announce that the department is the first agency in the state to become certified sensory-inclusive by KultureCity.
Rockville Centre police are becoming sensory-inclusive
By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The Rockville Centre Police Department is the first agency in the state to become certified sensory-inclusive by KultureCity, a Birmingham, Alabama-based nonprofit organization that promotes inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities.
Through its program, KultureCity trains officers to become better equipped to address the one in four people diagnosed with an invisible disability, such as autism, dementia, PTSD, ADHD and traumatic brain injury, to name just a few.
The village board announced plans to introduce the certification program in June.
Since then, all 58 sworn officers with the Rockville Centre Police Department have completed the course to be better prepared, accepting, and inclusive of everyone’s needs.
“This vital training enhances the day-today interactions with individuals who have sensory needs or invisible disabilities,” Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray said in a statement, last week, following a press conference outside police headquarters. “Thanks to the partnership with KultureCity, our officers are equipped with the tools to respond with compassion and the necessary skills to make a positive impact.”
The certification process provided local law enforcement with training from lead medical and neurodivergent professionals on
Continued on page 13
By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
In recognition of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, the Village of Rockville Centre invited community members to gather at Village Hall on Aug. 29 for a special treelighting ceremony.
The annual event honored the memory of Mary Ruchalski, a seventh-grade St. Agnes Cathedral School student who died in March 2018 of rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of soft-tissue cancer.
Wfailed her. When I spoke to her mother, she said, ‘This is just not right. How, in this day and age, is there not a cure? This is not how a childhood sickness should be.’”
e have to make
pediatric
cancer a priority in this country
CARol
Her mother, Carol Ruchalski, created the Mary Ruchalski Foundation in 2018 to spread awareness of the disease and raise money for pediatric cancer research, in the hope of helping other families with children affected by it.
Children diagnosed with cancer, Ruchalski said, are often treated with adult chemotherapy, which can be ineffective and even toxic, and can, in some cases, cause secondary cancers or other chronic issues.
RuCHAlSkI Co-founder, the Mary Ruchalski Foundation
Research by the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer determined that, on average, survivors who received radiation or certain types of chemotherapy have an increased risk of damaging the heart and blood vessels as well as other problems.
“Tonight I’m wearing a bracelet of a little girl that lost her battle to cancer a few weeks ago. She was 11 months old,” Ruchalski said. “At the time of her death, she was cancer-free, but because of the high toxicity of her treatments, her tiny body
“The average lifespan of a child treated with chemotherapy is 57 years old,” Ruchalski said. “That’s 21 years less than the average adult.”
More than 200 cancer drugs had been developed and approved for adults as of
Continued on page 20
Daniel Offner/Herald
Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray joins members of the village board, RVC Blue Speaks and the Rockville Centre police department on aug. 27, to
Courtesy Town of Hempstead
HERALD SCHOOLS
South Side welcomes incoming freshmen
Just before the start of the new school year, incoming freshmen at South Side High School participated in ninth-grade student orientation on Aug. 27. A symbolic tradition in the school district, the orientation provides an opportunity for upperclassmen to pass down the proverbial torch to their younger counterparts.
Faculty members, counselors and administrators greeted students, introducing themselves to some of the fresh new faces as they entered the building, eager to start their new academic journey.
Students were broken up into groups and led on a tour of the campus by a member of the National Honor Society. The tour featured a number of key locations throughout the building, including the main office, cafeteria, gymnasium, commons room and the library.
Tour guides also assisted the incoming ninthgraders by showing them their locker assignments and answering any questions they might have about their first day at South Side High School.
“The goal of the program is to ensure that new students to the high school have a chance to gain some comfort and familiarity with the building prior to the first day of class,” South Side Principal Patrick Walsh said. “This past year, we had about 40 seniors help out, assisting with guiding students through the hallways and providing information about the school. What is great about so many students helping is that it sends the message, at this school, students look out for and want to help one another.”
The orientation is both an engaging and informative tradition which aims to help students as they embark on their high school journey with confidence and a strong sense of community.
–Daniel Offner
Incoming freshmen roamed the halls and corridors of South Side High School on Aug. 27 to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings.
Gregory Brennan, a teacher and basketball coach at South
High School, speaks with incoming ninth graders.
Photos courtesy Rockville Centre School District
South Side High School Principal Patrick Walsh, right, and custodian Jimmy Quaresima introduce themselves to incoming freshman students.
Ninth graders are given nametags as they enter the building for freshman orientation at South Side High School.
Side
News briefs
South Side High School reunion weekend
South Side High School alumni with the graduating Class of 1979 are invited to attend the 45th class reunion weekend, from Friday, Oct. 18 to Sunday, Oct. 20.
The weekend will commence with an afternoon tour of the high school on Friday, Oct. 18, followed by a casual gathering later that evening. The centerpiece of the occasion will be a reunion dinner on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at OMC at the Freeport Yacht Club. The festivities will conclude the following morning with a farewell breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 20.
The cost of the reunion dinner is $100 per person and includes food, dancing, cocktails and a complimentary photo booth. Tickets must be purchased in advance. A block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests has been reserved at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale.
To purchase tickets for the event or for further information, contact Meredith Lupion via email at SouthSideClassof79@Gmail.com or LupionMeredith@Gmail.com. You can also call (631)-748-1173 for more details.
–Daniel Offner
Applications available for 9-11 memorial
In memory of World Trade Center rescue and recovery responders and civilian victims who have been lost to illnesses caused by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Village of Rockville Centre is accepting applications to add names honoring family members, friends and neighbors who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Application forms are currently available online at RVCNY.Gov. For more information on the application
process, contact village hall at (516)678-9260.
All additional names will be inscribed onto the 9/11 memorial monument, located on the Village Green, at the corner of Maple and Lee avenues in Rockville Centre.
The 23rd Year of Remembrance Ceremony will be held in front of the monument on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.
–Daniel Offner
RVC announces the 2024 Tree Program
The Village of Rockville Centre Department of Public Works are taking residents orders for new trees, beginning now through Sept. 20. Trees will be delivered and planted by late November/early December.
Trees are guaranteed for one year. If the tree purchased dies within that time, it will be replaced with a new one for free.
After the first year, the homeowner is responsible for all maintenance of the trees.
The village can only plant trees on the strip between the sidewalk and the
curb, but can also provide them to be planted elsewhere on your property. Each tree costs $250. With planting and installation included it costs $350.
Residents can pick from six different varieties of plantings, which include Canada Red Select Cherry, Honey Locust Thornless, Japanese Lilac, Japanese Zelkova, Sugar Maple or Sargent’s Cherry.
For more information on the program and access to the form online visit RVCNY.gov.
–Daniel Offner
Lions Club of RVC to host Amazing Race
The Lions Club of Rockville Centre will host its fourth annual Amazing Race — formerly known as the Walking Rally — on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. This interactive scavenger hunt will test teams as they race around the village to perform different challenges and solve clues for a chance at a cash prize. This fun, family-friendly event features a brand new course. There will also be raffles, food and a cash bar at the final destination.
The race will begin at Municipal
Parking Field No. 12 along Sunrise Highway, just south of the John A. Anderson Recreation Center.
The event is a great way to get out doors and join your neighbors in a fun group activity. Part of the proceeds from this year’s race will go to benefit the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition.
To register or for more information visit RVCLions.com.
–Daniel Offner
Peace of Mind
In the midst of abundance such as we have never known, why are so many people unhappy? It may be that pursuing happiness is too vague a concept. Instead, we recommend pursuing peace of mind. Peace of mind can be found by eliminating those persons or circumstances that are preventing you from achieving it. Impossible, you say? Not if you are determined to find a way. Someone once said, “Tell me what it is that you want that you can’t have, and I’ll ask you what it is you aren’t willing to do.”
Recently, a client contacted us for advice on a family matter. She was the executor of an estate where the decedent had been in a second marriage and the two families were bickering over an old motorcycle, some personal effects and a relatively small amount of money. She wanted out as executor but her brothers wanted to fight. I asked her brothers whether they wanted peace of mind or to be right, since they couldn’t have both. They finally relented.
Too many people want the thing but are
unwilling to pay the price. You want out of the relationship or situation but the other side is asking too much? Pay the price and get on with your life, it’s worth it. It doesn’t have to be fair, it just has to get done. Emerson said “Do the thing and you will have the power.”
Many of the issues we see people grappling with involve fighting something or someone in a way that resembles Don Quixote tilting at the windmill. They are fighting all by themselves. We say “stop fighting”. Let it go.
We also meet a great many worriers. Worried about everything all the time. Perhaps it is no more than a bad habit. Why do we say that? Whenever we solved a client’s worry, they immediately started worrying about something else! Churchill recounted a dying friend telling him, “You know, Winston, I had a lot of troubles in my life. Most of which never happened.”
Finally, from the Canadian thinker, Brian Tracy, “Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it”.
Hofstra eyes return to national stage
By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
Hofstra men’s soccer reached big heights in 2023, advancing to the NCAA Tournament’s third round stage for the second time in three years, but longtime head coach Richard Nuttall felt plenty was left on the table during the historic run.
The Pride led third-seeded North Carolina by a goal late in the second half before surrendering the equalizer with under five minutes remaining and eventually losing in penalty kicks following two scoreless overtimes. The heartbreaking loss was a big missed opportunity for Hofstra, who with a win would have hosted 11th-seeded Oregon State in the Elite Eight with a chance to punch a ticket to the prestigious College Cup.
