassau BOCES
Nassau BOCES staffers have embraced the power of artificial intelligence to enhance student learning.
AI is changing education in so many ways
“and as a result of that, we’re customizing and personalizing for kids in ways that we wouldn’t have been able to do as quickly before.”
BOCES educators have not only used AI tools as time-savers when creating lesson plans, but have also used them as “thought partners,” Kroog said. “It allows special educators to differentiate learning for students, customizing instruction for specific learning needs and leveraging their strengths to give them a very personalized, individualized learning experience,” he said.
This helps teachers in the Special Education Department at BOCES as they work on time-demanding aspects of their jobs, such as report writing and individualized education programs, or IEPs.
kind of both.”
Student
reception
As an elementary-focused school district, Bloom said, Franklin Square’s students are using AI differently than a kindergarten-through-12th grade district would. However, the students who are able to use AI prompts have been very excited to embrace the tool. The district has been trying to give students a variety of opportunities to learn how to program, prompt AI, design video games and more to increase their exposure to different technologies.
e know that when students are interested in a topic, they’re going to be more engaged and more open to learning.
JAred Bloom Franklin Square superintendent
Rockville Centre school district Superintendent Matthew Gaven said he also believes AI can be used to tailor lessons to students’ needs.
“Computers and teachers have always given the diagnosis, but not always the prescription,” Gaven said. “Like, ‘How do you get better?’ So AI is
“That’s the world that they’re growing up in,” Bloom said. “We have to be preparing our kids for their future, for their tomorrow.”
In Rockville Centre, students in middle and high school have the chance to enroll in an elective AI course that uses the coding program kidOYO. Gaven said that students have embraced the elective courses that teach AI research at the middleschool level and prompting at the highschool level.
“Our students are going to have these tools embedded in their lives,” Gaven
said. “They need to know how to use them responsibly. They need to know what they’re good for and what they’re not good for. And then they need to know, you know, how do you take the stuff that AI generates and add value on top.”
What are its limitations?
AI does have its limitations. Teachers still need to vet its output to see what’s applicable and what’s not. It’s a process that Kroog believes requires human expertise to navigate.
The technology must comply with New York State Education Law 2-D, which protects students’ and teachers’ personal information.
“Educators need to know how to use them right for their own instruction, and then teach students how to use them responsibly to support their learning,” Kroog said. “And with that comes a lot of learning, a lot of training on our part, and then a lot of understanding of what AI can do and what it can’t do.”
Maintaining academic integrity while using AI is something Bloom is passionate about. “I believe that with enough support and with enough training, just like with the calculator, we’re going to be able to help students to see how it is a tool to improve learning, and not a tool to just get you the answer,” he said.
As Gaven sees it, the future looks
■ ChatForSchools.SkillStruck.com
■ Diffit.ai
■ Goblin.Tools
■ Firefly.Adobe.com
■ Canvas.com
■ Chat.Openai.com
■ Claude.ai
■ Gemini.Google.com
■ Perplexity.ai
■ Otter.ai
bright for the ways AI will be used to help students in the years to come. “If AI truly allows individual pathways for students — you know, really specifically tailored instruction, with the resources that support it,” he said, “then I think it’s going to be a tremendous help for all of our students, particularly our students with special needs.”
Long Island’s most anticipated new oceanfront rental community is now open. At The Breeze, each apartment opens you to a world of uncompromising luxury amenities & an active, adventurous lifestyle.
Beach wrestling returns to Long Beach
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Sunbathing, surfing and maybe even a few sandcastles took a back seat last Saturday as a wresting tournament with nearly 250 participants dominated a steamy summer day in Long Beach.
The [Reggie] Jones & [Paul] Gillespie East Coast Beach Wrestling Tournament, the second of its kind on the sand at Edwards Boulevard Beach since Superstorm Sandy in 2012, honored those two legendary coaches and “ran smoothly,” organizer Miguel Rodriguez said.
“It was such an incredible day and the city of Long Beach was a huge help,” said Rodriguez, a longtime member of the Long Beach High School wrestling program coaching staff who competed for the Marines from 1997-99 and took part in a handful of beach wrestling events himself.
“We were hoping for 100 wresters and ended up with close to 250,” he added. “It was a lot of work and took a lot of people to make it possible. The day turned out just perfect. We hadn’t hosted one in nine years, but this was the best-run tournament we’ve had in a long time and honored some special people.”
In addition to coaches Jones and Gillespie, the tournament was dedicated to late Long Beach wrestlers and graduates Lazar LaPenna, Joshua Encarnacion and Michael Berube. Three of the event’s four wrestling rings was named in their
honor, Rodriguez said.
While there was no shortage of high school varsity and JV, and middle school-aged competitors, Rodriguez noted the ages ranged from kindergartners through 55.
Dylan Martinsen, a 2019 Long Beach High School graduate, won the 172-pound weight group. His father, Kevin, 55, also competed. “I hadn’t wrestled since high school and it was really cool,” Dylan said.
“Everyone did a great job putting it together, and honoring the memories of the guys we’ve recently lost was touching.”
Each match consisted one of three-minute period and began in the neutral position — both wrestlers stood opposite one another in the center of the ring and waited for the referee’s whistle to start grappling. That was also the case for any restart, Rodriguez said. The first wrestler to score three points advanced. In the event of a tie at the end of three minutes, the wrestler who scored the last point was declared the winner.
“Most matches didn’t last the full three minutes, but one of the finals did,” Rodriguez said. “We had 14 different categories and about 50 first-place medals handed out.”
The goal moving forward, Rodriguez said, is to take the tournament up a notch on the beach wrestling stage. “Not only do we want to make this an annual event, but we’re hoping it can be a qualifier for the Beach World Series,” he said.
Arianna Balsamo, left, and Matthew Sarro were two of the nearly 250 wrestlers to flock to Long Beach to grapple on the sand in the East Coast Beach Wrestling Tournament named after legendary coaches Reggie Jones and Paul Gillespie.
Michelle Ebel/Herald photos
Gregg LaPenna, left, and Kevin Martinsen were two of the elder competitors in last Saturday’s beach wrestling tournament.
Jack O’Grady, top, tussled with Tristan Doughertyse.
Mount Sinai’s emergency nurses are honored
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
The Emergency Nurses Association has awarded the prestigious 2024 Lantern Award to Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Emergency Department.
The department staff received the award for reducing wait times and for demonstrating commitment to exceptional and innovative leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research.
The award is named in honor of Florence Nightingale, a trailblazing nurse and the founder of modern nursing, who was known by the nickname “Lady with the Lamp.”
MSSN’s Fennessy Family Emergency Department, along with emergency departments at Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West, are three of only 94 emergency departments across the United States that met the Lantern Award criteria this year, according to the hospital.
Colleen Schaefer, quality operations coordinator for South Nassau’s Emergency Department, submitted the application and the necessary data.
