Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray, right, swears in Village Justice Mindy Roman at the mid-month village meeting on July 18. She was elected in an uncontested race in June to serve a four-year term in office.
By ANDREW FRANCIS Intern
Rockville Centre natives Jilly Shimkin and her sister, Chloe, are looking to make an impression at the University of Texas in the fall soccer season, when the two emerging stars will have the opportunity to play on the same team, in NCAA Division I competition, for the first time in their careers.
Jilly, 21, joined the Longhorns women’s squad in 2022, her sophomore year of college, after transferring from Penn State. She is headed into her senior year in the fall. Chloe, 18, will soon join her at Texas after signing her national letter
of intent last November.
Both Shimkins are considered to be among the best female soccer prospects in the United States. Chloe and Jilly began playing at ages 3 and 4, respectively, and both credit their parents, Jodie and Peter, for helping them develop a passion for the sport, recognizing their talent and pushing them to develop a taste for competition.
“Our parents have always supported us and given us the tools that we needed to succeed,” Jilly said. “Our dad has always been a competitive person, being a wrestler in Rockville Centre and in college. He always pushes us, and will always support us and is our biggest fan, as well
By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Jimmy O’Grady, affectionately known to customers as “Rambo,” is preparing for his final rounds with the United States Postal Service after 41 years of service in the Village of Rockville Centre.
Since starting his career as a letter carrier in 1983, O’Grady, who moved to the nearby Oceanside community when he was eight, has become a beloved figure in the Rockville Centre community, known for his unwavering devotion to delivering the mail and his many amicable qualities.
borough Court and Oxford Place to Stratford Road, for the last 37 years.
“It’s probably the longest anybody (here) has had a route,” he said.
’ll miss my customers … They’re just great people. Quite a few of them are like family.
JIMMy ‘R AMBo’ o’GRADy USPS letter carrier
“I took the test, and I ended up doing pretty good,” O’Grady recalled of his early days with the USPS, “so I asked, and they sent me here.”
O’Grady, 65, was born in Rockaway Beach, He faithfully served the residents along Postal Route 22, which stretches from Hamilton Road to Marl -
During his time at the post office, he met his future wife, Cira Ann Devito, a fellow letter carrier, who he helped train during his 25 years as the shop’s steward.
“He’s just like a big teddy bear,” Devito said. “He’s just got a very good way about him. He’s a very hardworking man with a great personality. He loves people, animals, sports — especially football.”
Rockville Centre is also where he earned the nickname “Rambo,” after winning a memorable arm-wrestling match with a colleague from work.
“I had a friend who started working here a little bit after me,” O’Grady said. “We had this arm-wrestling match. He’s a pretty big guy and he thought he could beat me. He said,
Continued on page 5
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The Rockville Centre Red Storm Girls’ Under 16 soccer club traveled to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, last week to compete against three of the top 16 teams in the country for a shot at the United States Youth Soccer National Championship crown.
To qualify, this talented group of gifted young athletes traveled to Tampa, Florida in February, to compete in the USYS National League P.R.O. tournament, where they racked up three consecutive victories to secure the top spot in the 16U silver pool.
This year, there were nearly 185,000 boys and girls from 10,000 soccer club teams across 54 state associations who made the trip in the hopes of taking home the national title in their respective age groups.
The RVC Red Storm had trained ferociously to get to this moment, and on July 23, the team hit the field for the start of the competition. During the first of three matches, the Red Storm endured a difficult 0-5 loss to the powerhouse team, FW United, out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
at the Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, for the United States Youth Soccer National Championship tournament.
The RVC
as
prepare to compete against some of the top teams in the country at the USYS National Championship tournament in Orlando, Florida.
Players put their skills and determination to task during the second match of the competition. Despite a clutch goal scored by Viviana Haley off a penalty kick, the team fell just short to lose 2-1 to Ambassadors SC of Ohio.
The Red Storm were able to rally back to win the final round of the tournament against Cook Inlet SC of Alaska for the third place seed, thanks to a breakout
516.877.8348 james_tomlin@ml.com
1325 Franklin Avenue Suite 400 Garden City, NY 11530
performance by Haley, who scored off a corner kick from Molly Barry, and Julie Faranda, who scored on an assist from Katori Martin.
The RVC Red Storm gave it their all, but it wasn’t enough for the team to advance from the group stage to the semifinal round on July 27, as only the top two seeded teams from each group would advance.
Coach Ciaran Barry said that while the team didn’t advance to the next round, they were right there competing with the best in the country, and that they plan to learn from the experience and come back even stronger next year.
While the tournament did not go the way the team would have wanted, it provided the girls with an immense feeling of pride to have made it so far at a national level.
“This was an incredible experience for our players and parents as a local team competing on the national stage,”
Coach Janet Gruner said. “The girls played hard and really demonstrated their talent, grit and determination against tough competition and challeng-
ing circumstances. They have put in years of hard work to get to this point and there is no question that they are able to compete at the national level. We are so proud of what they have accomplished and we are thankful for the continued support and sacrifice on the part of the parents and families that have helped make this possible, as well as the support we have gotten from the club and community. We look forward to watching them continue to improve and hopefully give it another shot next year.”
The RVC Red Storm 16U roster is comprised of 17 talented young soccer players — Molly Barry, Makaela Brennan, Gabriella Caminiti, Ella Faranda, Julie Faranda, Carsyn Goetz, Abby Gruner, Viv Haley, Kate Koluch, Maeve Ledwith, Katori Martin, Emily Quezada, Julia Quinn, Molly Reardon, Annie Schiller, Maddie Woo and Ryann Zydor — and supported by a dedicated coaching staff that includes Trainer Nic Vacarro, Coach Ciaran Barry, Coach Sean Curtis and Coach Janet Gruner. For more information about the RVC Red Storm club team visit the RVC Soccer Club online or via Facebook.
with the RVC Red Storm 16U girls’
team hit the field to warm up before the match.
By ANDREW FRANCIS Herald Intern
Nearly 100 young soccer players hit the field at the Rockville Centre Athletics Complex on July 24 to participate in the annual “Kids Teaching Kids” free summer program sponsored by the RVC Soccer Club.
Chris Anderson, an RVC Soccer Club board member, said the organization has been providing this soccer clinic to young athletes, between the ages of four and eight, for more than 40 years.
“With our high school-aged players doing the coaching, the themes are giving back to the community and having fun playing soccer,” Anderson said.
Every summer, during the last two weeks of July, high school and college students give back to the community by pitching in to help guide their younger counterparts with a series of drills and activities that highlight the fundamentals of the sport.
Gavin Goodlad, 19, the former captain of the South Side Cyclones’ Boys’ varsity soccer team, is a sophomore at Endicott College, where he will continue to play in the fall.
“We’ve been running this (program) just to get kids falling in love with soccer at a young age and making sure they have fun,” Goodlad said.
Goodlad has been participating in the program since he was in eighth grade. He has been volunteering his time to help coach students, and for the last three years has been organizing the event with the help of the RVC Soccer Club.
