Oceanside/Island Park Herald 11-28-2024

Kepherd Daniel/Herald

The cast of ‘Oklahoma!’, which has been rehearsing for weeks, will stage two shows at Oceanside School Six on Dec. 7 and 8.

Oceanside to stage ‘Oklahoma!’ Theatre guild to give two performances at School Six

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

The Theatre Guild of Oceanside, a community theater program in association with Oceanside Department of Community Activities will bring the classical Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Oklahoma!” to the stage next month for two memorable performances at Oceanside School Six.

Under the direction of longtime Oceanside teacher Bruce Bider, the musical will be performed on Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. The community production, showcasing both seasoned performers and talented newcomers, promises to breathe new life into the timeless tale of love, rivalry and hope on the American frontier.

Set in the early 1900s, “Oklahoma!” tells the story of farm girl Laurey and her suitors, cowboy Curly McLain and the mysterious Jud Fry.

The production has already created a strong sense of community among its cast and

crew. For many, “Oklahoma!” is more than just a show — it’s an opportunity for the performers to connect with others, hone their craft, and share the joy of theater with audiences from near and far.

“This cast, and even (with the) challenges they’ve faced, is one of the nicest group of people that I have ever worked with,” said Oceanside resident Jacki Schwartz who will play Aunt Eller. “I just think theater people, in general, are very nice, but this group happens to be extraordinary. And to me, that’s the best part of the rehearsal, is being with these people.”

For many involved, the production represents a chance to either return to or debut on the stage. Oceanside resident Mark Greenberg thanked his daughter, Gracie, who is studying musical theater in college and once had Bider as a teacher, for debuting in his first production.

Gracie Greenberg, who starred as Miss Hannigan in the play “Annie” during her

Parents voice concerns over Guardian Bus

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

A Change.org petition, titled Demanding Accountability and Safety from Guardian Bus Company, has sparked concern among Oceanside residents, who are calling for immediate safety reforms after a student suffered a head injury on a school bus.

Guardian, a division of the Logan Bus Company, provides transportation for generaleducation, specialneeds and preschool students across New York State. The petition alleges Guardian’s negligence, insufficient training, and a lack of transparency in addressing number incidents involving personal injuries over the years. The petition, as of press time has 538 signatures. Guardian drivers have been involved in several crashes, including a February 2021 fatal crash in Oceanside in which a Guardian bus fatally struck an 81-year-old pedestrian and a March 2022 crash in Merrick

when a Guardian bus hit a pickup truck, before fatally striking a 70-year-old pedestrian and smashing into a dry cleaning store. Neither incident involved criminality.

LISBEtH SALAzAR

Oceanside mom

Oceanside parent Lisbeth Salazar, said her 5-year-old son Ethan was injured while riding a bus on the way home from school in September. Ethan hit his head against the window due to, what his mother claims was reckless driving, which resulted in a visible bump and bruise. Salazar sent her son to the doctor and was not informed immediately about the injury by the bus driver. She sent an email to the school later in the day, asking why those on the bus did not inform her of the incident. After which the school nurse checked her son the next day.

“You have to see how the buses are driving and if they are following safety guidelines,” Salazar said. “I know the bus company is responsible to some extent, and they should be responsible. But it’s the school COnTinueD On page 11

Giving Birth? Look No Further than the South Shore’s Only High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care

Mothers looking for a hospital at which to give birth should consider the quality indicators used by U.S. News & World Report ® to determine institutions deemed High Performing for Maternity care.

Mount Sinai South Nassau is the only South Shore hospital to earn the rating of High Performing based on eight key measures:

• Reduced C-section delivery rates

• Low early elective delivery rates

• Low overall unexpected newborn complication rates

• Increased routine VBAC rates

• Increased exclusive human milk feeding rates

• Low episiotomy rates

• Routine birthing-friendly practices

• Transparency on racial/ethnic disparities

If you want the best birthing experience for you and for your baby, look no further than Mount Sinai South Nassau.

Learn more at southnassau.org/maternity, or call 877-SOUTH-NASSAU.

Oceanside firefighters train for flash flood disasters

By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com

The Oceanside Fire Department joined the Nassau County Fire Commission ford a large-scale training exercise on Nov. 3 aimed at enhancing the county’s response to flash flooding disasters. Over 100 first responders from twelve local fire departments, as well as teams from the Nassau County Office of the Fire Marshal and Fire Communications, participated in the event.

“This training exercise allowed first responders to become more familiar with dispatch and response procedures and the operation and capabilities of their specialized response vehicles,” Matt Colgan, chairman of the Fire Commission, said, “as well as allowing them to practice radio communications interoperability, better preparing them to respond to future disasters with flooding.”

The exercise simulated a major flash flooding scenario, with responders using high water rescue trucks and specialized water rescue teams to practice life-saving techniques in flooded areas.

The event began with responders staging at various locations throughout the county, prepared to assist their communities impacted by flash floods. From these staging areas, Colgan explained, teams were dispatched to

nearby sites with “mock flooding emergencies,” where they practiced deploying rescue resources to assist fire departments in neighboring areas. The scenario tested the efficiency and coordination of multiple agencies working together in a flood crisis.

