Rockville Centre Herald 11-21-2024

Runners on your mark. Get set. Go.

Alyssa Grillo, 36, of Rockville Centre, smiles as she approaches the finish line. She completed the Rockville Centre 5K run in 31 minutes and 55 seconds. Story, more photos, Page 3.

Historic homestead faced with the potential of redevelopment

By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com

A Civil War-era homestead at 24 South Park Ave. in Rockville Centre is one of the last remaining vestiges in the area that predates the incorporated village.

“It is one of the oldest houses in the village,” Matt Cliszis, village historian and member of the Rockville Centre Historical Society, said. “South Park Avenue was all residential homes until the turn of the century.”

The property’s current owner, Joseph DiFigueroa, is proposing to redevelop the property into a three-story, mixed-use building with a restaurant on the lower level, two floors of medical office space and a rooftop lounge.

While much of the original home remains intact, the area directly surrounding it has changed significantly. Today, it is located in what is considered to be the heart of the downtown

business district, but at the turn of the century most of the local businesses were located on Village or Centre avenues.

Over the years, the property, which is currently unoccupied, has housed several businesses, including The Cook’s Fancy, a gift shop specializing in home and cookware, and Cork & Kerry, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar that closed during the pandemic in 2020.

A new proposal for the property Representing DiFigueroa, William Bonesso, a zoning and land use attorney with the firm Forchelli, Deegan and Terrana Law, addressed the Board of Zoning Appeals on Nov. 13, seeking a substantial occupancy permit and variances for a zero-foot front yard setback, rooftop dining and a shortfall of 56 parking spaces required by code, where none have been provided.

“The building is compliant in terms of the

The Vineyard Church marks a milestone

By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com

The Experience Vineyard Church celebrated its 40th anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 17, at Central Synagogue Beth Emeth in Rockville Centre.

The milestone event drew over 300 attendees, including members who have been part of the church since its early days and those who joined along the way.

Pastor Ray Longwood, who has led the congregation since 2015, reflected on the church’s journey, its dedication to serving the community, and its vision for the future.

Ariers and help people connect with God.

After training under John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard movement, the Pittlucks left California to plant a church on Long Island. By 1984, the Vineyard Christian Fellowship South Shore was born, with a mission to provide worship, build community, care for the poor, and launch other churches.

fter 40 years, our diverse congregation will continue to be a place where our culture is focused on helping those who are hurting.

R Ay loNGwooD Pastor, The Experience Vineyard Church

“The variety of individuals coming together to celebrate what this church is about was probably the biggest joy,” Longwood said.

The Vineyard Church traces its roots to 1982 when Lance and Cheryl Pittluck envisioned a ministry that would break bar-

By 1990, the church had purchased its current building at 251 Merrick Road, continuing the legacy of ministry established by the previous congregation. Around the same time, the church opened the Parish House in Freeport, offering housing for single mothers and their children. “Providing a home for the poor” became a cornerstone of the ministry’s mission.

Over the decades, the church expanded its community impact

Continued on page 2

Tim Baker/Herald

Competition heats up in Rockville Centre

The village’s annual 5k and 1-mile family fun run sees record turnout

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Front Street buzzed with excitement early Saturday morning as runners and spectators gathered for the start of the 45th annual Rockville Centre 5K and 1-mile family fun run.

“This race brought together family, friends, neighbors, and runners for a fun-filled morning around our beautiful village,” Mayor Francis X. Murray said after the event.

More than 600 participants of all ages and abilities took part, including over 400 runners who registered for the 5K and nearly 200 who joined the fun run.

“This is one of the biggest turnouts we’ve had,” said Recreation Department Superintendent Karen Polito. “The numbers have definitely increased in recent years.”

Murray thanked Polito, her staff, and the Rockville Centre Chamber of Commerce for organizing the event. He also acknowledged the Rockville Centre Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, and Nassau County Mounted Police for ensuring the event’s success.

“This year we have more racers than ever,” Murray said. “It’s been a great showing by all the runners. The Village of Rockville Centre is proud to have residents come out and participate like this each year.”

Village Trustee Katie Conlon said its events like the annual 5K and family fun run that make Rockville Centre such a desirable community to live and raise a family.

“Each year, I look forward to seeing familiar and new faces take part in this wonderful race,” Conlon said.

Mike Luvin, 24, a South Side High School graduate, was the first to cross the finish line, completing the 5K in 16 minutes and 52 seconds—45 seconds faster than his time last year. He credited his four months of marathon training for the improvement.

Former two-time champion David Putterman, 42, finished third overall with a time of 18 minutes, while Mary Kate Giordano, 36, of Rockville Centre, led the women’s division, finishing in 20 minutes and 10 seconds.

The event welcomed participants of all ages and abilities, from first-time runners to seasoned marathoners, in a celebration of fitness and community.

Joel Junker, 58, placed 44th overall and second in the 55-59 men’s age group with a time of 21 minutes and 39 seconds. “I did pretty good for 58,” Junker said with a laugh. “Not too bad for an old man.”

South Side High School cross-country runners Dakota Jensen and Nick DeSena, both 14, finished second and third in their age group, separated by just seconds.

Joshua Edwards, 39, said he began training in June and was thrilled with his performance.

“It went great,” he said. “I beat my

personal record.”

Juliana Pellegrini, 28, participated for the first time alongside her brothers, Peter, 23, and Thomas, 28. She finished second in her age group with a time of 24 minutes and three seconds.

“It was awesome,” Pellegrini said. “I did better than I expected.”

The race also welcomed seasoned marathoner Randell Hansen, 45, a former Rockville Centre resident now living in Sacramento, California. Hansen completed the 5K in 20 minutes and 19 seconds, finishing first in the 45-49 age group.

Hansen, who has run marathons in all 50 states, recently competed in the 2024 TCS London Marathon and is currently preparing for the 2025 Tokyo Marathon in hopes of earning the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six-Star Medal.

The event concluded with an award ceremony on the village’s new mobile bandstand, where winners in each age and gender category received medals.

For full race results, visit EliteFeats.com.

Race day in Rockville Centre kicked off with a 1-mile family fun run for kids and parents.

Mike Luvin, 24, of Rockville Centre was the first runner to cross the finish line on Saturday. He completed the 5-kilometer track in.

St. Agnes track runners Olivia Pacheco, 10, from Lynbrook, Kate Flatley, 7, of Rockville Centre, and Madeline Lee, 8, from Valley Stream, celebrate with their medals.

Tim Baker/Herald photos First place female runner Mary Kate Giordano celebrates her victory with her children Quinn, 6, Margot, 2, and Patrick, 4.

Emily Spoerel, 12, crosses the finish line at 31 minutes and 14 seconds.

Myths About Estate Planning

The frst myth to explore about estate planning is that you can do it yourself over the internet. This supposes that a trust is a generic legal document where you plug in names, addresses and amounts you want to give and then off you go! However, experienced estate planning lawyers will tell you the job is ninety percent social work and only ten percent legal. Most of the time we spend with clients involves going over the social aspects of the estate plan. First, who should be in charge of your legal and fnancial decision-making in the event of death or disability? One person or more than one? Should they be required to act together or may they be permitted to act separately? How are the other family members going to feel about these choices? Who gets along with whom? What are my options and what do other people do and why? You need to be in a position to evaluate pros and cons and there’s no counselling on the internet.

Getting an estate plan from out-of-state is fraught with other pitfalls. Take the New York form of power of attorney, for example. In our experience, even trained lawyers often make

major errors in drafting and executing the complex New York form of power of attorney. What chance does a lay person have to get it right?

Then there’s the false sense of security one has in believing they have an adequate plan until it is too late – ultimately ending up with the family losing their home and life savings. Why? Because online estate planning does not address protecting assets from the extraordinarily high cost of long-term care either at home or in a facility. This involves planning with a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) -- only available from an experienced elder law frm and not from the internet.

Consider this. Your chance of having your house burn down in any given year is about one in three thousand. Yet who doesn’t carry homeowner’s insurance every year? On the other hand, the mortality rate is stubbornly stuck at one hundred percent. Your estate plan for your family, your home and your life savings is simply worthwhile insurance that will one day pay off. Not only that, but you only pay for it once, not every year!

Crime watCh

Criminal misChief

A motorist reported on Nov. 12 that an unknown male struck the hood of his vehicle with an unknown object, while he was driving on Lakeview Avenue, causing damage.

Rockville Centre police units conducting an intensified patrol of the Recreation Center on Nov. 13, found black spray-painted graffiti on the rear of the bathroom building adjacent to the soccer fields.

harassment

A student at Molloy University reported on Nov. 14 that she received a voicemail from an unknown person, which caused her to become fearful for her safety.

investigation

Rockville Centre police responded to Catholic Health Mercy Hospital for a reported stabbing victim. A subsequent investigation determined that the incident occurred in Lakeview. The Nassau County Police Department is currently conducting a followup investigation.

larCeny

A resident of Lee Avenue in Rockville Centre reported on Nov. 5 that someone stole her unlocked motor vehicle which was parked in the driveway of her home with both keys inside the vehicle.

A resident of Banks Avenue reported on Nov. 6 that someone attempted to steal her motor vehicle, which was parked in the parking lot of her apartment building.

A resident at the Grand Pavilion for Rehabilitation and Nursing reported on Nov. 8 that someone stole her cell phone from her room.

leaving the sCene of an aCCident

A motorist reported on Nov. 4 that her vehicle was struck by another vehicle, which fled the scene while driving on Lincoln Avenue.

