Katie Twomey, above, a member of Defender Hose Company No. 1 in Rockville Centre, hands out plastic firefighter helmets to attendees.
Ryan Cordano, 8, sprays the hose during the Heroes Day event at the Rockville Centre Public Library. Story, more photos, Page 3.
By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Plans for the development of a new three-story medical facility along Sunrise Highway in Rockville Centre has sparked interest of United Healthcare, however, many residents are concerned about the project’s overall impact.
TJohn Farrell, a partner at the law firm Sahn, Ward, Braff and Coschignano, addressed the Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 14 on behalf of The Reiffman Group, a Long Island real estate management company that owns and leases three office buildings in Rockville Centre, seeking a zero-foot setback along Sunrise Highway and a substantial occupancy permit.
ject property are old and outdated, and as such, they are not desirable to the tenants,” Farrell said. “They are in desperate need of a scrape and rebuild.”
his project will be detrimental to the area.
CollEEN McSpARRoN Rockville Centre resident
The revised proposal seeks to replace the existing retail space between Leonardo’s Furniture at 500 Sunrise Highway and the Flour Shoppe Bakery at 486 Sunrise Highway with a 42,000-square-foot medical facility that includes a tiered parking structure with 291 on-site parking spaces.
“We think it’s going to be an improvement to the community,” Farrell said. “It’s going to increase the tax base for the Village of Rockville Centre, and it’s going to bring foot traffic for local businesses.”
During the presentation, Farrell displayed a series of amended site designs, which he said would reduce the size of the initial project by more than 20 percent.
“As the board knows, the existing buildings on the sub-
Dozens of residents crowded into the courtroom at Village Hall last week to voice their apprehension of the proposal.
Colleen McSparron, who has lived on North Kensington Avenue for nearly 25 years, said she
Continued on page 11
The Village of Rockville Centre delighted residents on Aug. 13 with another installment of its annual Music on the Green summer concert series, featuring a lively performance by Paul and Jimmy of Two Euros.
The event, held at the Village Green on Maple Avenue, attracted families, friends, and neighbors who arrived equipped with lawn chairs and blankets, ready to enjoy an evening of music under the stars.
The duo, known for their dynamic mix of classic rock and alternative favorites, set the perfect tone for a warm summer night. The music provided a welcome atmosphere that resonated with the crowd.
The Music on the Green concert series is the brainchild of Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley, who envisioned the program about six years ago as a way to foster community spirit. Baxley’s idea was to create
an event that would bring residents together, allowing them to relax and connect with their neighbors through the shared experience of live music.
Since its inception, the Music on the Green concert series has been embraced as a seasonal tradition in Rockville Centre, drawing small crowds of longtime residents and newcomers alike. The series not only offers a platform for local musicians like Two Euros but it serves as a reminder of the power of music to bring people together regardless of age or background.
Although the summer is nearly over, Baxley said that any local artists interested in performing during the Music on the Green concert series can contact the Mayor’s office at (516)-678-9264.
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
Hundreds of children and parents gathered outside the Rockville Centre Public Library on Friday to celebrate Heroes Day, an event that allows local kids to learn about the duties and responsibilities of first responders.
“This is our ninth year holding Rockville Centre Heroes Day. Everyone — the children, their parents, and caregivers — had a terrific time getting hands-on experience exploring the fire trucks, police car, and ambulance,” Cathy Overton, director of the Rockville Centre Public Library, said. “Special thanks to RVC’s bravest and finest — our police officers, volunteer firefighters, and EMTs — for once again making it such a memorable day for our community.”
Heroes Day was inspired by the library’s summer reading program in 2015. That year’s theme, “Every Hero Has a Story,” would motivate Librarian Jen Rebmann to organize a “real heroes day” featuring local firefighters, police officers and emergency medical services.
Jennifer Marino, the head of the library’s youth services, told the Herald that the event was so successful in its first year that it has become an annual tradition.
“It’s grown every year,” Marino said. “It’s become a highlight of the summer, and both kids and adults really enjoy themselves.”
Marino also shared that the event also helps break the ice for kids interested in becoming firefighters or police officers by providing a calm environment to experience activities like riding in an ambulance or fire truck without the urgent need for medical attention.
During the event on Friday morning, volunteers from the Rockville Centre Fire Department and the Rockville Centre Police Department gave kids and parents tours of their vehicles and allowed them to use some of the equipment, including sirens and radios.
Some children dressed up in helmets while volunteers from the Junior Fire Department donned their weighted gear to demonstrate how they prepare for a fire.
Members of Defender Hose Company No. 1 hooked up a line to a nearby hydrant, to give children a chance to use the hose, while firefighters and EMTs from Floodlight Company provided ambulance tours and explained the different equipment used in an emergency.
Rockville Centre Police Detective Stefanie Balos, the department’s youth officer, also provided youngsters with a tour of one of the police vehicles and even allowed them to use the siren. As the department’s youth officer, she deals with any issues impacting the lives of children in the village by coordinating her efforts with local schools and parents.
Long time Islip Middle School teacher and Rockville Centre resident Patrick Curran died on August 11. Known as “Doc,” Curran taught for 27 years. He was preceded in death by Eileen, his wife of 60 years.
After retiring, he moved to Las Cruces, N.M., where he was twice elected as a magistrate judge. He later relocated to Dartmouth, Mass.
He is survived by his children, Kevin (Dawn Nici), Catharine (Tony Urbano), Thomas (Connie Eng), and Terence, Sr (Mary). Pat was also the grandfather of 23 and greatgrandfather of 13.
A funeral Mass was offered on August 16.
Matthew Funez, 21, of N. Centre Avenue in Rockville Centre was arrested on Aug. 12. He has been charged with criminal mischief following an investigation at his residence.
James O’Sullivan, 46, of N. Village Avenue in Rockville Centre was arrested on Aug. 14. He has been charged with burglary and criminal mischief following an investigation on Powell Avenue.
A resident of Lenox Road reported on Aug. 12 that someone stole her vehicle from the parking lot of her apartment building. The vehicle was recovered,
unoccupied, in Bethpage later that morning.
An employee of U-Haul reported on Aug. 13 that someone stole a vehicle from the parking lot of the business.
An employee of GMC reported on Aug. 14 that someone took delivery of a vehicle under false pretenses and refused to return the vehicle.
An employee of T-Mobile reported on Aug. 15 a package that was delivered was empty and the contents had been stolen in transit.
A resident of South Centre Avenue reported on Aug. 16, that someone stole her mother’s debit card and withdrew money from a bank account without
authorization.
A motorist reported on Aug. 15 that his vehicle was struck by another vehicle while driving on Sunrise Highway. The driver of the second vehicle then fled the scene.
A resident of Milburn Street reported on Aug. 15 that an unknown person used her personal information to electronically withdraw money from her bank account.
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.
The Fourth Battalion Fire District of Nassau County has hosted an evening boat cruise each summer since 2006. The cruise, which departs from Freeport on board the Starstream VIII of the Captain Lou Fleet, allows volunteer firefighters from the East Rockaway, Lakeview, Lynbrook, Malverne, and Rockville Centre fire departments to gather and connect with their fellow firefighters. The event provides an opportunity for firefighters to unwind and enjoy each other’s company outside of their regular duties.
A farmer came in to see us recently with this dilemma. He had a working farm where his twenty something daughter and her husband were engaged full-time. His other daughter worked in the arts in New York City. He wanted to keep the farm in the family, but didn’t know how.
He initially wanted to leave the farm and his other assets to the two daughters in equal shares. We cautioned against this since, we advised, no one likes to do all the work and then split the profits. Additionally, real estate prices could be considerably higher on his death and there might not be enough money in the estate for the working daughter to buy out her sister. We also had to consider the sweat equity the young couple would be building up over the years working the farm. Here’s how the matter was ultimately resolved to the client’s satisfaction.
We deeded the farm now to the working daughter (not her and her husband quite yet) reserving a “life estate” in the farmer so that he had a right to live there for the rest of his
life and preserving his senior tax exemption on the property. We established the value of the property today, and made a bequest on his death, from the farmer’s living trust, of a like amount in cash to the sister before the balance of the trust was divvied up.
Now the young working couple are secure in their future, the non-working daughter gets her fair share of the estate and the farmer is protected in his rights for life. Most important of all, he has the peace of mind in knowing that the farm will stay in the family.
If you’re a business owner, and have one or more children working in the business, you have the same issues. We generally like to see the “working” children take over the business and other assets used to even out the estate distribution with the “non-working” children. Where there are not enough other assets to make the distribution even, then life insurance or a mortgage can be used for this purpose, or the “working” children can pay off the “nonworking” children over a period of years at a rate the family business can afford.
FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com
Battalion Chairman Ex-Chief Joseph Mihalich of East Rockaway, left, cruises with Secretary Ex-Chief Kevin Bien of Lynbrook, Treasurer Ex-Chief Mike Koppel of Lakeview, and past Chairman Ex-Chief John Hennig of Rockville Centre.
To combat quality of life and parking violations in the Village of Rockville Centre, the Police Department have dedicated one officer to patrol the Central Business District both on-foot and in a
marked police vehicle from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily. This officer may be assigned to calls for service as needed due to high call volume, but will return to the area as soon as practical.
E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: rvceditor@liherald.com
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left, out of Longwood High School, keys Nassau’s ground attack. At right, Jayden Taylor, a Walt Whitman High School product, tops the depth chart at quarterback for the Lions, who play five of their first six games on the road.