A key aspect of the exercise, Colgan said, was testing communication sys -

tems. Teams practiced using countywide radio repeater systems, ensuring coordination among agencies for seamless communication during an actual disaster. The exercise also highlighted the importance of pre-positioning rescue resources, allowing agencies to respond quickly when disaster strikes.

“The training exercise practiced

procedures for staging resources ahead of a disaster and later dispatching them to incidents,” Colgan said, “in addition to testing radio repeater systems to provide countywide radio communications interoperability.”

At the conclusion of the event, all participants gathered at the Nassau Coliseum for a review and debriefing, according to Colgan, for the opportunity to assess the exercise and discuss any challenges faced during the operation. A vehicle and equipment showcase followed, allowing first responders to familiarize themselves with the specialized flood rescue vehicles and equipment available to them during these emergencies.

Colgan said the training event was designed to improve coordination, enhance operational readiness and ensure that Nassau County’s 71 volunteer fire departments are well-prepared to respond to future flash flooding incidents. By practicing key procedures and strengthening communication, the county aims to provide a faster, more efficient response in times of natural disaster.

“Nassau County is protected by 71 Volunteer Fire departments,” Colgan said, “and this exercise allowed the County’s fire departments to operate as one fire service, professionally protecting the residents of Nassau with specialized rescue resources so they are always response ready.”

After traveling the world, O’Side native publishes book

By JANET PRETE Correspondent

Oceanside native Brian Gruber, 69, had a concern that the U.S. was heading in an authoritarian direction and his questions led him on an overland tour from Lisbon to Istanbul to speak with historians, experts, authors, journalists, people on the street, and artists about how fascism ascended in Europe. Gruber wanted to find out what fascism or authoritarianism looked like. His goal was to write a book before the election.

The result of his research is the recently published “My Fabulous Fascist Summer.” Gruber is currently in the United States promoting it.

Gruber graduated from Oceanside High School in the 70’s, Queens College, and then graduate school at Pepperdine, studying media and communications. He was the first head of marketing for C-span when he was in his 20’s, where he also hosted 2 live call-in shows a week with senators and congressmen.

“That was an amazing experience for a young guy,” he said.

After marketing executive positions in various urban cable systems, including for a cable company in Australia, Gruber started some online public forums for organizations such as the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Chautauqua Institution, and the New York Public Library.

After spending a month on Ko Pha Ngan island in Thailand writing a book,

he fell in love with it and eventually moved there. Living on Ko Pha Ngan provided him the opportunity for a different kind of life, close to nature, with low overhead, where he could do whatever creative work he wanted, regardless of commercial benefit.

Gruber’s latest book concept was to understand what fascism is. The book talks about historical authoritarian regimes like Antonio de Oliveira Salazar in Portugal, Franciso Franco in Spain, Benito Mussolini in Italy, and Adolf Hitler. It discusses some contemporary regimes

like Victor Orban in Hungary, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey.

Gruber focuses on the way fascism came about in each country, the human costs, and the unique flavor of fascism in that country.

During his travels, a German political artist and publisher walked Gruber through the Munich Documentation Center on the site of The Brown House, which was the headquarters of the Nazi party. It is now a well-curated museum that walks the visitor through the history of Germany, starting in WWI, through the 1920’s

when Hitler started to agitate, then the 1930’s when he came to power, and WWII. Gruber was struck by a photo of the prisoners of Dachau Concentration Camp, forced on a march through German villages when American troops were coming to liberate the camps. The caption said that the Germans in the village “were watching with a mixture of indifference and fear.”

“And that word indifference just really shook me,” Gruber said. “And I thought, what are we indifferent to in this country. Looking at that photo really shook me up and what that museum did well was show how it was all normalized.”

In order to get a different perspective, Gruber started his European tour by having dinner in Budapest with an official of the Victor Orban regime. He gave Gruber a different understanding of the authoritarian regime.

“Listening to people with a different point of view is always enlightening and I was surprised how much I enjoyed that conversation with him,” Gruber said. Gruber plans to promote this book over the next year and then start his next project, a book called “The Fourth Quarter.” He’ll interview NBA and NFL coaches and athletes to find out how they play differently in the fourth quarter when time is running out, they’ve been banged up a little, and they are a little wiser. He will talk to people who have reinvented themselves in the “fourth quarter” of life, as they see an opportunity for a different way of life.

Courtesy Kevin Madigan

First responders from twelve fire departments across Nassau County, as well as teams from the Nassau County Office of the Fire Marshal and Fire Communications, gathered at the Nassau Coliseum after a day of flash flood response training.

Courtesy Brian Gruber

Brian Gruber, left met with and Paolo Salom, an Italian newspaper editor and author. They signed each other’s books. Salom is holding “WAR: The Afterparty,” a book Gruber wrote nine years ago.

School Eight students tour Oceanside Library

Last May, School Eight teacher Megan Lewitin reached out to the Oceanside Library to schedule a tour for her students. She wanted her class to be the first to tour the newly renovated building. This week, her wish came true.

