Uniondale Herald 09-05-2024 by Richner Communications, Inc

HERALD UNIONDALE

Christian Cooper, a Uniondale native and avid bird-watcher, recently gave a presentation about birding at the Uniondale Public Library.

The many joys of birding in Uniondale Christian Cooper shares knowledge, advice on favorite hobby

By KELSIE RADZISKI

kradziski@liherald.com

Uniondale native Christian Cooper — an avid bird-watcher with a memoir and a television show documenting his journey — gave a presentation at the Uniondale Public Library last Wednesday about the joys of birding and why it remains a great hobby to take up.

“I encourage you all to bird as much or as little as you want, as much pleasure as it gives you,” Cooper, 61, told the audience at the library.

Birding is the act of observing birds in their natural habitats, and it’s a hobby available to everyone, Cooper said. He added that people who are sight-impaired can listen to the different chirps and songs of different birds, people with physical disabilities can birdwatch from a wheelchair on accessible paths,

and even homebound people can see different birds by looking out of their window.

Nassau Health Care Corporation earns Gold Seal of Approval

Honor complements medical center’s recent financial improvements

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

The Nassau Health Care Corporation — which oversees the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow — recently earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for hospital accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

e are focused on providing our patients with the high-quality care and respect they deserve.

ChRIStIAN COOpER Birder and Uniondale native

Cooper’s considered an expert on birding, having written a memoir, “Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World,” which was released in June of 2023. In the memoir, he detailed the many facets of his life, and how birds have played a major role. His Emmy-winning oneseason show about birding, “Extraordinary Birder,” is on Disney Plus and National Geographic, and he is also releasing a children’s book, “The Urban Owls,” in February. During his presentation at the library, Cooper outlined his seven pleasures of birding, all of which give him his motivation to continue looking for birds.

The first is the beauty of birding, Cooper said, as he displayed numerous photos of bird

The Joint Commission is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that accredits more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs. Earning the Gold Seal of Approval indicates that the organization has undergone a rigorous evaluation process and has demonstrated compliance with high standards for patient safety, quality of care and performance improvement.

Facility in Uniondale, which houses 500 elderly residents, according to Megan Ryan, the medical center’s interim president and chief executive. While this distinction only applies to the medical center, it overall demonstrates the dedication from the corporation in their variety of provided services and care, including psychological, dental, wound, and eye care.

MEg RyAN

Interim president and chief executive, Nassau University Medical Center

According to Nassau Health Care Corporation, the Gold Seal is a symbol of quality reflecting its commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

NHCC also oversees the A. Holly Paterson Extended Care

“NHCC provides tremendous resources to Nassau County’s residents beyond the treatment of more than 270,000 patients annually at NUMC,” Ryan said in an emailed statement. “A. Holly Paterson Extended Care Facility employs five hundred workers and is Nassau County’s only public skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, offering services to people of all backgrounds, regardless of their ability to pay.”

For the Gold Seal, the health care corporation underwent an unannounced, in-depth onsite

Courtesy Christian Cooper

Suicide prevention and awareness in the Town of Hempstead

September is Suicide Awareness Month, and the Town of Hempstead and the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation have teamed up for the second straight year to present a suicide prevention and awareness event at the Nathan L.H. Bennett Pavilion in Hempstead on Sept. 12.

Starting at 7 p.m., the event will include presentations from John O’Shea, the vice president of the foundation, and Sources of Strength, an organization that partners with schools across the United States and Canada to train youth and adults, “utilizing a strength-based and upstream approach to mental health promotion and prevention of adverse outcomes,” according to the Sources of Strength website.

Mary and John O’Shea created the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation in 2019 after their son, Ryan, died by suicide on Jan. 11, 2019. The foundation works to increase mental health awareness and provide support to people in crisis. Sources of Strength, an organization supported by the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation, provide training and support to professionals and youth with the same goal.

The first collaborative event between the town and foundation took place last September, with presentations from O’Shea and Sources of Strength. This year’s event will have presentations from more groups, including first responders and school districts that have implemented the Sources of Strength program.

“We’re expecting it to be bigger and better and more well-attended,” Council-

The Town of Hempstead and the Ryan Patrick O’Shea Foundation have teamed up for the second consecutive year to present a suicide prevention and awareness event after last year’s success.

man Laura Ryder said of this year’s event. “As of right now, it looks like our goals are going to be achieved and it’s going to be a very successful event.”

The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of mental health and provide education and resources for people who struggle with mental health. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the

United States for people ages 10 to 14 and 25 to 34, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, and it remains one of the 12 leading causes of death for people in all age groups.

Ryder said the town is dedicated to reducing the stigma of mental illness and showing people in crisis that they

“We’re aware that mental illness is extremely prevalent now, particularly in young people, and we want to do whatever we can to help those in need,” she said.

For more information on the event, call (516) 812-3252. If you or someone you know is in a crisis, call or text 988.

— Kelsie Radziski

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Young Uniondale students meet their teachers

New elementary school students had the chance to meet their teachers and peers at the Uniondale school district’s pre-k and kindergarten jamboree on Aug. 26.

All the elementary schools in the school district — California, Cornelius Court, Grand Avenue, Northern Parkway, Smith Street and Walnut Avenue — had staff representatives at tables across the lawn of Cornelius Court Elementary. Kids preparing to enter each school had the opportunity to meet teachers and learn more about their new school before their first day on Sept. 3.

There is a pre-k program in every elementary school in the district, and pre-k students entering Cornelius Court also had the opportunity to tour the school.

Other organizations set up tables with information at the event to educate parents and inform them of local resources, including PTAs for each school, Cornell University Cooperative Extension, and EPIC Long Island, a new social work project throughout the district. EPIC stands for Extraordinary People in Care.

Free book bags and school supplies were handed out, and kids picked from a variety of free books donated by the Book Fairies. Kids also got free popcorn and free face painting, with a long line of excited kids for nearly the whole twohour event.

“Our goal, if nothing else, is a parent leaving excited, looking forward to a wonderful school year, and the children

Elijah Zambrano, 3, and Aliyah Zambrano,

leaving connected to someone or something that makes them excited about the new school year starting,” Milerbin Genao-Burdier, director of early childhood education, said. — Kelsie Radziski

Kelsie Radziski/Herald photos

5, ate the free popcorn at the Uniondale school district jamboree as they talked with Marina Philippe from Walnut Street Elementary School on Aug. 26.

The Escobar family, with dad Herb, center, Lincoln, 4, and Elise, 2, was being funny at the school district jamboree.

Addison Valle, 3, showed off her face painting design of an orange cat.

Buzzing around at Long Island Children’s Museum

Local residents buzzed about during Honey Hoopla at the Long Island Children’s Museum. The annual celebration of bees and their purpose brought in over 1,500 children and their families across Long Island for a weekend of education and excitement.

Honey Hoopla on Aug. 16 and 17, offered participants to dive deep into the role honeybees play in the ecosystem. They had up-close encounters to watch bees at work in their hive on display at the LICM, and they also had the opportunity to meet a local beekeeper for a deeper five into bees. Some even got to try on a beekeeper suit.

Children learned the detailed anatomy of bees, the art of pollination, and the importance of bees and their work in the food chain, according to the news release, and honey tastings allowed them to further understand what bees spend so much time working on.

Children’s author Gay Thomas did a theatrical puppet reading of her book “Beezy County Fair: A Bee Tale,” a story about the quest for bees to win the trophy for “Best Honey of the Year.”

Reworld, the sustainable waste company with facilities across Long Island, sponsored the Honey Hoopla weekend to emphasize their commitment to community engagement and conservation, and the company is dedicated to “supporting local initiatives that promote sustainability and awareness about critical environmental issues,” according to the news release.

“Supporting the Honey Hoopla aligns perfectly with our mission to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship,” Maureen Early, Lead Community Relations Specialist

at Reworld, said in the news release.

“Reworld is passionate about empowering families to understand the importance of bees to our ecosystem, and this event at LICM was a fantastic way to engage the community in a fun and meaningful way.”

To learn more about what the Long

Island Children’s Museum has to offer, including exhibits and events, visit LICM.org, and for more information on Reworld and its sustainable waste initiatives, visit ReworldWaste.com.

— Kelsie Radziski

D&D Daycare rated best in Uniondale

TrustedCare recognized D&D Daycare as the best daycare in Uniondale. This year marks 25 years since the daycare on Uniondale Avenue first opened its doors. It was co-founded by business partners Daryll Cokely and Denise Larcher, and they continue to run it together. They received their recognition from TrustedCare on Aug. 13.

“It was a real blessing to get this recognition on the 25th year (of operation),” Cokely said.

