Uniondale Herald 12-19-2024 by Richner Communications, Inc

Kelsie Radziski/Herald

The students in the Uniondale High School Youth Empowerment Project collaborated to create the new Wellness Center, which had a ribbon-cutting ceremony and official unveiling on Dec. 11.

At the high school, a new place to chill

By KELSIE RADZISKI

kradziski@liherald.com

Uniondale High School unveiled its new Wellness Center — a quiet, supportive space designed to offer students relief from the pressures of school life — with a ribbon-cutting on Dec. 11. The center, created by the Youth Empowerment Project, is a place to decompress, relax and recharge.

“We all deserve a space to relax, to relieve our stress, to detach from all of our anxieties from each day,” Aariana Osorio, a junior at the high school

ConTinUED on PagE 4

Community leaders rally in Hempstead for parole justice

By KELSIE RADZISKI kradziski@liherald.com

A rally was held in Hempstead on Dec. 4 to push for the passage of two bills statewide that would help imprisoned individuals seek justice through the parole system.

In a show of solidarity, the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice, a coalition of groups across New York state, brought local activists from surrounding Long Island communities to Fulton Avenue to urge passage of the Elder Parole bill and the Fair & Timely Parole bill.

The bills are designed to give those who are incarcerated opportunities for individualized parole consideration.

The Elder Parole bill provides parole eligibility for adults over 55 who have served at least 15 years of their sentence, while the Fair & Timely Parole bill primarily focuses on ensuring that parole hearings are conducted in a timely manner for those in state prisons, according to the State Senate website.

A 2021 study by the Center for Justice at Columbia University estimated that enacting both bills could save the state

$522 million annually due to the reduced prison costs once people are released.

The bills are co-sponsored by a number of senators, including Kevin Thomas of the 6th Senate District, encompassing Uniondale, Hempstead, Roosevelt, Baldwin and other surrounding communities.

William Bailey, senior director of the New York Communities for Change, or NYCC, Hempstead branch, joined 10 other advocates at the rally, voicing support for the Elder Parole bill because he’s “sick and tired of standing out here

every year calling for our elders to be home.”

“They have now become mentors, they have now become leaders, they have now become role models, they have now become ministers,” he told the crowd who gathered at the rally. “These are people that can help our communities. These are seasoned veter-

ans, seasoned mentors, people who have been there, done that.

“Who are you to tell them?” he added. “Who are you to decide that they cannot come home?”

NYCC, an advocacy group with branches throughout the state, including Hempstead,

Parole-justice bills could save state $522M a year

campaigns for a variety of social justice causes. The organization, founded in 2009 by New York ACORN, was instrumental in kicking off the Fight for $15 nationwide movement in 2012 to get a $15 minimum wage in New York, and pushed for the Green New Deal for New York City — a set of policies that address concerns of climate change — which was then passed in 2019, according to its website.

In addition, NYCC members won several anti-discrimination lawsuits that “expanded access to affordable housing and voting rights on Long Island,” according to the website, and parents backed by the group won several seats on the Hempstead school board after a comprehensive presentation in 2014 on how to improve the district.

PAging People in Prison, said her husband, Kristian, “was sentenced to a death by incarceration at 19 years old.”

After 29 years of transformation, he has become a mentor, a college graduate and a trainer for explosive detection canines through the Puppies Behind Bars program, according to Hansen.

romoting personal transformation, rather than endless punishment, is the key to improving safety for all.

Ismael DIaz Community organizer, Center for Community Alternatives, Brooklyn branch

The organization’s focus is now on the two parole bills, and other parole justice advocates and groups are mobilizing alongside the NYCC.

Caroline Hansen, a lead organizer for New Hour For Women and Children and a community leader with Release

“If he is able to help the young people inside the prisons, imagine what he can do in our community,” she said. “Imagine how he can make our communities safer. Imagine what he can do here on Long Island. The possibilities are endless.

“We need him to come home, and we need him to come home now,” she implored.

The rally also highlighted the crucial role that formerly incarcerated individuals can play in enhancing public safety. Ismael Diaz, a community organizer with the Center for Community Alternatives, Brooklyn branch, said he has witnessed firsthand the men behind bars who have become mentors to him and to others, “and yet they still can’t come home.”

He emphasized the work done by formerly incarcerated individuals who are now mentors, violence interrupters

William Bailey, senior director of the New York

for

branch, spoke at the Hempstead rally about the need for statewide parole

and peer recovery counselors in their communities across the state. He said they exemplify that “promoting personal transformation, rather than endless punishment, is the key to improving safety for all.”

“We need to pass the Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole bills to reunite families, heal communities

FAITH-BASED BREAKFAST

Join the Alzheimer’s Association, the Divine Health Ministry of Memorial Presbyterian Church and SoulJoy Wellness for a morning of self-care. We will explore how Alzheimer’s and related dementias impact our community and discuss healthy habits for your brain, body and soul. To

alz.org/longisland or scant the QR code. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Memorial Presbyterian Church Social Hall 189 Babylon Turnpike Roosevelt, NY 11575

and bring home more mentors and leaders who are essential to our efforts to improve community safety,” Diaz said. The bills were both introduced in January 2023 and are currently in their respective Senate committees.

Kelsie Radziski/Herald

Communities

Change Hempstead

justice.

Rhythm of the Knight Show Choir puts on holiday spectacular

By Rei Wolfsohn Correspondent

The Rhythm of the Knight Show Choir put on their annual holiday spectacular ahead of the holiday season. There were two evening shows — Dec. 13 and 14 — and both nights brought out enthusiastic crowds, with people in the audience dancing and singing along.

The choir requires a lot of hard work from its student singers. They wore various eclectic costumes throughout the show. The Grinch even played a role in making it into a story.

“There’s no words to describe what it feels to be on stage performing your heart out in front of people, the smiles that you see on people’s faces when you hear a nice note, where you see that the kids are dancing,” Varsha Ramrookum, 11th grader, said. “And it’s just such an amazing and magical experience. There’s no words to explain how I feel.”

Varsha’s mother, Yasodra, said she is very proud of her daughter and loves watching the show. She even plans on continuing to go to their concerts after Varsha graduates and finishes with the choir.

“So even when she’s done and graduated, I think I would still come back to see the show because it’s so great,” Yasodra said.

Cadence Peace, another student singer, sees many benefits from being in the choir.

“It’s going on my college applications and they seem to love it,” Peace said. “We’ve done things with Barry Manilow. We’ve been to Carnegie Hall, stuff like that. So it’s definitely something that helps you career wise.

“But also it teaches you about time management,” she added, “and life skills that you need, (like) being committed.”

Parents have also expressed the many benefits they see in the choir for their children. Cynthia Bien-Aime-

Eugene, mother of singer Hannah Eugene, sees more than just tangible benefits.

“It gives them personality, growth,” she said.

Some of the student singers have aspired to be in the choir for years before they entered high school.

“When I was in elementary school, third grade, the choir was performing with Barry Manilow at the Nassau Coliseum,” Celeste Calderon said. “So they picked me out to come sing with all the other little kids, and ever since then,

I’ve been in love with the choir. I’ve found a way to get in, so I had a friend and she got me an audition and now I’m here.”