“This was brought forward by our former director, Christina Salucci, and another Mount Sinai emergency department received the award last year,” Schaefer said, “so we really pushed and came together as a department to apply for the award this year.”
For its teamwork and an enduring commitment to service excellence, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Emergency Department was awarded the Emergency Nurses Association’s Lantern Award for reducing wait times and for innovative leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research.
The Emergency Department nurses found out they had won early last month.
“I think for both leadership and staff, it just signifies how hard we’ve worked together as a department, and we experience growth and change,” Schaefer
We are Zionists.
The 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av (Mon. night and Tues., Aug. 12-13) is the saddest in Jewish history, commemorating the destruction of the Jewish Temples (which were on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, now occupied by the Dome of the Rock). The Western [retaining] Wall, the Temple’s remnant, is the holiest place accessible to Jews today. Through the millennia, Jews have recited Psalm 137: ‘If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither; let my tongue stick to my palate if I cease to think of you, if I do not keep Jerusalem (Zion) in memory even at my happiest hour.’ Jews are not ‘settler colonial’ interlopers in the Land of Israel; Jews are the indigenous nation of the Land, having returned home to the Jewish state of Israel and to Zion (which is Jerusalem).
said. “Our staff is adapting excellent to that, and we’re making sure that we’re growing our team and providing safe patient care for all our patients.”
Dr. Jay Itzkowitz, clinical chair of the department, helped implement a series of innovations that led to improvement
in a key measurement of patient satisfaction and performance.
“This is a testament to the ED staff, especially the nurses, for the amazing work they do on a daily basis,” Itzkowitz said. “Talk about the care they provide to all the patients, the patient experience and the patients who want to come here. We are providing a service to the community that they want in that area.”
MSSN’s emergency room simultaneously reduced the “left without being seen” patient rate to below 2 percent and handled a significant increase in post-pandemic patient volume.
“It goes without saying how proud I am and excited to be part of this,” Itzkowitz added. “We know the amazing team that we have — it’s just a matter of time till we’re recognized for the amazing work that the nursing team provides.”
The Lantern Award also recognized the ongoing education and training of the nursing staff to provide the necessary skills and knowledge to adapt to societal needs.
Dr. Adhi Sharma, the hospital’s president, who is an emergency physician by background, said he was immensely proud of the ED staff and leadership.
“It’s very rewarding to see it — it’s a good reflection on the culture in the ED and organization,” Sharma said. “This award is a great milestone, but the best is yet to come.”
Melissa Berman/Herald
Family Day brings Elmont community together
Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages and Core Group Enterprises, also known as CGE LAB, hosted their second annual Elmont Family Day event at Elmont Road Park on July 27.
The event brought hundreds of neighbors together to enjoy a July summer day with local vendors, food, activities and a basketball tournament.
The day brought the Elmont community together to play, relax, and interact with local businesses and organizations and enjoy the sense of community that makes Elmont a special place to live.
“Elmont Family Day brings our
community together at Elmont Road Park for a day of fun and highlights some of the extraordinary organizations doing great work across our area,” Solages said in a news release.
“The basketball tournament organized by Core Group Enterprises brought our talented young people together to enjoy some healthy competition and our local vendors were able to showcase their excellent products and services. I thank all our participants and sponsors for their partnership in making this a successful community event.”
–Nicole Wagner
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages honored the organizers of the basketball tournament, including Jaylin Miller, with Citations from the New York State Assembly.
Photos courtesy Office of Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages
Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, center, and Larry Cave, left, of CGE LAB, with participants of the basketball tournament at Elmont Family Day.
Community members participate in the basketball tournament at Elmont Road Park during the second annual Elmont Family Day last weekend.
Local kids have fun doing crafts at Elmont Family Day hosted by Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and Core Group Enterprises.
STEPPING OUT
Inside the hive at Long Island Children’s Museum
By Danielle Schwab
There’s a special “day” for everyone and everything it seems. So it’s certainly fitting that the helpful yet often misunderstood honey bee gets its due. And that brings us to Aug. 17, aka “National Honey Bee Day.” Long Island Children’s Museum goes all out to celebrate the hard-working insect with two days of “Honey Hoopla” activities, Aug. 16-17.
The museum has been home to over 20,000 honeybees year-round since 2012, when a hive was introduced to the Feast for Beasts exhibit, which opened in January of that year. The museum welcomed visitors to the first “Honey Hoopla” that year so that everyone could experience the first harvesting of honey from the then newly active hive.
Now Honey Hoopla returns — in a big way.
Families can check in on the busy bugs from an observational beehive, still located in the Feasts for Beasts exhibit. There, honeybees travel in and out of the hive, pollinating flowers in the museum’s pollinator garden and working together to create a productive thriving colony.
“They all have an important task to do, and they really stick to that role. And then, of course, there’s the queen, the leader of the hive,” says Ashley Niver, the museum’s director of education.
The fruit of their labors? Lots and lots of honey, of course Color, aroma, and taste can change based on the nectar of the flower. Families are welcome to taste many different varieties of honey, including, of course, from the museum’s honey harvest. And for those interested, the museum’s honey is available for purchase in the Museum Store.
“A lot of people maybe don’t know that honey can taste different from different varieties of flowers or the location. We’re offering different honey varieties that the kids can taste test and try to match up,” Niver says.
Bees certainly give us more than that sweet treat. Families become fully involved in exploring the role of honey bees in our ecosystem through hands-on activities.
• Friday and Saturday, Aug. 16-17, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.)
• $17 museum admission, $16 seniors 65 and older
• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City
Visitors will learn that honeybees are responsible for pollinating some of Long Island’s most abundant crops including melons, pumpkins, tree nuts, and berries; and that the honey bee population is in danger and decreasing rapidly. Without these pollinators, we would lose some of our favorite foods such as chocolate, grapes, apples, and pears.
‘Families can also explore the use of honeycombs, from which wax is made. The “Happy Beeday” activity is an opportunity to make and decorate beeswax birthday candles.
“They’ll have a strip of colored beeswax and wicks they’ll wrap and roll up to create the candle, and then any scrap pieces of wax can be used to decorate it,” says Niver.
A local beekeeper will be on hand to demonstrate how honey is harvested from those honeycombs. In addition, kids can get involved in bee-themed crafts throughout the galleries that highlight how we can help the bees so that our fruit and vegetable crops can be healthy.
After some time buzzing around, visitors might want to take a break, with a free theatrical reading of Gay Thomas’ book, “Beezy County Fair: A Bee Tale,” at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The charming story engages families with adorable illustrations and an uplifting message about cooperation and the great benefits of working together for a common goal, along with plenty of bee facts.
While we understand that honey bees do so much for our environment, climate change and pesticides put the insects at risk of colony collapse disorder, where worker bees will exhibit abnormal behavior that leads to the destruction of the colony.
