Chris Meyer, co-owner of the new Harvest House Tavern restaurant in Malverne, cut the ribbon on Dec. 27.
State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick presented Harvest House Tavern owners Chris Meyer, second, from right, Ross Gollub and Stephen LaSpina with a proclamation after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
From ‘farm-totavern’ eating in Malverne
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
The distance between Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s and the newly opened Harvest House Tavern restaurant in Malverne is barely longer than the stretch of space from its kitchen to the dining area.
WAnd that’s what the restaurant’s owners — Ross Gollub, Stephen LaSpina and Chris Meyer — are aiming for. The eatery’s trio, along with executive chef Ronaldo Morales and Michael D’Angelo, Crossroads operations manager, want to expand the concept of farm-totable — when food goes directly from a farm to a consumer’s plate without going through a store or distributor — to in LaSpina’s words “farm-to-tavern.”
Centre, said the time was right for this type of Malverne eatery, which officially opened at 352 Hempstead Ave. on Dec. 9.
“We want to utilize the local farm here in Malverne, which is literally up the block, less than half a mile away,” Meyer said.
e’re priding
ourselves on literally nothing coming into this restaurant frozen
CHRiS MEYER co-owner, Harvest House Tavern
“We love this community — Malverne — we believe in it, and the fact is we want to differentiate ourselves from many of the other standard restaurants out there.” Meyer noted that the menu created by Morales is full of proteins — beef, chicken, fish and duck — complemented by Crossroads Farm’s vegetables. A mezze platter has several different spreads, and the newly opened eatery already has a popular dish — broccolini hummus, Meyer said.
Meyer, a co-owner of the popular and successful Frank’s Steaks restaurant in Rockville
“We’re priding ourselves on literally nothing coming into this restaurant frozen, every -
ConTinueD on PaGe 4
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Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom gives back
The Western Nassau Chapter of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom collected items for Hannah’s Project providing access to feminine hygiene products to at-risk teenagers and women.
The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom chose to donate collected items to the Domestic Harmony Foundation and the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC’s the S.H.O.P. Sustenance Hope Opportunity Place, in Cedarhurst.
Rock and Wrap it Up! award winning anti-poverty think tank based in
Cedarhurst developed this project idea.
The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom aims to forge trust, respect and relationships between Muslim and Jewish women of all ages. They speak out against all forms of prejudice, hatred and discrimination.
For more information about The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, go to Sosspeace.org.
–Melissa Berman
Photos courtesy Syd Mandelbaum
Members of the Western Nassau Chapter of Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom and some of their children divide the donations benefiting the Domestic Harmony Foundation and the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC’s the S.H.O.P.
Barbara Bezalel, left, Afroz Ahmad, Karen Weinberg and Lima Islam at the S.H.O.P in Cedarhurst.
What to know about new state laws in 2025
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Several new measures approved by the state legislature in 2024 are taking effect as of Jan. 1, bringing changes to health insurance, the minimum wage, paid time off and more.
St. James resident Gina Lie neck has fought for new safety policies after her daughter, Brianna, ten 11, died in a 2005 boating accident. Since then, Lie neck championed “Brianna’s Law,” which makes safety classes a requirement to obtain motorized boat operation certificates.
The law originally passed in 2019, requiring a different age group of motorized boat operators to become safety certified every year, according to the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. As of 2025, the rule applies to all boat operators regardless of age. Over the past five years, almost 1 million boaters took safety courses.
For minimum-wage workers in New York State, the new year brings a 50-cent per hour increase, the first of a series of annual adjustments that will occur in 2026 and 2027.
New York state has two minimum wages — $16 an hour for residents of Long Island, New York City and Westchester, and $15 everywhere else. New York’s minimum wage is one of the highest in the country, rivaled by only a few states such as California, New Jersey and Washington, according to the U.S. Labor Department.
Business groups who claim that employers will be pressured into cutting staff or go out of business have criticized the increase in minimum wage.
“In this current era of inflation and rising costs, every cent counts for all New Yorkers, especially workers who earn minimum wage,” state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said in a news release. “By gradually increasing wages for the lowest earners, we are ensuring businesses can adjust to the
change while also helping more families make ends meet.”
For parents with young children or expecting couples, the new measures offer improvements to sick leave and health coverage. Pregnant women can now enroll in state health insurance at any time without penalty. Employers must provide 20 hours of paid time off for women’s prenatal care, including physical exams, medical procedures, and consultations with health providers in preparation for pregnancy.
For the 1.8 million New Yorkers who need Insulin, health insurance will not be able to charge for “a deductible, co-payment, coinsurance or any other sharing requirement,” according to the policy.
The law also now requires medical insurers to directly reimburse ambulance services, a significant change from previous policies requiring individuals to pay for their ambulance transportation.
At the federal level, 66 years, 10 months is the new age for full Social Security benefits.
NUMC opens new staff relaxation station
By JORDAN VALLONE
jvallone@liherald.com
Nassau University Medical Center has officially opened a new, modern staff lounge, designed to support health care workers’ mental health, resiliency and well-being. The new facility offers a space for the hospital’s workforce — that treats more than 270,000 patients annually — to decompress and recharge, while working in one of the region’s most demanding medical environments.
Meg Ryan, the president and chief executive of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, which oversees the operations of NUMC, said employee wellbeing and engagements has been a priority of hers.
“This year, we had our first employee engagement officer,” Ryan said at a Dec. 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new space. “We created that title, we implemented employee of the month, we created NUMC excellence awards. In line with all these 2024 initiatives, we created this new, beautiful recreational area for all of our employees to use 24-hours a day — it’s available all of the time.”
The new area boasts a pool table, a
ping pong table, a kitchen, televisions, massage chairs, and other seating areas where employees and kick back and relax.
“Our relaxation station is designed to offer a peaceful environment where everyone can just take a moment to take a break,” Ryan said. “We have games, we
have TVs — we value all of our employees. We hope that all of these initiatives foster a healthier and a more balanced work environment for everyone.”
The hospital, in a news release shared with the Herald, said according to a recent study published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery,
nearly 40 percent of trauma professionals experience symptoms of burnout, depression or anxiety due to the intense emotional and physical demands of their work environment. NUMC boasts a 24-hour Level 1 Trauma Center, the largest on Long Island.
Ryan thanked NUMC’s staff involved in facilities management who helped create the space, and joined her during the ribbon cutting last week.
“We want to take care of our employees as they take care of Nassau County’s most vulnerable,” Ryan said. “We have focused a lot on employee engagement, appreciation and making sure that all of our employees feel heard because they haven’t been for so long.
“The new relaxation station reflects NUMC’s ongoing commitment to employee engagement and a prioritization of our employee’s mental health and overall wellness,” she said. “By providing a space where our hardworking team can take a brief reprieve during a long and demanding shift, we can help reduce staff burnout — a major issue challenging healthcare providers across the country. We are not only investing in our employees’ well-being but also enhancing the quality of care we provide to our patients.”
Created by ChatGPT
Several new laws have gone into effect in the New Year, including measures on boating safety, the minimum wage and healthcare.
Jordan Vallone/Herald
NUMC leaders and staff cut the ribbon at a new relaxation station, designed to support health care workers’ mental health, resiliency and well-being.
Tavern menu offers seasonal food choices
thing is fresh, clean,” he said. “Nothing frozen, nothing fried. Desserts, pastries also made in-house.”
Morales said that 70 percent of the produce used by the restaurant is grown at the 5.5-acre Crossroads Farm, at 480 Hempstead Ave. The current menu reflects the winter season, with citrus being a top flavor and root vegetables, such as beets, carrots and celery, a huge part of the menu. Putting Morales’ fourstar restaurant background to work, Harvest House’s menu is akin to globetrotting.
“It’s more of the new school kind of chefs, new American concept, where pieces of every country are put into my spirits and all in one plate,” Morales said. “We have various types of cuisines here — Mexican, Italian, Asian, French — all around. A modern twist where I limit using cream and butter and try to use the freshest ingredients, everything from the mayo, to the juices, to the sauces.”
Crossroads Farm is also supplying butternut squash, fennel and winter radishes. D’Angelo said that in April mixed greens would be harvested, which leads to strawberries in June and tomatoes in July, then eggplant and peppers.
