Gotta catch em’ all at Pokemon Day
The North Merrick Public Library once again hosted a Pokemon Day, uniting young trainers from across the community. The day was made possible thanks to the efforts of Children’s Librarian Brittany Georgalas, and a Pokemon Club that was formed last year.
Above, Jaxson and Jordan Reicherter, twins, with North Merrick librarians Rosemarie Birofka and Taylor Smith. Right, Brielle Campion, who loves trading cards, with her Pokemon book. Story, more photos, Page 3.
By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
Dylan Bazelnov and Ilan Tumarinson are 17-year-old Merrick residents, lifeguards, varsity swimmers, rising seniors and peers in John F. Kennedy High School’s leadership program — where they created a project that contributes to a cause they are both passionate about: swimming safety for kids.
The leadership program at Kennedy encourages students to become young leaders in their community, as juniors are tasked with completing a civics project, which has meaningful impact in and around the Bellmore-Merrick communities.
The first part of the duo’s plan was to visit the Norman J. Levy Lakeside Elementary School in Merrick last school year, where they spoke to first and second graders about swimming skill levels, first-aid kit usage, risks in the water, safety flags, and having appropriate supervision.
“It was great because I really felt like the kids were all engaged, and everyone came out learning what it’s like to be safe in and around the water,” Bazelnov said. “It was great to be able to make a change like that.”
BAzElNoV John F. Kennedy High School student
Bazelnov found the success of the lesson with the students to be emboldening, and seeks to continue developing it out of school.
“We both knew that teaching kids how to swim and preventing drowning was really where we wanted to put all of our focus,” Bazelnov said. “We reached out to our state representatives, and we asked for them to proceed on a bill, which basically would provide funding for drowning prevention and swimming safety.”
“Now that school is over, I have more time on my hands,” Bazelnov said. “I spend that time working — my job entails helping kids learn how to swim, and not just kids that have fear of swimming, but also kids that have disabilities which prevent them from swimming as easily as other chil -
Continued on page 2
dren.”
Bazelnov’s road to learning how to swim started out rough, he recounted. At age 4, he was terrified of the water, but as he became more comfortable with his swimming lessons, he began to teach his siblings how to swim as well — which set him on his current path.
“I feel like it’s very important to know how to swim,” Bazelnov said. “Because if you’ve been living in Long Island, we’re surrounded by water all the time, and it’s very important to know how to stay safe in and around the water.”
Tumarinson has been competitively swimming since he was 9, and completed his third year on the high school’s varsity swim team last school year, he said.
A disturbing trend in New York State spurred the duo to undertake the project, Tumarinson said. According to recent data from the New York State Department of Health, the number of drowning victims the past four years has been at its highest rate since 1998. Statewide, between 2019 and 2020, drowning deaths increased 32 percent.
“I’ve been teaching kids how to swim for the past three years and noticed it’s a huge problem across New York,” Tumarinson said. “It really made me think, ‘Wow, this has to be a serious issue.’ Also this hasn’t been really talk-
dylan Bazelnov and ilan tumarinson, students in John f. Kennedy High School’s leadership program, recently instructed norman J. Levy Lakeside elementary School kids about the essentials of swimming safety.
ed about in elementary schools. There’s no education around it — where do you see education about water safety training? There’s none, unless you have to pay for it.”
After providing swim safety lessons to Levy students, the duo took on a project on a much larger scale — changing
Bazelnov and Tumarinson reached out to State Assemblyman David McDonough, whose office is in Bellmore, and received a return letter, with the assemblyman agreeing to move towards extending the bill for an additional 18 months. The extension bill was signed into law on June 30.
“It feels amazing — I want to do more and more,” Tumarinson said. “I want to reach out to New York City schools because we’ve been only doing it around Long Island.”
Both students thanked their leadership program teacher, Brad Seidman, for helping them find opportunities to make their project become a reality.
“Dylan and Ilan are examples of the type of students at Kennedy that help make it a positive place for learning,” Seidman said, “and help create a school culture where students feel empowered to do things that are meaningful to them and their education.”
state policy.
In the New York State Legislature, a bill was enacted last year, creating a temporary commission to prevent childhood drowning in the state. The commission evaluates and creates programs to educate children and caregivers about water safety protocols.
In the upcoming school year, Bazelnov and Tumarinson will be enrolled in the third and final phase of the leadership program, where they will continue to develop their skills in and out of the classroom.
“One of the goals of the school and community leadership program at Kennedy is to create role models, to create positive change-makers, and the two of them definitely achieve that,” Seidman said.
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Dozens of young Pokémon fans gathered at the North Merrick Public Library for a day of cardtrading fun on July 19.
The session ties in with the library’s theme for the summer: “Adventure at your library.” The gettogether brought children in the community together to share their hobbies and make new friends, said Children’s Librarian Brittany Georgalas.
“This summer, the summer reading theme is called adventure is at your library,” Georgalas said. “We’re inviting children from our community to our library and allowing everybody to get together, celebrate the summer and have a fun time. It’s a big celebration for Pokémon fans, young and old.”
Iformed after young visitors showed interest in the hobby, and is forming new plans after receiving positive reception. The club members were responsible for coloring in posters, setting up stands and teaching their peers about the game at the July 19 event.
One club member is 12-year-old Ayden Luchsinger of North Merrick. The Pokémon Club began last year when Luchsinger and Georgalas discovered a common interest in the franchise.
t’s a big celebration for Pokemon fans, young and old.
Attendees traded cards, completed a scavenger hunt, and, of course, played a lot of Pokémon. Pokémon is a trading card game with many spinoff videogames and TV series. It is one of the world’s most popular brands, especially among young people and those who grew up following the franchise.
BRItANNy
GEORGALAS
Children’s librarian
North Merrick library
“I think Pokémon is a great way to get everybody together in the community,” Georgalas said. “And it’s great to see everybody smiling and having a good time. All because of this one thing, everybody in the community can come together and really just enjoy themselves, meet new friends, and spark new connections.
“Events like this are offered by your local library,” Georgalas said. “The library is a great outlet that communities have, and I’m happy that I can help contribute to that.”
The library also has a Pokémon club, which was
“We found out that we like Pokémon, and I just started to go to the library more and more,” Ayden Luchsinger said.
The club inspired him to take an active role in developing the card game community.
“I love the library, I love Pokémon — these are two of the greatest things, the best of both worlds combining,” Luchsinger said. “It feels good that I’m a part of something, and it feels good that I’m helping, and that I’m actually contributing to the Pokémon fan base.”
“He is like a rising Pokémon Trainer in the library’s community,” said Lisa Luchsinger, Ayden’s mother.
Lisa Luchsinger says her son has become the point-person for anything Pokémon related at the library.
“Ayden has always been alongside (Georgalas) with anything Pokémon,” she said. “It’s her passion for being a children’s librarian, and (the) theme of Pokémon, she has been pulling this event together, and Ayden’s been instrumental in helping her with the project.”
To fellow young people around town, Luchsinger offered this message:
“Go find out if there’s Pokémon at your library — join,” he said. “You’re going to be part of the community.”
A Roosevelt man was arrested for an assault that occurred at a Planet Fitness on July 21, around 7:50 p.m.
According to Nassau County Police Department detectives, officers responded to a call for a disturbance at a Planet Fitness, located at 1630 Merrick Road. Officers observed Getho Brevette, 27, fleeing the scene in his car, heading westbound on Merrick Road. Shortly after, he was involved in an auto accident and left the scene, later returning to Planet Fitness.
Getho Brevette
As officers approached Brevette, he allegedly threw an unknown liquid on them, forcibly removed an officers’ body-worn camera, and threw it on the ground, causing it to break. He then attempted to remove the officer’s weapon. The officers sus -
tained injuries during the course of the arrest, as Brevette was violent and became combative, while resisting arrest.
The officers were taken to a local hospital for treatment and evaluation. Brevette was also taken to an area hospital.
Brevette is charged with two counts of assault, grand larceny, robbery, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, sexual abuse, forcible touching and leaving the scene of an auto accident.