Through the years, he has seen a greater sense of familiarity and bonding between the children who participate. The program is always well attended, however, this year set the record for the highest enrollment in its more than 40-year history with roughly 250 participants.
Kids stormed the field last week, with faces full of excitement and anticipation to get to train alongside some of South Side High School’s best soccer players in recent years.
Noah Porter, 15, a first-time volunteer with the “Kids Teaching Kids” program, expressed the joy he felt to share his love of the game by teaching other aspiring young soccer players in the neighborhood.
“I like the bond that you make with teammates,” Porter, who has been playing soccer his entire life, said. “I like making bonds with the kids and letting them have a good time.”
Avery Testa, 18, and Eva Curtis, 16, who have played for the South Side Cyclones girls’ varsity soccer team, expressed their gratitude for the experiences and opportunities the program has provided them and want to encourage future generations of soccer players.
“I really love giving back to the community that raised me and helped devel-
op my skills and my love for soccer,” Testa said.
Curtis added, “I really love raising the new generation of soccer players to come,” and said that it is special to get to mentor those who will go on to play at South Side High School.
Several of the young soccer players participating this year were eager to talk with the Herald about their thoughts on the program and the training provided by the bigger kids.
Jackson Sully, 5, shared that his favorite part of playing soccer and the “Kids Teaching Kids” program is running and having fun on the field. Vito, 6, said he enjoys playing soccer and appreciates the program. He said that his favorite part is “kicking the ball so high” with his friends and teammates.
Reese Vanaski and Teagan Burns, both 8, have previously participated in the program, with this year being both their second and third time, respectively. Both girls said they have been playing soccer for most of their lives, and that
the program is a lot of fun.
“All of the teachers are really nice,” Burns said, about how the older high school and college students help give them guidance.
Robert Livingstone was one of the original creators of the program in 1982. His son, Cam, told the Herald that the “Kids Teaching Kids” program continues to serve as a testament to the effort of local youth in the community.
“Volunteerism is alive and well in our village because all of these people who are teaching these little children are volunteers from our high schools,” Livingstone said. “It’s just a wonderful place to live and raise a family, and this is one of the reasons people give back.”
For more information about “Kids Teaching Kids,” the Rockville Centre Soccer Club and other local summer camp programs visit RVCSoccer.com or visit the RVC Soccer Club’s page on Facebook.
Giovanni Gadison, 34, of Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx, was arrested on July 22, and has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a loaded firearm and the unlawful purchase of body armor following an investigation at the scene of a traffic stop on Hempstead Avenue.
Palo Howe, 45, of New Street in Uniondale was arrested on July 23, and has been charged with criminal mischief, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct following an investigation on Merrick Road in which he intentionally damaged a police vehicle.
Rockville Centre Police Department and Fire Department units responded to a high-pressure gas main leak on July 25 that was caused by a private contractor excavating on Raymond Street. The Rockville Centre Building Department responded and issued the owner of the contracting company a violation notice.
A resident of Morris Avenue reported on July 26, that someone had attempted to set fire to a tree located on her property.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
A car struck a teenager, who was riding their bike in Rockville Centre on July 24, according to police. It happened at 5:20 p.m. yesterday at the intersection of Sunrise Highway and Oceanside Road.
Own
Reliable
Strong
The 14-year-old cyclist was transferred to Cohens Children’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
–Daniel Offner
The Chaffee family of Rockville Centre received assistance from Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray while applying for travel documents during Passport Day on July 13 at Town Hall. This program allows hard-working residents to take advantage of services provided by the Town of Hempstead on a convenient weekend date. For more information about passport services, call (516)-812-3100 or visit HempsteadNY.gov.
A power of attorney allows someone you choose as “agent” to handle your legal and financial affairs, most often if you become disabled. However, not all powers of attorney are created equal. The standard form, used by many attorneys, is what we term “over the counter medicine”. Instead, we choose to use what we call the “prescription strength” elder law power of attorney.
It works just like medicine. What happens when you only have over the counter medicine but you need prescription strength? You know what happens – it doesn’t work, it’s not strong enough.
For example, the standard form allows the agent to make gifts up to $5,000 dollars per year. The elder law power of attorney has no such limitation, allowing the agent to gift any amount. Let’s say a client is going into a nursing home or needs care at home. We often save the family hundreds of thousands of dollars using the elder law power of attorney to gift out to the children those amounts that will help qualify the client for Medicaid benefits. Generally, even on
the nursing home doorstep, we can save about half of a parent’s assets by gifting. Now, if the client only has the standard power of attorney, they can only gift five thousand dollars a year. When it comes to Medicaid, it’s move it or lose it! Almost all of the client’s money will have to be used for their care.
Let’s say the client has $500,000 in assets and needs nursing facility care. We use the elder law power of attorney to gift $250,000 to the children (tax-free). So long as we use the remaining $250,000 to pay for our client’s care, the family gets to keep the $250,000 gift.
Other valuable powers added to the elder law power of attorney are (1) powers to create or modify trusts (2) powers to change beneficiaries on IRA’s, annuities and insurance policies, and (3) powers to refuse any inheritances left to the disabled person.
For clients age sixty and older, choosing an elder law attorney often makes the difference between keeping your home and life savings or losing everything to pay for long-term care.
‘Man, you’re as strong as Rambo.’ From there on it was just Rambo.”
He is cherished by customers like Geralyn Gomelia, a 30-year resident of Stratford Road, whose house is one of many stops along O’Grady’s route, and who spoke very highly about his caring nature.
“We became friends,” Gomelia said. “I looked forward to seeing him every day and he was always so positive.”
Gomelia said O’Grady cared about her family and grew very attached to her pets. She said he always brought treats for the dogs and was thoughtful and concerned. She said that when one of her dogs died, O’Grady wrote her a heartfelt letter and gave her a picture frame that he made just for his fourlegged friend.
Rockville Centre Village Trustee Emilio Grillo, whose house is also located along O’Grady’s postal route, said, “he’s such a fabulous human being, who truly embodies the USPS credo.”
Despite his dedication and love for the job, the past few years have taken a toll. O’Grady underwent a knee replacement a few years ago and sustained a serious injury in a car accident last October.
“I think 41 years is enough. It’s been long enough,” he said.
As he prepares for retirement, O’Grady reflects on the relationships he built over the more than three-and-ahalf decades in the village.
“I’ll miss my customers,” he said. “They’re just great people. Quite a few of them are like family. I’ve seen their kids grow up. They’re in their 30’s now.”
O’Grady said that he plans to stay busy in retirement, possibly taking a part-time job and dabbling in real estate. His love for the community remains strong, and he looks forward to staying connected with the friends he has made over the years.
On August 3, his last day on the job, O’Grady’s customers plan to organize a gathering to celebrate his remarkable career. For many, he has been more than just a letter carrier, he has been a friend and a daily source of positivity.
“We want to show our appreciation for Jim,” Gomelia said. “He’s just the nicest guy.”
For Jimmy “Rambo” O’Grady, the journey has been long, but fulfilling. The Rockville Centre community will remember his legacy as a dedicated and beloved letter carrier in the village for years to come.