“They’re in danger of continuing to decrease due to different environmental factors,” Niver explains. “If we don’t have the bees here to help us pollinate, then we don’t have the abundance of crops that we can use for our food, and we’ll lose the success of our crop.”
To that end, the museum has launched its Name a Honey Bee Campaign so that visitors can join in bee preservation efforts. A donation of $10 allows families to name one of the museum’s bees, to be recognized on a visual display featuring the bee’s new name and the donor’s name through year’s end.
“It’s very easy for people to feel fearful of bees because they don’t want to be stung, and maybe they assume that all bees are looking to sting and cause harm,” Niver adds. “But the reality is that the honey bees are very docile, and they are just looking to make their honey. They’re really our friends.”
Photos courtesy LICMl
The industrious honey bee buzzes into the spotlight to captivate museum visitors. Participate in a theatrical reading and meet Gay Thomas, author of the “Beezy County Fair: A Bee Tale,” and explore an observational beehive during the event.
Gladys Knight
Hop aboard that “Midnight Train to Georgia” when the legendary soul chanteuse brings her Farewell Tour to Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair. Gladys Knight is without a doubt one of the most influential, and beloved living singers on the planet. And while the Empress of Soul may have been in the business for more than 60 years now, that hasn’t stopped her from continuing to rock that beat as only she can do. She’s bringing her classic Motown-style R&B to fans one last time before she bids us farewell. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s fierce vocal power, elegant precision, and heartfelt performances have cemented her as one of music’s true icons. If you’re enjoy her classic Motown-style R&B, then you’ll surely want to see her perform — one more time. “That’s What Friends Are For,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” — you know the hits, now hear her bring them to life once again.
Friday, Aug. 9, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $63. Tickets available at LiveNation. com. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury.
Paula Poundstone
The iconic comedian Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit that’s become the stuff of legend. When she isn’t collecting hotel soaps while on tour or panel-ing on NPR’s #1 show, “Wait, Wait...Don’t Tell Me!,” she hosts the popular Maximum Fun podcast, “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone.” “Nobody” is a comedy field guide to life, complete with taste tests, cats of the weeks and leading experts in everything from beekeeping to prosopagnosia. Her stand-up credentials are endless, along with numerous TV appearances. Her second book, “The Totally Unscientific Study Of The Search For Human Happiness,” in which she offers herself up as a guinea pig in a series of thoroughly unscientific experiments, was recognized a semi-finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor (the highest recognition of humor writing in the U.S.).
Friday, Aug. 9, 8 p.m. $55. $45, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
THE Your Neighborhood
Double Vision
The 1970s and ‘80s come alive when Double Vision brings their “Foreigner Experience” to the Paramount Stage, Saturday, Aug. 17, 8 p.m. Whether you’re a lifelong Foreigner enthusiast or a newcomer eager to experience the magic of their music, Double Vision promises a night of electrifying entertainment that will leave you singing along and craving more. Composed of some New York City’s top professional rock musicians, the band delivers the highest level of integrity and technical prowess in bring audiences all the hits from the band that you’ve come to love, while honoring Foreigner and its audience, with a show second to none. The spirit of rock ‘n’ roll lives on, one unforgettable performance at a time, with this group of talented musicians and die-hard Foreigner fans. Double Vision has perfected the art of bringing to life the unforgettable hits that have defined generations. From “I Want to Know What Love Is” to “Cold as Ice,” their renditions are a harmonious blend of passion, precision, and nostalgic energy.
Drawing inspiration from Foreigner’s unmistakable sound and stage presence, Double Vision delivers a performance that pays homage to the band’s legacy while infusing their own charisma and enthusiasm. Their commitment to authenticity is matched only by their unwavering dedication to creating an electrifying experience for every audience member. With an impressive catalog of classics at their fingertips, Double Vision transports audiences to an era when arena rock ruled and Foreigner reigned supreme. Each show is a testament to their musical prowess, transporting fans to a time when anthems were born and memories were made. Sing along to some of the greatest hit tunes , including “Juke Box Hero,” “Hot Blooded,” “Cold As Ice,” “I Want To Know What Love Is,” “Urgent,” “Double Vision,” “Head Games,” “Feels Like the First Time,” and more! . $60, $40, $25, $20. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
Movie Night
Enjoy a family film outdoors on Eisenhower Park’s big screen, Wednesday, Aug. 14, dusk, at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.
See Disney’s recent animated musical comedy “Wish.” Audiences are welcomed to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe, the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico, to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Eisenhower Park, Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
Narcan Training
Obtain Narcan training at Town Park Point Lookout Lifeguard Office, Sunday, Aug. 11, 9 a.m. The session is sponsored by Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, Councilman Tom Muscarella and Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. Learn to identify an overdose victim, administer the Narcan Kit and contact emergency officials. Attendees will receive a Narcan certification and a Narcan Kit. 1300 Lido Blvd. For more information and registration, visit toh311.net/Narcan-SignUp.
Dramatic Play Theatre Playground returns to Long Island Children’s Museum with “Dramatic Play!,” Monday, Aug. 12, 1 p.m., taught by Lisa Rudin, Director of Theatre Playground. In this interactive, theater-inspired workshop, children will act out an original story and help choose how it unfolds. Music, props, and sound effects create a theatrical world where participants are immersed in the story.
Children express themselves as they create characters, stretch their imaginations and build self-confidence. This week’s theme: The Amazing World of Bugs and Butterflies. Costumes encouraged. $5 with museum admission. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
In concert
Paul and Rochelle Chamlin perform at Elmont Memorial Library, Friday, Aug. 9 at 12:30 p.m. Enjoy a delightful selection of duets and solos featuring favorites from the Great American Songbook, musicals, jazz standards, and more with. Free. No registration required. First-come first-seated. 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. For more information, visit ElmontLibrary.org or contact (516) 354-5280.
Seasonal Sprouts
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a Seasonal Sprouts session, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 11 a.m.-noon. Children (ages 4 to 6) can tour the gardens with guided activities exploring smells, sight, sound, and touch, even taste in planting a tasty veggie. $8 per child, $15 adult. Registration required. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Bingo Night
Who wants to wear their best Hawaiian shirt/Hula Girl outfit, play bingo, win cash and prizes? Rescuing Families hosts its second annual Luau Bingo Party, at VFW Post 2718, in Franklin Square, Friday, Aug. 9. Play five games of Bingo with great monetary prizes! ($100, $150, $200, $250 and the $500 jackpot game). With buffet, dessert and drinks, plus raffle baskets. Attendees are encouraged to dress up. Prizes awarded for the best Hawaiian shirt and hula girl outfit. $35 ticket for entry. Event is 18 and older only. 68 Lincoln Road. For more information, contact (516) 697-9403.