He was arraigned on July 22 at the First District Court in Hempstead.
Brevette was previously arrested July 20 for a robbery at the First Baptist Church of Westbury and was released on July 21.
— Jordan Vallone
Police are looking for a woman they say robbed an East Meadow store on July 23, around 7:30 p.m.
According to Nassau County Police Department detectives, officers responded to a 911 call for a larceny in progress at the Stop & Shop, located at 2525 Hempstead Turnpike. Officers were informed that the female subject had selected items worth approximately $360, and attempted to leave the store without making a payment.
She was confronted by an asset protection agent, who she struck with her shopping cart. She
entered a white suburban style vehicle and fled in an unknown direction.
No injuries were reported.
The female is described as white in her thirties, with brown hair, wearing a light colored t-shirt, black shorts and flip flops.
Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding the above incident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers or call 911.
All callers will remain anonymous.
— Jordan Vallone
A North Merrick man was arrested last weekend, for an act of criminal mischief that occurred on Feb. 5, 2023.
According to the Nassau County Police Department, James Luca, 46, of 2216 Van Nostrand Avenue in North Merrick, ignited an explosive device and threw it onto the hood of a female victim’s car, located in the driveway of her Sherman Avenue home. Luca allegedly fled the scene while the device exploded, causing damage to the hood of the car and the front windshield.
On July 28 around 11:40 a.m., Luca was lawfully pulled over by officers for unrelated vehicle and traffic law violations.
After further investigation, it was determined he was responsible for the above incident.
Luca is charged with criminal mischief, arson and criminal possession of a weapon. He was arraigned on July 29, at the First District Court in Hempstead.
— Jordan Vallone
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A power of attorney allows someone you choose as “agent” to handle your legal and financial affairs, most often if you become disabled. However, not all powers of attorney are created equal. The standard form, used by many attorneys, is what we term “over the counter medicine”. Instead, we choose to use what we call the “prescription strength” elder law power of attorney.
It works just like medicine. What happens when you only have over the counter medicine but you need prescription strength? You know what happens – it doesn’t work, it’s not strong enough.
For example, the standard form allows the agent to make gifts up to $5,000 dollars per year. The elder law power of attorney has no such limitation, allowing the agent to gift any amount. Let’s say a client is going into a nursing home or needs care at home. We often save the family hundreds of thousands of dollars using the elder law power of attorney to gift out to the children those amounts that will help qualify the client for Medicaid benefits. Generally, even on
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the nursing home doorstep, we can save about half of a parent’s assets by gifting. Now, if the client only has the standard power of attorney, they can only gift five thousand dollars a year. When it comes to Medicaid, it’s move it or lose it! Almost all of the client’s money will have to be used for their care.
Let’s say the client has $500,000 in assets and needs nursing facility care. We use the elder law power of attorney to gift $250,000 to the children (tax-free). So long as we use the remaining $250,000 to pay for our client’s care, the family gets to keep the $250,000 gift.
Other valuable powers added to the elder law power of attorney are (1) powers to create or modify trusts (2) powers to change beneficiaries on IRA’s, annuities and insurance policies, and (3) powers to refuse any inheritances left to the disabled person.
For clients age sixty and older, choosing an elder law attorney often makes the difference between keeping your home and life savings or losing everything to pay for long-term care.
The North Bellmore Library is set to rock all summer long with free outdoor concerts, inviting members of the community and beyond to come and enjoy.
The concert series kicked off with the Penny Lane Beatles Tribute band on July 11, and recently featured Face to Face on July 25. The tribute band from Charlotte, North Carolina, featured two amazing pianists covering the best of Billy Joel and Elton John, along with a team of additional musicians.
And better yet — those attending concerts can contribute to a good cause. The library once again partnered with the Levittown American Legion Post 1711 to collect nonperishable food items for Vet Mart. The post runs a monthly food drive and collects donations for various organizations, including Long Island Care and Vet Mart, among many others.
The Nassau County Veterans Food Pantry, better known as Vet Mart, in East Meadow, is located behind the Nassau University Medical Center. It supports veterans who are facing food insecurity.
During last year’s concert series, library trustee Brandon Gimpelman said the items collected by the American Legion “really goes a long way.”
The American Legion post collects cash donations, alongside food. Donations are given to local churches and other food banks, including Long Island Cares. Its efforts to give back to Long Islanders in need began during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, and efforts are still going strong.
Face to Face reignited why the Bellmore-Merrick community loves the summer concerts at the library. The two dueling pianists thrilled the audience, combining their excellent stage presence with classic hits that everyone knows and enjoys.
Neighbors and friends packed onto the lawn outside the library for a great show last week. The library is also collecting nonperishable food items at the concert series, a great reason for the community to come out and listen to music, while giving back to others.
Concerts will continue to take place on Thursdays throughout the summer, weather permitting. Shows begin around 7 p.m. For more information about start times, cancelation dates and a full list of performances, visit NorthBellmoreLibrary.org.
— Brian Norman
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By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
The Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame will hold its 2024 induction ceremony Sept. 25 at the Crest Hollow County Club. For more information and tickets, go to www.sectionviii. org. Here’s a list of local honorees.
Tom Catapano
He’s been nothing short of a wizard since becoming Baldwin’s girls’ basketball coach in 2010. He’s guided it to 12 Nassau Class Conference AA championships, 10 Nassau Class AA titles, 5 Long Island Class AA crowns, a pair of New York state public school championships, and a State Federation title.
Canute Curtis
One of the greatest in a long line of great football players from Farmingdale, Curtis was a standout two-way star at running back and linebacker while leading head coach Don Snyder’s Dalers to an undefeated 10-0 record and the Rutgers Cup in 1991. His dominating performances as a senior were good enough to earn Curtis All-Nassau, All-Long Island and All-State honors.
Crystal Dunn
A genuine soccer phenom at South Side. So talented at a young age that she missed her junior season because she was playing for the United States Under17 team in New Zealand. The Cyclones won three state championships (2006, 2007 and 2009) with Dunn, who scored 46 goals and assisted on 35 others. She was a two-time All-American at North Carolina and played defense for the U.S. Women’s National Team and is a twotime Olympian.
Jim Graziano
The best big man developed at Farmingdale and one of the best to play basketball on Long Island. The 6-foot-10, Graziano was a four-year starter, outstanding as a freshman and improved every season until his senior year when he averaged 26 points and 15 rebounds. A three-time All-Long Island selection, he was the New York State Player of the Year in 1976. He starred at South Carolina and was drafted by the NBA’s Denver Nuggets.
Jay Iaquinta
One of the most decorated football coaches in Nassau County over the past three decades, Iaquinta has amassed 211 victories with stints at Lynbrook, Hewlett and Manhasset. Named the county’s Coach of the Year in 1986 and 2021.
Charlene Lipsey
She played basketball, volleyball, and softball at Hempstead before focusing on
track. In just three years she became a five-time state champ and the Gatorade New York State Runner of the Year. Lipsey went on to a decorated career at LSU and was an eight-time All-American and three-time SEC champion.
Matt McLees
Head coach of Carey’s football team for 16 years and the winningest coach in school history with 76 victories. He was named Nassau Coach of the Year three times, served as President of Nassau Football Coaches Association and is currently the Athletic Director for the Sewanhaka Central School District and Nassau’s football coordinator.
Gary Mims
He grew up in Freeport but became a son of Massapequa. He played three sports for the Chiefs (football, wrestling
and lacrosse) and returned home to coach the wrestling team for 29 years, beginning in 1977. He was named Nassau Coach of the Year three times and produced 31 county champions while winning 291 dual meets.
Rich Ohrnberger
A star two-way lineman for three years at East Meadow, in 2003 he not only won the Martone Award for being Nassau’s top lineman but also the Thorp Award as the county’s best player. After a stellar career as an offensive lineman at Penn State, he was drafted by the Patriots and later played for the Cardinals and Chargers.