“We are proud of what we accomplished, but we felt it was a lost opportunity,” said 35th-year head coach Richard Nuttall. “The reality is though we are punching way above our weight for what we are and I think we are the best midmajor in the country that is not a state school.”
Nuttall lost many key pieces from last year’s 14-3-5 team, but returns 12 players including All-America defender Pierce Infuso, a Merrick native who has returned for a fifth season as a graduate student. The Bellmore-JFK product was a third-team All-America honoree last season and an All-Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) First-Team selection.
“He is rock steady and does what he has to do,” Nuttall said of Infuso. “He is getting a lot of looks from MLS clubs and I believe that he has the ability to play at that level when he leaves here.”
Graduate student midfielder Roc Charles gived Hofstra an additional fiveyear veteran with Infuso returning for an extra year of eligibility. The Spain native is a co-captain with Infuso and scored a goal in Hofstra’s 4-1 win at American on Aug. 25.
Hofstra’s offense will be looking for new producers this season following the loss of leading leading scorers Ryan Carmichael and Eliot Goldthorp, who were both selected in the Major League Soccer
Super Draft. Also scoring in the American win with Charles were Pablo Hempelmann-Perez, Jacob Woznicki and Gabriel Pacheco with Laurie Goddard tallying an assist.
Woznicki, a graduate student who previously played at Stonehill College, then tallied two goals in Hofstra’s 2-0 win against Providence on Aug. 29.
Senior forward Teddy Baker, an England native, is expected to rejoin the team soon from injury after registering 11 points last season.
The backline led by Infuso, Pacheco, Eoin Farrell and Jack O’Malley posted a clean sheet in a season-opening 0-0 tie with Fordham on Aug. 22. Senior goalie Filippo Dadone, who replaced two time All-CAA keeper Wessel Speel in net, made five saves for his first career shutout.
Hofstra, which began the season ranked 17th nationally, was picked first in the CAA preseason coaches poll and is aiming for its fourth straight conference title, which would earn another automatic bid into the 48-team NCAA Tournament.
High expectations for Pride
The Hofstra women’s soccer team’s bid for its own three-peat last year and sixth CAA title in seven seasons fell short with
a heartbreaking overtime loss to Monmouth in the conference semifinals last November.
The Pride returned plenty of talent from last season’s 12-5-1 season and are fueled to write a better ending this fall. Hofstra was picked to finish second in the CAA behind Monmouth
“As much as it hurt, I think it was a valuable learning moment,” said 19thyear head coach Simon Riddiough of last year’s CAA semifinal defeat. “People sometimes underestimate the difficulty of winning championships.”
Hofstra lost last year’s leading scorer Wiktoria Fronc and will likely be relying on a scoring by committee this season rather than one dominant player, according to Riddiough. Potential offensive weapons who have emerged early this season include Millie Davies, Mathilde Braithwaite, Aimee Hodgson, Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir and Ellie Gough.
The bulk of last season’s defense is back in Olivia Pearse, Louise Hayden and
All-America defender Pierce Infuso, a Merrick native and graduate student, is one of a dozen returning players for the Pride.
Gabriella Marte. Pearse, a former standout at Seaford High School, proved to be a reliable leader of the backline with her tenacious play early in the season before a foot injury sidelined her in late August with timetable for a return to the field uncertain.
“I love her intensity and tenacity and her physicality,” Riddiough said. “I’m proud of the way she’s developed as a person as well and she’s becoming a really wonderful all round student athlete.”
The starting goalie spot was up for grabs entering the season following the departure of Skylar Kuzmich, who started in net for five seasons. Freshman Synne Danielsen of Norway and senior Mackenzie Sullivan of Arizona have both seen time in net so far.
Hofstra enters September unbeaten at 1-0-3 with a 2-1 win against Yale and ties against Ivy League contenders Brown and Columbia on its resume. The Pride kicks off the CAA schedule on Sept. 19 at home against College of Charleston at 7 p.m.
Former Seaford standout Olivia Pearse leads a talented and experienced Hofstra defensive corps.
Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletic Communications
A lifetime of advocacy, all without speaking
By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com
Ricky Weisenberg, who had cerebral palsy, spent his life trying to help people with physical disabilities. He couldn’t speak, but that never got in his way.
Weisenberg, who was living at the AHRC Nassau group home in Plainview, died on Aug. 7, at age 66, of complications of pneumonia.
Weisenberg was the adopted son of longtime Long Beach resident Harvey Weisenberg, a former police officer, city councilman and state assemblyman, and his late wife, Ellen. Ricky was the main motivation, his father often said, for his decades-long focus on helping those with disabilities, just like his son.
“God gave me an angel, a saint and a mission,” Weisenberg said. “The angel is Ricky, my special child. The saint was my wife, and my mission is to help people. Ricky changed my life.” Ellen Weisenberg died in 2016.
Ricky lived in group homes upstate, in Melville and in Pittsburgh before spending the last 30 years in Plainview. At the AHRC Nassau residential facility home in Plainview, his family said, he was once mistreated and abused. As a result, his father introduced Jonathan’s Law in the assembly in 2007, named for Jonathan Carey, a child with autism who was killed that year by a care worker, which required the reporting of abuse or neglect of the disabled. Harvey Weisenberg also filed suit against the facility in 2012. The suit was settled the following year, and Weisenberg helped pass legislation in 2013 to restore funds
in the state budget for people with physical and developmental disabilities.
It was all because of Ricky.
“The values in this world have changed,” the now 90-year-old Weisenberg said. “It used to be all love and caring, and now it’s anger and violence. Everything in the news is negative, and there’s so many good things. We’ve helped so many people and saved people’s lives, and it’s all Ricky.”
A bench on the Long Beach boardwalk, near Grand Boulevard was dedicated to Ricky and Weisenberg wrote an autobiography titled “For the Love of a Child,” published in 2018, about all the work he has done, in which he made clear his inspiration for it all: Ricky. The book brings light to the many laws Weisenberg helped pass to help those with disabilities.
Harvey’s and Ricky’s lives were also chronicled in a documentary called “The Voice of the Voiceless.” In Ricky’s honor, the film was scheduled to be shown at Malverne Cinema on Thursday. Weisenberg said he hopes it shows the love between them, and how it led to their helping so many others.
“The love you get, the unconditional love you get from a special child is like no love experience you can imagine,” Weisenberg said.
Gutterman’s Funeral Home, in Rockville Centre, hosted a visitation and a funeral for Ricky on Aug. 8 — but as far as his father was concerned, the service was much more than a funeral.
“We celebrated Ricky’s life,” he said. “We didn’t mourn Ricky, and that’s the truth. We celebrated his life, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Back To School
Herald file photo
Ricky with his late mother, Ellen, and his father, Harvey.
Gillen outlines an antisemitic action plan
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York’s 4th Congressional District, announced an action plan to combat antisemitism outside a house in East Meadow last week. The district includes multiple communities with substantial Jewish populations.
Gillen was joined by residents, elected officials and Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Michael Stanger of the Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation.
Gillen’s action plan targets three areas of concern: Schools, synagogues and social media.
If elected, Gillen said she would work to leverage federal aid to colleges to force changes in codes of conduct, and increase funding to the U.S. Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights. For synagogues, she would fight to fully fund the FBI and the Department of Justice to help local police coordinate responses to threats to houses of worship. She added that she wants to enact content moderation requirements for social media platforms like X to remove hateful content.
East Meadow neighbors who joined Gillen at an Aug. 28 news conference said antisemitism is a problem in schools. Alisa Baroukh’s daughter attends Cornell University. Over the last school year — especially following Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack against Israel — her daughter was subjected to antisemitic incidents, she said.
“My daughter’s freshman year was marred by widespread antisemitic intimidation, which was hard considering we chose Cornell for the warm and inclusive environment that we saw during our tours,” Baroukh said. “This macro-level intimidation included online death threats toward Jewish students that resulted in the FBI swarming campus.”
According to Gillen, Republicans in the House of
Representatives have “moved to undermine key resources” that are needed to fight antisemitism.
“Congress has failed to address the surge in antisemitism in our schools, our synagogues and on social media,” she said. “Not one additional dollar has been spent or one law has been passed to combat this surge.”
Gillen said there had been “an unprecedented rise” in antisemitism nationwide, and that Congress has failed to pass policies that actually protect those of the
Jewish faith.
The Anti-Defamation League, which fights antisemitism, said that the number of antisemitic incidents in New York jumped 110 percent in 2023, according to an April 2024 report.
“I find it unacceptable how little we are doing to actually protect our Jewish residents from this hatred, and that is why I’m here alongside Jewish parents, leaders and other community members to say enough is enough,” she said. “It’s time for action.”
Gillen is challenging incumbent Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican who defeated her in the 2022 election. D’Esposito has denounced antisemitism, and according to his congressional website, introduced a resolution last November condemning the slogan “from the river to the sea.” The slogan refers to the liberation of land claimed by Palestinians between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which is located in the modern state of Israel.
A spokesperson for D’Esposito told the Herald that the congressman has been to Israel several times, where he’s met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; is a board member of the U.S Holocaust Museum; and has been instrumental in passing several Israeli aid bills.