Summer tunes
Enjoy a tribute to ‘70s radio hits with 45 RPM, at Eisenhower Park, Friday, Aug. 9, 8 p.m. The New York City-based band of vocalists and musicians recreates the songs and their era with the C’mon Get Happy show, an entertaining and visually engaging evening that has you singing and dancing along. It’s a whole night of “wow, I remember that one” moments. Get “hooked on a feeling” with 45 RPM. Bring seating Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
Summerfest
All are are invited to attend the annual Summerfest fun at One Church Elmont, Friday, Aug. 23. Enjoy a movie night with free food and ice cream. 657 Meacham Ave. For more information, visit OneChurchOnline.com or call (516) 418-2190.
Having an event?
Circus antics
Get in on the action with I. FLY Trapeze, Long Island’s only flying trapeze and circus arts school. Families will enjoy “Wild West Circus,” Saturday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m., at Eisenhower Park. I.FLY Trapeze puts spectators up close to the aerialists who perform amazing feats of athleticism and agility 25 feet in the air. Performances include Chains, Silk and Lyra, with comedy and on the grounds acts with Balancing and Baton, also a Flying Trapeze Finale. Next to the Nassau County Aquatic Center off Merrick Ave., East Meadow. Free parking available in lot 1A adjacent to the trapeze. For more information, visit IFlyTrapeze.com.
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.
WRONGEST
On exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities.
From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will span various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority.
Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
‘Walkin’ After Midnight’
Plaza Theatrical presents a showstopping tribute to the legendary Patsy Cline, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2:30 p.m. Through a colorful tapestry of iconic songs and witty personal storytelling, Carter Calvert uses her award-winning vocal talents to create this captivating musical tribute. Calvert, a Broadway star and title character in Always… Patsy Cline (opposite Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers), has gained rave reviews and triumphant accolades for her heartfelt portrayal of this legendary country recording artist. She vocally captures Cline’s musical stylings pitch-perfectly in mega hits including “Crazy,” “I Fall To Pieces,” “She’s Got You” and “Walkin’ After Midnight.” Both captivating and endearing, this fastpaced entertainment delights audiences of all ages. It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
Task force focuses on human trafficking
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Law enforcement agents, state legislators and experts on human trafficking met at a conference at Nassau Community College on July 31.
The Assembly Minority Conference Task Force on Human Trafficking was created to help Nassau and Suffolk investigators, policy makers and safe houses share what they need to protect victims.
The Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking — the state organization responsible for providing annual reports on the topic — is three years out of date, resulting in a critical lack of data since coronavirus lockdowns eased. Since then, organizations that help victims have strained to mitigate the harm done by human traffickers.
“It is a problem that is everywhere, but nobody is actually seeing it,” Assemblyman Brian Curran said.
The participants discussed state financial support, law enforcement tools, aid for exploited migrants, and educational programs to help New Yorkers recognize when someone is a victim of trafficking.
Attorneys and law enforcement personnel considered the effects of changes in trafficking-related charges — some are not officially “sex crimes,” so perpetrators don’t end up on the state’s Sex Offender Registry — and proving a victim was exploited is difficult for prosecutors, Christine Guida, deputy chief of the Nassau County Special Victims Bureau, explained.
The difficulty of bringing cases to trial can begin much earlier. Trafficking victims are often young — high school and college students — or struggle to communicate due to a language barrier. In virtually every case, they are threatened by traffickers not to come forward.
“People think that in order to do the unthinkable, there has to be some kind of torture involved,” defense
The task force is composed of local law enforcement, legislators and members of organizations that provide services to people in need, representing a range of groups that deal with different aspects of human trafficking.
attorney Diane Clarke said. “That’s not the case.”
The goal of training and education programs is to demystify what human trafficking is and how it works. Deepening the public’s understanding of trafficking can make tools such as simple hand signals for help increasingly viable for victims to escape their captors.
The Empower, Assist and Care Network is one of many organizations that provide housing, case management and other forms of aid to victims across Long Island and New York City.
“It is my hope that these conversations are going to continue in a way that is coordinating and enhancing our services, and advocating for funding,” said Neela Mukherjee Lockel, president and CEO of the EAC Network. “We’re going up against giant criminal enterpris-
es. That’s what human trafficking is, and we need money and resources to do that.”
Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds is president and CEO of the Family and Children’s Association, which has been providing shelter for runaway, homeless and trafficked children for over 140 years. It also has a mental health program that serves about 400 young people, in addition to programs for those suffering from addiction.
“We’re here today to make a couple suggestions about ways to improve systems of care,” Reynolds said. “This would include educating health and human service workers about how to spot the signs of trafficking, what to do about it, and how to intervene.”
The conference was the first step in renewing the fight against trafficking, Assemblyman Brian Maher said.
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
KONDAUR CAPITAL
CORPORATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF MATAWIN VENTURES
TRUST SERIES 2019-4, -againstHENRY LAURENT, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 27, 2023, wherein KONDAUR CAPITAL CORPORATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF MATAWIN VENTURES TRUST SERIES 2019-4 is the Plaintiff and HENRY LAURENT, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY
SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on August 15, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 142 DUTCH BROADWAY, ELMONT, NY 11003; and the following tax map identification: 32-671-62. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT ELMONT IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 615025/2019. Louis B. Imbroto, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 148019 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR VERUS SECURITIZATION TRUST 2019-INV2, Plaintiff, vs. ZEESHANA KHAN, ET AL., Defendant (s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 14, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on August 15, 2024, at 2:30 PM, premises known as 1314 GLOBE AVENUE, ELMONT, NY 11003. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 32, Block: 571, Lot: 30, 31, 32 & 33. Approximate amount of judgment is $613,580.26 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 612216/2020.
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee.
LOUIS IMBROTO, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 148015
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF10 MASTER PARTICIPATION
TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST DAPHNE SPENCE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 28, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, ‘Rain or Shine’ on August 20, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1601-14 Johnson Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, Section 32, Block 470, Lot 0026. Approximate amount of judgment $588,480.02 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #615809/2018. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social
distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Michael J. Langer, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-002213 81427 147979
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
COUNTY OF NASSAU Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as Trustee for the benefit of the Freddie Mac Seasoned Loans
Structured Transaction Trust, Series 2021-2, Plaintiff AGAINST Nauman Siddiqui; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 5, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 4, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 804 Forte Boulevard, Franklin Square, NY 11010. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Franklin Square, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 35 Block 545 Lot 5. Approximate amount of judgment $601,436.79 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 600762/2023. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Lee Schwartz, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: July 22, 2024 148207
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Citibank N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Kathleen Brancaleone, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 27, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 29, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 497 Tulip Avenue, Floral Park, NY 11001. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the
buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Floral Park, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 32, Block: 273, Lot: 26. Approximate amount of judgment $542,666.53 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #609197/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-091795-F00 81603 148175
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. PETER A. PHAGOO, et al, Defts. Index #6075062022. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered September 13, 2023, I will sell at public auction on North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on September 12, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. premises k/a Section 32 Block 477, Lot 54-55. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. RON FERRARO, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Drive, Great Neck, NY. #101679 148374
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST VIVIAN PRYOR, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 7, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 11, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 29 Litchfield Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Franklin Square in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 31, Lot 391 & 392. Approximate
Library board trustee is sworn in
Adrienne McKenna sworn in as a trustee on the Franklin Square Public Library board by Board President Julie Soffientini.