D&D has been a staple in the Uniondale community since its 1999 opening, according to Cokely, and their yearround programs for children ages 18 months to 5 years are always full, with a

total of 91 kids in this year’s summer program.

They also offer before- and afterschool programs from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for kids up to middle school, whose parents or guardians’ work hours conflict with school hours, and Cokely said their after-school program roster is already full.

They even have a transportation system where they pick up elementary and middle school students on a bus owned by the daycare at the end of the school day and bring them to the after-school program. They also provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Throughout the year, the daycare

places an emphasis on the balance between having fun and actively learning.

“We try to (have the kids) learn to play, but what I like to call it is give them the meat and potatoes where they have reading skills and writing skills,” Cokely said. “You really have to be in the business of impacting children’s lives.”

TrustedCare is an online childcare “marketplace” that helps parents and guardians find reliable child care, according to the TrustCare website. The company’s recognition of D&D Daycare

is a direct result of the daycare’s reputation of serving families throughout Uniondale and in other communities, according to Cokely, including Hempstead, Westbury, and even Levittown.

“Everything is basically word-ofmouth recommendations,” he said. “We’ve had three generations of children come to our program. Children that attended here have brought their kids back here.”

To learn more about D&D Daycare, call (516) 292-8140.

— Kelsie Radziski

At Honey Hoopla children saw honeybees in their hive on display at the Long Island Children’s Museum.

Courtesy Reworld Long Island Children’s Museum president, Erika Floreska, dressed up for the occasion as she smiles with Reworld lead community relations specialist Maureen Early.

Kelsie Radziski/Herald

Uniondale native turned hobby into career

species that can be seen around the world and are unique in their own ways. He shared his excitement over the opportunity to see many of them in person, including the sword-billed hummingbird in Ecuador.

“When you see it, you think it can’t be real, you think it can’t exist. And yet, it’s here,” he said. “It is on the same planet as us. It’s really amazing.”

The second reason is the joy of being in a natural setting, Cooper said. Looking for different birds means birders end up in different venues, from tropical forests to the “seemingly barren peaks of Antarctica,” or even in surrounding parks and neighborhoods, he said.

Describing the joy of scientific discovery as a third reason to bird-watch, Cooper shared a story about how a Costa’s hummingbird checked out his leg hair as possible nesting material, allowing him to see firsthand the natural habits of the bird, which was “the coolest thing ever.”

Birders also take joy in collecting a list of all the unique birds they get to see, and Cooper explained that thrill exists year-round with the migration of different species.

For birders, the joy of hunting, without the bloodshed, is another reason to take up the hobby. Cooper said he loves the thrill of finding a new bird and the fun in observing it in nature.

“I didn’t have to shoot it,” he said. “I didn’t have to kill it. I got to track it down

and hunt it without killing it.”

Identifying a new bird is another joy because it’s like putting a puzzle together, according to Cooper.

“You’re paying attention to a whole bunch of different things, the sound it makes, the color, the pattern, the size, the behavior, the habitat, all of those things are cues that help you figure out what kind of bird you’re looking at,” Cooper said.

The final joy is called the unicorn effect because finding a new bird is “as if the unicorn stepped out of the forest,” Cooper said. “The great thing is, you get to have that thrill over and over again when you’re a birder because there’s always some new bird you haven’t seen.”

Cooper said he became interested in birding when he was 9, remembering watching birds at Mullener Pond in North Merrick. He grew up in Uniondale, and attended Walnut Street Elementary School, Turtle Hook Middle School, and Uniondale High School, where he graduated in 1980. He is a Harvard alumnus who settled in New York City, where he spent nearly 30 years as an editor — first as an Associate Editor at Marvel Comics for just over nine years and then as a Senior Editorial Director at Health Science Communications for almost 20 years — before dedicating his life and career to his longtime passion of birding. Cooper said he was happy to share his

Birding in Uniondale

Some of the birds to look out for in Uniondale during this time of year:

– Mourning dove

• Light gray or soft brown in color with a soft, sad-sounding “coo”

– Blue jay

• distinctive blue and white feathers with a long, pointy black beak

– northern cardinal

• Large red bird with short beak and tuft of feathers on its head

– american robin

• Brown body and red belly with cheery chirps

– House finch

• Small brown bird with a long song of jumbled notes

– red-winged blackbird

• a black bird with red wings and a sharp beak

– Monk parakeet

• Bright green bird with curved beak

— Courtesy Bill Belford of the South Shore Audubon Society

passion and knowledge with the library audience, and he encouraged everyone to start birding.

“If we want to protect the world’s diversity of birds, we need a diversity of people who care about the birds,” he said.

Herald file photo

Monk parakeets are one unique species of bird that Uniondale residents can spot around this time of year.

Hofstra eyes return to national stage

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

Hofstra men’s soccer reached big heights in 2023, advancing to the NCAA Tournament’s third round stage for the second time in three years, but longtime head coach Richard Nuttall felt plenty was left on the table during the historic run.

The Pride led third-seeded North Carolina by a goal late in the second half before surrendering the equalizer with under five minutes remaining and eventually losing in penalty kicks following two scoreless overtimes. The heartbreaking loss was a big missed opportunity for Hofstra, who with a win would have hosted 11th-seeded Oregon State in the Elite Eight with a chance to punch a ticket to the prestigious College Cup.

“We are proud of what we accomplished, but we felt it was a lost opportunity,” said 35th-year head coach Richard Nuttall. “The reality is though we are punching way above our weight for what we are and I think we are the best midmajor in the country that is not a state school.”

Nuttall lost many key pieces from last year’s 14-3-5 team, but returns 12 players including All-America defender Pierce Infuso, a Merrick native who has returned for a fifth season as a graduate student. The Bellmore-JFK product was a third-team All-America honoree last season and an All-Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) First-Team selection.

“He is rock steady and does what he has to do,” Nuttall said of Infuso. “He is getting a lot of looks from MLS clubs and I believe that he has the ability to play at that level when he leaves here.”

Graduate student midfielder Roc Charles gived Hofstra an additional fiveyear veteran with Infuso returning for an extra year of eligibility. The Spain native is a co-captain with Infuso and scored a goal in Hofstra’s 4-1 win at American on Aug. 25.

Hofstra’s offense will be looking for new producers this season following the loss of leading leading scorers Ryan Carmichael and Eliot Goldthorp, who were both selected in the Major League Soccer

Super Draft. Also scoring in the American win with Charles were Pablo Hempelmann-Perez, Jacob Woznicki and Gabriel Pacheco with Laurie Goddard tallying an assist.

Woznicki, a graduate student who previously played at Stonehill College, then tallied two goals in Hofstra’s 2-0 win against Providence on Aug. 29.

Senior forward Teddy Baker, an England native, is expected to rejoin the team soon from injury after registering 11 points last season.

The backline led by Infuso, Pacheco, Eoin Farrell and Jack O’Malley posted a clean sheet in a season-opening 0-0 tie with Fordham on Aug. 22. Senior goalie Filippo Dadone, who replaced two time All-CAA keeper Wessel Speel in net, made five saves for his first career shutout.

Hofstra, which began the season ranked 17th nationally, was picked first in the CAA preseason coaches poll and is aiming for its fourth straight conference title, which would earn another automatic bid into the 48-team NCAA Tournament.

High expectations for Pride

The Hofstra women’s soccer team’s bid for its own three-peat last year and sixth CAA title in seven seasons fell short with

a heartbreaking overtime loss to Monmouth in the conference semifinals last November.

The Pride returned plenty of talent from last season’s 12-5-1 season and are fueled to write a better ending this fall. Hofstra was picked to finish second in the CAA behind Monmouth

“As much as it hurt, I think it was a valuable learning moment,” said 19thyear head coach Simon Riddiough of last year’s CAA semifinal defeat. “People sometimes underestimate the difficulty of winning championships.”

Hofstra lost last year’s leading scorer Wiktoria Fronc and will likely be relying on a scoring by committee this season rather than one dominant player, according to Riddiough. Potential offensive weapons who have emerged early this season include Millie Davies, Mathilde Braithwaite, Aimee Hodgson, Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir and Ellie Gough.

The bulk of last season’s defense is back in Olivia Pearse, Louise Hayden and

All-America defender Pierce Infuso, a Merrick native and graduate student, is one of a dozen returning players for the Pride.

Gabriella Marte. Pearse, a former standout at Seaford High School, proved to be a reliable leader of the backline with her tenacious play early in the season before a foot injury sidelined her in late August with timetable for a return to the field uncertain.

“I love her intensity and tenacity and her physicality,” Riddiough said. “I’m proud of the way she’s developed as a person as well and she’s becoming a really wonderful all round student athlete.”

The starting goalie spot was up for grabs entering the season following the departure of Skylar Kuzmich, who started in net for five seasons. Freshman Synne Danielsen of Norway and senior Mackenzie Sullivan of Arizona have both seen time in net so far.