By TONY BELLISSIMO
tbellissimo@liherald.com
Jhaleel Oswald, a former Nassau Community College football captain and key member of its 2013 Toro Bowl-winning team, is the Lions’ new head coach after running the defense/special teams under predecessor Jamel Ramsay for the past two seasons.
The Lions, who tackled plenty of adversity in 2023 and finished a disappointing 5-5, have more than 80 in the program and kick off the Oswald era with a trip to Cleveland to face Rochester Community and Technical College this Saturday at 4 p.m. The Yellowjackets are coming off a heartbreaking loss to DuPage in the NJCAA National Championship game.
“Last year we went through a lot of trials and tribulations and didn’t play up to our standards,” said Oswald, a free safety during his playing days at Nassau and LIU. “Our expectations are to put out a product that gets us back on track with our foundation and culture,” he said. “I’m not sure if we can measure that with wins and losses this year since we have a very young team with about 60 freshmen, but I know these guys are going to play hard and also work hard in the classroom.”
With five of the first six games on the road, Oswald likes the idea of a youthful team spending lots of time together and building camaraderie.
“It’s both a blessing and a curse,” Oswald said of the challenging schedule that includes visits to Navy Prep, Hudson Valley CC and Hocking in September. “We’re going to find a lot out about ourselves early,” he
Aug. 24 Rochester CC Away 4 p.m. Sept. 7 Navy Prep Away
Sept. 13 Army Prep Home
Sept. 21 Hudson CC Away 1 p.m.
Sept. 28 Hocking Away 1 p.m.
Oct. 4 Wagner JV Away 11 a.m.
Oct. 12 Eric CC Home 1 p.m.
Oct. 19 Monroe Home 1 p.m.
Oct. 26 Hudson CC Home 1 p.m.
Nov. 2 Louisburg Away 1 p.m.
added. “At the same time, it’s a good opportunity to grow the chemistry. We’re trying to look at the schedule in a positive way and we’ll have a bunch of home games in the second half of the season.”
The Lions’ home opener at Mitchel Athletic Complex is under the lights against Army Prep on Friday, Sept. 13. They’ll then play three consecutive games at home in October, versus Erie CC, Monroe and Hudson Valley CC. “We’re playing all respectable programs with quality coaches,” Oswald said. “Every week is going to be a battle.”
Some key new faces to the offense are former Suffolk County high school standouts Jayden Taylor (Walt Whitman quarterback) and Caleb Corbett (Longwood running back.)
Taylor, a lefty with a strong arm, mobility, leadership qualities and knowledge of the game, improved every day in camp, Oswald said, to win the starting job. “He’s a great kid who can do a little bit of everything and I’m really looking forward to him leading our offense,” Oswald said.
Corbett will lead a backfield that includes transfer Eric Harris and serve as one of Oswald’s targets. “Caleb is a powerful runner with good hands and he’s stood out in camp,” the coach said.
A pair of sophomore receivers, Elijah Porter and Andre Mottas, 6-foot-3 and 6-1, respectively, are primed to up their production and make their presence felt downfield. “They’re similar players who run well, have good size and excellent hands,” Oswald said.
The offensive line is one of the Lions’ top position groups and can go eight deep according to Oswald. Sophomore Kenroy Hutchinson anchors the unit at center, with sophomore Jaeden Davis-Samuels of Hempstead and freshman Jayden Jagmohan other confirmed starters
On the defensive side, sophomore linebacker Ja’quevios Sam comes off a 49-tackle campaign, sophomore cornerback Dwayne Shulters picked off 2 passes and broke up 6, and could form a shutdown tandem with Abdul Somo.
On special teams, kicker Igor Rzasa and punter Danny Iobo will take care of the legwork.
Now that the languid late summer days have yielded to the frenetic school-year schedule, it’s a good time for parents to step back and make a careful assessment of whether or not their children are trying to do too much.
“After-school activities like sports, clubs, dance lessons and volunteering provide important enrichment opportunities for schoolchildren, but too much participation without enough downtime, or participating for the wrong reasons could lead to unhealthy levels of stress,” says family medicine physician Dr. Jennifer Caudle.
“Trying to ‘fit in’ socially or trying to please parents or improve their chances of getting into college can be strong motivators that cause kids to sign up for too many activities or ones they don’t really enjoy.”
School pressures take a toll
According to the results of a “Stress in America” survey published by the American Psychological Association, children and their parents view school-related stress much differently.
Dr. Caudle notes that the survey found that 44 percent of children surveyed said they were worried about doing well in school, but only about one-third of parents thought this issue for their kids. And,
ting a good job or getting into college, 29 percent of teens reported feeling stress from this concern.
“Most parents want what’s best for their children and want them to experience all
aware that their children may not have the same ability adults have to cope with the kinds of stress over-scheduling can cause.”
According to Dr. Caudle, signs of stress can include headache, stomach pains or fatigue, missing school assignments, mood behavior changes, weight gain or weight
loss, and changes in sleep. In younger children, new habits like thumb sucking or hair twirling can also occur.
Sometimes the schedule is a burden
While some argue that overscheduling is not necessarily a problem, Dr. Caudle feels that overscheduling can be a cause of stress for some children. The beginning of the school year is the perfect time for parents to talk to their children about their activities.
“Involve your children in the decisionmaking process about activities and remind them to choose an activity because they enjoy it, not because they think it’s what you want them to do or might help them get into college,” Dr. Caudle says.
She also advises on ways to help prevent overscheduling.
√ Make sure your child has plenty of “downtime” and time for rest.
√ Monitor your child for signs and symptoms of stress.
√ Be flexible. Understand that your child’s interests and, thus, activities may change over time.
√ Talk to your child about how they are feeling and listen to their feedback.
Photo: Getting your kids involved in extracurriculars can be enriching, but sometimes taking on too much can make them stressed or unhappy. The resulting anxiety and pressure can outweigh the benefits of their afterschool activities.
By Diane Schlindwein
Summer is waning and you’ve been out shopping for new shoes, clothes and backpacks. The school supplies are labeled, packed up and ready to go — but what about your kids?
Chances are most children and teens are feeling a bit anxious about going back to class. Will math be more difficult this year? Will I fit in? What if someone tries to bully me?
Empower Your Child’s Voice
As a parent, it is your job to help your youngster study hard, stand up to adversity and, most of all, feel confident that he or she will succeed and do well in school. Keeping in mind that parents want their offspring to have a positive approach to education, here’s what a few professionals have to say about building confidence in children as the new school year gets under way.
Ask your children for their advice, instructs Rabbi Roger E. Herst, the author of “A Simple Formula for Raising Happy Children.” “This is an exercise to encourage independent thought,” he says. “Asking children for their advice lets them know you care about and respect their perspective, which tells them their voice matters. It also lets them know they are responsible for their opinions, which have impact on the real world, and not just in their minds.”
Our kids are amazing and it is important that they understand that, says veteran psychologist Dr. Sherrie Campbell. “They are amazing just because they are. They don’t have to do anything to be amazing,” she says. “They are a gift, deserve to be loved and treasured and need to be disciplined to think and believe in their own greatness. When we see them start having low self-esteem we must remind them nothing can stand the way of their greatness.”
Foster Intelligence And Self-Belief
Children need to know that they are both smart and significant, says Campbell, the
author of “Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person.” “When we raise our children, we must raise them to see, believe in and use their intelligence. When our children hear they are smart, and we find every opportunity to reflect this to them through their own actions, we help them to believe it about themselves. When they believe they are smart they behave smartly, perform smartly, communicate intelligently and they make wiser choices.”
“Your child needs to learn how to deal with life on his or her own terms,” says Dr. George S. Glass, co-author of “The Overparenting Epidemic.” “Circumstances change, communication varies and children respond differently as they grow older. This means that all of us will continue making mistakes.
Learning From Mistakes Is Valuable
“Let your kids fail, beginning with the first time they fall down on the playground,” he says. “They need to learn early on that life is full of bumps and bruises, and that they have the wherewithal to overcome them.”
“No one is perfect and having confidence doesn’t come as a result of being perfect,” says Campbell. “Confidence comes from learning to love themselves in their not-soperfect moments.” They also need to be powerful, she adds. “It won’t matter what people say about them because they know what they think of themselves.”
Still sometimes mistakes are a good thing, concludes Glass. Rough spots help children gain the confidence needed to succeed first in school and then, later in life. “Work with your kids on how they can learn from their mistakes,” he instructs.
Finally, be sure to let them take pride in their schoolwork and their creations, even if you think that they should be “better” or that you should help out. “It’s their science fair,” says Glass. “You had yours.”
By ANDREW FRANCIS Herald Intern
The Rockville Centre/East Rockaway/Hewlett Cyclones junior varsity ice hockey team clinched the New York Islanders High School Hockey League Championship following a season marked by intense competition and steady progress.
The team, made up of 13- to 15-yearold players, pulled off a dominant playoff run, defying expectations as underdogs.
Sponsored and organized by the New York Islanders, the competition showcases the top high school and middle school hockey talent on Long Island. The league is divided into junior varsity, middle school and varsity divisions, with the Cyclones fielding teams in each.
To secure the championship, the team needed to beat the Plainview/Old Bethpage Hawks, who boasted the league’s best regular-season record, 17-1.