“Being able to supply a restaurant like this is everything, it’s very special,” he said.
eating, the drinks you’re drinking, it’s what you’re eating it with, drinking it out of, the whole picture really.”
“I think we nailed it, I’m pretty damn happy about the way it came out,” Gollub said, adding that the details matter.
“It’s not just about the food that you are
Though Harvest House is in a small space, Gollub said it was designed to optimize the diners’ experience. He said the design incorporates a rustic/modern vibe to create a “vast appeal.”
A Forgotten American Treasure
Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac appeared from 1732 to 1758. Amongst other information, it provided pithy sayings and proverbs, many of which have withstood the test of time.
“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”
“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom a good one.”
“Anoint a villain and he’ll stab you: stab him and he’ll anoint you.”
“An old young man will be a young old man.”
“Don’t think to hunt two hares with one dog.”
“Eat few suppers and you’ll need few medicines.”
“Great almsgiving, lessens no man’s living.”
“Happy’s the wooing that’s not long a doing.”
“He that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”
“If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world.”
“Lost time is never found again.”
“The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?”
“They who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing.”
“The sleeping fox catches no poultry.”
“The tongue is ever turning to the aching tooth.”
“When you’re good to others, you are best to yourself.”
“Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.”
Editor’s Note: The filing requirement under the Corporate Transparency Act (last week’s column) has been suspended by the courts until further notice.
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Because of that appeal and vibe, LaSpina, who is excited for the community to experience Harvest House, believes the new eatery has “a little bit of something for everybody.”
“This is a place to bring your family to for all types of things,” he said. “We touch on a lot of things with our menu. It’s a big spin on things here in Malverne.”
Many community members attended a Dec. 27 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the restaurant, and joining them were State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Malverne Mayor Tim Sullivan and members of the Malverne Chamber of Commerce.
“Welcome to the Malverne family,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said as she presented the three owners with a proclamation. “We will support you. We want you to be successful.”
Harvest House Tavern
Address: 352 Hempstead Ave., Malverne
Phone: (516) 400-9000
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m.
Friday, 4 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.
Sullivan noted that he met with the owners, introduced them to the building’s landlord and credited the efforts of village trustees for moving the project along.
“I’m thankful for our village board who worked so hard,” he said, noting that expediting business applications is changing the tone of Malverne. “We want people to feel welcome.”
■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/malverne or www.liherald.com/westhempstead
■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: mal-wheditor@liherald.com
■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald Crossroads farm at grossmann’s in malverne is supplying Harvest House with 70 percent of the new restaurant’s produce.
Birthright Israel launches winter season
Birthright Israel is thrilled to announce the launch of its winter season, marking a significant milestone with the return of participants to the northern regions of Israel for the first time since Oct. 7 of 2023.
The historic city of Safed was among the first stops for groups this week, rekindling the program’s mission of connecting young Jews to their heritage in iconic parts of the country.
The winter season, running through March 2025, will host more than 300 groups and 6,500 young Jewish adults from around the globe. Participants will experience 10-day trips, internships, and volunteer opportunities that aim to foster a deep connection to Israel and the Jewish community.
In the coming weeks the Birthright volunteering program will also expand to northern towns, allowing participants to contribute meaningfully to local communities.
25 years of impact
As Birthright Israel celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, it celebrates a legacy of immense impact on Jewish identity and community building. Since its inception, over 850,000 young Jews have participated in the program, discovering their heritage and forging lifelong connections to Israel. This milestone will be commemorated with special events and announcements
beginning early next year.
In addition to the traditional 10-day trips, the volunteering program continues to grow in popularity. With the age limit now extended to 50 years, Birthright expects to welcome approximately 10,000 volunteers in 2025. This year
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alone saw 8,500 participants engaging in community support, underscoring the program’s expanding reach and relevance.
A resilient mission
“Since the war began, we’ve been
inspired by the remarkable resilience and determination of our participants to come to Israel,” Gidi Mark, CEO of Birthright Israel said in a news release. “Every day, I meet participants who share how proud they are to be here and how safe they feel. The challenges we’ve faced have only reinforced the vital importance of our mission.”
Mark emphasized the program’s ongoing commitment to fostering Jewish identity, strengthening ties to Israel, and empowering young adults to address rising antisemitism worldwide.
“As we celebrate 25 years of Birthright, I urge every young Jewish adult to apply,” he said in the release. “Whether it’s a 10-day trip, an internship, or a volunteer program, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with your heritage and create lasting memories.”
Through its unwavering mission and expanded opportunities, Birthright Israel continues to be a cornerstone in strengthening Jewish identity and unity worldwide.
Applications are now open for Birthright’s programs, with summer trips launching on Jan. 14 via the program’s website. Prospective participants can explore their options and secure their spots at BirthrightIsrael.com.
–Jeffrey Bessen
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Courtesy Birthright Israel
Birthright Israel participants with Yossi Kakon, the mayor of Safed, a city in the Northern District of Israel.
HERALD SPORTS
Hofstra wrestling begins exciting new era
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
Hofstra wrestling alum Jamie Franco is now leading the program where he thrived on the mats as a student-athlete looking to raise it to new heights.
Franco, a three-time NCAA Championship qualifier at Hofstra in the early 2010s, was named the Pride’s 13th- head coach on July 1, 2024 replacing Dennis Papadatos after he took an administrative role in the university’s athletic department. It marks another return home for Franco, who served as an assistant coach under Papadatos from 2016 to 2023 before spending a season on the wrestling staff at Columbia University last year.
“I always wanted to be a head coach and to be able to get this opportunity was a dream come true for me,” said Franco, who won 75 matches at Hofstra including a conference title at 133 pounds in 2013. “To come back to my alma mater and get my first head coaching gig at Hofstra was really special.”
After graduating Hofstra in 2014 with a business degree, Franco was operations manager of the famed Longo and Weidman MMA Training Center in Garden City where Hofstra wrestling legend Chris Weidman trained when he held a UFC middleweight title from 2013 to 2015. Franco maintains a close relationship with Weidman and recently brought his longtime trainer Ray Longo in a cross training session with the wrestlers.
“I think it’s always good to get these guys training outside of just wrestling to make them physically and mentally tougher,” Franco said.
Franco inherited a roster with plenty of former Long Island high school wrestling standouts including 133-pound Ryan Arbeit, who won a county title for Wantagh in 2022. The redshirt freshman was voted a team captain in October along with Massapequa High School product Chase Liardi, Justin Hoyle of Maple Valley, Wash and Ross McFarland of Pennellville, N.Y.
Two of Arbeit’s former Wantagh teammates are also on the Hofstra roster including red-shirt junior Mat Rogers, who won a New York State Championship in 2020 and Joe Russo, who was sidelined last season after joining the Pride from Nassau Community College. Russo was sidelined at the beginning of the season with an injury, but Franco is hoping he can make a contribution as the dual meet schedule heats up.
The Nassau County South Shore presence on the Hofstra mats also includes 165-pound redshirt junior Eric Shindel, who was an All-County wrestler at JFK High School in Bellmore in 2020 and 2021.
Fellow 165-pounder Kyle Mosher, who won a New York State title with South Side High School in Rockville Centre, joined the Pride this season as a graduate student after competing as an undergraduate student
at Columbia under Franco.
“He is looking really good early in the season so we’re looking to keep building on it,” said Franco of Mosher, who placed eighth in the 30-team Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 7. “He’s on everyone’s radar now.
Franco recorded his first dual meet win as Hofstra head coach with a 21-12 victory against Duke at home on Nov. 16. The Pride entered the new year at 4-3 and will next be in action on Jan. 9 with an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) road match at Binghamton. The Pride then has home matches in the Mack Sports Complex scheduled Jan. 26 against Penn starting at noon and Feb. 2 versus Franklin & Marshall at 4 p.m.
The Pride will look to make some noise at the EIWA Championships at Lehigh on March 7-8 and qualify at least three of four wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia from March 20-22.
“The guys are growing every week,” Franco said. “I think we’re going to see a more gritty team for us in the EIWAs so I feel like we’re going to get a bunch of placers there this year.”
Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications Massapequa native Chase Liardi is one of Hofstra’s captains.