Public Notices
amount of judgment
$662,737.09 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #001660/2016. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Martin Dehler, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 20-002195 81646 148298
LEGAL NOTICE
STATE OF NEW YORK
SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-NC1, Plaintiff, v.
PETER SOLOMON A/K/A PETER SOLOMON, JR., ET AL, Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on December 5, 2017, I, John Dalli, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on September 9, 2024 at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Ct. Dr., Mineola, NY 11501, at 02:00 PM the premises described as follows: 115 62 238th St Elmont, NY 11003 32-622-128 ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 004158/2011 in the amount of $829,791.56 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening
practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 148324
LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF CWABS, INC., ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-13, Plaintiff, v. VINCENT MCPHERSON, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF LAVERN MCPHERSON A/K/A LAVERN VERONICA MCPHERSON A/K/A LAVERN DACOSTA A/K/A LAVERN DOCASTAMCPHERSON, ET AL, Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on December 16, 2022, I, Mark S. Ricciardi, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on September 10, 2024 at
North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Ct. Dr., Mineola, NY 11501, at 02:00 PM the premises described as follows: 168 Freeman Avenue Elmont, NY 11003 SBL No.: 37-371-285 ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.
The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 613803/2018 in the amount of $497,953.24 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 148319
Courtesy Aviva Kane
Butcher/Counter Person Requirements: Friendly, Knowledgeable, Reliable, Phone Skills, Custom Cutting $18-$20 Per Hour
Salary Based On Experience Contact Bill 516-766-3523, Days
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
$20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com
MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST: PART TIME, Must be Fluent in English and Spanish, Must Have Good Computer Skills, Able to Learn New Programs, Pleasant Phone Voice, Good People Skills, Salary Negotiable. 516-726-0309 or Email Resume to coreybickoff294@gmail.com
WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED!!! HHA's, LPN's, Nurse's Aides Childcare, Housekeeping Day Workers No Fee To Employers Serving The Community Over 20 Years Evon's Services 516-505-5510
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AVAILABLE To Work For You FT/PT Immediately. Experienced. Rockville Centre Vicinity. Call 516-536-6994
SANTA CRUZ SERAG Caregivers Provide The Best Male/ Female Caregivers In America. Certified HHA's, Professional. Experts In Dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons Cases. Live-in/Out. Gertrude 347-444-0960
HEALTHCARE WORKER WITH: 40 years of experience working with the aging and geriatric population in various settings. Seeking a companionship position with flexible scheduling. 516-640-4204
HomesHERALD
Living A Dream
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA East Pointe Country Club. Gorgeous 3BRs, 3Bths, Golf, Double Kitchen, High Ceilings. MLS#RX-10977928 $889,000 Jill 561-373-2724
WCEDARHURST NO FEE trance, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978
also wet bar. Guest quarters. Taxes: $12,508.44
Square $905,000
Street. Duplex. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and pantry. Formal dining room. First floor master bedroom. Updates include cathedral ceiling and skylight. Taxes: $12,430.17
Lido Beach $1,289,000
Gerry Avenue. Hi Ranch. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Den/family room and home office, also wet bar and guest quarters. Master bedroom with walk-in closet. High end finishes include skylight. Security system.
Taxes: $15,290.87
Malverne $692,000
Morris Avenue. Colonial. Fully renovated and move-in ready. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms. New eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. New bathrooms, roof and windows.
Taxes: $14,800
FOR SALE at Beth David’s in Elmont. Asking for $6,500. Please contact Michele Flanigan at 518-546-9550
Merrick $1,350,000
Valerie Court. Split Level. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Large custom eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and high-end stainless steel appliances. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Custom upgrades include 2 fireplaces, skylight and radiant heated flooring in main bathroom. All large rooms. Upper level Trex deck leads to paved yard with built-in pool. Security system.
Taxes: $29424.24
Oceanside $1,212,500
Oceanside Parkway. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. Den/family room and home office. Master bathroom with walk-in closet. High end finishes include cathedral ceiling. Security system.
Taxes: $23,265.16
Rockville Centre $850,000
Hamilton Road. Split Level. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Partial finished basment. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Expansive home on a beautiful block is meticulously maintained and filled with period charm and elegance. It features four spacious levels of living space, including all oversized bedrooms and light filled sunroom with backyard access. Ensuite master bedroom. Private backyard with pavered patio and mature landscaping
Can we just elevate, or do we need to rebuild?
Q. We’re doing a major house lift, making changes to our existing first floor and adding a second floor. We thought it made sense to get a design and then stop, because this way we didn’t spend a lot of money on full construction plans and then end up disappointed that it was over our budget. Simple turned into complicated, as it often does. The contractor and the architect agreed that the house should just be reconstructed (nothing saved) and the estimators insisted on much more information to give us a price. Are we going about this the right way? We’re already disillusioned that we aren’t going to be able to build within our budget, and we don’t even have numbers to make a decision. What should we do?
Ask The Architect
A. Your house project isn’t sounding too “uplifting,” and frankly, from your description, you shouldn’t be lifting the original house. You may spend more than $50,000 just trying to save the little bit of the original house, moving plumbing and wiring, trying to work around the existing materials and reconstructing old ones. Money is the driving factor in most construction projects, and although it’s frustrating, you must either politely persist with evaluating costs with the contractor, or get to the finish line with plans to give estimators something to work with.
First, though, you should recognize that the current first floor will become a second floor, and the new floor above will be a third floor if you plan to have a lowest level high enough to park cars underneath or use for accessible, stand-up storage. Federal guidelines require that the new lowest level not be used for anything but car or general storage, and the state requires indoor sprinklers.
It’s really up to the contractor working with you, and the architect, to reach predictable costs for the total project. You need to pay both of them to spend the time necessary to hit a targeted budget. The contractor will then work with getting together material, labor and overhead costs, with profit and a cushion for issues that can arise, like weather, material delivery delays and scrambling when something isn’t available or a truck breaks down.
While it’s not completely unreasonable for estimators to want more information, putting together a preliminary budget isn’t a mysterious, unheardof request. My concern when this happens is that all parties need to cooperate. The reason for the architect’s involvement is to answer questions and guide decision-making about sizes of structure, material choices and code compliance. If the contractor or a subcontractor makes projections on the design of structure, for example, it must be understood that the architect makes the final decision about wall thicknesses, insulation values, structural components, and even window and door sizes. These are safety and code-related conditions that are governed by law.
