Long Beach Herald 01-09-2025

HERALD LONG BEACH

Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach

Bringing ancient Egypt to LBMS

Sixth-grade students at Long Beach Middle School went back in time last week, bringing Ancient Egypt to life. They took on projects that gave them a sense of what life was like back then, writing poetry, creating booklets, right, and making replicas of the pyramids, above. Story, more photos, Page 7.

City is planning new projects on north side

By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com

Long Beach had an eventful, grant-filled 2024: The city was awarded a total of roughly $7 million by New York state, which will fund everything from new hires and equipment in the fire and police departments to repairs and renovations on the bayfront and in the city’s parks.

WBayfront study

The city plans to use the $170,000 award to plan the redevelopment of the North Shore Bayfront, which extends west from the Long Beach Bridge to the Recreation Center — from Long Beach Boulevard to Magnolia Boulevard. The study will complement two projects already underway on the bayfront.

e’re going to have a lot of acreage on the bayfront that we can do something with

The three most recent state grants, awarded in late December, include $170,000 for an economic development planning study of the bayfront, $600,000 for the construction of a salt storage shed, and $390,775 for the rehabilitation of Sherman Brown Park, in the North Park section.

DAN CREIghToN City manager

The grants were awarded through the state’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, and are part of a total of $16.7 million being distributed across Long Island for nearly 30 projects.

“This project is separate, but it’s related,” City Manager Dan Creighton explained. “We have the North Shore Critical Infrastructure Project, that’s protecting the bayside from severe flooding, such as (Superstorm) Sandy, in the future, but we also have the Sewer Consolidation Project that’s going on over there. This study actually goes hand in hand with both of those, because what’s going to happen when the sewer consolidation project is done? We’re going to have a lot of acreage on the bayfront that we can do

Continued on page 4

Photos courtesy Long Beach Public Schools

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Fire department receives brand new truck

New vehicle comes years after initial discussions

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

The Long Beach Fire Department has officially received its new tower ladder fire truck, a long-awaited replacement for an aging vehicle badly damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

The Long Beach City Council, in collaboration with the fire department, announced that the new truck arrived and was officially put into service on Jan. 2.

“The new ladder truck we just put into operation has been three years in the making,” Long Beach Fire Commissioner Joseph Miller said. “With the backlog of apparatus production after Covid, we are extremely excited to receive this new truck. The design of this particular truck allows our department to utilize it more efficiently than the previous one.”

The new truck is equipped with features that make it well-suited for Long Beach’s needs, according to Miller. Its tighter turning radius allows it to maneuver more easily through narrow streets, and its aerial system can be set up quickly, improving response times in emergencies. The truck’s bucket can also operate at lower angles, making it capable of reaching areas below street level or over water when required. To

ensure durability in the coastal environment, the truck includes extra rustproof coatings to protect against salt air and water.

“After Sandy, we felt the need to design it to be able to handle the salt air

and water with an additional rustproof coating that will prolong the life of the truck,” Miller said. “The purchase of this truck helps the fire department better serve the citizens of Long Beach.”

The truck was approved for purchase

by the 2022 Long Beach City Council, which consisted of John Bendo, Roy Lester, Karen McInnis, Tina Posterli and Liz Treston. The resolution passed with a 4-1 vote, with Roy Lester casting the ‘no’ vote. At the time, Lester objected to the purchase process, stating that the truck should have been purchased through a competitive bidding process to potentially lower costs. Despite these concerns, the decision moved forward due to the need for a reliable vehicle to serve the city’s high-rise buildings and evolving urban landscape.

At the time of approval, the sitting city manager Donna Gayden sought funding assistance for around $1 million from FEMA to help cover the cost of the truck. However, those funds never materialized, and the truck was ultimately fully funded through the city’s capital budget.

During the interim period while the truck was under construction, the city ensured fire protection through temporary measures, including the use of a loaner vehicle.

Now fully delivered and in service, the new truck has already begun enhancing the capabilities of fire department, ensuring that firefighters are better equipped to respond to emergencies and protect the city’s residents, visitors and infrastructure.

Courtesy City of Long Beach

The City of Long Beach and the Long Beach Fire Department welcomed its new tower ladder truck, a process years in the making.

Reimagining bowling pins through upcycling

By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com

Each year, Maple Family Centers, of Rockville Centre, replaces all the pins at its five bowling centers with new ones. This year, the company found a creative way to involve the community in its annual upcycling project.

Starting Thanksgiving week, the company hosted its first “Holiday Pin Decorating Contest.” Staff at the company’s five bowling centers handed out thousands of free pins to bowlers and community groups, encouraging them to decorate the pins and enter the contest. Participants uploaded photos of their decorated pins by New Year’s Eve to enter.

“We were amazed by the community’s response,” Teresa McCarthy, director of community outreach for Maple Family Centers, said. “Libraries, schools and numerous Girl Scout troops requested pins so they could decorate them as a craft project. We dropped off a bunch for the Long Beach Public Library’s kids’ programs, and then they requested more for the adults.”

Many participants used acrylic paint for their designs, while others opted for collage or décollage. About 75 percent of entries had holiday themes, such as snowmen, nutcrackers or Christmas trees.

“One of our bowlers, who is a genuine artist, created a ‘storm’ theme that featured the logo of Storm, which is one of the largest bowling ball manufacturers,” LaSpina said. “He gave it to us to present to the owner of Storm as a holiday gift.”

Two winners — one adult and one under 18 — were selected from each bowling center. Winners received a Family Fun Pack, which includes two games of bowling and shoe rentals for up to eight people.

“We received a lot of amazing

entries, which made it very difficult to select the winners,” McCarthy said. All participants received a coupon for a free game of bowling.

Several schools on Long Island used the pins for art projects. The Long Beach Special Education Program joined Baldwin High School, Charles E. Walters Elementary School in Yaphank, Coram Elementary School, Hempstead High School, Holy Angels Regional School in Patchogue, Lynbrook High School, Marion High School in Lynbrook and Ridge Elementary School.

“We were thrilled that so many bowlers, as well as schools and community groups, wanted to join in the fun and create decorative bowling pins,” McCarthy said. “Since we regularly upcycle pins, we plan to continue this project in the future.”

For more information about Maple Family Centers, visit MapleLanes.com.

Some of the creations included popular characters from movies and shows,

Bowling pins were decorated so well they weren’t pins anymore, they were snowmen and reindeer.

Lisa Varallo, a league bowler at both Maple Lanes in Rockville Centre and Jib Lanes, took a break from knocking pins down showed off her creation.

Photos courtesy Maple Family Centers

Girl Scout Troop 2059 in Long Beach decorated bowling pins as part of the craft project, reimagining the used pins.

such as Buddy the Elf, left.

Long Beach awarded final round of grants

something with. We’re also going to have a cleaner bay.”

a very critical park, and we’re happy to have those funds.

The study will give residents a chance to weigh in on future development in the area. Patricia Bourne, the city’s director of economic development and planning, said there would be options for inperson and online meetings as well as surveys and information on the city’s website — and on paper for those who prefer it.

PatrIcIa Bourne Director, economic development and planning

“Our goal is to reach out to everyone,” Bourne said.

“It’s a diverse community along the bayfront, and we want all those folks involved, as well as everyone in the entire city, to give their input. We want to make it work, and it’s important to make people feel that they’re heard, and we get their great ideas.”

City officials have discussed possible initiatives including more public space, housing or a marina. Creighton said he believes the city needs a marina devel-

the city was awarded $600,000 to build a storage shed for salt used in the winter to treat Long Beach roads.

opment on its north shore, repeating an observation he has made before that Long Beach is a waterfront community, yet it has no boat slips. He was quick to add, however, that he doesn’t want to make a decision without public input.