Hofstra enters September unbeaten at 1-0-3 with a 2-1 win against Yale and ties against Ivy League contenders Brown and Columbia on its resume. The Pride kicks off the CAA schedule on Sept. 19 at home against College of Charleston at 7 p.m.

Former Seaford standout Olivia Pearse leads a talented and experienced Hofstra defensive corps.

Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletic Communications

(walk-ins welcome!)

Senior H.O.P.E Fair

Vendors Workshops & Seminars

*Registration is required for a FREE meal ticket*

Gillen outlines an antisemitic action plan

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York’s 4th Congressional District, announced an action plan to combat antisemitism outside a house in East Meadow last week. The district includes multiple communities with substantial Jewish populations.

Gillen was joined by residents, elected officials and Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Michael Stanger of the Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation.

Gillen’s action plan targets three areas of concern: Schools, synagogues and social media.

If elected, Gillen said she would work to leverage federal aid to colleges to force changes in codes of conduct, and increase funding to the U.S. Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights. For synagogues, she would fight to fully fund the FBI and the Department of Justice to help local police coordinate responses to threats to houses of worship. She added that she wants to enact content moderation requirements for social media platforms like X to remove hateful content.

East Meadow neighbors who joined Gillen at an Aug. 28 news conference said antisemitism is a problem in schools. Alisa Baroukh’s daughter attends Cornell University. Over the last school year — especially following Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack against Israel — her daughter was subjected to antisemitic incidents, she said.

“My daughter’s freshman year was marred by widespread antisemitic intimidation, which was hard considering we chose Cornell for the warm and inclusive environment that we saw during our tours,” Baroukh said. “This macro-level intimidation included online death threats toward Jewish students that resulted in the FBI swarming campus.”

According to Gillen, Republicans in the House of

Representatives have “moved to undermine key resources” that are needed to fight antisemitism.

“Congress has failed to address the surge in antisemitism in our schools, our synagogues and on social media,” she said. “Not one additional dollar has been spent or one law has been passed to combat this surge.”

Gillen said there had been “an unprecedented rise” in antisemitism nationwide, and that Congress has failed to pass policies that actually protect those of the

FUNDRAISER

Jewish faith.

The Anti-Defamation League, which fights antisemitism, said that the number of antisemitic incidents in New York jumped 110 percent in 2023, according to an April 2024 report.

“I find it unacceptable how little we are doing to actually protect our Jewish residents from this hatred, and that is why I’m here alongside Jewish parents, leaders and other community members to say enough is enough,” she said. “It’s time for action.”

Gillen is challenging incumbent Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican who defeated her in the 2022 election. D’Esposito has denounced antisemitism, and according to his congressional website, introduced a resolution last November condemning the slogan “from the river to the sea.” The slogan refers to the liberation of land claimed by Palestinians between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which is located in the modern state of Israel.

A spokesperson for D’Esposito told the Herald that the congressman has been to Israel several times, where he’s met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; is a board member of the U.S Holocaust Museum; and has been instrumental in passing several Israeli aid bills.

D’Esposito also introduced a Define to Defeat Act in April, which clarifies legislation, providing federal officers with an objective, contemporary definition of antisemitism, better helping them to assess and prosecute criminal and discriminatory incidents, motivated by antisemitism.

The act was introduced after D’Esposito said the U.S. and New York were continuing to endure “recordbreaking” levels of antisemitic attacks and hate. The legislation would “provide federal officials the tools they need to fully assess, investigate and prosecute this criminal behavior,” he said.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York’s 4th Congressional District, outlined her action plan to combat antisemitism last week. Gillen wants to target antisemitism in schools, synagogues and social media.

Former residents of Wilklow Avenue reunite

By REINE BETHANY

Special to the Herald

A most uncommon reunion occurred on Aug. 17 at Kennedy Memorial Park: that of a low-income project called Park Lake Apartments on Hempstead’s Wilklow Avenue (renamed Martin Luther King Drive in 1971).

Friends who had lived on Wilklow from the 1950s to the mid-1980s, including Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr., exchanged long hugs, laughing and crying. They strolled in chatty groups, pulling on t-shirts made for the occasion and sitting at picnic tables under large white canopies.

Randi “Satch” Harrison acted as DJ, playing a mix of current and nostalgic tunes. Hot dogs and hamburgers sizzled on grills, and a line of eager people formed where Yvonne Homes was deep-frying batches of whiting.

They had all come to celebrate the long-ago community where they had found love, mentoring, and a safe place to grow up.

When the apartments opened in 1949 on Wilklow Avenue, they were part of a slum clearance program.

“It started out like a pit stop, people trying to get on their feet,” said Rosene Myers, the main organizer of the reunion. “But when they actually moved there, and became neighbors, then maybe they meant to stay a year, then it became two years, and some of them never left.”

“We were a family,” said Harrison into his microphone. “We looked out for each other.”

“It was a very strong community of working-class people,” said famed trombonist and composer Craig Harris.

“The neighborhood was stable,” said Esther Ford. “I loved the people.”

Ford and Harris were sitting with former mayor Don Ryan, who had been their business law teacher at Hempstead High School.

“Don would come around to MLK Drive,” said Myers. “He was comfortable talking to us. He never forgot anyone.”

“Don got me my first job, at the IRS. He helped us through a lot of social ills. He always said education is the way,” said Dawn McCrimmon, whose photographer son, Shamel Harris, was snapping pictures of the reunion.

Ryan received a plaque from Harrison for his dedication to the Wilklow Avenue/MLK Drive students.

The Park Lake parents harbored high aspirations for their children, and for all the children in the neighborhood.

“I had it rough,” said Myers, “but the people over there would feed me, donate things to me, chastise me, sit me down to talk about life itself. It was a beautiful family place to be.”

“At that time,” McCrimmon said, “minorities were mostly domestic workers. Mine was the first generation of minorities to go to college. All four of my kids graduated college.”

Former mayor and Hempstead High School teacher

Esther

seated, joined the Wilklow

Harris and Ford both recalled the day in 1964 when Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke at the Hofstra University commencement ceremony, and then visited Wilklow Avenue.

It was a beautiful family place to be.

“I was 9,” Harris said. “Just as Martin’s limousine pulled away, I tried to put my hand into the window. Martin told the driver to lower the window, and I shook his hand.”

RosENE MYERs reunion organizer

Life wasn’t always easy in the 240-unit Park Lake complex. By February of 1952, its managers were fined for its run-down conditions. In 1965, the Wilklow Avenue Tenants Council went on a rent strike until the management repaired 79 of the apartments, which took about four years.

But meanwhile, the young people growing up in Park Lake apartments enjoyed a strong network of community support.

“Crime wasn’t like it is now,” said McCrimmon. “We had gangs, but not the violence. It’s true when they say that a village raises a family.”

“People came up from the South to get better lives,” Harris said. “A lot of Hempstead’s best athletes came from there, and famous musicians.”

“In all the courts on Martin Luther King Drive,” said Myers, “we would have snowball fights and softball games. It was just really a beautiful experience.”

Courtesy Shamel Harris/Pics in the Moment

Don Ryan, left, Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr., center, Dawn McCrimmon, right, and

Ford,

Avenue/Martin Luther King Drive reunion at Kennedy Memorial Park on Aug. 17.

About 100 people gathered to celebrate their years growing up on Wilklow Avenue/ Martin Luther King Drive on Aug. 17 at Kennedy Memorial Park.

Courtesy Reine Bethany

Rosene Myers, left, organized the Aug. 17 reunion of Wilklow Avenue/Martin Luther King Drive at Kennedy Memorial Park, accompanied by Jackie Jacobs, left, and other friends from that neighborhood.

STEPPING OUT

Extraordinary

The Jackie Mason Musical

BLOOMS

By Karen Bloom

Do you enjoy spending time outside to take full advantage of the season? While we transition into fall, there’s no reason to give up on summer’s blossoms just yet. Colors abound and late summer delghts linger on — for a while longer. With your favorite book, a nice container or cup of your favorite (iced) beverage and a gorgeous bunch of ﬂowers on your patio table, you can brighten up your days on your deck, patio or balcony — or even inside — and enjoy it all with a capital E.

Color explosion

Fall approaches with plenty of color

Floral décor that lasts

Many (bulb) ﬂowers are still available in all sorts of unbelievable colors and shapes. Of course you could always buy a beautiful ready-made bouquet. But why do that? Create a spectacular summer bouquet yourself with loose ﬂowers, leaves, and branches Display it on your tables — indoors and out — and enjoy the beautiful colors of typical summer bloomers like dahlias, gladioli and lilies.