Ross McFarland and the Pride are looking to make noise under new coach Jamie Franco, a Hofstra wrestling alumn.
Missing N.Y. treats sparks sweet success
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
Samantha Zola started her rainbow cookie business out of an apartment in South Beach, Miami to cure her longing for a New York classic.
Zola Bakes sells only rainbow cookies and in many varieties.
“I was feeling really homesick and I was having trouble finding a job, and I decided to make some rainbow cookies in my apartment since I wanted a little taste of New York,” Zola said. “I couldn’t find rainbow cookies anywhere in Miami and it seemed like no one knew what they were.”
Zola began baking her rainbow cookie business while her husband, Jesse Charnoff, Lawrence native and Lawrence High School alum, was doing his residency at University of Miami in 2016.
They both met at SUNY Binghamton and Charnoff is now an orthopedist with Hospital for Special Surgery.
Originally from Dix Hills, she attended the French Pastry School in Chicago in 2008 and worked at Magnolia Bakery for four years, where she moved up from a baker to a general manager. She helped open the Penn Station location in 2015.
At the beginning of her business, Charnoff helped in between shifts at the hospital, by cutting bars with a ruler by hand, folding boxes, and making deliveries.
“You’d think getting a medical degree would be enough to get out of the bakery,” Charnoff said. “But it’s not, I’m still the delivery and logistics person if she needs another hand.”
Her business officially took off, in 2017 when she launched her website and Instagram and started shipping orders. They moved back to New York in 2019 and currently work out of a 3,000-square-foot building in
Central Islip.
“It’s been fun as a small business to have the family working together on something,” Charnoff added.
In the beginning stages of her business, they were going back and forth to Lawrence regularly as Wall’s Bake Shop in Hewlett inspired Charnoff.
“I told Sam that when she was baking the rainbow cookies, I would be surprised if she could outdo my local bakery,” Charnoff said. “But she was able to do so.”
The bakery is women-operated and Zola’s best friend, Shira Schwartz, director of operations and sales, has been working there since 2022.
“Sam is one of the most hardworking people and anything that she puts her mind to she it going to do it,” Schwartz said. “To see her really build this business from nothing into this incredible place we have now is really just amazing.”
At the beginning of the business, Schwartz was supporting her friend and then during the pandemic she felt lost with her job and Zola offered her a position at the bakery.
“It’s just been amazing to see what has been built the five years prior to me coming and what we’re able to do together, Schwartz added. “It’s really awesome.”
Prior to working with Zola, Schwartz was a senior account executive at wholesale apparel.
“We’ve known each other for almost 20 years and it’s been a very beautiful thing,” Schwartz said.
Zola Bakes has been featured on QVC, Oprah’s Favorite Things, PIX11, NY1 and on many news websites.
Zola’s cookies are shipped nationwide in all 50 states and Canada through her Instagram, @Zola_bakes and website, ZolaBakes.com. Her IG has a viral following with over 35,000 followers.
“Our goal is to introduce the cookie to people who don’t know what it is,” Zola said.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Nationally Recognized School of Excellence: St. Agnes
News briefs
Honoring Martin Luther King’s memory
Malverne will celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m., at the Howard T. Herber Middle School, 75 Ocean Ave., in Malverne.
MLK’s spirit will fill the air as community members gather to celebrate the faith, inspiration and perseverance that define his extraordinary life and legacy.
Kindergarten through 12th grade students from across the school district will be presenting their tributes to MLK through poetry, music, dance and video presentations, while expressing their understanding of and dedication to his teachings and his messages of resilience, perseverance and hope.
The district will also recognize two exemplary members of its school community with the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. The honorees are Malverne Union Free School District Supervisor STEM Florence Balay and Norma Britt, a dedicated member of the Malverne schools community.
This year’s celebration has unique significance approaching the 60th anniversary of MLK’s historic visit to Malverne on May 11, 1965, a key moment in the fight to desegregate schools in the United States.
–Jeffrey Bessen
PSEG Long Island donates 500 toys
This holiday season, PSEG Long Island employees demonstrated their generosity by purchasing and donating over 500 toys and gifts for children in need through the company’s Employee Outreach Council annual toy drive.
The donations included electronic learning toys, dolls, sporting equipment, board games, action figures, vehicles, and more, distributed to families through community-based organizations and social service agencies across PSEG Long Island’s service area.
Recipients of the donations include organizations in Nassau County, the Rockaways and Suffolk County; ensuring children from various communities feel the joy of the season.
PSEG Long Island employees are committed to supporting their neighbors year-round, not only by providing safe and reliable power but also by engaging in meaningful community service.
Through their generosity and dedication, PSEG Long Island employees brought smiles to countless children and families, making this holiday season brighter for those in need.
Agencies receiving gifts: Nassau County
■ Hempstead Hispanic Civic Associa-
tion, Hempstead
■ Christ Apostolic Church WOSEM, Elmont
■ Mary Brennan INN Soup Kitchen and Center for Transformative Change Resource Center, Hempstead
■ Our Lady of Good Counsel, Inwood Rockaways
■ St. Mary Star of the Sea, Far Rockaway
■ Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Far Rockaway
Suffolk County
■ Bellport Hagerman East Patchogue Alliance, Bellport
■ First Presbyterian Church, Northport
■ Lighthouse Mission, Bellport
■ Gerald Ryan Outreach, Wyandanch
■ St. John the Evangelist Church, Riverhead
■ Youth Enrichment Services, West Islip
–Jeffrey Bessen
Courtesy Malverne school district
Malverne schools will commemorate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and honor Norma Britt, left,, and Florence Balay with the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award.
Gearing up for another merry Mulchfest
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
The holiday season may be winding down, but in the Town of Hemsptead, there’s still time to celebrate sustainability at the town’s fifth annual Mulchfest.
Residents are invited to bring their Christmas trees to Veterans Memorial Park at 1700 Prospect Ave., East Meadow on Saturday, Jan. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where the trees will be shredded into mulch for personal use or donated as snacks for the Nigerian Dwarf goats at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve.
“Mulchfest is back for the fifth year in a row, and the goats at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve are bleating in excitement,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said. “This holiday tradition sees scores of residents turning their Christmas trees into mulch, with each year getting better and better.”
A “Mulchfest” is an event where people can bring their natural Christmas trees to be recycled into mulch, a nutrient-rich material often used in gardening and landscaping. During a Mulchfest, trees are shredded into mulch using wood chippers, and participants are usually offered free mulch to take home for personal use.
The event promotes eco-friendly practices by preventing discarded trees from going to landfills and repurposing them in ways that benefit the environment, such as improving soil health, retaining moisture, and reducing weeds. Some Mulchfests also
use excess mulch for community landscaping projects or even as snacks for animals, like the Town of Hempstead’s goats, that enjoy eating pine. It’s a sustainable way to “give back” during the holiday season while responsibly disposing of Christmas trees.
The eco-friendly event gives families the opportunity to extend the season of giving by repurposing their trees into nutrient-rich mulch for gardening, moisture retention, and weed prevention. Residents can take home a free bag of mulch or choose to have the mulch donated to the town’s goats. Additionally, broken-down cardboard will be accepted and recycled during the event.
For those unable to attend Mulchfest, Christmas trees can be dropped off at the homeowner disposal area next to Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve at 1600 Merrick Road through Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The Town of Hempstead proudly stands for greener and environmentally friendly programs,” Clavin said. “Come on down to Veterans Park to repurpose your Christmas tree and receive a free bag of mulch in return. Don’t forget to stop by Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve and share some with the lovable goats.”
The surplus mulch will also be used for landscaping and planting projects throughout Hempstead Town’s parks, ensuring that residents’ contributions support the community year-round.
The Town of Hempstead will hold its annual Mulchfest on Jan. 11 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow. Residents can turn their Christmas trees into mulch, which they can either take home or donate to the Nigerian Dwarf goats that inhabit the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve in Merrick. Above, a goat at the park munches on a tree at a past event.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH AT 9:30 A.M.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26TH AT 11 A.M.-1 P.M.
REGISTRATION:
JANUARY 28TH, 9:30 - 10:30 A.M. & 7:00-8:00 P.M.