The student singers work very hard to put on their shows. They practiced for five to six hours after school every day in the week leading up to the show. They had other rehearsals before that in the auditorium or Choir Director Lynnette Carr-Hicks’s chorus room.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” Yasodra said. “The kids are here late every single day, on top of doing their school

work and being part of other activities such as sports and stuff like that. They put in a lot of work and hard effort, but it definitely pays off. And you can see it in tonight’s performance.”

For some of the student singers, the experience of being in the choir has completely changed their lives.

“It brings me out of my shell,” Calderon said. “I was definitely more nervous at the beginning of my high school years. And now I’m not afraid to do basically anything.”

Steve Sachs/Herald photos

The Rhythm of the Knight Show Choir performed their annual holiday spectacular on Dec. 13 and 14.

The student singers put in hours of practice and dedication ahead of the shows, and performers and parents shared their happiness with the performance.

The singers brought out props, including wrapped presents, to go along with their singing.

Coloring books, sensory items for stress relief

and one of the project leaders, said, “and that’s why we created this space for the entire student body, and for teachers to create personal relationships with the students, and for students who need help to get that help.”

The project, which took over a year to complete, was a collaborative effort led by a group of dedicated Youth Empowerment Project students. They worked closely with their advisers, Kate Muenkel and Amanda Prescia, and other school staff to transform their vision into reality.

Ihelp kids be comfortable in this school, because we know a lot of kids don’t feel like they have that safe space.

“This is what we tried to create, and we did it,” Ramrookum added.

The center has comfortable seating, relaxed lighting and a variety of stressrelief tools, including “workbooks, coloring books, activities, sensory stickers and headphones for noise cancellation,” Ramrookum pointed out. Students can use the resources to unwind during their breaks or whenever they feel overwhelmed.

t definitely took a lot of planning and hard work, and we definitely spent a lot of time together as a group.

The Wellness Center was funded by a grant from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with no extra costs to taxpayers, according to a news release from the school district. From the beginning, the students focused on creating an environment that would offer comfort and calm to anyone who needed it throughout the school day.

Andrew MAdrId Junior, Uniondale High School

“What you see around you is a space that we worked so hard on,” Varsha Ramrookum, another junior and Youth Empowerment Project member, said. “We took over a year of work, and it’s to

Muenkel and Prescia shared how well they felt the process went, with Muenkel describing it as “seamless.”

“The students came in with an idea, and even with all of their ideas, they still came together,” she said. “It was a lot of collaborating, but positive collaboration.”

Prescia said it was “amazing” to see everything come together in the end, and how all the students “lit up” seeing the results of their hard work.

“Actually walking into it, with the carpet and everything that they envisioned, it was just a really great feeling,” she said.

The Youth Empowerment Project stu-

dents reflected on the time and effort it took to create the space. Junior Andrew Madrid recalled spending many hours working on the room, even staying until late at night a few times to bring it all together.

“It definitely took a lot of planning and hard work, and we definitely spent a lot of time together as a group,” Madrid said. “This is definitely a dream come true, because I know that as a student, I feel stressed most of the time, and it feels really good knowing that I can come to school and if I need a break, I know where I can come.”

The Wellness Center is a much-need-

ed resource for many students, and they expressed their appreciation for the new space. “I think it’s going to be a great place to come and relax,” junior Jasmine Rubio said.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony last week brought together students and staff to celebrate the new addition.

“Today is really special, because it’s all about the children and what they created,” Shawn Brown, principal of the high school, said at the ceremony. “They created a safe space for their peers. They created a place for people to go to when they need a little quiet time, and they deserve a round of applause.”

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 is looking for...

Nicole Quintanilla, far left, Jasmine Rubio and Leigh Lindsey, all juniors, and physics teacher Breanna Schwartz checked out the new Wellness Center.

Students can get comfortable and spend time coloring and using sensory items to relax and de-stress.

Merry Christmas to the people of God

Last Christmas, we celebrated the 800th anniversary of that glorious and historic night when St. Francis of Assisi arranged the first Nativity creche scene in a small cave outside the Italian village of Greccio in Italy.

St. Francis was inspired to do this after visiting the historical place of Christ’s birth on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land - the humble stable in a Bethlehem cave.

The large creche set in St. Peter’s Square last year commemorated this 800th anniversary by having the figure of St. Francis of Assisi expressing adoration, awe and wonder across the Crib from Mary and Joseph.

Last September, we celebrated the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis receiving the gift of the “stigmata”the mystical wounds of Christ in his hands, feet and side. In 2026, we will celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death.

There is always a powerful connection between the Manger Crib and the Golgotha Cross of our Savior. St. Francis of Assisi lived this connection so powerfully.

In Admirabile Signum, Pope Francis writes: “Indeed, the place where this first nativity scene was enacted expresses and evokes these sentiments...from the time of its Franciscan origins, the nativity scene has invited us to ‘feel’ and ‘touch’ the poverty that God’s Son took upon himself in the Incarnation. Implicitly, it summons us to follow him along the path of humility, poverty and self-denial that leads from the manger of Bethlehem to the Cross. It asks us to meet him and serve him by showing merey to those of our brothers and sisters in great need (ef. Matthew 25:31-46).” (3)

and in all countries.

St. Francis of Assisi understood the problems of the world and more than 800 years later, after he created the first creche, he is still close to the Church and to the world.

ReveRend

John o. BaRRes

As we spiritually draw near to Bethlehem at the end of this year, we pray for those who suffer in the Holy Land and the Middle East, in Ukraine and all war-torn areas of the world.

We pray too for the persecuted Church around the world and we pray for religious liberty in our country

Many of you have seen the bronze statue of Atlas directly across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

It was created by the sculptor Lee Lawrie and installed in 1937. The sculpture portrays the mythical ancient Greek Titan Atlas holding the burden of the heavens on his shoulder.

St. Francis of Assisi is no myth, but at times he has been compared with Atlas in how, through the centuries, he carried the burdens of the Church on his shoulders with his radical and pure Gospel witness.

In fact, Pope Innocent III, after meeting St. Francis, had a dream that St. Francis was holding up St. John Lateran Basilica, the visible sign and

symbol of the universal Church, amidst the storms and earthquakes of history and crisis.

Configured to Christ crucified and having lived daily with the stigmatic wounds of Christ, St. Francis helps to animate and inspire the mission of mercy of the Catholic Church through the centuries.

St. Francis of Assisi intercedes for each of us at every moment to help rebuild the Biblical and Eucharistic evangelizing mission of the Church that Jesus, himself, founded on Long Island and beyond.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families! May the Light and Love of the Christ Child animate and guide our global Catholic Missionary Spirit this Christmas and throughout the New Year.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend John O. Barres

Bishop of Rockville Centre

The Most Reverend John O. Barres is the Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

HERALD

Natural disaster training for local communities

The NY Citizen Preparedness Training Program came to the David Mack Center on the Nassau Community College campus to educate local residents from Uniondale and surrounding communities on potential disasters. The event was a partnership between Central Nassau Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (NANBPWC), Inc., Citizen Preparedness Corps of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the Uniondale Police Activity League (PAL).