Be creative with your planters to reﬂect your style and personality. Start out by choosing a sturdy vase or pot that is suitable for outdoor use. Or go for smaller vases scattered around the table to set a playful atmosphere.

Cut off the bottom of the flower stems diagonally, to help the flowers absorb water better and stay fresh longer. You’ll want to place your vase with flowers in the shade for best results. Regularly water your flowers to keep them fresh. Of course, on warmer days — and we’ll still have some of those remaining — you may need to do this every day. Also, if necessary, use rocks or sand to stabilize the vase and prevent it from toppling in windy weather. Complete the look of your patio table with a few cozy candles, lanterns or other seasonal items.

Nature thrives in the home garden

Thanks to their long flowering period, you can enjoy your florals for weeks or even months. Summer-flowering bulbs often attract pollinating insects as well, and thus contribute to biodiversity in your garden. Remove wilted flowers to extend the flowering period. Some summer bulbs, such as gladioli and dahlias, can be dug up after flowering and stored frost-free. You can then plant them again the following spring.

Certainly, there are so many choices. As you start to think about ideas for next year, that will add to your ﬂoral assortment, think beyond the summer bulbs gladioli, dahlias, lilies, and begonias. You might want to check out other unusual bulbous plants such as calla (Zantedeschia), pineapple lilies (Eucomis), freesias (Freesia) or blazing star (Liatris)

If you’ve planted lilies, you’ve got something special to delight your family and friends. If not,

consider doing so. The majestic blooms of lilies create an elegant look, whether on the balcony, terrace, or indoors. The variety of colors, from pure white and creamy yellow to deep red and purple, make them a great match for any style and taste. With their compact growth habit, potted lilies are perfect for use outdoors and indoors.

A bouquet of lilies always looks fabulous. With their rich range of colors, shapes, and fragrances, you’ll have plenty of choices every time, whether for yourself or to give as a gift.

And they move with the seasons. Lilies combine beautifully with seasonal ﬂowers. Try lilies in combination with typical spring bloomers in spring, and with dahlias and gladioli in (late) summer. In fall and winter, for example, a bouquet of lilies with some added branches looks great (and will last a long time). In other words: you can vary endlessly with lilies.

Little rays of happiness

Flowers instantly bring color into your home, but also do so much more. They make people happy. And you will notice this straight away.

The simple act of putting them in the vase will trigger a dose of happy hormones. In fact, ﬂower arranging has been shown to reduce stress. Taking a good look at every single one of the ﬂowers before arranging them in a vase (and don’t forget to smell them!) will get you feeling all Zen.

Keep summer’s colors going as we transition into fall and enjoy the season’s last moments around your home.

Laughs abound on the Landmark stage,The show, based on the playwright’s 10-year whirlwind romance with comedy legend Jackie Mason, featuring a hilarious cast of characters. It begins at a deli in Miami Beach in 1977, where Mason — then a 46-year-old comedian — spots college girl Ginger (played by Jackie and the playwright’s real life daughter Sheba Mason in the Off-Broadway production). Along for the ride is her overbearing mom, Mrs. Olivier, and ﬁve more off-beat characters. Soon Jackie is wooing Ginger each winter whenever he’s in South Florida churning up laughs with the South Beach set. The trouble is, he’s also wooing a ravishing young Latina server, and also someone else. Come along and join in on Mason’s romantic misadventures as Broadway stardom emerges and Sheba is born.

Friday, Sept. 7, 8 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 8, 3 p.m. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Visit LandmarkOnMainStreet.org for tickets and information, or call (516) 767-6444.

Classical Mystery Tour

Imagine The Beatles playing in concert with a symphony orchestra. What would that have sounded like? Find out for yourself when Classical Mystery Tour performs, joined by the Massapequa Philharmonic. The four musicians who comprise the CMT band look and sound just like The Beatles, but Classical Mystery Tour is more than just a rock concert. The full show presents some two dozen Beatles tunes sung, played, and performed exactly as they were written. Hear “Penny Lane” with a live trumpet section; experience the beauty of “Yesterday” with an acoustic guitar and string quartet; enjoy the rock/ classical blend on the hard edged “I Am the Walrus.” From early Beatles music on through the solo years, Classical Mystery Tour is the best of The Beatles like you’ve never heard them: totally live.

Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

THE Your Neighborhood

Killer Queen

Queenmania keeps on

rockin’ as Killer Queen returns to the Paramount stage, Thursday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m., with their homage to the beloved band.

Formed in the UK in 1993, Killer Queen played their first public shows at London University, following in the footsteps of the real Queen who had their first shows there 22 years earlier. By 1995 Killer Queen’s UK popularity had grown to such an extent they secured a residency in London’s Strand Theatre attracting nationwide BBC coverage — the first tribute to have a show in the West End. Even though the band never had any connection to Queen officially their reputation continued to grow both in the UK and abroad.

In 1999 they returned from a tour of Europe and Russia for an awards ceremony hosted by Suggs from Madness. He announced they had won the award for “Worldwide Best Tribute Band” Fronted by Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury, critics have described Myers’ resemblance to Freddie Mercury as “spooky;” his uncanny likeness was further proven when he recorded a #1 hit single singing as Freddie Mercury on Fat Boy Slim’s record “The Real Life.” Their expert musicianship, extraordinary energy, and accurate portrayal of the world’s greatest live band has rightfully earned them the title of Queen Royalty! Thrilling sell-out audiences across the globe the band recreates the high energy, powerful phenomenon that was Queen live. This quality, combined with Myers’ powerful threeand-a-half octave tenor range, expert musicianship and dynamic stage presence, has captivated audiences the world over. $54.50, $44.50, $39.50, $29.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

FCA TO HOST SENIOR H.O.P.E FAIR

Family & Children’s Association, one of Long Island’s largest nonprofit health and human services organizations, with funding made possible through the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will host a free senior H.O.P.E Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Samanea N.Y. mall in Westbury, center court, second floor.

H.O.P.E., which stands for Happiness, Opportunity, Positive, Energy, is geared towards older adults and their families. Attendees can receive information from over 50 vendors on agerelated mental health and substance abuse services.

“It’s no secret that Long Island’s population is aging,” FCA President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds said. “Every year, our senior division helps more than 10,000 seniors improve their quality of life. The H.O.P.E Fair will allow us to share these resources, and so many others, with the greater Long Island community.”

Lisa Stern, FCA’s Assistant Vice President for Senior & Adult Services, added, “We’re thrilled to bring the H.O.P.E Fair to Long Island’s senior population and their families. We couldn’t do this without our valued community partners and are happy to have vendors from diverse backgrounds participating and offering a multitude of help and services to the senior community.

The fair will also feature technology training for seniors in a friendly, relaxed environment, and four educational workshops will be held throughout the day on topics ranging from Medicare to scam prevention, mental health and substance use awareness, as well as caregiver support.

Additionally, any senior who registers prior to the event will receive a free boxed lunch and raffle ticket.

Samanea N.Y. is located at 1500 Old Country Rd. in Westbury. Additional details on FCA’s Senior H.O.P.E Fair, including how to register, vendors and workshops, can be found on www.fcali.org or by contacting Kim L. Como at (347) 573-1044

Scan to register!

Hempstead House tour

Sands Point Preserve is the backdrop to explore the elegant Gold Coast home that’s the centerpiece of the estate, Wednesday, Sept. 11, noon-1 p.m.; also Sept. 25. Visit the grand rooms inside the massive 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion, the former summer residence of Gilded Age financier Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim. Tours are limited in size and tend to sell out. Arrive early to purchase tickets. $10. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.

Alzheimer’s walk in the Park

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America hosts its annual Walk in the Park fundraiser, at Eisenhower Park, Thursday, Sept. 28. The walk kicks off with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. at the park’s Field 6. Those who raise $100 or more will have an opportunity to meet retired baseball player Dwight Gooden, who’s joining the walk’s efforts as an ambassador. For more information, visit ALZFdn.org/ walk.

Tribute concert

Plaza Theatricals continues its tribute series, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2:30 p.m., with “Mirror of Mathis.” Vocalist-impressionist David Robbins thrills audiences with his 90-minute tribute to Johnny Mathis. His uncanny likeness and vocals that sound just like Mathis will leave you spellbound.

Singing along with Johnny Mathis since he was a youngster, by age 12 he was imitating Mathis and has been doing it ever since, delighting all. He performs at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

AARP Driving Class

Refresh your driving skills and even take some money off your car insurance at the AARP session, Friday, Sept. 13, 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m., at Uniondale Public Library. Cost is $25 for AARP members and $30 for non-members; check or money order payable to AARP. 400 Uniondale Ave. For more information or to sign up, visitUniondaleLibrary.org or call (516) 489-2220.