The title match began slowly, however, the Cyclones managed to muster up some early pressure against the Hawks goaltender, forcing 13 saves early into the game.
Following a scoreless first period, it was the Hawks who would strike first, nabbing the go-ahead goal less than two minutes into the second period.
But the lead was short-lived as the Cyclones responded 27 seconds later with a goal by Chase Oliverio of Rockville Centre to tie the game.
Things soon took a surprising turn as the Cyclones scored six unanswered goals to establish a commanding 7-1 lead into the third period.
The Cyclones would extend their scoring streak to eight off a goal just 24 seconds into the third period.
Although the Hawks managed to rally back, scoring five more goals, including three off the power play, the Cyclones sealed their victory with a late unassisted goal by Gevin Cook, also of Rockville Centre, to win the championship, 9-6.
Five of the Cyclones players, all forwards, contributed to the victory. Nathan Sobel, led the team with a hat trick, Efraim Ilyaich, recorded two goals and two assists and George Chikvanaia, added a goal and three assists, tied for the team leader with four points each. Oliverio also scored two goals and Cook nabbed two points for a goal and an assist.
Ilyaich, 14, of Hewlett, credited his team’s offensive surge to effective spacing, power play opportunities, and maintaining possession. He also highlighted the importance of winning faceoffs during opponents’ power plays, which helped mitigate the man disadvantage.
“The Hawks had some of the best players in the league,” he said. “No one actually thought we were going to play like we did, and it worked in our favor.”
Despite the high-scoring nature of the game, the Cyclones’ defense played a crucial role. Goalie Matthew Prezioso, of Rockville Centre, made 26 saves while playing all 45 minutes. Defenseman Ethan Epstein also played a significant
part, contributing three assists.
“We all started moving the puck,” Ilyaich added. “We all started feeling each other towards the end, and that gave us our drive to win.”
The Cyclones finished the regular season with a record of 10-5-3 placing third in a competitive Western division. The team narrowly made the playoffs, edging out Bellmore/Merrick’s JV team by a single point.
Head coach Tim McManus, who has worked with all three Cyclones teams since 2018, emphasized the importance of turning the season around and making every game count.
“It was a very coachable group, which I believe always helps lead to improvement and eventual success,” McManus said.
He noted that the team’s attendance at practices improved as the season progressed, and the players became more receptive to coaching.
Lauren Sobel, a Hewlett parent,
praised McManus and the coaching staff for maximizing each player’s potential.
“When every line went out, they were working hard and making plays together,” Sobel said. “I think that made a huge difference, and that has a lot to do with the coaching.”
As the Cyclones look ahead to next season, they face the challenge of replacing players who will age out of the JV league.
McManus said that tryouts later this month will determine the extent of roster changes, with several players likely moving up to the varsity team. Ilyaich, who will be entering 10th grade, has already expressed his intention to join the varsity squad next season. Despite the potential hurdles, McManus remains optimistic about the team’s future.
“My goal is not just to win but to make sure that every player on my squad loves the game more and more each week,” he said. “I think we did a good job accomplishing that last year.”
was notified of the proposal because her property is within 200 feet of the proposed site.
“This project will be detrimental to the area,” McSparron told the board. “It will alter the essential character of Rockville Centre, potentially lowering property values in the surrounding community.”
She added that if the development goes through, it could put both Minuteman Press and the Flour Shoppe Bakery out of business, and the GMC dealership’s service center would likely also be impacted by the construction. Residents stood up one by one to express a range of concerns, including traffic, congestion, parking, density, public safety, and environmental impact.
Ruth McNulty, who lives on Vincent Street near the site, said she is worried about the substantial occupancy permit as it pertains to how cars will enter and exit the proposed parking structure.
“I do not know how these hundreds of cars are going to get in and out on the tiny Montauk Avenue and Ongley Street,” McNulty said.
Ann Marie Duskiewicz said that while she was somewhat relieved to hear that the developers made some changes regarding parking, she was still concerned about the impact on local traffic.
“My concern is that traffic will still slow on Sunrise Highway turning onto Montauk, causing a backup,” Duskiewicz said. “I’m also concerned about people coming out onto Montauk and backing up local traffic trying to get onto Sunrise.”
During the meeting, Rockville Centre resident Susan Jacobs presented statistics on parking garages and parking lots. “The FBI, in a 2022 study, found that parking garages are the third most common location for violent crimes,” Jacobs said.
However, not everyone at the meeting opposed the
proposal. Anna Hanrahan, a third-generation Rockville Centre resident, said she is familiar with the area’s traffic issues but trusts the village to protect what needs to be protected while improving what needs to be improved.
“I just want to actually thank everyone because it seems like the whole project improved,” she said. “It seems like Rockville Centre really worked hard. We all know that parking is a huge hassle in this town.”
In addition to residents, some local business and property owners affected by the project spoke in support of the development.
Jason Greenberg, the owner of the property at 486 Sunrise Highway, said that for the last seven years, he has taken pride in being a responsible owner and a member of the community. However, like many others, he faced the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The demand for general office space has drastically decreased in the town, leaving us with extremely high vacancy rates and rising operational costs,” Greenberg said. “It’s clear to us that the landscape has changed, and so too must the use of this building.”
Initially, the developers planned to build a 55,400-square-foot facility, but the design fell short of the 368 parking spaces required by code.
In a letter to neighbors before the Zoning Board meeting, Ross Reiffman, a principal of The Reiffman Group detailed plans to scale back the project to meet the required specifications.
“After listening to your feedback and concerns, we have made significant changes to our design,” Reiffman stated in the letter. “The building remains three stories tall at 36 feet. Instead of the original parking plan, we have incorporated a parking deck that provides 291 on-site spaces, a 57.3 percent increase from our prior design.”
Many argued, however, that the amended proposal was scaled back to comply with code requirements, not in response to local feedback, as stated in the letter.
“What they’ve done, as you can see on the plans, is squeeze every inch for parking spaces and medical offices only to seem like they are in compliance with the code and to gain the board’s approval,” McSparron said. “This is smoke and mirrors, using air space to meet the code requirement for parking.”
Following public comment, the Zoning Board closed the case, which will be voted on in a public work session at the next meeting on Sept. 11.
Curing a rare heart disorder with a short life expectancy.
Performing a life-changing brain surgery— without a single incision.
Helping a new mom give birth and receive a new liver.
At Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital, the nation’s most brilliant minds come here to conquer health care’s greatest challenges. So that whatever comes through our doors: challenge accepted.
North Shore University Hospital
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO & WILL SHEELINE of the Herald
The smell of marijuana has sparked division across New York state ever since its legalization under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act on March 31, 2021. While some residents celebrate the change, others express frustration over the strong odor infiltrating public spaces.
According to the New York State Cannabis website, it is legal to smoke or vape cannabis in most areas where tobacco use is permitted, such as private homes or backyards. However, landlords can still ban smoking — both tobacco and marijuana — in apartment buildings. Cannabis consumption is prohibited in motor vehicles, hookah and cigar bars, businesses, restaurants including patios, federal property including public housing, and most public and state parks as well as beaches.
Even with cannabis legalized across the state, the Town of Hempstead has taken measures to restrict its availability. Supervisor Don Clavin and the Town Board unanimously voted to opt out of marijuana sales on Dec. 8, 2021, preventing businesses from selling it within the town’s borders.
This decision is in line with the state’s Cannabis Law, specifically Section 131, which allows towns, cities, and villages to prohibit cannabis businesses if they passed a local law on or before the later of Dec. 31, 2021, or nine months after the effective date of the section.
Medical marijuana dispensaries can only operate in specific zoning districts, and they must be in buildings with active medical offices and receive authorization from the State Department of Health.
No more than two medical dispensaries are allowed in the town at any time. They cannot be within 1,000 feet of schools, child day-care centers, parks, or places of worship, and must be at least 500 feet from residential areas, with some exceptions. They must operate between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and consumption or use of marijuana on-site is prohibited. People under 18 are not allowed on the premises unless they are patients or accompanied by a guardian.
The Town of Oyster Bay and the City of Long Beach also opted out of permitting cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption sites in December 2021.
Despite these laws and restrictions, the smell of marijuana still seeps into prohibited areas, demonstrating the ongoing difficulty in controlling its impact on public spaces.
Avita John, a 24-year-old from Wantagh, has faced significant challenges due to her severe asthma, which is exacerbated by marijuana smoke.
“Smell is something that could trigger anything for me, but especially with, like, weed, since it’s a type of, like, smoking and vaping, you could say, that
its odor seems to be wafting almost everywhere
triggers my asthmatic tendencies more,” John said. “And what happens is that when I smell it, I just want to puke. My lungs, everything, my throat just closes up. So, it’s very hard for me to breathe.”
The problem is particularly evident in her work environment, where customers are often under the influence of marijuana. The presence of smoke in the air makes it difficult for her to interact with them, and exacerbates her health struggles.
In addition to the problems caused by the smell of marijuana, John highlighted broader concerns that affect lung health, suggesting that while laws and designated smoking areas are designed to reduce health risks, they may not fully address the broader challenges of environmental pollution and secondhand smoke.
“I don’t think legislation or governments could do anything, per se, because
they will have to interview us, or they’ll have a form for the insurance company to fill out saying that we’re asthmatic, we have lung issues, and we can’t be around smokers,” she said. “We can’t be around air pollution. But then, there’s air pollution everywhere. We don’t have clean air technically. I would say maybe they could help with our medication causes or give us some monetary incentive to help us with our health care, because they can’t provide a safe space for us. They already have spaces designated for smokers, but there are a lot of people who don’t abide by that.”