V ictor Randazzo
It has been 52 years since Randazzo graduated from Long Beach , and his senior year was special. He was the New
Rockville Centre’s Crystal Dunn was a three-time state champion at South Side, a two-time All-American at North Carolina and a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Thorp Award as Nassau’s best football player and went on to play in the NFL for three teams.
York State champion in the Still Rings competition and the Rope Climb. He won the Still Rings at the Empire State Games five times and went on to become the NCAA Still Rings champ for Southern Connecticut State, helping it to the 1976 collegiate team title.
Max Seibald
A special athlete, Seibald was an AllCounty selection in four sports (football, soccer, track and lacrosse) at Hewlett and a superstar in the latter. He led the Bulldogs to a county championship, beating Garden City in the finals, and was a four-time All-American at Cornell. In 2009 he won the Tewaarton Award as the nation’s top collegiate player. He was a five-time Major League Lacrosse All-Star.
A number of Republican elected officials from Long Island attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee July 15 to 18.
Included in the mix were the GOP congressional contingent from Long Island: Anthony D’Esposito, who represents a majority of the South Shore of Nassau County; Andrew Garbarino, whose district spans from Seaford to Calverton in Suffolk County; and Nick LaLota, whose district stretches east from Huntington Station to the twin forks and Montauk.
Not long after the convention, at which former President Donald Trump and his vice presidential pick, Sen. J.D. Vance, accepted their party’s official nominations, the political landscape changed dramatically, as President Biden decided not to run for re-election and Vice President Kamala Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee.
The Democrats will hold their national convention in Chicago Aug. 19 to 22.
–Jeffrey Bessen
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Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin, along with a town veterinarian and animal experts from the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, provided an update on a feral cat found in Cedarhurst that tested positive for rabies last Thursday. This case marks the first instance of rabies in Nassau County since 2016 when a raccoon was identified with the disease. In response, the town announced a partnership with the Nassau County Department of Health to host a free rabies vaccination clinic for dogs, cats, and ferrets.
“Rabies is a serious viral disease that is heavily fatal to both animals and humans,” Clavin said. “It’s something we take very seriously in the Town of Hempstead. The best way to combat and prevent rabies is by ensuring your pet is up to date on all rabies vaccinations. When it comes to this dangerous disease, it pays to be proactive.”
On Friday, July 19, Town of Hempstead Animal Rescue responded to a call regarding a feral cat in Cedarhurst. Animal control officers promptly brought the feline to an emergency veterinarian, where the Nassau County Department of Health confirmed the cat was suffering from rabies.
A cat in Cedarhust was diagnosed with rabies last week. In response, the Town of Hempstead is offering a free rabies clinic for cats, dogs and ferrets on Aug. 24.
In light of this discovery, the Town of Hempstead, in collaboration with the Nassau County Department of Health, will host a free rabies clinic on Aug. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, located at 3320 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh. Dogs, cats, and ferrets older than four months should receive their first two shots one year apart, followed by booster shots every three years. New York State law requires all dogs, cats, and domesticat-
ed ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. The clinic is open to all Nassau County residents.
Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites, scratches, or salivary contact from an infected animal. There
is no treatment for rabies in animals, making vaccination essential. Once signs of rabies appear, death usually occurs within 10 days for animals. The disease affects the nervous system and has a high fatality rate. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, fear of drinking water, fear of air blowing into the face, insomnia, partial paralysis, and hallucinations.
To protect against rabies, do not feed or touch wild animals, ensure pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations, keep family pets indoors at night, and do not touch dying or dead animals. Individuals bitten or scratched by any animal should immediately contact their physicians or seek medical help at a hospital emergency room and then call the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9663. To report feral animals, call the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter at (516) 538-1900.
“As this is the first confirmed case of rabies since 2016, it is more important than ever to call the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter if you see a feral animal acting abnormally,” Clavin said. “I encourage everyone with a beloved furry friend to join us at the free rabies vaccination clinic on August 24.”
–Jordan Vallone
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
The Nassau University Medical Center has opened a newly remodeled mental health clinic — a state-ofthe-art facility designed to provide comprehensive mental health services to some of Long Island’s most vulnerable populations.
NUMC, which is overseen by the Nassau Health Care Corporation, previously housed its mental health facilities in the J Building, which is one of the many buildings on its campus. The medical center and NuHealth, the health care network that the hospital is part of, has provided adult outpatient psychiatric services to Nassau County residents for 42 years, including comprehensive psychiatric care and psychotherapy, delivered by both psychologists and psychiatrists.
The mental health clinic has played an important role in the county’s health care services for decades, Meg Ryan, the medical center’s interim president and chief executive, said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 23.
“We receive referrals from all over Nassau County — the courts, the correctional center, division of social services,” Ryan said. “It has the largest training program in Nassau County for both psychiatric residents and psychology interns and externs.”
After touring the mental health clinic in the J Building, Ryan said she felt the hospital could “do better.”
“It was immediately clear to me that we could do better for our patients, and we certainly could do better for our staff,” she explained.
The building lacked an elevator, central air conditioning and was in poor physical condition, and the estimated cost to repair the J Building was $2 million, hospital officials said.
Hospital administrators said they then decided to convert the space in its main building that previously housed its Covid-19 vaccine clinic during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The suite was large and useful at the time, but was no longer being utilized, Ryan said. In addition, the cost to make the space work for its mental health services was only $62,000.
The enhanced space features upgraded security, air conditioning and modern amenities, providing a more comfortable environment for patients and staff. The cost of the renovation was offset by donations of $25,000 from the law firm of Abrams Fensterman, and $1,000 from the Kiwanis Club of East Meadow.
Matthew Bruderman, chairman of the board of
Meg Ryan, interim chief executive and president of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, said Nassau University Medical Center decided to move its mental health services to the main building to provide a better experience for patients and staff.
directors for the Nassau Health Care Corporation, reminded those attending last week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony that NUMC is one of three “safety net” hospitals in New York, serving all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
The hospital has made great strides in fixing its financial state, Bruderman said, and its work is reflected in new spaces, such as the mental health clinic.
“It’s about patient care, it’s about employee care,” he said. “It’s about caring about the community. This team, this hospital — I think it’s just an amazing organization.”
Bruderman called mental health “fundamentally important.”
“The opening of this clinic marks a new chapter in NUMC’s long history of serving the needs of our community,” he said. “We are proud to provide a space that is not only modern and welcoming, but also equipped with the resources necessary to offer comprehensive
The mental health clinic was previously housed in the J Building on the hospital’s campus. It has now been placed in a suite, which is part of the main hospital building.
mental health services to people in crisis.”
Dr. Constantine Ioannou, the chair of psychiatry in the health care corporation, said the new suite de-stigmatizes psychiatric care.
“It is the first time that our patients with complex psychiatric diagnoses are part of the main hospital — they walk through the same entrance as everyone else, they are treated exactly the same way everyone else is treated,” he said. “Every place I have been, the psychiatric clinic is further away from the main building, and the only one that is even further away from that is addiction services.”
Ioannou said the work to reopen the new clinic was “lightning fast,” and he thanked everyone who worked hard to make that happen.
“I think this makes a very big statement that behavioral health and psychiatric care is an integral part of the mission of NuHealth and NUMC,” he said. “I think it will help us provide a better and less stigmatizing source of care for our patients.”
Matthew Bruderman, chairman of the board of directors for the Nassau Health Care Corporation, said mental health care is “fundamentally important.”
Sometimes, the tiniest things — in this case insects — have the biggest story.
Welcome to the world of “OVO.”
Cirque du Soleil brings the relaunched show to Elmont’s UBS Arena this month with new acts and characters. “OVO” is a colorful intrusion into a new day in the life of insects. Through Cirque’s signature mix of acrobatics, lively visuals and humor, unique personalities and abilities of selected insect species emerge.
“OVO” explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy. It’s where the every day becomes extraordinary. As told by the creative team: OVO is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects’ home is a world of beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion.