The costs can escalate when plans are completed, so reducing the project to meet a budget, up front, is important. Good luck!
NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
HEWLETT ESTATE SALE 44 Prospect Avenue. Friday-Sunday August 16, 17, 18, August 23, 24, 25. Collectibles, Paintings, Vases, Outdoor Furniture and much more. Excellent.Condition. Something For All!
FRANKLIN SQUARE 8/10, 8/11
9AM-3:30PM. 1016 Vanburen Avenue. Moving Sale! Furniture, Tools, Clothing, Bric-a-Brac, More... Everything Must Go!
SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277
THANK YOU ST. JUDE For Answering My Prayers Regarding My Procedures.
We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464
SOFA CHAIR: GREEN, Comfortable, $100. Call 303-520-8748 Baldwin
YOUTH WETSUIT, AKONA shorty size 7/8, 2 mm. Worn twice, $30. Call 516-695-8360.
2 GOLDTONE LIGHTER by Colbri- brand new butane fuel refill Vintage, take all $20.00 (516)579-9089
32X32 MIRROR BEVELED edge etchings in corners, hardware attached for hanging. Excellent condition $60. 516-579-9089
BISELL RUG SHAMPOO MACHINE: with all Attachments & Cleaning Supplies. $85. Like New. 516-486-7941
FLOWER POTS DECORATIVE and clay with saucers. 14 various sizes, indoor & outdoor. $75. 516-965-0982
HAMILTON ALTO TENOR Saxophone stand with Clarinet Peg, VGC. $40. Jack Taylor (516) 486-2363
IKEA SOLID OAK: Media Cabinets, New in Box: DVD, CD VCR $50 each. 516-486-7941
SCUBA WATER SHOES, Aqualung, size 6, excellent condition. $15. Call 516-695-8360.
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069
MARINA'S CLEANING SERVICES: Cleaning Homes, Apartments, Condos, Offices. Experienced. FREE Estimates. 10% Off With This Ad. Serving Long Island. 516-670-7764
E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
HANDYMAN
Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112 E-mail-Frankcav@optonline.net
P.E.B. CRACKERJACK HANDYMAN: Repairs In Carpentry, Roofing, Masonry, Sheetrocking, Chimney. Small Paint Jobs. General Maintenance. No Job Too Small. Licensed/ Insured. Lic#H0101670000. Mike Cleburne 516-830-1316
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076
GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391
PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. 516-599-1011.
POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. . ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719
Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582
HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060
FREEDOMCARE. LET YOUR loved ones care for you and get paid! Paid by Medicaid. Choose family or friends as your paid caregiver. Check your eligibility today! Call FreedomCare now! 1-855-385-7556
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider
AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK 4, 1974. All Black, 80K Miles. Best Offer. Call 516-242-3635
LINCOLN SUBURBAN NAVIGATOR 2002. 8 Passengers, Looks/ Runs Good. 79,000 Miles. $5,800. 516-606-3252
MERCEDES BENZ CLK550 2007: 2dr, 5 passengers, 42,500 Miles, Looks/ Runs New. Sunroof. $13,900. 516-606-3252 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008, GREY, 1 Owner, 7 Passanger, Leather Seats, V6, Sunroof, AWD, 156k Miles. Good Condition. 516-771-2756.
FRANCISCO'S TREE SERVICE AND LANDSCAPING: Tree Removal, Stumps, Fertilization, Planting, Land Clearing, Topping. Free Estimates. Lic# H206773000. Office 516-546-4971, Cell 516-852-5415
DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
sometimes good things come from bad things. That’s why I am hopeful.
The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump once again shook the foundation of America’s democracy. Deadly shots fired could further tear our country apart . . . or not.
This horrific event might just give America a new opportunity to heal the divide.
President Biden, Vice President Harris, Trump and elected officials can all help us come together as a nation.
I have always tried to work across party lines. At my swearing-in speech before Congress in February, I said, “Wake up. The people are sick and tired of fingerpointing and petty partisan politics.”
We know our country is fractured. Partisanship prevails. Confrontation has replaced cooperation. Anger and hate speech seem much too common. Congress is literally a House divided against itself.
Our founders disagreed on many things, but were unanimous in their
iPerhaps now — finally — we can work together
contempt for partisan politics, calling it “a dangerous vice and a moral disease.”
I have championed the belief that we must find common ground, that we must work across party lines to actually get things done for people. We can disagree with one another, but we must remember that we are in the solutions business. Again, we can disagree, but we must not hold one another in contempt. Contempt is one of the biggest problems in our politics. It’s a recipe for disaster.
TMomalas for Kamala, a thread to unite us opinions
n a world where news breaks instantly on our phones, cracking the world open in an instant, behold the weekly newspaper, the tortoise of the news business. As I write, I realize it’s not all bad to have time to think between 72-point headlines.
When I wrote last, almost a month ago, President Biden was still the presumptive Democratic nominee, although there was plenty of chatter about his slow walk and whispery talk. He was adamant: He would not step down. He was ready to fight.
Many of us who think Biden has done an outstanding job in office came to believe he was not up to another four years. He looked frail. He appeared to overestimate his ability, at age 81, to meet the demands of the job. It felt disloyal to urge him to make way for a younger contender, but loyalty to our democracy had to come first. I celebrated his willingness to relinquish power, wished it had come sooner, but we had a potential new candidate.
and those who vote tend to be more extreme on the political spectrum, extremist candidates on both sides tend to win.
A candidate in a safe seat only need win the primary; the general election is safe. To win the primary, too many candidates just pander to the base.
he attempt on Donald Trump’s life shook the foundation of our democracy.
I have always worked hard to build coalitions of like-minded Democrats and Republicans to solve problems. Right now I am focused on the border. So what is causing this intense division?
I think there are four major factors contributing to today’s divisions: safe seats, social media, cable news, and our foreign adversaries.
The first major problems we face is gerrymandering, drawing congressional and other seats to favor one party. Ninety percent of House seats are safe — overwhelmingly Democratic or Republican. The only way to beat a member of Congress in a safe district is to primary them. But since so few people vote in primaries — fewer than 15 percent —
Second, the more extreme you are on social media, the more “likes” or “follows” you get. We have all seen hateful, venal posts that seem to get more views than even the cute cat videos. Extreme social media is also more likely to generate small donor contributions from a vast audience. “Let’s work together” just doesn’t seem to generate much excitement.
Third, cable news. Think Fox and MSNBC. Depending on the show and the target audience, cable news networks hire talent and invite guests who will reinforce their own narrative that the other side is destroying our country. The crazier the quotes, the more airtime you get.
Fourth, and the most pernicious, our foreign adversaries Russia, the Chinese Communist Party, Iran, and North Korea are using our freedom of speech, our social media and more, and they are sow-
ing disinformation and discontent. They are blowing up issues where we have the slightest disagreement and trying to make us unrecognizable to one another.