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By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
The Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame will hold its 2024 induction ceremony Sept. 25 at the Crest Hollow County Club. For more information and tickets, go to www.sectionviii. org. Here’s a list of local honorees.
Tom Catapano
He’s been nothing short of a wizard since becoming Baldwin’s girls’ basketball coach in 2010. He’s guided it to 12 Nassau Class Conference AA championships, 10 Nassau Class AA titles, 5 Long Island Class AA crowns, a pair of New York state public school championships, and a State Federation title.
Canute Curtis
One of the greatest in a long line of great football players from Farmingdale, Curtis was a standout two-way star at running back and linebacker while leading head coach Don Snyder’s Dalers to an undefeated 10-0 record and the Rutgers Cup in 1991. His dominating performances as a senior were good enough to earn Curtis All-Nassau, All-Long Island and All-State honors.
Crystal Dunn
A genuine soccer phenom at South Side. So talented at a young age that she missed her junior season because she was playing for the United States Under17 team in New Zealand. The Cyclones won three state championships (2006, 2007 and 2009) with Dunn, who scored 46 goals and assisted on 35 others. She was a two-time All-American at North Carolina and played defense for the U.S. Women’s National Team and is a twotime Olympian.
Jim Graziano
The best big man developed at Farmingdale and one of the best to play basketball on Long Island. The 6-foot-10, Graziano was a four-year starter, outstanding as a freshman and improved every season until his senior year when he averaged 26 points and 15 rebounds. A three-time All-Long Island selection, he was the New York State Player of the Year in 1976. He starred at South Carolina and was drafted by the NBA’s Denver Nuggets.
Jay Iaquinta
One of the most decorated football coaches in Nassau County over the past three decades, Iaquinta has amassed 211 victories with stints at Lynbrook, Hewlett and Manhasset. Named the county’s Coach of the Year in 1986 and 2021.
Charlene Lipsey
She played basketball, volleyball, and softball at Hempstead before focusing on
track. In just three years she became a five-time state champ and the Gatorade New York State Runner of the Year. Lipsey went on to a decorated career at LSU and was an eight-time All-American and three-time SEC champion.
Matt McLees
Head coach of Carey’s football team for 16 years and the winningest coach in school history with 76 victories. He was named Nassau Coach of the Year three times, served as President of Nassau Football Coaches Association and is currently the Athletic Director for the Sewanhaka Central School District and Nassau’s football coordinator.
Gary Mims
He grew up in Freeport but became a son of Massapequa. He played three sports for the Chiefs (football, wrestling
and lacrosse) and returned home to coach the wrestling team for 29 years, beginning in 1977. He was named Nassau Coach of the Year three times and produced 31 county champions while winning 291 dual meets.
Rich Ohrnberger
A star two-way lineman for three years at East Meadow, in 2003 he not only won the Martone Award for being Nassau’s top lineman but also the Thorp Award as the county’s best player. After a stellar career as an offensive lineman at Penn State, he was drafted by the Patriots and later played for the Cardinals and Chargers.
V ictor Randazzo
It has been 52 years since Randazzo graduated from Long Beach , and his senior year was special. He was the New
Rockville Centre’s Crystal Dunn was a three-time state champion at South Side, a two-time All-American at North Carolina and a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Thorp Award as Nassau’s best football player and went on to play in the NFL for three teams.
York State champion in the Still Rings competition and the Rope Climb. He won the Still Rings at the Empire State Games five times and went on to become the NCAA Still Rings champ for Southern Connecticut State, helping it to the 1976 collegiate team title.
Max Seibald
A special athlete, Seibald was an AllCounty selection in four sports (football, soccer, track and lacrosse) at Hewlett and a superstar in the latter. He led the Bulldogs to a county championship, beating Garden City in the finals, and was a four-time All-American at Cornell. In 2009 he won the Tewaarton Award as the nation’s top collegiate player. He was a five-time Major League Lacrosse All-Star.
A number of Republican elected officials from Long Island attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee July 15 to 18. Included in the mix were the GOP congressional contingent from Long Island: Anthony D’Esposito, who represents a majority of the South Shore of Nassau County; Andrew Garbarino, whose district spans from Seaford to Calverton in Suffolk County; and Nick LaLota, whose district stretches east from Huntington Station to the twin forks and Montauk.
Not long after the convention, at which former President Donald Trump and his vice presidential pick, Sen. J.D. Vance, accepted their party’s official nominations, the political landscape changed dramatically, as President Biden decided not to run for re-election and Vice President Kamala Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee.
The Democrats will hold their national convention in Chicago Aug. 19 to 22.
–Jeffrey Bessen
South Side High School artist Grace Kilarjian won the Town of Hempstead’s ‘Keep Our Sea Free of Debris’ art contest with her six-footsculpture of a sea turtle, currently on display at Lido Beach Town Park. Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, left, Councilwoman Laura Ryder and Town Supervisor Don Clavin joined Kilarjian at the unveiling on World Sea Turtle Day.
The Rockville Centre Fire Department recently welcomed three new members to its ranks — Meagan Nocella, left, and Kathleen Twomey of Defender Hose Co. No. 1 and Elizabeth Redmond of Floodlight Co. No. 1.
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 6 p.m.
At Hofstra University, graduate students plant the seeds to advance in their career. Hear from representatives across 200 programs that include business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and psychology, and learn all the ways your success can sprout at Hofstra University. Your future awaits.
For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation hosted its fifth annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament and Suicide Awareness Walk at Lister Park on Saturday, July 27, to raise money for the foundation’s continued work to increase mental health awareness in local schools and communities.
The annual event is held each summer in memory of 18-year-old South Side High School graduate Ryan O’Shea, who died by suicide in January 2019. Its goal is to end the stigma attached to mental health by fostering a community dialogue and to create a more compassionate environment to provide everyone the ability to ask for help when they need it.
In the five years since the tournament started, John O’Shea, Ryan’s father and the co-founder of the nonprofit organization said that he has seen an overall change in the community, as more people are becoming comfortable opening up about mental health and suicide.
“Mental health was always a quiet thing, but now people are starting to talk about it,” he said. “I really believe that we’re making a difference.”
All of the proceeds raised go to help fund the Rockville Centre School District’s Sources of Strength program — a national suicide prevention program that provides insight and inspiration by taking proactive approach to addressing mental health concerns, which in some cases can lead to feelings of isolation or suicide.
In memory of Ryan, who was a passionate basketball player and former captain of the South Side High School boys’ varsity basketball team, the foundation hosts a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, where teams of kids, teens and adults can compete — whithin their respective age brackets — in head-tohead half-court matches.
Nearly 250 people participated in the tournament, while hundreds of spectators gathered around the courts to watch the teams compete.
“This year’s event was super successful,” John O’Shea said. “We have a great group of RVC fathers who do the reffing for us. It’s a fun community event that is made possible by the community itself.”
The suicide awareness walk, which takes place in Lister Park on the same day as the tournament, also saw a record turnout this year, as friends and participants took the opportunity to discuss mental health.