City Council President Brendan Finn agreed with Creighton.

“When I was growing up in Long

Protecting Your Future

A Forgotten American Treasure

Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac appeared from 1732 to 1758. Amongst other information, it provided pithy sayings and proverbs, many of which have withstood the test of time.

“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”

“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom a good one.”

“Anoint a villain and he’ll stab you: stab him and he’ll anoint you.”

“An old young man will be a young old man.”

“Don’t think to hunt two hares with one dog.”

“Eat few suppers and you’ll need few medicines.”

“Great almsgiving, lessens no man’s living.”

“Happy’s the wooing that’s not long a doing.”

“He that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”

“If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world.”

“Lost time is never found again.”

“The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?”

“They who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing.”

“The sleeping fox catches no poultry.”

“The tongue is ever turning to the aching tooth.”

“When you’re good to others, you are best to yourself.”

“Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.”

Editor’s Note: The filing requirement under the Corporate Transparency Act (last week’s column) has been suspended by the courts until further notice.

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Beach, we had three or four marinas, and now we have none,” Finn said. “So, certainly, a marina is, I think, something that the people of Long Beach would welcome, and it’s been on our radar since we got into office.”

Salt storage shed

Long Beach stockpiles salt, for treating roads in the winter, on Park Place, by the recycling plant and near the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. Bourne said that the state Department of Environmental Conservation recommended that the city build a salt storage shed, which is what the $600,000 grant will be used for.

“We have to store salt for the winter, and unfortunately, if the salt is not covered, it can start leaking,” Bourne explained, “because it forms a brine and it leaks into the area, which is not good environmentally. We need it during snow events, and it could also leak into the bayfront and into the water.”

Sherman

Brown Park

The park is at the intersection of Riverside Boulevard and East Pine Street, across from the MLK Center. It is one of

Long Beach’s eight parks and playgrounds.

The city has been rehabilitating its parks over the past few years, and Sherman Brown is next, thanks to the grant of over $390,000. Awarded by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the funding will be used to “reimagine the park and make it very attractive and useful for the community’s residents,” Bourne said.

In meetings with residents, she said, officials learned that many area residents use the park as a community meeting place, because many nearby houses have narrow lots, some without backyards.

The city extended its gratitude to the state and elected officials for partnering together to come up with the money to take on these projects.

“I am so ecstatic about the work that has been done and the success achieved over this past year,” Finn said. “It’s around $7 million in grants that the city will be able to use, and take some of the burden off our taxpayers and our residents. We’re on the right track, and it’s a team effort.”

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L.I. Reach collects toys for those in need

Long Island Reach, founded in 1970, is a community-based, multi-service agency providing a range of rehabilitative and treatment services for youth and their families in Nassau County. The agency operates its main office in Long Beach, with satellite locations in Franklin Square and Port Washington.

The organization recently held its holiday toy drive, collecting brand-new toys for those in need. Throughout the duration of the drive, over 50 new toys were donated and distributed to local children.

Volunteers Shannon Romig, Carolyn Cut-

Shelley Herbst, Rosie Snyder, Flossie Conyers and Kevin Bragg were among those to help collect and distribute the toys.

tler and fifth-grader Finnleigh Farrell created and distributed flyers, collected and wrapped the toys and dropped them off to families.

Long Island Reach is dedicated to working with high-risk community members of all ages and their families. The organization helps individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms for anger, depression, and pain, while fostering self-esteem, self-awareness, and alternatives to substance abuse, destructive behavior, and antisocial tendencies.

–Brendan Carpenter

Photos courtesy Long Island Reach

Volunteers Shannon Romig and Finnleigh Farrell were instrumental for the holiday toy drive.

HERALD SPORTS

Hofstra wrestling begins exciting new era

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

Hofstra wrestling alum Jamie Franco is now leading the program where he thrived on the mats as a student-athlete looking to raise it to new heights.

Franco, a three-time NCAA Championship qualifier at Hofstra in the early 2010s, was named the Pride’s 13th- head coach on July 1, 2024 replacing Dennis Papadatos after he took an administrative role in the university’s athletic department. It marks another return home for Franco, who served as an assistant coach under Papadatos from 2016 to 2023 before spending a season on the wrestling staff at Columbia University last year.

“I always wanted to be a head coach and to be able to get this opportunity was a dream come true for me,” said Franco, who won 75 matches at Hofstra including a conference title at 133 pounds in 2013. “To come back to my alma mater and get my first head coaching gig at Hofstra was really special.”

After graduating Hofstra in 2014 with a business degree, Franco was operations manager of the famed Longo and Weidman MMA Training Center in Garden City where Hofstra wrestling legend Chris Weidman trained when he held a UFC middleweight title from 2013 to 2015. Franco maintains a close relationship with Weidman and recently brought his longtime trainer Ray Longo in a cross training session with the wrestlers.

“I think it’s always good to get these guys training outside of just wrestling to make them physically and mentally tougher,” Franco said.

Franco inherited a roster with plenty of former Long Island high school wrestling standouts including 133-pound Ryan Arbeit, who won a county title for Wantagh in 2022. The redshirt freshman was voted a team captain in October along with Massapequa High School product Chase Liardi, Justin Hoyle of Maple Valley, Wash and Ross McFarland of Pennellville, N.Y.

Two of Arbeit’s former Wantagh teammates are also on the Hofstra roster including red-shirt junior Mat Rogers, who won a New York State Championship in 2020 and Joe Russo, who was sidelined last season after joining the Pride from Nassau Community College. Russo was sidelined at the beginning of the season with an injury, but Franco is hoping he can make a contribution as the dual meet schedule heats up.

The Nassau County South Shore presence on the Hofstra mats also includes 165-pound redshirt junior Eric Shindel, who was an All-County wrestler at JFK High School in Bellmore in 2020 and 2021.

Fellow 165-pounder Kyle Mosher, who won a New York State title with South Side High School in Rockville Centre, joined the Pride this season as a graduate student after competing as an undergraduate student

at Columbia under Franco.

“He is looking really good early in the season so we’re looking to keep building on it,” said Franco of Mosher, who placed eighth in the 30-team Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 7. “He’s on everyone’s radar now.

Franco recorded his first dual meet win as Hofstra head coach with a 21-12 victory against Duke at home on Nov. 16. The Pride entered the new year at 4-3 and will next be in action on Jan. 9 with an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) road match at Binghamton. The Pride then has home matches in the Mack Sports Complex scheduled Jan. 26 against Penn starting at noon and Feb. 2 versus Franklin & Marshall at 4 p.m.

The Pride will look to make some noise at the EIWA Championships at Lehigh on March 7-8 and qualify at least three of four wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia from March 20-22.

“The guys are growing every week,” Franco said. “I think we’re going to see a more gritty team for us in the EIWAs so I feel like we’re going to get a bunch of placers there this year.”

Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications Massapequa native Chase Liardi is one of Hofstra’s captains.

Ross McFarland and the Pride are looking to make noise under new coach Jamie Franco, a Hofstra wrestling alumn.

L.B. Middle School becomes Ancient Egypt

Each year, sixth-grade students at Long Beach Middle School take a step back in time to explore Ancient Egypt. On Dec. 19, students showcased an array of projects as part of their social studies unit on early river valley civilizations during an “Egypt Exhibit” in the school library.

The projects combined informative and visual elements that highlighted various aspects of Ancient Egypt while integrating concepts from other subjects. Some students learned how to mummify, while others studied the process of making papyrus and used it to write about Egyptian gods and goddesses.

