Lynbrook/East Rockaway Herald 11-28-2024

Lynbrook/east rockaway

Also serving Bay Park

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Hempstead town sues the MTA Page 12

HurriCon curates creativity for a cause

By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

Bethany Congregational Church in East Rockaway hosted a semiannual event last Saturday, bringing authors, artists and fans together for a community raffle and meetand-greet that was also a fundraiser benefiting the church’s natural disaster relief and community collaboration initiatives.

The event has been dubbed HurriCon, and described by its organizers as New York’s “only benefitrelief comic con.” David Donovan, a church board trustee and the event’s organizer, sparked the idea for the fundraiser in 2018, when the church needed to restore its floors after assisting residents during Hurricane Sandy.

Local businesses prepare for the holidays as some offer sales

By AINSlEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

In Lynbrook, local businesses will provide speciality festive products, with some stores offering discounts, for the holiday season.

I t’s important to support local businesses yearlong.

PollY TAlBoTT President, Lynbrook

of Commerce

and continued the tradition.

The Clancys said the Christmas season is one of the busiest times of year, especially with the sibling’s love for creative spins on classics.

Chamber

Inside Lynbrook Bagels on Atlantic Avenue in Lynbrook, a lit-up Christmas tree and a small statue of Santa greet guests as they walk in the door. The shop features autumn and Christmas renditions of its muffins, bagels and coffees. On its daily menus, Lynbrook Bagels had a cinnamon butter cookie, an apple cider donut and an iced peppermint mocha drink.

If you want to see Santa Claus, head to Unicorn Jewelers, at 29 Atlantic Ave, where Denise Scalfani has been in business for 20 years. Santa will be there from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14.

For 30 years, the bagel store has remained a staple for the area. Owners Michael and Kaitlin Clancy took over the family business from their parents,

Other local businesses will offer holiday discounts, such as Mur-Lees Men’s & Boy’s Shop with $50 off purchases of $250 or more and $100 off purchases of $500 or more. In store, select-

ed items are also 20 percent off. Ground Central Coffee in Lynbrook offers gift card deals for their cafe. If customers spend $40 in gift cards, they will receive an extra $10 gift card. The deals increase with higher gift cards amounts: spend $75, get $100. Spend $150 and get $250. Merchandise,

such as mugs and shirts, will be 20 percent off.

Desiree Royer with Ground Central Coffee said supporting local businesses inherently enhances the community.

“We hire the kids, mom, and people in between jobs, so it’s directly impacting the commu-

Ainsley Martinez/Herald

Kurt Camino, left, Chris Hueser, Meghan McCarthy, David, Maria and John Donovan organized the semiannual comic convention at Bethany Congregational Church in East Rockaway.

Firefighters aid in Orange County wildfire efforts

The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office deployed the East Rockaway Fire Department to assist in the ongoing wildfire response in upstate Orange County, as part of a mutual aid effort. Deployment came at the request of local officials in the Lower Hudson Valley, where wildfires have caused significant damage.

East Rockaway volunteer firefighters were deployed on Nov. 15 as part of a task force, joining other fire departments from Baldwin, Elmont and Oceanside. The task force, which included Engine 404 from East Rockaway, was dispatched to provide structural protection and assist in firefighting efforts in areas affected by the wildfires.

East Rockaway Mayor Gordon Fox praised the mutual aid system, calling it a cornerstone of the volunteer firefighting community. He emphasized the importance of mutual support among neighboring fire

departments, noting that many of the same communities that helped East Rockaway during Superstorm Sandy were now receiving assistance in return.

“No community stands alone in times of crisis,” Fox said. “We are committed to doing our part to protect fellow New Yorkers’ lives and property.”

East Rockaway Fire Chief Shane Vesce said that the department’s contingent was led by Ex-Chief Gene Torborg, who oversaw the crew that manned Engine 404. The engine left Main Street in East Rockaway early on Nov. 15, arriving in Orange County after more than an hour and a half of travel. Upon arrival, East Rockaway personnel joined other mutual aid units to provide structure protection and assist with controlling hot spots in difficult-to-reach areas.

The firefighters faced challenging terrain, including severe undulations in the land, but their training pre -

The East Rockaway Fire Department serves the local community, and other areas in need. On Nov. 15, the department was deployed as part of a task force, joining other fire departments from Baldwin, Elmont and Oceanside.

pared them for the difficult conditions. The Long Island responders worked throughout the day, helping to protect structures and manage the wildfire’s spread.

The deployment reflects the strong tradition of cooperation among volunteer fire departments in the region,

ensuring that resources are available where they are needed most.

— Ainsley Martinez

Courtesy East Rockaway Fire Department

HurriCon draws comics fans, benefits church

Donovan said the desperate need for funds allowed the church to cultivate creativity in a way it never did before.

As a result, his wife, family and other organizers transformed the church’s auditorium into a science fiction emporium, with boxes of figurines and collectibles stacked high on tables, and animated character designs lining the walls.

In 2018, the church raised $3,000 from the HurriCon, half of what the organization needed.

Church organizers now seek to raise money for general community initiatives, while providing relief in disasters when necessary.

Throughout the event, Donovan continued to announce, “We are an open and affirming community. You are welcome here.”

Donovan said he felt inspired by other comic cons he attended, and the level of acceptance he found there. He said the reception to diversity at comic cons paralleled the church’s goals.

“When you walk through that door, it doesn’t matter if you’re Muslim, Christian, Jewish, atheist, or whatever,” he said.

Donovan mentioned the church’s nondiscriminatory values on race, religion and sexual or gender orientation on numerous occasions, and oftentimes the church’s mission statement filtered into his casual conversation with visitors.

While talking to attendees, Donovan grabbed his wallet out of his pocket and pulled out a contact card.

“He jokes that I have a woman’s wallet,” Donovan said, gesturing to Dominick Perri, co-host of the podcast Geek Stuff TNG, who confirms that he thought Donovan’s wallet looks feminine.

“But who cares?” Donovan said, laughing. “I mean, we are an openaffirming church.”

Many guests at the event said that besides the adoration for comics, the common thread tying the church’s comic convention-goers together remains Donovan.

Comic book author Michael Jan Friedman, 69, who manned a booth at the HurriCon, became involved years before when he met Donovan at a different fundraiser. Donovan called Friedman and invited him to the event.

“I told him to lose my number,” Friedman said, jokingly. “But, he persisted.”

Previously a business magazine writer, Friedman said he needed to transition into a stimulating career like comic book writing to keep him engaged.

He said his parents read him Adventure Comics as a child, since fantastic narratives of the character Super Boy interested him far more than reality ever could. To this day, in a box somewhere in Port Washington, he has his favorite comic book as a child.

“It has no cover anymore, but I still have it,” he said, adding that he could not imagine life without writing comics.

He said he hopes young writers always finish their projects, no matter how bad they turn out.

John Broglia, another artist at the event, said comics served as a form of magical escapism from reality. He said other students bullied him as a child, and he found both solace and empowerment in the books he read as a child.

He also met Donovan at another event and joined forces to support the church’s cause and celebrate the science

fiction community, he said. Donovan said HurriCon usually draws around 150 attendees. “It’s about coming here. It’s about being safe,” Donovan said. “It’s about enjoying yourself.”

The date of the next HurriCon has yet to be announced. For more information, visit the Bethany Congregational Church website BethanyCong.com

Comic book author michael Jan friedman attended the HurriCon event at Bethany Congregational Church on Saturday. He stands behind a booth of his 80 comic books he has written.

david donovan, HurriCon’s event organizer, announced a raffle prize.

artists offered a wide variety of their wares at the east rockaway church.

attendees like Bill mitchell checked out booths with figurines and artwork.

Ainsley Martinez/Herald photos

HurriCon takes place at Bethany Congregational Church in east rockaway. artists set up tables stacked with boxes of figurines and comic books.

Lynbrook local businesses celebrate the holidays with sales

nity,” Royer said.

Miller’s Housewares & Hardware, 40 Atlantic Ave., Lynbrook, has what you need for a gift or to decorate.

Three restaurants opened in Lynbrook within the last few months.

Johnny McGorey’s and Elsie Lane made themselves at home on Atlantic Avenue in Lynbrook.

Michaeleen Flynn’s Public House offers drinks and pub food at 275 Merrick Road.