The students checked out the book drop, the quiet study rooms, areas for books, movies, and music CDs to borrow on the first floor, the movie theater and craft rooms downstairs, the room devoted to teens on the second floor and the children’s area, also on the second floor. Before leaving, they searched the stacks until they each found a book to borrow. Many students grabbed a chair and began reading immediately.

The students talked about how valuable libraries are for studying, learning, reading, writing, and getting inspired. Everyone who didn’t already have a library card left with a new one and a borrowed book.

“My favorite part of the visit was choosing books to borrow and we can come back to return them,” Skylar said You don’t even have to pay”.

Several students also enjoyed the garden behind the library, which is overlooked by a sunny room with comfy chairs to read and a big jigsaw puzzle that everyone can add to. “My favorite part of the library is the garden because it’s a relaxing place to read and write.” Matteo said.

took a moment to contribute to the communal

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Wendy Mass

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

“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can,

To all the people you can, As long as you ever can.”

— Kepherd Daniel

Courtesy Oceanside School District

Oceanside School Eight students and their teacher, Megan Lewitin, in a quiet study area of the newly renovated Oceanside Library, overlooking the garden. Students

jigsaw puzzle.

O’Side fifth grader helps bring holiday joy

Long Island Reach’s annual Thanksgiving food drive ensured a happier holiday for 35 families this year, thanks to the efforts of Shannon Romig, a board member of Long Island Reach, and Finnleigh Farrell, a fifth grader from Oceanside School Eight.

Romig and Farrell spearheaded the initiative by creating and distributing flyers, collecting donations, and sorting and bagging food for distribution.

The drive was supported by Long

Joe Smith, left director of Long Island Reach with staff members

Flossy Conyers and Rosie along with Finnleigh Farrell, a student from Oceanside School Eight.

Island Reach staff, including Dr. Joe Smith, director, and team members Flossy Conyers and Rosie, who worked alongside Farrell to prepare the packages.

Long Island Reach, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides crucial assistance to families in need year-round.

–Kepherd Daniel

Photos courtesy Maureen Romig

Shannon Romig, a board member of Long Island Reach with Finnleigh Farrell,left, a fifth grader from Oceanside School Eight.

Local leaders reject regionalization plan

By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brian Norman/Herald

Theatre guild to bring ‘Oklahoma!’ to life

school years, encouraged her dad to join the production after hearing Bider needed cast members. Though hesitant at first, he agreed to help and has found the experience transformative.

“I was always just the dad watching my daughter perform,” he explained. “Now it’s my turn to jump in, and it’s like another world. Everyone’s so talented. I’m learning every day and I’m just so happy to be here.”

Wantagh resident Jon Geffner took the plunge after a 40-year hiatus and “Oklahoma!” will mark his 14th production in six years.

“Sometimes, theater chooses you,” Geffner said, reflecting on how his life experiences and love of performance ultimately guided him back to the stage.

The production has attracted talent from residents in Suffolk County, Nassau County and Queens, who will all partake in the production.

“When I saw there was an audition for ‘Oklahoma!’ it was a no-brainer,” Tracy Weisberg Gang, who recently moved from Atlanta to Queens, said, adding that she’s thrilled to play the role of Laurey. “Rodgers and Hammerstein have always felt like home to me. This show gave me an opportunity to be part of something familiar and make friends in a new place.”

Sharing in Gang’s excitement is her family, traveling from Atlanta and Florida to attend the performances.

Hillary Kass Nussdorf, the show’s choreographer and a Long Beach resident, echoed similar sentiments and credited Bider for leading the cast throughout the weeks.

“There’s so much more talented people in community theater than people think,” she said. “Bruce doesn’t do theater shows that are just done all the time, he picks shows that have not been done and they’re so classic, and that’s one of the greatest things about him.”

Bringing such a classic to life isn’t without its chal-

the play by rodgers and Hammerstein is a classic that director Bruce Bider hopes will educate and inspire.

lenges. The cast has spent countless hours mastering complex harmonies, choreography and scene work. For many, learning to sing, dance and act simultaneously has been a steep but rewarding learning curve.

“Dancing and singing at the same time can be like walking and chewing gum — it’s not as easy as it looks,” Geffner joked.

Bider, an accomplished director who has been directing community theater for more than 30 years, has been

instrumental in helping the cast overcome these hurdles. He started directing when in the fifth grade with a class play and began directing in the Oceanside School District in the 1990s. Bider recently retired in June after 36 years as a general music teacher at the elementary and kindergarten level after 36 years and did all the schools play, which has allowed him more time to focus on directing community theater, which he is very passionate about.

“Hillary and Bruce are so encouraging,” Schwartz said. “Bruce is one of the best musicians on Long Island. I’ve worked with some incredible talents, and he’s right at the top.”

The cast hopes the production will not only entertain but also inspire audiences to explore other classical musicals.

“We have people who have been around for, who knows, many years we’ve been around, and it all just comes together in the end,” Oceanside resident Ed Tupper, who will play Cord Elam, a federal marshal, said. “We become a family for the couple of months that we’re together.”

Yelena Mirsakova, a dancer from Westbury, who will play the role of Kate added, “The joy is palpable. If we share our energy with the audience and they reflect it back, it creates something magical. There’s nothing better than that.”