Friends and participants also painted rocks with motivational and healing messages to help remind others that they are not alone, that its okay to not be okay and to seek help from a trusted friend, family member or advisor when they feel lost.
The Sources of Strength program provides students with a reprieve from the daily stresses of exams, homework,
classes and academics by focusing instead on teaching methods that improve social and emotional wellbeing. Since it was implemented, the program has grown exponentially to 11 different school districts and two local police departments in Nassau County.
“The program is growing and growing,” O’Shea said. “The feedback has been powerful and great.” Thanks to the generosity of the community, the foundation is looking to expand its programming to five more school districts and hope to bring its mental health training to the NCPD.
For more information about the annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament and the efforts of the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation, visit RyanPatrickOsheaFoundation.org.
Sometimes, the tiniest things — in this case insects — have the biggest story.
Welcome to the world of “OVO.”
Cirque du Soleil brings the relaunched show to Elmont’s UBS Arena this month with new acts and characters. “OVO” is a colorful intrusion into a new day in the life of insects. Through Cirque’s signature mix of acrobatics, lively visuals and humor, unique personalities and abilities of selected insect species emerge.
“OVO” explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy. It’s where the every day becomes extraordinary. As told by the creative team: OVO is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects’ home is a world of beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion.
“Imagine you lift up a rock and find a whole habitat underneath it.” says Artistic Director Lydia Harper, who’s been with Cirque du Soleil since 2015.
The spectacle begins as a colony of insects embraces a mysterious egg brought by the Blue Fly. Then the egg disappears.
“It’s such an exciting way to start a show, because then you go, ‘anything can happen,” says Harper.
When that egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It’s love at first sight when a quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye — and the feeling is mutual.
The name “Ovo” means egg in Portuguese. This timeless symbol of the life cycle and birth of numerous insects represents the show’s underlying thread, according to Deborah Colker, the production’s writer, director and choreographer. An homage to her Brazilian heritage, it reflects her background in dance and interest in movement on a large scale.
“It’s a story about falling in love, making friends, meeting strangers, and what adventures they can take you on,” Harper says.
The “colony” of quirky insects each have distinct personalities, fully portrayed by each cast member. The social Ladybug is always clowning around. The cheeky cricket is full of jumping energy. The mysterious spider climbs through her web. With 52 performers, these are only some of the dazzling bugs you’ll meet.
And in true Cirque du Soleil style, the cast’s jaw-dropping acrobatics enhance each insect’s personality.
“There’s an aerial cradle number where we see 12 artists high above the stage. You’ve got humans throwing humans and doing double somersaults. It’s one of those moments where you stop and just go, ‘How are these people capable of this?” Harper says.
Featured as Scarabs in that segment are two gymnasts who competed in the Olympics — Olga
A spectacular ecosystem comes to life in Cirque du Soleil’s ‘OVO’
Shcherbatykh (in 2004) and Nansy Damianov (in 2008).
The Chinese Pole act, one of the production’s newer showstopping additions, is performed by a formidable “army” of synchronized ants.
“There’s a lot of teamwork, you have them climbing up a pole, all in sync. It’s really beautiful,” Harper adds.
Embodying the characters personalities involves much more than gymnastic aerobatics; it requires careful attention to the show’s theme, along with an understanding of movement and cadence of the insects.
“You take an inspirational source and you go, ‘How can I, as a human, create that so the audience understands who I’m trying to be without just crawling around on all fours pretending to be an ant? You’ve got to find the quality of movement and apply it to choreography or a stylized way of moving,” Harper explains.
• Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 15-18; times vary
• Tickets available at CirqueDuSoleil.com/ovo
• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
Add to that vibrant costumes, tech-driven set design and dynamic music — and the world of bugs transforms into the surreal.
“We have this huge wall that covers the whole back of the stage, and that’s brought to life by video projections. So, we have the ability to make it a very small, intimate moment or bring the whole space to life with projections and lighting,” Harper says.
Naturally, the show wouldn’t be complete without accompaniment of a seven-piece band of musician “bugs.”The score, punctuated with Brazilian-style percussion, was composed by Musical Director Berna Ceppas, who has worked extensively in the film industry.
“We have a singer who sings in a various languages. She’s got a bit of Portuguese in there, sometimes Spanish, with the lyrics influenced by the story,” Harper says.
The spectacle takes a magnifying glass to small moments — on big scale in true Cirque fashion — that represent a heightened world booming with life and beauty.
“I’ve always been so inspired and motivated by the ability to create a world that takes you so far away from reality. It’s escapism in its purest form, while blowing your mind at how humans can do these things,” Harper says.“You get to be transported out of this world, It’s kind of making the impossible possible right in front of your eyes.”
Former stars of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning jukebox musical “Jersey Boys,” reunited as The Midtown Men, bring their ‘60s vibe to Eisenhower Park. During their time in the mega-hit musical, these talented artists — Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony nominee J. Robert Spencer — shared the stage for over 1,000 performances. The high-octane musical tour de force that took the “Jersey Boys” phenomenon to Broadway and beyond, is now rocking the stage as a concert. These Broadway veterans, with their band, realized the dream they brought to life as the iconic Four Seasons. The dynamic foursome now celebrates the music that defined the 1960s. The Midtown Men is the next chapter for these accomplished entertainers, making them the first vocal group ever formed by the principal cast of a high-profile Broadway show.
Sunday, Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m. Free admission. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
The acclaimed dance company appears on the Tilles Center stage as it continues its 2024 tour. With a storied history, the first Black classical ballet company, co-founded by dance icon and superstar Arthur Mitchell, has toured the world and introduced young minds and bodies to the power of dance. With all its renown, this boundary-breaking organization has maintained Mitchell’s core belief that ballet belongs to everyone. The 18-member, multi-ethnic company performs a forwardthinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary pieces. The dynamic program includes “Higher Ground,” with choreography by Robert Garland, featuring Stevie Wonder tunes;“New Bach,” and also choreographed by Garland, with music by J.S. Bach.
Sunday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m. Tickets are start at $64; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.
Hop aboard that “Midnight Train to Georgia” when the legendary soul chanteuse brings her Farewell Tour to Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, Friday, Aug. 9, 8 p.m. Gladys Knight is without a doubt one of the most influential, beloved, and important living singers on the planet. And while the Empress of Soul may have been in the business for more than 60 years now, that hasn’t stopped her from continuing to rock that beat as only she can do. She’s bringing her classic Motown-style R&B to audiences one last time before she bids us farewell. The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s fierce vocal power, elegant precision, and heartfelt performances have cemented her as one of music’s unquestionable icons. Among her many accolades she is rated by Rolling Stone as one of the top vocalists of all time. For sure, very few singers over the last 60 years have matched her unassailable artistry.
If you’re a fan of her classic Motown-style R&B, then you’ll surely want to see her perform — on more time. “That’s What Friends Are For,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Midnight Train to Georgia” — you know the hits, now hear her bring them to life once again in her inimitable style. You know the hits – from “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “License to Kill” to “That’s What Friends Are for” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” – now see her do them live in a once-ina-lifetime concert. The Farewell Tour is a celebration of Gladys Knight’s extensive, illustrious, and ground-breaking career, packed to the brim with iconic music that captivated the world back then and will continue to for a long time to come. She oozes the Southern aura through her soulful vocals and grace, allowing an audience to get totally swept away in unforgettable moments of romance, mystery, and charisma. Tickets start at $63. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com.