The potential problems linked to the smell of marijuana aren’t just limited to health concerns. Alison Camardella, president of the North Shore Coalition Against Substance Abuse, emphasized that the risk of normalizing marijuana smoking can risk the normalization of its use by young people.
“The dramatic increase in marijuana
smells in our parks, at our beaches and even, you know, sporting events normalizes the use of drugs for our kids, and that’s our concern,” Camardella said. “So regularly seeing and smelling it gives our kids the wrong message that this is safe and that this is OK and that it’s socially acceptable.”
CASA is a nonprofit that focuses on reducing the abuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco among students in the North Shore School District. Camardella emphasized that while the dangers of alcohol and tobacco are well-publicized and acknowledged, the potential risks of marijuana abuse by young people are often underreported and brushed aside.
“The more that they see adults using it, the more they’re at risk of using it at a younger age,” Camardella continued. “There is no question that marijuana use in the teen years is not only bad for their developing brains, but it also increases their risk of addiction later in life.”
Not everyone agrees that this is a public issue however. Anthony G., a construction worker who buys marijuana products from the dispensary Strain Stars in Farmingdale and requested anonymity, argued that smoking marijuana in public is legal. Furthermore, he made a contrast between the smoking of cigarettes in public versus smoking marijuana.
“I’m not breaking any laws — I’m not smoking in people’s faces,” he said. “It feels like a double standard, because people are still smoking cigarettes everywhere.”
As marijuana continues to become more accessible and its smell spreads through public areas, finding solutions to maintain comfort and well-being for everyone in these spaces is becoming increasingly important.
By ANDREW FRANCIS
Herald Intern
Six middle-aged dads from Rockville Centre have started a band that is gaining a lot of attention for its charitable endeavors, performing to max-capacity crowds while raising money for the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation.
Tim Mann and Joe Di Salvo both channeled their love for music as a way to get through the solitude of the pandemic. In 2021, they decided to form a group, despite having little experience performing in front of an audience.
Eventually, through gradual practice and the addition of bandmates Craig “The Blade” Ferrante, Todd Restivo, Brian Haggerty and Sean Kilduff — the band, MannChild was formed. Together, they perform a variety of covers, from classic rock to more modern hits of today, including songs by the Foo Fighters, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kid Rock, Jimi Hendrix, The Clash, Zach Bryan, The Cure and many more.
MannChild has committed to ensuring that every public performance is tied to charitable fundraising efforts. Last month, the group performed in front of 300 attendees at Kasey’s Kitchen and Cocktails and Rooftop 32 lounge to raise money for the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation.
The concert, which was the group’s second-ever live performance, raised
nearly $6,000 in donations for the foundation, which conducts patient-focused research on diagnosing and curing various conditions caused by nerve damage.
Through a personal connection with Matt Downing, board chairman of the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, the group wanted to help aid in the fight for those with debilitating neurological conditions.
Di Salvo said both Downing and his children have struggled to overcome one of the most common hereditary nerve
disorders, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
According to the foundation’s research, the disease is estimated to affect 2.6 million people worldwide and is linked to more than 100 different known genes.
With many symptoms first developing in childhood and adolescence, research to improve detection, diagnosis and potential treatments become a significant priority for those living with CMT disease and similar conditions.
Di Salvo expressed his sympathy for Downing and shared why the band felt it
was important to contribute to the foundation’s cause.
“It’s one of those diseases that, because it’s not prominent … it just doesn’t have awareness and fundraising,” Di Salvo said. “So, we want to embrace it and let everybody know that it affects key members of our community.”
Fundraising during the concert was conducted using QR codes for online donations, silent auctions, and the sale of band merchandise, with all proceeds going to help families with neurological disorders.
The show marked the group’s second successful fundraising campaign, following their debut at the 2023 Playing on the Porch music festival, where they helped raise money for the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition.
Not only was the show at Kasey’s a fundraising success, it brought together college students returning home, served as an end-of-year party for high school students and gave parents a chance to celebrate a positive cause with friends while enjoying great music.
MannChild hopes to continue representing worthy charities and performing at more great events, including the 2024 Playing on the Porch music festival in Rockville Centre on Sept. 7.
To learn more about the charities MannChild supports, visit HNF-Cure.org and RVCBCC.org for more information.
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The water quality in Hempstead’s Western Bays continues to show progressive improvement, according to a report presented Aug. 15 by officials from the Long Island Regional Planning Council, the Town of Hempstead, and Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies.
The report, shown at a briefing held at the Town of Hempstead Marine Laboratory, revealed significant decreases in nitrogen, ammonia, and other harmful pollutants that have historically degraded the water and damaged local coastal wetlands.
“Hempstead Bay and its major tributaries, known as the Western Bays, help drive a multi-billion-dollar economy,” said Richard Guardino, executive director of the LIRPC. “It’s fueled by recreation, bathing, boating, fishing, and seafood harvesting. The Western Bays contribute greatly to the quality of life we enjoy right here in the Town of Hempstead, and it’s one of the most beautiful coastal areas in all of the nation.”
Despite the promising results, officials cautioned that work remains to fully restore the bays’ health. They emphasized that multi-level efforts to reduce nitrogen pollution in the waterways should remain a top priority.
Excess nitrogen is recognized as the
leading cause of water quality deterioration in the region, contributing to toxic algal blooms, low oxygen, fish kills, and the destruction of vital marine habitats. It also poses a significant risk to Long Island’s drinking water, because groundwater serves as the island’s source of freshwater.
The Hempstead Bay Water Quality Monitoring Project, initially launched in the 1980s and revived in 2019 under the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan, has been key in addressing water quality issues in the area. The project collects
water samples from various locations in the bays and inland areas to measure levels of nitrogen, ammonia, and other pollutants.
“This is an investment in the environment. This is an investment in the economy,” Councilman Chris Schneider said. “It’s an investment in our safety, and the results we’re seeing, the fruits of the results of that investment, they are terrific, and we’re going to continue it.”
Testing is conducted using a network of 40 surface water stations located
across the Western Bays. These stations help track pollutant levels in the water. In addition, three continuous monitoring sites provide real-time data, and 20 deep-water locations allow researchers to assess conditions below the surface. There are also 12 inland sites to monitor nitrogen deposits from atmospheric conditions and rainwater.
“We’ve seen that the water is becoming cleaner. We’ve seen lately less nitrogen in the water,” Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said. “And it’s through all these combinations — people committed to making sure that the future is bright for their children, programs we run through the town — but it’s through the ability now to test it here that’s going to be most beneficial, and we are so grateful to have this.”
Hofstra Professor Steve Raciti presented data comparing water quality from 1980 to 1985, which showed high levels of nitrate marked in red on the charts, to the period from 2020 to 2023, when the water had largely transitioned to blue, indicating much lower nitrate levels. Areas near wastewater-treatment plants showed the most significant improvements.
With an additional $5 million invested by the state in the Long Island Nitrogen Action plan since 2015, the program aims to continue reducing nitrogen levels across the Island, beyond just runoff and treatment plant discharges.
The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale, New York
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
STANLEY M. BERGMAN
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CEO
HENRY SCHEIN
SPECIAL AWARDS
DISTINGUISHED VISIONARY
STANLEY M. BERGMAN
Chairman of the Board and CEO Henry Schein
ORGANIZATIONS OF EXCELLENCE
BRIGHTVIEW
LONG ISLAND SELECT HEALTHCARE
PARKER JEWISH INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH CARE AND REHABILITATION
EXCELLENCE IN NURSING ADVOCACY
NEW YORK STATE NURSE’S ASSOCIATION (NYSNA)
CN GUIDANCE COUNSELING & SERVICES
MICHELLE BALLAN, PhD
Professor and Associate Dean for Research, School of Social Welfare
Professor, Renaissance School of Medicine Stony Brook University Health Services
KIMON BEKELIS, MD
Director
Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island
MICHAEL BROWN
CEO Fellow Health Partners
JORDAN BRODSKY, MD
Medical Doctor & Rheumatologist Rheumatology Consultants
ALANNA M. CARCICH, MBA
Senior Director, Joints, Spine & Orthobiologics Northwell Health Orthopedics
CATHERINE CANADEO Founder & CEO
Catherine Candeo Health & Wellness Corp
NICOLE CHRISTENSEN
Founder & CEO Award-Winning Patient Advocate & Care Coordinator Care Answered
TODD J. COHEN, MD Chief of Cardiology, Director of Medical Device Innovation New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
TORI COHEN
Executive Director Long Island Alzheimer's & Dementia Center
CAROLYNN EIPEL
Director of Home Care Services CareFirst Home Solutions
HEIDI FELIX
Vice President of Sales LifeVac
NICK FITTERMAN, MD, MACP
Executive Director Huntington Hospital Northwell Health
MARY GMITEREK-APAT, D.C. Chiropractor Dr. Mary's Chiropractic and Wellness Center
DOUG GOLUB President Data Potato
AARON GROTAS, MD
Board-Certified Urologist PRINE Health
LORI GOOSTONE, DHEd., RN Professor, Department of Nursing Farmingdale State College
RENEE HASTICK-MOTES, MPA
Senior Vice President/ Chief External Affairs Officer & President St. John's ICARE Foundation at Episcopal Health Services
ROBYN JOSEPH, MD
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery / Founder Northern Ankle Foot Associates
FELICIA KASOW
Director of Marketing & Operations PURE Mammography
NANCY C. LEGHART Executive Director St. John's Episcopal Health Services
BRIAN MAYRSOHN, MD CMO & Owner
Maywell Health
PARUL DUA MAKKAR, DDS Owner PDM Family Dental
TINA MORENO
Vice President of WORC Force Capital Campaign Life's WORC
DENIS NANKERVIS, DO, FACS, FACOS Trauma Medical Director/Assistant Professor of Surgery at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Peconic Bay Medical Center Northwell Health
LILLIAN PALEY
Vice President of Clinical Services & Recruitment Silver Lining Homecare Agency
CAROLYN K. QUINN
Executive Director, Cohen Children's Center; SVP Pediatrics, Northwell Health Cohen Children's Medical Center Northwell Health
MEG C. RYAN, ESQ. Interim CEO & President Chief Legal Officer NHCC Nassau University Medical Center
DEAN RISKIN
Co-Founder & CEO Hair We Share
MELISSA SCHACHTER, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD Speech Language-Pathologist & Director The Speech Language Place
LISA STERN AVP of Senior & Adult Services Family & Children's Association
AMYEE ST. PIERRE Vice President, Senior Consultant, Health & Performance HUB International
JOSEPH VERDIRAME Manging Partner & CEO Alliance Home Care
Maple Family Centers, a family-owned and operated business based in Rockville Centre, has generously donated $20,000 to the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors. This nonprofit organization, founded 17 years ago by two Long Beach residents, honors and supports United States military veterans by providing them with an unforgettable, free vacation in Long Beach.