First premiering on Broadway in 1943, “Oklahoma!” was a revolutionary piece that helped define the American musical theater tradition. Its iconic songs, including “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” and “People Will Say We’re in Love,” remain staples of the genre.

“I feel like this is a gift,” said West Hempstead resident Nomi Dayan who plays Gertie Cummings. “What we hope the audience takes away is the pure joy of experiencing human creativity through music.”

The stars are dimmed by light pollution

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

By NICOLE FORMISANO

Special to the Herald

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

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

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

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

Summer nights on Long Island, for example, used to mean a world illuminated by fireflies. That likely won’t be the case for the next generation. The bioluminescent beetles can’t find potential mates amid an overlit world, and are becoming increasingly endangered.

Light pollution is increasing by 10 percent every year, according to DarkSky International, a nonprofit fighting to mitigate the problem. And we’re already suffering the effects.

Losing the night sky

“I know nothing with any certainty,”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The health risks of light

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

the night sky

blue light is worth a bit of teenage ire.

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

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

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

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

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

Courtesy Ken Spencer

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

The more lights, the less we see of the sky

Continued from PreViouS Page

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

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

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

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

Let there (not) be light

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Those looking to learn more can visit DarkSky.org.

Every man’s right

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

As the world around us charges forward unceasingly — always asking for bigger, better, more — we rarely think of the things we lose little by little, day by day. We may not even notice when the Little Dipper dims into oblivion; when each star of Orion’s belt blinks out, one by one; when, one day, even brilliant Jupiter is extinguished, and we are left with a lone moon in a gray sky.

I’ll tell my grandkids stories of the firmament, how light traveled billions of light years to make its way to us, and all we had to do to see it was look up. I wonder if they’ll believe me.

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

–Nicole Formisano

Courtesy DarkSky International

HERALD SchoolS

O’Side art students visit the Whitney Museum

Oceanside High School art teachers Kathryn Thiel and Nanci Nigro led a field trip of students in Cartooning and Photo III classes to visit the Whitney Museum in New York City. The students saw several exhibits, including stand-outs Edges of Ailey and Wanda Gag’s World. The Edges of Ailey exhibit brings together visual art, live performance, music, a range of archival materials, and a multi-screen video installation to celebrate the life, influences, and artistry of legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey.

Wanda Gag’s World presents a selection of prints by the artist, illustrator, and children’s book author Wanda Gág (1893–1946). The students also enjoyed a walk on the High Line before heading back to Oceanside.

— Kepherd Daniel

Jillian Edelman wins ‘School Hero’ award

Jillian Edelman, a Teaching and Learning Coach at Oceanside School Five, was a winner of the Long Island School Hero Award from the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying. Nominations for the LI School Hero Award come from students and are anonymous. Edelman accepted the award at a special ceremony of the coalition in October.

NewS briefS

Olivia Edwards of OHS with Andrew Frey-Gould, director of media, fine and performing arts, Maria Anisansel, her art teacher, and Kathryn Thiel, also an OHS art teacher. Olivia was one of three students whose work was accepted for exhibit

Three Oceanside High School students get art work accepted into art exhibit

Julietta Beauchesne, Olivia Edwards and Madeline Haefner were excited to learn their work has been accepted into The Art Guild’s 2024 Nassau County High School Student Juried Art and Competition. There

were over 200 entries submitted this year and only 70 pieces were accepted into this exhibit. Edwards attended The Art Guild’s Artist’s Reception & Awards Ceremony.

— Kepherd Daniel

Courtesy Oceanside School District Art students at Oceanside High School got to spend a day at the Whitney Museum.

Courtesy Oceanside School District

Courtesy Oceanside School District

Parents are petitioning for safety reforms

that hires them; the school has a contract with them. What is the school doing to ensure that whatever clauses are in the contract around safety are being followed?”

After his mother complained to the school, the bus company said to school officials that Ethan had been leaning his head on the window when the bus hit a bump and should have been seated upright.

A statement from the district stated they have a safety and security team that has regular meetings, in which a representative from the bus company participates, and “everyone’s very concerned and focused on student safety.”

“We met with the parents of the student and reviewed the video footage from the bus together,” said Phyllis Harrington, superintendent of Oceanside Schools. “We assured them that we will continue, as always, to adhere to all safety protocols,”

While the case of Salazar’s son served as a flashpoint, many residents have since come forward to share similar stories of safety concerns and driver misconduct.

Petition organizer Cynthia Lagudi, who has two children in Oceanside schools, said she became concerned after being involved in a rear end accident with an off duty Guardian bus driver repeatedly looking at his phone while driving in June.

Through her research of public records, Lagudi found that Guardian Bus Company and its parent company, Logan Bus Company, have faced over 600 lawsuits, including cases involving injuries, dismemberments, and deaths. The information, derived from New York state public records, has heightened fears among Oceanside residents about systemic issues within the organization.

Lagudi found that the man was involved in an accident while also on-duty and was involved in one of the

Enhanced training and screening: Guardians of the petition are pushing for rigorous training protocols for all bus drivers, as well as thorough background checks and regular monitoring of drivers’ motor vehicle records.