Additional projects included creating books about famous pharaohs and construct-

ing architectural models using diverse materials. All sixth-grade students also wrote poetry inspired by life along the Nile River.

The exhibit featured three-dimensional models of pyramids, afterlife artifacts, canopic jars, sarcophagi and more. Humanities Extension classes contributed large blackand-white murals depicting scenes from Ancient Egypt and crafted blackout poetry. Students also participated in a virtual tour of Ancient Egypt.

Once the exhibit was complete, the sixthgrade classes toured the library to view their peers’ work.

–Brendan Carpenter

Photos courtesy Long Beach Public Schools Middle school students worked together to make sure their surroundings had an authentic feel.

Middle schoolers were all smiles for their unique day.

Nominate a student under 16 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.

We want to hear about the extraordinary young individuals who are driving change in their communities.

The award will be presented at the 2025 LI Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld in February. Your nomination could inspire countless others to follow in their footsteps!

Submit a nomination of approximately 200 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?

Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.

To the New Year, inner peace, and self-actualization GUEST COLUMN

As I began pondering this New Year of life, I found myself keeping company with a repetitive thought I affectionately refer to as, coming home to inner peace. An emotion inspired by my recent milestone birthday. Moments when I found my inner voice guiding me down a new, unexpected path as if to say, “it is time for you to make peace within yourself and all that has been this life. To release what no longer serves you as best you can, while learning how to cultivate personal inner peace.” To invest in strengthening my own inner foundation of self-worth.

You are your greatest Investment

Prioritizing your health, both mental health and physical well-being, is a key aspect of investing in yourself. It is like building a wealth of wellness, where every action contributes to a richer, fuller life experience.

Prioritize Investing in Yourself and your personal energy

To emotionally invest in yourself, actively engage in activities that nurture your well-being, foster personal growth, and cultivate a positive relationship with your own emotions, including practices like: setting mean-

ingful goals, pursuing personal interests, practicing self-care, developing emotional awareness, learning new skills, expressing gratitude, and taking responsibility for your own happiness; essentially, dedicating time and energy to enriching your inner life and building a strong sense of self-worth.

How to invest and manage your emotions

Managing emotions involves self-awareness and understanding the root causes of your feelings. Start by identifying and acknowledging your emotions without judgment. Take a moment to reflect on what triggered them. Practice techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, to stay present and centered. Establish healthy outlets for emotional expression, such as journaling, art, or physical activity. Set realistic goals and prioritize selfcare to maintain balance in your life. Remember to seek professional help if needed, as therapists can provide guidance in developing effective emotional management.

Self-actualization

Self-actualization is the process of realizing your full potential through personal growth, creativity, and self-fulfillment. Self-actualized people are fulfilled, doing all they are capable of, and have a keen sense of selfawareness. are grounded, calm, and stable, and they remain true to their core values.

onna P isacano

Self-realization feels like a deep sense of inner peace, clarity of purpose, and a profound connection to one’s authentic self. The theory of self-actualization is attributed to prominent humanistic psychologist, Abraham Maslow. According to Maslow (1943), self-actualization is the process of becoming the best version of yourself.

What is an example of a self-actualized person?

Self-actualization accepts that everyone is unique, and their needs, values, and desires will always be different. Self-actualization allows for differences and that the process of achieving it will

manifest differently for everyone. An example of a self-actualized person might be a scientist who dedicates their life to research out of pure passion, regardless of fame or financial gain, or an artist who creates for the joy of expression. Such individuals are deeply motivated by personal values and often pursue goals aligned with their true self, rather than external expectations.

On a personal note: As we begin this new year, consider the benefits of cultivating personal inner peace. After all, we humans spend a lifetime focusing our time, attention, and effort on so many responsibilities that we often forget what it means to connect and invest within ourselves. So, here’s to 2025! May it be a year of cultivating newfound hope, aspirations, joy, and inner peace as we each are, our own greatest investment. Special thanks to my dear friend, Michael Raab, who introduced me to the topic of self-actualization.

Donna Pisacano-Brown is a Point Lookout resident who has been a columnist featured in local newspapers since 1996. She is a passionate advocate for drunken driving awareness, and shining a light on mental health topics.

A new era at county’s medical center

Megan Ryan, Dr. Grace Ting and Shannon Costello enter leadership roles

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Nassau University Medical Center will begin 2025 with women holding its three top leadership positions. The East Meadow-based hospital’s board of directors appointed Megan Ryan as president and chief executive, Dr. Grace Ting as chief medical officer and Shannon Costello as chief nursing officer during its Dec. 5 meeting. All three executives previously served in these roles on an interim basis and have extensive experience at NUMC.

In a December interview with the Herald, the leaders discussed their long-standing connections to the hospital, their career journeys at NUMC, and their visions for the institution as they formally step into their administrative roles.

Their backgrounds

Ryan, an accomplished attorney in the private sector who is admitted to the New York State Bar Association and the U.S. Supreme Court Association, began her career in health care as the chief compliance officer for the Nassau Queens Performing Provider System, before becoming general counsel at NUMC seven years ago. Prior to working at NUMC, Ryan served as an in-house corporate counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. She was named interim president and chief executive in January of 2024, a position she helped the hospital flourish in, until her appointment in December. Ryan will continue serving as general counsel.

Ting began her career at NUMC as an attending physician in the hospital’s emergency department, later becoming one of the associate directors for operations in the emergency department. Having served on various committees, Ting was named NUMC’s interim chief medical officer in 2022.

Costello, both an executive vice president and the chief nursing officer, started her professional career as a critical care nurse at NUMC in 2006. Through that position, she discovered a passion for teaching and education, she said, which led to her role as a critical care nurse educator in 2018, in which she oversaw multiple units at the hospital including the intensive care unit, special procedures unit and burn unit, among many others. Costello was named NUMC’s deputy nursing officer in January of last year and promoted to the interim chief nursing officer in May.

What working at NUMC has meant to them

Before she was a registered nurse, Costello said she completed her clinical rotations while still in nursing school at NUMC.

“This is where I learned to love nursing,” she said, “and this is where I learned about the mission of the hospital and the values here. I got to experience the work first hand and all the wonderful people that work here. And that’s what led me, after graduation, to seek an opportunity here.”

NUMC is Nassau County’s only public hospital, which serves as a safety net for medical care, providing services for the uninsured and vulnerable patients. The hospital provides care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

“I was lucky enough to be one of the first student groups, first out of school, that they allowed to work in critical care,” Costello said. “And I had a wonderful experience in terms of being educated and being taught in that very specialized area of nursing.”

NUMC is a teaching hospital, Costello said, but it also provides services that you won’t see in other facilities. From a water birthing suites in the hospital’s maternity ward, to being a regional leader in hyperbaric medicine, Costello said NUMC is a vital institution.

“What drew me here was the mission of the hospital,” Ting said, “in serving our patients, the people that

can’t afford to pay, as a doctor in the emergency department. That is a really integral part of what we do.”

There’s a camaraderie among NUMC’s staff, Ting added.

“We work really heard and we develop relationships,” she said. “You go home, and the next day you come in and you’re happy, and I was happy to come in.”

The appointments come at a crucial time for NUMC, which has faced years of financial instability and management challenges. Under Ryan’s interim leadership over the past year, the hospital has made significant strides in strengthening both its financial position and quality of care. Over the last five years, the hospital has not received hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding that it needs to survive.

“Our reputation hasn’t been very good and it’s unfair,” Ting said. “We’re trying to change the culture — change our reputation. I think we’re doing that. Our scores are better, our quality is better. We have real leadership, and yet we’re having so much trouble receiving funding from the state.”