Each July, the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors team up with the Long Beach Barrier Island community to create a week-long retreat for dozens of wounded military veterans and their families. The special guests are treated to luxury accommodations at Long Beach’s Allegria Hotel and the private homes of some local residents. The event is packed with funfilled activities designed to show appreciation and create lasting memories for these brave men and women in uniform who have selflessly sacrificed so much for our country.
The week’s festivities include a parade through the west end of Long Beach, where the community gathers together to honor and recognize the veterans. In addition to the parade, the veterans and their families enjoy surfing lessons, salon visits, fishing excursions and dinners at local restaurants, culminating with a trip to New York City, and, of course, ample time spent relaxing on the community’s beautiful beaches.
John LaSpina, president of Maple Family Centers, expressed his pride in supporting the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors and their mission.
“We are proud to support the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors and this wonderful annual event,” LaSpina said. “Long Beach Waterfront Warriors is a local, volunteer-driven organization that brings the entire community out to welcome our nation’s heroes with love. This special event brightens the lives of these special men and women who have given so much
of themselves.”
Maple Family Centers, which owns three bowling centers in the New York Metropolitan area and two in Florida, has a long-standing commitment to supporting veterans in the communities its serves. Over the years, the company has raised more than $750,000 for the Bowlers to Veterans Link, a national charity that supports recreation therapy programs to speed recuperation and boost morale of America’s veterans and active-duty service men and women.
The funds raised for the BVL are distributed to local organizations serving veterans in the communities they serve, including the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors. These donations, which support and facilitate therapeutic recreation programs for veterans, would not be possible without the generous and enthusiastic support of Maple Lanes bowlers. The bowlers understand and embrace the company’s mission to improve the lives of veterans every day and are passionate about to this cause.
Since its establishment in 1960, Maple Family Centers has been a hub for fun and entertainment, bringing friends and families together to enjoy the excitement of bowling,
The LaSpina family has been at the forefront of these efforts, and over the years has shared their love of bowling as well as a commitment to the local veteran population on Long Island.
In addition to its support for veterans, Maple Family Centers frequently collaborates with not-for-profit organizations to create fundraising opportunities that benefit various causes.
To learn about Maple Family Centers and its initiatives to support veterans and active-duty service members, visit MapleLanes.com, and for more on the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors and its mission visit LongBeachWaterfrontWarriors. com.
Boogie along with Disco Unlimited at Eisenhower Park’s Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. When Disco Unlimited hits the stage, you are instantly transported to a time when Saturday nights meant white suits, platform shoes and your very best dance moves. And dance you will — when you experience the magic created when the boogie begins. Capturing a time in music that to this day has not been matched, the exhilarating band will draw you in with their powerful vocals, tight harmonies and dance grooves all coupled with a synchronized stage and light show that creates an unforgettable concert experience. Close your eyes and you will truly believe you are listening to the original artists. Hear the best of Tavares, France Jolie, The Trammps, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Yvonne Elliman, Anita Ward, Deney Terrio, George McCrae, Bonnie Pointer, Melba Moore, Maxine Nightingale, Carol Douglas, and so much more. This group of unique musicians love and live this era of music. As always, bring seating.
Saturday, Aug. 24, 7-9 p.m. For information, visit NassauCcountyNY. gov/parks.
By Iris Wiener
Al Jolson was considered the “Greatest Entertainer” of his day, so it is no surprise that the annual Long Island Jolson
Festival is celebrating 25 years next month, Sept. 7.
The unique and lively remembrance of the icon, who was a pioneer in many genres in the 1920s — including music, film (“The Jazz Singer”) and theater (“Hold on to Your Hats”) — will be filled with nostalgia, the musical stylings of beloved Jolson entertainer Tony Babino and by “Mr. Tin Pan Alley,” Richard Halpern, along with many memorable surprises.
The festival, which returns to Lambrou’s Catering Hall in Island Park, will also treat guests to comedic performances, an auction and the camaraderie of being in a space shared with like-minded Jolson enthusiasts. Jan Hernstat, the International Al Jolson Society’s longtime president, says that fans travel to Long Island for this special experience from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and even Virginia.
“Jolson was the biggest star of the ‘20s, ‘30s and much of the ‘40s,” says Hernstat. “The problem is people don’t remember him anymore because there’s no outlet for his work. He was a star before radio, television and talking movies. There was no internet, and yet people all over the world knew who he was! The Al Jolson Festival is our way of letting people know the kind of talent that he was, and the kind of things that he did. There’s still a lot of people who want to come and celebrate him.”
Hernstat has been organizing the event since its inception. “It’s amazing, and we’ve had a lot of different people join us over the years. Soupy Sales, Margaret Whiting, Sheldon Harnick,” he recalls.
• Sept. 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Tickets are $49.95, which includes entertainment and meals; tickets for show only are $29.95
• Information and tickets available at Jolson.org or call Jan Hernstat at (516) 678-3524.
• Lambrou’s Catering Hall, 4073 Austin Blvd., Island Park
To everyone’s delight, mainstay Babbino — aka “The Heart of Al Jolson” — is always the grand finale.
“I’ve had the great honor of being a part of it all these years,” says Babino as he considers his history with the festival. “It’s a great tribute to one of the greatest entertainers, and it’s something special to me because I’ve been paying tribute to Jolson my entire life. To be able to do it continually for the people who appreciate it, it’s really an amazing thing for me to experience.”
Hernstat wanted to focus on comedy this year. He’s brought in impressionists taking on Groucho Marx, Rodney Dangerfield and Laurel & Hardy.
“We’re going to recreate a radio skit that was done on ‘Kraft Music Hall’ between Jolson and Groucho,” Hernstat says. “We have an actual script!”
And, of course, there’s memorabilia available for sale, as always. This year’s selection includes items from a long time collector who passed.
“There are many things you couldn’t get otherwise. Between the auction and the sale, there’s going to be an awful lot of things Jolson fans can take advantage of,” Hernstat adds.
“It’s important to keep Jolson’s legacy alive for so many reasons, besides his one-of-a-kind, unique voice that’s easily recognizable,” Babino says.”He came to the U.S. as a little kid and went on to live the American dream. He did it all on his own. He became the biggest star in the country — on Broadway and then in the movies. At a time when it was very difficult to get to New York from other places, Jolson came up with the idea to take a full Broadway show on the road. That became the forerunner of the touring companies we have today. He was the first guy to go overseas and sing for the troops in World War II. He accomplished all these things [and many more] and he was kind of a forefather of modern show business.”
Participating yearly is truly a labor of love for the vocalist.
“We get such joy out of making it fun and interesting, performing some of the great and familiar music that people still love. We make a great day of it,” Babino says.
Hernstat remains intent on keeping Jolson’s legacy front and center in the public eye.
“If you are a lover of old time nostalgic stars of the past, you should not miss this,” he says with enthusiasm. “You’re going to want to come back again and again. We hope to continue to do this year after year, but don’t miss this one. It’s one for the ages!”
‘Good times never seemed so good’
Neil Diamond is certainly forever — as honored by the musicians who perform as Neil Forever. The 14-piece band delivers an authentic, exciting and joyful concert. Performing Diamond’s music is as much about heart and soul as it is talent; it’s a celebration of the music and the man who created it. Founder David Jacobson (lead vocals/guitar), has a great passion for Diamond’s music and legacy. Jacobson, along with his son and music director Dylan Jacobson and drummer John Cardoso began their journey only recently, in January of 2023. The band is already forging an exciting path, as discovered by excited and passionate fans of all ages. Audiences are thrilled by the authentic renditions of classic Neil Diamond hits, especially“Sweet Caroline,” of course.