Regular drug testing: To ensure passenger safety, the petition calls for frequent drug tests to identify any potential risks posed by impaired drivers.

Transparency and accountability: Residents are demanding a system for documenting and investigating complaints and incidents involving bus drivers, with timely updates to families regarding resolutions.

Disciplinary measures: The community seeks stricter consequences for drivers who fail to adhere to safety policies, including suspension or termination for repeat offenses.

lawsuits against Guardian, but was still actively driving for the company.

“I would say the most noticeable change as far as the quality of drivers has probably been the last three or four years,” she said. ”You see them run stop signs all the time. On behalf of the town, we want to feel heard. This is not a mission just for myself and my children, it’s for the community.”

The petition, signed by hundreds of concerned parents and community members, outlines a series of demands aimed at improving student safety and driver accountability. Among the proposed changes are:

Compliance with state and federal safety standards: The community insists on full adherence to guidelines outlined by the Department of Transportation and State Education Department, ensuring the safety of passengers.

Corey Muirhead, executive vice president of Guardian, stated that the company invested six-figures this year to equip its entire bus fleet with dashboard cameras. The move aims to provide greater insight into potentially dangerous driving behaviors, such as cell phone use, speeding, harsh acceleration, abrupt braking, or other forms of distracted driving.

“We are dedicated to regaining the trust of our communities,” he added.

Guardian Bus Company services students across Long Island, offering a range of transportation options.

The petition commends bus drivers who uphold safety standards but makes it clear that changes are necessary to prevent future incidents.

“I would say that they listen to parents and citizens,” Lagudi said. “Get more motor vehicle reports done, background checks, and keep the standards and the safety protocols in place and when they’re not adhered to, proper disciplinary action should be discussed for the drivers.”

Herald file photo

parents are hoping safety protocols are strictly enforced after recent incidents involving the Guardian Bus Company.

Guest COlumn

The benefits of everyday ‘Thanks-Giving’

Yes! It’s that time of year when we celebrate the festive holiday, Thanksgiving The day when we reflect and give thanks in honoring both our American history, as well as our own family traditions A holiday of thanks that can serve as a foundation for everyday life.

Counting our daily Blessings:

When I think of everyday blessings, I find myself feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the caring people who have touched my life throughout the journey of my lifetime. For when we share a mindset of appreciation and thanks with the people in our life it can help enhance each other’s wellbeing, giving us the opportunity to create a ripple effect of kindness, which can bring light into the hearts of others, while building bridges of hope in the name of humanity.

The physical benefits of gratitude:

Taking a moment to be thankful causes physiological changes in your body that initiate the parasympathetic nervous system – the part of your

nervous system that help you rest and digest. Gratitude and the response it creates can help bring down your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.

Improve Sleep: People with an attitude of gratitude tend to engage in activities that support healthy sleep, such as eating well and exercising regularly. Practicing gratitude also make you less stressed, anxious or depressed – three factors that affect sleep quality.

Lessen Anxiety: Regularly practicing gratitude combats negative thinking patterns by keeping our thoughts focused on the present. If you find yourself focusing on negative thoughts about the past or future, challenge yourself to find something you are grateful now as this can help to break the negative thought process and return you to the present.

what is called the “Three Good Things” exercise, developed by an educator, researcher, and author named, Martin Seligman, who was also called the “father of positive psychology” and known as one of the leading researchers in the whole field of psychology.

In a study conducted by Seligman and colleagues, participants were asked to write down three good things that happened to them each day, for one week. The results showed that this daily activity had an impact on reported levels of well-being and depression.

What three things went well today?

A Grateful Lens: Processing a life experience through a grateful lens does not mean denying negativity. Instead, it means realizing the power you have to transform an obstacle into an opportunity. It means reframing a loss into a potential gain, recasting negativity into positive channels for gratitude.

On a personal note: When I think of everyday thanks-giving, I think about the daily blessings we have in our lives be they big or small. I think about people who rise above themselves to help another soul without needing any attention or reward. People who kindly share a sincere smile, knowing a smile can sooth a hurting heart and soul- for it’s the moments we create and share that shape the chapters of our lives and the lives of others. Wishing everyone a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

The “Three Good Things” e xercise: While researching, I came across

A positive psychology technique used to reduce burnout while increasing well-being as this exercise does not dismiss hard experiences through toxic positivity but use it to train our brain to see and savor the good that’s always around us, even during difficult times.

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

Donna Pisacano Brown

STEPPING OUT

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

launches the museum’s Musical Explorers! Concert series.

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

Memories with melodies at Long Island Children’s Museum

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

By Danielle Schwab

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We get words from the crowd and then make up a song on the spot right there. There’s something magical about the improvisation that can happen with hip hop,” Sullivan adds.

Heading into New Year, everyone can jive to some outstanding jazz grooves with the iconic Jazz at Lincoln Center Quintet, on Jan. 19 and 20. The top-flight musicians swing into the sound of America. Their performances explore the Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance, examining the great Louis Armstrong’s journey from New Orleans to Chicago and New York — all from the museum’s intimate stage.