Ryan said she took a “leap of faith” entering health care, but said her role really began to change at NUMC after the coronavirus pandemic. “I wasn’t the lawyer that was writing contracts or reviewing things or telling people no,” she said. “I was you know, doing the fundraising, and then I was going to all the different floors to see what they needed. I will be the first to say I’m not clinical — I leave the clinical stuff to the clinicians — but it was nice to work together.”

Her leadership role at NUMC has really cemented the belief that the hospital’s role in Nassau County is vital.

“I get frustrated when people are like ‘it’s a poor person’s hospital,’” she said. “As a Catholic, I love our mission. We treat everyone, regardless of their ability to pay — it is a saintly thing to do. It is a moral thing to do.”

The hospital’s administration, she said, is poised to help NUMC succeed.

“These are all people that have their hearts in this place,” Ryan said, “and they’re experts in their field.

NUMC’s future

Ryan said her goals have always been clear: She

At a glance: NUMC leadership

Megan Ryan

■ Named president and chief executive

■ First woman to lead Nassau Health Care Corporation

■ Served for nearly a decade as general counsel and interim president and chief executive since January

Dr. Grace Ting

■ Veteran NUMC physician named chief medical officer

■ Previously served in the role on interim basis

Shannon Costello

■ Appointed chief nursing officer

■ Experienced nurse leader who had been serving in position on an interim basis

wants to work with New York state as a partner in health care. For the first time in years, NUMC’s staff rallied in Albany last March with local legislators, advocating for the funding it needs to thrive.

The hospital employees 3,600 employees, Ryan said, and she feels both a commitment to them and the broader Long Island community. Looking ahead, hospital departments are working on sustainability plans, Ryan said, so the administration at NUMC can best assess needs across the board and roll out plans to help every part of the hospital succeed.

NUMC has named new department heads in different health care sectors, is getting its finances in order with its chief financial executive, Perry Sham, and working on increasing its visibility and outreach in the communities it serves.

Tim Baker/Herald

Nassau University Medical Center is kicking off the New Year with three women holding top leadership positions.

From left, Shannon Costello, the chief nursing officer, Dr. Grace Ting, the chief medical officer, and Megan Ryan, the president and chief executive, were appointed to their positions at a Dec. 5 board meeting.

Using sports to help fight pediatric cancer

Annual event to raise money for MSK Kids, in honor of Long Beach resident

Long Beach High School each year holds a unique fundraising event benefitting MSK Kids, Memorial Sloan Kettering’s pediatric program. The school’s gymnastics and wrestling teams share the gym for their respective meets, bringing together a one-of-a-kind athletic performance, donned the “Beauty and the Beast” Invitational.

This year’s — the fifth such event — will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 15, with varsity gymnastics going up against Bethpage and Oceanside and varsity wrestling battling it out against Baldwin. Not only will the fundraiser benefit MSK Kids, but, this year, is also in honor of Long Beach’s own Trip Powers.

On Feb. 2 last year, Powers, an eighth grader, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The disease is a type of cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glans spread throughout the body. Powers has been doing well, receiving chemotherapy treatments once a month. His treatment plan is to continue these maintenance session until June, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Gold is typically the color that symbolizes the fight against pediatric cancer, with green symbolizing the fight against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. During the event, Long Beach athletes will wear gold to honor Powers and all the other kids and families going through fights of their own. All proceeds from the event will go to MSK Kids in Trip Powers’ name.

Long Beach’s gymnastic coach Jessica Baker came up with the idea for the event five years ago.

Long Beach Director of Health and Physical Education Arnold Epstein said in a past Herald interview that “she wanted to do a community event around athletics and promote community service, but we didn’t have a cause at that time. We realized very quickly that doing something for MSK kids would be a great opportunity.”

As of press time, the event has raised just over $1,000 for MSK Kids. To date, over $20,000 has been raised thanks to the event.

–Brendan Carpenter

Photos courtesy Long Beach Public Schools

Long Beach gymnastics will be going up against Bethpage and Oceanside this year, with the wrestling team against Baldwin.

Each year, gift baskets and raffles are offered as ways to raise money for MSK Kids and win some prizes while doing so.

STEPPING OUT

Step inside an epic adventure with Anna, Elsa and the Madrigal clan moments on ice

By Karen Bloom

Welcome the New Year in true Disney style. The latest Disney ice extravaganza arrives at UBS Arena in Elmont ready to enchant families once again. This time around the spotlight is on two of the newest tales — beloved by Disneyphiles in the Disney canon: “Frozen” and “Encanto.” Audiences can share in the special joy of these captivating adventures when Disney On Ice’s glides into UBS Arena, now through Jan. 12.

Families will be transported into two of Disney’s most popular films as the world of Anna, Elsa, Mirabel, and the Madrigal family unfolds up close. These adored characters are, of course, joined by Mickey and his crew. Along with Minnie, Donald and Goofy, audiences will sing-along to everyone’s favorite songs interpreted through world-class skating, aerial acrobatics and dynamic special effects.

• Now through Sunday, Jan.12; times vary

• Tickets start at $35, pre-show character experience also available for a fee; purchase at ticketmaster.com or disneyonice.com or in person at box office

• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont

As always, the atmosphere is electric from the get-go. From the opening segment with Mickey and the gang, we quickly arrive in Arendelle to the delight of all the “Annas” and “Elsas” in the audience. Olaf, the lovable snowman who likes warm hugs and all things summer, narrates the story everyone knows so well. Artful skating (what could be more fitting?) transports families to the snowy kingdom to be a part of Anna’s adventure to find Elsa, whose icy powers unleashed an eternal winter. Kristoff and Sven take audiences along as they encounter wintry conditions in a race to bring back summer.

Elsa’s solo segment skated to “Let It Go” is among the highlights of the show’s first half. “It’s a big moment,” says Rebekah Johnson, who — off ice at this point — is exhilarated by the audience response.

At age 19, Johnson is experiencing the Disney magic for the first time as a performer. She joined the cast in September as an ensemble skater and couldn’t be happier.

Skating since she was two-years-old, the St. Paul, Minn.-based Johnson says “I always knew I was meant to be a show skater.”

Like her many castmates, she’s embraced Disney from a young age.

“I’ve always loved the princesses and ‘Frozen’,” she enthuses. “I’ve dreamed about skating for Disney for so long.”

From her first Disney On Ice experience as a young child to revisiting the spectacle as a teenager more recently, she knew this was where she belonged.

“When I saw the show again, I thought ‘this is so cool.’ I still dreamed about being a princess.”

While Johnson is not quite there yet, she’s relishing every moment as the youngest member of the cast and every moment on ice.

“I’ve wanted to skate for Disney for so long,” she continues. “It’s all very surreal, but it’s real!”

After a very Frozen adventure, the show’s second half takes everyone to a vibrant town in the mountains of Colombia where we meet the Madrigals, that extraordinary family who live in

Yacht Rock Revue

The kings of ‘70s tribute hit the road with an authentic throwback to the era. Yacht Rock Revue, hailed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band,” invites listeners on a nostalgic voyage through the ‘70s and’80s sun-soaked melodies. The Atlantabased 10-piece ensemble blends impeccable musicianship with a deep reverence for the genre. Their original album “Escape Artist” is a bold homage to this iconic sound. YRR continues to captivate audiences nationwide with their infectious energy and unabashedly joyous performances. Since their humble beginnings in 2007, YRR has emerged as pivotal in revitalizing yacht rock, sharing stages with icons and garnering a devoted following of “Anchorheads.” Whether performing in intimate venues or rocking arenas, their concerts promise an immersive musical journey that celebrates the timeless allure of smooth grooves.