The Citizen Preparedness Corps hosts training seminars to provide people with the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster or emergency, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions.

Citizen Preparedness Corps training began in February 2014 and continues in towns across New York. Trainings are led by the New York National Guard, which works with experts from the Division’s Office of Emergency Management and Office of Fire Prevention and Control, according to the news release. Sessions are coordinated with local county emergency management personnel at different venues such as community centers, including the David Mack Center. The course provides an introduction to responding to a natural or human-caused disaster, the news

release said. Participants are taught a variety of crucial skills, including how to properly develop family emergency plans and stock up on emergency supplies. Over 30 people attended the session on Dec. 10, according to Adrian Goodwin, vice president of the Central Nassau Club and board member of the Uniondale PAL, and she said people who have experienced natural disasters in the past expressed their appreciation to her for the event.

“The community highly valued the program, emphasizing the crucial information gained,” Goodwin said.

A key component of the training is distribution of free Disaster Preparedness Kits to participants. These kits contain examples of key items to assist individuals in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, according to the news release. The state training and kits are meant to help New Yorkers be as highly trained and best-prepared as possible for potential disasters.

“It was very helpful, it was very informative, very clear and concise and easy to understand,” Vanessa Beveney, a participant, said of the program. To learn more, visit Prepare. NY.gov.

— Kelsie Radziski

Anthony Lebron wins third term as Fire Commissioner

Anthony Lebron has won another five-year term as a fire commissioner for the Uniondale Fire District. He ran uncontested and won 45 votes during the Dec. 10 election. This will be his third term — and second full term — as a commissioner.

“I would like to thank all of those who have supported me throughout the last 12 years as fire commissioner,” he said in a statement to the Herald, “and I look forward to continuing to serve the community and members of the fire department and district for the next five years.”

During his next term as commissioner, Lebron said he plans to focus on adding facilities and gaining funding.

“Some of the things I would like to work on is the building of a training facility here in town, as well as working with our elected officials to continue to help with funding to the fire districts since cost of operations keeps rising,” he said. “I would also like to work with the Uniondale fire department’s chief’s office on training, recruitment and retention for our firefighters.”

Reduce Your Cancer Risk by Eating Healthy

Learn to make healthy, low-cost meals through our free online cooking series led by Karla Giboyeaux, a registered dietitian at MSK.

Point your smartphone camera at the QR code and tap the link to find festive recipes for the holidays, including a red meat-free version of Pastelón.

Courtesy Adrian Goodwin

From left: Dennis O’Hara, Alfred S. Titus, Director of Training for the New York division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Jacking Morrison-Brailsford, president of Central Nassau Club, Adrian Goodwin, Edwin Phillips, director of Uniondale PAL, Edwin Mateo and Anthony Batino.

Courtesy Anthony Lebron

Anthony Lebron (second from right) will spend his third term as fire commissioner working on facilities, funding and support for the Uniondale Fire Department.

NUMC pediatric residency programs has 100 percent board passing rate

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Nassau University Medical Center’s Pediatric Medical Residency Program achieved a 100 percent board passage rate in 2024, far surpassing the national average of 80–82 percent and Long Island’s average. This milestone underscores the strides NUMC, Long Island’s

FAst FActs: NUMc’s PEDiAtRic MEDicAL REsiDENcy PROgRAM

• 100 percent board passage rate in 2024, surpassing the national average of 80 to 82 percent

• One of the largest residency programs in New York, with nearly 300 residents across various disciplines

•Fully Accredited Graduate Medical Education program offering comprehensive clinical experience, advanced technology, and a diverse patient population

• Program focus includes handson training, mentorship, and a commitment to excellence in medical education and patient care.

•Key Contributors: Resident physicians, attending physicians, and staff

largest safety-net hospital, has made in medical education and pediatric care, the hospital system said in a Dec. 16 news release.

The residency program is one of the largest in New York state, with nearly 300 aspiring doctors across various disciplines. This accomplishment reflects the hospital’s dedication to excellence in training future medical professionals while enhancing patient care, finances, and hospital operations.

“NUMC has made significant strides to elevate our programs and the hospital as a whole,” Megan Ryan, president and chief executive of Nassau Health Care Corporation said. “Our investment in hands-on training opportunities has made our residency program among the best in the region, and this passage rate is reflective of that. Congratulations to the pediatric residents who will now be board-certified physicians caring for our youngest patients.”

Dr. Grace Ting, NUMC’s chief medical officer, attributed the success to the collaborative efforts of the program.

“This outstanding passage rate is a testament to the dedication of our excellent resident physicians and our fantastic attending physicians and staff who train them,” Ting said. “Our residents have demonstrated remarkable determination and skill, and we are immensely proud to have played an important role in their journey to becoming exceptional pediatricians.”

Nassau University Medical Center, above, in East Meadow announced on Dec. 16 that residents in the Pediatric Medical Residency Program achieved a 100 percent board passage rate in 2024.

NUMC’s Graduate Medical Education program is designed to prepare health care providers across a variety of fields with the tools necessary for their future medical career. The hospital boasts a fully accredited program that offers a well-rounded foundation through practice in a wide range of

clinical experiences, featuring a diverse population, sophisticated technology and a faculty that maximizes the resident physician’s skill and knowledge base.

For more information about NUMC’s residency and fellowship programs, visit NUMC.edu.

Meg Ryan named first female chief executive of NUMC

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

The Board of Directors of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, which oversees the operations of the Nassau University Medical Center and the A. Holly Paterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale, voted on Dec. 5 to appoint several new members to the leadership team of the largest public, safety-net hospital on Long Island.

Among the appointees was Megan Ryan, who was named president and chief executive of the hospital system — the first woman to lead the health care corporation.

Ryan had previously served for nearly a decade as general counsel of the corporation and had been acting as interim president and chief executive since January.

“The more than seven years that I’ve spent working with the staff and patients of NUMC as general counsel and interim president and chief executive have (been the) greatest honor of my career,” Ryan said in a Dec. 5 news release. “I thank the NHCC board of directors for its confidence in allowing me to continue the enormous progress we’ve made toward ensuring this critical institution thrives for many years to come.”

The East Meadow-based hospital serves all patients, regardless of their ability to pay for medical care.

“Nobody works harder than Meg, and nobody cares more about the success of the hospital than she does,” Matthew Bruderman, the health care corporation chairman, said. “As the first woman to lead this critical health care facility, she is an inspiration to so many, including the next generation of health care professionals being trained at NUMC.”

Other appointments included NUMC veteran physician, Dr. Grace Ting, as chief medical officer, and Shannon Costello as chief nursing officer. Like Ryan, both had been serving in those roles as interim appointments.

The hospital’s board said compensation packages approved for the new executives are all in line with industry and area standards, or are below those of their counterparts at other major safetynet hospitals in New York state.