Our laptops and cellphones have become treasure troves of misinformation, disinformation and phony websites. Computer algorithms are programmed to feed us more and more of the same content we seem interested in.
But I still have great faith in the American people, and in our system. Biden, Harris and Trump have a wonderful opportunity in the coming months to move beyond divisive rhetoric and try to bring us together. We can disagree — disagree strongly — but not promote contempt or hate, and certainly not violence.
I’m hopeful, too, that we might all seize this moment to recognize that politics is serious business, and realize how harmful hate is and how badly it affects the political climate.
No foreign adversary can ever hope to defeat America. None ever has. The greatest threat to our republic comes not from external forces, but from within. Only internal divisions could topple our government.
Now more than ever, let’s all find common ground, work together, and make America the best it can be.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
Three weeks ago, Kamala Harris was (and still is) the vice president, and at that point her own presidential dreams were on hold. Donald Trump was salivating like a lion at the Roman Forum, waiting to take on Biden in the next debate. After the president’s shockingly poor performance in the first one, the Donald was closing in for the kill.
J.D. Vance? Barely a twinkle in Trump’s eye a month ago. He’s the guy who wrote “Hillbilly Elegy.” Suddenly he morphed into a mega-MAGA, with extreme, creepy ideas about women’s rights and personal freedoms. Trump thought Vance would make a perfect addition to the ticket.
That was July 13. Then, curtains up on the Republican National Convention, just days after the attempted assassination, with a buoyant Trump telling the world he was still standing.
i hope all the disparate political identities will form a cohesive movement.
A few weeks back, Thomas Matthew Crooks was a shy kid from rural Pennsylvania who got it into his head to kill the former president. And he nearly did, grazing Trump’s ear as he stood at the podium at an outdoor rally. I saw it happen, and time stopped until Trump was hustled to safety. I lived through the years of JFK, MLK and RFK dying in heartbreaking eruptions of political violence. Those murders scarred the political landscape forever.
Those were enough big news items for five years, compressed and pounded under pressure into just days, until the whole country, burnished like a diamond, seemed brilliant and raw. You could hear us, an entire nation, sucking in deep calming breaths, trying to steady ourselves.
Then, on July 21, Biden announced that he was stepping out of the presidential campaign and endorsing Harris to be the Democratic nominee.
I’m writing this all down because after some amount of time, nobody will believe that it all happened just like this over the past few weeks.
Then the head of the Secret Service stepped down because of her agency’s failure to stop the assassination attempt.
Then a kind of organic political wave swelled out of nowhere, pushing people forward to support Harris in a tsunami of relief and joy. Black women for Kamala. White Dudes for Kamala. White
Women for Kamala.
That’s where I lost the thread. Aren’t we all supposed to be coming together as Americans to choose our president? Can’t we be Citizens for Kamala? Am I a Short Woman for Kamala or a CR-V Driver for Kamala or a Yasso Pop Fanatic for Kamala? We’re dividing and subdividing into micro cells.
Then that changed, too. I decided to embrace the political moment.
Momalas for Kamala is born. Momala is Harris’s nickname in her family, but it’s more than that. According to the Urban Dictionary, “A momala is a trusted guardian. Outside of the family, a momala is the mother of a neighborhood. In a village, she is mother and healer. In a state, she is the mother of health, knowledge and creativity. For a country, she is the mom of compassion and strength.”
We all have mothers or are mothers or value mothers. Momalas are us, men and women, young and old.
I hope all the disparate political identities will form a cohesive movement to elect Harris president. I hope Trump will summon the courage to meet her toe to toe in a debate. I hope the young voters in this country will shed their indifference and get into the fray.
RAnDi KREiss
ToM sUoZZi
HERALD
On Friday, honor our Indigenous heritage
as we mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on Friday, it’s crucial for us here on Long Island to reflect on the rich indigenous history that shapes our communities and landscapes. From the Shinnecock and Montaukett to the Unkechaug and Setauket, Native American tribes have been integral to Long Island’s story since long before European settlers arrived.
The names of our towns and landmarks echo this heritage: Montauk, Quogue, Peconic, Ronkonkoma, Hauppauge, Patchogue, and many more. These names aren’t just relics of the past, but living reminders of the peoples who stewarded this land for millennia. They represent a deep connection to the environment and a complex cultural tapestry that continues to influence our region today.
But we must also confront the painful history of exploitation and displacement that followed European settlement. The original inhabitants of Long Island, like indigenous peoples across the Americas, faced immense challenges as their lands were seized, their populations decimated by disease, and their cultures suppressed. The Shinnecock Nation, for instance, was engaged in a long struggle for federal recognition, and continues to make its case for the return of ancestral lands.
Despite these hardships, indigenous communities have shown remarkable resilience. The Shinnecock Nation continues to maintain its cultural practices
Letters
D’Esposito shouldn’t meddle in NYC’s business
To the Editor:
and advocate for its rights. The Unkechaug people, on the Poospatuck Reservation in Mastic, have preserved their language and traditions. These communities serve as a living link to Long Island’s past and as vital contributors to its present and future.
Nationally, Native Americans have made countless contributions to American society, often unrecognized. From agricultural techniques that feed millions to democratic principles that influenced the U.S. Constitution, indigenous knowledge and practices have shaped the nation in profound ways. Native American code talkers played a crucial role in World War II, using their languages to create unbreakable codes. In science, medicine, arts, and sports, indigenous Americans continue to excel and innovate.
Globally, indigenous peoples are at the forefront of environmental protection efforts. Their traditional knowledge and sustainable practices offer valuable insights for addressing climate change and preserving biodiversity. From the Amazon rainforest to the Arctic tundra, indigenous communities are often the most effective guardians of critical ecosystems.
As we commemorate this international day — which is followed in October by Indigenous Peoples’ Day, observed just in the United States — it’s essential to move beyond mere recognition to active support and engagement. On Long Island, we can:
1. Educate ourselves about local indige-
Imagine if residents of the five boroughs dumped tons of toxic wastes in the South Shore district represented by Congressman Anthony D’Esposito. Imagine further that a New York City politician loudly denounced a plan to protect the health of D’Esposito’s constituents.
The congressman would surely be outraged. So why does he support a permanent ban on congestion pricing in Lower Manhattan? (“Congestion pricing may be paused, but the fight continues,” July 25-31.)
Car commuters whom D’Esposito defends spew pollutants every day in the congestion-pricing zone. The fact that these tailpipe emissions are invisible does not make them less deadly than mounds of toxic garbage.
Studies suggest that 153,000 fewer cars would enter the zone once congestion pricing takes effect. And that will result in sharp decreases in nitrogen oxide emissions and particulate matter.
nous history and current issues facing Native communities.