A motorist reported on Nov. 9 that his vehicle was struck by another vehicle, which fled the scene while driving on Sunrise Highway.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

fire watCh

The Rockville Centre Fire Department is always looking for help in serving our community. If you live here or in any one of the adjacent communities and are interested in joining or just

Nov. 10 – Nov. 17

General Alarms – 9

Still Alarms – 6

Rescue – 5

Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 57

Mutual Aid Fire – 5

Mutual Aid Rescue – 0

Mutual Aid Ambulance – 0

Total – 78

have questions, please visit any firehouse on Sunday mornings and speak with one of the officers or call (516) 6789320. For emergencies dial 911 or (516) 766-0400.

Year To Date

General Alarms – 504

Still Alarms – 268

Rescue – 166

Aided Cases (Ambulance) – 2,137

Mutual Aid Fire – 71

Mutual Aid Rescue – 6

Mutual Aid Ambulance – 4

Total – 3,156

St. Agnes continues a literary tradition

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

More than 30 community members, including local officials, business owners, church leaders, veterans, and medical professionals, gathered at St. Agnes Cathedral School last Friday to share their love of reading during the school’s annual Community Readers’ Day.

Now in its 23rd year, the event aims to foster connections between students and their community while encouraging a lifelong love of reading.

Volunteers brought their chosen books to the school cafeteria early on Nov. 17, where they were paired with students who escorted them to classrooms for individual reading sessions.

“This tradition started before my time here, but we’re so proud to continue it,” said Principal Cecilia St. John. “It’s a wonderful way to welcome community leaders into our school.”

Each of the school’s 35 homerooms hosted a reader, with preparations starting in early October.

“We try to reach out to our community and really emphasize a love of reading and help nurture that,” St. John said. “The readers enjoy the day as much as the children.”

Each of the school’s 35 homeroom classrooms welcomed a reader. The event is carefully organized, with students and staff beginning preparations as early as October to ensure a meaningful experience.

Readers bring their own books, selecting stories tied to themes of community or which provide a meaningful lesson. Each reader also shares a little bit about themselves, what they do in the village and why they selected their book.

“The kids absolutely love it,” she said. “It a great way for students to engage with them and learn about what they do.”

Many participants enjoy it so much they look forward to returning the following year to read to an entirely different class.

“From when I first got here to now,” St. John said, “the enthusiasm for it has just grown.”

The school provides a variety of guests each year to ensure that students broaden their horizons by introducing them to different members of the community.

The school also ensures variety each year to broaden students’ exposure to different community members.

“We make sure the same group doesn’t have the same reader every year,” St. John added. “I think it’s important for the children to meet new people from the community and learn about what they do.”

Now in its 23rd year, having missed two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, Community Readers’ Day continues to bring joy to students and the surrounding community.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Elizabeth Cook Byrne, an alumni parent and real estate agent, read the book ‘What Do You Do With A Chance?’ with the students in Mrs. Maureen O’Loughlin’s class.

Rockville Centre Police Officer Michael Guerrini reads to Mrs. Jessica Silvio’s first-grade students.

Keith Linsalata, owner of Art Flower & Gift Shoppe in Rockville Centre, reads to Mrs. Kayla Tusa-Solar’s fourth-grade class.

Thankful for the Journey We’ve Shared Together

As we gather around the table, I’m reminded of just how grateful I am for my wonderful clients. Each of you has trusted me with one of life’s most meaningful journeys, and for that, I’m truly thankful. This season, I’m humbled by the stories we’ve created together— whether finding a first home, moving on to the next chapter, or simply sharing the excitement of new beginnings.

Guiding Her Clients to Over Asking Results

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Let's connect and start planning for your next chapter. Wishing you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving and looking forward to working together in the season ahead!

Romanowski

Senior Expo makes its mark in Suffolk

By Alexa Anderwkavich

Herald Community Media and RichnerLIVE successfully wrapped up the final Senior Health & Beyond Expo of 2024, presented by Stony Brook Medicine, on Nov. 3, at the Suffolk Y JCC in Commack. This free community event attracted hundreds of attendees, including seniors, families and caregivers eager to explore the latest in wellness, lifestyle enhancements and valuable health resources.

The bustling expo featured a vibrant lineup of educational vendors and interactive activities that kept spirits high throughout the day. From yoga and fitness demonstration sessions to tarot readings, the event catered to diverse interests, and even offered guests an opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping.

“It was an incredible turnout,” Amy Amato, Executive Director of Corporate Relations and Events at RichnerLIVE, said. “We are happy to bring our community-loved event to the Suffolk area, and hope to continue to bring a wealth of knowledge and fun to our senior communities Island-wide.”

One of the highlights of the day was a dynamic live performance by the Seasoned Steppers and Dazzling Divas of Ms. Senior New York America. Their energetic routines brought smiles to the crowd, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. And a performance of a number from “The Nutcracker,” by the New York Dance Company, brought a seasonal touch to the day.

Raffle drawings every half hour kept the anticipation alive, with lucky winners taking home a variety of prizes such as Floatopia gift cards, gift baskets, Natural Remedies goody bags and more, plus two grand prizes: a $250 gift card and an overnight stay for two at the Inn at Fox Hollow, in Woodbury, which included dinner, champagne, roses, chocolates and a full breakfast. Friends and families engaged with experts during panel discussions and Q&A sessions on essential topics, including financial planning, alternative medicine and estate management, gaining valuable insights to improve their well-being.

“Yet another awesome event put on by RichnerLIVE,” Host Mae Caime, RN, CEO of VIP Health Connections and Founder of aMAEzing Midlife & Beyond, said. “From tons of vendors and interactive activities to the incredible showcase from Ms. Senior New York America’s Seasoned Steppers and Dazzling Divas. I love that the audience got up and danced along with them. Truly put a smile on my face.”

Attendees received complimentary swag bags brimming with goodies, and the first 175 guests were treated to a delicious to-go lunch provided by Bagel Boss. Seated fitness demos also kept audience members’ blood pumping while the event’s presenting sponsor, Stony Brook Medicine, provided health screenings, including blood pressure and cognitive screenings.

A special thank-you goes to Stony Brook Medicine and the other program sponsors — Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, Centerlight Healthcare PACE, Cona Elder Law, Clear Captions, NYSARC, Brightview Senior Living, Whisper Woods of Smithtown, the New York State Department of Public Service Long Island, Carillon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, The Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island, Branch Funeral Homes, Nassau University Medial Center, and Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk — for their crucial support. Ideal Home Care was the event’s Refreshment Sponsor, while the Suffolk Y JCC provided a welcoming venue.

The 2024 Senior Health & Beyond Expo series concluded on a high note, leaving attendees with a wealth of knowledge, resources and unforgettable memories.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Parker Jewish Public Relations Director Pablo Rendon.

Members of AARP with their therapy dog, Bailey.

Cona Elder Law attorney Melissa NegrinWiener.

Pierre Menard, of Centerlight Healthcare PACE, told guests about their services.

Opening keynote speaker Dr. Stephanie Jones, of Stony Brook Medicine Geriatrics.

Participants listened to the guest speakers.

St. Agnes students give to local veterans

Members of the St. Agnes Cathedral School’s service club demonstrated gratitude for the men and women who served their country by organizing a drive to collect toiletries, clothing, and other essential items for veterans in need.

United States Army veteran Frank Colón Jr., commander of American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre, visited the school on Oct. 28, two weeks before Veterans Day, to speak with students about what it means to be a veteran and the different ways that civilians can help those who are the most vulnerable.

He also discussed the challenges posed by the recent closure of the Mitchel Field commissary in Garden City, which has left many Long Island veterans with limited resources.

The collection drive, held from midOctober through early November, has become an annual tradition at the St. Agnes Cathedral School.

Each year, students and their families pitch in to gather items such as shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hats, gloves, socks, and deodorant which are delivered to veterans who need them the most.

On Nov. 4, once everything was collected and accounted for, service club members helped Colón and former United States Navy Lieutenant Joe Scarola load a pick-up truck and a car full of

Matthew Baulch, left, American Legion Post 303 Commander Frank Colón, Sofia Thiem, Ginny Kutner, Declan Wlodarczyk, Steven Wagner, Drake Talag carry boxes of essential items that will be sent to help veterans across Long Island.

donations. The items were then delivered to the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

“It’s a great opportunity for the kids to say thank you to the veterans for their service,” said Principal Cecilia St. John. “It matters this year more than ever because many veterans do not have the opportunity to go to the Mitchel Field commissary.”

The commissary, which has been closed since July due to structural damage, served approximately 80,000 veter-

ans on Long Island. With its closure, many veterans must travel to Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn to access similar services, creating an additional hardship for those in the greatest need.

In addition to collecting supplies, St. Agnes students also created a poster for the veterans to express their gratitude for their service.

“It was wonderful,” St. John said. “The students love supporting the veterans.”

She added that this year’s drive was a

tremendous success, thanks to the school community’s consistent generosity. This charitable effort reflects the school’s commitment to honoring the sacrifices of those who served while teaching students the importance of giving back. For students its about more than just tradition. It’s about providing meaningful support for those who fought for our country.

—Daniel Offner

CONQUERING HEALTH CARE’S GREATEST OBSTACLES. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

Curing a rare heart disorder with a short life expectancy.

Performing a life-changing brain surgery without a single incision.

Helping a new mom give birth and receive a new liver.

At Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital, the nation’s most brilliant minds come here to conquer health care’s greatest challenges. So that whatever comes through our doors: challenge accepted. North Shore University Hospital

Holden Leeds/Herald photos St. Agnes student Caitlin Ryan gives back to help the men and women who have served our country.

HERALD SCHOOLS

‘Field of Honor’ gives back to local veterans

By XIOMARA TRINIDAD PEREZ Herald Intern

Local veterans joined students and staff outside the flag-adorned front law of Floyd B. Watson Elementary School in Rockville Centre on Nov. 8 to participate in the school’s third annual Field of Honor ceremony.

Watson has always celebrated Veterans Day with classroom lessons focused on the importance of those who served and those still fighting overseas for our country.

Instead of just honoring veterans one day of the year, the Field of Honor will remain in front of the school for the entire month of November as a reminder of the sacrifice made by the men and women of the United States military.

Each flag is purchased and placed on the lawn to honor or memorialize a family member or friend of the Watson school community and veterans all across the country.

This year, the school raised $650 with the flag sponsorships, which was presented to American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre.

In previous years, the funds raised were donated to the National Military Family Association to help fund programs like Operation Purple Camp, and the Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund, which was created in honor of fallen Army Ranger James Regan, to provide financial support to veterans and active military service members.

The American Legion is the largest veterans organization in the country with more than 1.6 million members nationwide dedicated to providing programs, service and advocacy for veterans and active duty military personnel as well as the youth and communities they represent. In Nassau County there are more than 30,000 veterans represented across 52 posts.

“It just brings me immense pride to work

with teachers and staff and students and families who are so committed to honoring veterans and Veterans Day,” Watson Elementary School Principal Jen Pascarella said. “I could not be more proud to be part of the Watson community.”

Trish Montemarano and Andrea Grubb, two Watson school staff members, helped organize, plan and execute this year’s event. Before the ceremony, students gathered in the classroom to learn about what it means to respect the flag and what the flag represents.

The ceremony recognized many of the veterans in attendance this year and those whose families sponsored a flag to be flown.

Watson teacher Amy Eckelman delivered a riveting performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” during the ceremony, which came to a close with the entire school community joining together to sing “You’re a Grand Ol’ Flag,” in a powerful display of patriotism and unity.

Photos courtesy Rockville Centre School District

American Legion Post 303 in Rockvillle Centre thanks the students at Watson Elementary for their generous donation during the school’s annual Field of Honor ceremony.

Watson Elementary School students waved flags and cheered in support of the local veterans with American Legion Post 303.

Patricia Campbell, clockwise from left, United States Army Veteran James Campbell, Brianne Sheppard, Steven Sheppard and Jane Sheppard honored the memory of a family member who served in the United States Air Force.

Principal Jen Pascarella presented American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre with $675.

News briefs

RVCPD detective charged with hate crime

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Rockville Centre police detective John Murphy has been charged with a hate crime after allegedly lashing out at a cellphone technician, damaging his car while using racial slurs.

Murphy, 40, of Manorville, was arrested by Suffolk County police following an incident on November 3 at the corner of Sylvan Court and Weeks Avenue. Police said that the subcontractor was in a GMC Terrain at the corner of Sylvan Court and Weeks Avenue when he was approached by Murphy, who identified himself as a law enforcement officer.

According to authorities, he then began questioning the subcontractor about what he was doing in the area, and refused to look at the worker’s credentials. Police said he then kicked the GMC, causing damage, and ripped off the light affixed to the top of the vehicle and threw it at the worker while using a racial slur.

Julie Grilli, a spokesperson for the Village of Rockville Centre and Police

Department, said, “The village does not comment on personnel matters.”

It is unclear if Murphy was on duty at the time of the incident. He has subsequently been suspended from the force, per department policy.

“The victim here was just trying to do his job, when the defendant allegedly harassed him and damaged his vehicle,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in an official statement. “To make matters worse, the defendant is a sworn law enforcement officer, responsible for protecting the rights of citizens, rather than violating them, as is alleged here. I thank the Suffolk County Police Department Hate Crimes Unit for taking this crime seriously and following the evidence no matter where it led. Such conduct will not be tolerated in Suffolk County.”

Murphy has been charged with two counts of criminal mischief as a hate crime and aggravated harassment.

He turned himself in and has pleaded not guilty at his arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on November 13. He was released without bail.

Village announces fall leaf pickup schedule

Rockville Centre’s leaf pickup program is currently underway. Bagged leaves will be collected from the curb strip, four days a week, starting Monday, Nov. 18 through Friday, Dec. 13.

Monday pickups will take place north of Sunrise Highway, between Hempstead Avenue and N. Long Beach Road.

Tuesday pickups will take place north of Sunrise Highway, east of N.

Long Beach Road.

Thursday pickups will take place north of Sunrise Highway, west of Hempstead Avenue.

Friday pickups will take place across the village to the south of Sunrise Highway.

There will be no leaf pickup on Thursday, Nov. 28 or Friday, Nov. 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Centre • 764-4041

New congestion pricing plan reduces tolls

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

New York City’s congestion pricing program is back, with a revised pricing plan, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Nov. 14. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board gave a near-unanimous green light to the updated toll program this week. The decision effectively ends a roughly five-month pause the governor abruptly announced in June, just weeks ahead of congestion pricing’s anticipated launch.

At the time, Hochul raised concerns about the financial burden the program would create on motorists.

“As I said from the start, a $15 toll was just too high in this economic climate,” she said last week. “By getting congestion pricing underway and fully supporting the MTA capital plan, we’ll unclog our streets, reduce pollution, and deliver public transit for millions of New Yorkers.”

How much will drivers pay?

Originally, regular passenger vehicles traveling south of 60th Street in Manhattan were to be charged $15 on top of the tolls already paid. That toll has now been reduced to a $9 charge, a 40 percent drop. The scale-back will save regular Manhattan commuters $1,500 per year while, overall, the program will generate an estimated $15 billion in revenue for the transit agency.

Herald file photo

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s revised congestion pricing plan lowers tolls for drivers but increases the pressure on the MTA to meet its funding goals.

While the rollout is set for January, the plan’s opponents, including the state of New Jersey and President-elect Donald Trump, are looking to block its implementation in the courts. Experts note that shelving the tolling program altogether would have left the MTA’s financial future in doubt. Because of the

pause, the agency was already facing a gaping $500 million funding hole.

But some observers are scratching their heads over what they describe as the governor’s questionable calculus — promising to deliver all of the original estimated revenue despite charging only 60 percent of the original toll.

“How does the MTA end up with $15 billion with a $9 base toll?” transportation advocate Larry Penner said. “It previously required a $15 base toll to do the same. Who did the math?”

Long Island grumbles over toll program Time and time again, transit leaders and supporters have said the tolling program will steer transportation off city streets and onto public transit, making the streets more navigable for emergency vehicles, reduce emissions, and put the largest transit system in the country on firmer financial footing.

“New Yorkers deserve cleaner air, safer streets and ambulances that can get to them without gridlock, and the governor is stepping up for them and for riders who need trains and buses to get them where they have to go…” MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said.

Nevertheless, the program remains deeply unpopular with many on Long Island. Local leaders fear that a plan designed to ease congestion in Manhattan streets could create more of it in Long Island Rail Road station parking lots. Critics also say that forking over an extra charge for doing business in the city will hurt the bottom line of Long Island trucking companies and trades workers. Large trucks and sightseeing buses are expected to pay an extra toll of roughly $22. Small trucks and non-commuter buses will be charged $14.40.

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your Thanksgiving table be surrounded by loved ones, and your heart be filled with gratitude. As we reflect on the blessings of this season, it’s the perfect time to think about your next chapter. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest, I’m here to help you find a home where memories will last for years to come.

Jill Dell’Unto

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson O 516.669.3700 | M 516.633.8135 jill.dellunto@elliman.com elliman.com

Rockville Centre Office

304 Merrick Road | 516.669.3700

Non-Discrimination

It is the policy of The Grand Pavilion for Nursing & Rehab at RVC to employ those applicants who possess the necessary skills, education, experience, and qualifcations; and to promote, recruit, advertise or solicit for employment without regard to an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, ethnicity, ancestry, disability, familial status, liability for military service, veteran status, genetic pre-disposition or carrier status, creed, gender, sexual orientation, martial status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The Grand Pavilion for Nursing & Rehab at RVC will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations to enable qualifed applicants and/or employees with known physical or mental disabilities/limitations perform the essential functions of the job, unless if doing so would result in an undue hardship to the Facility.

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of the NICU staff at Catholic Health Mercy Hospital.

Dalia spent 64 days under the care of the hospital’s specialized team of doctors and nurses with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Newborn discharged after 64 days in NICU

For Perla and Dahibel Perez, this November is especially meaningful. Not only is it Prematurity Awareness Month, but it’s also the month they were finally able to bring their baby girl, Daila, home for the first time.

Dalia was born on Sept. 4, after just 28 weeks. She weighed 1 pound and 13 ounces and spent the next 64 days in Catholic Health Mercy Hospital’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Under the care of the hospital’s specialized team of doctors and nurses, she made remarkable progress. By the time she was discharged, Daila weighed 5 pounds and 2.3 ounces.

The staff, who had grown attached to the family during their time at the NICU, said they’ll miss the Perezes,

•

December 6th

2-6

Appointments

• Piercing includes Titanium Piercing Earring & Gift Bag

• Ages 10 and Up. Minors must be accomplained by an adult and minor must give consent.

• In-store Sales the day of the party!