D’Esposito also introduced a Define to Defeat Act in April, which clarifies legislation, providing federal officers with an objective, contemporary definition of antisemitism, better helping them to assess and prosecute criminal and discriminatory incidents, motivated by antisemitism.
The act was introduced after D’Esposito said the U.S. and New York were continuing to endure “recordbreaking” levels of antisemitic attacks and hate. The legislation would “provide federal officials the tools they need to fully assess, investigate and prosecute this criminal behavior,” he said.
Jordan Vallone/Herald
Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York’s 4th Congressional District, outlined her action plan to combat antisemitism last week. Gillen wants to target antisemitism in schools, synagogues and social media.
Senior H.O.P.E Fair
*Registration is required for a FREE meal ticket*
RemembeRing the Fallen: Sept. 11, 2001
recently added to memorial
Charles F. Kerrigan
Robert Emmet Sullivan
Michael J. Schnitzer
Battalion Chief
Stephen James Geraghty FDNY
Daniel Patrick Morrissey
Battalion Chief
Richard E. McGuire FDNY
Lt. Zachary A Slavin NYPD
Rockville Centre's annual candlelight commemoration at the Village Green memorial for those lost on Sept. 11 will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Village Green on Maple Avenue.
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noeLL maerz
John a sherry Janice ashLey James J. keLLy
matthew grzyma
anDrew stern
michaeL h seaman
James f murphy iv
Hosted by:
Police get training on invisible disabilities
how to recognize community members with sensory needs and how to manage a sensory overload situation.
KultureCity’s training instills understanding, acceptance, and empathy towards those who have sensory needs and invisible disabilities with the goal of improving future interactions between law enforcement and the community to create the best outcomes.
Sean Culkin, a lifelong Rockville Centre resident, said that he was only two years old when he was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. He shared how his doctors at the time told his family that he would never be able to speak or enjoy a quality of life.
“They told my family that I would never have a community. That the burden of responsibility for my disability was going to be placed on the shoulders of me and the people that I love, and it was up to us to determine how we were going to move forward in the world,” Culkin said. “That is a sentiment that really stuck with me and my family.”
Culkin, 30, is an ambassador and board member with KultureCity. He has been an advocate for the New York State Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board, where he reviewed and refined policy suggestions pertaining to individuals with autism.
To help introduce the program, he sought the support of Tony and Mary
Lou Cancellieri, the co-founders of RVC Blue Speaks, who arranged a meeting with Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley to discuss implementing the training program, beginning with his hometown.
RVC Blue Speaks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping raise money for local families affected by autism, provided the necessary funds for the program.
“One of the best parts of living in a community like Rockville Centre is having a government small enough to respond in a timely manner to the needs of our fellow neighbors that will make a positive difference for years to come,” Baxley said during the press conference. “Our police department was not just receptive to the training, but they were fully on board to learn new techniques to better serve our community and be more inclusive for all.”
“This certification is not just a badge of honor, it’s a testament to our dedication to the well-being of all of our residents in Rockville Centre. It allows our officers to improve the interactions we have with our most vulnerable,” Dodd said.
W hat this means for me as a member of the community is (something) I cannot put it into words.
Sean Culkin board member, Rockville Centre resident and KultureCity ambassador
Culkin, with the support of the deputy mayor and the Cancellieri’s, met with Police Commissioner Randy Dodd, Inspector Christopher Romance, Training Sgt. Peter Pellegrino, and Village Administrator Nancy Howard, to discuss what the certification program entails.
In addition to this invaluable training, each patrol vehicle is now equipped with a sensory bag provided by KultureCity, which includes various tools including a “feelings thermometer” designed for people who are nonverbal or may have difficulty speaking in a stressful situation. This tool is used to help gauge someone’s emotional state and provides cues intended to help bridge the communication gap in an emergency. The sensory bags include fidget tools to help individuals de-stress and calm down during highstress situations, and noisedampening headphones, which tune out ambient noise, while still allowing the wearer to communicate in an emergency.
“What this means for me as a member of the community is (something) I cannot put it into words,” Culkin said. “It’s an honor to call Mayor Murray Kathy
Baxley, the Cancellieri’s, Sergeant Pellegrino, and everybody with the Rockville Centre Police Department an ally and an advocate for those with disabilities, and hopefully, what we do here today will resonate with the rest of New York State as we continue to roll out this sort of inclusive program to help those like me.”
KultureCity has been at the forefront of the inclusivity movement for the past decade, actively collaborating with communities, small businesses, organizations, and influential figures to promote awareness and understanding of invisible disabilities. The organization awarded sensory inclusive certification to more than 1,800 venues across the United States — including Citi Field and Madison Square Garden — and through its First Responder Training program has helped save the lives of 48 individuals.
Uma Srivastava, the executive director of KultureCity, said in a statement that by “empowering communities through inclusion and innovation, the Village of Rockville Centre is aligned with the same visionary spirit as KultureCity and is championing a world where every individual, regardless of ability, is not just accepted by celebrated for their unique contributions to the tapestry of humanity.”
To learn about KultureCity and the different programs it provides, visit KultureCity.org, for more information.
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following:
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Veterans rally to reopen Mitchel commissary
By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com
The Mitchel Field commissary in Garden City has been closed since early July with structural damage, leaving some 80,000 veterans on Long Island with no choice but to travel to Fort Hamilton, in Brooklyn, to avail themselves of commissary services.
Commissaries provide veterans, active-duty and retired military personnel — many of whom live on fixed incomes — with a way to shop for groceries at a discount, with savings of up to 30 percent off compared with conventional supermarkets.
Kerry Englander, commander of the Nassau County American Legion, emphasized the challenges created by the sudden closure and the importance of the services the commissary provided.
“The veterans and current military need this facility, especially with the economy the way it is today,” Englander said. “I believe that if the military and veterans are utilizing this facility, it should be opened up.”
Frank Colón Jr., commander of American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre, said that by closing the commissary, the Department of Defense has created a major inconvenience for Long Island veterans, many of whom cannot travel to Fort Hamilton.
“It’s a hardship on the veterans. Especially in these times,” Colón told the Herald. “It shouldn’t be like that. You’ve got veterans from Suffolk and Nassau County that go here. You think a guy from Suffolk County is going all the way to Fort Hamilton? It’s a hike.”
John Meyer, of American Legion Post 246 in Baldwin, said he has been using the Mitchel Field commissary for the past 20 years because the “prices are right.”
“It’s one of the few benefits that we get,” Meyer said. “This (facility) is for the veterans, especially the ones
Daniel Offner/Herald
Frank Colón Jr., commander of American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre, spoke about the closing of the Mitchel Field commissary and what it means for veterans in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
who are retired and did their time, and come here to get a third off of what they pay outside.”
He explained how at one point, it was restricted to only disabled or recently retired military servicemen and women. However, this has changed in recent years, opening up access to provide services to more veterans on Long Island.
“This is a godsend,” Meyer said. “For most people, this is the ideal place because it’s close to mid-Island. And with this closed, everybody’s got to go to Fort Ham-
ilton. That’s another 27 miles down the road. I used to work in Coney Island for transit. I’m not going down there for nothing.”
Ralph Esposito, director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, noted the impact of the commissary’s sudden closure. “It’s a good place to go,” he said. “It saves vets lots of money. Right now, it’s hurting the veterans.” He also mentioned the increasing demand at the Veterans Food Pantry, known as Vet Mart, which has been in operation near Nassau University Medical Center since 2015.
“Because it’s closed, our numbers are getting bigger,” Esposito said. “I give away food for free, so now they’re all coming to me.”
The Vet Mart feeds about 600 people a month, including veterans and their families. The pantry also relies on volunteers, who deliver food to those unable to get to the offices in East Meadow.
In response to speculation that the facility could remain closed until early 2025, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and representatives of Congressman Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota and Tom Suozzi rallied alongside local veterans outside the Garden City facility last week to demand that the Defense Department do everything in its power to expedite the repair and provide a clear-cut timeline for when they expect it to reopen.
“I am demanding that we have the Department of Defense answer our questions immediately,” D’Esposito said. “Leaving our local veteran community in the dark over the future of this commissary is wrong, and we will not stand for it.”
Blakeman added that food insecurity has been a priority of his administration. “Nassau County will work with Long Island Cares and Island Harvest to make sure that we can get food for our veterans,” he said.
STEPPING OUT
Extraordinary
The Jackie Mason Musical
BLOOMS
By Karen Bloom
Do you enjoy spending time outside to take full advantage of the season? While we transition into fall, there’s no reason to give up on summer’s blossoms just yet. Colors abound and late summer delghts linger on — for a while longer.
With your favorite book, a nice container or cup of your favorite (iced) beverage and a gorgeous bunch of flowers on your patio table, you can brighten up your days on your deck, patio or balcony — or even inside — and enjoy it all with a capital E.
Color explosion
Fall approaches with plenty of color
Floral décor that lasts
Many (bulb) flowers are still available in all sorts of unbelievable colors and shapes. Of course you could always buy a beautiful ready-made bouquet. But why do that? Create a spectacular summer bouquet yourself with loose flowers, leaves, and branches Display it on your tables — indoors and out — and enjoy the beautiful colors of typical summer bloomers like dahlias, gladioli and lilies.
Be creative with your planters to reflect your style and personality. Start out by choosing a sturdy vase or pot that is suitable for outdoor use. Or go for smaller vases scattered around the table to set a playful atmosphere.