JANUARY 29TH, 9:30 - 10:30 A.M.
Discover a Faith-based Educational Journey at St. Agnes Cathedral School
At St. Agnes Cathedral School we believe that every child is a precious gift from God. We invite you to experience our exceptional academic program at our upcoming Open House.
Nurturing Environment: We cultivate a community based on love, compassion, and respect. Here, every child is encouraged to grow, explore, and develop their unique talents in a caring, supportive atmosphere.
Rigorous Academic Excellence: Our curriculum blends faith with innovative teaching methods, offering a challenging yet enriching academic experience that sparks curiosity and fosters a lifelong passion for learning.
Spiritual Growth: Alongside academics, we emphasize spiritual development, guiding students to understand and live by the values of faith, hope, and charity, shaping strong moral foundations for their future.
Physical and Creative Development: Our students enjoy physical education classes in our spacious gym, with K-8 students also participating in daily recess. Through art, music, and enrichment activities, they experience a well-rounded education that nurtures both body and mind.
Community Engagement: Our Mothers’ Club, Fathers’ Club, Parent-School Association, and School Board work together to help our students grow and thrive, fostering meaningful connections between families, teachers, administration, and students.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our new STEM Center features a science lab, STEM lab, and Art Room. Designed to inspire creativity and innovation, our modern classrooms provide an engaging environment for students to explore and learn.
ST. AGNES
OPEN
HOUSE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL
HERALD SCHOOLS
Select Choir singing across the school district
Before the holiday break, students in the Malverne High School Select Choir brought the joy of the season to life by sharing their songs and holiday spirit throughout the district.
At Howard T. Herber Middle School and Davison Avenue Intermediate School, the choir transformed every hallway into a celebration of music and holiday camaraderie as students and teachers watched the choir perform and joined in the festive sing-alongs.
During a performance at the district office, the choir thanked the administration for their support of the arts. A special nod was given to Superintendent Lorna Lewis, who invited her to join them for what was considered a stunning rendition of
“Silent Night”— as a testament to her dedication to fostering the arts in schools.
At Maurice W. Downing Primary School the choir was joined by the second-grade Glee Club for a concert that delighted hundreds of parents. The event concluded with both groups performing a grand finale in perfect harmony that was said to have created a magical moment for all in attendance.
The annual tradition showcases the incredible talent of Malverne’s students while emphasizing the district’s commitment to arts education and community connection, officials said.
–Jeffrey Bessen
and teachers, administrators and Board of Education at the holiday performance.
Davison Avenue students welcomed the Malverne High School Select
members during their holiday caroling tour.
Photos courtesy Malverne school district
The Malverne High School Select Choir filled the hallways at Howard T. Herber Middle School with the sounds of holiday songs.
The Malverne High School Select Choir with Superintendent Lorna Lewis after their holiday performance at the Malverne school district administrative offices.
The Maurice W. Downing second grade Glee Club with the Malverne High School Select Choir
Choir
New Year Resolve elevate the Conversation
“Got a call from an old friend we used to be real close…”
Thanks Billy Joel but this was, ironically, my life. On New Year’s Day.
At 1 p.m. sharp my phone rings and it is an associate from my former ad agency, someone I worked with nearly three decades ago. It’s not the first time we have spoken since I changed jobs and he moved south, but without question, he is one of the most influential creatives I have ever known.
I was young when hired, keeping my head down while working hard and learning everything I could from the company. After two other agency positions, I evaluated this job carefully for fit and company culture before agreeing to be employed there, and it was the place that saw me through some big life-changing events: my wedding, birth of my first child and subsequently remote work before business ever coined the word “remote”.
rush of how he’s doing, where he’s moved and what he is up to. He has always been the candid poster boy for TMI (too much information) using this time to share his current age, political views, as well as a nostalgic lookback at his career and his philosophy about life, family and the way the world should be.
I filter out what is tone deaf and counter to my personal beliefs because I have nothing to prove or impress, remembering the former work relationship we had when I just did my job and gained his trust and respect in the process.
Ultimately I hear regrets and triumphs in his words, a life measured by financial success attributed to luck, timing and skill. It’s nowhere near my world, as I measure the value of supermarket digital coupons while he assesses million dollar homes.
Catholic Schools Week issues!
I loved my days working there, despite this man’s tortured approach and personal motto of “embrace the horror”. At first I didn’t get it. But in advertising as in life, it was his logic that if you can embrace horror, you will not fear.
Over the next hour and 15 minutes we cover the “catching up” conversation, he dominating the dialog with a
But that’s okay. I’m “living the life” as they say, able to acknowledge the good around me and fix the bad if/when I can. And on the first of January, in the year 2025, I’m okay with that.
A contributing writer to the Herald since 2012, Lauren Lev is a direct marketing/ advertising executive who teaches marketing fundamentals as well as advertising and marketing communications courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology and SUNY Old Westbury.
News brief
Specialty clinics open at medical center
Nassau University Medical Center has launched two specialty clinics to expand access to vital care for the community.
The Colorectal Screening Clinic, now open on Monday mornings, focuses on early detection and prevention of conditions such as colon cancer. The clinic, located on the first floor with NUMC’s other surgical clinics, performs endoscopies under sedation by appointment.
Colon cancer affects roughly150,000 people annually in the United States, with one-third of cases resulting in death. Early screenings are key to improving survival rates. For appointments, call (516) 572-6703.
The new Reflux Clinic operates Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings on the hospital’s sixth floor. Under the leadership of Dr. Venkatesh Sasthakonar, the clinic provides diagnosis, treatment, and long-term support for patients experiencing acid reflux and related conditions. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can lead to serious complications such as esopha -
geal cancer if untreated. Patients with frequent reflux symptoms are encouraged to seek care. Appointments can be scheduled at (516) 572-6703.
“These new clinics have the potential to serve thousands of patients to help detect both common and life-threatening conditions,” said Megan Ryan, president, chief executive, and chief legal officer of Nassau Health Care Corporation. “NUMC is joining the fight against colon cancer with this new capability, and as so many struggle with maintaining a healthy diet, conditions affecting the digestive tract are on the rise. These new services are yet another example of NUMC’s continuing efforts to increase its capabilities for our growing patient population.”
The hospital has also enhanced its services with a new Community Outreach Center, launched in August, and expanded evening hours for general, pediatric, and women’s health clinics on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m.
–Jordan Vallone
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Nominate a student under 16 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.
We want to hear about the extraordinary young individuals who are driving change in their communities.
The award will be presented at the 2025 LI Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld in February. Your nomination could inspire countless others to follow in their footsteps!
Submit a nomination of approximately 200 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?
Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.
STEPPING OUT
Step inside an epic adventure with Anna, Elsa and the Madrigal clan moments on ice
By Karen Bloom
Welcome the New Year in true Disney style. The latest Disney ice extravaganza arrives at UBS Arena in Elmont ready to enchant families once again. This time around the spotlight is on two of the newest tales — beloved by Disneyphiles in the Disney canon: “Frozen” and “Encanto.” Audiences can share in the special joy of these captivating adventures when Disney On Ice’s glides into UBS Arena, now through Jan. 12.
Families will be transported into two of Disney’s most popular films as the world of Anna, Elsa, Mirabel, and the Madrigal family unfolds up close. These adored characters are, of course, joined by Mickey and his crew. Along with Minnie, Donald and Goofy, audiences will sing-along to everyone’s favorite songs interpreted through world-class skating, aerial acrobatics and dynamic special effects.
• Now through Sunday, Jan.12; times vary
• Tickets start at $35, pre-show character experience also available for a fee; purchase at ticketmaster.com or disneyonice.com or in person at box office
• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
As always, the atmosphere is electric from the get-go. From the opening segment with Mickey and the gang, we quickly arrive in Arendelle to the delight of all the “Annas” and “Elsas” in the audience. Olaf, the lovable snowman who likes warm hugs and all things summer, narrates the story everyone knows so well. Artful skating (what could be more fitting?) transports families to the snowy kingdom to be a part of Anna’s adventure to find Elsa, whose icy powers unleashed an eternal winter. Kristoff and Sven take audiences along as they encounter wintry conditions in a race to bring back summer.