Polly Talbott, president of the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce, said supporting local businesses makes residents’ homes and the village safer and happier by building a flourishing economic climate.

“I would say, it’s important to support local businesses yearlong,” Talbott said.

Pew Research found that, 86 percent of U.S. adults said small businesses have a positive effect on the overall socioeconomic climate. Only 27 percent of the businesses that reported the information in 2021, were family owned.

Contact the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce at their website Lynbrook Chamber.com.

Next week a look at East Rockaway businesses.

Some of the businesses to patronize in Lynbrook

■ WEB SITE:

232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com

• Angelina’s Pizzeria Restaurant

• Craft Kitchen & Taphouse

• Elsie Lane

• F & L Deli & Catering

• Francine’s Cakes

• Get Thai Takeaway

• Hibachi Bachi

• Il Luogo Restaurant

• Johnny McGorey’s

• Long Island Comic Shop

• Livorno Ristorante

• Lynbrook Bagels

• Michaleen Flynn’s

• Mur-Lees Mens & Boys Wear

• Touched by a Rose

•Unicorn Jewelers

Generosity

It is remarkable to us how many people we meet who have amassed significant wealth beyond their needs, yet have little or no inclination to share their good fortune with others, even their immediate families. It seems to us that the only value that any asset has is in its use — those who have assets they are unable to utilize are really no better off than those who don’t.

How much richer and happier many lives would be if only we learned to share more. Studies in psychology and neuroscience have demonstrated that acts of generosity trigger a release of endorphins, referred to as the “helper’s high”, leading to increased feelings of happiness and satisfaction.

Generous acts involve considering the needs of others, expanding one’s empathy and leading to deeper connections with others and a more meaningful and fulfilling life. This may explain why those least able to give are sometimes the most generous. Generosity has less to do with what one has than the way one thinks.

“A fight is going on inside me,” said an old man to his son. “It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The same fight is going on inside you.”

The son thought for a minute and then asked, “Which wolf will win?”

The old man replied simply, “The one you feed.”

— Wendy Mass

Generosity may also involve giving of your time and attention. As theologian John Wesley put it three hundred years ago:

“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, To all the people you can, As long as you ever can.”

Some businesses in Lynbrook will have special holiday features and discounts for residents. above, atlantic avenue in Lynbrook.

East Rockaway celebrates five dedicated staff members

In observance of National Education Support Professionals Day, the East Rockaway School District honored five individuals for their two decades of service. During the East Rockaway Board of Education meeting on Nov. 19, Fran Dixon, Kristina Imandt, Theresa Parente, Luanne Sheridan, and Suzanne Volpe were recognized for their 20 years of commitment and presented with 20-year service pins.

Superintendent James DeTommaso said the teachers’ contributions promoted the values of the school district: displaying reliable and passionate work daily.

“These five individuals have remained steadfast in their loyalty to East Rockaway—putting our students, our schools, and our community above all else. They have consistently embodied the heart of our mission: to always put Kids First.”

National Education Support Professionals Day highlights the critical roles played by those who work behind the

scenes to ensure the success of students and the smooth operation of schools.

— Ainsley Martinez

Kristina imandt theresa Parente

Luanne sheridan suzanne VoLPe

Fran dixon

Local leaders reject regionalization plan

By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, other local elected officials, school district superintendents and school board trustees gathered in the Nassau County executive building on Nov. 21 to oppose the recent State Education Department Regionalization Plan.

The plan, introduced as an emergency rule on Sept. 25, directs school districts to pool resources, programs and services, which critics say threatens the independence of local districts. State Sen. Jack Martins, one of the plan’s main opponents, talked about fighting to preserve local control of districts.

“Long Island schools are regularly ranked among the very best in New York state,” Martins said. “That fact is due in large part to our local control and educational structure, which prioritizes our students’ success. We join our local communities in opposing any effort to force regionalization and fight to preserve local control.”

Blakeman echoed Martins’s sentiments, saying the plan was an attack on suburban school districts, and that he and others would continue to fight to keep power in the hands of the districts.

“Isn’t it interesting that cities such as Yonkers, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and New York City are all excluded from their plan?” Blakeman said. “This is just

Brian Norman/Herald

Sen. Jack Martins, along with other local elected officials, challenged the NYSED’s Regionalization Plan at a news conference on Nov. 21.

another attack on the suburbs by state government, which is completely controlled by left-wing politicians, and we will not stand by and let the Department of Education gut our school districts.”

Many opponents of the plan are questioning the decision to make it an emergency measure. State Sen. Steve Rhoads called it a rushed, and added that the language contained in it could lead to local districts’ complete loss of control of their operations.

“The State Education Department’s self-created emergency regionalization

mandate is vague and can lead to a complete usurpation of local control of schools budgets, tax dollars, and educational opportunities and resources vested in local boards of education,” Rhoads said. “Long Islanders pay some of the highest school taxes in the state, and their local and state officials should and must have a voice in where those dollars are being spent, and that voice is being jeopardized with the SED’s rushed, topdown regionalization plan.”

Sschool districts across Nassau and Suffolk counties are preparing to chal -

lenge the plan. Roslyn school board President Meryl Waxman encouraged other districts to join the fight.

“Superintendents including mine have been told that this is a great big nothing, but what one says and what one does have to align,” Waxman said. “If you take the time to read the regulations and see what they say, they should be self-explanatory. These are emergency regulations, but what was the emergency? Roslyn wasn’t having an emergency until they created one.”

Nonetheless, many people believe that the plan can be beneficial for Long Island school districts. Responding to a rally against the plan on Oct. 31 at Locust Valley High School, Assemblyman Chuck Lavine said that districts can voluntarily participate in shared services, and that the protest was nothing more than political theater.

“The State Education Department website makes it perfectly explicit that any district desiring to engage in shared services with any other district can do so completely voluntarily,” Lavine said. “Held on Halloween, the Oct. 31 rally was nothing more . . . than political theater designed to frighten the public.”

Under the plan, school districts are required to submit surveys to the state by Dec. 6, identifying areas for collaboration. There will also be a comment period before the plan becomes final in January.

5th annual ‘Light Up Lynbrook’ contest returns to the village

Lynbrook village will bring back the annual “Light Up Lynbrook” holiday decorating contest. Residents are invited to compete for the title of the most festive and creatively decorated home in the village, transforming their properties with dazzling lights, holiday-themed displays, and Christmas cheer.

To participate in this beloved community tradition, residents must register their homes by emailing their name and address to lrc@ lynbrookvillage.com by Dec. 13. The competition is open to all Lynbrook homeowners, with each home needing to be officially registered to be considered. Once registered, participants will be part of the townwide celebration, with residents and visitors encouraged to tour the streets to see the beautiful light displays.

The homes will be judged on creativity, use of lights, and overall presentation, with winning homes announced after the competition. The best displays will be featured on the Lynbrook village website and social media channels, highlighting the impressive efforts and festive spirit of the winning homeowners.

— Ainsley Martinez

left, Ann Marie Reardon, Mayor Alan Beach and Congressman Anthony D’Esposito pose in front of a lit-up Christmas tree in December 2023.

News brief Community honors Mayor Gordon Fox for service

During the East Rockaway Board of Education meeting on Nov. 19, the community honored Mayor Gordon Fox with the Hometown Hero Award. Fox has spent decades creating opportunities for local residents while fostering a deep sense of pride in the village.

Fox’s service began as a U.S. Marine from 1969 to 1973. His commitment to honoring veterans is a cornerstone of his legacy, most notably through a project he spearheaded to install 150 veteran banners on lamp posts throughout East Rockaway.

In addition to his advocacy for veterans, Fox has made significant contributions to education and local governance. He co-founded the East Rockaway Education Foundation and served as its president, championing initiatives to enhance educational opportunities for students. Fox also served as vice president of the East Rockaway Board of Education, leaving a lasting impact on the district.

Fox’s municipal service includes roles on the East Rockaway Zoning Board, as a village trustee for four years, and as deputy mayor for another four. He is currently in his second term as mayor, where he continues to champion projects benefiting residents and strengthening the village’s sense of community.