Theatre Playground returns to Long Island Children’s Museum with “Dramatic Play!,” Monday, Aug. 5, 1 p.m., taught by Lisa Rudin, Director of Theatre Playground. In this interactive, theater-inspired workshop, children will act out an original story and help choose how it unfolds. Music, props, and sound effects create a theatrical world where participants are immersed.
Children are encouraged to express themselves as they create characters, explore different worlds, stretch their imaginations and build self-confidence. This week’s theme: Unicorns and Dragons! Costumes encouraged. $5 with museum admission. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
Construct a collage image of a still life at this summer workshop for adults at The Art Studio, Thursday, Aug. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Use paper, scissors and glue.The goal is to understand methods of choosing, arranging and affixing pieces of paper to recreate an image in a unique and creative way. $40. For registration and more information visit TheArtStudioRVC.com. 221 N. Long Beach Road.
Movie Night
Enjoy a family film outdoors on Eisenhower Park’s big screen, Wednesday, Aug. 14, dusk, at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. See Disney’s recent animated musical comedy “Wish.” Audiences are welcomed to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star.
Together, Asha and Star confront a most formidable foe, the ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico, to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Eisenhower Park, Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
Reading night on the lawn at Riverside
Enjoy a good book this summer at Riverside Elementary School as it hosts the Rockville Centre School District’s summer reading night on the lawn, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m. 110 Riverside, Dr.
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Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure, Saturday, Aug. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Michaela Goade’s “Berry Song.” Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Enjoy the glorious grounds of Old Westbury Gardens and listen to some stirring sounds, with Gardens favorite the husbandand-wife folk duo Hungrytown, Sunday, Aug. 4, 3-4 p.m Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson, joined by cellist Suzanne Mueller, present their original music blending traditional and modern influences, at the Barn.. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Reading night on the lawn at Watson
Enjoy a good book this summer at Floyd B. Watson Elementary School, as it hosts the Rockville Centre School District’s summer reading night on the lawn, Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 6:30 p.m. 277 N. Centre Ave.
The Village of Rockville Centre’s summer concert series continues, Thursday, Aug. 8, with Two Euros, at the Village Green. Paul and Jimmy will be playing multiple genres of music from classic rock to modern alternative favorites. Bring chairs or a blanket and get comfortable for a evening of music.
Enjoy a live evening of music, dancing and socializing on the rooftop at Kasey’s Kitchen and Cocktails, Sunday, Aug. 4, 4-7 p.m. 23 N. Park Ave. For more information visit Kaseysrvcny. com.
17
Get in on the action with I.FLY Trapeze, Long Island’s only flying trapeze and circus arts school. Families will enjoy “Wild West Circus,” Saturday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m., at Eisenhower Park. I.FLY Trapeze puts spectators up close to the aerialists who perform amazing feats of athleticism and agility 25 feet in the air. Performances include Chains, Silk and Lyra, with comedy and on the grounds acts with Balancing and Baton, also a Flying Trapeze Finale. Next to the Nassau County Aquatic Center off Merrick Ave., East Meadow. Free parking available in lot 1A adjacent to the trapeze. For more information, please visit: IFlyTrapeze.com.
The next meeting of the Rockville Centre Village Board of Trustees takes place on Monday, Aug. 5, at 5 p.m. at Village Hall. 1 College Place.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
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.
Plaza Theatrical presents a showstopping tribute to the legendary Patsy Cline, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2:30 p.m. Through a colorful tapestry of iconic songs and witty personal storytelling, Carter Calvert uses her award-winning vocal talents to create this captivating musical tribute. Calvert, a Broadway star and title character in Always… Patsy Cline (opposite Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers), has gained rave reviews and triumphant accolades for her heartfelt portrayal of this legendary country recording artist.
She vocally captures Cline’s musical stylings pitch-perfectly in mega hits including “Crazy,” “I Fall To Pieces,” “She’s Got You” and “Walkin’ After Midnight.” Both captivating and endearing, this fastpaced entertainment delights audiences of all ages. It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
The Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America recently presented Joe LaSpina, vice president of the Rockville Centrebased Maple Family Centers, with the prestigious Ruben A. Dankoff Award for Public Policy and Legislative Service during its International Bowl Expo in Denver. LaSpina, who is an active member of the BPAA legislative committee, was recognized for his tireless work advocating for the bowling industry. Following the government lockdown in response to the pandemic, LaSpina led the industry’s fight to safely reopen bowling centers in New York State.
He worked closely with the organization’s legislative counsel Arthur “Jerry” Kremer, chairman of the government relations firm, Empire Government Strategies, and a 23-year veteran of the Assembly, to appeal to elected officials about how bowling centers could reopen safely. He also spearheaded a media campaign to tell the bowling industry’s story, which attracted local and national news coverage.
“I am proud to have watched Joe LaSpina take on challenges and succeed at many levels at the BPAA,” Kremer said. “Joe’s talents shone brightly after the pandemic when he helped get many dormant businesses up and running. He has set the example for members around the
country and very much deserves this honor.”
LaSpina continues to nurture relationships with elected officials to ensure the industry has a voice with state lawmakers.
He also continues to be an active part of the BPAA. He previously served on its board, executive committee, and nominating committee. He also served as the inaugural chair of its Young Guns committee.
Maple Family Centers is a third-generation family-owned and operated business that was founded by LaSpina’s grandfather in 1960.
The business oversees operations of fie bowling centers, including three in New York — Maple Lanes RVC in Rockville Centre, Coram Country Lanes in Coram and Jib Lanes in Flushing — and two in Florida — Maple Lanes Countryside in Clearwater and Orange Bowl Lanes in Lakeland.
–Daniel Offner
Joe LaSpina, the vice president of Maple Family Centers, accepted the Ruben A. Dankoff Award for Public Policy and Legislative Service during the Bowling Proprietors Association of America’s International Bowl Expo in Denver.
as our mom.”
Chloe credited her parents and siblings, particularly their brother, Nick, for their unwavering support, and for watching all their games since they were kids.
The Shimkins are devoted fans of the Manchester City Football Club, and have a family tradition of watching the English Premier League together. And both sisters have competed on international teams. Chloe, a forward, played for the United States Youth Football National Team and the Under-18 National Team, while Jilly, a midfielder and forward at Texas, played on the Under-14, U15, U16, U17, U20 and U23 national teams in middle and high school and now college. Both hope to play professional soccer.
Asked about some of the more difficult aspects of soccer training and skill development, both sisters mentioned that developing creativity and having individual training in a team sport had helped them.
“I think the most difficult part is just the tactical side of the game, because I feel that you have to have a good feel for it,” Chloe said. “Being able to really study the game and watch the game has given both of us a good sense of what to do on the field.”