At last week’s board meeting, the board also approved the appointment of in-house chairs for cardiology and pathology, a move aimed at fostering fulltime development in these divisions and boosting hospital revenue.

NUMC has long been under fire for financial and operational mismanagement, but has made significant strides this year. The hospital’s board has attributed these reforms to Ryan and her leadership team.

Last month, the hospital system earned its first Leapfrog Safety Grade, a hospital safety rating, improvement in six years, and earlier this year, an audit conducted by Grant Thornton revealed the hospital’s finances were heading in a positive direction.

In addition to operational improvements, the hospital has enhanced its ser-

vices by opening new wings, an outpatient behavioral health suite and a dedicated wig room for cancer patients, along with other additions that have significantly elevated the quality of care at NUMC.

Ryan said the hospital system has made “tremendous progress,” by expanding patient care, inaugurating new facilities and dramatically improving its financial position.

“It is a testament to the work of our leadership team and the commitment of our more than 3,600 employees,” she said, “including our talented doctors, nurses, and support staff.”

The Nassau Health Care Corporation and NUMC are currently pursuing legal action against New York state and the Nassau County Interim Finance Author-

ity, or NIFA, which oversees NUMC’s finances.

The hospital is alleging that the state orchestrated a scheme to withhold Medicaid reimbursement payments NUMC was entitled to, since at least 2001. On Nov. 20, a notice-of-claims was sent to the state, outlining NUMC’s plan to file a $1.06 billion lawsuit. The suits against NIFA, which were announced on Dec. 2., claims the finance authority made arbitrary and capricious decisions, violated public trust, and acted to advance its own or the state’s agenda at the expense of NUMC’s reputation and financial stability.

NNUMC provides $1 billion in health care services annually to more than 270,000 patients, including those who are uninsured and undocumented.

obody works harder than Meg and nobody cares more about the success of the hospital than she does.

MAtthEw BRuDERMAN

“We are continuing to work with Nassau County on an appropriate solution for the future of NUMC,” a spokesperson from the state told the Herald. “Our concerns are the fiscal health of the hospital and patient care. Everything else is just noise.”

Chairman Nassau County Health Care Corporation

“While (the state) and NIFA work overtime to prevent the progress we’re making here, scheme about power grabs, and cover up their malfeasance, Meg is working to ensure NUMC is saved,” Bruderman said.

“Together with Dr. Ting, Chief Nurse Costello and the rest of this team, NUMC is in an outstanding position to serve everyone who needs care.”

John Desmond, an NHCC board member, congratulated Ryan and her “outstanding” leadership team.

“Meg Ryan’s forwardthinking approach and dedication to excellence have significantly enhanced NUMC’s role in the community,” Desmond said, “ensuring it remains a vital resource for those in need.”

Holden Leeds/Herald

Megan Ryan was confirmed as the president and chief executive of the Nassau Health Care Corporation, which oversees the operations of the Nassau University Medical Center and the A. Holly Paterson Extended Care Facility. Ryan is the first woman to lead the public hospital system.

Herald file photo

Dr. Grace Ting was named the chief medical officer.

Steve Sachs/Herald

Shannon Costello, center, was named chief nursing officer. Costello at a September 2024 event with Danielle Pollaro, director of critical care, and Jennifer Rufle, nurse manager for special procedures.

Nominate a student under 16 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.

We want to hear about the extraordinary young individuals who are driving change in their communities.

The award will be presented at the 2025 LI Herald Sustainability Awards of Long Island powered by Reworld in February.

Your nomination could inspire countless others to follow in their footsteps!

Submit a nomination of approximately 200 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?

Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.

Welcome to

Sands Proposes $150M Infrastructure Plan for Nassau County

28,000+ page Draft Environmental Impact Statement with infrastructure modernization investments ready for public review

On On November 20th, Las Vegas Sands offi cially submitted its Draft Environmental Impact Statement to the Nassau County Legislature for its proposed worldclass integrated resort at the site of the Nassau Coliseum. The submission followed a vote by the Nassau County Legislature which unanimously confi rmed that the document is complete, addresses all required topics, and is now available for public review.

The DEIS, a 28,000+ page, 6-foot tall document, is the most comprehensive environmental impact statement ever presented on Long Island, refl ecting Las Vegas Sands’ steadfast commitment to sustainable development and community investment. “We are grateful to the Nassau County Legislature for its thorough review of the completeness of our environmental impact statement. This over 28,000-page document further demonstrates Sands’ commitment to comprehensively and holistically mitigate the potential impacts of our transformative project at the site of the Nassau Coliseum. We are equally grateful to the many Long Islanders and local organizations that continue to come to the table and work with us to create opportunity and build a better, more inclusive, more sustainable community for all,” said Michael Levoff , Las Vegas Sands’ Senior Vice President of Strategy and Public Aff airs.

Highlights of the DEIS, prepared by leading engineering fi rm VHB, include more than $150 million in mitigation investments, targeting enhancement of infrastructure and beautifi cation of Uniondale and other local, historically disinvested

communities. These investments aim to modernize central Nassau County to support a multi-billion dollar investment by Las Vegas Sands while also unlocking additional economic development opportunities for the county and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Key mitigation measures, funded privately by Sands include:

• Modernizing the Meadowbrook Parkway: Adding additional capacity and reconstructing bridges to ease congestion on this historically overburdened corridor. This critical improvement will not require land takings but will require state approval.

• New Water Well for Uniondale: Enhancing a local water district

that has been operating in a defi cit for many years to ensure longterm sustainability and reliability of the project while providing a much-needed public benefi t.

• Electric Substation Expansion: Upgrading energy infrastructure in the area to meet growing demand and support regional modernization.

• Beautiﬁcation Projects: Improving public spaces and the aesthetic appeal of the area to benefi t both residents and visitors.

“We are proud to present one of the most comprehensive environmental impact statements ever prepared on Long Island. Working with Sands on this project has been a pleasure. Whenever a potential impact was identifi ed, the company consistently demonstrated its commitment to mitigate these issues, ensuring that both the community and the environment were respected and protected,” said Terri Elkowitz, Senior Principal at VHB.

The DEIS document is now available for public review on the Nassau County Legislature website, and comments can be submitted through Jan. 6, 2025. The Legislature’s retained engineering experts will diligently review the document before making recommendations on a Final Environmental Impact Statement which is expected to be adopted sometime next Spring.

The Sands project is committed to a transparent, communitycentered process, inviting residents, stakeholders, and local leaders to provide input during the public comment period. To sign a letter of support for the project, go to SandsNewYork.com

Photos provided by Sands

Sands team members and supporters at the DEIS hearing

Community members supporting Sands at the environmental scoping session

Celebrating Innovation and Legacy at the Air & Space Gala

The Cradle of Aviation Museum’s annual Air & Space Gala on November 7th was a shining celebration of Long Island’s rich aerospace and defense legacy. Sands proudly sponsored this inspiring event, which honored individuals shaping the future of innovation: Senior Vice President of Lunar Permanence at Blue Origin, John Couluris, and Chair & Chief Executive Officer for Vantage Group, George Casey, and Baldwin native and NASA Astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli.