Fox has been a member of the Kiwanis Club for 22 years, serving as vice president, and has been involved with several other organizations, including the New York Elks Lodge No. 1, the East Rockaway American Legion, the East Rockaway VFW, Vietnam Veterans of America NY Chapter 132, and the Western Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

Jason Thomas/Herald

At a local Christmas celebration, village trustees and other community members gathered to see local light arrays and met Santa. Village trustees Robert Boccio,

— Ainsley Martinez

The stars are dimmed by light pollution

With each passing year — especially in areas like Nassau County — we see less of the night sky

By NICOLE FORMISANO

Special to the Herald

As a child, Ken Spencer would wait until the sun sank below the ocean horizon, and then ride his bike down to the beach and lie in the sand, staring up into the sky as the final streaks of pink and orange slipped from view. Then quietly, one by one, billions of stars would wink into existence — diamond dust, he said, scattered across a sea of black velvet.

Now, at 82, the Sea Cliff resident is lucky if he can spot even the brightest stars amid a night sky that has, over the years, morphed into a wall of light-polluted gray.

Nassau County suffers some of the worst light pollution in the world. It’s harming local wildlife, damaging human health, and marring something as seemingly inviolable as the very sky above.

The word “pollution” often evokes clouds of smog, or continental landfills; little do we think of light itself as a form of pollution. But when we are irresponsible about how we artificially light the world around us, that additional light impacts everything it touches.

Summer nights on Long Island, for example, used to mean a world illuminated by fireflies. That likely won’t be the case for the next generation. The bioluminescent beetles can’t find potential mates amid an overlit world, and are becoming increasingly endangered. Light pollution is increasing by 10 percent every year, according to DarkSky International, a nonprofit fighting to mitigate the problem. And we’re already suffering the effects.

Losing the night sky

“I know nothing with any certainty,”

Vincent Van Gogh once wrote, “but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”

For as long as we have existed, humans have been linked inextricably to the stars. They served as beacons by which humanity navigated, charting new lands and waters; their movement led scholars to new mathematical and scientific discoveries; they have long captured the imaginations of philosophers, poets and artists; they encourage people of every age, race, class and ability to lift their eyes to the sky, wonder at the vast sea of the universe, and recognize the miracle it is to be alive.

“It feels primeval,” Spencer said of the night sky’s singular ability to pull our eyes upward. “It’s something within us.”

the sky. And little by little, it’s become harder and harder to see the Milky Way.”

More than 80 percent of people will not see the Milky Way in their lifetime, according to DarkSky International, and that number is climbing each year. We in Nassau County cannot see the Milky Way without traveling to the East End — and even that sight is a fading echo of what once was.

The amateur astronomer, originally from Milford, Connecticut, began studying the constellations with his daughter in 1989. He remembers looking at the constellation Hercules, identifying the globular cluster of 300,000 stars at the demigod’s side. He looked for that once-familiar sight recently, but the stars were simply impossible for him to see. He used to drive down to the Custer Institute and Observatory in Southold, which served as a refuge for starry skies on Long Island. But even that, he said, is slowly being encroached on.

“Over the years, now it’s all big-box stores,” Spencer said. “They’re all lit up, and they have big, giant lights in the parking lot, so that light bounces up into

The night sky is integral for interconnectedness, Susan Serven, a spokeswoman for DarkSky International, said. It helps us understand that we aren’t separate from the cosmos, but part of it.

“It’s just been the last generation or two where we’ve lost that privilege to view our starry skies,” Serven said. “If we lose the ability to go out under our night sky, we lose the awe and wonder that humanity has experienced for millennia.”

The health risks of light

When Valerie Giangrande, of Massapequa, says goodnight to her two teenage children, she sometimes has to ask, “Where are your glasses?” The teens will then put on what looks like orangetinted sunglasses before continuing to watch TV or scroll on their phone — sometimes with a sigh or an eye roll, but that’s OK with Giangrande. To the optometrist and applied quantum biology specialist, making sure her kids are shielded from the dangers of excess

blue light is worth a bit of teenage ire.

“It’s one of the biggest health risks that nobody thinks about,” said Giangrande, who is an eye doctor at Optical Concepts offices in Bellmore, Freeport and Patchogue. “Light literally controls every aspect of our bodies, which is a pretty big statement to make, but it controls everything. We’re wired by light.”

Just about every function of our body runs on our circadian rhythm, a natural 24-hour clock, she explains. And that clock is controlled by the sun. When the photoreceptors in our eyes take in the long red wavelengths of morning sun, our bodies understand that it is morning and start slowly producing cortisol. As the sun climbs in the sky, it gives off more shorter-wave blue light, which heightens cortisol production and tells our bodies that it’s midday. And after sunset, when our photoreceptors recognize darkness, our brains get the signal to produce melatonin, the sleep hormone, and go into repair mode.

These days, most of our natural clocks are running haywire. That’s because the vast majority of artificial light that contributes to light pollution — LEDs, phones, computers, televisions, billboards — emit blue light. Our bodies are constantly surrounded by signals that it is noon.

Overexposure to blue light is linked to what seems like every health risk under the sun, Giangrande said — insulin resistance and diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, insomnia and lower-quality sleep, and excess anxiety.

“Anyone who wakes up not refreshed, anyone who’s tired, anyone who can’t fall asleep, can’t stay asleep — blue light

Courtesy Ken Spencer across the Long island Sound, the town of Clinton, Connecticut, illustrates just how much light is wasted by being projected straight into the air. it burdens taxpayers, contributes to energy waste and creates a visible sky glow that erases stars from the sky.

The more lights, the less we see of the sky

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from PreViouS Page

toxicity,” Giangrande said. “Say we eat dinner, and then an hour later we’re really hungry again. That’s blue light toxicity, hands down.”

Our digestive enzymes naturally go down at night, she explained. Often when we’re hungry at night, it’s because our blood sugar and insulin are still up because our body thinks it’s daytime.

There are some things people can do to reduce the harm done by light pollution, Giangrande said. To start your day, step outside — or even just open a window — to get exposure to the full light spectrum of the sun. Consider replacing blue-spectrum LEDs in your home with warmer, softer lighting. And perhaps most important, get 100 percent blue light-blocking glasses to use indoors after the sun has gone down.

“Light has to be regulated first before we do all the things,” Giangrande said. “Because there’s no supplement that can take over for the sunlight.”

Let there (not) be light

So, besides our screens, where is excess artificial light coming from? A few of the primary offenders in Nassau County are entire towns and villages using unshielded streetlamps; empty fields, gas stations and parking lots lit up all night by glaring spotlights; and homeowners who illuminate their — and, by extension, their neighbors’ — property with floodlights out of the erroneous belief that it discourages crime. Multiple studies have found that lighting has no effect on crime. In fact, it encourages crimes like vandalism and graffiti, and the glare from harsh lights at night actually makes it more difficult to spot hazards in the dark.

If overlighting accomplishes anything, it wastes money — more than $3 billion in the U.S. each year, according to DarkSky, or as much as $7 billion, according to another study.

Take the Meadowbrook Parkway, for example. The 869 streetlights that line the road are activated by photocells, which turns the lights on at dusk and off at dawn, a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation said. However, observant drivers will notice that long swaths of the parkway are peppered with orange lights even in the middle of the day. The NYSDOT did not respond to the Herald to answer whether this was intentional or indicative of faulty photocells, and how much energy and money is wasted by the lights each day.

But light pollution and its energy waste can be mitigated relatively easily by local governments. The Village of Oyster Bay, for example, has a lighting ordinance stipulating that all outdoor lighting be fully shielded. But despite such ordinances being demonstrably energy-efficient and cost-effective, few towns and villages have adopted them.

“The best way we recommend our advocates getting involved in changing actually how their backyards and their cities are lit,” said Chris Peterson, engagement director of DarkSky Inter -

an illustration of how much of the night sky is lost, and how much light is wasted, when it is ineffectively shielded — and, inversely, how well-directed, and timed, lighting can preserve our views of the stars.

Courtesy LightPollutionMap.Info this map, using data from naSa, observatories and the World alas 2015, shows light that is wasted, which is about 30 percent of all artificial light, darkSky international estimates.

national, “is to approach city councils, development offices, planning commissions, and propose an update to that lighting ordinance for the city.”

The nonprofit even provides a template for proposing such ordinances to local representatives, which illustrates the principles of responsible outdoor lighting. And if local reps are unswayed, individuals can still help by ensuring they are not overlighting their homes.

But if we don’t take action, we will soon live in a world where a starry night sky is a distant memory.

“It’s a terrible thing for children to not know the night sky,” Spencer said. “If you don’t know something, you don’t know what you’re missing.”