Having played on the Texas squad for the past two years, Jilly has experienced both the victories and the challenges that come with competing at the collegiate level. The team has an impressive record of 32-6-6 since she arrived. In 2022 the Longhorns made it to the second round of the Women’s NCAA soccer championships, and continued to play at a consistently high-level in 2023, making it to the third round before losing to Florida State, which went on to win the national title.
Jilly said she plans to become a soccer coach after her playing career, and offered her sister some advice about playing on the Division 1 level. “It’s difficult,” Jilly said. “You have to be a good teammate, a good soccer player, a good athlete, and a good student. Managing your time, getting all your assignments done and then enjoying it. Enjoying all of it every single year, and not getting too ahead of yourself, because it goes by really fast.”
She also mentioned that she spent her summer with the U.S. Women’s Futsal Camp. Futsal, or indoor soccer,
and
and their
is a popular global sport that emphasizes control, improvisation, creativity and technique. The first international FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup will take place in 2025 in the Philippines, and Jilly is a member of the squad that is training for the tournament.
Chloe said she looked forward to playing soccer
with her sister. She also imparted a bit of wisdom for young athletes who may be striving for the heights that she and Jilly have reached.
“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do with your abilities,” Chloe said. “Just being yourself and being authentic will take you far.”
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff, vs. PATRICK MARINELLI, ET AL., Defendant (s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 6, 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 August 12, 2024, at 2:00 PM, premises known as 342 WILLOW STREET, SOUTH HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 36, Block: 283, Lot: 85. Approximate amount of judgment is
$157,988.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 606958/2022. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee. MATIN EMOUNA, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 147921
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Mila Assets LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 05/23/2024.
NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202 Brooklyn, NY 11228
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 147882
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Public Hearing Village of Rockville Centre Nassau County, New York Meeting Date: August 5, 2024
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 330 Rockville Centre Village Code NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Exterior Design Review Board of the Village of Rockville Centre will have a Public Hearing at the Eugene J. Murray Village Hall, 1 College Place, Rockville Centre LEGAL NOTICE
August 5, 2024 at 9:00 AM Case No. 09-2024 213 Sunrise LLC 3801 Guy Drive Seaford, NY 11783
Description: Exterior façade alterations. Premises known as: 211-213 Sunrise Highway
The Exterior Design Review Board OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE Eugene Murray Village Hall, Rockville Centre, New York George Bella, Chairperson of the consultants to The Exterior Design Review Board
Thomas Domanico, Secretary to The Consultants Information and records for Exterior Design Review cases are available the Office of the Secretary, 110 Maple Avenue, RVC 148244
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Union Avenue. Expanded Ranch. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Open layout. Den/ family room. First floor master bedroom. Security system. Taxes: $16,309.12 Long Beach $640,000
Avenue. Ranch. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Open layout.
Taxes: $10,162.56
Malverne $620,000
Rolling Street. Cape. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. First floor master bedroom. Handicapped accessible home with ramp and wide entrance door. Taxes: $15,128
Merrick $1,187,500
Pettit Avenue. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Large center hall move-in ready home. Gourmet custom eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and center island. Open floor plan. Formal dining room. Great room with gas fireplace. Ensuite master bedroom with 2 walk-in closets and spa-style master bathroom. All large rooms and oversized bedrooms. High end finishes include cathedral ceiling and custom wood built-ins in office/den. 2nd floor laundry room; also sauna/steam room. Double water filtration system with UV light for whole home. Oversized backyard with 2 tier deck, inground swimming pool with waterfall and professionally landscaped garden. Taxes: $20,015
Oceanside $696,500
Weidner Avenue. Split Level. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal L-shaped dining room. Den/family room.
Taxes: $14,008.13
Rockville Centre $999,000
Lincoln Avenue. Colonial. 4 bathrooms, 2.5 bedrooms. Eatin kitchen with granite countertops and
Q. My neighbor is getting lightning rods installed on his roof as a precaution amid all the storms we’re having. He said his brother in South Carolina had a fire when his roof was struck. The rods, he said, attract lightning, which keeps the rest of the roof safe. Is this a standard thing for your house, and is lightning really a problem? I never worried about this, and never knew anybody having an issue with it. Should I be considering it?
A. Lightning rods aren’t a bad idea; they’re just not a common thing to have. A lightning rod’s purpose is not to attract lightning, but if lightning should be headed in the direction of your roof, rods and attached cabling can direct it to the ground. Grounding is intended to complete the path to a safe point where it can dissipate.
When you see lightning, usually at the end of a hot summer day, what you’re witnessing is a natural phenomenon that’s similar to the static electricity you produce when you rub a wool blanket and see sparks fly. You’re seeing the accumulation of electrically charged ions that will build up until they can be connected to an oppositely charged set of ions.
Most lightning never reaches the ground because of cloud movement. Charges are often created by a column of warm air radiating from the sun-heated ground. The atmosphere cools as the sun’s heated rays are reduced from the shadow of moisture accumulating in the clouds or at dusk.
Any time of day, columns of warm air, helped by low atmospheric pressure — which is literally less pushing of air molecules against one another — allow the heated air against the ground to rise. As these columns of air rise, the ions in the air molecules “rub” against the cooler clouds that have been gathering evaporated moisture from the heated ground. This all happens faster than you can read this, so the friction building up causes large and rapid accumulations. When a path of released ions forms, as the electrically charged ions rapidly move toward oppositely charged ions in the clouds, bright flashes of light energy, from quickly uniting ions that are crashing into each other, are given off. After all, opposites really do attract in nature, not just to form a wedding party. The sound of thunder is caused by the extremely fast and very large force of the atmosphere being separated by the electricity and then crashing back together again to fill the vacuum from the bolt of lightning that just parted the air.
There is a lot of energy in lightning, certainly enough to cause a fire from the heat and friction — between 100 million and 300 million volts, although it’s the 30,000 amperes (amps) that can kill a human. Install lighting rods to feel safer and protect property, but research a trained professional to get the spacing and materials correctly installed. Based on your experience and knowledge, the decision is yours. Good luck!
© 2024 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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Barely two months ago, I wrote a column saying that the 2024 presidential race was already a campaign like no other. Little did I, or probably anyone, know what the subsequent weeks would bring.
The cascade of events that would shake the political firmament began on the evening of June 27, in Atlanta, when President Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off in a nationally televised debate on CNN — a debate called for by Biden and conducted pursuant to the rules of engagement that he set. A presidential debate this early was unprecedented. Not only was it more than two months earlier than any previous debate, but neither candidate was yet the official nominee of his party.
It was Biden who called for the debate, and challenged Trump to go mano a mano with him. I never understood why Biden or his handlers issued this challenge, unless they thought
WhenJoe
imust admit that from time to time, I get a little emotional. It takes something significant to trigger that reaction, but I’m proud of the fact that I care enough to react to such moments. I couldn’t help but feel strong emotion when I heard that President Biden had decided to end his distinguished political career.