Elsa’s solo segment skated to “Let It Go” is among the highlights of the show’s first half. “It’s a big moment,” says Rebekah Johnson, who — off ice at this point — is exhilarated by the audience response.
At age 19, Johnson is experiencing the Disney magic for the first time as a performer. She joined the cast in September as an ensemble skater and couldn’t be happier.
Skating since she was two-years-old, the St. Paul, Minn.-based Johnson says “I always knew I was meant to be a show skater.”
Like her many castmates, she’s embraced Disney from a young age.
“I’ve always loved the princesses and ‘Frozen’,” she enthuses. “I’ve dreamed about skating for Disney for so long.”
From her first Disney On Ice experience as a young child to revisiting the spectacle as a teenager more recently, she knew this was where she belonged.
“When I saw the show again, I thought ‘this is so cool.’ I still dreamed about being a princess.”
While Johnson is not quite there yet, she’s relishing every moment as the youngest member of the cast and every moment on ice.
“I’ve wanted to skate for Disney for so long,” she continues. “It’s all very surreal, but it’s real!”
After a very Frozen adventure, the show’s second half takes everyone to a vibrant town in the mountains of Colombia where we meet the Madrigals, that extraordinary family who live in
Yacht Rock Revue
The kings of ‘70s tribute hit the road with an authentic throwback to the era. Yacht Rock Revue, hailed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band,” invites listeners on a nostalgic voyage through the ‘70s and’80s sun-soaked melodies. The Atlantabased 10-piece ensemble blends impeccable musicianship with a deep reverence for the genre. Their original album “Escape Artist” is a bold homage to this iconic sound. YRR continues to captivate audiences nationwide with their infectious energy and unabashedly joyous performances. Since their humble beginnings in 2007, YRR has emerged as pivotal in revitalizing yacht rock, sharing stages with icons and garnering a devoted following of “Anchorheads.” Whether performing in intimate venues or rocking arenas, their concerts promise an immersive musical journey that celebrates the timeless allure of smooth grooves.
Friday and Saturday, Jan.10-11, 8 p.m. $55, $40, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
a
a magical casita in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. Mirabel tells the tale of her amazing family and her journey to save the casita — her enchanted family home — alongside her sisters: Isabela, whose perfection radiates with her ability to make plants grow and flowers bloom with every step, and Luisa, with the gift of super strength that she uses to help her village move buildings and reroute rivers.
For the first time live, everyone can witness Tia Pepa, who can control the weather with her emotions; her husband Felix; their daughter Dolores, with her gift to hear; and Bruno, the mysterious and misunderstood Madrigal family member whose visions foretold the future.
“I’m especially partial to ‘Encanto,” Johnson says. “It’s so upbeat, high energy, that everyone [in the audience] gets so exited.”
And, of course, We Don’t Talk About Bruno.
Here audiences especially respond to the aerial segment, which showcases the skaters’ acrobatic skills above the ice, along with plenty of ice dancing.
“It looks magical,” Johnson says.
And that’s the timeless Disney mantra: “Anything can happen if you just believe.”
In the end, audiences leave with the understanding that everyone has their own gifts, magical or not, and being true to yourself and loving those around you is what makes you special.
Or as Johnson puts it: “Magic is inside all of us.”
At the end, special appearance from Mulan and Li Shang, Belle and Prince Adam, Ariel and Eric, Aladdin and Jasmine, Miguel from Coco, and Moana celebrate that iconic Disney “magic” in a rousing finale.
Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment
do come
Smooth Dre’s Rhythmic Odyssey
Experience the pulse of Brooklyn hip-hop with Smooth Dre and his crew. A renowned figure in Brooklyn, he’s carved a niche in the hip-hop world with his unique style and profound lyrical narratives. Known for blending classic beats with rich, contemporary rhythms, Smooth Dre delivers music that resonates with authenticity and depth. His journey from underground circuits to mainstream stages has been marked by a steadfast dedication to his craft and an unwavering commitment to his roots. Smooth Dre’s influence extends beyond music; he is a cultural icon who embodies the spirit of hip-hop in every aspect of his life. Dive into a night of relentless beats and lyrical storytelling with Smooth Dre, a maestro of urban soundscapes, with his friends.
Saturday, Jan. 11, 8 p.m. $70. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or madisontheatreny.org.
Photos: Dreams
true when the royal sisters of Arendelle are joined by the Madrigal family in a ice spectacle that fully brings both films to life.
THE Your Neighborhood
Dave
Atell
Start the New Year off with some laughs from one of stand-up comedy’s best, when Dave Atell visits the Paramount stage, Sunday, Jan. 19, 8 p.m. An all-timegreat joke writer, named one of the “25 Funniest People in America” by Entertainment Weekly, Atell is most at home in comedy clubs. He built a loyal following by barnstorming the country with his brand of off-color “very adult” humor, and his audiences got even bigger after his cult-favorite travel show, “Insomniac.” Atell continues to be a presence on TV — including his hit Netflix specials “Hot Cross Buns” and “Bumping Mics” — while constantly writing new material and taking it on the road. Beginning his comedy career in the early ‘90s, Attell ascended through New York’s stand-up ranks alongside the likes of Louis C.K. and Jon Stewart.
After a brief stint writing for SNL, Attell has headed several shows of his own. “Insomniac” followed Attell on late-night trips, tracking down and interviewing anyone who wasn’t asleep for some reason (usually either night workers or drunk people), while “Dave’s Old Porn...well, you can Google that one yourself.” When not on the road, Attell makes regular appearances at the Comedy Cellar in New York City. $59.50, $49.50, $44.50, $39.50, $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Jan. 21
West Hempstead BOE meets
The West Hempstead Board of Education holds its next business meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m., in the videoconference room of the Secondary School. 400 Nassau Blvd., West Hempstead.
Winter Tennis
Sign up for the Malverne Youth Board winter tennis program, held Saturdays, now through Feb. 8, at Point Set in Oceanside. Ages 7 and up welcome to participate. Adult sessions, 10 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon. Youth session, ages 10 and under, noon to 1 p.m. $175 per person. Register at Malverne Village.org.
Peaceful Yoga Classes
Looking to improve flexibility? Reduce stress and enhance your wellbeing? Come to 32 Church St. in Malverne. New students can get unlimited classes for the first two weeks after a payment of $39. Business hours vary by day of the week. Contact (516) 992-6311 or go to peacefulyoga.net for more information.
In concert
Plaza Theatricals’ welcomes the New Year, with an Elvis tribute, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2:30 p.m. Ritchie Santa performs “Elvis Is In The House,” keeping the King’s legacy alive. Santa often shares how, even 47 years after his passing, Elvis connects people who might never have met otherwise. See the show at 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
Bridge Club
Meet up with friends and neighbors for a friendly afternoon of bridge, Wednesdays, at Malverne Public Library, 1-4 p.m. All levels are welcome to attend! No registration required. For more information, visit malvernelibrary.org or call (516) 599-0750. 661 St. Thomas Place.
Malverne BOE meets The Malverne Board of Education next meets Tuesday, Jan. 14, 8 p.m., at Malverne High School. To view the meeting virtually, go to malverneschoolslive.com. 80 Ocean Ave.
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech Open House
Nassau BOCES Barry Tech, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education (CTE) high school, is opening its doors to all students with a passion for a hands-on career. Come and get a “Taste of Tech” at an open house at Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. Following an introduction to the school led by administrators, there will be self-guided tours of the facility. Additional open house sessions are offered in February. Interested students and their families can register for the Open House at nassauboces.org/barrytech or call (516) 622-6812 for more information. 1196 Prospect Ave., Westbury.
Peaceful Yoga Classes
Looking to improve flexibility? Reduce stress and enhance your wellbeing? Come to 32 Church St. in Malverne. New students can get unlimited classes for the first two weeks after a payment of $39. Business hours vary by day of the week. Contact (516) 9926311 or go to peacefulyoga. net for more information.
Musical seasons
Sands Point Preserve’s reserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for the 2025 unique chamber music series, “Four Seasons in Music,” Sunday, Jan. 12, 3 p.m. The duoJalal ensemble-in-residence led by Kathryn Lockwood on viola, with percussionist Yousif Sheronick, violinists Deborah Buck and Emma Frucht and cellist Caroline Stinson presents a German flavored. Celebrating Germany’s rich history of extraordinary composers, including Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Brahms, to the less traditional, this concert will warm you up on a winter afternoon.