“The central core of me knows that night is important,” he said. “Important to us as a human species.”

Those looking to learn more can visit DarkSky.org.

Every man’s right

Amid skyscrapers and smartphones, what do we have in common with our ancestors? The answer is the stars; the vast swath of universe that serves as our celestial home address. When I look up and see Cygnus flying over me in the winter sky, I’m looking at the same stars as people halfway across the world, or from thousands of years ago, whose names I’ll never know. The night sky serves as a keystone of the human experience, and connects us across space and time in ways that would otherwise be impossible.

As the world around us charges forward unceasingly — always asking for bigger, better, more — we rarely think of the things we lose little by little, day by day. We may not even notice when the Little Dipper dims into oblivion; when each star of Orion’s belt blinks out, one by one; when, one day, even brilliant Jupiter is extinguished, and we are left with a lone moon in a gray sky. I’ll tell my grandkids stories of the firmament, how light traveled billions of light years to make its way to us, and all we had to do to see it was look up. I wonder if they’ll believe me.

I’m not ready to give up the night sky. Are you?

–Nicole Formisano

Courtesy DarkSky International

Lynbrook athletes sign national letters of intent

Six seniors from Lynbrook High School officially committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level on Nov. 13, signing letters of intent to play for their future colleges and universities.

The athletes, joined by their families, celebrated the milestone event, proudly wearing the logos of their respective schools. The following students signed to play the following sports:

Bianca LoBosco – St. John’s University, Softball

Brooke Mazzei – Temple University, Lacrosse

Luci Miata – Dominican University, Lacrosse

Christopher Paladino – Adelphi University, Lacrosse

Jade Ventura – Southern Connecticut State University, Swimming

Penelope Yaker – Stonehill College, Lacrosse

— Ainsley Martinez

East Rockaway athletes recognized for community service

Student athletes from East Rockaway High School were recently recognized by Team Up 4 Community for their outstanding contributions to community service. A school spokesperson said the recognition highlights the athletes’ commitment to positive change and leadership in the community.

The East Rockaway varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams hosted a “Dig Pink” game against Oyster Bay High School to raise awareness for breast cancer. The event included a bake sale, which raised $300 for Susan G. Komen Foundation. The foundation supports breast cancer research and those affected by the disease. Players wore pink jerseys during the game to show their solidarity with the cause. In addition, the teams prepared snack bags for the Oyster Bay players, officials, and supervisors, demonstrating their dedication to goodwill and sportsmanship.

The East Rockaway varsity cross-country team also took the time to recognize the officials who oversee their meets. At a recent meet, the team presented each official with a token of appreciation to acknowledge their hard work and support.

East Rockaway’s varsity cheerleading squad hosted cheer clinics for local youth, offering two sessions for students in grades K-3 and 4-6. During the clinics, the cheerleaders taught basic cheerleading skills, including motions, stunts, and jumps. Participants also enjoyed a performance by the cheer team, which showcased their skills and enthusiasm.

— Ainsley Martinez

Photos courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

Chris Paladino will play lacrosse at Adelphi University.

Courtesy of East Rockaway Union Free School District

The East Rockaway varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams hosted a special Dig Pink game against Oyster Bay High School, raising awareness for breast cancer.

Lynbrook High School seniors standing Bianca LoBosco, left, Brooke Mazzei and Jade Ventura. Sitting Luci Miata, left, and Penelope Yaker, all signed letters of intent on Nov. 13 to play at their future colleges and universities.

Honored for supporting the Wounded Warriors

Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior, honored Denise Daniels for her decade-long support of wounded veterans. Daniels, owner of Unicorn Jewelry on Atlantic Avenue in Lynbrook, has contributed annually to the Lynbrook Fire Department’s fundraiser benefiting NCFF-OWW, a group dedicated to helping injured soldiers.

During a ceremony at her store, Operation Wounded Warrior ViceChairman Steve Grogan presented Daniels with an American flag in recognition of her contributions. Lynbrook fundraising chairman Kevin Bien and Operation Wounded Warrior trip coordinator Lynne Donnelly also participated in the presentation.

Daniels was praised for her dedication to the cause and her continued efforts to support those who have served the country.

— Ainsley Martinez

READY for community

GREEN ACRES GIVES BACK

EMPOWERING FAMILIES IN NEED

Distributing over 1,000 regular, Kosher and Halal turkeys during the holiday season.

INVESTING IN EDUCATION

Donating over 1,000 backpacks and school supplies for students to thrive.

TRANSFORMING STUDENTS’ FUTURES

Supporting local schools and students through our School Cents program, sponsorships and scholarships.

ENRICHING CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES

Hosting free Kids Club and holiday events.

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

Proudly hosting remarkable community celebrations.

Courtesy of Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior Vice-Chairman Steve Grogan, presented an American flag to Denise Daniels at Unicorn Jewelry. NCFF-OWW trip coordinator Lynne Donnelly, far left, Lynbrook fundraising chairman Kevin Bien, Grogan and Daniels.

Hempstead sues MTA over congestion pricing

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

The Town of Hempstead has added its name to the growing list of legal challenges seeking to derail New York City’s congestion pricing program in court.

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul relaunched the tolling initiative under a lower charge, and within days, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board gave a near-unanimous approval, aiming toward a January roll out.

Town Supervisor Don Clavin argues the MTA fasttracked the revised plan without holding the legally required 45-day comment period, at a press conference earlier today. The lawsuit, filed yesterday in Nassau County Supreme Court against the transit giant and New York State, claims “the governor circumvented procedural requirements that enable residents to speak and be heard,” according to the supervisor.

“This was done in an attempt to jam this ill-conceived scam down in a time period before Jan 1.,” he said, arguing the governor faced political pressure to move quickly in order to stave off legal opposition from Congress and the White House. “We’ve heard from the President-elect, from Congressmembers on both sides of the aisle, coming out in opposition to this.”

The MTA did not respond to a request for comment as of press time. Gordon Tepper, spokesperson for Gov. Hochul, said the state “cannot comment on pending litigation,” but argues detractors of the pricing plan are missing the bigger picture.

“The critics of our more affordable plan have still failed to offer any of their own meaningful solutions for reducing gridlock, improving emergency vehicle response times, and strengthening the transit system

of

challenging

bypassing public comment and staging a predetermined

that is so vital to New York’s economic future,” he said.

The crux of the Town’s argument according to Attorney Josh Liebman is that the revised tolling program is an entirely new law that should be subjected to a renewed comment public period.

“When a govermental body makes a rule, the public has a specific right to comment on it and to give any objections they have,” said Liebman. “What happened here was a complete rush-job. It’s a new law

and it was done without any kind of public participation whatsoever.”

Clavin also leveled accusations that the governor wielded undo influence over the MTA to push the program forward, staging a sham vote to make the rollout “a forgone conclusion.”

“The MTA is supposed to be an independent body, separate from the governor. The governor has clearly demonstrated that this was going to happen, that the votes were lined up,” said Clavin.

Juan Lasso/Herald

The Town

Hempstead is

the revised pricing plan in court, accusing the MTA and the governor of

vote. Supervisor Don Clavin is at the lectern.

STEPPING OUT

Don’t miss the beats, the energy and the vibe when Secret Agent 23

launches the museum’s Musical Explorers! Concert series.

Acclaimed husband-and-wife duo Andrés and Christina’s — known as 123 Andrés — catchy songs and lively concerts impart the joy of music, movement and language.

Memories with melodies at Long Island Children’s Museum

Reach for the rhythm in you with a colorful spectrum of musical performance

By Danielle Schwab

After everyone polishes off the turkey, families can embark on a musical adventure to usher in the holiday season, courtesy of Long Island Children’s Museum. The stage is set for a new concert series, “Musical Explorers!,” which kicks off this weekend, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Young audiences are introduced to an excitingly diverse music scene, featuring an array of global sounds, culture, and artistic legends from the world of jazz, hip hop, Latin music, and more. Families will surely get in the groove at the museum’s inaugural series of concerts, which represent the vibrant genres of jazz, hip-hop and Latin music. Performers add their unique touch, blending imaginative storytelling into musical masterpieces.