Cut off the bottom of the flower stems diagonally, to help the flowers absorb water better and stay fresh longer. You’ll want to place your vase with flowers in the shade for best results. Regularly water your flowers to keep them fresh. Of course, on warmer days — and we’ll still have some of those remaining — you may need to do this every day. Also, if necessary, use rocks or sand to stabilize the vase and prevent it from toppling in windy weather. Complete the look of your patio table with a few cozy candles, lanterns or other seasonal items.
Nature thrives in the home garden
Thanks to their long flowering period, you can enjoy your florals for weeks or even months. Summer-flowering bulbs often attract pollinating insects as well, and thus contribute to biodiversity in your garden. Remove wilted flowers to extend the flowering period. Some summer bulbs, such as gladioli and dahlias, can be dug up after flowering and stored frost-free. You can then plant them again the following spring.
Certainly, there are so many choices. As you start to think about ideas for next year, that will add to your floral assortment, think beyond the summer bulbs gladioli, dahlias, lilies, and begonias. You might want to check out other unusual bulbous plants such as calla (Zantedeschia), pineapple lilies (Eucomis), freesias (Freesia) or blazing star (Liatris)
If you’ve planted lilies, you’ve got something special to delight your family and friends. If not,
consider doing so. The majestic blooms of lilies create an elegant look, whether on the balcony, terrace, or indoors. The variety of colors, from pure white and creamy yellow to deep red and purple, make them a great match for any style and taste. With their compact growth habit, potted lilies are perfect for use outdoors and indoors.
A bouquet of lilies always looks fabulous. With their rich range of colors, shapes, and fragrances, you’ll have plenty of choices every time, whether for yourself or to give as a gift.
And they move with the seasons. Lilies combine beautifully with seasonal flowers. Try lilies in combination with typical spring bloomers in spring, and with dahlias and gladioli in (late) summer. In fall and winter, for example, a bouquet of lilies with some added branches looks great (and will last a long time). In other words: you can vary endlessly with lilies.
Little rays of happiness
Flowers instantly bring color into your home, but also do so much more. They make people happy. And you will notice this straight away.
The simple act of putting them in the vase will trigger a dose of happy hormones. In fact, flower arranging has been shown to reduce stress. Taking a good look at every single one of the flowers before arranging them in a vase (and don’t forget to smell them!) will get you feeling all Zen.
Keep summer’s colors going as we transition into fall and enjoy the season’s last moments around your home.
Laughs abound on the Landmark stage,The show, based on the playwright’s 10-year whirlwind romance with comedy legend Jackie Mason, featuring a hilarious cast of characters. It begins at a deli in Miami Beach in 1977, where Mason — then a 46-year-old comedian — spots college girl Ginger (played by Jackie and the playwright’s real life daughter Sheba Mason in the Off-Broadway production). Along for the ride is her overbearing mom, Mrs. Olivier, and five more off-beat characters. Soon Jackie is wooing Ginger each winter whenever he’s in South Florida churning up laughs with the South Beach set. The trouble is, he’s also wooing a ravishing young Latina server, and also someone else. Come along and join in on Mason’s romantic misadventures as Broadway stardom emerges and Sheba is born.
Friday, Sept. 7, 8 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 8, 3 p.m. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Visit LandmarkOnMainStreet.org for tickets and information, or call (516) 767-6444.
Classical Mystery Tour
Imagine The Beatles playing in concert with a symphony orchestra. What would that have sounded like? Find out for yourself when Classical Mystery Tour performs, joined by the Massapequa Philharmonic. The four musicians who comprise the CMT band look and sound just like The Beatles, but Classical Mystery Tour is more than just a rock concert. The full show presents some two dozen Beatles tunes sung, played, and performed exactly as they were written. Hear “Penny Lane” with a live trumpet section; experience the beauty of “Yesterday” with an acoustic guitar and string quartet; enjoy the rock/ classical blend on the hard edged “I Am the Walrus.” From early Beatles music on through the solo years, Classical Mystery Tour is the best of The Beatles like you’ve never heard them: totally live.
Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
THE Your Neighborhood
Sept.
19
Killer Queen Queenmania keeps on
rockin’ as Killer Queen returns to the Paramount stage, Thursday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m., with their homage to the beloved band.
Formed in the UK in 1993, Killer Queen played their first public shows at London University, following in the footsteps of the real Queen who had their first shows there 22 years earlier. By 1995 Killer Queen’s UK popularity had grown to such an extent they secured a residency in London’s Strand Theatre attracting nationwide BBC coverage — the first tribute to have a show in the West End. Even though the band never had any connection to Queen officially their reputation continued to grow both in the UK and abroad.
In 1999 they returned from a tour of Europe and Russia for an awards ceremony hosted by Suggs from Madness. He announced they had won the award for “Worldwide Best Tribute Band” Fronted by Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury, critics have described Myers’ resemblance to Freddie Mercury as “spooky;” his uncanny likeness was further proven when he recorded a #1 hit single singing as Freddie Mercury on Fat Boy Slim’s record “The Real Life.” Their expert musicianship, extraordinary energy, and accurate portrayal of the world’s greatest live band has rightfully earned them the title of Queen Royalty! Thrilling sell-out audiences across the globe the band recreates the high energy, powerful phenomenon that was Queen live. This quality, combined with Myers’ powerful threeand-a-half octave tenor range, expert musicianship and dynamic stage presence, has captivated audiences the world over. $54.50, $44.50, $39.50, $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
FCA TO HOST SENIOR H.O.P.E FAIR
Family & Children’s Association, one of Long Island’s largest nonprofit health and human services organizations, with funding made possible through the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will host a free senior H.O.P.E Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Samanea N.Y. mall in Westbury, center court, second floor.
H.O.P.E., which stands for Happiness, Opportunity, Positive, Energy, is geared towards older adults and their families. Attendees can receive information from over 50 vendors on agerelated mental health and substance abuse services.
“It’s no secret that Long Island’s population is aging,” FCA President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds said. “Every year, our senior division helps more than 10,000 seniors improve their quality of life. The H.O.P.E Fair will allow us to share these resources, and so many others, with the greater Long Island community.”
Lisa Stern, FCA’s Assistant Vice President for Senior & Adult Services, added, “We’re thrilled to bring the H.O.P.E Fair to Long Island’s senior population and their families. We couldn’t do this without our valued community partners and are happy to have vendors from diverse backgrounds participating and offering a multitude of help and services to the senior community.
The fair will also feature technology training for seniors in a friendly, relaxed environment, and four educational workshops will be held throughout the day on topics ranging from Medicare to scam prevention, mental health and substance use awareness, as well as caregiver support.
Additionally, any senior who registers prior to the event will receive a free boxed lunch and raffle ticket.
Samanea N.Y. is located at 1500 Old Country Rd. in Westbury. Additional details on FCA’s Senior H.O.P.E Fair, including how to register, vendors and workshops, can be found on www.fcali.org or by contacting Kim L. Como at (347) 573-1044
Scan to register!
Art explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program returns for a new season, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.
Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Hempstead House tour
Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Wednesday, Sept. 11, noon-1 p.m.; also Sept. 25. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
Tribute concert
Plaza
Theatricals continues its tribute series, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2:30 p.m., with “Mirror of Mathis.” Vocalist-impressionist
David Robbins thrills audiences with his 90-minute tribute to Johnny Mathis. His uncanny likeness and vocals that sound just like Mathis will leave you spellbound.
Singing along with Johnny Mathis since he was a youngster, by age 12 he was imitating Mathis and has been doing it ever since, delighting all. He performs at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
Hitting the green for a cause
Premier Payroll Solutions hosts its 8th annual Networking N’ Nine event at the Rockville Links Club, Thursday, Sept. 12, at 2 p.m. Fee is $225, which includes nine holes of golf, beer, soda, wine, cart and caddies, with a two-hour open bar to follow. With games, prizes and raffles. To sign-up for the event email Vinny@PremierPayrollNY.com. Space is limited. A percentage of the proceeds raised will go to benefit Friends of Karen. 600 N. Long Beach Road.
Storybook Stroll
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for another storybook adventure, Saturday, Sept. 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Jen Arena’s “Acorn Was A Little Wild!” Later create a unique take home craft. The stroll starts at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), ending at the Thatched Cottage. For ages 3-5. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Catching up with the schools
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 St.
Sept. 7
4th Battalion Fire Parade
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
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 Rockville CentreChamberOfCommerce. com.
On exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will span various world cultures through a range of media.