• Hors D’oeuvres & Beverages!

29

especially Daila, who had recently found her voice and had become “very vocal” in her final days at the hospital.

The family’s homecoming is just in time for Thanksgiving, giving Perla, Dahibel, and Daila an extra reason to celebrate together.

Prematurity Awareness Month is observed every November to highlight some of the challenges faced by families with premature babies and the vital role that NICUs play in their care.

Catholic Health also offers maternity services overseen by dedicated obstetricians, nurses and staff as well as classes and support groups for new and expecting parents. To learn more visit CatholicHealthLI.com

–Daniel Offner

Photos courtesy Catholic Health/Alida Giannini

Perla and Dahibel Perez and their baby girl, Dalia, were ready to head home thanks to the care

Black Friday Weekend Sale Event

Friday, November 29th

Sat, Nov. 30th: 7pm - Midnight!

Sunday, December 1st

Concerns mount over redevelopment plans

uses,” Bonesso said. “It is compliant with regard to the side yards, the rear yard and the building coverage. It is compliant from a height and number of stories perspective. But we do need a front yard setback variance. Ten feet is required, and zero feet is proposed.”

Rockville Centre: a downtown destination

Charles Schwartzapfl, the project’s architect, said the design was created “to maintain community sensibility” and establish South Park Avenue as a “destination.” He said that by making the first floor a restaurant and café, the community will make more revenue, and that by allowing an auxiliary use on the rooftop, they can provide new outdoor dining options downtown.

“The whole environment, in general, I think will spruce up and clean up the eyesore that’s on the property now,” he added.

Parking concerns cast a shadow

The 56-space parking requirement stems from the medical office space, as village code does not calculate parking needs for restaurants adjacent to a municipal parking field.

Wayne Muller, vice president of R&M Engineering, conducted a traffic study between Oct. 25 and 26. “Upon compiling it, we found that the peak hour of parking within that study area occurred on

renderings show what the redevelopment would look like if the project were to move forward, pending the necessary approvals from the village Board of Zoning appeals.

were 433 vehicles parked, leaving 115 vacant parking spaces for 79 percent occupancy.”

Muller explained that because the medical offices would be closed during the busiest hours for parking, “there should be relatively no parking activity caused by the property.” He also noted that a nearby municipal lot, across the street, would provide ample parking.

Residents voice their concerns

But some residents say they’re skeptical about the project.

Beth Knifing, a resident of South Park

me,” adding that the nearby municipal lot is often used by the senior center during the day.

“Rockville Centre presents a certain character in its buildings,” Knifing said. “That you think we will just sit back and accept this monstrosity — I’m just amazed.”

Victoria Morelli, a local architect, also criticized the design, saying, “I do not see anything within the rendering that says restaurant.”

In a letter, Cliszis said he would much prefer that the property be preserved than demolished. “There are tax credit

historic properties,” he wrote. “Considering alternatives can help preserve a piece of RVC’s history and character while still making a return on the owner’s investment.” He urged the zoning board to deny the proposed variances, citing the “numerous nonconforming elements” of the building.

The Board of Zoning Appeals has

Daniel Offner/Herald photos the existing homestead at 24 South park ave. was built in 1863 and is one of the last remaining relics from a time before the formation of the incorporated Village of rockville Centre.

Why many local veterans voted for Trump

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

In a survey conducted by the Long Island Herald at local Veterans Day events, more than 90 percent of veterans in Lynbrook, East Rockaway, and Rockville Centre reported casting their ballots for President-elect Donald Trump in the November election. The survey reflects a broader trend seen across the United States, where veterans have shown consistent support for the Republican Party, particularly in the 2024 election cycle.

Local veterans cited a range of priorities, including the economy, border security, and international affairs, as key factors influencing their vote.

Many said they disagreed with the current administration’s handling of these issues, and said the divide between veterans and the broader political landscape of New York has led to unnecessary division.

Harris, whose campaign focused heavily on social issues such as abortion rights and gender-affirming healthcare, received strong backing in the state, but veterans on Long Island said Trump’s policies on military readiness and border security resonated with them more than the Democratic agenda.

According to exit polls, 65 percent of veterans nationwide voted for Trump in the November election, reflecting similar trends seen on Long Island.

Veterans accounted for approximately 12 percent of total voters in the U.S., and their influence in swing districts and suburban areas remains significant.

Among some progressive voters, particularly those from younger generations, Israel’s involvement in Gaza became a critical issue during the campaign.

For many in the Democratic Party, a ceasefire and negotiations for peace in the region were central to their voting decisions.

Inot realize many veterans consider themselves anti-war.

Tomao agreed, and said he believes one of the first actions in the new Trump administration will be a negotiated ceasefire.

think there’s a big civil and military disconnect.

PAuL

CASAZZA Vice Commander, American Legion Post 303

However, veterans like Paul Casazza, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and acting Vice Commander of American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre, said they often find themselves at odds with the political rhetoric surrounding war and peace.

“We promote peace,” Casazza said. “I think there’s a big civil and military disconnect.”

Casazza said he thinks progressive voters, particularly young people, do

Trump resonated with many veterans through his approach to military engagement, particularly the use of drone strikes. During his administration, Trump loosened restrictions on drone warfare, authorizing more aggressive tactics in combating terrorist groups and other perceived threats. This approach led to an increase in drone strikes, particularly in countries like Yemen, Somalia, and Afghanistan.

The Obama-era policy required the U.S. government to publicly report civilian casualties from drone strikes conducted outside of active war zones. However, in 2018, the Trump administration quietly repealed this provision, allowing drone strikes to be conducted without public accountability for civilian deaths.

Some veterans viewed this as an effective tool for targeting enemy com -

batants without risking American lives in ground combat. However, others expressed concerns over the collateral damage and civilian casualties resulting from the policies. Despite these concerns, Trump’s policies were often framed by his administration as a way to reduce the U.S. military footprint abroad while still maintaining a strong offensive presence.

While veterans make up a relatively small percentage of the overall population—4.2 percent in New York according to state data—their influence in elections is disproportionate to their numbers. In areas like Lynbrook, East Rockaway, and Rockville Centre, where veterans live in concentrated communities, their votes can be pivotal in tight races.

Casazza said the divide between veterans and progressive voters highlights a broader issue: a disconnect between those who have served in the military and the public’s perception of military life and its role in society. Casazza believes that this misunderstanding comes from a lack of education about military service and its impact.

“This is a great experiment, right?” Casazza said. “In order for it to be successful, you need an educated population—which we don’t have.”

RVC Tigers win fall championship

The Rockville Centre Tigers 9U Blue team took home the East Coast Fall League Championship on Nov. 3, with a 7-4 victory against the Sharks Baseball Academy at Pops Field in Farmingdale.

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

In re: THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK,1 Debtor. Chapter 11 Case No. 20-12345 (MG)

NOTICE OF (I) DEADLINE FOR CASTING VOTES TO ACCEPT OR REJECT PLAN OF REORGANIZATION, (II) HEARING TO CONSIDER CONFIRMATION OF PLAN OF REORGANIZATION, AND (III) RELATED MATTERS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. On November 6, 2024 the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”) entered an order in the above-captioned chapter 11 cases [Docket No. 3376] (the “Disclosure Statement Order”): (a) approving the Disclosure Statement for Plan of Reorganization Proposed by The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York and Additional Debtors [Docket No. 3375] (together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, and as may be modified, amended, or supplemented from time to time, the “Disclosure Statement”); (b) establishing the Record Date, Voting Deadline, and other related dates in connection with confirmation of the Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization for The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York and Additional Debtors [Docket No. 3354] (together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, and as may be modified, amended, or supplemented from time to time, the “Plan”);2 and (c) approving procedures for soliciting, receiving, and tabulating votes on the Plan and for filing objections to the Plan (the “Solicitation Procedures”); and (d) approving the form and manner of notice and other related documents as they relate to the Debtor.

2. A hearing to consider the confirmation of the Plan (the “Confirmation Hearing”) will be held before the Honorable Martin Glenn, Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of New York, in a courtroom to be determined, at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York located at One Bowling Green, New York, New York 10004 (the “Bankruptcy Court”) on December 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (prevailing Eastern Time).

3. Pursuant to the Disclosure Statement Order, for a vote to accept or reject the Plan to be counted, a Ballot must be completed and returned in accordance with the instructions provided on the Ballot so that it is received by November 26, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (prevailing Eastern Time).

4. In connection with confirmation of the Plan, the Debtor and Additional Debtors are seeking approval of certain releases, including releases of certain nondebtor entities, that will become effective and binding on the Effective Date in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the Confirmation Order. These releases are described in detail in the Disclosure Statement.

5. The Plan proposes establishing the Trust to resolve all Abuse Claims against the Debtor and Additional Debtors. Persons and entities with Abuse Claims will be forever barred from asserting their Claims against the Debtor, Additional Debtors or other parties specified in the Plan. If the Plan is approved by the Bankruptcy Court, all current and future holders of Abuse Claims against the Debtor and Additional Debtors can request and receive money only from the Trust. You should read the Plan and Disclosure Statement carefully for details about how the Plan, if approved, will affect your rights.