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

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

Dark Star Orchestra

• Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Long Island

Ballet Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’

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

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

Courtesy LICM

Skidoo

Courtesy Jazz at Lincoln Center

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

Courtesy David Rugeles

THE Your Neighborhood

Dec. 9

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening

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

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

Bird walk

See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for the next in its series of bird walks, at Mill Pond Park in Wantagh, Sunday, dec. 1, starting at 9 a.m.

The park is on the north side of Merrick Road, four blocks west of Wantagh State Parkway. The group meets at the gazebo.

Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. Rain, snow or temperature below 25 degrees will cancel the bird walk. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit SSAudubon.org.

Toy Drive & Adopt-AFamily

The 12th Annual Holiday Toy Drive & Adopt-A-Family initiative by the Love Ava Project is underway, now until dec. 18. New, unwrapped toys, gift cards, board games, puzzles, arts and crafts, and more are being collected to bring joy to local children and families in need. Donations will benefit local families and the Cancer Center for Kids at NYU Langone. Non-perishable food items and clothing are also accepted. Donations will be accepted at drop spots including EGP Oceanside, Empire Nutrition, Red Label Coffee, and more. To participate or become a drop spot, email theloveavaproject@gmail.com.

Tea time

The festive season is underway at Old Westbury Gardens. Enjoy a cream tea (featuring scones, Devonshire cream, assorted sweets, and tea), then a guided tour of decorated Westbury House, Tuesday, dec. 3, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:303 p.m.; Wednesday, dec. 4, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:303:30 p.m.; Thursday, dec. 5, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. Additional dates available. $22.50 per person. Advance registration suggested. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

Prevention Night

Oceanside High School hosts the 3rd Annual Prevention Night, Thursday, dec. 5, 7-8 p.m., in the school auditorium. Open to Oceanside High School students and parents. The session covers trends in youth substance use and their impact on the teen brain, with a special presentation and free Narcan training from the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Students will also be introduced to the OHS Youth Council; community service hours are available for teen attendance. For more information, visit. oceansidesafe.org or contact info@oceansidesafe.org. 3160 Skillman Ave.

2/6 Carmine 5pm 2/7 Paulie B 7pm 2/13 Groove Dad ies 5pm 2/14 Phoenix 7pm 2/20 2nd Street Band 5pm 12/21 Westlake 8pm 2/27 Paulie 5pm 2/28 Brooke and Jaz 7pm

Let’s Skate

Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, through Jan. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades.

Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Holiday Tales At The Hearth

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

Having an event?

1863 Thanksgiving

Partake of Thanksgiving traditions from days gone by during Old Bethpage Village Restoration’s annual holiday event, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec.1, 10 a.m.-4

p.m. Journey back to the 19th century as old-fashioned wood burning stoves, beehive ovens and hearths are all fired up as “villagers” prepare a variety of foods and baked goods, using historical recipes. Of course, a fat turkey is spitted and roasted, along with pie making and a demonstration of food preservation methods. With fiddle music, entertainment and children’s activities, including storytelling, and more. $15, $12 children 5-12 and seniors. 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. Visit oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org or call (516) 572-8409 for more information.

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

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

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

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

Family theater

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

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES

2016-CTT, Plaintiff, vs. COLLEEN MULVEY A/K/A COLLEEN MULVY, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order

Discharging the Guardian Ad Litem and Military Attorney, Confrming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 7, 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 December 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 37 Deal Road, Island Park, NY 11558. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Island Park, Long Beach, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 43, Block 36 and Lots 325 & 328.

Approximate amount of judgment is $250,240.69 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #012873/2013. Cash will not be accepted.

John G. Kennedy, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 149794

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

MIDFIRST BANK, Plaintiff

AGAINST DONALD

SCHREINER, JR.,

MICHELLE RANOLDE-

ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 25, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 9, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 235 Madison Ave, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, at Foxhurst Park, Oceanside, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54 Block 239 Lot 156. Approximate amount of judgment $490,828.12 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #612438/2022. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-003408 82714 149783

LEGAL NOTICE Island Park Union Free School District

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Island Park Union

I.P. Civic lends a hand with holiday food drive

The Island Park Civic Association’s annual food drive and Thanksgiving and Fall Celebration transformed Dox Bar and Kitchen into a hub of generosity and community spirit on the evening of Nov. 15. Residents gathered to enjoy an evening of meaningful giving.

Attendees got to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and two beverage tickets, courtesy of the venue, while coming together to support vital local causes.