“Music speaks to human nature, the human soul. Every culture has music. Everybody celebrates it. Everybody taps to the rhythm. So that’s what we’re looking to provide,” James Packard, the museum’s theater program director says. “Musical Explorers offers our audiences the opportunity to dive deeper into the many ways that music speaks to us.”

In curating the concerts, he selected Grammy-winning artists and top talents in family music so that a diverse range of genres reflecting the power of music are represented.

“We encourage families to use these performances to introduce their children to the rhythms of hip-hop, the soul of jazz, and the vibrant beats of contemporary Latin music,” he says.

The series begins this weekend with Grammy-winning hip-hop funk sensation Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. This dynamic three-person rap ensemble offers their young audience a fun and engaging introduction to hip-hop. Known for their electrifying blend of hip-hop with sci-fi-inspired storytelling and feel-good tunes, the band combines the raw energy of funk with the surreal magic of animation-inspired performance. Imagine a band with Jim Henson playing guitar or Shel Silverstein writing the bass lines and you’ve got Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. Prepare to get up and dance with larger-than-life stories through upbeat songs.

“We just came out with an album in collaboration with the Asheville Symphony. We took folk tales from around the world from various cultures and turned them into hip-hop songs to tell these stories,” Joel “Cactus” Sullivan, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo’s lead singer, says.

Sullivan and his bandmates journey back thousands of years, drawing from the rich traditions of Japan, West Africa and Persia to tell timeless life lessons. And, it wouldn’t be hip-hop without some creative freestyle — with the help of members from the audience, of course.

“We get words from the crowd and then make up a song on the spot right there. There’s something magical about the improvisation that can happen with hip hop,” Sullivan adds. Heading into New Year, everyone can jive to some outstanding jazz grooves with the iconic Jazz at Lincoln Center Quintet, on Jan. 19 and 20. The top-flight musicians swing into the sound of America. Their performances explore the Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance, examining the great Louis Armstrong’s journey from New Orleans to Chicago and New York — all from the museum’s intimate stage.

“Lincoln Center is a new connection for us,” Packard notes. “It will be a more traditional concert style, but geared at school-age kids, with interactivity and conversation going on between the musicians and the audience.”

Another performance to keep an eye (and an ear) out for is husband-and-wife duo 123 Andrés. The pair — Latin Grammy winners for Best Children’s Music Album earlier this year —

Dark Star Orchestra

• Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1

• $11 with museum admission; available online at licm.org/ theater or in person at the museum box office

• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800

• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City

will arrive in June with their interactive bilingual performance that speak to the joy, energy and cultural richness of Latin America.

They’ll be sure to get everyone singing, clapping and dancing along to rhythms from across the Latin music spectrum.

“Music is a universal language the world over. It is a part of who we are spiritually. And so it goes on all the time, a thing that goes into your soul,” Packard adds.

The concert series reinforces the museum’s mission to bring musicians into kid-accessible spaces. It’s an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in a world of rhythm, melody and cultural appreciation — all within the welcoming environment of the LICM Theater.

“Music is a form of social-emotional learning,” Packard continues. “You can let out happiness or sadness. Exposing children to different styles they might find, ‘Oh, I really like hip hop,’ or ‘I really like the Latin beat’, or ‘I really like the jazz,’ and that can have an impact where they go in life.”

The Grateful Dead have been resurrected in the form of Dark Star Orchestra. Formed in 1997, this tribute band came up with the novel idea of recreating complete sets from The Grateful Dead’s gigantic list of concerts. Over 3,100 shows later DSO continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience to acclaim. On any given night, the band performs based on a set list from the Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. In this way DSO offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within the Dead’s musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra’s members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations.

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30, 8 p.m. $99.50, $69.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

Long Island Ballet Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’

The holiday treat returns, Audiences will once again be transported by the Sugar Plum Fairy to The Land of Sweets in this familyfriendly classic, set to the music of Tchaikovsky. LIBT’s production opens “Nutcracker” season here, sparkling with a talented cast of adult professionals and aspiring young student dancers. This version is both narrated and abridged, to introduce youngster to the story of Clara, her magical nutcracker and her enchanting winter adventure..

Saturday, Nov. 30, noon and 4 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. $37.50. Purchase tickets at liballettheatre. com or by phone at (631) 2714626. For more information, visit landmarkonmainstreet.org. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington.

Courtesy LICM

Skidoo

Courtesy Jazz at Lincoln Center

The Jazz at Lincoln Center quintet introduces young audiences to a cherished musical tradition.

Courtesy David Rugeles

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening

Jason Bonham, son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer, visits the Paramount stage, Monday, dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. He showcases his musical journey and family legacy, celebrating his father’s legendary career, with a concert featuring hits from Led Zeppelin’s iconic albums, and highlighting Jason’s own notable contributions to rock history. Encompassing hits from the iconic band’s entire career, including albums “Led Zeppelin,” “Led Zeppelin II,” “Led Zeppelin IV,” and “Physical Graffiti,” the concert event is a dynamic tribute to Jason’s father, with “…a band that recreates Led Zeppelin’s music to such a degree that one can’t help but close their eyes and simply listen…” [-Classic Rock Revisited]. Jason displayed musical talent from a young age. By age five, he could skillfully play drums, and at 17, he joined the band Air Race. Over the years, he contributed to various musical projects, including a Led Zeppelin reunion in 1988, touring with Jimmy Page, and forming his band “Bonham.” He collaborated with notable artists, recorded successful albums, and participated in a Muddy Waters tribute that earned a Grammy nomination.

Throughout the years, Jason collaborated with different artists, recorded with Foreigner, and participated in the highly anticipated Led Zeppelin reunion in 2007 at London’s O2 arena. His musical journey showcases a blend of family legacy, collaborations with rock legends and a commitment to preserving and celebrating iconic rock history. Jason always finds himself at home behind the drumkit. From this spot, he has anchored the tempo for a myriad of the most legendary artists of all-time. It’s the place where he initially realized his destiny as a kid. It’s a triedand-true safe harbor for the expression of his purest emotions. Ultimately, Jason remains forever at home on the drums. $99.50, $89.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Tea time

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

Chamber Holiday Party

Get charged up for the holidays with the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce. Join in, network and celebrate with other local businesses during the annual holiday party at The Chef’s Table, Wednesday, dec. 4, 5:30-7 p.m. There will be free appetizer-style food available and one free drink for all chamber members. Guests are $25 per person. For more information contact Polly Talbott at (516) 317-2075. 12 Watkins St.

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

Bird walk

See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for the next in its series of bird walks, at Mill Pond Park in Wantagh, Sunday, dec. 1, starting at 9 a.m. The park is on the north side of Merrick Road, four blocks west of Wantagh State Parkway. The group meets at the gazebo. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. Rain, snow or temperature below 25 degrees will cancel the bird walk. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit SSAudubon.org.

Let’s Skate

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

Holiday Tales At The Hearth

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

Having an event?

Small Business

Saturday pop-up

Shop locally and support small businesses at this holiday market featuring local artisans, live music, and food trucks, Saturday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m -4 p.m. in downtown Lynbrook. For more information, contact Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce at (516) 599-2828

East Rockaway’s

Annual Tree Lighting

Enjoy this festive event with caroling, hot chocolate and Santa’s arrival, Sunday, Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m., at Memorial Park, East Rockaway. For more information, contact the Village of East Rockaway at (516) 887-6300.

Holiday Craft Fair

Get started with holiday shopping, Saturday,Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., hosted by East Rockaway Chamber of Commerce. Local artisans and vendors showcase unique holiday gifts, decorations and more. East Rockaway Village Hall, 376 Atlantic Ave.

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

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

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

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

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 5-6, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; also Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 10-12, 10:-15 a.m. and noon. Ezra Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day & Other Stories” celebrates the joy in the small moments of a child’s world. Experience the wonder of a fresh snowfall, the delight of whistling for the first time, and the awe of finding a special treasure. In this childhood adventure, Keats’ classic books come to life, featuring live actors and shadow puppets telling the stories of “The Snowy Day,” “Goggles!,” “Whistle for Willie,” and “A Letter to Amy.” $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm. org.

Rhame Avenue kindergartners designed and showcased their own colorful balloon creations in a festive parade. The kindergartners performed a selection of

songs for their families.

Balloons over Rhame: A joyful Thanksgiving

Kindergartners at Rhame Avenue School brought creativity and community spirit to life during their annual Thanksgiving celebration, “Balloons Over Rhame.” Inspired by the story Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet, the students designed and crafted their own colorful balloon creations, which they proudly showcased in a festive parade.