6. Responses and objections, if any, to the confirmation of the Plan must: (a) be in writing; (b) conform to the Bankruptcy Rules and Local Rules; (c) state the name, address, telephone number and email address of the objecting party and the amount and nature of the claim of such party; (d) state with particularity the basis and nature of any objection to the Plan, including the evidentiary support thereof, and, if practicable, a proposed modification to the Plan that would resolve such objection; and (e)

7. For purposes of filing pleadings in these cases, the address of the Court is One Bowling Green, New York, New York 10004-1408. Attorneys may also file pleadings on the Bankruptcy Court’s Document Filing System (ECF) by completing and submitting the Electronic Filing Registration Form, available at http://www.nysb. uscourts.gov

8. Please be advised that the Confirmation Hearing may be adjourned or continued from time to time by the Bankruptcy Court, the Debtor, or the Additional Debtors without further notice other than as indicated in any notice or agenda of matters scheduled for a particular hearing that is filed with the Bankruptcy Court. If the Confirmation Hearing is continued, the Debtor and Additional Debtors will post the new date and time of the Confirmation Hearing at https://dm.epiq11.com/drvc. The Plan may be modified, if necessary, prior to, during, or as a result of the Confirmation Hearing, without further notice to creditors or other parties in interest, unless such notice is required by the Bankruptcy Code, Bankruptcy Rules, or other applicable law.

9. Copies of the Disclosure Statement, Plan, and Disclosure Statement Order are available for review free-of-charge on the website maintained by the Debtor’s claims, noticing, and solicitation agent, Epiq Corporate Restructuring, LLC (the “Voting Agent”), at https://dm.epiq11.com/drvc. Copies of the Disclosure Statement and Plan are also available upon request by contacting the Voting Agent by (a) calling (888) 490-0633 (Toll-Free) or +1 (503) 520-4459 (International), (b) emailing RCDRockvilleInfo@epiqglobal.com, (c) writing to: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, c/o Epiq Ballot Processing Center, P.O. Box 4422, Beaverton, OR 97076-4422, or (d) submitting an inquiry on the Voting Agent’s website at https://dm.epiq11.com/drvc Please note that the Voting Agent is not authorized to, and will not, provide legal advice to you. If you need legal advice, please consult with your attorney.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE PLAN OR ABOUT ANYTHING STATED HEREIN OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE VOTING AGENT VIA ONE OF THE METHODS SPECIFIED ABOVE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VOTING AGENT MAY NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU NEED LEGAL ADVICE, PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR ATTORNEY. Dated: November 6, 2024, New York, New York, /s/ Corinne Ball Corinne Ball, Todd Geremia, Benjamin Rosenblum, Andrew Butler, JONES DAY, 250 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10281-1047, Telephone: (212) 326-3939, Facsimile: (212) 755-7306, Email: cball@jonesday.com,

Courtesy Julie Grilli

By Danielle Schwab & Tim Baker

James Brucia, age 5, North Massapequa

You bake it in the oven. My mom and dad go to the store and look for one with meat and bones — bigger than me! Then they bake it for one second.

How To Make A Turkey

Evangeline Lynch, age 6, Malverne

You get the turkey from the store and the store gets it from the farm. You cut it up and throw it on the stove for one hour. My dad cuts the turkey into small pieces.

Madison Sinclair, age 5, Oceanside

My mommy takes everything she needs to make a turkey like lettuce, mashed avocados, tomatoes, and carrots. You cut a hole at the top and stuff it in. We have to cut it and it will bleed like yuck!

Peter Ferrante, age 6, Valley Stream

The turkey comes from the wild. You put six butters in the turkey and then a lemon to make it juicy and onions. My mom and nana put the turkey on the stove. We eat it with potatoes and marshmallows.

Luna Cappadora, age 5, Baldwin

I would go the store and I would make a list to know what ingredients I would need. But I don’t know so I would ask my mom. Then we put it somewhere, but I don’t know where. Then it gets cooked and it gets hard. My dad eats the most turkey!

STEPPING OUT

A very merry celebration at UBS Arena

Explore Christmas magic with festive films and seasonal wonders at the first Great American Family Christmas Festival

By Danielle Schwab

‘Tis the season: so let’s get jolly! UBS Arena’s Northwell Park is just the place to do so — with a visit to the inaugural Great American Family Christmas Festival, now through Jan. 5.

Great American Media is partnering with UBS Arena and the New York Islanders to bring Christmas joy to new heights at what is one of the largest experiential holiday festivals in the country, according to the creative team.

It involves holiday movie world premieres, traditional Christmas tree lightings nightly, TikTokworthy holiday experiences throughout — an immersive experience for the entire family. Also meet the stars of Great American Christmas movies, weekends, along with film screenings, Q&As, panels, and scheduled photo ops.

“Over the past decade, my team and I have envisioned a Christmas festival that will attract people and offer fans a chance to meet the stars of our movies and immerse themselves in a oneof-a-kind festive experience,” Great American Media President-CEO Bill Abbott says.

With almost 100 Christmas movies produced, Great American’s Christmas franchise has warmed the hearts of audiences since its start in 2021.

“Our Christmas movies are all about an experience,” Abbott notes.

The ‘experience’ has now evolved from the screen to a fully immersive event.

“You think about what you do as a family between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and there really isn’t a lot to do. So we wanted to create that experience — when you walk in, you smell, see and feel Christmas,” he explains. “It’s a dream come true on so many levels.”

Visitors will find an ideal winter wonderland filled with five whimsical villages to explore, each offering numerous activities for all ages.

Start your journey by walking through Candy Cane Lane’s red and white arches, where you can snap some stylish “eflies” (Christmas selfies!) to add to the family Christmas album.

Next, you might want to head over to Santa’s Craft Village, where you can create personalized decorations — wreaths, holly and ornaments — to ‘deck the halls.’ Or even craft a do-it-yourself gift for someone special.

If you’re in the mood to skate, you don’t have to be on the Islanders to enjoy the rink at Frosty’s Frozen Skate. And when you need a break after gliding on the sparkling ice, cozy up at one of the fire pits nearby to chase away the chill.

The holidays always involve food, of course, and you’ll find all sorts of treats at the Eat, Drink, and Be Merry Village. Indulge in such classics as hot chocolate, giant candy canes, and gooey s’mores with peppermint twists. The village also offers private rentals of VIP igloos and firepits, by the way, creating an inviting atmosphere for corporate entertaining and socializing.

Much like Rudolph’s red nose, Rudolph’s Main Stage is a bright beacon, where the festival “community” gathers. Sing along to Christmas carols at “Carol-oke” or cheer on participants in the Ugly Sweater Contest. To add even more merriment to your day, screenings of 18 new Christmas films will be featured along with in-person meet-and-greets with many of the stars. Among the movies, don’t miss “Home Sweet Christmas,” premiering on Nov. 23. It follows childhood friends — Sam and Sophie — who are brought back together by the unexpected shared ownership of a charming tree farm.

“This is a beautiful, sweet story. It’s about long-lost love that’s reconnected. It’s about second

• Now through Jan. 5

• Tickets start at $15, with varied ticket packages available

• Go to greatamericanfamily christmasfestival.com to purchase tickets and for more information

• Northwell Park at UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont

chances at life, and it’s about the magic and mystery of Christmas,” says Cameron Mathison, who stars as Sam.

His co-star, Candace Cameron Bure is no stranger to Christmas film magic either.

“It’s such a beautiful genre that I have been lucky enough to be a part of since it really took off,” Bure says.“People come to love these Christmas movies, and they tune in year after year. There’s something so comforting about them, and it’s a time you can gather with your family and just be together.”

Guests can join the festivities with Bure and Mathison during opening weekend. Other star appearances include husband-and-wife duo Mario and Courtney Lopez. Be sure to check the website for a complete list of all special guests and their scheduled appearance.

And, naturally, the holiday celebration wouldn’t be complete without a bright and beautiful Christmas tree lighting ceremony, when Candace Cameron Bure will help usher in the festive season at the first lighting.

“For us, being involved in a project like this, and having the opportunity to put on something with partners who care so deeply is just fantastic,” Abbott says enthusiastically.

“And in New York. There’s no place like Christmas in New York.”

Whether you are going to take in the movies, meet the stars, or enjoy some family activities, the festival invites everyone to live their own Christmas story.

“What I’m most excited about is the essence of it. You’re almost in your own little version of a Great American Christmas movie,” Mathison adds.“You’re engulfed in Christmas.”

And who knows? While there, perhaps you’ll find your very own Christmas miracle.

Songbird

Experience the sensational voice of Karine Hannah as she brings “Songbird: The Singular Tribute to Barbra Streisand” to life. Her musical palette and vocal capabilities are wide and varied, but her passion for singing and performing Streisand’s music has been her signature and staple since childhood. Accompanied by her band Water Colors she delivers Streisand’s hits with emotional depth and authenticity. From her humorous and bawdy onstage banter to her breathtaking renditions of timeless classics, Hannah’s tribute is more than just a concert; it’s a heartfelt celebration of Streisand’s enduring legacy. As Karine reimagines Streisand’s beloved songs, you’ll be transported through decades of unforgettable music, filled with the passion and artistry that have made Streisand a living legend.

Saturday, Nov. 23, 8 p.m. $54. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

The Weight Band

The Weight Band — helmed by by Jim Weider, a 15-year former member of The Band, who replaced Robbie Robertson — pays tribute to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ensemble’s timeless and enduring 1968 album “Music from Big Pink,” on the Paramount stage. Named for the classic The Band song “The Weight,” The Weight showcases the album in its entirety, along with outtakes and other favorites by The Band. The concert also include cuts from their latest album “Shines Like Gold,” a dynamic set of classic Americana that draws upon roadhouse rock, funky swamp pop, blues, country soul, and folk music. Drummer Levon Helm urged Weider to launch The Weight Band in 2013, as a vehicle for carrying onThe Band’s musical legacy.