Friday and Saturday, Jan.10-11, 8 p.m. $55, $40, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

a magical casita in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. Mirabel tells the tale of her amazing family and her journey to save the casita — her enchanted family home — alongside her sisters: Isabela, whose perfection radiates with her ability to make plants grow and flowers bloom with every step, and Luisa, with the gift of super strength that she uses to help her village move buildings and reroute rivers.

For the first time live, everyone can witness Tia Pepa, who can control the weather with her emotions; her husband Felix; their daughter Dolores, with her gift to hear; and Bruno, the mysterious and misunderstood Madrigal family member whose visions foretold the future.

“I’m especially partial to ‘Encanto,” Johnson says. “It’s so upbeat, high energy, that everyone [in the audience] gets so exited.”

And, of course, We Don’t Talk About Bruno.

Here audiences especially respond to the aerial segment, which showcases the skaters’ acrobatic skills above the ice, along with plenty of ice dancing.

“It looks magical,” Johnson says.

And that’s the timeless Disney mantra: “Anything can happen if you just believe.”

In the end, audiences leave with the understanding that everyone has their own gifts, magical or not, and being true to yourself and loving those around you is what makes you special.

Or as Johnson puts it: “Magic is inside all of us.”

At the end, special appearance from Mulan and Li Shang, Belle and Prince Adam, Ariel and Eric, Aladdin and Jasmine, Miguel from Coco, and Moana celebrate that iconic Disney “magic” in a rousing finale.

Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment

Smooth Dre’s Rhythmic Odyssey

Experience the pulse of Brooklyn hip-hop with Smooth Dre and his crew. A renowned figure in Brooklyn, he’s carved a niche in the hip-hop world with his unique style and profound lyrical narratives. Known for blending classic beats with rich, contemporary rhythms, Smooth Dre delivers music that resonates with authenticity and depth. His journey from underground circuits to mainstream stages has been marked by a steadfast dedication to his craft and an unwavering commitment to his roots. Smooth Dre’s influence extends beyond music; he is a cultural icon who embodies the spirit of hip-hop in every aspect of his life. Dive into a night of relentless beats and lyrical storytelling with Smooth Dre, a maestro of urban soundscapes, with his friends.

Saturday, Jan. 11, 8 p.m. $70. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or madisontheatreny.org.

Photos: Dreams do come true when the royal sisters of Arendelle are joined by the Madrigal family in a ice spectacle that fully brings both films to life.

THE Your Neighborhood

Dave Atell

Jan. 19

Start the New Year off with some laughs from one of stand-up comedy’s best, when Dave Atell visits the Paramount stage, Sunday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m. An all-timegreat joke writer, named one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly, Atell is most at home in comedy clubs. He built a loyal following by barnstorming the country with his brand of off-color “very adult” humor, and his audiences got even bigger after his cult-favorite travel show, “Insomniac.” Atell continues to be a presence on TV — including his hit Netflix specials “Hot Cross Buns” and “Bumping Mics” — while constantly writing new material and taking it on the road. Beginning his comedy career in the early ‘90s, Attell ascended through New York’s stand-up ranks alongside the likes of Louis C.K. and Jon Stewart.

After a brief stint writing for SNL, Attell has headed several shows of his own. “Insomniac” followed Attell on late-night trips, tracking down and interviewing anyone who wasn’t asleep for some reason (usually either night workers or drunk people), while “Dave’s Old Porn...well, you can Google that one yourself.” When not on the road, Attell makes regular appearances at the Comedy Cellar in New York City. $59.50, $49.50, $44.50, $39.50, $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Jan. 25

Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Open House

Nassau BOCES Barry Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education (CTE) high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. Following an introduction to the school led by administrators, there will be self-guided tours of the facility. Additional open house sessions are offered in February. Interested students and their families can register for the Open House at nassauboces.org/ barrytech or call (516) 622-6812 for more information. 1196 Prospect Ave., Westbury.

Farmers’ Market

The Kennedy Plaza Farmers’ Market is held at Kennedy Plaza, in front of Long Beach City Hall, every Wednesday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Come check out locally grown fruits and vegetables! 1 W. Chester St. For more information or to register, visit LongBeachNY. gov.

In concert

Plaza Theatricals’ welcomes the New Year, with an Elvis tribute, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2:30 p.m. Ritchie Santa performs “Elvis Is In The House,” keeping the King’s legacy alive. Santa often shares how, even 47 years after his passing, Elvis connects people who might never have met otherwise. See the show at 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Mah Jongg club

Do you play Mah Jongg and want to meet other community members who play? Join in the game, at Long Beach Library, Wednesdays at 11 a.m. in the auditorium. Practice your skills and have fun while you do it. Bring your own Mah Jongg tiles. 111 W. Park Ave. For more information, visit LongBeachPL. com or call (516) 432-7201.

BOE meets

The Long Beach Board of Education next meets on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m., at Lindell School. For more information, visit LBeach.org. 601 Lindell Blvd.

Vinyl Collectors Club

Share your love of vinyl with fellow collectors! Drop by Long Beach Public Library’s collectors club, Thursday, Jan. 9, 7-8 p.m. This month’s theme is “Best Opening Track.” Bring in an album or two to spin a few songs for the group. 111 W. Park Ave. For more information, visit longbeachpl.com or call (516) 432-7201.

Ask the tech guy

Do you have questions about your computer or laptop?

Want to learn more about Zoom, streaming movies, or downloading ebooks to your device? Join Long Beach Library’s Tech Guy, every Wednesday, 2-3 p.m. to get answers to your pressing tech questions. 111 W. Park Ave. For information, visit LongBeachPL. org.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, Saturdays, noon-3 p.m. Kids and their adult partners talk about and making art together. While there, enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum.org to register or call (516) 484-9337.

Musical seasons

Sands Point Preserve’s reserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for the 2025 unique chamber music series, “Four Seasons in Music,” Sunday, Jan. 12, 3 p.m. The duoJalal ensemble-in-residence led by Kathryn Lockwood on viola, with percussionist Yousif Sheronick, violinists Deborah Buck and Emma Frucht and cellist Caroline Stinson presents a German flavored. Celebrating Germany’s rich history of extraordinary composers, including Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Brahms, to the less traditional, this concert will warm you up on a winter afternoon.

A reception follows. $56, $45 members. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For tickets and information, visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.

Having an event?

Breastfeeding Support Group

Mercy Hospital offers a peer-to-peer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms are welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure you and your baby’s spot. Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.

Polar Bear Splash

The Long Beach Polar Bears will make their annual plunge, Sunday, Feb. 9, on Laurelton Blvd. beach with proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish. T-shirt sales begin at 10 a.m.; Polar Bears gather at noon and go in the water at 1:30 pm.For more information xvisit LongBeachNY.gov.

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

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts.

The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.

Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. Opens Jan. 18, on view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Fit As A Fiddle

Jan. 11

Visit Long Island Children’s Museum to celebrate Family Fit Lifestyle Month, Saturday, Jan. 11, noon-2 p.m. Families can make a take-home custom fitness game to get in tip top shape by having fun, at the drop-in program. For ages 3 and up. Free with admission. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.

NCC students, faculty protest course cuts

By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com

Students and faculty at Nassau Community College are voicing their frustration over the lack of course offerings and departmental cuts.

If there’s nothing there for them, they’re not going to register. This is totally counter to the rhythm and needs of the community that uses this college.