Funds raised by the Gala support the museum’s mission to preserve Long Island’s rich aerospace history and expand its educational impact. Proceeds from the event fund essential programs, including STEM initiatives that inspire middle and high school students, as well as partnerships with local elementary schools. The Gala is also a platform to honor significant

historical milestones and recognize outstanding leaders in the aerospace community.

The evening’s highlights featured a stunning performance by the Freeport Choir, who delivered heartfelt renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America."

The keynote speaker, NASA Astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli captivated attendees with her inspiring journey from Long Island to space and her aspirations for lunar exploration. The evening was concluded with a dynamic panel discussion exploring the intersection of technology, education, and space exploration, emphasizing Long Island’s pivotal role in the aerospace industry.

Sands is honored to support events that showcase our community's rich history, celebrate groundbreaking achievements, and inspire future generations to reach for the stars.

Sands New York Celebrates Long Island Heroes at 2024 Red Cross Gala

The 2024 Long Island Heroes Celebration, hosted by the American Red Cross on Nov. 14, was a night of inspiration and generosity, raising an impressive $300,000 to support life-saving Red Cross programs. Held at the Cradle of Aviation, the event recognized extraordinary individuals and organizations whose service exemplifies the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. Attendees were treated to moving tributes and heartfelt stories of resilience, with honorees celebrated for their unwavering commitment to the community.

John Ledecky, owner of the Stanley Cup-winning New York Islanders, was named the Humanitarian Honoree for his philanthropic leadership and dedication to uplifting Long Islanders. Additional honorees included the Good Samaritan Honorees, whose acts of courage saved a family from a home fire in their town of Glen Cove, earning them a standing ovation from the crowd.

Sands New York proudly served as a sponsor of the event, with a full table of enthusiastic guests joining the celebration. Reflecting on the gala, Tracey Edwards, Senior Vice President and Corporate Social Responsibility Officer for Sands New York,

shared, “The Red Cross has been a steadfast partner to Long Islanders through countless storms and disasters, offering relief and hope in our most challenging moments. Sands New York is honored to support their mission and celebrate the heroes who embody the spirit of resilience and service.” The funds raised will help sustain critical Red Cross programs, including disaster preparedness, blood donation drives, and support for military families. The evening underscored the profound impact of collective action in creating stronger, more resilient communities, with Sands New York reaffirming its commitment to supporting organizations that make a lasting difference.

Family & Children’s Association Gala Showcases Community Impact and Partnership

On Nov. 14, the Family & Children’s Association held its annual Fall Harvest Celebration at The Heritage Club in Bethpage, bringing together supporters and partners to honor the organization’s critical work in serving vulnerable populations across Long Island. The event highlighted FCA’s dedication to addressing pressing issues, from food insecurity to mental health services, and raised vital funds to sustain its life-changing programs. As a key sponsor, Sands New York underscored its deep-rooted commitment to partnering with FCA in strengthening the Long Island community. Earlier this year, Sands announced a $200,000 donation to expand FCA’s offerings,

enabling the organization to broaden its reach and address gaps in essential services. This ongoing collaboration reflects a shared vision of fostering stability, opportunity, and hope for residents in need.

“Sands New York has been proud to support the Family & Children’s Association and their tireless work to improve lives across Long Island,” said Tracey Edwards, Senior Vice President and Corporate Social Responsibility Officer for Sands New York.

“This celebration is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions and the incredible impact we can make together.”

The Fall Harvest Celebration

featured inspiring stories from those directly impacted by FCA’s programs, reinforcing the importance of collective action in tackling challenges like poverty, addiction, and access to healthcare.

The evening was a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of Long Islanders—and of the transformative potential of strategic partnerships like the one between FCA and Sands New York.

LI TODAY

Long Island Fight for Charity: A Knockout Success

The Long Island Fight for Charity took center stage on Nov. 25, 2024, delivering a thrilling mix of heart-pounding action and heartwarming philanthropy. Local business leaders laced up their gloves for an unforgettable evening of boxing, camaraderie, and community impact, raising an incredible $2 million for charities including Long Island Community Chest, EAC Network and many other deserving causes and organizations, chosen by the boxers themselves. Sands New York was proud to support this event as a sponsor for the second year in a row.

The star-studded event featured standout matches, including bouts by Sammy Chu and Robert Madden. Sammy Chu was escorted to the ring by former Governor and Sands Senior Vice President David Paterson. The two had shared an especially memorable moment in a recent training session at the Academy of Boxing in Huntington, where the Governor and Sammy sparred in the ring. Chu’s bout, the fi nal fi ght of the night, brought the crowd to its feet with his determination and skill.

Adding to the excitement was a diverse array of food and drink from local vendors, creating a festive atmosphere that highlighted Long Island’s vibrant community spirit. As always, the Fight for Charity proved to be more than a boxing event—it was a celebration of resilience, generosity, and the power of coming together for a cause.

The event’s resounding success underscores its role as one of Long Island’s premier charitable evenings, combining athleticism and altruism to support those in need. Here's to another knockout year of giving back!

Photo provided by Sands

The Sands New York team attends the 16th Annual Alumni and FRIENDS Reception, celebrating the accomplishments of NYIT's School of Architecture and supporting scholarships, special projects, and industry collaboration.

Photo provided by Sands

The Sands New York team was proud to attend the Westbury Arts Fall Gala, supporting the organization's mission to connect, inspire, and educate the community through arts and culture. The event, themed "A Pop of Color - Let Your Inner Colors Shine," celebrated the achievements of distinguished honorees and highlighted the importance of the arts in Long Island’s cultural landscape.

STEPPING OUT

Merry eatings

‘Tis the season for a

By Karen Bloom

ost of us would agree that there’s almost nothing better than the aroma of fresh-baked goodies wafting through the house. Especially during holiday time. Nothing says “love” like fresh baked cookies and treats. So give the gift of homemade goodness, whether it’s a gift platter or by hosting family and friends for a cookie exchange. Everyone can get in on the act and share their creations all around.

Your gang will enjoy tasting these luscious creations in your makeshift holiday workshop.

Chocolate Mint Squares

Notes of crisp peppermint perfectly complement the ﬂavors of coffee in this festive alternative to a brownie. Add some crushed peppermint to each cookie to create a beautiful and seasonal presentation.

Dough

• 1/3 cup baking chocolate or unsweetened chocolate

• 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose ﬂour

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chopped pecans, optional

• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract or peppermint oil

Frosting

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar or glazing sugar

• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) melted butter

• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract or peppermint oil

• 2 tablespoons milk

Glaze

• 3 tablespoons baking chocolate or unsweetened chocolate

• 1 tablespoon butter

Garnish

• 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9” x 9” pan.

To make the dough: In a double boiler, or in a microwave, melt together the chocolate and butter. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, salt and eggs.

Add the chocolate mixture, stirring to combine, then the ﬂour, nuts and peppermint, mixing until well-blended.

Pour the batter into the pan. Bake the squares for 25 minutes. Remove them from the oven, and

‘Holiday Joy’

cool to room temperature. Remove them from the oven, and cool to room temperature. While cooling make the frosting and glaze.