Saturday, Aug. 24, 8 p.m. $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY. com.
Guitarist Dweezil Zappa brings the aptly named “Rox-Postrophy” Tour to the Paramount stage, Friday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m. Zappa is celebrating two of his father Frank Zappa’s landmark albums, “Roxy & Elsewhere” and “Apostrophe.”
The tour commemorates the 50th Anniversary of both albums and Zappa has curated a setlist highlighting fan-favorite tracks from each record, replete with unique hybrid arrangements.
“The songs you think you know, may just end up surprising you with parts you’ve never heard before” according to Zappa. A Grammy-winning musician, Zappa has left an indelible mark on the music industry with over 2,000 concerts performed worldwide.
Known for his masterful performances and deep connection to his father’s music, he returning to concert stages for the first time since the 2020 Hot Ratz Live! Tour, continuing to guide fans through the thrilling and sophisticated world of his father’s music. His virtuosity on the guitar is matched only by his prolific compositional skills, which have generated numerous original works spanning multiple albums including “Confessions of Deprived Youth” (1991) and “Via Zammata” (2015). His music effortlessly traverses genres, seamlessly weaving together elements of rock, fusion, and experimental sounds, all while maintaining a signature style that is unmistakably his own. In addition to his solo work, Zappa has collaborated with an impressively varied roster of artists, including Edward Van Halen, Deep Purple, Lisa Loeb, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Steve Vai, among others. $89, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50, $49. 50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com. Aug. 30
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, Aug. 25, starting at 9 a.m. The group meets at the gazebo. The park is on the north side of Merrick Road, four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway.
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. No walk if rain. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit SSAudubon.org.
The next meeting of the Rockville Centre School District Board of Education will take place on Tuesday, Sept.10,, in the Commons Room at South Side High School. 140 Shepherd Street.
Rockville Centre school and village offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day.
Rockin’ Labor Day
Rock on at Point Lookout for a rousing Labor Day weekend celebration, at Town Park Point Lookout, with Mike DelGuidice, Saturday, Aug. 31, 8 p.m. The free concert, hosted by the Town of Hempstead, concludes with a fireworks show.
DelGuidice, known for his appearances with Billy Joel, captivates audiences all over with his renditions of the Joel hits, along with his own tunes. 1300 Lido Blvd. in Point Lookout. For information, visit toh.li.
Borrowed Time at Kasey’s Rooftop
Borrowed Time performs a variety of pop, rock and dance favorites at Kasey’s Rooftop on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 7:30 p.m. 27 N. Park Ave.
to
With the summer coming to a close, it means its time for kids and teachers to return to the classroom. School is officially back in session starting Wednesday, Sept. 4.
Enjoy a film outdoors on Eisenhower Park’s big screen, at the closing screening of the season, Wednesday, Aug. 28, dusk, at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. See “Wonka,” the prequel based on the Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” It tells the story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, the big screen spectacle introduces audiences to a young Willy Wonka, chockfull of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time. Eisenhower Park, Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
on the lawn at Watson Elementary
This event was pushed back due to rain. 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. 28 , 6:30 p.m. 110 Riverside, Dr.
4th Battalion Fire District hosts its annual parade, Saturday, Sept. 7, starting at 5 p.m., in Lakeview. The parade will feature fire companies from Lakeview, Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, Malverne, and East Rockaway. The route begins at Lakeview Fire Department Headquarters, proceeds down Woodfield Road, and ends at Greis Park in Lynbrook.
The event ncludes a performance by Mean Machine, food trucks, the Fire Engine Tap Truck from Lindenhurst Fire Department’s Engine Company 1 with libations from Somerset Brewing Company in West Hempstead, t-shirts, Chief Cigars, and a whole lot of fun. Free to attend. For more information, visit nassaucountyfire.com.
Playing on the Porch returns to Rockville Centre on Saturday, Sept. 7, 3-6 p.m., taking place in the porches, stoops, driveways and front lawn throughout the village. Sponsored by the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce, this familyfriendly event turns front porches, stoops, driveways and front lawns throughout the neighborhood into a series of intimate performance stages. Only open to those who live in Rockville Centre, or will perform at a Rockville Centre location, but all musical genres and abilities are welcome. Participating is strictly volunteering, although the chamber suggests warning your neighbors ahead of time, and providing some seats for your makeshift venue. The event is free to attend. To register to perform, email Iyna Caruso at iyna@ optonline.net. For more information, visit RockvilleCentreChamberOfCommerce. com.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will span various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” at the museum, Thursday, Sept. 5, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol.” Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the in-depth program and also participate in a guided exhibition tour following the lecture. No registration required, but limited seating. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
The Village of Rockville Centre hosts a special tree lighting ceremony with the Mary Ruchalski Foundation, Thursday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m., in recognition of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September.
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
INDEX NO. 602744/2019 COUNTY OF NASSAU
NATIONSTAR
MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A MR. COOPER Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF LISSTTE QUINTANILLA, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; PATRICIA QUINTANILLA, AS ADMINISTRATOR, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF LISSETTE QUINTANILLA; JOHN CARLOS VILLATORO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF LISSETTE QUINTANILLA; ASHLEY VILLATORO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF LISSETTE; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; VILLAGE OF MINEOLA; “JANE DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #2; “JANE DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #3; GERMAN JIMENEZ, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF LISSETTE; B.G., A MINOR CHILD, BY AND THROUGH THEIR LEGAL GUARDIAN, JOSEPH ALOYSIUS FREDERICKS, ESQ., AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF LISSETTE QUINTANILLA; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, “JOHN DOE #4” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last nine names being
fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS
Mortgaged Premises: 638 MAY STREET SOUTH HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550
Section: 36, Block: 200, Lot: 731-732 Defendants.
To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $416,999.00 and interest, recorded on July 11, 2006, in Liber 30712 at Page 83, of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York, covering premises known as 638 MAY STREET, SOUTH HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.
The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
NASSAU County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.
Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated: August 2nd, 2024
ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC
Attorney for Plaintiff Eric Sheidlower, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 148444
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. CHERYL L. JENKINS
INDIVIDUALLY AND AS SURVIVING JOINT TENANT WITH RIGHTS OF SURVIVORSHIP OF FLORENCE M. MATHIES, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 26, 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 September 24, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 408 Clinton Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. 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 38, Block 107 and Lots 323 & 324. Approximate amount of
judgment is $415,033.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #610620/2020. Peter J. Famighetti, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 212994-1 148551
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST ARTHUR EDWARDS, ELIZABETH EDWARDS AKA ELIZABETH MC ARDLE, ET AL.,
Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 16, 2022, 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 September 24, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 259 Lincoln Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Rockville Centre, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 347, Lots 380 & 381. Approximate amount of judgment $723,702.12 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #609188/2019. 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”. Karen C. Grant, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-009233 81942 148495
Submitted by Joe Calderone, senior vice president of corporate communications & development Mount Sinai South Nassau Vishnu Dutt Sharma, 84, a father of three who owned a wellknown women’s clothing boutique in Cedarhurst, died peacefully on Aug. 15 in Oceanside, NY after a brief illness, surrounded by his family.
Vishnu came to the United States 55 years ago from his native New Delhi in India, embodying the spirit of determination and hard work to achieve the American dream. He settled in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, later moving to Kensington. He worked for more than 30 years in the garment industry, first as a wholesaler, selling silk and other material to Sach’s Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and Bloomingdale’s.
Later in his career, he opened a popular women’s clothing store, Vingami’s, located in Cedarhurst in the Five Towns on Long Island’s South Shore. The shop sold women’s blouses, dresses and jewelry. He also operated similar stores on the Upper East Side in Manhattan and in the downtown financial district.
Among his proudest accomplishments was being able to put his three sons through college. Two sons achieved advanced degrees in medicine and in the law. His son, Adhi, an emergency medicine physician, currently serves as President of Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital in Oceanside.
He is remembered with profound affection by his wife of 62 years, Shanta Sharma. The two began their courtship when Vishnu charmingly followed her home one-day, 66 years ago.
He is survived by his wife, Shanta, grandchildren and his three sons, Gan, Adhi, and Ami.
Throughout his life, Vishnu was a pillar of strength and love for his family and community, leaving behind a legacy of enduring values and commitment to his loved ones. His life story is a testament to the enduring spirit of hope and perseverance.
A service was held at Moloney’s Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Center in Lake Ronkonkoma on Aug. 18.
Nassau BOCES and the Nassau Association of School Technologists honored Eric Besendorfer, director of technology at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in Rockville Centre, for his exceptional contributions to the advancement of technology at school.
He was named a Nassau Association of School Technologists Award Recipient at the sixth annual ceremony this past June.
A 20-year veteran in educational technology, Besendorfer has managed a number of critical projects to keep St. John the Baptist on the cutting edge. He oversaw the installation of the school’s wireless infrastructure and the renovation of the school library.
He is responsible for essential classroom equipment, including interactive whiteboards and projectors. He also oversees the 1:1 Chromebook program, administers the school’s Google and
Microsoft accounts and technology applications. and coordinates technology for school assemblies and programs. He is also the Department of Education for events at St. John’s.
The Nassau Association of School Technologists awards were created by the Nassau BOCES NASTECH service to recognize exceptional educators for their innovation, leadership and support of technology initiatives in their school districts.
Each recipient of the award is selected by their district based on this criterion.