Sunday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m. $45, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

CourtesyUBS Arena/Dennis DaSilva

Unwrap some holiday cheer and immerse yourself in the wonders of the season at UBS Arena’s festive extravaganza.

Courtesy Great American Family

Screen a movie at the festival with the film’s stars.

“Home Sweet Christmas” kicks off the film schedule with Cameron Mathison and Candace Cameron Bure.

THE Your Neighborhood

Dark Star Orchestra

Let’s Talk Turkey

Holiday Tales At The Hearth

On any given night, the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. This allows fans both young and old to share in the experience. By recreating set lists from the past, and by developing their own sets of Dead songs, DSO offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra’s members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations. Dark Star Orchestra offers much more than the sound of the Grateful Dead, they truly encapsulate the energy and the experience. It’s about a sense of familiarity. It’s about a feeling that grabs listeners and takes over. It’s about that contagious energy — in short, it’s about the complete experience and consistent quality show that the fan receives when attending a DSO show. $99.50, $69.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. Nov. 29

The Grateful Dead have been resurrected in the form of Dark Star Orchestra. The band brings its Fall tour to the Paramount stage, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30, t 8 p.m. Formed in 1997, this tribute band came up with the novel idea of recreating complete sets from The Grateful Dead’s gigantic list of concerts. They adapt their playing and sound depending on what era of Dead they’re tackling on the night, and while they slavishly recreate the sound of the band down to the minutest detail, they also embark on epic improvisations that would make their heroes proud. Performing to critical acclaim for over 3,100 shows, DSO continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. Their shows are built off the Dead’s extensive catalog and the talent of these seven fine musicians.

Long Island Children’s Museum is gearing up for Thanksgiving, Sunday, Nov. 24, 1-4 p.m. As Thanksgiving is approaching, get ready by creating a colorful turkey, at the drop-in program. Take your terrific turkey home to adorn your Thanksgiving table. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. Visit LICM.org or call (516) 224-5800 for more information.

In concert Plaza

Theatricals’ welcomes everyone to a “Motown Holiday Dance Party,” Sunday, dec. 8, 4 p.m. Celebrate the holidays in true Motown style. Enjoy a sensational afternoon of soulful tunes, joyful dancing, and nostalgic vibes at the electrifying concert. Get ready to groove, spread the festive cheer and make unforgettable memories. See the show at 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 5996870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

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

Play 4 Mary Weekend

St. Agnes CYO teams up with the Mary Ruchalski Foundation to host its annual Play 4 Mary weekend. The festivities kick off with poster decorating night, Thursday, Nov. 21, at the St. Agnes Parish Center, 6-7 p.m., followed by games all weekend long in the Stags gymnasium, starting Friday, Nov. 22, 6:15 p.m. 46 Clinton Ave.

Let’s Skate

Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowfake Sock Skating rink returns, through Jan. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades. Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowfake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fre pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Tea time

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

Having an event?

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues Saturday, Nov. 23, 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. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.

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

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

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

Molloy University’s 2024 Gala

Molloy University hosts its annual gala, Friday, Nov. 22, at The Lannin at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. This year’s event honors outstanding individuals who have made a lasting impact at Molloy, in their careers and in their communities. Cocktail hour will start at 6:30 p.m. featuring a musical quartet courtesy of Wayne Lipton and the South Shore Symphony. The gala dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m. with entertainment by the Swing Time Big Band. All proceeds from the event will help support student scholarships. For more information visit Molloy.edu.

Tommy Brull Foundation’s 17th annual fundraiser

Help raise money for a number of different charitable organizations at the Tommy Brull Foundation’s 17th annual fundraiser event, at the St. Agnes Parish Center, Saturday, Nov. 23, 6-10 p.m. With food, fun, friends, raffes, and live music, including an after party with The Knobs. Prize donations and nominations for this year’s “Courage and Resilience Award” are still being accepted. For more information, contact the Tommy Brull Foundation on Instagram. 29 Quealy Place.

21,

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notices

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY

COMPANY. NAME:

Curated Concierge, LLC.

Articles of Organization were fled with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 10/11/24. location: Nassau County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to:12 Vanderveer Court,RVC NY 11570

Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 149581

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEOPLE’S FINANCIAL REALTY

MORTGAGE SECURITIES

TRUST, SERIES 2006-1, -againstFRANCISCO M.

RODRIGUEZ, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Offce of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 13, 2023, wherein HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEOPLE’S FINANCIAL REALTY

MORTGAGE SECURITIES

TRUST, SERIES 2006-1 is the Plaintiff and FRANCISCO M. RODRIGUEZ, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY

SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on December 10, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 394 PINEBROOK AVE, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570; and the following tax map identifcation: 35-415-895.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index No.: 011891/2008. Mark Ricciardi, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 149858

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: THE IMAGE AND STYLE CONNECTION, LLC. Articles of Organization were fled with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 10/16/24. NY Offce location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 189 Raymond St, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 149777

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE ELECCIONES ANUALES DISTRITO DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE LAKEVIEW DE LA CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK A LOS ELECTORES CUALIFICADOS DEL DISTRITO DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE LAKEVIEW POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con el Capítulo 403 de las Leyes del Estado de Nueva York de 1977, se llevará a cabo una elección en el Distrito de la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview el día 3 de diciembre de 2024. Las urnas estarán disponibles desde las 16:00 horas hasta las 22:00 horas, hora estándar, en la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview, ubicada en 1120 Woodfeld, Rockville Centre, Nueva York, dentro del mencionado Distrito. El propósito de esta elección es designar a dos (2) Fideicomisarios de la Biblioteca, uno (1) para un período de cinco (5) años en sustitución de Marlene Tapley, cuyo mandato concluye el 31 de diciembre de 2029, y otro (1) para un mandato de aproximadamente un año para completar el período no concluido de Andrea Maddison, que inicia el 3 de diciembre de 2024 y fnaliza el 31 de diciembre de 2025. La votación se realizará mediante papeleta. Las urnas abrirán a las 16:00 horas y se mantendrán abiertas hasta las 22:00 horas, o más tiempo si es necesario para permitir que todos los votantes presentes en ese momento puedan emitir su voto.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, según una resolución aprobada en la reunión de los Fideicomisarios del Distrito de la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview el 16 de octubre de 2024, los aspirantes a Fideicomisario de la Biblioteca deben registrar sus candidaturas en la ofcina del Secretario del Distrito, situada en la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview, 1120 Woodfeld Road, Rockville Centre, Nueva York. Esto

debe hacerse al menos diez (10) días antes de la elección, acompañados de las frmas de veinticinco (25) electores cualifcados (defnidos a continuación) del Distrito. Un elector cualifcado es una persona que está registrada para votar y que ha residido en el Distrito de la Biblioteca por al menos 30 días antes de la elección del Distrito de la Biblioteca. Solo los electores cualifcados que residan en el distrito son elegibles para postularse como Fideicomisario de la Biblioteca o para votar en las elecciones del Distrito de la Biblioteca. Los formularios de petición están disponibles en la Biblioteca.

SE NOTIFICA TAMBIÉN que las solicitudes para obtener papeletas de voto en ausencia para las elecciones de la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview pueden entregarse en la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview, ubicada en 1120 Woodfeld Road, Rockville Centre, Nueva York 11570. Las solicitudes completadas deben ser entregadas a la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview al menos siete (7) días antes de la fecha de la elección si la papeleta se enviará por correo al votante, o un (1) día antes si la papeleta se entregará en persona al votante. Las papeletas de voto en ausencia deben llegar a la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del 3 de diciembre de 2024. Una relación de todas las personas a quienes se les haya enviado papeletas de voto en ausencia estará disponible para consulta en la ofcina administrativa de la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview de 10:00 a 17:00 horas en los cinco (5) días laborales previos a la elección, excepto los domingos, y de 10:00 a 12:00 horas el sábado anterior a la elección. Esta lista también estará disponible para consulta en el lugar de votación durante la elección de los miembros del Consejo de Administración. Por orden de la Junta Directiva del Distrito de la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview. Fechado: 16 de octubre de 2024_____ Rockville Centre, Nueva York Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview Secretario de distrito 149962

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF ANNUAL ELECTION LAKEVIEW

PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE LAKEVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIIVEN that in accordance with Chapter 403 of the Laws of the State of New York for 1977, an election will be held in the Lakeview Public Library District on December 3, 2024, the polls to be opened between the hours of 4 p.m. o’clock and 10 o’clock p.m. standard time, at the Lakeview Public Library, 1120 Woodfeld, Rockville Centre, New York , in said District for the purpose of electing two (2) Library Trustees, one (1) for a term of fve (5 ) years to succeed Marlene Tapley which term expires on the 31st day of December 2029 and one (1) term for approximately one year to fll the unexpired term of Andrea Maddison which commences on December 3, 2024 and expires on the 31st day of 2025. The voting will be by paper ballot The polls will opened at 4:00 p.m. and remain opened until 10:00 p.m. and as much longer as may be necessary to enable the voters then present to cast their ballot.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to a resolution adopted at a meeting of the Trustees of the Lakeview Public Library District held on the 16th day of October 2024, candidates for Library Trustee shall fle their names with the District Clerk at the Lakeview Public Library, 1120 Woodfeld Road, Rockville Centre, New York, at least ten (10) days prior to the date of such election, subscribed by twenty-fve (25) qualifed electors (as defned below) of the District. A qualifed elector is a person who is registered to vote and who has resided in the Library District at least 30 days prior to the Library District election. Only resident qualifed electors are eligible to hold offce of Library Trustee or to vote at a Library District election. Petition forms are available at the Library.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots for the Lakeview Public Library election may be made at the Lakeview Public Library at 1120 Woodfeld Road, Rockville Centre, New York 11570. Completed applications must be received by the Lakeview Public Library at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or one (1) day before the election; if the ballot is to be personally delivered to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received at the Lakeview Public Library no later than 5:00 p.m. on December 3, 2024. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection in

Girl Scouts Troop 861 is

Girl Scout Troop 861 teamed up with the Rockville Centre Department of Public Works to help place medallions on storm water catch basins around Sutton Place and Banbury Road. The medallions are designed to help spread the message, “Only rain down the drain,” which serves as a reminder for residents that catch basins are there to collect storm water. They are not a collection point for any other liquid, pet waste or trash. When people pollute storm water, they also pollute our natural waterways.