A reception follows. $56, $45 members. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For tickets and information, visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
Having an event?
Jan. 16
Teens are invited to Malverne Public Library to enjoy a movie on the library’s big screen. See “Twilight,” Thursday, Jan. 16, 4-6:15 p.m. Share some snacks (provided) and watch a great movie with your friends. Stephenie Meyer’s romantic and suspenseful best seller that started the phenomenon comes to life in this action-packed chronicle of the modern-day love story between a teenage girl and a vampire. Rated PG-13. For more information, visit malvernelibrary.org or call (516) 599-0750. 61 St. Thomas Place.
Mah Jongg
Get in the game. Bring your mah jongg card and set to Malverne Public Library, Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m. Players of all experience levels welcome. For more information, visit malvernelibrary.org or call (516) 599-0750. 61 St. Thomas Place.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) which publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit,
“Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts.
The exhibit encompasses significant cultural advancements during Long Island’s Roaring Twenties/Jazz Age movement, including votes, jobs, and the automobile for women, the beginnings of suburbia with commutation for work, and planned residential communities, which all defined the era, while the following decade brought economic reversals and the WPA program. Works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Fernand Léger, Guy Pène du Bois, Gaston Lachaise, Elie Nadelman, and Reginald Marsh, among others, along with art deco stylists of poster art and graphics, and photography will convey the Art Deco spirit along with its furniture, decorative arts, and fashion.
Like “Our Gilded Age,” the social scene of Long Island’s Gold Coast, and its personalities — both upstairs and downstairs — will be portrayed, along with the ongoing relationship with the immediate urban context of New York with its skyscrapers and deco-styled architecture. Opens Jan. 18, on view through June 15. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Fit As A Fiddle
Jan. 11
Visit Long Island Children’s Museum to celebrate Family Fit Lifestyle Month, Saturday, Jan. 11, noon-2 p.m. Families can make a take-home custom fitness game to get in tip top shape by having fun, at the drop-in program. For ages 3 and up. Free with admission. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Local Starbucks staff join holiday protest
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Starbucks Workers Union members across the country went on a five-day strike before Christmas last year, citing dissatisfaction with the company’s propositions during contract negotiations.
In April of last year, the union and Starbucks announced that negotiations on new contracts for the company’s employees began. Talk will now continue into 2025. The union said that stalled negotiations and a contract with no raises in its first year, prompted the strike.
Consisting of over 500 unionized stores and over 10,000 union workers the SWBU was founded in New York in late 2021, alleging that the Starbucks corporation is responsible for several unfair labor practice charges, such as unpredictable scheduling, unfair wages and unsafe working conditions.
Union officials say that 5,000 striking workers shut down a total of 300 stores across 43 states on Christmas Eve — the largest protest against the company so far.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
Courtesy Anna Carron
The union is a division of Workers United, an international labor union
Public Notices
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff AGAINST Lisa Pearce a/k/a Lisa Williamson; Robin Williamson; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 4, 2019 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 4, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 480 Hopatcong Avenue, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Lakeview, near Rockville Center, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 35 Block 460 Lot 853. Approximate amount of judgment
$287,760.20 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 602518/2018. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Russell Burman, Esq., Referee
LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: December 12, 2024
For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 150764
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P., -againstJUANA E. BONILLA, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 19, 2023, wherein MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P. is the Plaintiff and JUANA E. BONILLA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 6, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 234 SYCAMORE STREET, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552; and the following tax map identification: 35-377-40 & 41.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE, OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT WEST HEMPSTEAD, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 601557/2018. Janine T. Lynam, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 150756 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Nassau, U.S. Bank, National Association as Legal Title Trustee for Truman 2016 SC6 Title Trust, Plaintiff, vs. Sheikh S. Hossain
A/K/A Sheikh Hossain
A/K/A Sheikh N. Hossain, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 13, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 13, 2025 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 771 Maple Place, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate lying and being at West Hempstead, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 269 and Lot 47. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,113,780.84 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610562/2020. Heather D. Crosley, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 193351-1 150873
that bargains for the wellbeing of over 80,000 workers across dozens of industries in the United States and Canada.
Starbucks locations in Lynbrook and Garden City joined the strike. The Herald contacted the Starbucks location in West Hempstead three times for comment, and as of press time received no response. One reason was because the store was short-staffed.
“We started to strike because of the unfair labor practices that were going on,” said Leeana Lee, shift supervisor at the Starbucks in Garden City. Lee has worked at Starbucks for over a year.
“Everybody is back at work, but I do want to put stress on the fact that it was only us testing out the waters. We need (Starbucks) to come back within the actual proposal that we can accept.”
“Starbucks’ biggest pitch was that you could work for them while being the best version of you,” she said. “The reason why I started looking into unions was because that turned out to be not so true.”
While working at Starbucks, Lee claimed that her employer limited the number of piercings she could wear, and wasn’t paid a livable wage.
“I would love to sit down and make coffee for the rest of my life if I could make rent doing it,” she said. “I love my coworkers. I love that I can do something for the community by providing a safe space that’s comfortable. As long as Starbucks could agree to come back to the table and treat us fairly and give us a fair shot, I don’t see myself moving anywhere.”
Lee joined picket lines at locations throughout the strike, including on Christmas Eve. During the strike, she was delighted to see an outpouring of support from the local community.
“When we were on strike, we had food donated, we had people honking for us, we had people stop by and tell us that we’re doing a great job,” she said. “Anybody who’s also looking out to do a
union, the community is the best place to start.”
The strikes, from Dec. 20 to Dec. 24, were meant to show the company that its workers were essential to its success — especially during the holiday season, Lee said.
When discussing insufficient wages, some workers cited the difference between the company’s hesitation to raise wages for workers while the company’s new CEO, Brian Niccol, received 10,000 times greater compensation, according to tech and finance site 24/7 Wall St.
Starbucks Executive Vice President and Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelley wrote a public letter to the union workers one day before the strike, on Dec. 19.
“Workers United proposals call for an immediate increase in the minimum wage of hourly partners by 64%, and by 77% over the life of a three-year year contract,” she said. “This is not sustainable.”
On Dec. 23, Kelley published a second piece detailing the company’s perspective of events. She wrote that 60 stores that day were temporarily closed “because of the actions called for by Workers United” out of 10,000 stores across the country, emphasizing most stores are open and ready to serve customers.
“Over the last three years alone, we have invested over $3 billion in the Partner Experience,” Kelley said. “Starbucks offers a competitive average pay of over $18 per hour, and bestin-class benefits. These benefits include health care, free college tuition, paid family leave, and company stock grants. No other retailer offers this kind of comprehensive pay and benefits package.”
“The union chose to walk away from bargaining last week,” she said. “We are ready to continue negotiations when the union comes back to the bargaining table.”
Workers at the Starbucks store at the Gallery Shopping Center in Westbury on Dec. 22.
Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460
E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.
Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
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My meeting with a president, and what might have been
Thank you, Jimmy Carter.
When I was a student in Florence, Italy, in 1979, I was invited to a fellow student’s home in Munich. There I was awakened by loud noises out in the street, and watched a huge truck with giant arms and claws that was lifting several odd-shaped bins from two street corners at the same time.
My friend explained that this was something called “recycling.” The truck was gathering separated bins of brown, green and clear glass and paper, all at the same time. I was intrigued, and further investigated this new idea, writing six pages of notes. After I returned to the U.S., I hand-wrote that six-page letter to the president of the United States, Jimmy Carter.
Then a strange thing happened. Our office secretary in Monroe, Michigan, came to my desk and said that a man named William Ruckleshaus, chairman of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, was on the phone, and wanted to speak to me. He explained that President Carter had received my letter and wanted to meet. I was 22 years old.
Because it was election time, the president was doing town hall meetings across the country, and selected a high school near my home in Toledo, Ohio. I was sent a special pass to give to Secret Service agents, and on Oct. 25, 1980, at 9:42 am, in a crowded gymnasium, I presented my pass to a tall Marine-like agent who seemed to be aware of the arrangement. He didn’t hesitate. I was walked behind a backdrop by two agents, down a hallway and seated in a classroom.