FAREn SImInoFF President, NCCFT

Faculty packed the college’s multipurpose room to hear colleagues and students voice their concerns at the annual winter luncheon on Dec. 17. The event was hosted by the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, a local union affiliated with New York State United Teachers. Frustrations over course cuts and departmental reductions were highlighted.

According to NCCFT president Faren Siminoff, the campus is not meeting its mission, which is to offer a “robust offering of courses” scheduled throughout the day for students.

Administrators have doubled since last year, she said, but the college has eliminated 21 departments, cut funding to student services and clubs, all while limiting its schedule of classes.

Jerry Kornbluth, the vice president

LEGAL NOTICE

Shaw/Herald

Richard Ginsburg, chair of the theater and dance department at Nassau Community College, spoke at the Dec. 17 luncheon hosted by the college’s Federation of Teachers about the planned deactivation of his program, citing the importance of arts. According to Jerry Kornbluth, vice president for Community and Government Relations at Nassau Community College, they are not eliminating the department.

for Community and Government Relations at Nassau Community College, said in a statement that the college aims to preserve and expand course offerings while retaining tenured professors despite a nationwide decline in college enrollment. He noted that the college has reduced its budget deficit from $14.8 million to $4.8 million, while boosting enrollment by 8% over the past year. Department mergers, he said, were carefully planned in alignment with union agreements to improve efficiency. In addition, Kornbluth stated that the theater and dance department will not be eliminated, and will continue to offer majors and seasonal productions, ensuring its ongoing presence on campus.

Public Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

SONYMA, Plaintiff AGAINST Elizabeth M. Kiernan aka Liz Kiernan, et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 26, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 4, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 88 Michigan Street, Long Beach, NY 11561. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 58, Block: 99, Lot: 10. Approximate amount of judgment $306,034.75 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to

provisions of filed Judgment Index #002884/2012. 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. 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”. Dominic Villoni, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-047710-F00 83720 150747

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF RESIDENTIAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES TRUST II, Plaintiff, vs. COZY NEST HOMES, LLC, ET. AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 19, 2024 and an Order Appointing Substitute Referee duly entered on November 18, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine”, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 610 Laurelton Boulevard, Long Beach, NY 11561.

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 59, Block 54 and Lots 6-7. Approximate amount of judgment is $643,946.03 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #607903/2023. 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.

Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C., Attn: Jackie Halpern Weinstein, Esq., One Battery Park Plaza, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10004, Tel: 212.825.0365, Attorneys for Plaintiff 150667

“Our priority remains preserving and enhancing the affordable, high-quality education that Nassau Community College is known for,” Kornbluth said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to be a place where students thrive, whether they are entering the workforce or transferring to a four-year institution.”

Siminoff claims that students have found it difficult to find courses that fit their busy schedule, especially for those who work. The college, she said, would reportedly cancel a course offering early, sometimes a week or two after registration opens, even though students register weeks later.

“If there’s nothing there for them, they’re not going to register,” Siminoff said. “This is totally counter to the rhythm and needs of the community that uses this college.”

Joining students and staff were County Legislators Thomas McKevitt and Siela Bynoe, who spoke of the importance that community colleges provide for middle-class students. Bynoe was elected to state senate in November.

McKevitt said he wished people could see the college’s potential as a place where students, who might not be able to afford tuition for private institutions, can succeed and be tomorrow’s leaders.

“The reality is that the private institutions have priced the middle class out of higher education,” McKevitt said, “which is why Nassau Community College is more important than it has ever been before.”

Richard Ginsburg, chairman of the theater and dance department at NCC, claimed administration planned to “deactivate” the program. Ginsburg had instructed and guided students for over 40 years throughout the department’s 61-year history, adding that the arts are essential to education, and the state owes it to itself to sustain and encourage such programs.

“We had survived and grew through a deadly pandemic,” Ginsburg said, “but we will not survive through this admin-

of course offerings and department cuts are causing students and faculty to voice frustrations.

istration, as next fall, the theater department will go from historically nine, fulltime teaching faculty to zero.”

Simran Gil, an international student and president of the Filipino Cultural Society, said at the beginning of this semester, her club allegedly received “zero dollars in funding” despite submitting all their paperwork on time.

Gil said her club addressed this issue to the Faculty Student Association and Student Government Association and eventually received $250, which Gil said was “far too little” to support the club’s activities, which was half of what they received in 2021, she added.

“We need a clear answer regarding the discrepancies in our budget and accountability for how funds are allocated,” Gil said.

Bynoe is a graduate at Nassau Community College, who worked full-time while attending courses in the evening. She described her experience as a foundation that led her to a master’s in public administration at Long Island University and wants the college to be sustainable for current students and generations to come.

“We want to make sure that their children and their children’s children have an opportunity to have an affordable, quality education,” Bynoe said, “One that can allow them to springboard to other universities and go into vocations of their choice.”

Charles

Herald file photo

A lack

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.

Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT

DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

Fax your ad to:

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

SALES CLERK

Part-Time, Flexible Hours Needed For Pharmacy in Point Lookout. Prior Knowledge Not Required Call Kathleen 516-784-8617

HomesHERALD

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CEDARHURST 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

WMy meeting with a president, and what might have been

Thank you, Jimmy Carter.

When I was a student in Florence, Italy, in 1979, I was invited to a fellow student’s home in Munich. There I was awakened by loud noises out in the street, and watched a huge truck with giant arms and claws that was lifting several odd-shaped bins from two street corners at the same time.

My friend explained that this was something called “recycling.” The truck was gathering separated bins of brown, green and clear glass and paper, all at the same time. I was intrigued, and further investigated this new idea, writing six pages of notes. After I returned to the U.S., I hand-wrote that six-page letter to the president of the United States, Jimmy Carter.

Then a strange thing happened. Our office secretary in Monroe, Michigan, came to my desk and said that a man named William Ruckleshaus, chairman of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, was on the phone, and wanted to speak to me. He explained that President Carter had received my letter and wanted to meet. I was 22 years old.

Because it was election time, the president was doing town hall meetings across the country, and selected a high school near my home in Toledo, Ohio. I was sent a special pass to give to Secret Service agents, and on Oct. 25, 1980, at 9:42 am, in a crowded gymnasium, I presented my pass to a tall Marine-like agent who seemed to be aware of the arrangement. He didn’t hesitate. I was walked behind a backdrop by two agents, down a hallway and seated in a classroom.

In walked President Carter, and he came over, shook my hand and sat in a school desk next to me. He was holding my letter on recycling, and we discussed the many specific things he was interested in implementing, starting with government, to reduce waste in the United States. I kept answering, “Yes, Mr. President,” and he kept saying, “Call me Jimmy.”

As we talked, he smiled that big Jimmy Carter grin, and I kept thinking he was too genuinely sincere, too nice to be the president, too down-to-earth — and how surreal the moment was. But the most surreal of all was when he asked me if I would come to Washington, D.C., and work with him to implement this program from the White House. I immediately answered, “Yes, Mr. President,” still unable to call him Jimmy. Then he smiled at me one more time and said, “Of course, I have to get re-elected.”

He lost to Ronald Reagan, and the rest is history. I always wonder how my life would have been, working with the president, overseeing a new program that never materialized. I wouldn’t have crossed paths with the young lady who has shared my life for 43 years, never enjoyed the two daughters we raised or the grandchildren we fuss over, might not have opened my own architectural practice, moved to Long Island or started writing a column for the Herald. I wonder. Thank you, Jimmy Carter!