Girl Scout Troop 861 works with DPW employees to place medallions on storm water catch basins.

LIHCC honors businessperson of the year

Rockville Centre resident and Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce member John Casper, center, was named Small Businessperson of the Year at the Nassau Council of Chambers Legislative Breakfast on Oct. 25 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. He was joined by Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker, left, Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads, Assemblyman Ed Ra, Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, Nassau Council of Chambers President Frank Camarano Jr., Assemblyman John Mikulin, Nassau County Legislator John Giuffre and members of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Courtesy Village of Rockville Centre

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460

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Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

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

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST

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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

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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

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

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

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.

A town complicates the permitting procedure

Stunning New Construction

Q. We want to add a bathroom on our second floor, where there is currently only a half bath. We bought the house a few months ago, and want to make things right with a baby on the way. We interviewed a couple of contractors, both of whom told us that they can do the job but don’t want to get permits. The architect we spoke with warned us that it may take longer, and his fees may be much higher, because the town we live in has greatly increased the amount of work that needs to be done to get a permit. I’m sure you recommend getting a permit, but what can we really anticipate? We really need to get this done.

A. The contractors and the architect are correct. Your town went from what may have been a simpler process to a much more involved one. It isn’t unusual for them to require plans of the entire home when all you want to do is a bathroom.

The typical scenario starts with calling the architect, who stops by and looks at what you want to do. You discuss with them the possible locations for the tub or shower, the toilet and sink, and where pipes will need to run for code compliance and to logically drain properly. The roof must also be looked at, to avoid putting the vent stack too close to a valley in the roof or an upper window or wall.

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The plans used to be of the area where the bathroom was going, including the adjacent rooms and hallway access. At that point, the plans typically showed where smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are located, all for your safety. The architect will set up an agreement and time to measure, set up the plans over a time period based on their workload, and prepare the paperwork to submit.

An application fee is charged when the plans are filed and, once filed, they are assigned a reviewer and a number. At that point, depending on the reviewer’s concerns about the rest of the house, they may decide that more information is necessary. No matter what experience your architect has, they know there are an endless number of things that can be asked for. It has become common for reviewers to ask for entire house plans, when only the floor area where the bathroom is to be is necessary, above and below.

Often, the architect, anticipating what can be asked for, provides more than in the past, mainly to try to keep the process flowing and to get you to the point of a permit. The basic requirements in the drawings can sometimes be much more than was ever on any checklist, and can include direct quotes of code notes, for example. One examiner asked to have notes removed after another demanded to see them, so there is a perceived randomness to the process as well. Your architect can help you through this. Good luck!

© 2024 Monte Leeper

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

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opinions Trump makes the comeback of all comebacks

Donald Trump’s overwhelming victory in the presidential contest marked the most astonishing comeback in American political history, and a dramatic realignment of political coalition forces.

Only one previous president, Grover Cleveland, in the 19th century, was re-elected after being defeated in a bid for a second consecutive term. And no president, of course, has been elected after being indicted in state and federal courts, found guilty of multiple felonies in one of those cases, and found liable in a number of civil cases. Bottom line: There has never been a president like Donald Trump.

He has beaten the odds at every juncture since making his famous descent down the Trump Tower escalator in 2015. He was thought to have no chance to make it through the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, never mind win the nomination. And once he was the

president-elect Donald Trump issued a number of warnings during his successful campaign to return to the White House. He talked about exacting retribution against anyone who opposed him or had the temerity to alert the public about his positions. But the most significant statement that should have been given a warning label was Trump’s pledge to give Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a significant role in the nation’s health agencies. He is now Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services. As a general rule, winning candidates have every right to reward supporters with cabinet position, but the possibility of giving RFK Jr. the authority to tell Americans what vaccines you can give your children or the medications you can give your elderly parents was not on the ballot this year. Respected scientists across the nation have been warning the public for years about the numerous conspira-

nominee, the main topic of debate was how large his landslide defeat would be.

Then, after his entirely unexpected election in 2016, he had to overcome a baseless but debilitating Russia collusion investigation and two impeachment trials. His refusal to accept his 2020 defeat, and his irresponsible delay in denouncing the Jan. 6 criminal riot at the U.S. Capitol, were thought by friend and foe to have ended his political career.

counties. The last Republican presidential nominee to do that was George H.W. Bush in 1988.

He was the frst Republican to win the popular vote on L.I. since 1988.

Yet Trump re-emerged, a political Lazarus, and reclaimed by free and open balloting the highest office in the land and the most powerful position in the world. And it was a solid, overwhelming victory, considerably more impressive than his 2016 Electoral College win, in which he had razor-thin margins in key states, aided by votes siphoned from Hillary Clinton by third-party fringe candidates. In this year’s election he had solid vote margins in all of the battleground states, and was the first Republican to win the popular vote since George W. Bush in 2004.

Here on Long Island, Trump won the popular vote in Nassau and Suffolk

While I have had differences with the president-elect, I strongly supported his candidacy this year, just as I supported so much of his agenda when I was in Congress during his first term. Despite the almost constant swirl of controversy around him for those four years, his significant accomplishments included making the United States energy-independent, crushing ISIS and its Islamist caliphate, keeping us out of foreign wars, preventing aggression by Russia and China, expanding our economy, keeping inflation below 2 percent, making our southern border more secure than at any time in decades, and brokering the Abraham Accords with Israel and its Arab neighbors. The Biden-Harris record was the opposite in almost every regard, as reflected in its unfavorable ratings, mired in the high 50s.

Trump also tapped into the alienation felt by increasing numbers of Americans, who turned against progressive policies of open borders, cash-

Beware of RFK Jr. in D.C.

cy theories that RFK Jr. has spread that inflame public opinion. At the height of the coronavirus outbreak, then President Trump initiated Operation Warp Speed to make vaccines available for public use. At the same time, RFK Jr. was warning the public of the dangers of those vaccines.

T his promoter of conspiracies is the wrong choice for our health agencies.

An example of his antivaccine mistakes was the 2019 measles outbreak on the island of Samoa. In 2018, two children had died from a vaccine mixup, and RFK Jr. met with leading Samoan antivaxxers a few months before the outbreak, and they began to warn the public about the danger of taking any measles vaccinations. Following that meeting, the measles vaccination rate dropped from 60 percent to 31 percent.

Afraid to take the vaccine, island residents reported 83 deaths from measles, many of them young children. A year later, RFK Jr. labeled a leading Samoan anti-vaxxer a “medical freedom hero.” In spite of that outbreak, which he denied being involved in, he has subsequently traveled around the United States insisting that vaccines are causing a “holocaust.”

I have crossed paths with Kennedy

less bail, anti-police bias, defunding the police, high inflation and increased gas and grocery prices. This caused traditional allies such as the Teamsters, hardhat construction unions and growing numbers of African-Americans and Hispanics to turn away from the Democratic leadership of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Donald Trump and I grew up in Queens at the same time. Though Sunnyside and Jamaica Estates were in very different social strata, Trump definitely has working-class attitudes, and speaks the language of neighborhood families and values. As he prepares for his second term as president, he is uniquely positioned to restructure American politics and society to focus on greater empowerment for people who work hard, strive to live in safe communities and have endless belief in America’s exceptionalism. They believe that it isn’t racist or biased to prevent illegal immigrants from crossing our borders or to stand with the police. They are and will be integral allies of the 47th president as he strives to make America even greater.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

in the past. He was the chair of Riverkeeper, an environmental advocacy organization whose principal cause was its opposition to the Indian Point Energy Center, a nuclear-energy facility in Westchester County. Although he is an environmental attorney, he is not a scientist. During the battle to shut the plant down, he made numerous unsupported scientific claims about the facility, which were challenged frequently by its owners.

Because Kennedy has spread so many conspiracy theories, it is hard to pick his most outlandish claims. In 2006, in a Rolling Stone interview, he said he was “convinced that fraud during the 2004 presidential election allowed President George W. Bush to steal victory from Democrat John Kerry.” He asserted that Republicans had “mounted a massive, coordinated campaign to subvert the will of the people” and ensure Bush’s re-election. He claimed that “350,000 voters in Ohio were prevented from casting their ballots,” which turned out to be a glitch in the machines that was corrected.

Another of Kennedy’s conspiracy theories was his past insistence on the

innocence of his father’s murderer. On Dec. 8, 2021, Kennedy published an op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle that claimed that Sirhan Sirhan was innocent and should be released from prison. On subsequent occasions, Kennedy supported Sirhan’s release from prison despite the unanimous opposition from the Kennedy family, including his mother, Ethel.