2. Support indigenous-owned businesses and cultural events.
3. Advocate for the protection of sacred sites and the return of ancestral lands.
4. Incorporate indigenous perspectives in local decision-making, especially when it comes to environmental issues.
5. Promote the teaching of Native American history and cultures in our schools.
Recognizing indigenous peoples isn’t about dwelling in the past, but rather about creating a more inclusive and just future. It’s about acknowledging that the first inhabitants of this land have valuable knowledge, perspectives, and rights that deserve respect and consideration. As Long Islanders, we have a unique opportunity to honor the indigenous heritage that surrounds us daily. From the shores of Peconic Bay to the bluffs of Montauk, we walk in the footsteps of those who came before us. Let’s ensure that their stories, struggles and triumphs are not forgotten, but celebrated as an integral part of our shared history. This International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, let’s commit to building stronger relationships with Native communities, supporting their rights and aspirations, and benefiting from their wisdom. In doing so, we enrich our own lives and communities while taking a step toward healing historical wounds and creating a more equitable society for all.
opinions
These Olympics, we’ve championed all athletes
when legendary quarterback
Tom Brady announced his retirement (for the first time), I was the editor in chief of my college’s news magazine, the Campus Slate, at the New York Institute of Technology. We covered a wide range of subjects, driven by the interests of our reporters, and one of my staff writers asked me if he could write something summarizing his thoughts on what it was like to watch “the greats” — the famed athletes of his childhood — retire. I liked the idea, and it came together nicely.
Although I wasn’t the biggest sports fan in my youth, I could relate to the story.
But for me, the epitome of athleticism didn’t come in the form of an epic home run or, in Brady’s case, so many game-winning touchdowns. For me it was the whoosh of a soccer ball hitting the net at the back of the goal.
Like millions of other youth around the U.S., I grew up playing soccer, and some of my fondest memories from my
adolescence and teenage years are of my days on the field.
So when I think of the greats, I don’t think of people like Derek Jeter or Brady. I think of women like Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, Hope Solo, Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd, among many others.
In this country, female athletes don’t get the same attention, or respect, as their male counterparts, and that’s almost understandable. Men’s sports have built entire industries from the ground up over the past century.
But there is much to be said about how hard women have worked to make sure they can have their moments of glory. Kathrine Switzer famously ran the Boston Marathon before women were allowed to; thousands have fought the wage gap that still affects sports today; and, of course, superstars like Serena Williams have cemented the idea that women athletes deserve the spotlight, too.
w hen I think of the greats, I think of Megan Rapinoe, not Tom Brady.
that over the past few years, the U.S. women’s soccer team has gone through changes. They performed poorly at last year’s World Cup, losing early in the tournament to Sweden. And in the lowest of moments for some of our players, many of whom are previous World Cup winners and Olympic gold medalists, they were not welcomed back to our country with open arms.
Instead they were hit with this: “WOKE EQUALS FAILURE,” which Donald Trump posted to his Truth Social account last summer.
“Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to hell!” (This was in reference to a penalty kick Rapinoe missed in the game against Sweden.)
I’m old enough to have thick skin, to read things like Trump’s comments and brush them off with an eye roll. But I can’t help but think about the little girls whose shoes I was once in. I think it’s fair to say they’d be genuinely affected by seeing something like what Trump wrote. I think about how difficult it must be for them to see their heroes, their greats, subjected to cruelty.
The Paris Olympic Games will be wrapping up this weekend, and there have been many female athletes, not just soccer players, representing our country. Their successes and their setbacks — their journeys — are so important. We need to remember that.
It’s always nice to see our athletes win, and our teams bring home gold. But if they don’t? Think about what you say before you say it, and think about who you’re saying it to.
Women’s soccer isn’t the same, and I’m not sure at what point it became cool to tear down some of our country’s best athletes, but alas, it is our reality.
All teams, in every sport, have their ups and downs, and I’d agree with many
Letters
Levels of that latter type of pollution are now 60 percent higher in Manhattan than the upper limit recommended by the World Health Organization.
The congressman shows no respect for the New York City elected officials who decided, after years of debate and voluminous research reports, to impose a fee on drivers who poison the air breathed by Manhattan residents and workers.
D’Esposito should practice goodneighborliness by dropping his opposition to an initiative that will save many lives.
KEvIN J. KELLEY Atlantic Beach
We were honored to care for Rosemary King
To the Editor:
As the administrator for the Emergency Department at North Shore University Hospital, I would like to extend our heartfelt wishes to Rosemary King for a swift recovery following her recent surgery with Dr. Tamayo. Additionally, I want to express our deepest gratitude for the kind words her husband, former Congressman Peter King, shared in his column in the July 18-24 issue of the Herald, “In a medical emergency, we were in experts’ hands.”
Our team was deeply moved by Mr. King’s account of his family’s experience.
LANDON WITz, MHA Senior manager, Operations Emergency Medicine North Shore University Hospital Manhasset
Jerry’s right: Project 2025 is a horror story
To the Editor:
Thanks to Jerry Kremer for his op-ed, “If you like horror stories, read Project 2025,” in the July 18-24 issue. I am so grateful when our local newspapers are able to bring national issues to the forefront. It’s so important to get this kind of information to local communities that are sometimes insulated within their own little world.
Project 2025 hasn’t received much attention until recently — despite the Heritage Foundation’s in-depth involvement in the Trump presidency and this year’s Trump campaign. It is so important that trusted local public servants sound the alarm on this extremely dangerous agenda, and that people are made to realize it is indeed very real.
ELIzABETH MURPHY Franklin Square
It should come as a surprise to no one that conservative America hates the women’s national team. Why? Simply because for decades, its players have expressed “progressive” opinions about equal pay, social justice and LGBTQ rights, among other things that are largely unliked by the far right.
When the women are winning, the keyboard warriors are quiet. But when they lose? Well of course it’s because of their political and social beliefs.
As we’ve cheered for those athletes, we’ve been reminded that their worth isn’t measured solely by their victories, but also by their power to inspire. Let’s be careful in what we say, and ensure that our words foster encouragement, not disillusionment, for the next generation of greats.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor who writes for the Bellmore, East Meadow and Merrick Heralds. Comments? jvallone@liherald.com.
Framework by Tim Baker
Three-on-three basketball draws all kinds of fans — Hempstead
JorDan VaLLone
Mount Sinai South Nassau Recognized for Excellence in Emergency Nursing Mount
Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Emergency Department has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Emergency Nurses Association’s 2024 Lantern Award for outstanding patient care and reducing wait times, and for excellence in nurse retention, achieving a zero vacancy rate and one percent turnover rate.
The Lantern Award also recognizes nursing sta commitment to ongoing education and training and fostering an environment of learning and professional growth.
We congratulate Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Emergency Department nursing sta for their commitment to patient care, quality, safety and a healthy work environment.
Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau 877-SOUTH-NASSAU.