© 2025 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

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Once again, there’s a New Yorker in the White House

When Donald Trump is inaugurated as our 47th president the week after next, he will (once again) be the only president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt who is a born-and-bred New Yorker. Despite his recent relocation to Florida, where he has presided from Mar-a-Lago like an overlord, Trump has never escaped his New York roots. This is important to New York and Long Island. I say this not because of any native-son pride, but because downstate New York has unique issues and challenges that can be best understood and addressed by a true New Yorker. Like me, Trump grew up in Queens, but that’s where the geographic comparison ends. He was raised in very upscale Jamaica Estates. I grew up in very bluecollar Sunnyside. Same time; different stations. Of course, that didn’t stop

Trump from implying to people in Washington that he and I grew up together. So much so that non-New York members of Congress would ask me, “What kind of guy was he growing up?” And my misleading non-answer would always be, “Same as he is today.”

WDespite the very different economic aspects of our upbringings, Trump and I, in many ways, spoke the same language. I distinctly remember when he invited me to the White House in February 2017, a few weeks after his inauguration, for a routine billsigning ceremony. As we spoke for just a few minutes, he gave a big smile and said, “It’s great to hear that New York accent down here.”

anti-MS-13 efforts succeeded in crushing the gang’s reign of terror in Nassau and Suffolk counties.)

e’ll need President Trump’s support and cooperation to address critical issues.

Probably the most relaxed I ever saw Trump was when he invited me to join him at ringside for a night of UFC fights at Madison Square Garden in November 2019. The loud fullhouse crowd chanting “USA!” and giving him thumbs ups was a stark contrast to the Ukraine impeachment proceedings against him that were under way at the same time in Washington.

This year, his giant rallies at Madison Square Garden and the Nassau Coliseum were major parts of his winning campaign.

Executive Bruce Blakeman, county Republican Party Chairman Joe Cairo and former Congressman Lee Zeldin. Trump’s brother Robert lived in Garden City for many years until he died in 2020. On a somber note, I was there last March when Trump came to the funeral home in Massapequa to comfort the family of murdered NYPD hero Jonathan Diller.

Several times when I was talking with him on Air Force One, when he was flying to Long Island to address the MS-13 murder spree, I felt as if I were speaking with just another guy on a Queens street corner, and had to keep reminding myself that I was talking to the president of the United States. (His

Trump also had friendships with Long Islanders such as former U.S. Sen. Al D’Amato, from his years in Washington, and Joe Mondello, who was Trump’s attorney in several business transactions and was later appointed ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago by Trump. More recently, the president-elect has formed close friendships with County

Over the next several years, New York will need the support and cooperation of President Trump to address critical issues, including illegal immigration, crime and drugs, health care for those who continue to be affected by the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, aging infrastructure, congested traffic and high taxes. We will especially need him to fight off anti-New York elements in the Republican Party who have too often in the past clearly demonstrated their geographic bias. Together, whether Republican or Democrat, New Yorkers should work to find common ground with the president to make New York great again.

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

The challenge of being president in challenging times

We are entering a new year, in which there will be many challenges for all of us. But the biggest ones will be for President-elect Donald Trump, who is about to embark on a historic second term. We know what he will do on Inauguration Day, but the real question is what kind of president he will be when the history of his second term is written.

Trump made many promises to voters, and there is no doubt that he will fulfill many of them. Voters were clearly concerned about the immigration challenges at the borders, and Trump has pledged to close them down and begin a program of mass deportations. Many voters were unhappy with the way our government works, and for better or worse, there will be changes. The proposed appointees to the Trump cabinet are in most cases total unknowns when it comes to government experience. Thinking that his new

team will be able to function effectively is a big wish that may or may not come true. Many of the proposed cabinet members have never run any type of business, and in some cases their only qualification is that Trump likes them. That could be a recipe for disaster.

Thinking that Trump’s new team will be able to function effectively is a big wish.

Aside from the promise to shut down the borders, the big Trump pledge was that he would do something about the high cost of things like eggs and other household needs. In the weeks since the election, he has made it clear that cutting down on such things as grocery costs is too difficult to accomplish.

Much of his presidency will be defined on Jan. 20, when he will sign a number of executive orders. Some may win broad public acceptance, but others may lead Trump voters to question whether they were the reason they supported him. The pledge to pardon Jan. 6 rioters pleased a small segment of the population, but freeing convicted thugs would send the wrong message in a country that prides itself on law and order.

Trump has pledged to dramatically

cut energy costs by embarking on massive oil and gas drilling programs. Whether that can have any effect is questionable, because the country experienced record oil and gas drilling in 2024, and creating extra product doesn’t mean that prices will go down. We consumers know from experience that the oil and gas producers don’t give any discounts to motorists or homeowners.

Some Trump voters have expressed a desire for our country to curtail any overseas relationships and to once again make the United States into an isolationist country. We went through that experience in the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler was beginning to map out his plan to control Europe and the rest of the world. Since those dark days, we, our friends and supporters have created NATO, and our country has assured our allies that we will defend them if any of our enemies attack them. Obviously, that means China or Russia.

There is no doubt that the Trump presidency will bring about many changes in the way our nation functions. History shows that every president makes some type of imprint on the

country. In many cases, he spends a lot of time trying to erase his predecessor’s accomplishments, and Trump will devote a substantial amount of time to doing exactly that.

In the run-up to Jan. 20, he has talked about a takeover of Greenland and a seizure of the Panama Canal. Greenland still has strong ties to Denmark, which we can be sure isn’t in the mood to give up a land mass rich in precious minerals and other raw materials. Panama controls the canal under a treaty entered into by President Jimmy Carter. Serious attempts to seize the canal would raise questions around the world about America’s written word.

Four years go by fast, and as the clock ticks, historians assess the accomplishments and mistakes of every president. We hope there will be many positive changes from a Trump administration, and that America will be a better place after his tenure ends. That’s my wish for 2025 and beyond, and, I’m sure, everyone’s hope.

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

Feeling under siege? Combat the chaos.

are you still emotionally shaken by the violent, seemingly random acts that occurred shortly before we turned the calendar and again on New Year’s Day?

On Dec. 22, a woman was burned alive on a Brooklyn subway train. On New Year’s Eve, a man was critically injured when he was pushed into the path of an oncoming subway train in Manhattan.

On Jan. 1, the year just hours old, we awoke to the news of multiple deaths and dozens of injuries when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Later that morning, a Tesla Cybertruck detonated outside a Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven others. And four gunmen opened fire outside a nightclub in Queens that night, injuring 10.

When these kinds of headlines intrude into our lives, we may feel as though the world is unraveling. The ripple effects are profound: Lives are lost or forever changed, public spaces are emptied, and once-reliable joys like festivals, parades and football bowl games are relegated to the realm of unimportance.

This sense of being constantly on edge is exhausting. But amid the grief and uncertainty, there are ways to process our emotions, respond constructively, and help ourselves and others find solace and strength.

What should we do?

When violence or tragedy strikes, the

letters

Advocating for child care in New York

To the Editor:

The year ahead will be filled with uncertainty and opportunity. Our leaders in New York must create the conditions necessary for every child to thrive, while safeguarding our state’s safety net.

We must demand full funding for our child care and public education systems, ensure that every family has a home and access to health care, guarantee clean air and safe environments, and protect every immigrant. We must demand that our state takes a bold position and does not waver from it. Most important, we must demand that the ultra-wealthy and extremely profitable corporations pay their fair share, because that’s the key to funding the essential services that help everyone succeed.

For too long, corporate politicians and their wealthy donors have put their interests ahead of the needs of our public schools, child care and working families. It’s time for a change. Here’s what we’re fighting for to make this

first imperative is safety. Avoiding highrisk situations and being vigilant in public spaces are more important than ever.