E-Cycling and Shredding Event

Got electronics you need to get rid of? Head over to Oceanside Town Transfer Station, on Sunday, Sept. 8, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., to dispose of them properly (and for free!). All televisions, computers and parts, tablets, e-readers, printers, scanners, fax machines, VCRs, DVD players, video game consoles, and portable digital music players will be accepted. Cell phones are not accepted. There will also be a shredding service available for the disposal of old documents. 3737 Long Beach Rd, Oceanside. For more information, call (516) 489-5000.

Teen Chess Club

Kids in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to join Uniondale Library’s Teen Chess Club, Fridays, 4-5:30 p.m. Interested in playing Chess with other Teens? Not sure how? Former Junior Friends member Mr. Raynor is here to help. Registration required. 400 Uniondale Ave. Register at UniondaleLibrary.org or call (516) 489-2220.

Farmer’s Market

Visit Parking Field 8 at Eisenhower Park for a farmer’s market full of farm-fresh produce and locally-made products, Saturdays, through Oct. 26, 9 a.m.- noon. 1899 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow. For more information, call (516) 832-2591.

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for another storybook adventure, Saturday, Sept. 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Jen Arena’s “Acorn Was A Little Wild!” Later create a unique take home craft. The stroll starts at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), ending at the Thatched Cottage. For ages 3-5. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program returns for a new season, Saturday, Sept. 21, 9, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork.

Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

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

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

Art League of L.I. exhibit

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Art League of Long Island presents “Retrospect - The Individual Art of Collaboration in Reconstructive Surgery.” The exhibit delves into the interplay between

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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.

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Veterans rally to reopen Mitchel commissary

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

The Mitchel Field commissary in Garden City has been closed since early July with structural damage, leaving some 80,000 veterans on Long Island with no choice but to travel to Fort Hamilton, in Brooklyn, to avail themselves of commissary services.

Commissaries provide veterans, active-duty and retired military personnel — many of whom live on fixed incomes — with a way to shop for groceries at a discount, with savings of up to 30 percent off compared with conventional supermarkets.

Kerry Englander, commander of the Nassau County American Legion, emphasized the challenges created by the sudden closure and the importance of the services the commissary provided.

“The veterans and current military need this facility, especially with the economy the way it is today,” Englander said. “I believe that if the military and veterans are utilizing this facility, it should be opened up.”

Frank Colón Jr., commander of American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre, said that by closing the commissary, the Department of Defense has created a major inconvenience for Long Island veterans, many of whom cannot travel to Fort Hamilton.

“It’s a hardship on the veterans. Especially in these times,” Colón told the Herald. “It shouldn’t be like that. You’ve got veterans from Suffolk and Nassau County that go here. You think a guy from Suffolk County is going all the way to Fort Hamilton? It’s a hike.”

John Meyer, of American Legion Post 246 in Baldwin, said he has been using the Mitchel Field commissary for the past 20 years because the “prices are right.”

“It’s one of the few benefits that we get,” Meyer said. “This (facility) is for the veterans, especially the ones

Daniel Offner/Herald

Frank Colón Jr., commander of American Legion Post 303 in Rockville Centre, spoke about the closing of the Mitchel Field commissary and what it means for veterans in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

who are retired and did their time, and come here to get a third off of what they pay outside.”

He explained how at one point, it was restricted to only disabled or recently retired military servicemen and women. However, this has changed in recent years, opening up access to provide services to more veterans on Long Island.

“This is a godsend,” Meyer said. “For most people, this is the ideal place because it’s close to mid-Island. And with this closed, everybody’s got to go to Fort Ham-

ilton. That’s another 27 miles down the road. I used to work in Coney Island for transit. I’m not going down there for nothing.”

Ralph Esposito, director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, noted the impact of the commissary’s sudden closure. “It’s a good place to go,” he said. “It saves vets lots of money. Right now, it’s hurting the veterans.” He also mentioned the increasing demand at the Veterans Food Pantry, known as Vet Mart, which has been in operation near Nassau University Medical Center since 2015.

“Because it’s closed, our numbers are getting bigger,” Esposito said. “I give away food for free, so now they’re all coming to me.”

The Vet Mart feeds about 600 people a month, including veterans and their families. The pantry also relies on volunteers, who deliver food to those unable to get to the offices in East Meadow.

In response to speculation that the facility could remain closed until early 2025, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and representatives of Congressman Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota and Tom Suozzi rallied alongside local veterans outside the Garden City facility last week to demand that the Defense Department do everything in its power to expedite the repair and provide a clear-cut timeline for when they expect it to reopen.

“I am demanding that we have the Department of Defense answer our questions immediately,” D’Esposito said. “Leaving our local veteran community in the dark over the future of this commissary is wrong, and we will not stand for it.”

Blakeman added that food insecurity has been a priority of his administration. “Nassau County will work with Long Island Cares and Island Harvest to make sure that we can get food for our veterans,” he said.

The Heritage Club at Bethpage 99 Quaker Meeting House Road Farmingdale, New York

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

STANLEY M. BERGMAN

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD & CEO

HENRY SCHEIN

SPECIAL AWARDS

DISTINGUISHED VISIONARY

STANLEY M. BERGMAN

Chairman of the Board and CEO Henry Schein

ORGANIZATION OF EXCELLENCE

LONG ISLAND SELECT HEALTHCARE

EXCELLENCE IN NURSING ADVOCACY

NEW YORK STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION (NYSNA)

MICHELLE BALLAN, PhD, MSW

Professor and Associate Dean for Research, School of Social Welfare Professor, Renaissance School of Medicine Stony Brook University Health Services

KIMON BEKELIS, MD

Director Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island

JORDAN BRODSKY, MD

Medical Doctor & Rheumatologist Rheumatology Consultants

MICHAEL N. BROWN

CEO Fellow Health Partners

ALANNA M. CARCICH, MBA

Senior Director, Operations Northwell Health Orthopedics

CATHERINE CANADEO

Founder & CEO

Catherine Canadeo Health & Wellness Corp

ROXANNE CARFORA, DO CEO, Founder & Physician AgelessMD

NICOLE CHRISTENSEN, BCPA

Founder & CEO Award-Winning Patient Advocate & Care Coordinator

Care Answered

TODD J. COHEN, MD Chief of Cardiology, Director of Medical Device Innovation New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

TORI COHEN

Executive Director Long Island Alzheimer's & Dementia Center

CATHY SUE CUTLER, PHD Chair, Isotope Research and Production Brookhaven National Laboratory

CAROLYNN EIPEL

Founder CareFirst Home Solutions

HEIDI FELIX

Vice President of Sales LifeVac

NICK FITTERMAN, MD, MACP, SFHM

Executive Director Huntington Hospital Northwell Health

MARY GMITEREK-APAT, D.C. Chiropractor Dr. Mary's Chiropractic and Wellness Center

DOUG GOLUB

Principal Consultant Data Potato

CAROL GOMES

Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer Stony Brook University Hospital

AARON GROTAS, MD

Board-Certified Urologist PRINE Health

LORI GOODSTONE, DHEd., RN

Professor, Department of Nursing Farmingdale State College

HOWARD GOODMAN, DC Executive Director Long Island Weight Loss Doctor

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF CSMC 2018-SP3 TRUST, Plaintiff, Against ANGELA D. JIMENEZ AS EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF ANGEL J. JIMENEZ; ANGELA D. JIMENEZ; JAMES E. JIMENEZ, LOUIS O. MATOS A/K/A LUIS O. MATOS, ET AL., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 12/06/2023, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501on 9/24/2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 596 Park Avenue, Uniondale, New York 11553, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Being At Uniondale, In The Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau And State Of New York. Section 36 Block 141 Lot 2

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $77,306.39 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 613486/2020 Scott H Siller, Esq., Referee. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.

SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Dated: 7/19/24 File Number: 37784 SH 148547

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF THE FW SERIES I TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MARTHA FERNANDEZ, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 7, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 24, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 391 Second

Place a/k/a 391 2nd Place, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Uniondale, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 110 and Lot 2. Approximate amount of judgment is $678,249.36 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #611392/2022. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 210770-1 148555

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee, on behalf of the registered holders of First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-FF8, Plaintiff AGAINST Ana Yanez a/k/a Ana M. Yanez a/k/a Ana Maritza Yanez, Juan Yanez a/k/a Juan A. Yanez, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 17, 2016, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 24, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 950 Ditmas Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION: 50, BLOCK: 452, LOT: 7. Approximate amount of judgment $401,125.43 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #010573/2014. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social

distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Roger H. Hausch, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-067521-F00 81858 148491

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Uniondale, Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau And State Of New York.

Section 36 Block 134 Lot 507

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $388,511.23 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 11090-14 Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee.

Joint Commission says hospital is committed to quality care

review by representatives from the Joint Commission on June 4. During the visit, a team of reviewers evaluated compliance with hospital accreditation standards across several areas, including patient rights, infection control, surgical services and patient safety.