It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Sept. 28
Art League of L.I. exhibit
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Art League of Long Island presents “Retrospect - The Individual Art of Collaboration in Reconstructive Surgery.” The exhibit delves into the interplay between
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The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale, New York
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
STANLEY M. BERGMAN CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD & CEO
HENRY SCHEIN
MEET THE 2024 AWARD WINNERS*
NICOLE CHRISTENSEN, BCPA
SPECIAL AWARDS
DISTINGUISHED VISIONARY
STANLEY M. BERGMAN
Chairman of the Board and CEO Henry Schein
ORGANIZATION OF EXCELLENCE
LONG ISLAND SELECT HEALTHCARE
EXCELLENCE IN NURSING ADVOCACY
NEW YORK STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION (NYSNA)
MICHELLE BALLAN, PhD, MSW
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
JORDAN BRODSKY, MD
Medical Doctor & Rheumatologist Rheumatology Consultants
MICHAEL N. BROWN CEO Fellow Health Partners
ALANNA M. CARCICH, MBA
Senior Director, Operations Northwell Health Orthopedics
CATHERINE CANADEO
Founder & CEO
Catherine Canadeo Health & Wellness Corp
ROXANNE CARFORA, DO CEO, Founder & Physician AgelessMD
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
CATHY SUE CUTLER, PHD Chair, Isotope Research and Production Brookhaven National Laboratory
CAROLYNN EIPEL
Founder CareFirst Home Solutions
HEIDI FELIX
Vice President of Sales LifeVac
NICK FITTERMAN, MD, MACP, SFHM
Executive Director Huntington Hospital Northwell Health
MARY GMITEREK-APAT, D.C. Chiropractor Dr. Mary's Chiropractic and Wellness Center
DOUG GOLUB
Principal Consultant Data Potato
CAROL GOMES Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer Stony Brook University Hospital
AARON GROTAS, MD
Board-Certified Urologist PRINE Health
LORI GOODSTONE, DHEd., RN
Professor, Department of Nursing Farmingdale State College
HOWARD GOODMAN, DC Executive Director Long Island Weight Loss Doctor
RENEE HASTICK-MOTES, MPA
Senior Vice President/ Chief External Affairs Officer
Episcopal Health Services President St. John's ICARE Foundation
ROBYN JOSEPH, DPM, FACFAS, CWSP, PMP
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery / Founder & President Northern Ankle Foot Associates
JILL KALMAN, MD
Executive Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, and Deputy Physician-In-Chief Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
FELICIA KASOW Managing Director PURE Mammography
JENNIFER LAZZARO, AUD. Doctor of Audiology Hearing and Brain Centers of America, Long Island
NANCY C. LEGHART
Executive Director St. John's ICARE Foundation
BRIAN MAYRSOHN, MD CMO & Founder Maywell Health
JOHN MCGUIGAN CEO AHRC Suffolk
PARUL DUA MAKKAR, DDS
Owner
PDM Family Dental
DENIS NANKERVIS, DO Trauma Medical Director/Assistant Professor of Surgery at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Peconic Bay Medical Center Northwell Health
LILLIAN PALEY
LINA PATINO, DDS
Owner Aspen Dental - Riverhead
Executive Director Cohen Children's Medical Center SVP Pediatrics Northwell Health
MEGAN C. RYAN, ESQ.
Interim CEO & President Chief Legal Officer NHCC Nassau University Medical Center
MICHAEL N. ROSENBLUT
President and CEO
Parker Jewish Institute For Rehabilitation & Healthcare
DEAN RISKIN
Co-Founder & CEO
Hair We Share
CAROLYN SANTORA, MS, RN Chief Nursing Officer & Chief Regulatory Officer Stony Brook University Hospital
MELISSA SCHACHTER, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD Speech Language-Pathologist & Director The Speech Language Place
MARY SILBERSTEIN, LCSW-R Senior Director of Strategic Alliances and Special Projects Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services, Inc
LISA STERN, LCSW-R AVP of Senior & Adult Services Family & Children's Association
AMYEE ST. PIERRE
Vice President, Senior Consultant, Health & Performance HUB International
Owner
Vice President of Clinical Services & Recruitment Silver Lining Homecare Agency CAROLYN K. QUINN
ROUMIANA TZVETKOVA, DMD
Aspen Dental - Deer Park
JOSEPH VERDIRAME
Managing Partner & CEO Alliance Homecare / TrustHouse
*LIST IN FORMATION
Public Notices
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
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that a license number NA-0340-24-129053 for a beer, wine, liquor, and cider license has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine, liquor, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control law at 322 324 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 for on-premises consumption. PESCE & SONS INC. D/B/A VIAGGIO ITALIAN CHOP HOUSE 148606
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Public Hearing
Village of Rockville Centre Nassau County, New York Meeting Date: September 9, 2024
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 330 Rockville Centre Village Code NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Exterior Design Review Board of the Village of Rockville Centre will have a Public Hearing at the Eugene J. Murray Village Hall, 1 College Place, Rockville Centre LEGAL NOTICE
September 9th, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Case No. 08-2024
Jorge Heras Jr 93 Ocean Ave Apt 1 Freeport, NY 11520
Description: Side and rear two- story additions, with interior alterations and renovations.
Premises known as: 165 Burtis Avenue
The Exterior Design Review Board OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE
Eugene Murray Village Hall, Rockville Centre, New York
George Bella, Chairperson of the consultants to The Exterior Design Review Board
Thomas Domanico, Secretary to The Consultants
Information and records for Exterior Design Review cases are available the Office of the Secretary, 110 Maple Avenue, RVC 148805
LEGAL NOTICE
Village of Rockville Centre
Nassau County, New York
Notice of Board of Zoning Appeals
Hearing Date: September 10, 2024
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 340 Rockville Centre Village Code NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Appeals of the Village of Rockville Centre will hold a Zoning Appeals Hearing at the Eugene J. Murray Village Hall
1 College Place, Rockville Centre at 7:00 p.m.
LEGAL NOTICE
September 10th, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Case # 33-2023 - Michael Morash / Sunrise One LLC - Adjourned from June 12th, 2024
To construct a selfstorage building, with in a “Business A District” which requires one hundred twenty-four (124) parking spaces where nine (9) spaces are provided, and with a building height of six stories 57 feet 6 inches where three stories 36 feet is permitted, and a parapet height of 4 feet 6 inches where 3 feet is permitted.
Premises known as 415 Ocean Avenue
Public work session:
Case # 12-2024Reiffman Holdings LLCContinued from July 10th, 2024
Board to vote on proposal, no further public comment.
Premises known as 486, 490, & 500 Sunrise Highway
Dated: August 29, 2024
BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE VILLAGE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, Rockville Centre, New York
J. Robert Schenone, Chairman Patrick D. O’Brien, Secretary Information and records for appeals cases are
available at the Office of the Secretary of the Board of Appeals, 110 Maple Avenue, RVC, NY 148809
LEGAL NOTICE Public Notice to Bidders Sealed Bids will be received by the Purchasing Department of the Village of Rockville Centre, One College Place, Room 204, Rockville Centre, New York 11570 for the matter stated below until 11:00 am prevailing time on SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. The contract will be awarded as soon thereafter as practicable for: OIL SWITCHES Bid No. 2409E2(1128) The bid specifications can be obtained/examined on the Village’s website at www.rvcny.gov. Follow the link to the Purchasing Department. All questions should be directed to the Purchasing Department. Please contact Lisa Strazzeri via email only at lstrazzeri@rvcny.us. Questions must be submitted no later than September 12, 2024. Award of Contract will be made to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with applicable provisions of the law. The Village reserves the right to reject all bids or make such determination as in the best interests of the Village, as provided by law. Purchasing Department Lisa Strazzeri Purchasing Agent 516-678-9213 148803
LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICES ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT Directory Information The Rockville Centre Union Free School District, pursuant to Sec. 438, Pub. L. 90-247, Title IV, Sub. 99.37 known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), designates the following personally identifiable information contained in a student’s education record as “directory information,” which may be publicly released without prior consent: Directory Information
1. Student’s name
2. Student’s address
3. Student’s date of birth
4. Major field of study
5. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
6. Weight and height of members of athletic teams
7. Dates of attendance
8. Degrees, honors and awards received
9. Names of student’s parents
10. Most recent educational agency or institution attended by the student
11. Photography or imagery of the student (which may be released and appear to the public via mediums including, but not limited to, print and electronic media, the internet, television, or annual yearbooks published by the District).
If the student from whom information is sought by the media does not want to be interviewed, photographed and/or videotaped, or if the parent/guardian of the student denies permission for media access to his/her child, such access will be denied by the building principal/designee and/or the Superintendent of Schools, upon notice of same.
Each year, parents, legal guardians or students who have attained the age of 18, may request that directory information designated above not be publicly released without their consent by writing to the District Clerk at 128 Shepherd Street, Rockville Centre, NY 11570-2298, by September 30th of each school year. The student’s name, school and grade level must be included. The request not to publicly release information expires at the end of each school year.
A letter must be submitted each year in order to continue nonrelease.
All student educational records, and records that were created as a result of a student receiving special education services under Part B of IDEA, may also be released to another school or postsecondary institution at which the student seeks or intends to enroll.
ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Military Recruiters Access to High School Students and Information on Students
The District will comply with requests from military recruiters and institutions of higher education (IHEs) for access to name, address and telephone listing of each secondary school student, except for any student whose parent (or the student if he or she is at least 18 years of age) has submitted a written request to opt-out of this disclosure, in which case the information will not be released without the parents’ (or student’s, if he or she is at least 18 years of age) prior written consent. Parents wishing to exercise their option to withhold such information without prior written parental consent may do so by obtaining a form from the South Side High School Main Office, completing the form, and returning it to the Principal’s Office at South Side High School by September 30th of each school year.
ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT Student Education Records
In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (“FERPA”) and Rockville Centre School District Policy, parents and students over 18 years of age have the right to inspect and review their child’s/their student education records or to request the amendment of records believed to be inaccurate or misleading. Student education records are private unless the parent or student older than 18 consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information. FERPA authorizes disclosure of personally identifiable information without consent in limited circumstances. Procedures for such review process may be obtained from building principals or the District Clerk.
ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Non-Discrimination
No staff member or student in the Rockville Centre Union Free School District shall, on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sex (including gender identity or the status of being transgender), sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, military status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, or use of recognized guide dog, hearing dog or service dog, or domestic violence victim status, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal nondiscrimination laws be excluded from, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored or conducted by the School District. Inquiries regarding the Districts nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Jeanne Love and John Murphy, Compliance Officers, Rockville Centre UFSD, 128 Shepherd Street, Rockville Centre, NY 11570, telephone 516-255-8928 and 516-255-8957.
ROCKVILLE CENTRE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Student Privacy Notice
The Rockville Centre Union Free School District adopted Policy 7243, Student Privacy, Parental Access to Information, and Administration of Certain Physical Examinations to Minors. Policy 7243 requires notification to all parents and guardians of specific types of surveys or activities which will be conducted during the
Foundation gave $640K to cancer research
December 2023, according to the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer, but only 44 of them had been approved for treating childhood cancers, and 37 of those were originally approved for adult use. Only seven had been originally approved for treatment of pediatric cancers.
Ruchalski also noted that only 4 percent of federal funding for cancer research goes toward advancements in pediatric cancer, and according to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, there is a significant need to raise more money.
“We have to make pediatric cancer a priority in this country,” she said. “I was thinking the other day of some astonishing numbers. In one day, a political campaign raised $200 million. New York City has spent half a billion dollars on congestion pricing infrastructure, and billionaires are spending millions just to go to space for fun. What’s wrong with this picture?”
All contributions to the Mary Ruchalski Foundation help fund critical research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories as well as Memorial Sloan Kettering, the Dana-Farber Institute and Duke University. Over the past six years, the foundation has raised and donated $640,000 to pediatric cancer research and more than $140,000 to families of children with cancer.
“On behalf of my family and, most importantly, my sweet Mary, I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Ruchalski said. “We have to be the voice for our children. We have to — we have to change this, because their life mattered.”
In memory of Mary and Gina Giallombardo, a 2006 graduate of South Side High School who died in 2011, after she was also diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, the village hosts the tree-lighting ceremony each September, which is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
school year and/or during the summer program in accordance with law by either individual schools or the School District. If the School District or your child’s school principal plans to administer a survey or activity covered by this policy, you will be directly notified in writing prior thereto and then given ten (10) days to opt your child out of participation.
ROCKVILLE CENTRE
UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Identification and Register of Children with Disabilities
In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents who believe their child may have a disability are
Last week’s gathering began with a prayer by the Rev. Michael Duffy, pastor of St. Agnes Cathedral, who blessed the tree on the Village Hall lawn, which was adorned with gold lights.
“Bless this tree. Bless its lights. Bless all who pass by it,” Duffy said. “May they be moved by its shining light to work towards justice, to work towards peace, to build up that kingdom here and now where all grow to a healthy old age. Bless their loved ones who mourn their loss, even to this day.”
Deputy Mayor Kathy Baxley presented Ruchalski with a proclamation marking the month of recognition.
“(This tree) will be lit up for the entire month of September,” Baxley
said, “and every time you’re driving by, whenever it is, just keep in mind the special people we have lost, such as Mary, such as Gina … and countless others.”
Over the past seven years, the ceremony has spread to communities across Long Island, including Malverne, Lynbrook, East Williston and Mineola, which host their own events in recognition of the fight against childhood cancers.
Baxley told the community that the proclamation will be on display at Village Hall all month. To learn more about the Mary Ruchalski Foundation and ways to help in the fight against pediatric cancer, go to TheMaryRuchalskiFoundation.org.
Carol ruchalski, left, and marie giallombardo lit the gold lights on the tree outside Village Hall.
urged to contact Jeanne Love, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services, Rockville Centre UFSD, 128 Shepherd Street, Rockville Centre, NY 11570, telephone 516-255-8928, or Rebecca Taylor, Chairperson for the Committee on Special Education, 516-255-8928 or Michele Stegman, Chairperson for the Committee on Preschool Special Education at 516-255-8815.
ROCKVILLE CENTRE
UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Complaints of Discrimination
In accordance with Title IX/Section 504/ADA, complaints and
grievances regarding discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability should be directed to the Title IX Coordinators, Jeanne Love and John Murphy, Rockville Centre UFSD, 128 Shepherd Street, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 at 516-255-8928 or 516-255-8939.
Dignity for All Students Act
Complaints pertaining to student harassment, bullying and discrimination, in accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act, may be made to building Dignity Act Coordinators as follows: Covert School/ Michele DeMartino, and Maureen Bedell at 516-255-8916,
Hewitt School/Anna McGovern and Lisa Panebianco at 516-255-8913, Riverside School/Chris Zappia and Lisa Panebianco at 516-255-8902, Watson School/Jen Pascarella and Sue Buckheit at 516-255-8904, Wilson School/Jim Duffy and Maureen Bedell at 516-255-8910, South Side Middle School/Shelagh McGinn and Katie Yamond at 516-255-8976, South Side High School/Ben Moss and Nicole Knorr at 516-255-8944. 148806
and
help sell luminarias and gold bows in memory of those who have died of pediatric cancer.
Dan Offner/Herald photos
Village trustee gregory p. Shaughnessy, left, assemblyman Brian Curran, the rev. michael duffy, trustee Katie Conlon, marie giallombardo, Carol ruchalski, deputy mayor Kathy Baxley, francis ruchalski and nassau County Legislator Scott davis lit the tree gold for pediatric Cancer awareness month.
Bobbie Creo, left,
Julie faranda
Employment HERALD
CLASSIFIED
Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460
E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com
HEWLETT-WOODMERE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Assistant Director for Special Education Services
Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools (HWPS) is located on the south shore of Long Island and is consistently ranked as one of the highest performing Districts on both state and national levels. The District educates approximately 2800 Pre-K through 12th grade students across five schools. Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools is dedicated to providing all students with enriching and exciting educational experiences in caring, student-centered environments.
We are seeking an innovative, experienced, and collaborative administrator to provide support and guidance to the District's P-12 special education programs.
Required qualifications: NYSED certification in administration (SDA/SDL).
Preferred qualifications: Minimum eight years' experience as a building level/district administrator; requires extensive knowledge of current special education law, non-public school mandates, and STACs; experience chairing CSE meetings, budget process, and supervision and observation of staff; the ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, staff, and community members.
Interested candidates must apply on OLAS by September 20, 2024 at: www.hewlett-woodmere.net
Completed OLAS application must include: cover letter, resume, and letters of recommendation. Equal Opportunity Employer 1268222
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
$20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School
516-365-5778
Email: info@bellautoschool.com
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com
E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com
DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.
HANDYPERSON WANTED
EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.
REQUIREMENTS:
Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.
POSITION DETAILS:
Flexible: Part-time or Full-time. Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.
Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com
Executive Assistant/Legal Secretary
Location: Rockville Centre, NY
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Salary Range: $65,000 - $85,000 commensurate with experience, benefits, 3 weeks PTO (combined sick/vacation)
Busy Landlord/Tenant Law Firm is looking for a team member to provide comprehensive administrative support, including reviewing and responding to emails and telephone calls.
The position also involves working along with a Senior Partner in the preparation/proofreading of documents, correspondence, notices and pleadings as well as managing the Senior Partner’s calendar, appointments and meetings.
The individual will also handle a variety of office tasks including physical filing of papers, to e-filing on NYSCEF, printing, copying and organizing records to manage case files, deadlines and to prepare for upcoming trials. If interested, please send your resume to Kathleen@rosenblumbianco.com ; telephone calls will not be accepted.
Immediate Opening at our Garden City Location DESIRED SKILLS: Electrical * Welding * Carpentry Mechanical * Plumbing Part Time/Fulltime (benefits available with full time) $18-$30 per hour based on experience Richner Communications, Inc 2 Endo Blvd Garden City, NY 11530 Send resume to careers@lixtherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 ext 211
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
To Deliver Papers To Businesses in Massapequa, Amityville and Babylon 2 Days Per Week Must Have Own Vehicle/Van This is an independent contractor role for Richner Communications Compensation based on stops starting at $275/week If Interested contact Jim at jrotche@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 x211
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OFFICE HELP PT: Computer Literate. Answer Phones, Packing, Process Orders. Baldwin Dental Supply Company. 516-783-7800
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Health Care/Opportunities
CNA: MALE & FEMALE CAREGIVERS Experienced with a wide range of Medical Care including Dementia, Alzheimer's & Parkinson Patients. Caring & Dependable. Driver. References Available. Derrick@917-363-8924
Health Care/Opportunities
WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED!!! HHA's,
HomesHERALD
Preparing to sell in an area that flooded
Q. We live in an area that was flooded, and have a few items to take care of before we sell. My husband put in a deck when we first moved in, around 1982. It has been there so long, but the real estate people told us it still needs a permit. It’s only 24 inches off the ground. They also mentioned that it’s too close to our back property line, but we’re next to a waterway and have no neighbors behind us. Is that still the same problem? Our fences are new and so are the front steps, which we rebuilt to add planters and a bench. What can you tell us about what we should do before we sell?