My personal history with the president dates back to the mid1980s. I was asked to co-sponsor a series of fundraising events for Joe when he was seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate. At the time, I didn’t know him very well, but those informal parlor meetings gave me a chance to see him in action. At the outset, I was very impressed with his encyclopedic knowledge of numerous facets of the federal government. He could recite statistics with no notes, and showed a keen understanding of foreign affairs. He had one obvious flaw: He talked too much. His campaign
Trump wouldn’t accept. If so, their thinking couldn’t have been more wrong. Not only did Trump immediately accept the challenge, but the debate was a devastating defeat for Biden, causing even fervent supporters to call on him to consider bowing out.
PAs events unfolded, I would wonder whether people in the Biden campaign had set him up for failure and coordinated the calls for his withdrawal. Those calls increased steadily over the following weeks. Some carried the implication that Biden was too mentally enfeebled to get the job done, or in some cases made that charge directly. Some calls, including one from mega Hollywood star and Democratic fundraiser George Clooney, were loud and overt. Others, from Democratic icons Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi and power brokers Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, were more subtle, but just as damaging.
resident Biden’s political career ended as if it had been planned this way.
Biden attempted high-level damage control, but only furthered the image of his being impaired. Every day, more Democrats were calling on him to withdraw.
Then there was the horrific assassi-
nation attempt in Pennsylvania, in which Trump escaped death by inches, one Pennsylvanian was killed and two were seriously wounded. The lasting image of that day would be a bloodied but defiant Trump holding his fist high, defying death and demonstrating grace and courage under fire. That was followed just days later by an exceptionally successful Republican convention, and a triumphant Trump path to victory seemed very real — especially with the drumbeat of anti-Biden stories emerging from Democratic sources. Big-money donors stopped contributing. More stories of Biden’s memory lapses showed up in the media. When it seemingly couldn’t get worse for the president, he came down with Covid-19 and had to self-isolate at his Delaware home — a particularly cruel but apt metaphor. Also damaging were media accounts now appearing of conversations days earlier that Schumer and Pelosi had with Biden urging him to withdraw for the good of the party. (I’ve known Nancy Pelosi for more than 30 years, and we had a good relationship. She is mentally sharp and as tough as
ever, doing what she has to do to get things done.)
There were no sounds or sightings of Biden. Then, on a quiet Sunday afternoon, a letter on his personal stationery signed with an auto-pen appeared on social media, announcing that he would not run for re-election. Just like that, Biden’s 50-year career had ended, and not with a bang. Almost as if it had been planned this way all along — which it most likely had — support for Vice President Kamala Harris came from throughout the Democratic universe. (And, belatedly, from Biden himself.)
Eighty-one million dollars from Democratic donors appeared literally overnight. Democrats hailed Harris as the country’s savior. Much of the mainstream media followed suit. Many of those who did so much to push Biden out now hailed his patriotism and courage. Taking his cue, presidential historian Jon Meacham compared Biden to George Washington!
There are now fewer than 100 days to Election Day in this most tumultuous year. What could be next? Hang on. God only knows!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
team used every signal possible to get him to quit talking, but he loved to regale his audience with Washington stories.
I was pleased to see that every one of the guests came away impressed with Biden’s feel for how the government worked. And during his many fundraising opportunities, he couldn’t help but talk about his personal tragedy. It was at the beginning of his first campaign that his first wife and two of his children were killed in a car crash. In the aftermath of that horrible event, Biden was prepared to quit the race and go back to being a private citizen. But his close friends insisted that he continue campaigning, and he was subsequently elected to the Senate. Biden continued his legislative career, and eventually became the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. An appearance before that extremely significant committee is the first stop for any candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Bill Clinton was sworn in as president. My wife, Suzan, and I spent some quality time with him, and marveled at how gracious he was and how much he had grown over those many years.
Y es, he talked too much, but he also gave unexpected shout-outs.
By that point, I had learned one thing about Joe Biden. He remembered people who had helped him, and never turned his back on any friend, at any time. That Inauguration Day he was busy holding a hearing on some federal court appointments, and he invited us to sit in the committee hearing room to see how the confirmation process worked. He was a strong chairman who warmly welcomed all of the judicial candidates and treated them fairly as he questioned them at length.
me and yelled out, “Give a shout-out to a guy who helped me in so many ways.”
And so I fast-forward to now, when Biden has decided that he will no longer pursue his political dreams. His decision to give up his candidacy for the White House was a gut-wrenching one for him and his millions of admirers. No one on the Washington scene can match his talent for getting things done on a bipartisan basis. In fact, when he leaves the White House, there will be no one left with that unique talent.
In 1997, I had the good fortune to visit with then Senator Biden on the day that
As the years rolled by, I lost contact with Biden, but followed his many moves as he eventually advanced to the vice presidency. Then, by chance, I was invited to attend a speech that he gave in a Manhattan hotel to promote one of his many good causes. I was standing a few rows back at the event, not expecting him to see me or know I was there. But just before he left the stage, he spotted
Say what you will about today’s Joe Biden, but his critics can’t erase the many things he has accomplished. When all the naysayers, including Donald Trump, are gone from the planet, the historians will tell the great story about a humble man from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who was responsible for historymaking achievements, and who joined George Washington and Lyndon Johnson in giving up his dream job for the good of the country.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
ith the eyes of the world focused on Paris for the Summer Olympics, Long Islanders have special reasons to feel connected to the global spectacle unfolding across the Atlantic. Our very own Crystal Dunn, from Rockville Centre, is once again representing the United States in women’s soccer, while Wantagh’s Andrew Capobianco is competing in diving. These hometown heroes remind us that Olympic dreams can indeed be born and nurtured in our local communities.
Dunn’s journey from Nassau County fields to international stardom, and Capobianco’s path from Long Island pools to the Olympic springboards embody the Olympic spirit of perseverance, excellence and community support. Their success stories aren’t just about individual achievement; they’re a testament to the robust youth sports programs, dedicated coaches and supportive families that form the backbone of Long Island’s athletic culture.
As we cheer for Dunn, Capobianco and Team USA, we’re reminded of the countless young athletes in our own backyards who harbor similar aspirations. From the soccer pitches of Eisenhower Park to the diving boards of the Nassau County Aquatic Center, Olympic potential is being cultivated daily across the Island.
But the Olympics offer us more than just athletic inspiration. They provide a moment for global unity, a rare opportunity when the world sets aside its differences to celebrate human achievement. In these divisive times, such moments of collective joy and shared purpose are more valuable than ever.
No, we’re not a nation of one religion
To the Editor:
On Long Island, we can take a cue from this Olympic spirit. Our communities, diverse in culture, ethnicity and economic background, can find common ground in supporting local sports and celebrating shared achievements. Whether it’s a high school championship game or a community swim meet, these events have the power to bring us together, fostering a sense of local pride and unity.
Moreover, the Olympics remind us of the importance of investing in our youth and their dreams. Long Island has a proud tradition of producing worldclass athletes in a variety of sports. From Jim Brown in football to Sue Bird in basketball, our local heroes have shown that with proper support and resources, the path from local fields and pools to international arenas is possible.