Free School District will be holding a public hearing on December 16, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., in the Lincoln Orens Middle School Auditorium, 150 Trafalgar Blvd., Island Park, NY to consider appropriating Two Hundred Twenty Thousand dollars ($220,000.00) held in the District’s General Municipal Law § 6-r ERS Retirement Contribution Reserve Fund and transferring these funds to the District’s General Municipal Law § 6-d Repair Reserve Fund; and NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Island Park Union Free School District will be holding a public hearing on December 16, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., in the Lincoln Orens Middle School Auditorium, 150 Trafalgar Blvd., Island Park, NY to consider appropriating Two Hundred Twenty Thousand dollars ($220,000.00) from the District’s General Municipal Law § 6-d Repair Reserve Fund to replace the asphalt at the Francis X. Hegarty School Playground, the Lincoln Orens Middle School Trafalgar Parking Lot and the Lincoln Orens Middle School Accessibility Ramp. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Salvatore Carambia, School Business Administrator, at (516) 434-2600. Cindy Pastore District Clerk

Dated: November 20, 2024 150171

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Offcers 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 12/04/2024 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 704/24. OCEANSIDEKonstantinos Kollias, Variances, lot area occupied, side yards aggregate, construct garage attached to dwelling., N/s Magee Pl., 204.3’ E/o Silver La., a/k/a 2696 Magee Pl. 705/24. OCEANSIDEGreta Apterbach, Variance, lot area occupied, install accessory structure (shed)., E/s Poplar St., 125’ N/o Freeman Ave., a/k/a 3351 Poplar St. 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 Oceanside 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 at 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. 150165

The event collected an array of non-perishable food items and hygiene products for the Sacred Heart Food Pantry in Island Park, which serves many families in need throughout the community.

In addition to the food pantry drive, donations were also made to the Long Beach Humane Society, also known as Kitty Cove,in Island Park. Cat food, Gerber baby food, fleece blankets, and cat toys poured in, ensuring the area’s feline residents would have their needs met as well.

The Civic Association went a step further by donating turkeys and traditional Thanksgiving sides to local programs that support families, ensuring no one goes without a holiday meal.

The evening also featured live music

and raffles, adding an extra layer of festivity to the night.

The Island Park Civic Association thanked the community for its generosity and encouraged residents to stay involved in future events. Those interested in learning more can contact the association via email at islandparkcivicassociation@gmail.com or by calling (516) 236-8183.

–Kepherd Daniel

News brief

Brownie Troop 2005 help Sacred Heart

Brownie Troop 2005 of Island Park collected non-perishable food items to support the Sacred Heart Church’s local food pantry. Along with delivering the donations, the Girl Scouts decorated Thanksgiving cards to spread holiday cheer.

After learning about the pantry’s needs, the troop plans to create posters encouraging their community to donate and utilize the pantry’s services. The Sacred Heart pantry accepts perishable items, diapers, and baby supplies, and is open to the community on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

–Kepherd Daniel

The Brownie Scouts Elizabeth, Bianca, Ariella, Camryn, Estella, Layla and Grace with Island Park trustee Barbara Volpe Ried.

SCHREINER,

Daniel Tommasino/Herald photos

The Island Park Civic Association gathered for a holiday food drive on Nov. 15.

The IP Civic Association brought plenty to help out.

Courtesy Island Park Brownie Troop 2005

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

Dental Assistant Needed

For Dental Specialty Office

Tuesday - Saturday

30+ Hours Per Week

$19.00/ Hour Negotiable Call 516-536-1700

Fax 516-536-1823

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour

Night Availability is a Must.

Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST

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

RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

REQUIREMENTS:

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

POSITION DETAILS:

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

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

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

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

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

Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

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

OUTSIDE SALES

HomesHERALD

‘It doesn’t look serious to us’

Luxury Beach Living

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2024 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd.,

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements

SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277

Antiques/Collectibles

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry

Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464 FINDS UNDER $100

Finds Under $100

DOLLS, DOLL HOUSE MINIATURES & ACCESSORIES. Under $99.00. Call Joy Evenings, 917-743-7695 Leave Message

END TABLES (2): Mahogany, Good Condition, $40. 516-450-1654

SERVICES

Cable/TV/Wiring

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

Electricians

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

Exterminating

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Home Improvement

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076

CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641

Miscellaneous

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391

Plumbing

PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. Family Plumbing. 516-599-1011.

Telephone Services

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

Tree Services

FRANCISCO'S TREE SERVICE AND LANDSCAPING: Tree Removal, Stumps, Fertilization, Planting, Land Clearing, Topping. Free Estimates. Lic# H206773000. Office 516-546-4971, Cell 516-852-5415

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Health & Fitness

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719

Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582

HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060

Legal Services

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Ac-

cept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider

Telecommunications

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803

opInIonS

I look forward to representing you again

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dear readers, we can’t keep it in neutral

efore the presidential election, the Herald published an editorial explaining why the familyowned newspapers would not be endorsing political candidates.

If I had read the piece in a vacuum, I would agree with it entirely. It states, in part, “Our focus is not on swaying voters toward a particular candidate, but on delivering comprehensive and unbiased information about the issues that matter most to Long Islanders. We are not here to tell our readers how to vote for political candidates; rather, we are here to arm readers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.”

Sounds perfect. But we are living through an unprecedented and exceedingly imperfect time in our nation’s history. This year, not endorsing meant keeping silent when silence may have implied that both presidential candidates met minimal standards for serving in the nation’s highest office. By any standard, that is not true of President-elect Donald Trump.

Media across our country have some-

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

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

tarian government.

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

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

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

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

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

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

it as a means of informing readers.