“As a healthcare accreditor, the Joint Commission works with healthcare organizations across care settings to inspire safer and higher quality of care that is more equitable and compassionate,” Ken Grubbs, the commission’s executive vice president of accreditation and certification operations, said in an emailed statement. “We commend Nassau Health Care Corporation for its commitment to advance safety, quality, equity and compassion for all patients.”

The Nassau Health Care Corporation, which oversees the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, was recently awarded a Gold Seal of Approval. The health care corporation says the distinction reflects its high standards for patient care. Above, one of the hospital’s newer wings, which opened in March.

www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. PAPIO DEVELOPMENT CORP., Pltf. vs. MICHAEL OUMANO, et al, Defts. Index #615678/19. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered July 31, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on September 26, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 543 Hawthorne Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553 a/k/a Section 34, Block 388, Lots 236, 237. Approximate amount of judgment is $2,416.45 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. KENNETH GARTNER, Referee. BRONSTER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 156 West 56 Street, Ste. 703, New York, NY 10019. File No. 308765.047 - #101695 148514 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST 2006-CH2 ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-CH2, Plaintiff, Against MAUREEN E. HILLARY AKA MAUREEN HILLARY, ET AL.,

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/28/2016, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 10/2/2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 612 Newton Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553 And Described As Follows:

If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.

For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.

SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Dated: 729/24 File Number: 32669 SH 148673

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC

HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking on Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion. Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 17th day of September, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations:

(NR) ATLANTIC BEACH

CLAYTON AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 72 feet south of the south curbline of Beech Street, south for a distance of 18 feet.

(TH-369/24)

ELMONT

CROYDON DRIVE - south side, starting at a point 20 feet east of a point opposite the east curbline of Abbey Court, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-373/24)

116th STREET - south side, starting at a point 195 feet west of the west curbline of 240th Street, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-374/24)

BEDFORD AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 168 feet east of the east curbline of Covert Avenue, east for a distance of 18 feet.

(TH-361/24)

Earlier this year, the medical center — which is the only hospital in Nassau County that treats patients, regardless of their ability to pay — was under fire due to accusations of mismanagement and complaints about its financial state. However, hospital leadership and elected officials who represent many of the health care corporation’s most vulnerable patients pointed out that New York state has chronically underfunded the health care system over the last three years. Lawmakers and the hospital’s board rallied in Albany this spring to send a clear message that “Nassau needs NUMC.”

In June, Grant Thornton, a leading national public accounting firm, conducted an independent audit that revealed the health care corporation was making significant strides towards financial health. The audit showed that it had achieved more than $100 million in operational improvements and nearly tripled its cash on hand in 2024. These improvements were attributed to the comprehensive Financial Sustainability Reform Plan that Matthew Bruderman, the health care corporation’s chairman, implemented last year. The plan included updates to the hospital’s billing and collection processes, financial standards and practices, quality controls and information technology systems.

EVANS AVENUE - west side, starting at a point 113 feet north of the north curbline of Union Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-360/24)

FRANKLIN SQUARE

JAMES STREET - east side, starting at a point 200 feet north of the north curbline of Benris Avenue, north for a distance of 15 feet.

(TH-396/24)

UNIONDALE

PARK AVENUE - south side, starting at a point 377 feet west of the west curbline of Cornwell Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-395/24)

PEMBROKE STREETnorth side, starting at a point 413 feet east of the east curbline of Arcadia Avenue, east for A distance of 20 feet.

(TH-391/24)

CAMPUS STREET - east side, starting at a point 142 feet north of the north curbline of Northern Parkway, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-366/24)

LOCUST AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 40 feet north of the north curbline of Oakley Street, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-349/24)

“The numbers don’t lie,” Ryan said. “NHCC has made tremendous progress to enhance our financial health and ensure we move toward long-term fiscal sustainability.”

Committed to patient care, the medical center opened a new care wing on its eighth floor in March, as well as a state-ofthe-art mental health care outpatient center on the ground floor of its main building at the end of July.

Ryan said the Gold Seal of Approval recognition “is validation of the hard work and commitment to excellence” that defines the medical center.

“I could not be prouder of our team,” she said. “At every level — staff, nurses, physicians and management — we are focused on providing our patients with the high quality care and respect they deserve. This accreditation gives our community the peace of mind in knowing that when they seek care here, they are coming to a facility that meets high standards.”

Bruderman added, “Long Island’s largest safety-net hospital is proving it is a beacon of hope for so many residents. This independent validation of our efforts shows NUMC can and will survive and thrive for the benefit of Long Island’s communities.”

(TH-372/24) WEST HEMPSTEAD OAK STREET - south side, starting at a point 207 feet east of the east curbline of Morton Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-324/24) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: September 4, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE

GREENGROVE AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 132 feet north of the north curbline of Hempstead Boulevard, north for a distance of 20 feet.

Herald file photo

CoNTiNUEd froM pAGE 1

Employment HERALD

CLASSIFIED

Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460

E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com

E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com

DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.

HEWLETT-WOODMERE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Assistant Director for Special Education Services

Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools (HWPS) is located on the south shore of Long Island and is consistently ranked as one of the highest performing Districts on both state and national levels. The District educates approximately 2800 Pre-K through 12th grade students across five schools. Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools is dedicated to providing all students with enriching and exciting educational experiences in caring, student-centered environments.

We are seeking an innovative, experienced, and collaborative administrator to provide support and guidance to the District's P-12 special education programs.

Required qualifications: NYSED certification in administration (SDA/SDL).

Preferred qualifications: Minimum eight years' experience as a building level/district administrator; requires extensive knowledge of current special education law, non-public school mandates, and STACs; experience chairing CSE meetings, budget process, and supervision and observation of staff; the ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, staff, and community members.

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING

INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!

$20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

Interested candidates must apply on OLAS by September 20, 2024 at: www.hewlett-woodmere.net Completed OLAS application must include: cover letter, resume, and letters of recommendation. Equal Opportunity Employer 1268222

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST

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

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

REQUIREMENTS:

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

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

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

HANDYPERSON WANTED

Immediate Opening at our Garden City Location DESIRED SKILLS: Electrical * Welding * Carpentry Mechanical * Plumbing Part Time/Fulltime (benefits available with full time) $18-$30 per hour based on experience Richner Communications, Inc 2 Endo Blvd Garden City, NY 11530 Send resume to careers@lixtherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 ext 211

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

To Deliver Papers To Businesses in Massapequa, Amityville and Babylon 2 Days Per Week

Must Have Own Vehicle/Van

This is an independent contractor role for Richner Communications Compensation based on stops starting at $275/week If Interested contact Jim at jrotche@liherald.com or 516-569-4000 x211

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

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

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales

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

OFFICE HELP PT: Computer Literate. Answer Phones, Packing, Process Orders. Baldwin Dental Supply Company. 516-783-7800

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS

FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour.

Derrick@917-363-8924

WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED!!! HHA's, LPN's, Nurse's Aides Childcare, Housekeeping Day Workers No Fee To Employers Serving The Community Over 20 Years Evon's Services 516-505-5510

HomesHERALD

Preparing to sell in an area that flooded

Q. We live in an area that was flooded, and have a few items to take care of before we sell. My husband put in a deck when we first moved in, around 1982. It has been there so long, but the real estate people told us it still needs a permit. It’s only 24 inches off the ground. They also mentioned that it’s too close to our back property line, but we’re next to a waterway and have no neighbors behind us. Is that still the same problem? Our fences are new and so are the front steps, which we rebuilt to add planters and a bench. What can you tell us about what we should do before we sell?

A. Take a lovely vacation and relax, enjoy yourself and then prepare for a lot of minutia that will likely delay your ability to sell, unless you negotiate the price down for a buyer who can persuade a lender that they will take over the list of items you mentioned. In situations like this, there are many peripheral issues.

For example, the waterway may be either a local or state jurisdiction that limits how close you can build to a “protected” environment. As if that’s not enough, your municipality is one of the few that has many outstanding requirements that it claims it notified every homeowner about right after Hurricane Sandy. Prepare for the ambush of having to get a “proof of loss statement from the National Flood Insurance Program.”

I have heard time and time again, “Oh, we had no damage,” which is great, since the national clearinghouse that compiles records about every property will prove that. If it turns out that there was a large payout from private insurance or public funding, the NFIP letter will show that more is needed, including recent building plans, a possible plumbing permit, electrical inspection and documents to close out a repair permit — yes, even from over a decade ago.

When I arrive at a home and have to go into detail about how many requirements there are and how strict they’ve become, I always think of our custodian in elementary school. His name was Gus, and I remember his large, round face and how disgusted he was when he was called to a classroom where a child had thrown up lunch from the cafeteria. I identify with Gus, because mopping up these not-so-simple messes, the ones that someone told you were simple, is getting more complicated the longer people wait.