This Olympic season, let’s recommit to supporting our local sports programs and recreational facilities. Let’s ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality coaching, safe playing fields, well-maintained pools, and the opportunity to pursue their athletic passion. This isn’t just about creating future Olympians; it’s about building healthier, more connected communities.
The Olympic motto — “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together” — can serve as an inspiration beyond sports. In our local governance, business practices and community initiatives, we can strive to be more efficient, aim for higher goals, build stronger bonds, and do it all collaboratively.
As we watch the Olympics unfold, let’s use this opportunity to reflect on
Re Will Sheeline’s column last week, “We are not a nation of one religion”: We’re not even a nation of one Christianity, and that’s part of the problem. Those demanding a national “return” to some mythical origin are selling a bogus product, relying on American’s ignorance of history and religion.
The bait and switch begins by invoking the Puritans. They opposed England’s established church, and were allowed to leave, partly as exile, in order to set up a “plantation” along the lines of Ulster and Jamestown. They were Christians, but subject to the King. Some 170 years later, the United States was founded, and one of the things the American Revolution rejected was the ancient combination of church-state.
Thomas Jefferson, a biblical scholar, composed
our own community. How can we embody the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect in our daily lives? How can we support the Crystal Dunns and Andrew Capobiancos of tomorrow who are practicing in our local parks and pools today?
Let’s also remember that not every young athlete will make it to the Olympics, and that’s OK. The real value of sports lies not in the medals won, but in the life lessons learned: teamwork, discipline, resilience and the pursuit of personal bests. These are qualities that serve us well in all aspects of life, from the classroom to the boardroom.
In the spirit of the games, let’s challenge ourselves to go beyond being spectators. Volunteer at a local youth sports league, mentor a young athlete or simply show up to cheer at a high school game or swim meet. These small actions can have a profound impact on young people’s life and contribute to the vitality of our communities.
As Crystal Dunn takes the field and Andrew Capobianco climbs to the springboard in Paris, they carry with them not just the hopes of a nation, but also the pride of Long Island. Their journeys from local fields and pools to the world stage are reminders of the potential that exists in every corner of our community.
Let the Olympic flame ignite a renewed sense of community spirit here on the Island. Together we can create an environment where every child feels supported in pursuing their dreams, athletic or otherwise. In doing so, we’ll be building a stronger, more united community — one that truly embodies the Olympic ideal.
sometimes good things come from bad things. That’s why I am hopeful.
The attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump once again shook the foundation of America’s democracy. Deadly shots fired could further tear our country apart . . . or not.
This horrific event might just give America a new opportunity to heal the divide.
President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump and elected officials can all help us come together as a nation.
I have always tried to work across party lines. At my swearing-in speech before Congress in February, I said, “Wake up. The people are sick and tired of finger-pointing and petty partisan politics.”
We know our country is fractured. Partisanship prevails. Confrontation has replaced cooperation. Anger and hate speech seem much too common. Congress is literally a House divided against itself.
Our founders disagreed on many things, but were unanimous in their
contempt for partisan politics, calling it “a dangerous vice and a moral disease.”
I have championed the belief that we must find common ground, that we must work across party lines to actually get things done for people. We can disagree with one another, but we must remember that we are in the solutions business. Again, we can disagree, but we must not hold one another in contempt. Contempt is one of the biggest problems in our politics. It’s a recipe for disaster.
tI have always worked hard to build coalitions of like-minded Democrats and Republicans to solve problems. Right now I am focused on the border. So what is causing this intense division?
15 percent — and those who vote tend to be more extreme on the political spectrum, extremist candidates on both sides tend to win.
A candidate in a safe seat only need win the primary; the general election is safe. To win the primary, too many candidates just pander to the base.
he attempt on Donald Trump’s life shook the foundation of our democracy.
Second, the more extreme you are on social media, the more “likes” or “follows” you get. We have all seen hateful, venal posts that seem to get more views than even the cute cat videos. Extreme social media is also more likely to generate small donor contributions from a vast audience. “Let’s work together” just doesn’t seem to generate much excitement.
tent. They are blowing up issues where we have the slightest disagreement and trying to make us unrecognizable to one another.
Our laptops and cellphones have become treasure troves of misinformation, disinformation and phony websites. Computer algorithms are programmed to feed us more and more of the same content we seem interested in.
But I still have great faith in the American people, and in our system.
Biden, Harris and Trump have a wonderful opportunity in the coming months to move beyond divisive rhetoric and try to bring us together. We can disagree — disagree strongly — but not promote contempt or hate, and certainly not violence.
I think there are four major factors contributing to today’s divisions: safe seats, social media, cable news, and our foreign adversaries.
The first major problems we face is gerrymandering, drawing congressional and other seats to favor one party. Ninety percent of House seats are safe — overwhelmingly Democratic or Republican. The only way to beat a member of Congress in a safe district is to primary them. But since so few people vote in primaries — fewer than
his own Christ-centric bible, yet when later asked why the Constitution didn’t mention God, he replied, “We forgot.” The founders, and American society, were “Christian,” but of a wide variety that included Anglicans, Baptists, Quakers and even the (then) widely hated Catholics, and the often suspect Jews.
The founding era of the 1780s was dominated by the Enlightenment of liberal ideas, of science, and of democracy as a natural extension of the Christian precept of equality. Abandoning “established” religion was affirmed as a form of progress. It reinforced the common goals of unity, democracy, of free expression and liberty of association.
American culture was dominated by what was later called mainline Protestantism. This Christianity, retaining much of Catholic theology, held truth and God as aligned; reason, logic and science were God-given tools to comprehend the universe and means to improve the human condition. That Christianity supported the democratic republic being constructed.
Seventy-five years later, this was what Lincoln meant by “our ancient faith”: the tradition of church-free, ethical democracy. The U.S. did not then have a Pledge of Allegiance, no “under god” until 1953. About 100 years after Lincoln, this remained the core of Martin Luther King’s philosophy: a Christian-infused population would bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice. It has.
Under the label “Christian,” House Speaker Mike Johnson types seek to sell a “biblical worldview” model, the Jeff Landry sorts spout his Commandments as a preamble to the Constitution, and the Lauren Boebert fools are “tired” of America’s history of opposition to their dominion. They promote, under the costume of Christian morality, an Old Testament time of “divine right” governance, rigid social hierarchy, slave economies and tribal warfare. America is far too Christian a country to accept such foolishness.
Third, cable news. Think Fox and MSNBC. Depending on the show and the target audience, cable news networks hire talent and invite guests who will reinforce their own narrative that the other side is destroying our country. The crazier the quotes, the more airtime you get.
Fourth, and the most pernicious, our foreign adversaries Russia, the Chinese Communist Party, Iran, and North Korea are using our freedom of speech, our social media and more, and they are sowing disinformation and discon-
Framework by Tim Baker
I’m hopeful, too, that we might all seize this moment to recognize that politics is serious business, and realize how harmful hate is and how badly it affects the political climate.
No foreign adversary can ever hope to defeat America. None ever has. The greatest threat to our republic comes not from external forces, but from within. Only internal divisions could topple our government.
Now more than ever, let’s all find common ground, work together, and make America the best it can be.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