This year’s winners were honored in a ceremony conducted by Nassau BOCES NASTECH’s Data Privacy and Security Service Supervisor Laura Pollak and Program Specialist Barbara Deal.
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If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!
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Q. We have been told that when we add to our second floor, over our one-story garage, we will have to change every window in the house so we can meet the “egress” code. This is going to make our project out of budget, so we have to ask somebody else to know whether this is the case, and whether there’s any way we can keep the windows we have. There is nothing wrong with them, and it seems like a lot of cost when, if we left everything alone, we apparently wouldn’t have to do this. Can you explain this?
A. You don’t need to change every window in your home. You got the easy, simple answer, which was wrong or, at best, only partially right, and misleading. If everything could be explained with a simple answer, like the black-and-white, all-ornothing answer that you received, the world would be a simpler place. But nothing is simple, and, unfortunately, regulations on windows, which make sense, were not explained to you correctly.
First, the building codes exist for occupant and public safety. You need to be able to escape in an emergency, and you also may need to be rescued. Picture a big firefighter with his equipment strapped to him, trying to get in to save a child who is huddled, as many will do, in a closet.
Window size regulations in the building codes for escape and rescue were changed with the issuance of the 2003 version. In that updated code, the previous clear opening size was 4 square feet, but it was changed to 5.7 square feet for floors above or below the first floor. The first-floor windows for habitable spaces were then upgraded to 5 square feet clear opening from 4 square feet. This became required if more than 50 percent of the building was being physically altered, or if the occupancy use of a room changed, such as changing a den to a guest room. All bedrooms are now required, in new construction, to have 5.7-square-foot openings with a minimum height of 24 inches and a minimum width of the clear opening, with the window in the open position, of 20 inches.
Now that you have processed that information, the key is “habitable” versus “non-habitable.” Your bathrooms, laundry room and kitchen are not habitable rooms and are not sleeping rooms. The windows in those non-habitable rooms do not have to comply, and need not be changed. Rooms like your dining area, living room and family room may have access to the outside by doors, so those windows do not need to be changed. This leaves the bedrooms, which may need to be changed, but if the area you are adding over your garage does not constitute 50 percent of the dwelling, the new windows need to be 5.7 square feet, but the ones in the old bedrooms do not. Appendix J allows for the existing windows to remain. Calculate the new areas and compare. Good luck!
2024 Monte Leeper
are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the
or
NY
Monte Leeper, architect.
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The slogan “The War on Women” has largely been associated with the critical issue of women’s reproductive rights. With a presidential election coming in November, we have already heard the phrase being used not only in reference to federal races but also in local and state contests. This, of course, raises the question: Is there an actual war on women in New York state that will be, either officially or unofficially, on the ballot in November?
If we examine the question based on the historical use of the slogan, it may be difficult to argue that a war on women is being waged in our state, with the fate of women’s reproductive health being determined by this year’s election results. Yes, the Equal Rights Amendment is on the state ballot, but regardless of whether it is passed or rejected, state law will remain unchanged, and a women’s right to choose exists up to the date of birth of the fetus. The amendment’s passage will enshrine a woman’s right
to have an abortion up to the date of birth in the state Constitution. So, if current state law guaranteeing a woman’s right to choose will not be affected by this year’s ballot, the question remains: Is there currently a war on women? I would argue that there certainly is, and it is having devastating effects on women in New York. The true war is the dramatic increase in crime against women due to lenient crime policies, such as bail reform and the Raise the Age law, which have led to a surge in violence.
It’s the dramatic increase in crime against them due to lenient laws.
According to New York City Police Department data for the past four years, physical attacks on women have surged a startling 41 percent. Rapes are up 11 percent from January to July of this year. And everyone remembers the terrifying string of attacks earlier this year, in which 14 women were suckerpunched in unprovoked public assaults. Rafael Mangual, a criminal justice policy expert and a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, has stated that the increase in crime in New York is partially due to criminal discovery reform, bail reform, Raise the Age and the migrant issue. Equally troubling are
Mthe progressive policies that have been enacted in Albany, as well as the proposed legislation currently being pushed in the Capitol. Liberal politicians in Albany are seeking to pass a bill that would legalize sex work, or prostitution. This is an extreme and dangerous policy pursuit that will endanger women. The legalization of the sex trade ignores the exploitation of women and the inherent dangers of prostitution.
On July 30, I hosted an Assembly Minority Task Force Hearing on the issue of human sex trafficking at Nassau Community College. The Nassau County Police Department, the district attorney’s and Crime Victim Advocate’s offices, and numerous nonprofits took part. The purpose of the hearing was to highlight the issue of human sex trafficking in New York; develop strategies to identify and assist trafficking victims; and improve coordination between governmental and nonprofit agencies to address the growing sex trafficking problem.
During the hearing, law enforcement officials clearly stated that the legalization of prostitution would increase sex
trafficking and criminal attacks on women. In 2021, the State Legislature passed a bill that allows “loitering for the purpose of prostitution,” which many believe was the first step toward legalizing the sex trade in the state. Based on NYPD statistics, rapes have significantly increased over the past two years in areas of New York City where prostitution is prevalent.
While the importance of women’s reproductive rights continues to be highlighted, the immediate and pressing “War on Women” in our state manifests in the form of increased violence and exploitation. The lenient crime policies and the push for controversial legislation, such as the legalization of prostitution, exacerbate women’s vulnerabilities. The rise in physical attacks, sexual violence, and human trafficking underscores a systemic failure to protect and prioritize their safety.
As voters head to the polls this November, it is imperative to consider not only the symbolic, but also the tangible, threats to women in our state. Addressing these issues with effective and tough, but compassionate, policies should be our foremost priority to ensure their safety and well-being.
Brian Curran represents the 21st Assembly District.
y love of reading and history began when I was about 16. Enrolled in an Advanced Placement English class at my high school, I was blessed to have an amazing teacher who taught me how to make sense of the things I read, and consequently fostered my love of writing. It was around then that I began to develop an understanding of things I could never relate to, of experiences I could never begin to comprehend.
A book, or rather a memoir, that left a lasting impression on me was “Black Boy,” by Richard Wright, published in 1945. It depicts Wright’s upbringing in the South and his eventual move to Chicago, where he embarks on a writing career and becomes involved with the Communist Party of the United States.
It’s a difficult but impressive read that dives into Wright’s honest and poignant depiction of racism in the U.S. It pulls at your heartstrings as you read about the considerable distress that Wright experienced — physically, men-
tally and emotionally — throughout his early life.
The book was both critically acclaimed and strongly disliked. It has frequently ended up on banned-book lists in schools and libraries in a number of states, with those opposed to it arguing that its raw depiction of racism is worthy of censorship.
An early challenge to the book came in 1972 in Michigan, as parents claimed it was unsuitable for teens. A few years later, it was challenged by schools in Louisiana and Tennessee.
s
ome subject matter should make us uncomfortable, but that’s OK.
It was one of the books that parents of students at Island Trees High School — right here on Long Island — wanted removed from the school’s library in 1975. They characterized “Black Boy” and 10 other books as “anti-American, anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, and just plain filthy.”
That, of course, eventually led to a landmark case in the Supreme Court, the first of its kind to consider the right to receive information in a library under the First Amendment. The court’s decision in 1982 was split, leaving the scope of the right unclear even today.
Across the U.S., there have been more
frequent reports in recent years of books being removed from school shelves, many with content that revolves around race, sexual orientation and gender identity. In Florida alone in 2021 and 2022, school districts instituted 357 bans, according to PEN America, the organization that promotes free expression and protects writers and artists.
As a reader, and a huge supporter of public education, I find the subject of book bans tricky.
I think schools set appropriate standards for what students read throughout the course of their education. The content of books they’re assigned often corresponds well with what they’re learning in history classes, thus fostering a well-rounded understanding of a variety of subjects. By the time most students are in late middle school and high school, their brains are developed enough to understand themes, identify imagery and symbolism, and analyze and evaluate ideas they’ve found in texts. No matter how intense a book’s subject, a student should be able to not only make sense of it, but learn from it.
That’s the magic of reading.
When I think about books like “Black
Boy,” and why they’ve resonated with me all these years later, much of it has to do with comfort. Reading about the atrocities of our past is never easy. Simply put: Some subject matter should make us uncomfortable, but that’s OK. It’s through reading that we learn, and how can we ever learn if censorship runs rampant?
The New York State Legislature has fought book bans, introducing legislation that protects a child’s right to read. There have been no fewer than 13 book bans in four school districts, and the issue has played out in school board meetings and social media, even here on Long Island.
Understanding today’s societal and political landscape is tough, but the foundations of the past can help us make sense of it. As students and young people begin to navigate the complexities of society, it is crucial that their freedom to read, and to be exposed to diverse perspectives, is protected. It is only through understanding our past and confronting uncomfortable truths that we can move toward building a more inclusive, and more informed, future.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor who writes for the Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow Heralds. Comments? jvallone@ liherald.com.
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For years, Long Island’s seniors have faced a daunting challenge: the ever-rising cost of prescription medications. In a region where the cost of living already stretches many budgets to the breaking point, our elderly neighbors have often been forced to make impossible choices between their health and their financial stability. Now, however, there is a ray of hope on the horizon for Nassau and Suffolk counties’ substantial senior population.
The federal government’s recent announcement of negotiated prices for 10 commonly prescribed medications under Medicare marks a significant turning point. For Long Island, where nearly one in five residents is over age 65, this change promises real, tangible benefits.