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

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

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

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

AnTHonY D’ESpoSITo

RAnDI KREISS

A season for giving back on Long Island

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

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

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

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

Organizations like Island Harvest and Long Island Cares work tirelessly to combat food insecurity in our neighborhoods. A donation of non-perishable items, a financial contribution, or volunteering for a few hours can make a profound difference to families facing hun-

letters

Where is this ship of state sailing?

To the Editor:

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

Mr. King long served honorably

Organizations that welcome your help

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island: BBBsli.org

Citizens Campaign for the Environment: CitizensCampaign.org

Community Solidarity: CommunitySolidarity.org

Family & Children’s Association: FCAli.org

Interfaith Nutrition Network: The-Inn.org

Island Harvest: Island Harvest.org

Long Island Cares: LICares.org

Save the Great South Bay: SaveTheGreatsouthbay.org

ger this season.

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

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

becoming a mentor yourself, you can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BRIAN KELLY Rockville

Centre

opinions

Why do we still doubt a woman’s ability to lead?

acouple of weeks ago, I was sitting in the waiting room of a car repair shop with my dad, minding my own business, as one does while waiting to pick up a car that’s being worked on. There were a few other customers there, most of them quiet and keeping to themselves, but one man, sitting to my right, was running his mouth about politics. obviously happy that Donald Trump had won the presidential election, the man said something along the lines of, “It’s a good thing kamala harris didn’t win, because no one would ever respect her” — due simply to the fact that she’s a woman.

If I’d been in the mood for an argument, I probably would’ve said something like, “I sure hope you don’t have any daughters or a wife at home who’d love to hear you say that.” But alas, I didn’t want to get into a conflict with a stranger, so I kept my mouth shut, and

on the way out the door a few minutes later, my dad and I laughed to ourselves about how ridiculous the guy sounded.

Like everyone else, I had my thoughts going into this election cycle, and truthfully, it doesn’t matter whom I voted for, because it’s a done deal at this point.

Sure, there are men, like the one we encountered, who have their misogynistic beliefs that women are unfit for office. But I’ve found that it’s not just men who are dismissing the ability of a likely qualified and certainly accomplished woman to run a country.

ier, many aunts and lots of cousins, who are successful and honest and righteous people.

It’s a shame, I think, that somewhere along the way, the man at the shop and the women who are reinforcing such a negative, internal bias didn’t have that same guidance. And if they did, then something else has failed them.

’ve heard too many women say that they could never vote for a woman for president.

It’s women, just like me, who have serious doubts about their own gender. I’ve seen and heard from many of them, “I’m a woman, and I could never vote for a woman.”

I’m seldom at a loss of words, but that has stumped me. I am extraordinarily thankful that my sister and I grew up in a household in which we were told that we could accomplish anything, so long as we set our minds to it and put in the work. I am so thankful to be surrounded by extraordinary women, like my mother, my grandmoth-

Letters

The Sands proposal: nothing but trouble

To the Editor:

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

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

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

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

We do not need this disaster in the making.

Lastly, the Sands has been spending a

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

MIchAEL LEfkoWITz Accountants + Advisors East Meadow

How about sharing a holiday meal at a diner?

To the Editor:

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

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

Many Long Island neighborhoods have seen changes over the years. New immigrant groups sometimes favor

My entire life, I’ve been inspired by the people around me, as well as the women — the trailblazers — who are making our world a better, more inclusive place. And it really is a shame that a large chunk of our population still believes that someone who’s deserving of a prestigious role, like the presidency, should be denied that simply because she’s a woman.

If you voted for Donald Trump because you believe in his policies and his vision for America, that’s fine — and that’s your right as an American. But if you voted for him simply because you found yourself unable to support a woman, for whatever reason, then, boy, are we in serious trouble. That’s an insult to every woman who’s come

before you — every woman who’s willed her way through glass ceilings, and endured hardship after hardship, solely on the basis of sex.

I’m a big reader and thinker, and I implore anyone who thinks so negatively about the abilities and strength of women to pick up a book. Read “The Nightingale,” by kristin hannah, and be blown away by a tale of courage. Read “The Dressmakers of Auschwitz,” by Lucy Adlington, and learn a true story of sewing for survival. Read “The handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood, and think about what life could be like if we let misogyny win.

In a world where the impossible can become possible, little girls should know that they can be whoever they want to be, career women, moms, a blend of both — or the top candidate on a presidential ticket.

The election results aside, women soldier on. We must actively challenge the biases, in ourselves and others, that continue to hold us back. only then can we create a future in which every woman knows that her voice matters and her potential has no limits.

Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? jvallone@liherald.com.

Framework by Francine Berman

their own ethnic foods and restaurants. Diners have also lost customers over time to fast-food restaurants. Remember, these people are our neighbors. our local entrepreneurs who own and operate diners have continued to invest in our communities, creating new employment opportunities without the assistance of federally funded taxpayers’ stimulus dollars. They work long hours, pay taxes and provide local

employment. If we don’t patronize our local restaurants, these workers don’t eat, either.

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

LARRY

PENNER Great Neck

At the ‘Wicked’ Experience — Universal Orlando Resort

JorDan VaLLone