To make the frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, melted butter or margarine, peppermint and milk. Spread the frosting over the cooled squares in a thin layer.

To make the glaze: In a double boiler, or in a microwave, melt together the chocolate and butter or margarine. Drizzle this over the frosted squares, and sprinkle with the crushed peppermint candy. Refrigerate the squares until they’re well-chilled. To serve, cut into 1 1/2” squares.

Dreidel Hanukkah Cookies

You can’t spin these dreidels, but you sure can gobble them up. The versatile dough that can be customized to create chocolate or colored cookies.

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose ﬂour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• Dreidel-shaped cookie cutter

• Piping bag

• Blue frosting

Cookie dough

In a medium-size bowl, mix the ﬂour and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, stir in the egg, then the corn syrup and vanilla extract. One third at a time, add the ﬂour mixture until thoroughly mixed.

Pat the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, or until ﬁrm enough to roll. If it is too ﬁrm, soften at room temperature for 5 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Roll one disk of dough between two pieces of waxed paper or

plastic wrap, 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top sheet and cut out the cookies with cookie cutters.

Using a metal spatula, transfer the shapes to baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies start to brown lightly around the edges. Remove the baking sheet to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes.

Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to racks and cool completely before frosting and decorating. Makes 12 to 50 cookies, depending on their size.

For chocolate dough: After the last third of ﬂour has been added to the dough, mix in 1 ounce melted, slightly cooled unsweetened chocolate. Use your hands to knead in the chocolate.

For colored dough: Divide the dough into portions and use a toothpick to add food coloring paste (available at party supply stores) to each one. Knead until the color is evenly distributed. For a ﬂavor surprise, omit the vanilla extract and add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract to the yellow dough, mint extract to the green dough, and strawberry extract to the red dough.

How to prepare

Cut out the dreidels from the rolled-out dough and bake as directed (if you cant ﬁnd a dreidel cookie cutter, make a pattern out of lightweight cardboard). When cooled, pipe one of the four classic dreidel symbols on each cookie (either gimel, shin, nun, or hay) with blue frosting.

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp. vanilla

• 1-1/2 cups ﬂour

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 44 candy-coated chocolate pieces

• 88 semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

• 44 pretzels, broken into 1-inch pieces

Heat oven to 350° F.

Beat peanut butter, butter and sugars in large bowl with mixer until light and ﬂuffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until blended. Add combined ﬂour and baking soda; mix well.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets. Bake 7 to 9 min. or until cookies are just set.

Place 1 chocolate piece immediately in center of each cookie for a nose (press down slightly if cookies aren’t ﬂat enough), 2 chocolate chips for eyes, and 2 pretzel pieces at top of cookie for antlers. Carefully remove cookies to wire rack; cool completely.

Beloved holiday tunes are combined with a musical cabaret in a joyous over-the-top spectacle that is the Madison Theatre’s holiday celebration. The cast of 48 performers enthusiastically share all the delights of the season in this show, now in its 11th year, created by Artistic Director Angelo Fraboni. The vibrant cast includes Broadway performers. and Molloy University’s pre-professional CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory students “Holiday Joy” invites everyone to take a journey through the many worlds of the holidays — through song and dance — in the fast- paced spectacle. Timeless songs such as “We Need A Little Christmas” are brought to life in joyful arrangements, accompanied by a live band.

Friday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. ; Saturday, Dec. 21, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 22, 3 p.m. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or madisontheatreny. org.

Yellow Brick Joel

Relive the classic songs that deﬁne generations. David Clark performs as Billy Joel along with Bill Connors as Elton John in this thoroughly entertaining and faithful tribute to the Face To Face/Face 2 Face tours of the 1990s and 2000s. Experience a spirited concert celebrating the two greatest ‘Piano Men’ of our generation with hits like “I’m Still Standing,” “Rocket Man,” “Piano Man” and “You May Be Right” along with some deeper fan performances like “Honky Cat,” “Funeral For A Friend,” “Miami 2017,” and “Captain Jack.” A tribute to two of the greatest piano players and performers of all time couldn’t be set up any other way! Groove along to the vibe at this one-of-a-kind performance where these two talents go head-tohead as Elton John and Billy Joel delivering unforgettable music and showmanship.

Friday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $28. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com.

Chocolate Mint Squares

Dreidel Hanukkah Cookies Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

THE Your Neighborhood

Jan. 3

‘Cold Beer on a Friday Night’

Keep those winter doldrums at bay with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. It may seem like we’ve got much too long to wait ‘til we’re back on the beach, but Jimmy Kenny and his band come to the rescue, on the Paramount stage, Friday, Jan. 3 , 8 p.m. Join in their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along. The Long Island-based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios, lead guitar/backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione — has been celebrating the beach country sounds of Buffett, Chesney and Zac Brown Band for over a decade, spreading their vibe up and down the Northeast coast. Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively l mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair. If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer on a Friday night, then you’ll surely have a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band. $35, $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Countdown to 12

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes back its popular “Noon” Year’s Eve family party, Sunday, dec. 31, noon4 p.m. This year’s event will be making an intergalactic leap with activities starting at 11 a.m., the addition of a third ball drop, plus space-themed crafts, entertainment and a confettifilled dance party. The day’s celebration starts and ends with Times Square-style ball drops (noon, 2 and 4 p.m.). In between the opening and closing ball drops, families will make themed crafts and enjoy the DJ-led dance party.

All activities are drop-in and run through 3:45 p.m. $20 adults and children, $18 seniors, members free. Advance ticket purchase recommended. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.

Winter Wonderland

Meet Santa and go ice skating at Hempstead village’s Winter Wonderland, Friday, dec. 20, 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Denton Green across from Village Hall. 99 James A. Garner Way, Hempstead. For more information, call (516) 4786286.

Bird walk

See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for the next in its series of bird walks, at Hempstead Lake State Park, Saturday, dec. 21, starting at 9 a.m. The group will meet in parking lot #3. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. Rain, snow or temperature below 25 degrees will cancel the bird walk. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit ssaudubon.org.

Uniondale’s Winter Wonderland

Celebrate the holiday season at Uniondale Public Library, hosted by the Uniondale Empowerment Resource Center, Saturday, dec. 21, noon-3 p.m. With community resources and entertainment, games and activities, light refreshments and free toy giveaways by special guests from the North Pole, 400 Uniondale Ave. For more information or to register, visit UniondaleLibrary.org or call (516) 489-2220.

Let’s Skate

Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, through Jan. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades.

Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Home for the Holidays Adoption

There’s no better time to adopt a new pet than during, “Home for the Holidays” at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. All fees are waived and include free spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, now through Sunday, Jan. 5. Licensing feels still apply. Prospective adopters can browse photos and profiles at hempsteadny.gov/179/ animal-shelter and also on the shelter’s Facebook page. 3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh. For more information, call the animal shelter, (516) 785-5220.