“Imagine you lift up a rock and find a whole habitat underneath it.” says Artistic Director Lydia Harper, who’s been with Cirque du Soleil since 2015.
The spectacle begins as a colony of insects embraces a mysterious egg brought by the Blue Fly. Then the egg disappears.
“It’s such an exciting way to start a show, because then you go, ‘anything can happen,” says Harper.
When that egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It’s love at first sight when a quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye — and the feeling is mutual.
The name “Ovo” means egg in Portuguese. This timeless symbol of the life cycle and birth of numerous insects represents the show’s underlying thread, according to Deborah Colker, the production’s writer, director and choreographer. An homage to her Brazilian heritage, it reflects her background in dance and interest in movement on a large scale.
“It’s a story about falling in love, making friends, meeting strangers, and what adventures they can take you on,” Harper says.
The “colony” of quirky insects each have distinct personalities, fully portrayed by each cast member. The social Ladybug is always clowning around. The cheeky cricket is full of jumping energy. The mysterious spider climbs through her web. With 52 performers, these are only some of the dazzling bugs you’ll meet.
And in true Cirque du Soleil style, the cast’s jaw-dropping acrobatics enhance each insect’s personality.
“There’s an aerial cradle number where we see 12 artists high above the stage. You’ve got humans throwing humans and doing double somersaults. It’s one of those moments where you stop and just go, ‘How are these people capable of this?” Harper says.
Featured as Scarabs in that segment are two gymnasts who competed in the Olympics — Olga
A spectacular ecosystem comes to life in Cirque du Soleil’s ‘OVO’
Shcherbatykh (in 2004) and Nansy Damianov (in 2008).
The Chinese Pole act, one of the production’s newer showstopping additions, is performed by a formidable “army” of synchronized ants.
“There’s a lot of teamwork, you have them climbing up a pole, all in sync. It’s really beautiful,” Harper adds.
Embodying the characters personalities involves much more than gymnastic aerobatics; it requires careful attention to the show’s theme, along with an understanding of movement and cadence of the insects.
“You take an inspirational source and you go, ‘How can I, as a human, create that so the audience understands who I’m trying to be without just crawling around on all fours pretending to be an ant? You’ve got to find the quality of movement and apply it to choreography or a stylized way of moving,” Harper explains.
• Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 15-18; times vary
• Tickets available at CirqueDuSoleil.com/ovo
• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
Add to that vibrant costumes, tech-driven set design and dynamic music — and the world of bugs transforms into the surreal.
“We have this huge wall that covers the whole back of the stage, and that’s brought to life by video projections. So, we have the ability to make it a very small, intimate moment or bring the whole space to life with projections and lighting,” Harper says.
Naturally, the show wouldn’t be complete without accompaniment of a seven-piece band of musician “bugs.”The score, punctuated with Brazilian-style percussion, was composed by Musical Director Berna Ceppas, who has worked extensively in the film industry.
“We have a singer who sings in a various languages. She’s got a bit of Portuguese in there, sometimes Spanish, with the lyrics influenced by the story,” Harper says.
The spectacle takes a magnifying glass to small moments — on big scale in true Cirque fashion — that represent a heightened world booming with life and beauty.
“I’ve always been so inspired and motivated by the ability to create a world that takes you so far away from reality. It’s escapism in its purest form, while blowing your mind at how humans can do these things,” Harper says.“You get to be transported out of this world, It’s kind of making the impossible possible right in front of your eyes.”
Former stars of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning jukebox musical “Jersey Boys,” reunited as The Midtown Men, bring their ‘60s vibe to Eisenhower Park. During their time in the mega-hit musical, these talented artists — Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony nominee J. Robert Spencer — shared the stage for over 1,000 performances. The high-octane musical tour de force that took the “Jersey Boys” phenomenon to Broadway and beyond, is now rocking the stage as a concert. These Broadway veterans, with their band, realized the dream they brought to life as the iconic Four Seasons. The dynamic foursome now celebrates the music that defined the 1960s. The Midtown Men is the next chapter for these accomplished entertainers, making them the first vocal group ever formed by the principal cast of a high-profile Broadway show.
Sunday, Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m. Free admission. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
The acclaimed dance company appears on the Tilles Center stage as it continues its 2024 tour. With a storied history, the first Black classical ballet company, co-founded by dance icon and superstar Arthur Mitchell, has toured the world and introduced young minds and bodies to the power of dance. With all its renown, this boundary-breaking organization has maintained Mitchell’s core belief that ballet belongs to everyone. The 18-member, multi-ethnic company performs a forwardthinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary pieces. The dynamic program includes “Higher Ground,” with choreography by Robert Garland, featuring Stevie Wonder tunes;“New Bach,” and also choreographed by Garland, with music by J.S. Bach.
Sunday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m. Tickets are start at $64; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.
9
Hop aboard that “Midnight Train to Georgia” when the legendary soul chanteuse brings her Farewell Tour to Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, Friday, Aug. 9, 8 p.m. Gladys Knight is without a doubt one of the most influential, beloved, and important living singers on the planet. And while the Empress of Soul may have been in the business for more than 60 years now, that hasn’t stopped her from continuing to rock that beat as only she can do. She’s bringing her classic Motown-style R&B to audiences one last time before she bids us farewell. The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s fierce vocal power, elegant precision, and heartfelt performances have cemented her as one of music’s unquestionable icons. Among her many accolades she is rated by Rolling Stone as one of the top vocalists of all time. For sure, very few singers over the last 60 years have matched her unassailable artistry.
If you’re a fan of her classic Motown-style R&B, then you’ll surely want to see her perform — on more time. “That’s What Friends Are For,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Midnight Train to Georgia” — you know the hits, now hear her bring them to life once again in her inimitable style. You know the hits – from “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “License to Kill” to “That’s What Friends Are for” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” – now see her do them live in a once-ina-lifetime concert. The Farewell Tour is a celebration of Gladys Knight’s extensive, illustrious, and ground-breaking career, packed to the brim with iconic music that captivated the world back then and will continue to for a long time to come. She oozes the Southern aura through her soulful vocals and grace, allowing an audience to get totally swept away in unforgettable moments of romance, mystery, and charisma. Tickets start at $63. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com.
Theatre Playground returns to Long Island Children’s Museum with “Dramatic Play!,” Monday, Aug. 5, 1 p.m., taught by Lisa Rudin, Director of Theatre Playground. In this interactive, theater-inspired workshop, children will act out an original story and help choose how it unfolds. Music, props, and sound effects create a theatrical world where participants are immersed in the story. Children are encouraged to express themselves as they create characters, explore different worlds, stretch their imaginations and build selfconfidence. This week’s theme: Unicorns and Dragons Save the Day! Costumes encouraged. $5 with museum admission. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores holds its Friday Night Car Show, through oct. 4, at the Bellmore LIRR parking lot. Show opens at 6 p.m., closes at 10 p.m. Free for all spectators; admission for cars is $5. For more, visit BellmoreChamber.com.
Movie Night
Enjoy a family film outdoors on Eisenhower Park’s big screen, Wednesday, Aug. 14, dusk, at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. See Disney’s recent animated musical comedy “Wish.” Audiences are welcomed to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharpwitted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe, the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico, to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Eisenhower Park, Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
Mile Run a mile under the moon with EliteFeats at Newbridge Road Park, Bellmore, on Friday, Aug. 9, starting at 6:30 p.m, rain or shine. Enjoy snacks and drinks at the end of the race courtesy of Waterloo Sparkling Water. $25 to participate. Receive a glowin-the-dark tee with your purchase. Proceeds benefit the Never Stop Running Foundation. Call (516) 5313323 for more information.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-networking-
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure, Saturday, Aug. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Michaela Goade’s “Berry Song.” Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Jamie Brenner, best-selling author of several summerthemed novels, among others, fittingly brings summer to a close as guest speaker at Merrick Library, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m. This event is in partnership with the North Merrick and Bellmore Public Libraries. Registration is required. 2279 Merrick Ave. For more information, visit MerrickLibrary.org.