To give you an idea of what could occur if RFK Jr. is confirmed as secretary of HHS, it’s important to understand the powers of that cabinet position. RFK Jr. would be in charge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health.

It should be noted that Kennedy has never held any government position, and his main claim to fame is that he is a member of a family that has been nothing less than a political dynasty. Hopefully, Congress will recognize the dangers of giving him such a major role in Washington.

Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

JERRY

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HERALD

COMMUNITY

Seditorial

Shop local Nov. 30 — and every day

mall Business Saturday is Nov.

30. Created in 2010, this annual date is both a celebration and a promotion, dedicated to supporting mom-and-pop businesses and encouraging consumers to shop locally. There are few more significant dates on the calendar to show your support of local enterprises, because whether it’s the central shopping area of one of Long Island’s villages or the multitude of strip malls that dot the Nassau and Suffolk County landscapes, small businesses are the backbone of our communities.

They are more than just storefronts or online shops — they are deeply embedded in the fabric of our towns. They are owned and operated by neighbors, friends and families that have a vested interest in the well-being of their neighborhoods.

Yet despite the critical role they play in the local, regional and national economy, small businesses often struggle to compete against larger stores. As consumers, we must recognize their importance and actively support them to ensure not only their survival, but their success.

Small businesses are significant drivers of local economic activity, making up 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses and accounting for nearly half of the country’s workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

letterS

Despairing? Avoid the ‘cacophony’ of the internet.

To the Editor:

Re Herald columnists Scott M. Davis (“A call for tolerance amid the acrimony”) and Will Sheeline (“What comes next? How about our neglected unity?”) and letter writer Mireille Taub (“Not giving in to ‘our season of despair’”) in last week’s issue:

For Mr. Davis, the first task is “tamping down the divisive rhetoric.” Mr. Sheeline notes the need “to heal the nation’s wounds,” and Ms. Taub feels “abandoned,” in need of a “torch” to illuminate the path to civility. Those of us who agree must realize that an opposition exists who promote divisive rhetoric for fun and profit, and who benefit from our open wounds and prefer treating them with salt rather than salve.

Among things to avoid are the cacophony of X, the empty “just askin’” stylists. Forgo the entertain -

Approximately 50 percent of our country’s gross domestic product is created by small businesses.

When you shop at a local boutique or dine at an independently owned restaurant, more of your money stays in the community. Studies show that roughly 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business remains in the local economy, and every dollar spent at a small business creates an additional 50 cents of local economic activity. This “local multiplier effect” supports other businesses, schools, public services and infrastructure, creating a virtuous cycle of economic growth.

Small businesses also bring diversity and innovation to the marketplace. Unlike big-box stores, which often rely on standardized products and services, small businesses can adapt quickly to the unique needs and preferences of community members. They can experiment with new ideas, foster creativity and offer personalized customer service that large chains simply cannot replicate. This adaptability not only benefits consumers but also encourages healthy competition, pushing more businesses to strive for excellence.

Small businesses enrich our lives by providing a sense of identity and authenticity. Walk down the main street of any village and you’ll find unique shops, eateries and services that reflect the culture, history and per-

sonality of the area. These businesses distinguish one community from another, creating vibrant destinations where people want to live, work and visit.

Shopping at a local store instead of a large retailer, ordering from a familyowned restaurant, and posting positive reviews online are small but meaningful ways to show support. Attending farmers markets, artisan fairs and community events also help small businesses. Voting for your favorite small business for a Herald Long Island Choice Award is another small gesture to acknowledge these shops; you can vote at LIChoiceAwards.com.

Local, state and federal government have and must continue to play a crucial role in fostering an environment in which small businesses can succeed. Small businesses need more tax incentives, affordable loan programs and streamlined regulations to alleviate the burdens their owners face, especially in light of high property taxes, inflation and competition from online retailers. We hope our elected officials embrace creative solutions to ensure that Long Island’s local stores can thrive.

Supporting your favorite small business doesn’t require a big effort — simple actions can have a profound impact. We urge you to shop at your local small businesses not only next Saturday, but every day of the year.

opinions

History on North Village, Vassar Place, Marion Place

on nov 7, the Rockville centre Historical Society concluded its fall long island Author Speaker Series with our third featured author. The events were informative and well-attended. Our next gathering will be our annual holiday party, and all are invited. enjoy light refreshments, live music, and the opportunity to explore the museum. More information below.

This week, here are three of our “Then and now” stories from our website.

358 North Village Ave. appears quite unchanged since its original construction year, circa 1905, when only a handful of homes existed on Village Ave north of lakeview. The original owners were Augustus and Alwine Schabbehar, and they had four children, Dorathea, edwin, Julia and elsa. Augustus was born in 1863 to German immigrants, and moved to RVc once he married. Alwine lived at 358 n. Village until her death in the 1950s.

Their son edwin was born in 1894, graduated from South Side in 1911, attended Union college and studied electrical engineering. After college he was hired as the head wireless operator of a steamship that traveled the world through the newly opened Panama canal. He then got involved in the early motion picture industry, working for Warner Bros, nBc and Paramount, doing sound for movies and television. One of his more notable projects was the documentary of King edward of england’s travels around the world in 1931.

when folks had frst names like Augustus, Dorathea, Mabel and Hetty.

Outside of film, edwin was active in the RVc Holy Trinity lutheran church and its theater productions, sometimes acting and sometimes producing. He was single and living at home until 1947, when he married a woman from Oceanside and moved to Massapequa. Just 10 years later, after her death, he married RVc native Mabel yale (who grew up at 300 lakeview), and he died in 1967, at age 73.

Pierson Wells was a successful patent lawyer from Brooklyn, born in 1870. He and his wife, Jeannette, moved to Rockville centre with their two children,

Letters

ments of online shouters and shills, for their game is rant, not repair. Realize there is now an economic sector of agitprop “influencers” whose income stream derives from clicks, experienced in the provocation of internet duels, ad hominem insult and scare-mongering. To respond is to feed the opposition.

One example of the opposition’s subtle damage is the new version of “Snow White,” with multi-racial dwarves. The ever-ready rightwing trolls howled over this blasphemy. One of them, Benny Johnson, declared that it signified “a nation in decline.” Johnson gets clicks, and hopes that his “owning the libs” provokes many more.

Don’t fall for it. Rather, discover and share more sober, solutionoriented sources of information, for that is the only “torch” available. Help carry it by supporting organizations that seek the path of unity, provide the bandages and shun divisive rhetoric. A place to start: Make sure that all Americans can continue to share the simple childhood fantasy of “Snow White” and its dwarves, without the trolls.

BRiAn Kelly Rockville Centre

Webster and Hetty, and built 23 Vassar Place around 1911. The Wellses were active in the Presbyterian church and donated money for the construction of a new church at the corner of lakeview and Morris avenues. But Pierson died suddenly in 1912, at age 42, of acute appendicitis.

in 1925, Jeannette married Andrew J. Macelroy, president of Acorn Publishing and editor of the long island news and the Owl, the local paper in town. Andrew was a distinguished World War 1 veteran, having served as an aviator in the British Army, and was decorated by King George for his service. Jeannette continued to be active in town as president of the PTA, the Fortnightly club and the RVc Garden club, also serving on various boards at the Presbyterian church. The Macelroys continued to reside at 23 Vassar. The original property was much larger, and Mrs. Wells/Macelroy had beautiful gardens on the property that stretched from where 21, 23 and 25 Vassar all stand today. The lot remained its original size until 1992, when it was subdivided and 21 and 25 were constructed.

73 Marion Place was also part of the Davison Park development, and its original owner was Floyd Grant, a wellknown new york city auctioneer. Floyd was born in 1840 and lived in nyc until he moved to RVc around the turn of the century. This house remains intact, with most of its original features. in a photo taken in 1910, Floyd is seen in front of the house, riding in a “late model, expensive car.” Along for the ride is his daughter, May, and her dog. May would later marry charles Davis, a well-known clothing designer. They lived just down the block from her childhood home, at 44 Marion Place, until her death in 1936. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, we cannot include the photos we have of these historic properties. To see them, and all of our other “Then and now” features, please visit our website, rvchs.org. There are numerous other historical narratives and videos available there.

Please join us for our annual holiday party on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m., at the Phillips House Museum, at 28 Hempstead Ave. There is no cost, and all are welcome. Visits and tours can be arranged by appointment.

Jim Belling is a member of the board of trustees of the Phillips House Museum and the Rockville Centre Historical Society.

Framework by Tim Baker

Voting is easy in New York, but elsewhere?

To the editor:

i thought i lived in a democracy, where every voice is heard. When voting in n ew york state, no i D is required when you show up at the polls. i f for some reason you are asked for proof of residency — maybe you registered to vote and left out the number on your driver’s license — all you need to do is come back with a gas or electric bill with your name and address.

Quite a few states, however, require a photo i D when you vote. The most common way to comply would be with your driver’s license. Unfortunately, people with limited incomes may not have a car or be able to afford another form of photo iD. you also may need proof of your birth date with a birth certificate. if you’ve lost or misplaced yours, you need to pay for a legal copy.

All of these hurdles can be used to suppress voting in regions where the governing party would rather not have you vote. We should all be able to fulfill our democratic responsibility, and not have to jump through hoops to do it.

LuminoCity’s Holiday Lights Festival in Eisenhower Park — East Meadow

Jim BeLLinG