Pancake Breakfast with Santa

Join Brookside Engine 2 for a pancake breakfast with Santa! There will be music, activities and of course a special visit from Santa with photo opportunities. Sunday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 577 Park Ave., Uniondale. For more information, contact the Uniondale Fire Department at (516) 4818808.

Having an event?

Holiday concert

Celebrate the season with the Symphonic Pops of Long Island, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m. The intergenerational orchestra of 60 L.I.-based musicians performs with the Willow Interfaith Women’s Choir as special guests. The program, at Brookside School in North Merrick, includes “Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “Christmas Sing-A-Long,” “Greensleeves,” “Chanukah Festival Overture,” and much more.

Suggested donation of $10 is requested at the door (kids are free). 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York. Visit symphonicpopsli.org for more.

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

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition

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

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

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to its stage, Friday, Dec. 20, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, Dec. 21, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 26, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 27, 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m.; 6: 15 p.m.; also Dec. 28-30. Ezra Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day & Other Stories” celebrates the joy in the small moments of a child’s world. Experience the wonder of a fresh snowfall, the delight of whistling for the first time, and the awe of finding a special treasure. In this childhood adventure, Keats’ classic books come to life, featuring live actors and shadow puppets telling the stories of “The Snowy Day,” “Goggles!,” “Whistle for Willie,” and “A Letter to Amy.” $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.

Sam's Caribbean Marketplace

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU Bank of America, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST

David A. Nobrega; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 8, 2015, and Amended November 3, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 9, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1298 Birch Street, Uniondale, NY 11553-2008. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 50 Block 572 Lot 0015. Approximate amount of judgment $248,768.87 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 004891/2014. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: October 30, 2024 150329 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK TRUST

NATIONAL ASSOC IATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR LEGACY MORTGAGE ASSET TRUST 2020-RPL1, Plaintiff, Against ROSALINA JOHNSON, Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 06/25/2024, 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 1/9/2025 at 3:00PM, premises known as 278 Anchor Way, Uniondale, NY 11553, And Described As Follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, being at East Hempstead, Unincorporated, in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York.

Section 50 Block 33301

Lot 107

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $519,383.25 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 607898/2021

Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee.

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

Dated: 11/8/2024 File Number: 37728 mbayram 150333

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the Certificateholders of the CWABS, Inc., AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2006-18, Plaintiff AGAINST Nassau County Public Administrator, as Limited Administrator of the Estate of Mary Alice Turner a/k/a Mary A. Turner; et al.,

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 15, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 8, 2025 at 4:00PM, premises known as 865 Southern Parkway, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 50 Block 286 Lot 131. Approximate amount of judgment $818,838.47 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 009443/2012. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Cary David Kessler, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: October 24, 2024 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 150325

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU PHH Mortgage Corporation, Plaintiff AGAINST Miguel A. Boquin a/k/a Miguel Boquin; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 15, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 9, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 24 Underhill Avenue, Roosevelt, NY 11575. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Roosevelt, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 55 Block 319 Lots 1109, 1110, & 1111. Approximate amount of judgment $673,242.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 608463/2022. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Matin Emouna, Esq., Referee

LOGS Legal Group LLP

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: October 24, 2024 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 150327

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. MTAG, AS CUSTODIAN FOR ALTERNA FUNDING I, LLC, Pltf. vs. DANIEL C. BROWN, et al, Defts. Index #002241/2017. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Nov. 23, 2022, I will sell at public auction on North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on January 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 371 First Place, Uniondale, NY a/k/a School District 2, Section 50, Block 109, Lot 6. Approximate amount of judgment is $21,571.20 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. ADRIENNE FLIPSE HAUSCH, Referee.

BRONSTER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 156 West 56th Street, Ste. 703, New York, NY 10019. File No. 700999.132 - #101961 150461

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR MFRA TRUST 2015-1, Plaintiff, vs. DINA VENTURA A/K/A DINA M. VENTURA, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 8, 2023 and an Order Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on October 15, 2024, 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 January 14, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 335 Locust Avenue, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Unincorporated area, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 47 and Lots 32-34. Approximate amount of judgment is $886,894.24 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #616578/2019.

Lisa Segal Poczik, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 180599-2 150465

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for Structured Asset Securities Corporation Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-AM1, Plaintiff AGAINST Gladys Arias; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 28, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 13, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 399 Hawthorne 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

A Christmas message CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

This time of year is a special time for people of all faiths and even for those who hold no faith at all.

It’s a season that encourages reflection, togetherness, and hope — a moment when the world seems to slow down and focus on what truly matters. For Christians, Christmas holds profound significance as we celebrate the monumental moment when God came to earth in a very special way. Unlike other faith traditions where gods may be distant or relate only symbolically, Christians believe in a God who is both loving and personal. Our God not only created us but became one of us, taking on human form in the person of Jesus Christ.

In the midst of holiday festivities, let us not lose sight of these enduring truths. Christmas is more than presents and decorations; it is a time to open our hearts to love, kindness, and generosity. As we gather with family, friends, and neighbors, let us celebrate the hope and light that Christ’s birth brings into the world.

ReveRend

The birth of Christ reminds us of the depth of God’s love and His desire to draw close to us. It’s an event that demonstrates how God fulfills His promises, remains faithful, and meets us in our brokenness. Through Jesus, we see how God heals, forgives, and teaches us how to live with compassion and grace.

James T. sTachacz

No matter your background or beliefs, the spirit of Christmas invites all of us to reflect on the goodness we can share with one another. May this season inspire us to extend grace, build bridges, and uplift those who may be struggling. From our hearts to yours, may this Christmas bring peace, joy, and blessings to your home. Let us carry the light of this season into the new year, striving to live with the same love and faithfulness that God has shown us.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year!

He leads Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

Public Notices

Nassau, State of NY, Section 34 Block 496 Lots 342, 343. Approximate amount of judgment $480,193.67 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 616925/2019. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 10th Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee

LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: November 8, 2024 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 150459

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A, Plaintiff AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY, AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA G. STAFFORD, UNKNOWN HEIRS AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF BARBARA G. STAFFORD IF LIVING,

AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION. ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 8, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 14, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 324 MAPLEGROVE AVENUE, UNIONDALE, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 48, Lot 44-45. Approximate amount of judgment $284,058.64 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #616471/2018. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with

social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 18-004820 83278 150404

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF GITSIT MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST BBPLC1, Plaintiff against SHAWN Y. BROWN, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Leopold & Associates, PLLC, 80 Business Park Drive, Suite 110, Armonk, NY 10504. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered October 31, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 16, 2025 at 3:00

PM. Premises known as 1068 Arthur Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. Sec 36 Block 148 Lot 190, 191 and 192. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $323,635.85 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 618169/2023. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Joshua D. Brookstein, Esq., Referee File # 11847969 150457

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

Amityville UFSD Food Service Workers PT/FT

Responsibilities- Food preparation & service, sanitation awareness, other duties as assigned by the District.