Highly anticipated comedydrama “If You Have Lemons,” presented by Urban Artistic Media Group, premieres at Bellmore Movies and Showplace, Wednesday, Aug. 21, starting at 6:30 p.m. It includes red carpet event, a Q&A session, and a screening; duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes. $17.85 to reserve a spot for the screening. 222 Pettit Ave. For more information, visit @ UrbanArtisticMediaGroup on Facebook or @KeiSongPowell on Instagram.
Enjoy the glorious grounds of Old Westbury Gardens and listen to some stirring sounds, with Gardens favorite the husbandand-wife folk duo Hungrytown, Sunday, Aug. 4, 3-4 p.m Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson, joined by cellist Suzanne Mueller, present their original music blending traditional and modern influences, at the Barn.. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
The League of Women Voters of East Nassau invites all to its next general meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m., at Levittown Public Library. Participate in an engaging discussion. 1 Bluegrass Lane, Levittown. For more information, visit LWVEastNassau.org.
Circus antics
Get in on the action with I.FLY Trapeze, Long Island’s only flying trapeze and circus arts school. Families will enjoy “Wild West Circus,” Saturday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m., at Eisenhower Park. I.FLY Trapeze puts spectators up close to the aerialists who perform amazing feats of athleticism and agility 25 feet in the air. Performances include Chains, Silk and Lyra, with comedy and on the grounds acts with Balancing and Baton, also a Flying Trapeze Finale. Next to the Nassau County Aquatic Center off Merrick Ave., East Meadow. Free parking available in lot 1A adjacent to the trapeze. For more information, please visit: IFlyTrapeze.com.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will span various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority.
Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans.On viw through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Plaza Theatrical presents a showstopping tribute to the legendary Patsy Cline, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2:30 p.m. Through a colorful tapestry of iconic songs and witty personal storytelling, Carter Calvert uses her award-winning vocal talents to create this captivating musical tribute. Calvert, a Broadway star and title character in Always… Patsy Cline (opposite Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers), has gained rave reviews and triumphant accolades for her heartfelt portrayal of this legendary country recording artist.
She vocally captures Cline’s musical stylings pitch-perfectly in mega hits including “Crazy,” “I Fall To Pieces,” “She’s Got You” and “Walkin’ After Midnight.” Both captivating and endearing, this fastpaced entertainment delights audiences of all ages. It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Nassau County Democrats, including Legislator Debra Mulé, accused Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman of not disbursing funds to certain legislative districts and plan to block him from borrowing any more money until he does.
Legislators from those districts say millions of dollars were promised early this year to pay for resources in their communities but remain “locked” by the Blakeman administration in favor of districts led by Republican legislators.
Baldwin, one area withheld from legislator’s first responder funds, also includes East Meadow, Glen Cove, Glenwood, Muttontown, Port Washington, Sands Point and Sea Cliff.
“I’ve never seen things like this happen since my time as a legislator,” Mulé said at a press conference on July 24 alongside other party members. “There is no such thing as a Republican fire or a Democrat fire, there are just fires.
“Shame on anybody who is preventing safety from happening — this is something my colleagues on the majority should be standing up saying, ‘This is wrong,’ ” she added.
Until Blakeman honors the funding requests, which have already been agreed upon with the administration, Democrats will block borrowing until the county executive honors the requests, they say.
Republicans hold a 12-7 majority in the legislature. Blakeman needs a supermajority of 13 votes to approve finance requests for larger countywide projects.
A request in Mulé’s district of Baldwin was made for the Baldwin Fire Department for a new bucket truck last December for $169,241.
“Here we are, seven or eight months later, and we still haven’t heard anything about this project,” Mulé said.
“During my administration, minority members of the legislature received over 2 million dollars for community projects in their districts,” Blakeman wrote in a statement to the Herald. “Previously, the Democrat members of the legislature tried to
hijack the capital budget, withholding funds for a variety of infrastructure projects and public safety projects including police body armor.
“If the Democrats are serious about moving projects forward they must immediately pass the capital projects budget and complete their due diligence and paperwork on project requests that to date have been incomplete and lacking important details. I stand ready to work with either side of the aisle,” he added.
According to a list sent to the Herald from the Blakeman administration, Mulé received $285,317 in funding for Sanitary District 2 to purchase a sand blaster in 2022 and a street sweeper cleaner the following year.
■ December 15, 2023:
$169,241 for Baldwin Fire Department bucket truck
■ September 30, 2023: $167,500 for the Village of Muttontown Police Department License Plate Readers
■ July 29, 2021:
$100,000 for Port Washington Fire Department turnout firefighting gear
■ October 31, 2022: $90,000 for Port Washington Fire Department
Breathing Air Compressor
■ February 16, 2022: $70,000 for Sands Point Police Department communications system
■ August 8, 2022: $37,400 for Glen Cove EMS cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 6 p.m.
At Hofstra University, graduate students plant the seeds to advance in their career. Hear from representatives across 200 programs that include business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and psychology, and learn all the ways your success can sprout at Hofstra University. Your future awaits.
For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit
By Jenna Stanco Intern
There is a new resident species on Long Island, and it might be making itself at home in backyards across the region. Since 2020, New York State has identified spotted lanternflies throughout the island, all boroughs, and areas upstate, despite various efforts to control the population.
Spotted lanternflies are a species of planthoppers, insects known for jumping from one plant to another, feeding on plant juices. They are native to eastern Asia and are believed to have come to the US on a stone shipment to Pennsylvania, according to a statement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Since their presumed arrival in 2012, the bugs have established survival and perseverance throughout the Northeast. They were first identified in New York on Staten Island, but now can be found all throughout Nassau County by the tens of thousands.
“There are concerns that the spotted lanternflies feed on agricultural species, and also both nonnative and native plants,” said Jane Jackson from the North Shore Land Alliance. She explained that the future of the local ecosystem “remains to be determined” if the species is not controlled.
Environment Conservation, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation in responding to the presence of the bugs.
The insects can be found outside feeding on plants, particularly the tree of heaven, an invasive deciduous tree species also native to Asia. They tend to congregate and are known to suck the sap out of their plant of choice, though they only really do damage to plant species that are also considered invasive, according to John Di Leonardo, president of Humane Long Island, the leading animal advocacy organization on Long Island.
“I think that spotted lanternflies are here to stay,” Di Leonardo explains. “They’re just trying to survive, and honestly, they’re consuming a lot of nonnative plants. If we’re saying non-native is bad, invasive is bad, then we can be happy that these guys are helping clear out the tree of heavens while they’re here.”
For over a decade, spotted lanternflies have been spreading across the Northeast, potentially disrupting native flora and fauna species.
The insects can be recognized in distinct phases throughout their year-long life cycle but are most notably apparent by their white spots and jumping movements. Smaller, newly hatched lanternflies, called nymphs, begin to appear in May. As the insect grows and the summer unfolds, they become larger, eventually taking on their distinctive red coloration. Around late July to mid-August, you can begin to recognize the lanternfly in its adult form - gray wings and black spots. The bugs typically live until December and lay their eggs in the fall.
The State Agriculture Department has considered the species to be invasive and “has taken an aggressive approach to managing SLF in New York State, including conducting surveys of high-risk areas across the State, implementing an external quarantine that restricts the movement of goods brought into New York from quarantined areas, inspecting nursery stock, stone shipments, and commercial transports from those quarantine areas, and launching a comprehensive education and outreach campaign to enlist the public’s help in reporting SLF,” according to Hanna Birkhead, the associate director of public information.
The Department works closely with the United States Department of Agriculture, the New York State Department of
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
ELIZON MASTER
PARTICIPATION TRUST I, U.S. BANK TRUST
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS OWNER TRUSTEE
Plaintiff -againstROSEMARIE FRATELLO, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 1, 2023 and entered on August 8, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on August 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at North Merrick, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows:
Despite the insect’s potentially helpful nature, the state agriculture department continues to implement control measures to help combat the perseverance of the species. Emily Ordonez of the department’s public information office explains that if you are to spot any of the spotted lanternflies in Nassau County, the appropriate response is to squash or step on them.