Dressed as turkeys, the kindergartners paraded through the hallways, where the entire student body

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

cheered them on. The event, a beloved tradition at Rhame Avenue, emphasized the importance of community spirit and collaboration—concepts that the kindergarten teachers had been exploring with their students in preparation for the day.

The celebration concluded in the school gymnasium, where parents eagerly awaited their children. The kindergartners performed a selection of Thanksgiving songs, filling the room with warmth and gratitude. Fami-

Public Notices

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WATERFALL VICTORIA GRANTOR TRUST II, SERIES G, Plaintiff, vs. JORGE ARIAS, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale After Inquest and Appointment of Referee duly entered on August 19, 2014 and an Order for Extension of Time to Conduct Foreclosure Sale duly entered on February 2, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 18 Catherine Street, Lynbrook, NY 11563. 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 37, Block 226 and Lot 593. Approximate amount of judgment is $342,900.28 plus interest and costs. Premises will

be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008272/2009 and is subject to a strict foreclosure. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee

Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 149839

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Shenandoah Studio, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 5/10/2024. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom

process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 48 West Blvd. East Rockaway, NY 11518. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 149992

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. in the Court Room at the Village Hall, One Columbus Drive, Lynbrook, NY 11563, on the following cases:

PUBLIC HEARINGS: #1016 - Sean and Laura Murray, 45 Stevenson Street, Lynbrook § 252-18 Side Yards - Required Side Yard : 5’, Proposed Side Yard: 4.2’, Required minimum Sum: 15’, Proposed Sum: 12.1’ #1017 - 831 Sunrise LLC, 831 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook § 252-54 Off Street Parking - Required Off Street Parking: 82 parking spaces, Proposed Off Street Parking: 71 parking spaces, #1018Joseph Daidone, 8 First Street - § 252-4

Alteration or reconstruction - Permitted

Use: Single Family Dwelling, Proposed Use: Enlargement of NonConforming, Two Family Use. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, Ginger Fuentes, Chair Person of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Brian Stanton, Superintendent, Department of Buildings Lynbrook Publish 1X 150187

www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook on November 18, 2024 enacted Local Law #3 of 2024 amending the Village Code Chapter 252-55(N) (General Requirements) with the addition of the requirement that front yard setbacks are to be covered with grass and/or plantings, with the exception of a driveway leading directly to a garage and a walkway leading to the entranceway of the residence. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES JOHN GIORDANO, VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR LYNBROOK 150186

lies then gathered to create Thanksgiving crafts together, marking a joyful and meaningful end to the event.

“Balloons Over Rhame” not only showcased the students’ creativity and hard work, but also reinforced the values of togetherness and celebration. The day was filled with smiles, laughter, and thanksgiving—a true reflection of the holiday spirit.

— Ainsley Martinez

Photos courtesy of East Rockaway Union Free School District

Thanksgiving

Kindergartners

Families created Thanksgiving crafts at the holiday celebration.

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

CSC Holdings, LLC seeks a Senior Wireless Engineer to configure, troubleshoot, and monitor Cisco wireless controllers, switches, routers, and access points, as well as Ceragon mm-wave and microwave radios. Improve customer service experience within the Altice USA network footprint through wireless network and RF planning. Monitor system and network KPIs affecting user experience and ensure the required standards are met. Develop criteria to optimize existing and new technologies, coordinating with engineering, operations, and management teams to deliver new product offerings. #LI-DNI Position requires a Master’s degree in Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related degree, and 2 years of experience working with 3G, 4G, and LTE Networks. Experience must include a minimum of: 2 years of experience with planning, rolling out, operating, and maintaining Voice & Data services, SIM Cards, Wi-Fi, Microwave PTP Wireless, Wireless LAN Controllers, and network protocols, including TCP/IP and routing protocols; 2 years of experience working with wireless prediction and planning tools, including InfoVista Planet, MapInfo, and Pathloss; 2 years of experience in geo-data processing, mapping, validation, and visualization; 1 year of experience with Wi-Fi planning; 1 year of experience with Fluke Network, AirMagnet, and iBwave design and troubleshooting tools; and 1 year of experience working with OBI, Tableau, KOMS, and SevOne reporting. Job location: Bethpage, NY. Rate of Pay: $120,000.00 – $130,000.00 per year. To apply, please visit https://www.alticecareers.com, and enter Job Requisition ID 7491. Alternatively, please send your résumé, cover letter, and a copy of the ad to: Altice USA, Attn: Erin M. Berry, One Court Square West, Long Island City, NY, USA 11101. Altice USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds regardless of gender, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. Altice USA, Inc. collects personal information about its applicants for employment that may include personal identifiers, professional or employment related information, photos, education information and/or protected classifications under federal and state law. This information is collected for employment purposes, including identification, work authorization, FCRAcompliant background screening, human resource administration and compliance with federal, state and local law

Help Wanted

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

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

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

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

EMAIL

MARKETING SPECIALIST

Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.

REQUIREMENTS: Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.

POSITION DETAILS: Flexible: Part-time or Full-time. Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.

Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com

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

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour.

Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source

follow-up and outbound

opportunities through inbound

calls. Must have the ability to under-

customer needs and requirements and turn them in to

advertising solutions. We are looking for

and

Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com

HomesHERALD

Luxury Beach Living

REAL ESTATE

Real Estate

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

Apartments For Rent

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

Rent

Welcome to your dream beach retreat! This stunning, fully renovated FEMAcompliant beach home is perched on a wide, desirable block, close to shopping and vibrant restaurants. Enjoy views of both the ocean and bay from the comfort of your elevated contemporary residence. This bright and airy home features an open floor plan with soaring cathedral ceilings and skylights that bathe the space with natural light. The main living area seamlessly connects to a spacious deck with ocean views, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The heart of the home is a

Apartment

‘It doesn’t look serious to us’

Q. We are buying a house and got an engineer’s report that said there are several problems, including the worst, a crack in the foundation wall. It is parallel to the floor of the basement, but there’s no crack on the outside, either because the outside wall was painted or because the crack is below ground. The engineer made it sound very serious, but it doesn’t look serious to us, just concerning. Do we get another engineer or architect — is there a difference? What should we do to decide if the house is worth the hassle? We really want the house, and made a commitment, since there are several offers and ours is the highest — above the asking price.

A. I have dealt with this problem more lately than at any other time in my career, because it’s being used a lot as a bargaining tool, since house prices are in the stratosphere. In most cases, the wording from the home inspector makes it sound extremely dire.

I make two observations when reading these reports or hearing about the problem: 1) The report wording or buyer’s explanation is often not specific, but recommends a structural engineer, not an architect, and 2) the problem, when I review it, is most often not as serious as it is made out to be. By that I mean that except for about one out of every thousand cases, the wall is not imminently going to fail, and the person who wrote the report is not a licensed engineer or architect. They generally lack the structural training and testing, and therefore the credentials, to represent themselves as qualified to make specific recommendations, only to bring the condition to your attention, although you may already have noticed it.

As for whether you choose an architect or engineer, they both have training and credentials in this area of expertise. The engineer, if he or she is specifically a “structural” engineer, is more qualified for much more specialized and sophisticated structural design, but an architect must have formal structural training and testing in order to be licensed and registered. You can verify the licensure by searching the office of professions at op. nysed.gov and inserting their name and the field of practice. I often do this for clients, and have discovered that many home inspectors aren’t “engineers,” but do have home inspection credentials.

Again, in most cases, whether in or out of a flood zone, I have seen this condition, and the repair is often, but not always, to remove broken or exposed areas around the cracking and to inject structural repair epoxy specifically formulated for masonry or concrete repair. You most definitely should get qualified licensed professionals to look at the wall, since anyone else could not legally call themselves licensed to take responsibility for carrying out the work or its lasting result, and could be held liable for costs if a failure occurs, and you certainly want to avoid failure. Good luck!

© 2024 Monte Leeper

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

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SI look forward to representing you again

erving New York’s 4th Congressional District has been an honor. Indeed, being entrusted with the sacred honor of representing my Long Island neighbors on Capitol Hill is a duty I have taken extraordinarily seriously every day. I am grateful to the people of this district for placing their faith in me, and look forward to representing you again. It has certainly been a consequential and active 118th Congress, and I am proud of the accomplishments I was able to achieve on behalf of the 4th District. As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I worked tirelessly to help pass House Republicans’ signature H.R. 2 border security legislation — a sweeping plan to end the border security crisis, which is in stark contrast to the disaster Democrats have allowed to fester along America’s southern border.