This doesn’t seem to be the case in every jurisdiction, mostly the largest ones. Many decks built long ago don’t meet recent code standards, and there’s no such thing as “grandfathered.” The hours spent explaining these things, and then reexplaining them when a handyperson doesn’t install the correct connectors or takes a shortcut with a required footing support, add up to more cost and animosity. Good luck!

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Your lawn may be killing you — and many other creatures

You know those little yellow flags stuck on lawns in your neighborhood? Think of them as tombstones.

Those markers signify a recent application of pesticides, a broad category of chemicals designed to kill insects, weeds and fungi. There’s some evidence that they can kill animals and people, too.

Roundup, one of the most common herbicides, has been banned or restricted in some states and countries due to fears of its impact on human health and the environment. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is listed by the World Health Organization as a probable carcinogen.

Pesticides like this one are being applied with abandon on Long Island’s lawns, endangering the Island’s only aquifer while threatening the health of its human residents as well as the birds, bees and household pets that share our biosphere.

“Several types of cancer, immune-

response deficiencies, neurological diseases and birth defects have been associated with exposure to lawn chemicals,” a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publication states.

Suffolk County registered by far the heaviest doses of pesticides used among New York counties in 2021 — 6.5 million pounds, according to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation. Nassau ranked as the sixth most chemically doused county, with 1.6 million pounds of pesticides used to keep homeowners’ grass weed- and bug-free.

PSociety of the United States, which included Trepanier’s comment in a report last year.

“Rates of lymphoma in pets of pesticide users are significantly higher than occurrences in the pets of non-chemical users,” the Mid-America Research Council added.

esticides are being applied with abandon on Long Island’s yards.

In reporting on the DEC finding, Newsday observed, “Far too much pesticide is poured to attain lawns that could be mistaken for putting greens, with far too little concern for the environment, experts say.”

Research shows clear links between herbicide exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and bladder cancer in humans, Lauren Trepanier, professor of internal medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, says. Both of those cancers are also common in dogs, notes the Humane

Pretty much no living things — except lawn grass — co-exist well with pesticides. Butterflies, lightning bugs and honeybees, along with every other type of insect, are killed by chemicals that are advertised as fatal to mosquitoes.

In fact, scientists say we’re in the throes of an “insect apocalypse.” And if present death rates continue, they add, there won’t be any insects left alive a century from now. That will be bad news not only for the bugs themselves, but also for birds, flowers and food. Insects are responsible for pollinating 75 percent of all flowering plants, including about onethird of the crops consumed by humans.

Birds are experiencing just as precipitous a population decline as bugs. A study published in 2019 by Science, a research journal, found that 3 billion North American birds have died off

since 1970 — a loss of nearly 30 percent of their total numbers.

Pesticides kill birds both directly and indirectly. Birds ingest poisonous chemicals when they mistake pesticide granules for food, the New York Audubon Society points out. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute adds, “Birds that eat insects are literally at a loss when insecticides cause a drop in the number of insect prey available, especially when they have young to feed.”

But here’s some good news: The damage pesticides are doing to suburban environments, and the entire planet, can be greatly mitigated if homeowners like those on Long Island make a simple choice. They can replace their lawns (which are pretty to look at but otherwise useless) with shrubs, trees and native plant species that are well adapted to the local climate and pests. And they can save lots of time and money as well if they give Mother Nature the chance to reproduce benignly.

Kevin J. Kelley was a congressional staff member in the 1980s, and is a retired journalist and journalism professor who worked for newspapers in New York, Vermont and Kenya and taught at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. He lives in Atlantic Beach.

Reading about local schools? Consider yourself lucky.

i’ve been in the local news business a long time. Not long enough to remember the first handwritten newspaper, distributed in Venice in 1566, or the first printed news sheets, published in Germany in 1605, but I go back.

I can recall cutting and pasting printed stories on boards, each one a page of the paper. If the story didn’t fit, you just cut a paragraph or two from the bottom. Thus the importance of the first sentence or two, known as the lede, and the first three paragraphs, which basically told the story. We used typewriters and yellow paper to write, which my editor would periodically rip up, declaring, “You have no right to desecrate the language of Shakespeare.” She was a stickler. We had no computers — until the morning we came in to work and found that our Smith Coronas had been replaced by Kaypros.

I was hired away from the late South Shore Record, owned by the indomitable Florence Schwartzberg, by Leatrice Spa-

nierman, a brilliant editor and a natural newspaperwoman. Leatrice, who recently celebrated a fabulous birthday, was socially, intellectually and emotionally intertwined with the Herald brand. We turned out big local papers in those days at our Lawrence headquarters.

Our team wrote 10 to 20 local stories every week, and our motto was, “Everything that happens anywhere in the world has a Five Towns angle.” And it was true. If a ship hit an iceberg in Antarctica, for sure there was someone who knew someone on board.

W ay too many American towns and cities have lost newspapers in recent years.

Local lowlifes freaked out more if they landed in the Nassau Herald police blotter than if their mug shot had appeared in The New York Times, because their kids might see the paper. We journalists lived and worked in town. Our reporters went to all the village and school board meetings. We covered football games and charity balls. Everything was copy.

This is all to say that local newspapers are essential to a functioning democracy, and I am grateful to have enjoyed this golden age of local journalism. This is also to say that across the country, small papers are closing. As reported on CBS News recently, “Accord-

ing to an Associated Press analysis of data compiled by the University of North Carolina, more than 1,400 towns and cities in the U.S. have lost a newspaper over the past 15 years. The loss of a reliable local news source has many consequences for the community. One of them is the inability to watchdog the actions of government agencies and elected officials.”

This is also to say, stay true. Subscribe to and read and advertise in our papers. We need to mind what’s going on in our schools, and to do that we need reporters to monitor the board meetings, and to do that we need to pay them.

The local paper covers everything from potholes to parades. If you want the scoop on former Congressman George Santos, read about it in the Herald. Are you concerned about County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s idea for a kind of armed militia to prepare for emergencies? The ongoing debate over a casino license for the county? These stories need to be covered in our local newspapers, and we need the staff and the readership to support our efforts.

The dailies look at news through a wide-angle lens; our focus is more intense.

The North Shore Coalition Against Substance Abuse’s annual golf outing was in one of our papers last week, and I saw a story out of Freeport about Petros Mestheneas, who was named Firefighter of the Year. And to prove my point about there being a local angle to every story in the world, Boston’s new archbishop is a Valley stream native and a former auxiliary bishop of Rockville Center.

In the Nassau Herald, Melissa Berman wrote the quintessential local news story about a 100-year-old oak tree that was cut down to build a parking lot. It’s a terrific local story, with ties to larger issues of overdevelopment and housing needs vs. parking needs.

In recent Heralds there was coverage of the county’s Jimmy Buffett tribute at Eisenhower Park, the clam-eating contest in Island Park and the Chabad Hebrew School of Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh accepting enrollments for the new school year. There were obituaries of Ana Mercedes Hernandez, Joseph C. Smetana, Robert “Bob” Heggy and Joyce Marino Corso.

The obituaries are the guiding light of local newspapers, reflecting the past of the community and its people, reminding us of the special ties that bind friends and neighbors together.

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Established 2023

Incorporating

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Kelsie RadzisKi

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HERALD

HeraLd editoriaL

As schools reopen, drivers know the drill

“school’s Open — Drive Carefully” has been the annual refrain in a back-to-school safety-awareness campaign that is now nearly 80 years old. But it’s worth repeating every September.

Driving carefully in and around school zones is crucial in the effort to ensure the safety of children, parents and school staff. School zones are areas in which there are likely to be children crossing streets, walking along sidewalks, riding bikes and meandering as only kids do. They are less aware of traffic dangers, and their presence necessitates heightened caution from drivers.

A study by Safe Kids Worldwide found that 25,000 children are injured every year in school zone accidents nationwide. The Transportation Research Board found that vehicles near schools account for 43 percent of all pedestrian accidents involving children ages 5 to 9.

And it’s no surprise that speeding is a significant factor in school-zone accidents. The risk of a pedestrian fatality increases dramatically with vehicle

Letters

Curran’s wrong about the ‘war on women’

To the Editor:

speed. The American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that someone on foot who is struck by a vehicle traveling 25 mph has a 25 percent chance of sustaining serious injury or dying, but that risk increases to 50 percent if the vehicle is traveling just 10 mph faster. School zones commonly have speed limits of 20 mph or less, so adhering to those limits is vital to minimize those risks.