“SLF threatens the agriculture and forestry industries, including apples, grapes, hops, maple, walnut, and others, and is also a nuisance pest. SLF nymphs and adults feed on over 70 different plants with piercing-sucking mouthparts,” Ordonez said. “With each female SLF eliminated, we are theoretically reducing next year’s population of SLF by 60-100, so we very much appreciate everyone doing their part to stop this pest.”
Despite this, the population growth of the spotted lanternflies in the Northeast during recent years can be considered unmanageable and attempts to continue eradicating the bugs are “a fool’s errand,” according to Humane Long Island.
Di Leonardo said various attempts to spray chemicals and set traps to damage the insects do more harm to the environment than the bugs themselves do. “There was a lot of misinformation going out there that these animals are somehow harmful to humans, to many native plants, to pets, but all of that, pretty much, has been debunked,” said Di Leonardo. “They were originally saying that we were in danger of losing mature hardwood and forest to these animals. Now, you know, while they may feed on some of these, they pose almost no danger to them. The plants nearly always recover, with the exception of the tree of heaven and other invasive species.”
SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the PLLC, 2041 Earl Drive, Merrick, NY 11566. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 147990
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
BEGINNING at a point on the westerly side of Richard Avenue, distant 250 feet Southerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the westerly side of Richard Avenue and the southerly side of Henry Street; being a plot 125 feet by 75 feet by 125 feet by 75 feet.
SBL# 55,6,803-805
*REFEREE does not accept cash only bank or certified checks payable to Lisa Goodwin, Esq., referee*
Said premises known as 45 RICHARD AVENUE, NORTH MERRICK, NY 11566
Approximate amount of lien $674,050.36 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.
Index Number 606896/2019.
LISA GOODWIN, ESQ., Referee
Kosterich & Skeete, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 707 Westchester Ave, Suite 302, White Plains, NY 10604
{* MERRICK HE*} 147876
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of formation of Maltese & Gabriele, PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 04/30/2024. Office located in Nassau County.
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 08/07/2024 at 9:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals: THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 509/24. MERRICK - John & Lynn Marie Testaiuti, Renewal of grant to maintain fence varying in height 6’ to 8’ from crown of road; 2’6” high stone wall with 4’ high fence above totaling 7’6” and 7’6” stone columns all larger than pool installation area., N/E cor. East Bay Ct. & Jami St., a/k/a 3450 East Bay Ct. 511/24. MERRICKCarolyn Walsh d/b/a The Pit Stop, Renewal of grant to maintain doublefaced, illuminated, detached pylon sign, overall height 16.75’; 35 sq. ft. per face & overall size 70 sq. ft.; setback 10’ from Sunrise Hwy. & 0’ from side property line., S/s Sunrise Hwy., 119.29’ W/o Smith St., a/k/a 1706 Sunrise Hwy. 519/24. MERRICKDennis T. Roarke, Maintain & install 6’ high fence forward of the dwelling on Camp Ave., which may substantially obstruct line of sight., S/s Burke Pl., 95.75’ E/o Central Ave., a/k/a 2124 Burke Pl. 520/24. MERRICKRussell Miller, Variances, lot area occupied, side yard, rear yard, construct 2-car garage attached to dwelling (demolish
existing detached garage)., S/W cor. McCord Ave. & Princeton Pl., a/k/a 60 McCord Ave. 524/24. MERRICK - Marie Boccio Family Trust, Anthony BoccioExecutor, Variance, average front yard setback maintain enclosed porch attached to dwelling., W/s Sherman St., 101.65’ S/o Thelma Ave., a/k/a 75 Sherman St. THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 531/24. - 532/24. MERRICK - 60 Merrick Ave. LLC, d/b/a Rikos Pizza, Waive off-street parking (interior alterations to restaurant to be maintained); Special exception to use part of premises for outdoor dining; Variance, rear yard, maintain roof over; Waive off-street parking., E/s Merrick Ave., 272’ S/o Smith St., a/k/a 60-68 Merrick Ave.
ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Merrick within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available a t https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 148234
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, F/K/A AS THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF CWABS INC. ASSET-
BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-17, -againstMUSETTE A. BATAS A/K/A MUSETTE BATAS A/K/A MUSETTE MARZO, 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 November 16, 2023, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, F/K/A AS THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF CWABS INC. ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-17 is the Plaintiff and MUSETTE A. BATAS A/K/A MUSETTE BATAS A/K/A MUSETTE MARZO, 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 September 5, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 1815 ECHO PLACE, MERRICK, NY 11566; and the following tax map identification: 62-23-19. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 009357/2015. 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 148253
County's
and
and
Butcher/Counter Person Requirements: Friendly, Knowledgeable, Reliable, Phone Skills, Custom Cutting $18-$20 Per Hour Salary Based On Experience Contact Bill 516-766-3523, Days CDL DRIVER/ WAREHOUSE HELP
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $20 - $25/ Hour
Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com
with
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 mhinman@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST: PART TIME, Must be Fluent in English and Spanish, Must Have Good Computer Skills, Able to Learn New Programs, Pleasant Phone Voice, Good People Skills, Salary Negotiable. 516-726-0309 or Email Resume to coreybickoff294@gmail.com
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $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 Call 516-569-4000 X286
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to
Avenue. Expanded Ranch. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Open layout. Den/ family room. First floor master bedroom. Security system. Taxes: $16,309.12
Avenue. Ranch. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Open layout.
Taxes: $10,162.56
Malverne $620,000
Rolling Street. Cape. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. First floor master bedroom. Handicapped accessible home with ramp and wide entrance door. Taxes: $15,128
Merrick $1,187,500
Pettit Avenue. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Large center hall move-in ready home. Gourmet custom eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and center island. Open floor plan. Formal dining room. Great room with gas fireplace. Ensuite master bedroom with 2 walk-in closets and spa-style master bathroom. All large rooms and oversized bedrooms. High end finishes include cathedral ceiling and custom wood built-ins in office/den. 2nd floor laundry room; also sauna/steam room. Double water filtration system with UV light for whole home. Oversized backyard with 2 tier deck, inground swimming pool with waterfall and professionally landscaped garden. Taxes: $20,015
Oceanside $696,500
Weidner Avenue. Split Level. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal L-shaped dining room. Den/family room.
Taxes: $14,008.13
Rockville Centre $999,000
Lincoln Avenue. Colonial. 4 bathrooms, 2.5 bedrooms. Eatin kitchen with granite countertops and
Q. My neighbor is getting lightning rods installed on his roof as a precaution amid all the storms we’re having. He said his brother in South Carolina had a fire when his roof was struck. The rods, he said, attract lightning, which keeps the rest of the roof safe. Is this a standard thing for your house, and is lightning really a problem? I never worried about this, and never knew anybody having an issue with it. Should I be considering it?
A. Lightning rods aren’t a bad idea; they’re just not a common thing to have. A lightning rod’s purpose is not to attract lightning, but if lightning should be headed in the direction of your roof, rods and attached cabling can direct it to the ground. Grounding is intended to complete the path to a safe point where it can dissipate.
When you see lightning, usually at the end of a hot summer day, what you’re witnessing is a natural phenomenon that’s similar to the static electricity you produce when you rub a wool blanket and see sparks fly. You’re seeing the accumulation of electrically charged ions that will build up until they can be connected to an oppositely charged set of ions.
Most lightning never reaches the ground because of cloud movement. Charges are often created by a column of warm air radiating from the sun-heated ground. The atmosphere cools as the sun’s heated rays are reduced from the shadow of moisture accumulating in the clouds or at dusk.