A. Take a lovely vacation and relax, enjoy yourself and then prepare for a lot of minutia that will likely delay your ability to sell, unless you negotiate the price down for a buyer who can persuade a lender that they will take over the list of items you mentioned. In situations like this, there are many peripheral issues.
For example, the waterway may be either a local or state jurisdiction that limits how close you can build to a “protected” environment. As if that’s not enough, your municipality is one of the few that has many outstanding requirements that it claims it notified every homeowner about right after Hurricane Sandy. Prepare for the ambush of having to get a “proof of loss statement from the National Flood Insurance Program.”
I have heard time and time again, “Oh, we had no damage,” which is great, since the national clearinghouse that compiles records about every property will prove that. If it turns out that there was a large payout from private insurance or public funding, the NFIP letter will show that more is needed, including recent building plans, a possible plumbing permit, electrical inspection and documents to close out a repair permit — yes, even from over a decade ago.
When I arrive at a home and have to go into detail about how many requirements there are and how strict they’ve become, I always think of our custodian in elementary school. His name was Gus, and I remember his large, round face and how disgusted he was when he was called to a classroom where a child had thrown up lunch from the cafeteria. I identify with Gus, because mopping up these not-so-simple messes, the ones that someone told you were simple, is getting more complicated the longer people wait.
This doesn’t seem to be the case in every jurisdiction, mostly the largest ones. Many decks built long ago don’t meet recent code standards, and there’s no such thing as “grandfathered.” The hours spent explaining these things, and then reexplaining them when a handyperson doesn’t install the correct connectors or takes a shortcut with a required footing support, add up to more cost and animosity. Good luck!
Ask The
Stuff HERALD
Garage Sales
ROCKVILLE CENTRE: SATURDAY
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Cable/TV/Wiring
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Cleaning Services
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MARINA'S CLEANING SERVICES: Cleaning Homes, Apartments, Condos, Offices. Experienced. FREE Estimates. 10% Off With This Ad. Serving Long Island. 516-670-7764
Electricians
E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
Exterminating
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Handyman
HANDYMAN
Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112
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Home Improvement
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Plumbing
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Power Washing
POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. . ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641
Telephone Services
CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682
Tree Services
FRANCISCO'S TREE SERVICE AND LANDSCAPING: Tree Removal, Stumps, Fertilization, Planting, Land Clearing, Topping. Free Estimates. Lic# H206773000. Office 516-546-4971, Cell 516-852-5415
Satellite/TV Equipment
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Health & Fitness
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Autos For Sale
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A better idea than the original congestion pricing plan
Yes, I think we can all agree that New York City’s roads are too crowded, the air is too polluted, and a lot of money is needed to improve mass transit, but the plan to charge commuters $15 to enter Manhattan — on top of the tolls they’re already paying — that was recently put on hold by Gov. Kathy Hochul isn’t the way to go. The additional expense wouldn’t affect the rich, but it would clobber the middle class and working poor, who are already overburdened by high taxes.
Proponents say that the plan would push commuters to take the train. Well, have you seen how much train tickets cost these days? From my village of Sea Cliff, a round-trip ticket to Manhattan
is $29. And, of course, that fee doesn’t include parking. And for some folks, like my friend Charlotte Abelson, who owned an upholstery business and worked into her 80s, commuting daily into the city, it was not feasible for her to lug her wares onto the Long Island Rail Road.
And there are some communities that don’t have train service at all.
HThe original congestion pricing plan would create a staggering bureaucracy. Since it was announced, more than 130 groups have petitioned to be exempt or to be charged a reduced fare. (If their claims are accepted, who would make up the difference for revenue lost?). Small businesses and Broadway producers have testified that the plan would hurt. Companies have declared that they would send their trucks through Bronx neighborhoods to avoid paying the new tolls — which I am sure would not delight the people
living there.
But there is a solution: Instead of the original congestion pricing plan, let’s severely cut the price of a train ticket. I can testify from personal experience how this would be a success. I’ve always loved Manhattan, but the cost to go into the city became too prohibitive, so I limited my jaunts to special occasions.
ow about drastically reducing the price of an LIRR ticket instead of hiking tolls?
But then, three years ago, I turned 65. While I wasn’t ecstatic about becoming a senior citizen, it did have a nice benefit: half-price tickets on the LIRR! So my old $29 ticket is now $14.50 — still a tad high, but much better. I go in to Manhattan at least once a week now. And I’m helping the city’s economy: I see a show, I eat in a restaurant, I attend concerts and book signings. Indeed, since I’m going in more often than I did before, I’m adding more money to help rebuild mass transit.
And it seems that Governor Hochul likes my plan — though she might not realize it. Traffic around Kennedy Airport has gotten worse because of construction going on, so Hochul has cut the price of an AirTrain ticket in half, from $8.50 to $4.25, as a way to induce travelers to leave their vehicles at home and reduce the traffic around the airport. And it’s working. Way to go, Governor!
So let’s extend this idea to the railroad: Dramatically cut the price of an LIRR ticket. Commuters would leave their cars at home, traffic entering the city would be reduced, air pollution would decrease, and there would be lots of revenue to improve mass transit. A win-win for everyone.
Saul Schachter is a retired social studies teacher and freelance writer whose essays have appeared in Newsday, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and The Miami Herald as well as in a 2020 collection entitled, “Why Does My Social Life Pick Up When I Leave the Country?”
Reading about local schools? Consider yourself lucky.
I’ve been in the local news business a long time. Not long enough to remember the first handwritten newspaper, distributed in Venice in 1566, or the first printed news sheets, published in Germany in 1605, but I go back.
I can recall cutting and pasting printed stories on boards, each one a page of the paper.
RANDI KREISS
If the story didn’t fit, you just cut a paragraph or two from the bottom.
Thus the importance of the first sentence or two, known as the lede, and the first three paragraphs, which basically told the story.
We used typewriters and yellow paper to write, which my editor would periodically rip up, declaring, “You have no right to desecrate the language of Shakespeare.” She was a stickler. We had no computers — until the morning we came in to work and found that our Smith Coronas had been replaced by Kaypros.
I was hired away from the late South Shore Record, owned by the indomitable Florence Schwartzberg, by Leatrice Spanierman, a brilliant editor and a
natural newspaperwoman. Leatrice, who recently celebrated a fabulous birthday, was socially, intellectually and emotionally intertwined with the Herald brand. We turned out big local papers in those days at our Lawrence headquarters.
Our team wrote 10 to 20 local stories every week, and our motto was, “Everything that happens anywhere in the world has a Five Towns angle.” And it was true. If a ship hit an iceberg in Antarctica, for sure there was someone who knew someone on board.
Wysis of data compiled by the University of North Carolina, more than 1,400 towns and cities in the U.S. have lost a newspaper over the past 15 years. The loss of a reliable local news source has many consequences for the community. One of them is the inability to watchdog the actions of government agencies and elected officials.”
ay too many American towns and cities have lost
Substance Abuse’s annual golf outing was in one of our papers last week, and I saw a story out of Freeport about Petros Mestheneas, who was named Firefighter of the Year. And to prove my point about there being a local angle to every story in the world, Boston’s new archbishop is a Valley stream native and a former auxiliary bishop of Rockville Center.
newspapers
in recent years.
Local lowlifes freaked out more if they landed in the Nassau Herald police blotter than if their mug shot had appeared in The New York Times, because their kids might see the paper. We journalists lived and worked in town. Our reporters went to all the village and school board meetings. We covered football games and charity balls. Everything was copy.
This is all to say that local newspapers are essential to a functioning democracy, and I am grateful to have enjoyed this golden age of local journalism. This is also to say that across the country, small papers are closing. As reported on CBS News recently, “According to an Associated Press anal-
This is also to say, stay true. Subscribe to and read and advertise in our papers. We need to mind what’s going on in our schools, and to do that we need reporters to monitor the board meetings, and to do that we need to pay them.
The local paper covers everything from potholes to parades. If you want the scoop on former Congressman George Santos, read about it in the Herald. Are you concerned about County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s idea for a kind of armed militia to prepare for emergencies? The ongoing debate over a casino license for the county? These stories need to be covered in our local newspapers, and we need the staff and the readership to support our efforts.
The dailies look at news through a wide-angle lens; our focus is more intense.
The North Shore Coalition Against
In the Nassau Herald, Melissa Berman wrote the quintessential local news story about a 100-year-old oak tree that was cut down to build a parking lot. It’s a terrific local story, with ties to larger issues of overdevelopment and housing needs vs. parking needs.
In recent Heralds there was coverage of the county’s Jimmy Buffett tribute at Eisenhower Park, the clam-eating contest in Island Park and the Chabad Hebrew School of Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh accepting enrollments for the new school year. There were obituaries of Ana Mercedes Hernandez, Joseph C. Smetana, Robert “Bob” Heggy and Joyce Marino Corso.
The obituaries are the guiding light of local newspapers, reflecting the past of the community and its people, reminding us of the special ties that bind friends and neighbors together.
Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
HERALD
As schools reopen, drivers know the drill
“school’s Open — Drive Carefully” has been the annual refrain in a back-to-school safety-awareness campaign that is now nearly 80 years old. But it’s worth repeating every September.
Driving carefully in and around school zones is crucial in the effort to ensure the safety of children, parents and school staff. School zones are areas in which there are likely to be children crossing streets, walking along sidewalks, riding bikes and meandering as only kids do. They are less aware of traffic dangers, and their presence necessitates heightened caution from drivers.