Distracted driving is another major concern near schools. A study by the National Safety Council found that distracted drivers cause one in every four car crashes nationwide. In school zones, texting or talking on a phone or fiddling with dashboard technology can have catastrophic consequences for a child who may suddenly dart into the street or cross without warning.

School zones are most congested during drop-off and pick-up times. According to the National Center for Safe Routes to School, parents driving their children to school account for 25 percent of morning traffic. The volume increases the likelihood of accidents, particu-

In his recent column, “The real war on women in New York,” Assemblyman Brian Curran suggests that “the fate of women’s reproductive health” in New York will not be affected whether or not Prop 1, the New York Equal Rights Amendment, passes in November. Simply put, this is not true, and echoes the same reassurances we heard right before Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Prop 1 is in fact our crucial opportunity to ensure that the fate of reproductive health care is secure in New York. It’s an opportunity we cannot let go to waste.

Prop 1 will guarantee access to reproductive health care — including abortion, birth control, and in vitro fertilization — in the New York Constitution so it is permanently shielded from government interference.

Before Roe v. Wade was overturned, many of us took for granted that our reproductive freedom would always be protected. Since then, reproductive health care like abortion, contraception, and IVF has been under attack across the country. While New Yorkers may assume that we are insulated from these battles, the reality is that the state law covering our reproductive rights can be repealed or changed based on who is in the State Legislature or the governor’s mansion. That’s why we need to pass Prop 1: to cement our reproductive rights in the State Constitution so they can’t be rolled back by politicians down the line.

Further, Prop 1 will close loopholes in the Constitution that could allow government discrimination

larly when drivers are in a rush. Along with potential injuries, there are legal consequences for school-zone scofflaws, starting with hefty fines for speeding in those zones, often doubled or tripled during school hours. And here on Long Island, red-light cameras have been installed at busy intersections near schools, and more buses are being equipped with cameras to catch one of the most potentially dangerous vehicular infractions of all, passing a stopped bus with its red lights flashing — in either direction.

Whether you’ve seen “Schools Open — Drive Carefully” for dozens of years or are a new driver, common sense dictates that following that single instruction is key to helping ensure that children arrive at school safely and return home safely each day, along with the administrators, teachers and other staff to whom we entrust them. Do your part by slowing down and keeping your eyes on the street and the crosswalks — in other words, giving school zones your undivided attention when you’re at the wheel.

against people based on their age, disability, ethnicity, whether they are pregnant, or whether they’re LGBT — because those in power shouldn’t be able to take advantage of any New Yorker, especially the most vulnerable among us.

All New Yorkers deserve the freedom to control our own bodies, lives and futures. Prop 1 puts the power to stand up for these freedoms in the voters’ hands.

SAShA AhujA Campaign

director, New Yorkers for Equal Rights

Long Islanders can’t fight climate change alone

To the Editor:

Every time someone writes a column against fossil fuels, such as Lauren Krueger’s “To beat the heat on Long Island, we must fight fossil fuels,” I cannot believe what I’m reading. It’s total nonsense! Nothing that the united States does will impact climate change, global warming or whatever else you want to

Behind the mask: the flaws in Nassau’s new law

Imagine a law introduced to fight hate and bigotry — yet it is so flawed that it inadvertently shields those very perpetrators from justice.

setH I. kosLow

that’s precisely what happened on Aug. 5, when the Nassau County Legislature’s Republican majority pushed through its so-called Mask transparency Act — a law that, despite its intentions, opens the door to unintended consequences. At first glance, the measure appears to be a strong stance against antisemitism, aimed at unmasking those who would hide behind disguises to commit hateful acts. As a Jewish parent, I understand the appeal of such a measure. but as a former prosecutor, I can’t ignore the fact that this law is not only unconstitutional, but also dangerously impractical.

In this instance, the devil is in the details — or rather, in the lack of them. the legislation is rife with ambiguities that could turn ordinary citizens into targets of unjust prosecution, while allowing actual criminals to walk free.

the members of the Democratic minority recognized these flaws early on, and proposed a more narrowly tailored bill focused specifically on punishing those who use masks to evade responsibility for criminal acts. the Democratic bill was not only clearer, but would have provided a more effective deterrent against those who commit crimes under the guise of anonymity. My colleagues and I also sought to work with the Republicans on a bipartisan solution that could have been both effective and constitutionally sound. Unfortunately, Republicans rebuffed these efforts, pushing through their version of the law without considering the potential consequences. Let me paint you a picture of how this could play out in real life. Imagine a man named Joe Schmoe who harbors deep-seated antisemitic views. He attends an anti-Israel protest outside Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where he adds his voice to hateful and aggressive chants. the police maintain order throughout the event, but as it winds down, officers notice Schmoe throwing an empty beer bottle into the street. No one is injured, and no property is damaged, but Schmoe is wearing a

Hmask.

the officers, following the new law, ask Schmoe to remove his mask. He refuses. Asked why he’s wearing it, he remains silent. Left with little choice, the police arrest him — not for throwing the bottle, but for violating the Mask transparency Act.

ow do we prevent a guy with true hate in his heart from being acquitted?

Here’s where things get tricky. Schmoe is processed and eventually ends up in court, where he is provided a public defender, because he can’t afford his own attorney. His case lingers in the justice system for nearly two years due to backlogs. When the case finally goes to trial, the prosecution — funded by taxpayers — is tasked with proving that Schmoe wore the mask with criminal intent.

but his defense is simple: He claims he wore the mask because he wasn’t feeling well, and feared contracting Covid-19. How can the prosecution definitively disprove this claim? the jury, bound to follow the law as written, might very well have no choice but to acquit him. And just like that, the Mask transparency Act becomes the perfect tool for committing what I call the “perfect crime.”

this is more than a hypothetical sce-

Letters

call it, and “beat the heat on Long Island.” Nothing!

According to Google, as of November 2023, the top five countries, by percentage of carbon emissions, were: China, 30.9 percent; the U.S., 13.5 percent; India, 7.9 percent; Russia, 4.7 percent; and Japan, 2.9 percent. China and India are responsible for almost three times the carbon emissions of the U.S. In addition, China continues to put new coal-fired electric generating plants online. China is laughing at us!

China gets nearly 60 percent of its electricity from coal, the U.S., 16 percent. If the U.S. gets rid of fossil fuels for our cars and electrical generation facilities, it will have a very limited effect, or no effect, on beating the heat on Long Island. All it will do is drain our wallets and pocketbooks, and make some people feel good. “Look at me! I’m saving the environment!”

RobeRt KRALICK Glen Head

Vance, and Trump, demean military service

to the editor:

Nothing raises this veteran’s ire

more than candidates who demean veterans, and by extension, those on active duty. o n Aug. 8, the Republican vice presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, accused Democratic vice presidential candidate tim Walz — with little evidence — of “stolen valor,” saying he lied about seeing combat “in war.” t hen Vance drew a comparison between his four years of service, during which he was a combat correspondent in the Marine Corps, and Walz’s 24 years of service, during which he achieved the highest enlisted rank in the Army National Guard.

Neither Walz nor Vance has seen, as Vance says, “any real fighting.” In either case, their choice to serve was commendable and should not be a topic of criticism. t he underlying issue is the one that deserves every patriot’s attention: the disdain for those in uniform by the draft dodger at Mar-A-Lago.

t here is well-cited evidence of former President Donald t rump demeaning veterans, including remarks made about the sacred grounds of U.S. military cemeteries in Normandy, France, and Arlington, Virginia. He categorizes us as suckers and losers. He is the last person this apolitical veteran would choose to be commander in chief of our

nario; it’s a real possibility under this poorly crafted law. the resources spent on prosecuting someone like Schmoe, who walks away unscathed in the end, could have been better used to target those who seek to harm others. the sad irony here is that the Mask transparency Act was meant to protect communities from hate and violence, but instead it creates legal loopholes that make it harder to hold the guilty accountable. the law’s vague language and broad scope mean that it can be easily manipulated, turning a well-meaning but seriously flawed piece of legislation into a shield for those it was meant to expose.

Nassau County needs to pass laws that are both constitutionally sound and effective in practice, and the Mask transparency Act fails on both counts. Instead of deterring hate, it risks emboldening those who seek to evade justice by exploiting the very law designed to stop them. We deserve better — and we deserve laws that are precise, enforceable and, above all, just. the fight against hate is too important to be left to legislation that does more harm than good. It’s time for our leaders to go back to the drawing board and craft solutions that truly protect our communities.

Seth I. Koslow represents Nassau County’s 5th Legislative District.

Framework by Tim Baker

armed forces.

WILLIAM (Coty) KeLLeR Freeport

William Keller is a 21-year Navy veteran

who served in Vietnam and on six ships, two of which he commanded. He was also a professor of national security affairs at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

The hats were courtesy of Let’s Sing Taylor — Eisenhower Park, East Meadow