Any time of day, columns of warm air, helped by low atmospheric pressure — which is literally less pushing of air molecules against one another — allow the heated air against the ground to rise. As these columns of air rise, the ions in the air molecules “rub” against the cooler clouds that have been gathering evaporated moisture from the heated ground. This all happens faster than you can read this, so the friction building up causes large and rapid accumulations. When a path of released ions forms, as the electrically charged ions rapidly move toward oppositely charged ions in the clouds, bright flashes of light energy, from quickly uniting ions that are crashing into each other, are given off. After all, opposites really do attract in nature, not just to form a wedding party. The sound of thunder is caused by the extremely fast and very large force of the atmosphere being separated by the electricity and then crashing back together again to fill the vacuum from the bolt of lightning that just parted the air.
There is a lot of energy in lightning, certainly enough to cause a fire from the heat and friction — between 100 million and 300 million volts, although it’s the 30,000 amperes (amps) that can kill a human. Install lighting rods to feel safer and protect property, but research a trained professional to get the spacing and materials correctly installed. Based on your experience and knowledge, the decision is yours. 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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Barely two months ago, I wrote a column saying that the 2024 presidential race was already a campaign like no other. Little did I, or probably anyone, know what the subsequent weeks would bring.
The cascade of events that would shake the political firmament began on the evening of June 27, in Atlanta, when President Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off in a nationally televised debate on CNN — a debate called for by Biden and conducted pursuant to the rules of engagement that he set. A presidential debate this early was unprecedented. Not only was it more than two months earlier than any previous debate, but neither candidate was yet the official nominee of his party.
It was Biden who called for the debate, and challenged Trump to go mano a mano with him. I never understood why Biden or his handlers issued this challenge, unless they thought
iWhenTrump wouldn’t accept. If so, their thinking couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only did Trump immediately accept the challenge, but the debate was a devastating defeat for Biden, causing even fervent supporters to call on him to consider bowing out.
PAs events unfolded, I would wonder whether people in the Biden campaign had set him up for failure and coordinated the calls for his withdrawal. Those calls increased steadily over the following weeks. Some carried the implication that Biden was too mentally enfeebled to get the job done, or in some cases made that charge directly. Some calls, including one from mega Hollywood star and Democratic fundraiser George Clooney, were loud and overt. Others, from Democratic icons Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi and power brokers Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, were more subtle, but just as damaging.
resident Biden’s political career ended as if it had been planned this way.
Biden attempted high-level damage control, but only furthered the image of his being impaired. Every day, more Democrats were calling on him to withdraw.
Then there was the horrific assassi-
Joe was
must admit that from time to time, I get a little emotional. It takes something significant to trigger that reaction, but I’m proud of the fact that I care enough to react to such moments. I couldn’t help but feel strong emotion when I heard that President Biden had decided to end his distinguished political career.
My personal history with the president dates back to the mid1980s. I was asked to co-sponsor a series of fundraising events for Joe when he was seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate. At the time, I didn’t know him very well, but those informal parlor meetings gave me a chance to see him in action. At the outset, I was very impressed with his encyclopedic knowledge of numerous facets of the federal government. He could recite statistics with no notes, and showed a keen understanding of foreign affairs. He had one obvious flaw: He talked too much. His campaign
nation attempt in Pennsylvania, in which Trump escaped death by inches, one Pennsylvanian was killed and two were seriously wounded. The lasting image of that day would be a bloodied but defiant Trump holding his fist high, defying death and demonstrating grace and courage under fire. That was followed just days later by an exceptionally successful Republican convention, and a triumphant Trump path to victory seemed very real — especially with the drumbeat of anti-Biden stories emerging from Democratic sources. Big-money donors stopped contributing. More stories of Biden’s memory lapses showed up in the media. When it seemingly couldn’t get worse for the president, he came down with Covid-19 and had to self-isolate at his Delaware home — a particularly cruel but apt metaphor. Also damaging were media accounts now appearing of conversations days earlier that Schumer and Pelosi had with Biden urging him to withdraw for the good of the party. (I’ve known Nancy Pelosi for more than 30 years, and we had a good relationship. She is mentally sharp and as tough as
ever, doing what she has to do to get things done.)
There were no sounds or sightings of Biden. Then, on a quiet Sunday afternoon, a letter on his personal stationery signed with an auto-pen appeared on social media, announcing that he would not run for re-election. Just like that, Biden’s 50-year career had ended, and not with a bang. Almost as if it had been planned this way all along — which it most likely had — support for Vice President Kamala Harris came from throughout the Democratic universe. (And, belatedly, from Biden himself.)
Eighty-one million dollars from Democratic donors appeared literally overnight. Democrats hailed Harris as the country’s savior. Much of the mainstream media followed suit. Many of those who did so much to push Biden out now hailed his patriotism and courage. Taking his cue, presidential historian Jon Meacham compared Biden to George Washington!
There are now fewer than 100 days to Election Day in this most tumultuous year. What could be next? Hang on. God only knows!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
team used every signal possible to get him to quit talking, but he loved to regale his audience with Washington stories.
I was pleased to see that every one of the guests came away impressed with Biden’s feel for how the government worked. And during his many fundraising opportunities, he couldn’t help but talk about his personal tragedy. It was at the beginning of his first campaign that his first wife and two of his children were killed in a car crash. In the aftermath of that horrible event, Biden was prepared to quit the race and go back to being a private citizen. But his close friends insisted that he continue campaigning, and he was subsequently elected to the Senate. Biden continued his legislative career, and eventually became the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. An appearance before that extremely significant committee is the first stop for any candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Bill Clinton was sworn in as president. My wife, Suzan, and I spent some quality time with him, and marveled at how gracious he was and how much he had grown over those many years.
Y es, he talked too much, but he also gave unexpected shout-outs.
By that point, I had learned one thing about Joe Biden. He remembered people who had helped him, and never turned his back on any friend, at any time. That Inauguration Day he was busy holding a hearing on some federal court appointments, and he invited us to sit in the committee hearing room to see how the confirmation process worked. He was a strong chairman who warmly welcomed all of the judicial candidates and treated them fairly as he questioned them at length.
me and yelled out, “Give a shout-out to a guy who helped me in so many ways.”
And so I fast-forward to now, when Biden has decided that he will no longer pursue his political dreams. His decision to give up his candidacy for the White House was a gut-wrenching one for him and his millions of admirers. No one on the Washington scene can match his talent for getting things done on a bipartisan basis. In fact, when he leaves the White House, there will be no one left with that unique talent.
In 1997, I had the good fortune to visit with then Senator Biden on the day that
As the years rolled by, I lost contact with Biden, but followed his many moves as he eventually advanced to the vice presidency. Then, by chance, I was invited to attend a speech that he gave in a Manhattan hotel to promote one of his many good causes. I was standing a few rows back at the event, not expecting him to see me or know I was there. But just before he left the stage, he spotted
Say what you will about today’s Joe Biden, but his critics can’t erase the many things he has accomplished. When all the naysayers, including Donald Trump, are gone from the planet, the historians will tell the great story about a humble man from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who was responsible for historymaking achievements, and who joined George Washington and Lyndon Johnson in giving up his dream job for the good of the country.
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.
With the eyes of the world focused on Paris for the Summer Olympics, Long Islanders have special reasons to feel connected to the global spectacle unfolding across the Atlantic. Our very own Crystal Dunn, from Rockville Centre, is once again representing the United States in women’s soccer, while Wantagh’s Andrew Capobianco is competing in diving. These hometown heroes remind us that Olympic dreams can indeed be born and nurtured in our local communities.
Dunn’s journey from Nassau County fields to international stardom, and Capobianco’s path from Long Island pools to the Olympic springboards embody the Olympic spirit of perseverance, excellence and community support. Their success stories aren’t just about individual achievement; they’re a testament to the robust youth sports programs, dedicated coaches and supportive families that form the backbone of Long Island’s athletic culture.
As we cheer for Dunn, Capobianco and Team USA, we’re reminded of the countless young athletes in our own backyards who harbor similar aspirations. From the soccer pitches of Eisenhower Park to the diving boards of the Nassau County Aquatic Center, Olympic potential is being cultivated daily across the Island.