Consider the impact on our community. The price of Eliquis, a blood thinner used by thousands of area seniors to prevent strokes, will be slashed by 56 percent. For a retiree on a fixed income, that could mean a savings of nearly $3,500 a year — money that can now go toward other essentials like food and utilities, or even small luxuries that improve quality of life.
Similarly, a 66 percent price reduction for Jardiance, a crucial medication for diabetes and heart failure, could be life-changing for many of our neighbors. With diabetes affecting a significant portion of the elderly population, this price cut could mean the difference between managing the condition effectively and facing severe health compli-
Leave it up to the parents to decide
To the Editor:
cations.
And the benefits extend beyond individual savings. By reducing the financial strain of medication costs, we may see improved adherence to prescribed treatment plans among our senior population. That could lead to better health outcomes, and potentially reduce the burden on our local health care systems, including hospitals like Mt. Sinai South Nassau and Northwell.
Moreover, these savings could have a ripple effect throughout our local economy. When our seniors have more disposable income, they’re more likely to patronize local businesses, contributing to the vitality of our communities.
It is crucial, however, to address the concerns raised by some about the potential impact on pharmaceutical innovation when the federal government steps in to negotiate drug prices. Critics argue that negotiated prices could stifle research and development, potentially depriving us of future breakthrough treatments.
While this concern is valid, it’s important to put it in perspective. The pharmaceutical industry remains highly profitable, with margins that far exceed most other sectors of the economy. Many breakthrough drugs have been developed with significant public funding through institutions like the National Institutes of Health. And the negotiated prices, while lower, will still provide these companies with substantial revenue.
Furthermore, we must weigh the hypothetical loss of future innovations
The letter last week entitled, “The real outrage is parents’ closed-minded responses” had me sick to my stomach. When I, alongside other parents, stood up and spoke up for our children at the Board of Education meeting regarding the gender-identity lessons taught to seventh-graders in our middle school, I did it because I felt strongly that this was a topic families should be able to teach their children about — when and how they see fit.
The lesson was created by a teacher who went “rogue,” as my husband pointed out during the meeting, per Superintendent Matthew Gaven’s responses that the lesson was not part of New York state curriculum standards and not part of the Rockville Centre district’s curriculum.
If teachers feel they are allowed to teach their own beliefs to children, parents should see a problem with this. As I am sure many public-school parents would not see it fit for teachers to teach about religion and
against the very real, immediate benefit to our community. For the senior you know who has been cutting pills in half to make them last longer, or the retiree next door who has been skipping doses to stretch their budget, these price reductions aren’t just numbers — they’re a lifeline.
Long Island has always valued innovation, but we also believe in taking care of our own. We can and should continue to support pharmaceutical research, but not at the cost of our seniors’ health and financial security.
As these new prices take effect in 2026, we encourage our senior readers to stay informed and discuss the changes with their health care providers. Those who are concerned about how lower prices might affect their medications can reach out to local resources like the Nassau County Department of Human Services for guidance.
This step toward making medications more affordable isn’t just a win for our elderly population — it’s a win for all of us who believe in the promise of a compassionate, equitable health care system. It’s a reflection of our values as a community, showing that we prioritize the well-being of our neighbors over corporate profits.
So let’s continue to advocate for policies that benefit our local seniors while also supporting responsible innovation. Long Island has always found ways to balance progress with compassion, and this is one more opportunity for us to show what makes our community truly special.
On June 28, the driver of a speeding SUV plowed into a Deer Park nail salon, killing four people, including off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack. Authorities say the driver of the car, a 64-yearold Dix Hills resident, was intoxicated, and had consumed 18 beers just the night before.
Sadly, this tragedy is not unique, as fatal traffic collisions involving intoxicated and impaired drivers have surged on Long Island since the coronavirus pandemic. Last Aug. 7, an 18-year-old Freeport man was intoxicated when he raced through a red light in West Hempstead and crashed into a parked car, killing Katerine Vanges Hernandez just two days before her seventh birthday.
Just a day earlier, a 33-year-old man from Lindenhurst was under the influence of fentanyl and cocaine when he rocketed his car into a vehicle stopped at a traffic light. The violent collision killed U.S. Marine veteran Patrice Huntley, his 13-year-old daughter, Hannah, his 10-year-old son, Jeremiah, and, eventually, his 6-year-old step-granddaughter Chantel, who succumbed to her injuries
six days later. The driver reportedly reached a speed of 120 miles per hour, and failed to brake until a half-second before impact, hitting the Huntley family car at 95 mph.
Each of these tragedies was devastating, and perhaps even worse, they were all preventable. As news headlines remind us daily, families will have to live the rest of their lives with the physical, mental and emotional trauma and irreparable loss caused by someone else’s poor judgment.
AAccording to a recent report from State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, the pandemic had a negative impact on traffic safety in New York. From 2019 to 2022, the report stated, the state saw a 45 percent increase in the number of fatalities involving drivers with blood alcohol levels above the legal limit, which is 12 percentage points above the national average. In 2022, about two-thirds of traffic fatalities in New York involved a combination of unsafe speeding and alcohol.
U.S. changed significantly. Of the drivers who remained on the roads, some engaged in riskier behavior including speeding, failure to wear seat belts, and driving under the influence.”
recent increase in fatalities on the road has been attributed to riskier driving.
According to a recent Newsday report, lawmakers and safe-driving advocates are renewing calls to lower New York’s legal blood alcohol content level from 0.08 to 0.05 percent. But this policy change would place a disproportionate burden on law enforcement. Traffic stops, checkpoints and arrests have their place, but are just one piece of the traffic-safety puzzle.
The state Department of Motor Vehicles and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee could and should be doing more to promote programming and resources to ensure driver, pedestrian and road safety. Culturally, the DMV has been reduced to a bureaucratic, inconvenient, soul-sucking entity, and appears to be divorced from proactive efforts to ensure safety on the roads.
ter promoted and advertised, and made more accessible.
Safe-driving advocates such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving are also calling for the widespread implementation of driver assistance, monitoring and alcohol-detection systems in vehicles across the U.S.
Driver-assistance technology enables a car to take action such as lane-keeping assistance and collision intervention. Driver monitoring systems include cameras or other sensors that monitor such things as eye movement without compromising privacy, advocates say. Alcohol-detection sensors in the vehicle determine whether a driver is drunk, keeping the public safe while ensuring privacy.
Many of these technologies are on the way, as the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 authorized the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete a rulemaking process and issue final safety standards for impaired-driving-prevention technology on all new cars by November 2024.
The recent increase in fatalities has been attributed to increased risks taken by drivers. Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states, “After the declaration of the public health emergency in March 2020, driving patterns and behaviors in the
God in the school setting, I am not sure that a teacher, using YouTube, of all things, should be teaching classrooms full of children about gender — apart from people being born as one or the other, should curriculum and standards call for it.
Let’s leave those conversations for the families and children who seek to need this education from medical professionals.
“The real outrage …” was written as an attack on us parents and our character, which I take personally, and certainly not lightly, suggesting we are “unsupportive” and “closed-minded” community members. And to this I want to be very clear when I say, why don’t we teach our children, and remind ourselves, to be kind to, and inclusive of, one another, no matter who you are and regardless of differing opinions and beliefs.
Not one of us was saying or suggesting that transgender and non-binary students are shameful, but yes, we are certainly saying this topic should not be taught in school when, once again, it is not part of the state standards or the district curriculum, let alone with YouTube as the primary source material.
If there are students in any of our schools grappling with these feelings who need this information, I’m sure they can find a safe place for this discussion with their families and/or their school’s guidance counselors and social workers, or medical professionals — anyone who can support them — but do
For example, the DMV has an Impaired Driver Program available not only through court mandates, but to anyone who wants to join voluntarily. The IDP offers in-depth education on alcohol and other drugs to help participants identify and change high-risk behavior. The program needs to be bet-
not impress your opinions, as an educator, on my child.
There is no place for this in a classroom setting. As an educator myself — I never once, in all of my schooling, seminars and trainings, heard the words, “Impress your personal opinions and beliefs on the students you teach.” I did, however, hear plenty about state standards and curriculums, and the need to follow both.
Let’s let families decide at what age they would like to discuss this with their children. Furthermore, when speaking of things we appreciate, we would appreciate our teachers teaching only what they are supposed to and, when and if this ever does have a place in the RVC curriculum, to be given the option to opt-out of such lessons, allowing families the opportunity for “when and how we see fit,” as I stated at the Board of Ed meeting.
SHANNON
LUTz
Former public school elementary educator and stay-at-home mom
To the Editor:
Re Randi Kreiss’s column in the Aug. 8-14 issue, “Momalas for Kamala, a thread to unite us”: So many of us are also hoping that
No matter your preference or politics, it will take a comprehensive, allhands-on-deck effort to ensure that more children and families are not harmed, and that the victims of these fatal collisions did not die in vain.
Karl A. Valere is chief of staff and senior policy adviser of Assemblyman Khaleel M. Anderson. He lives in Baldwin.
“all the disparate political identities will form a cohesive movement to elect (Kamala) Harris president,” as Ms. Kreiss writes. In the meantime, I humbly add another “mini cell” to the body in case folks are unaware: Seniors for Harris, who, in the interest of protecting our Social Security and Medicare benefits, are holding regular zoom calls.
JOSIE MARINO Lynbrook