We must also safeguard our emotional and psychological well-being. Start with staying informed, but not letting yourself be overwhelmed. The 24-hour news cycle has a way of amplifying fear, and while information is crucial, it’s equally important to recognize when it’s time to step back. Be selective about your sources of information, and balance the hard truths of current events with stories that remind you of the good in humanity.

It’s also essential to strengthen our communities. Feeling under siege isolates us, making us retreat into individual fear. But fear is best countered collectively. Reach out to neighbors, join local groups or participate in civic events that promote unity.

Advocate for solutions. Moments of crisis are not always random acts of chaos; they are often symptoms of systemic issues, whether it’s gun violence, mental health crises or deep societal divisions. Supporting policies and groups that address these root causes — and working constructively with people whose opinions differ on the issues — is one way to reclaim a sense of agency in a world that feels out of control.

How should we feel?

The emotions stirred by these tragedies are complex and valid. There’s fear, anger, sadness and sometimes even guilt

— guilt over feeling powerless or for wanting to escape the constant barrage of bad news. It’s important to allow yourself to feel these emotions without judgment.

Be resilient. Focus on what you can control. Small, deliberate acts — reaching out to a friend, writing to a policymaker or simply stepping outside for a walk — can help restore a sense of balance. While we may not be able to prevent every tragedy, we can control how we respond to them.

How can we help?

Be present. Show up for others. Simple gestures, such as offering an attentive ear or a comforting word, are appreciated. Help the people who are directly affected. Donate to relief funds, volunteer at community centers or contribute to organizations addressing the systemic causes of violence and instability.

Share stories of courage, kindness and resilience. Elevate these stories — not in an effort to persuade others to ignore the pain, but to remind you and them that even in the darkest moments, light filters through.

Feeling under siege doesn’t mean we are powerless. It means that we are called to action — both in our personal lives and in our communities. We are called to care for one another, to demand better from our leaders, and to work toward a future in which safety and joy are not fleeting privileges but shared realities.

Let’s put politics aside and just save lives

in politics, disagreements are inevitable. They’re part of a system designed to encourage debate and foster diverse perspectives. But some issues transcend politics — or at least they should.

The fight to equip our first responders with life-saving epinephrine autoinjectors, or EpiPens, is one of those issues. And yet, despite its life-or-death implications, my legislation to mandate EpiPens in Nassau County police vehicles has been stonewalled by County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Republican leaders in the Legislature.

I introduced this bill inspired by stories like that of Georgina Cornago, whose son Gio died tragically in 2013 of an allergic reaction. Georgina has turned her unimaginable pain into a relentless mission to prevent others from suffering the same loss. Through her foundation, Love for Giovanni, she’s educated countless people about the dangers of food allergies, advocated for epinephrine accessibility and helped save lives. Her story has touched the hearts of many, including mine.

nCornago’s advocacy has already borne fruit. In 2019, thanks to her tireless efforts, New York passed Gio’s Law, which allows first responders like police officers to carry epinephrine. But her mission is far from over. On a national stage, she continues to push for epinephrine to be as ubiquitous as AEDs, ensuring that no child — or parent — is left defenseless against anaphylaxis. Yet here in Nassau County, where Gio’s story began, we’ve failed to honor his legacy by failing to act.

Anaphylaxis doesn’t care about your socioeconomic status, your neighborhood or your political affiliation. It can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. A child at a birthday party accidentally eating the wrong cake. A teenager at a school event who doesn’t realize there are peanuts in the dessert. A parent walking in the park. Seconds can mean the difference between life and death, and police officers, often the first on the scene of an emergency, can administer epinephrine quickly.

lives and the peace of mind it offers families. Training officers to use the devices takes less than 30 minutes. Nassau police officers already carry Narcan to combat opioid overdoses, and equipping them with EpiPens is a logical, lifesaving next step.

assau County police should carry potentially lifesaving EpiPens.

Cornago has said time and again, “Every second counts.” Yet here we are, wasting months on partisan bickering while lives hang in the balance. Neighboring Suffolk County has already implemented similar measures, demonstrating both the feasibility and necessity of such a program.

So why are Nassau Republicans blocking this bill? The answer escapes me, and I suspect it escapes the parents who worry every day about their children’s safety. This obstructionism isn’t just shortsighted — it’s morally indefensible.

standard. Imagine a Nassau County in which every patrol car carries the tools to save a life. Imagine the relief parents would feel knowing their local police officers are equipped to protect their children from anaphylaxis. This is an achievable goal, and it starts with passing this legislation.

Cornago’s advocacy has shown us what’s possible when determination meets compassion. She’s organized events like Trunk or Treat to create safe spaces for kids with allergies. She’s worked to install public signs in parks, raising awareness of food allergies. She’s even helped educate school districts about the need for accessible EpiPens. Her efforts have saved lives. Now it’s time for the County Legislature to do its part.

At just $100 per EpiPen thanks to a new price cap on the drug — a cost that could be reduced through bulk purchasing — the cost of implementing this program is negligible, especially when weighed against the potential to save

Letters

happen:

■ Tax the ultra-wealthy and corporations. New York has the public dollars we need, but only when we pass legislation that makes millionaires, billionaires and highly profitable corporations pay their fair share. The Invest in Our New York campaign shows how we can raise revenue to support our schools, affordable child care and working families. By ensuring fair taxation, we will finally provide the support our kids, educators, and child-care workers have needed for far too long.

■ A fairer, stronger future for all. Every child needs access to a highquality education, no matter their background. But we can’t make that happen without a state budget that prioritizes equity. The Invest in Our New York campaign offers a blueprint for raising the public dollars needed to fund our education and child-care programs. It’s time for a state budget that focuses on the well-being of all New Yorkers — not just the wealthiest.

Your voice is crucial to making these changes a reality. Join us for Child Care Advocacy Day, on Jan. 28, and AQE Advocacy Day, on Feb. 4. Together we can ensure that the 2025 budget prioritizes public education,

early care and learning, and universal child care, so that all of New York’s children have the resources they need to succeed.

Let’s make 2025 the year we secure a more just and equitable future for every New Yorker.

ZAkIYAH SHAAkIR-ANSARI MARINA MARCOu-O’MALLEY Co-executive

directors, Alliance for Quality Education NY

He’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods,’ too

To the Editor:

Re Peter king’s column, “Like many other devotees, I’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods’ dearly (Dec. 19-25): I agree with you, Mr. king: “Blue Bloods” will be missed. It was very well acted and written. What really bothers me is that CBS would not reconsider, despite strong ratings and even stronger outcry about the show ending.

How about another network taking the show, or even better, HBO? It would have worked. It’s a shame that it ended its run this way.

TONY GIAMETTA Oceanside

It’s time for us to focus on what truly matters: protecting our community. For years, Cornago has been fighting to ensure that no other family has to endure the loss she suffered. Her dedication should inspire us all. Yet instead of supporting her mission, some in the Legislature seem more intent on scoring political points.

Imagine a world in which Gio’s Law isn’t just a state initiative but a national

To my Republican colleagues, I say, listen to Georgina. Listen to the countless parents who’ve written, called and pleaded for action. Listen to the doctors and first responders who know what’s at stake. This is not about politics; it’s about saving lives.

Let’s not allow bureaucracy and partisanship to stand in the way of progress. We owe it to Gio’s memory, to Georgina’s tireless efforts, and to every Nassau County family to act now. Passing this legislation is not just the right thing to do — it’s the only thing to do.

Seth I. Koslow represents Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District.

Framework by Alexis Morledge

At Blarney Castle — but did he kiss the stone? — County Cork, Ireland