But the Olympics offer us more than just athletic inspiration. They provide a moment for global unity, a rare opportunity when the world sets aside its differences to celebrate human achievement. In these divisive times, such moments of collective joy and shared purpose are more valuable than ever.
No, we’re not a nation of one religion
To the Editor:
On Long Island, we can take a cue from this Olympic spirit. Our communities, diverse in culture, ethnicity and economic background, can find common ground in supporting local sports and celebrating shared achievements. Whether it’s a high school championship game or a community swim meet, these events have the power to bring us together, fostering a sense of local pride and unity.
Moreover, the Olympics remind us of the importance of investing in our youth and their dreams. Long Island has a proud tradition of producing worldclass athletes in a variety of sports. From Jim Brown in football to Sue Bird in basketball, our local heroes have shown that with proper support and resources, the path from local fields and pools to international arenas is possible.
This Olympic season, let’s recommit to supporting our local sports programs and recreational facilities. Let’s ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality coaching, safe playing fields, well-maintained pools, and the opportunity to pursue their athletic passion. This isn’t just about creating future Olympians; it’s about building healthier, more connected communities.
The Olympic motto — “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together” — can serve as an inspiration beyond sports. In our local governance, business practices and community initiatives, we can strive to be more efficient, aim for higher goals, build stronger bonds, and do it all collaboratively.
As we watch the Olympics unfold, let’s use this opportunity to reflect on
Re Will Sheeline’s column last week, “We are not a nation of one religion”: We’re not even a nation of one Christianity, and that’s part of the problem. Those demanding a national “return” to some mythical origin are selling a bogus product, relying on American’s ignorance of history and religion.
The bait and switch begins by invoking the Puritans. They opposed England’s established church, and were allowed to leave, partly as exile, in order to set up a “plantation” along the lines of Ulster and Jamestown. They were Christians, but subject to the King. Some 170 years later, the United States was founded, and one of the things the American Revolution rejected was the ancient combination of church-state.
Thomas Jefferson, a biblical scholar, composed
our own community. How can we embody the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect in our daily lives? How can we support the Crystal Dunns and Andrew Capobiancos of tomorrow who are practicing in our local parks and pools today?
Let’s also remember that not every young athlete will make it to the Olympics, and that’s OK. The real value of sports lies not in the medals won, but in the life lessons learned: teamwork, discipline, resilience and the pursuit of personal bests. These are qualities that serve us well in all aspects of life, from the classroom to the boardroom.
In the spirit of the games, let’s challenge ourselves to go beyond being spectators. Volunteer at a local youth sports league, mentor a young athlete or simply show up to cheer at a high school game or swim meet. These small actions can have a profound impact on young people’s life and contribute to the vitality of our communities.
As Crystal Dunn takes the field and Andrew Capobianco climbs to the springboard in Paris, they carry with them not just the hopes of a nation, but also the pride of Long Island. Their journeys from local fields and pools to the world stage are reminders of the potential that exists in every corner of our community.
Let the Olympic flame ignite a renewed sense of community spirit here on the Island. Together we can create an environment where every child feels supported in pursuing their dreams, athletic or otherwise. In doing so, we’ll be building a stronger, more united community — one that truly embodies the Olympic ideal.
sometimes good things come from bad things. That’s why I am hopeful.
The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump once again shook the foundation of America’s democracy. Deadly shots fired could further tear our country apart . . . or not.
This horrific event might just give America a new opportunity to heal the divide.
President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump and elected officials can all help us come together as a nation.
I have always tried to work across party lines. At my swearing-in speech before Congress in February, I said, “Wake up. The people are sick and tired of finger-pointing and petty partisan politics.”
We know our country is fractured. Partisanship prevails. Confrontation has replaced cooperation. Anger and hate speech seem much too common. Congress is literally a House divided against itself.
Our founders disagreed on many things, but were unanimous in their
contempt for partisan politics, calling it “a dangerous vice and a moral disease.”
I have championed the belief that we must find common ground, that we must work across party lines to actually get things done for people. We can disagree with one another, but we must remember that we are in the solutions business. Again, we can disagree, but we must not hold one another in contempt. Contempt is one of the biggest problems in our politics. It’s a recipe for disaster.
tI have always worked hard to build coalitions of like-minded Democrats and Republicans to solve problems. Right now I am focused on the border. So what is causing this intense division?
15 percent — and those who vote tend to be more extreme on the political spectrum, extremist candidates on both sides tend to win.
A candidate in a safe seat only need win the primary; the general election is safe. To win the primary, too many candidates just pander to the base.
he attempt on Donald Trump’s life shook the foundation of our democracy.
Second, the more extreme you are on social media, the more “likes” or “follows” you get. We have all seen hateful, venal posts that seem to get more views than even the cute cat videos. Extreme social media is also more likely to generate small donor contributions from a vast audience. “Let’s work together” just doesn’t seem to generate much excitement.
tent. They are blowing up issues where we have the slightest disagreement and trying to make us unrecognizable to one another.
Our laptops and cellphones have become treasure troves of misinformation, disinformation and phony websites. Computer algorithms are programmed to feed us more and more of the same content we seem interested in.
But I still have great faith in the American people, and in our system.
Biden, Harris and Trump have a wonderful opportunity in the coming months to move beyond divisive rhetoric and try to bring us together. We can disagree — disagree strongly — but not promote contempt or hate, and certainly not violence.
I think there are four major factors contributing to today’s divisions: safe seats, social media, cable news, and our foreign adversaries.
The first major problems we face is gerrymandering, drawing congressional and other seats to favor one party. Ninety percent of House seats are safe — overwhelmingly Democratic or Republican. The only way to beat a member of Congress in a safe district is to primary them. But since so few people vote in primaries — fewer than
his own Christ-centric bible, yet when later asked why the Constitution didn’t mention God, he replied, “We forgot.” The founders, and American society, were “Christian,” but of a wide variety that included Anglicans, Baptists, Quakers and even the (then) widely hated Catholics, and the often suspect Jews.
The founding era of the 1780s was dominated by the Enlightenment of liberal ideas, of science, and of democracy as a natural extension of the Christian precept of equality. Abandoning “established” religion was affirmed as a form of progress. It reinforced the common goals of unity, democracy, of free expression and liberty of association.
American culture was dominated by what was later called mainline Protestantism. This Christianity, retaining much of Catholic theology, held truth and God as aligned; reason, logic and science were God-given tools to comprehend the universe and means to improve the human condition. That Christianity supported the democratic republic being constructed.
Seventy-five years later, this was what Lincoln meant by “our ancient faith”: the tradition of church-free, ethical democracy. The U.S. did not then have a Pledge of Allegiance, no “under god” until 1953. About 100 years after Lincoln, this remained the core of Martin Luther King’s philosophy: a Christian-infused population would bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice. It has.
Under the label “Christian,” House Speaker Mike Johnson types seek to sell a “biblical worldview” model, the Jeff Landry sorts spout his Commandments as a preamble to the Constitution, and the Lauren Boebert fools are “tired” of America’s history of opposition to their dominion. They promote, under the costume of Christian morality, an Old Testament time of “divine right” governance, rigid social hierarchy, slave economies and tribal warfare. America is far too Christian a country to accept such foolishness.
Third, cable news. Think Fox and MSNBC. Depending on the show and the target audience, cable news networks hire talent and invite guests who will reinforce their own narrative that the other side is destroying our country. The crazier the quotes, the more airtime you get.
Fourth, and the most pernicious, our foreign adversaries Russia, the Chinese Communist Party, Iran, and North Korea are using our freedom of speech, our social media and more, and they are sowing disinformation and discon-
Framework by Tim Baker
I’m hopeful, too, that we might all seize this moment to recognize that politics is serious business, and realize how harmful hate is and how badly it affects the political climate.
No foreign adversary can ever hope to defeat America. None ever has. The greatest threat to our republic comes not from external forces, but from within. Only internal divisions could topple our government.
Now more than ever, let’s all find common ground, work together, and make America the best it can be.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