In walked President Carter, and he came over, shook my hand and sat in a school desk next to me. He was holding my letter on recycling, and we discussed the many specific things he was interested in implementing, starting with government, to reduce waste in the United States. I kept answering, “Yes, Mr. President,” and he kept saying, “Call me Jimmy.”
As we talked, he smiled that big Jimmy Carter grin, and I kept thinking he was too genuinely sincere, too nice to be the president, too down-to-earth — and how surreal the moment was. But the most surreal of all was when he asked me if I would come to Washington, D.C., and work with him to implement this program from the White House. I immediately answered, “Yes, Mr. President,” still unable to call him Jimmy. Then he smiled at me one more time and said, “Of course, I have to get re-elected.”
He lost to Ronald Reagan, and the rest is history. I always wonder how my life would have been, working with the president, overseeing a new program that never materialized. I wouldn’t have crossed paths with the young lady who has shared my life for 43 years, never enjoyed the two daughters we raised or the grandchildren we fuss over, might not have opened my own architectural practice, moved to Long Island or started writing a column for the Herald. I wonder. Thank you, Jimmy Carter!
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Once again, there’s a New Yorker in the White House
When Donald Trump is inaugurated as our 47th president the week after next, he will (once again) be the only president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt who is a born-and-bred New Yorker. Despite his recent relocation to Florida, where he has presided from Mar-a-Lago like an overlord, Trump has never escaped his New York roots. This is important to New York and Long Island. I say this not because of any native-son pride, but because downstate New York has unique issues and challenges that can be best understood and addressed by a true New Yorker. Like me, Trump grew up in Queens, but that’s where the geographic comparison ends. He was raised in very upscale Jamaica Estates. I grew up in very bluecollar Sunnyside. Same time; different stations. Of course, that didn’t stop
Trump from implying to people in Washington that he and I grew up together. So much so that non-New York members of Congress would ask me, “What kind of guy was he growing up?” And my misleading non-answer would always be, “Same as he is today.”
WDespite the very different economic aspects of our upbringings, Trump and I, in many ways, spoke the same language. I distinctly remember when he invited me to the White House in February 2017, a few weeks after his inauguration, for a routine billsigning ceremony. As we spoke for just a few minutes, he gave a big smile and said, “It’s great to hear that New York accent down here.”
anti-MS-13 efforts succeeded in crushing the gang’s reign of terror in Nassau and Suffolk counties.)
e’ll need President Trump’s support and cooperation to address critical issues.
Probably the most relaxed I ever saw Trump was when he invited me to join him at ringside for a night of UFC fights at Madison Square Garden in November 2019. The loud fullhouse crowd chanting “USA!” and giving him thumbs ups was a stark contrast to the Ukraine impeachment proceedings against him that were under way at the same time in Washington.
This year, his giant rallies at Madison Square Garden and the Nassau Coliseum were major parts of his winning campaign.
Executive Bruce Blakeman, county Republican Party Chairman Joe Cairo and former Congressman Lee Zeldin. Trump’s brother Robert lived in Garden City for many years until he died in 2020. On a somber note, I was there last March when Trump came to the funeral home in Massapequa to comfort the family of murdered NYPD hero Jonathan Diller.
Several times when I was talking with him on Air Force One, when he was flying to Long Island to address the MS-13 murder spree, I felt as if I were speaking with just another guy on a Queens street corner, and had to keep reminding myself that I was talking to the president of the United States. (His
Trump also had friendships with Long Islanders such as former U.S. Sen. Al D’Amato, from his years in Washington, and Joe Mondello, who was Trump’s attorney in several business transactions and was later appointed ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago by Trump. More recently, the president-elect has formed close friendships with County
Over the next several years, New York will need the support and cooperation of President Trump to address critical issues, including illegal immigration, crime and drugs, health care for those who continue to be affected by the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, aging infrastructure, congested traffic and high taxes. We will especially need him to fight off anti-New York elements in the Republican Party who have too often in the past clearly demonstrated their geographic bias. Together, whether Republican or Democrat, New Yorkers should work to find common ground with the president to make New York great again.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
The challenge of being president in challenging times
We are entering a new year, in which there will be many challenges for all of us. But the biggest ones will be for President-elect Donald Trump, who is about to embark on a historic second term. We know what he will do on Inauguration Day, but the real question is what kind of president he will be when the history of his second term is written.
Trump made many promises to voters, and there is no doubt that he will fulfill many of them. Voters were clearly concerned about the immigration challenges at the borders, and Trump has pledged to close them down and begin a program of mass deportations. Many voters were unhappy with the way our government works, and for better or worse, there will be changes. The proposed appointees to the Trump cabinet are in most cases total unknowns when it comes to government experience. Thinking that his new
team will be able to function effectively is a big wish that may or may not come true. Many of the proposed cabinet members have never run any type of business, and in some cases their only qualification is that Trump likes them. That could be a recipe for disaster.
Thinking that Trump’s new team will be able to function effectively is a big wish.
Aside from the promise to shut down the borders, the big Trump pledge was that he would do something about the high cost of things like eggs and other household needs. In the weeks since the election, he has made it clear that cutting down on such things as grocery costs is too difficult to accomplish.
Much of his presidency will be defined on Jan. 20, when he will sign a number of executive orders. Some may win broad public acceptance, but others may lead Trump voters to question whether they were the reason they supported him. The pledge to pardon Jan. 6 rioters pleased a small segment of the population, but freeing convicted thugs would send the wrong message in a country that prides itself on law and order.
Trump has pledged to dramatically
cut energy costs by embarking on massive oil and gas drilling programs. Whether that can have any effect is questionable, because the country experienced record oil and gas drilling in 2024, and creating extra product doesn’t mean that prices will go down. We consumers know from experience that the oil and gas producers don’t give any discounts to motorists or homeowners.
Some Trump voters have expressed a desire for our country to curtail any overseas relationships and to once again make the United States into an isolationist country. We went through that experience in the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler was beginning to map out his plan to control Europe and the rest of the world. Since those dark days, we, our friends and supporters have created NATO, and our country has assured our allies that we will defend them if any of our enemies attack them. Obviously, that means China or Russia.
There is no doubt that the Trump presidency will bring about many changes in the way our nation functions. History shows that every president makes some type of imprint on the
country. In many cases, he spends a lot of time trying to erase his predecessor’s accomplishments, and Trump will devote a substantial amount of time to doing exactly that.
In the run-up to Jan. 20, he has talked about a takeover of Greenland and a seizure of the Panama Canal. Greenland still has strong ties to Denmark, which we can be sure isn’t in the mood to give up a land mass rich in precious minerals and other raw materials. Panama controls the canal under a treaty entered into by President Jimmy Carter. Serious attempts to seize the canal would raise questions around the world about America’s written word.
Four years go by fast, and as the clock ticks, historians assess the accomplishments and mistakes of every president. We hope there will be many positive changes from a Trump administration, and that America will be a better place after his tenure ends. That’s my wish for 2025 and beyond, and, I’m sure, everyone’s hope.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
JERRY KREMER
Also
HERALD
Feeling under siege? Combat the chaos.
are you still emotionally shaken by the violent, seemingly random acts that occurred shortly before we turned the calendar and again on New Year’s Day?
On Dec. 22, a woman was burned alive on a Brooklyn subway train. On New Year’s Eve, a man was critically injured when he was pushed into the path of an oncoming subway train in Manhattan.
On Jan. 1, the year just hours old, we awoke to the news of multiple deaths and dozens of injuries when a pickup truck plowed into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Later that morning, a Tesla Cybertruck detonated outside a Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven others. And four gunmen opened fire outside a nightclub in Queens that night, injuring 10.
When these kinds of headlines intrude into our lives, we may feel as though the world is unraveling. The ripple effects are profound: Lives are lost or forever changed, public spaces are emptied, and once-reliable joys like festivals, parades and football bowl games are relegated to the realm of unimportance.
This sense of being constantly on edge is exhausting. But amid the grief and uncertainty, there are ways to process our emotions, respond constructively, and help ourselves and others find solace and strength.
What should we do?