What’s more, I was proud that the House passed legislation I introduced to formally condemn the antisemitic chant, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which is used by antisemitic actors to call for the destruction of Israel. My commitment to combating antisemitism also extends to my tenure as a member of the Holocaust Memorial Museum board and my work to help found the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group — a panel created to foster stronger ties between the U.S. House of Representatives and Israel’s legislature, the Knesset. As a retired New York City Police Department detective, I also endeavored to support law enforcement professionals across the country with such legislation as my Police Our Border Act, which passed in the House and will help law enforcement agencies across the country better respond to the ongoing border crisis.

I’m proud of everything I accomplished in Congress, from bills to committee work.

hours of committee work I engaged in through my seats on the House Homeland Security, Transportation & Infrastructure, and House Administration committees. What’s more, my leadership role as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology allowed me to conduct important oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency — an organization that is extraordinarily important to South Shore communities that are prone to flooding emergencies, like many in our district.

Governing is difficult, and requires coalition building, compromise, and a willingness to reach across the aisle — a fact I understand after being named the 11th-most bipartisan member of Congress and serving as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus.

BThese are only a few of the 37 pieces of legislation I introduced, the 448 bills I co-sponsored and the thousands of

In addition to my legislative and committee work, I successfully secured over $20 million in direct funding for community projects across the 4th District to benefit our neighbors. These secured federal resources funded a new Nassau County Police Department training village, important flood-mitigation infrastructure in the Village of Floral Park, technology upgrades for the Freeport, Lynbrook and Rockville Centre police departments, and more.

Dear readers, we can’t keep it in

efore the presidential election, the Herald published an editorial explaining why the familyowned newspapers would not be endorsing political candidates. If I had read the piece in a vacuum, I would agree with it entirely. It states, in part, “Our focus is not on swaying voters toward a particular candidate, but on delivering comprehensive and unbiased information about the issues that matter most to Long Islanders. We are not here to tell our readers how to vote for political candidates; rather, we are here to arm readers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.” Sounds perfect. But we are living through an unprecedented and exceedingly imperfect time in our nation’s history. This year, not endorsing meant keeping silent when silence may have implied that both presidential candidates met minimal standards for serving in the nation’s highest office. By any standard, that is not true of President-elect Donald Trump. Media across our country have some-

how made it seem as if a convicted felon with a rich history of lying and a refusal to take on the serious issues of governance is a reasonable choice. But in our president-elect, we have an aspiring autocrat, a morally bankrupt man with a vengeful heart.

He has already begun fulfilling his promise to dismantle the government by selecting big donors, MAGA loyalists and inexperienced toadies for his new cabinet. None of this is a surprise. He said he would do it, and he is. Whether they get confirmed is dependent on the ever-weakening backbone of Republican senators, who live and die, politically, at the whim of the man they follow.

tarian government.

D onald Trump did not meet the presidency’s minimal standards.

We are in the beginning days of DJT’s revenge tour, fulfilling his promise to punish those who opposed him, challenged him and tried to bring him to justice. He wants people at the table whose loyalty is to him. Their expertise and leadership qualities seem incidental to the main qualification: unquestioning obeisance to the leader.

So the idea of not endorsing candidates, this extraordinary year in particular, does not sit well. The fallout from the coming Trump presidency could be a catastrophic shift toward an authori-

My successor, Laura Gillen, will need to navigate these challenges while serving in the House Democratic minority, which will prove difficult. Indeed, the fact that Gillen will be in the minority lends itself well to being a vocal partisan critic of the House Republican majority and the incoming Trump administration, because both will be working in overdrive to correct the many mistakes of the Biden administration and Democrats across the country who forced Americans to endure crippling inflation and a border crisis. Gillen’s position in the House minority does not lend itself well to delivering for 4th District neighbors like I was able to do by leveraging my position in the majority.

Gillen made bold, empty promises, and now it is time for her to deliver. Voters will be watching.

Anthony D’Esposito is completing his term in the 118th Congress.

neutral

I understand the dilemmas. Do endorsements really affect voters’ choices? Historians, psychologists and journalists bat the question around, with no clear answer. Do endorsements alienate too many readers? In the world of newspapers, these issues loom much larger on the local level than with big newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, which also declined to endorse this year.

Local papers live in the community. They have responsibilities to their readers, to the truth and to the realities of just staying in business. With local newspapers closing every week across the country, conflicting interests must be reconciled, very carefully.

I started at the Nassau Herald more than 30 years ago, and for many years it did endorse candidates, from local officials to the presidency. Leatrice Spanierman, my mentor and colleague and the Heralds’ longtime executive editor, interviewed candidates every fall and wrote endorsements. The candidates, including member of the U.S. House and Senate, came to her office; they knew the value of local newspapers’ endorsement. The Heralds had a voice, and used

it as a means of informing readers.

The editorial in the Oct. 31-Nov. 6 issue, explaining why the Heralds were not offering endorsements, stated that “the one place where you might see opinions about local and national political candidates … is in columns in our editorial pages, like those written by Randi Kreiss and Peter King. These essays are distinguished from Herald news content by featuring photos of the authors, making it clear that they reflect the writers’ perspectives and not the views of the Herald.”

I understand the need to create distance. I like the distance, too. I don’t speak for the Heralds. No one high on the masthead has ever tried to influence what I write or don’t write. The paper stays above the fray by giving King and me platforms for different points of view.

I would be fine with any newspaper’s no-endorsement policy if this election had been like any other in America’s long history. But it was not. Nothing about this race was normal. The times demanded speaking up for democracy. For the immediate future and for as long as it can, the press must use its voice to call out the bad guys and amplify justice. This Thanksgiving, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share my views. Our free press never seemed so precious.

Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

A season for giving back on Long Island

With the holiday season upon us, our minds turn to traditions — Thanksgiving meals filled with comfort and gratitude, and other gatherings of family and friends over the coming weeks.

These moments of celebration are precious, but they also give us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to give back. Thanksgiving, rooted in the idea of gratitude, serves as a poignant reminder of our privilege and the responsibility to extend a hand to others. Here on Long Island, where vibrant communities thrive amid significant challenges, there is no shortage of causes deserving our time, attention and generosity.

Friendsgiving, a relatively recent tradition, embodies the spirit of connection by bringing friends together to share a meal and express their appreciation for one another. It can also be an occasion to unite for a greater purpose. By turning these gatherings into opportunities to collect donations or volunteer, we can channel collective energy into tangible support for those in need. Whether it’s hosting a food drive or organizing a group to serve at a local soup kitchen, Friendsgiving can be a powerful reminder of the broader community we’re all a part of.

On Long Island, the contrast between abundance and need is striking. While many of us prepare for feasts, thousands struggle to put food on the table. Nearly 284,000 people will suffer from hunger on Long Island at some point this year, according to Community Solidarity, a nonprofit that provides groceries, fresh produce and warm vegan meals to lowincome communities.

Organizations like Island Harvest and Long Island Cares work tirelessly to combat food insecurity in our neighborhoods.

A donation of non-perishable items, a financial contribution, or volunteering for a few hours can make a profound difference to families facing hunger this

letters

Where is this ship of state sailing?

To the Editor:

Re Peter King’s column last week, “Trump makes the comeback of all comebacks”: It’s fair for Mr. King to celebrate Donald Trump’s “comeback,” and to take his share of reflected glory for strongly supporting him. But, weeks into the transition, is there no trepidation over what is being wrought?

Mr. King long served honorably

Organizations that welcome your help

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island: BBBsli.org

Citizens Campaign for the Environment: CitizensCampaign.org

Community Solidarity: CommunitySolidarity.org

Family & Children’s Association: FCAli.org

Interfaith Nutrition Network: The-Inn.org

Island Harvest: Island Harvest.org

Long Island Cares: LICares.org

Save the Great South Bay: SaveTheGreatsouthbay.org

Empire State Local News Coalition SaveNYLocalNews.com

season.