A study by Safe Kids Worldwide found that 25,000 children are injured every year in school zone accidents nationwide. The Transportation Research Board found that vehicles near schools account for 43 percent of all pedestrian accidents involving children ages 5 to 9.
And it’s no surprise that speeding is a significant factor in school-zone accidents. The risk of a pedestrian fatality increases dramatically with vehicle
Letters
Two sides to every story
To the Editor:
speed. The American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that someone on foot who is struck by a vehicle traveling 25 mph has a 25 percent chance of sustaining serious injury or dying, but that risk increases to 50 percent if the vehicle is traveling just 10 mph faster. School zones commonly have speed limits of 20 mph or less, so adhering to those limits is vital to minimize those risks.
Distracted driving is another major concern near schools. A study by the National Safety Council found that distracted drivers cause one in every four car crashes nationwide. In school zones, texting or talking on a phone or fiddling with dashboard technology can have catastrophic consequences for a child who may suddenly dart into the street or cross without warning.
School zones are most congested during drop-off and pick-up times. According to the National Center for Safe Routes to School, parents driving their children to school account for 25 percent of morning traffic. The volume increases the likelihood of accidents, particu-
Re “Locals voice opposition to development,” in the Aug. 22-28 issue: Even though I am not 100 percent behind this project, I feel this might be better than the unknown. The property owner is not going to want multiple tenants, and the existing ones will be leaving no matter what becomes of the property.
Better to know what you’re getting than to not know.
Ask the surrounding residents what one single tenant would be better than the medical center. I can assure you, whatever the property owner gets to take that location, the surrounding residents are not going to be happy.
Like I said, it’s better to know what you’re getting. Single box stores such as Target Express, Whole Foods or TJ Maxx would create more traffic, truck deliveries and more residential street parking. A motel, gym or fast food would definitely lower the property value and attract unwanted visitors.
All of the surrounding residential streets in the area of the proposed development already have limited two-hour parking. So if there’s a problem, the residents are responsible for reaching out to the village. Traffic coming and going from the medical center will move with the flow. It’s not going to get overwhelming. It’s not a concert or ball game.
We definitely don’t need mixed housing development. At least the medical center would create community jobs, increase business at our local stores and restaurants, and would hopefully attract a better quality of new businesses to our
larly when drivers are in a rush. Along with potential injuries, there are legal consequences for school-zone scofflaws, starting with hefty fines for speeding in those zones, often doubled or tripled during school hours. And here on Long Island, red-light cameras have been installed at busy intersections near schools, and more buses are being equipped with cameras to catch one of the most potentially dangerous vehicular infractions of all, passing a stopped bus with its red lights flashing — in either direction.
Whether you’ve seen “Schools Open — Drive Carefully” for dozens of years or are a new driver, common sense dictates that following that single instruction is key to helping ensure that children arrive at school safely and return home safely each day, along with the administrators, teachers and other staff to whom we entrust them. Do your part by slowing down and keeping your eyes on the street and the crosswalks — in other words, giving school zones your undivided attention when you’re at the wheel.
community. We don’t want more vape shops or cash-for-gold attracting lessdesirable clientele.
Be careful what you ask for.
HOWARD KAMpH Rockville Centre
Local business gives back
To the Editor: It started with a grandmother’s joy
when she saw the photograph of her grandson’s pony ride during a camp field trip. This gave camp directors at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center the idea to create a “yearbook” for their summer campers in our village. This was a labor-intensive project, and we had time and financial constraints. We turned to Rockville Camera to discuss what was possible.
Thanks to Garrett, Helene and everyone at Rockville Camera, 80 campers and counselors were able to go home with a
Behind the mask: the flaws in Nassau’s new law
Imagine a law introduced to fight hate and bigotry — yet it is so flawed that it inadvertently shields those very perpetrators from justice.
That’s precisely what happened on Aug. 5, when the Nassau County Legislature’s Republican majority pushed through its so-called Mask Transparency Act — a law that, despite its intentions, opens the door to unintended consequences. At first glance, the measure appears to be a strong stance against antisemitism, aimed at unmasking those who would hide behind disguises to commit hateful acts. As a Jewish parent, I understand the appeal of such a measure. But as a former prosecutor, I can’t ignore the fact that this law is not only unconstitutional, but also dangerously impractical.
In this instance, the devil is in the details — or rather, in the lack of them. The legislation is rife with ambiguities that could turn ordinary citizens into targets of unjust prosecution, while allowing actual criminals to walk free.
The members of the Democratic minority recognized these flaws early on, and proposed a more narrowly tailored bill focused specifically on punishing those who use masks to evade responsibility for criminal acts. The Democratic bill was not only clearer, but would have provided a more effective deterrent against those who commit crimes under the guise of anonymity. My colleagues and I also sought to work with the Republicans on a bipartisan solution that could have been both effective and constitutionally sound. Unfortunately, Republicans rebuffed these efforts, pushing through their version of the law without considering the potential consequences. Let me paint you a picture of how this could play out in real life.
Hmask.
The officers, following the new law, ask Schmoe to remove his mask. He refuses. Asked why he’s wearing it, he remains silent. Left with little choice, the police arrest him — not for throwing the bottle, but for violating the Mask Transparency Act.
ow do we prevent a guy with true hate in his heart from being acquitted?
Here’s where things get tricky. Schmoe is processed and eventually ends up in court, where he is provided a public defender, because he can’t afford his own attorney. His case lingers in the justice system for nearly two years due to backlogs. When the case finally goes to trial, the prosecution — funded by taxpayers — is tasked with proving that Schmoe wore the mask with criminal intent.
nario; it’s a real possibility under this poorly crafted law. The resources spent on prosecuting someone like Schmoe, who walks away unscathed in the end, could have been better used to target those who seek to harm others.
The sad irony here is that the Mask Transparency Act was meant to protect communities from hate and violence, but instead it creates legal loopholes that make it harder to hold the guilty accountable. The law’s vague language and broad scope mean that it can be easily manipulated, turning a well-meaning but seriously flawed piece of legislation into a shield for those it was meant to expose.
Imagine a man named Joe Schmoe who harbors deep-seated antisemitic views. He attends an anti-Israel protest outside Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where he adds his voice to hateful and aggressive chants. The police maintain order throughout the event, but as it winds down, officers notice Schmoe throwing an empty beer bottle into the street. No one is injured, and no property is damaged, but Schmoe is wearing a
LETTErs
Summer Playground yearbook, complete with photos and signatures from their fellow campers.
This local business went above and beyond with their expertise, patience and generosity. We are certain this is just one example of the kindness and professionalism of the small-business owners in our village, and we want to ensure they get the recognition they deserve.
RVC FRIeNDS oF THe DR. MARTIN
LUTHeR KINg JR. CoMMUNITy CeNTeR
Curran’s wrong about the ‘war on women’
To the editor:
In his recent column, “The real war on women in New york,” Assemblyman Brian Curran suggests that “the fate of women’s reproductive health” in New york will not be affected whether or not Prop 1, the New york equal Rights Amendment, passes in November. Simply put, this is not true, and echoes the same reassurances we heard right before Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Prop 1 is in fact our crucial opportunity to ensure that the fate of
reproductive health care is secure in New york. It’s an opportunity we cannot let go to waste.
Prop 1 will guarantee access to reproductive health care — including abortion, birth control, and in vitro fertilization — in the New york Constitution so it is permanently shielded from government interference.
Before Roe v. Wade was overturned, many of us took for granted that our reproductive freedom would always be protected. Since then, reproductive health care like abortion, contraception, and IVF has been under attack across the country. While New yorkers may assume that we are insulated from these battles, the reality is that the state law covering our reproductive rights can be repealed or changed based on who is in the State Legislature or the governor’s mansion. That’s why we need to pass Prop 1: to cement our reproductive rights in the State Constitution so they can’t be rolled back by politicians down the line.
Further, Prop 1 will close loopholes in the Constitution that could allow government discrimination against people based on their age, disability, ethnicity, whether they are pregnant, or whether they’re LgBT — because those in power shouldn’t be able to take advantage of any New
But his defense is simple: He claims he wore the mask because he wasn’t feeling well, and feared contracting Covid-19. How can the prosecution definitively disprove this claim? The jury, bound to follow the law as written, might very well have no choice but to acquit him. And just like that, the Mask Transparency Act becomes the perfect tool for committing what I call the “perfect crime.”
This is more than a hypothetical sce-
Nassau County needs to pass laws that are both constitutionally sound and effective in practice, and the Mask Transparency Act fails on both counts. Instead of deterring hate, it risks emboldening those who seek to evade justice by exploiting the very law designed to stop them. We deserve better — and we deserve laws that are precise, enforceable and, above all, just.
The fight against hate is too important to be left to legislation that does more harm than good. It’s time for our leaders to go back to the drawing board and craft solutions that truly protect our communities.
Seth I. Koslow represents Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District.
FramEWorK by Tim Baker
The hats were courtesy of Let’s Sing Taylor — Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
yorker, especially the most vulnerable among us.
All New yorkers deserve the freedom to control our own bodies, lives and futures. Prop 1 puts the power to stand up for these
sETH I. KosLoW
SASHA AHUJA Campaign director, New Yorkers for Equal Rights