When violence or tragedy strikes, the
letters
Advocating for child care in New York
To the Editor:
The year ahead will be filled with uncertainty and opportunity. Our leaders in New York must create the conditions necessary for every child to thrive, while safeguarding our state’s safety net.
We must demand full funding for our child care and public education systems, ensure that every family has a home and access to health care, guarantee clean air and safe environments, and protect every immigrant. We must demand that our state takes a bold position and does not waver from it. Most important, we must demand that the ultra-wealthy and extremely profitable corporations pay their fair share, because that’s the key to funding the essential services that help everyone succeed.
For too long, corporate politicians and their wealthy donors have put their interests ahead of the needs of our public schools, child care and working families. It’s time for a change. Here’s what we’re fighting for to make this
first imperative is safety. Avoiding highrisk situations and being vigilant in public spaces are more important than ever.
We must also safeguard our emotional and psychological well-being. Start with staying informed, but not letting yourself be overwhelmed. The 24-hour news cycle has a way of amplifying fear, and while information is crucial, it’s equally important to recognize when it’s time to step back. Be selective about your sources of information, and balance the hard truths of current events with stories that remind you of the good in humanity.
It’s also essential to strengthen our communities. Feeling under siege isolates us, making us retreat into individual fear. But fear is best countered collectively. Reach out to neighbors, join local groups or participate in civic events that promote unity.
Advocate for solutions. Moments of crisis are not always random acts of chaos; they are often symptoms of systemic issues, whether it’s gun violence, mental health crises or deep societal divisions. Supporting policies and groups that address these root causes — and working constructively with people whose opinions differ on the issues — is one way to reclaim a sense of agency in a world that feels out of control.
How should we feel?
The emotions stirred by these tragedies are complex and valid. There’s fear, anger, sadness and sometimes even guilt
— guilt over feeling powerless or for wanting to escape the constant barrage of bad news. It’s important to allow yourself to feel these emotions without judgment.
Be resilient. Focus on what you can control. Small, deliberate acts — reaching out to a friend, writing to a policymaker or simply stepping outside for a walk — can help restore a sense of balance. While we may not be able to prevent every tragedy, we can control how we respond to them.
How can we help?
Be present. Show up for others. Simple gestures, such as offering an attentive ear or a comforting word, are appreciated. Help the people who are directly affected. Donate to relief funds, volunteer at community centers or contribute to organizations addressing the systemic causes of violence and instability.
Share stories of courage, kindness and resilience. Elevate these stories — not in an effort to persuade others to ignore the pain, but to remind you and them that even in the darkest moments, light filters through.
Feeling under siege doesn’t mean we are powerless. It means that we are called to action — both in our personal lives and in our communities. We are called to care for one another, to demand better from our leaders, and to work toward a future in which safety and joy are not fleeting privileges but shared realities.
Let’s put politics aside and just save lives
in politics, disagreements are inevitable. They’re part of a system designed to encourage debate and foster diverse perspectives. But some issues transcend politics — or at least they should.
The fight to equip our first responders with life-saving epinephrine autoinjectors, or EpiPens, is one of those issues. And yet, despite its life-or-death implications, my legislation to mandate EpiPens in Nassau County police vehicles has been stonewalled by County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Republican leaders in the Legislature.
I introduced this bill inspired by stories like that of Georgina Cornago, whose son Gio died tragically in 2013 of an allergic reaction. Georgina has turned her unimaginable pain into a relentless mission to prevent others from suffering the same loss. Through her foundation, Love for Giovanni, she’s educated countless people about the dangers of food allergies, advocated for epinephrine accessibility and helped save lives. Her story has touched the hearts of many, including mine.
nCornago’s advocacy has already borne fruit. In 2019, thanks to her tireless efforts, New York passed Gio’s Law, which allows first responders like police officers to carry epinephrine. But her mission is far from over. On a national stage, she continues to push for epinephrine to be as ubiquitous as AEDs, ensuring that no child — or parent — is left defenseless against anaphylaxis. Yet here in Nassau County, where Gio’s story began, we’ve failed to honor his legacy by failing to act.
Anaphylaxis doesn’t care about your socioeconomic status, your neighborhood or your political affiliation. It can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. A child at a birthday party accidentally eating the wrong cake. A teenager at a school event who doesn’t realize there are peanuts in the dessert. A parent walking in the park. Seconds can mean the difference between life and death, and police officers, often the first on the scene of an emergency, can administer epinephrine quickly.
lives and the peace of mind it offers families. Training officers to use the devices takes less than 30 minutes. Nassau police officers already carry Narcan to combat opioid overdoses, and equipping them with EpiPens is a logical, lifesaving next step.
assau County police should carry potentially lifesaving EpiPens.
Cornago has said time and again, “Every second counts.” Yet here we are, wasting months on partisan bickering while lives hang in the balance. Neighboring Suffolk County has already implemented similar measures, demonstrating both the feasibility and necessity of such a program.
So why are Nassau Republicans blocking this bill? The answer escapes me, and I suspect it escapes the parents who worry every day about their children’s safety. This obstructionism isn’t just shortsighted — it’s morally indefensible.
standard. Imagine a Nassau County in which every patrol car carries the tools to save a life. Imagine the relief parents would feel knowing their local police officers are equipped to protect their children from anaphylaxis. This is an achievable goal, and it starts with passing this legislation.
Cornago’s advocacy has shown us what’s possible when determination meets compassion. She’s organized events like Trunk or Treat to create safe spaces for kids with allergies. She’s worked to install public signs in parks, raising awareness of food allergies. She’s even helped educate school districts about the need for accessible EpiPens. Her efforts have saved lives. Now it’s time for the County Legislature to do its part.
At just $100 per EpiPen thanks to a new price cap on the drug — a cost that could be reduced through bulk purchasing — the cost of implementing this program is negligible, especially when weighed against the potential to save
Letters
happen:
■ Tax the ultra-wealthy and corporations. New York has the public dollars we need, but only when we pass legislation that makes millionaires, billionaires and highly profitable corporations pay their fair share. The Invest in Our New York campaign shows how we can raise revenue to support our schools, affordable child care and working families. By ensuring fair taxation, we will finally provide the support our kids, educators, and child-care workers have needed for far too long.
■ A fairer, stronger future for all. Every child needs access to a highquality education, no matter their background. But we can’t make that happen without a state budget that prioritizes equity. The Invest in Our New York campaign offers a blueprint for raising the public dollars needed to fund our education and child-care programs. It’s time for a state budget that focuses on the well-being of all New Yorkers — not just the wealthiest.
Your voice is crucial to making these changes a reality. Join us for Child Care Advocacy Day, on Jan. 28, and AQE Advocacy Day, on Feb. 4. Together we can ensure that the 2025 budget prioritizes public education,
early care and learning, and universal child care, so that all of New York’s children have the resources they need to succeed.
Let’s make 2025 the year we secure a more just and equitable future for every New Yorker.
Re Peter king’s column, “Like many other devotees, I’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods’ dearly (Dec. 19-25): I agree with you, Mr. king: “Blue Bloods” will be missed. It was very well acted and written. What really bothers me is that CBS would not reconsider, despite strong ratings and even stronger outcry about the show ending.
How about another network taking the show, or even better, HBO? It would have worked. It’s a shame that it ended its run this way.
TONY GIAMETTA Oceanside
It’s time for us to focus on what truly matters: protecting our community. For years, Cornago has been fighting to ensure that no other family has to endure the loss she suffered. Her dedication should inspire us all. Yet instead of supporting her mission, some in the Legislature seem more intent on scoring political points.
Imagine a world in which Gio’s Law isn’t just a state initiative but a national
To my Republican colleagues, I say, listen to Georgina. Listen to the countless parents who’ve written, called and pleaded for action. Listen to the doctors and first responders who know what’s at stake. This is not about politics; it’s about saving lives.
Let’s not allow bureaucracy and partisanship to stand in the way of progress. We owe it to Gio’s memory, to Georgina’s tireless efforts, and to every Nassau County family to act now. Passing this legislation is not just the right thing to do — it’s the only thing to do.
Seth I. Koslow represents Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District.
Framework by Alexis Morledge
At Blarney Castle — but did he kiss the stone? — County Cork, Ireland