Beyond food insecurity — limited or uncertain access to adequate food — there are numerous other causes that need our support. The holiday season can be especially difficult for those without homes. Groups like the Interfaith Nutrition Network, in Hempstead, provide shelter, meals and supportive services to help the unhoused regain some sense of stability. Contributing to these efforts — whether through monetary donations, clothing drives, or simply offering your time — can help others who are less fortunate experience the warmth of the season.

At this time of year, we also highlight the importance of supporting our local youth. Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island and the Family & Children’s Association offer mentorships and resources to empower young

in a Congress that will now be directed to self-emasculate. There are threats of courts-martial, military-assisted deportations, even gender tests for House members. Furors will multiply over staff, from cabinet positions on down. Promises are made of $2 trillion in budget cuts. Mr. King’s experience-based thoughts might be useful.

We sail soon into heavy seas aboard the USS “Caine Mutiny,” with Captain Queeg in command.

BRIAN

KELLY Rockville Centre

people. By donating to these programs or becoming a mentor yourself, you can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life.

And let’s not forget our environment, which sustains us all. As we celebrate the bounty of the land, consider supporting groups like Citizens Campaign for the Environment or Save the Great South Bay. Their work to protect Long Island’s natural beauty ensures that future generations can enjoy the landscapes and waterways we too often take for granted.

Of course, there’s also local news, which continues to face economic headwinds. Organizations like the Empire State Local News Coalition help sustain New York’s local news organizations — like the Herald — so reporters can tell the important stories about your friends and families, and shine a light on all of the issues mentioned here.

The beauty of giving back is that it doesn’t always have to be monetary — your time and skills can be just as valuable. Many local nonprofits, shelters and community centers are in dire need of extra hands during the holidays. A few hours spent wrapping gifts for underprivileged children, serving meals to veterans, or taking part in a community cleanup can ripple outward in meaningful ways.

Finally, don’t forget Dec. 3, Giving Tuesday, the annual nationwide day of charitable giving. For more information on this growing grass-roots effort, go to givingtuesday.org.

As we gather around dinner tables this season, let’s remember that gratitude is most powerful when it inspires action. Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving remind us of our interconnectedness — our shared humanity and the strength of our communities. Together we can ensure that everyone, in every corner of Long Island, feels the gratitude of the holidays. Each of us has the power to make the season brighter for others. This year, let’s not just celebrate; let’s give.

Fin our intensified max on here to have wholeheartedly Trumpist may be what the that Americans economic flict, afraid These the many the final watched What

What comes next? How about our neglected unity?

For me, like so many Americans, the last six months have been a whirlwind of emotions, as arguably the most historic election in our nation’s history built momentum, intensified and eventually reached a climax on election night. While I’m not here to share my opinion on the outcome, the big question facing every citizen and resident of our country is: What next?

It can be tempting to see the outcome of the election as the ultimate refutation of the left — proof that Americans have rejected progressive values and policies and have wholeheartedly embraced modern Trumpist conservatism. While there may be some truth to this, I believe that what the result ultimately showed was that Americans are afraid. Afraid of economic disaster, afraid of global conflict, afraid of violence at home. These are reasonable fears. Even for the many Americans who lived through the final throes of the cold War or watched the twin towers fall on Sept. 11,

2001, our country has never seemed more like a powder keg ready to explode.

Which is why, now more than ever, we need to come together not just as liberals and conservatives, but as Americans. The United States has always been strongest when we’ve been united, and our darkest moments come when we turn on one another and lay blame at our neighbors’ doorsteps.

As Abraham Lincoln famously said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” and those words are as true today as they were 166 years ago.

m

y dad will never forget the kind strangers far from home after the

everything from political rivals being forced to work together in government — such as when Alexander hamilton and Thomas Jefferson collaborated to create our financial system while simultaneously establishing Washington, D.c., as the nation’s capital — to having uncomfortable Thanksgiving dinners with relatives who have radically different political values.

9/11 attacks.

While conservatives may claim, rightly or wrongly, that progressives are softhearted dopes who focus on issues that don’t matter to real Americans, progressives may claim, rightly or wrongly, that conservatives are coldhearted dopes who focus on issues that don’t matter to real Americans. Perspective is everything, and trying to work together and understand not only what our differences are, but also why they exist, is the quintessential heart of the American experiment.

The intersection of our political and social culture has always been an uneasy compromise. This extends to

Letters

The Sands proposal: nothing but trouble

To the Editor:

The Las Vegas Sands proposal to spend $6 billion — that’s billion with a B, folks — had me wondering from where Sands expected to recover their investment plus the daily cost of operations and the profit from the project. It wasn’t really a wonder, more of a fact, given all the expected losses the gambling public would be leaving behind.

A real concern is the draining of huge amounts of our underground aquifer to feed this unnecessary beast, a waste of our local water supply.

The proposal is now also offering an expansion of lanes on the Meadowbrook Parkway from three to four. All this would accomplish would be the removal of the mature trees and greenery along that stretch of parkway, leaving no shoulder.

Yes, it’s a parkway, meaning there are no commercial vehicles. So without an adjacent commercial highway, all the daily delivery trucks that would be needed to supply this property would be feeding off the Long Island Expressway, the only commercial road, for miles through our local streets. That would be an unneeded burden on our local streets and neighborhoods, 24/7.

We do not need this disaster in the making.

Lastly, the Sands has been spending a lot of money locally on public relations, newspapers inserts, etc., to make the proposal sound appealing. Don’t believe the wizardry, which, when you look behind the curtain, is really a corporate giant taking local amenities and infiltrating our local environment, all in the name of a profit to feed its own goals.

MIchAEL LEfkoWITz Accountants + Advisors

East Meadow

How about sharing a holiday meal at a diner?

To the Editor:

This holiday season, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, if you’re too tired to cook, consider sharing a meal with family, friends or neighbors and patronize your local diner or restaurant. for decades I have enjoyed many excellent meals at many local diners.

Diners have been part of my life since I was a teenager. Eating out is a periodic ritual, and their portions are generous. Between the soup, salad, rolls, coleslaw and pickles, along with the main course, diner dinners satisfy the heartiest appetites. Who’s never taken a doggie bag home with leftovers to eat the next day? Many times we’ve bagged our desserts to go.

Many Long Island neighborhoods

The idea that people who disagree politically could do so without resorting to violence is what separated our country from nearly all others when we declared our independence. It is one of the most sacred responsibilities that we as Americans must honor and hold dear, or risk losing the dream of a more just, more equitable society as envisioned by our founding fathers.

So while it’s easy to feel emotional following this election, remember that we need to heal the nation’s wounds, not worsen them. Think next time before you gloat to a “bleeding heart liberal” about winning the election — or calling every conservative voter you know a fascist. Are you really saying it because you believe it, or because emotions are running high and you feel like you need

to show the world how strongly you hold your beliefs?

In the days after the Sept. 11 attacks, my father was in california, desperately trying to get back home to my family. With all flights grounded, he and a friend rented a car and tried to make a cross-country drive.

Running on fumes on a remote stretch of highway, they came to a gas station that, unfortunately, was out of business. Stranded and worried about their loved ones, my dad and his friend were lucky enough to be found by some locals in a pickup truck. The saviors had a spare five-gallon tank of gas for the dirt bikes in the bed of the truck.

My dad always talked about how, while thanking them, he explained how and his friend were New Yorkers trying to get home to their families. Without missing a beat, one of the men responded, “We’re all New Yorkers today.”

That is what makes America great, not rhetoric or political stunts or moral grandstanding. And that is what we need to keep hold of in the aftermath of this election: that no matter what, we are all Americans, and that we’re all stronger when we work together.

Will Sheeline is an editor covering Glen Head, Locust Valley, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? WSheeline@liherald.com.

Framework by Francine Berman

have seen changes over the years. New immigrant groups sometimes favor their own ethnic foods and restaurants. Diners have also lost customers over time to fast-food restaurants. Remember, these people are our neighbors. our local entrepreneurs who own and operate diners have continued to invest in our communities, creating new employment opportunities without the assistance of federally funded taxpayers’ stimulus dollars. They work

long hours, pay taxes and provide local employment. If we don’t patronize our local restaurants, these workers don’t eat, either.

Why not honor the fond memories of some our favorite diners that have come and gone by continuing to patronize those that remain? h ere’s hoping that diners don’t go the way of the dinosaurs.

At the ‘Wicked’ Experience — Universal Orlando Resort

LARRY PENNER Great Neck