Qualifications- Knowledge and experience with cooking, inventory, cashiering, recordkeeping, customer service, computer skills **Suffolk County Food Manager's Certificate preferred. Salary range starting at $20,980. Email resume to: humanresources@amityvilleufsd.org or apply online at www.olasjobs.org/longisland

Amityville UFSD Substitute/Permanent Substitute Teachers Elementary & Secondary Level

Qualifications: NYS Certification Salary: $150 per day Application: Interested candidates please apply online at www.olasjobs.org/longisland Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

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

Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460

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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

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

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

Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

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

OUTSIDE SALES

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

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

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist

HomesHERALD

A Dream Home

Retail Space For Rent

RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT

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High Traffic

Successful Strip Shopping Center, Near Two High Schools Suitable For Medical/ Office 516-967-5805

Making an old home newer

Q. We looked at a home to buy, and saw that the stairs from the first to the second floor were leaning. We keep seeing this in homes that we’re interested in. Even though we will get a home inspection, can you tell us, more specifically, what causes this, and whether it’s a reason not to be interested in any particular house?

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A. Leaning stairs are usually improperly supported. Because stairs go through an opening between floors, their weight must be supported all around the opening. Unfortunately, this leaning and sagging condition is not uncommon, especially in older homes that were built before there were building codes and official building inspections by trained individuals who had to sign off on the way a home was framed. Many homes were framed by carpenters who had knowledge of materials and how to join them to create beautiful homes, without necessarily being formally educated in the engineering, science and math required to predict, and thereby avoid, failure.

To the trained professional, the stair condition you describe is considered a failure, because the weight of the stairs and the surrounding structure were not resolved to keep everything aligned. The leaning staircase was predictable, but not avoided. In some modern cases, when inspectors aren’t called before the framing is covered in finishes such as wallboard or woodwork, an official inspection isn’t done, and many inspectors will rely on a letter from a licensed architect or engineer.

You should be made aware that this practice of asking for letters may not be of much assurance, because not seeing the conditions and still writing a letter can be a problem. Letters don’t hold up buildings, but the shifting of the task is meant to shift responsibility, and unless the licensed professional really examines the conditions fully, you may just go through a shifting of blame similar to the shifting stairs.

The remedy is to lift the stairs into position while remediating the structure. In some cases, a column at the lowest level was required and not installed; in others, the horizontal floor joists surrounding the stairwell weren’t the right size; and in other cases, the stair may have been framed and attached to the surrounding structure incorrectly. Many people never consider the impact of an adult transferring their weight, with gravity, to the next step, literally falling a step at a time, multiplying their mass plus gravity.

In one instance I investigated, an air conditioning installer “needed” to cut through the main beam just below the stair landing so that only the air duct was holding the stairs’ weight, which, by the time I arrived, had dropped 4 inches. The air duct was redirected and the beam had to be replaced, which turned out to be an involved procedure. If the house has plaster walls, the repair is more expensive and, in either case, the added framing may be costly. It might be a reason to keep looking. Good luck!

SAVE

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opinions

Like many other devotees, I’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods’ dearly

Atelevision era has ended. Last Friday night’s “Blue Bloods” episode was the last. It has been canceled by CBS despite having consistently high ratings and, in my opinion, having been the best show on television during its 14-season run on the network. I don’t profess to be a media critic, but I am a lifelong New Yorker who appreciated the firstclass acting of a cast led by Tom Selleck, and the show’s proud espousal of support for the police and its advocacy of traditional family values.

“Blue Bloods” focuses on four generations of the Reagan family in New York law enforcement — the “Reagan family business.” Frank Reagan, played by Selleck, is the NYPD commissioner. His father, Henry, is a former commissioner. His sons, Danny, a detective, and Jamie,

a sergeant, as well as Jamie’s wife, Janko, are all NYPD, and his daughter, Erin, is a prosecutor in the district attorney’s office. An older son, Joe, was killed in the line of duty. His son, Joe Hill, previously unknown to the family, recently appeared on the NYPD scene using his mother’s last name.

Besides the expected emphasis on crime solving, “Blue Bloods” shows the realities of cops’ lives and the impact that those often harsh realities have on their families’ day-to-day lives. Unlike almost every other crime drama series, “Blue Bloods” never succumbed to political or corporate pressure to portray cops in a negative light, even at the height (or the depth) of the Defund the Police movement, which was all the rage in 2020.

consequences, including being secondguessed by critics who have never had to confront professional killers, violent drug dealers or crazed madmen.

W as it canceled for resisting corporate pressure to be more ‘woke’?

Not that it shows cops to be perfect. Just human — people who are willing to put their lives on the line for all the rest of us. People who have to make lifechanging decisions and live with the

iAs a recent Newsday story pointed out, “Blue Bloods” has a particularly strong following on Long Island, where many police officers and their families and friends live, as well as the many thousands of commuters who regularly travel to the city for work or entertainment.

I admit to having a bias. My father was a member of the NYPD for more than three decades before he retired as a lieutenant. I also have friends who have been officers in the NYPD as well as the Nassau and Suffolk County police departments. It was most impactful to be able to closely observe police work during my 18 years on the House Homeland Security Committee.

I had the chance to meet the “Blue Bloods” cast during several visits to their studio in Brooklyn, where they filmed the Sunday-family-dinner scenes,

and other shooting locations on Long Island. All are outstanding people, especially Selleck; Donnie Wahlberg, who played Danny; and Will Estes, who played Jamie. So, too, is Steve Schirripa (Anthony Abetemarco), whom I’d met before, a great guy who’s as genuine as the investigator he plays on the show.

Believe me, I’m not a star-struck guy. Being in public life, I’ve met a number of famous people and celebrities who are jerks. The “Blue Bloods” guys are the real deal.

The unanswered question is why CBS canceled a show that had consistently positive ratings for so many seasons and such a loyal, supportive fan base. Was it because “Blue Bloods” resisted corporate pressure to be more progressive and ‘woke’? Were its traditional values, exemplified by support for the police, the family dinner and strong patriotism, too out of touch for some of its advertisers? No matter. “Blue Bloods” fans will always have the memories.

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

At least Governor Hochul got the message

n case you’re still counting, Election Day happened six weeks ago, and all of the post-mortems on both sides reached the same conclusion: The No. 1 issue for voters was the economy, and the Democrats failed to pay attention to that issue, even though James Carville has been telling his party that “It’s the economy, stupid,” since 1992.

As we approach a new year, nothing has changed. The voters voted their pocketbooks, and they will judge all national and state politicians by what they do to ease people’s financial tensions. Incoming President Donald Trump says he hasn’t forgotten about his promise to cut the price of basic necessities, and his legacy will be judged by the promises he will keep.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, meanwhile, has gotten the message, and will propose a 2025 budget that will be loaded with pro-

grams to help wage earners on many levels. Her first salvo into the coming year is an interesting one. She wants to give every family that makes less than $300,000 a check from the state for $500, and individuals who make less than $150,000 a onetime payment of $300.

Fiscal conservatives and budget hawks jumped on the plan with all kinds of criticism, but it will take more than a few barbs to kill Hochul’s one-shot anti-inflation proposal. Why is this plan being proposed, and where would the money come from?

swhen she announces her proposed budget in late January. Every one of the ideas in her plan will be aimed at saving people money.

he’ll propose a 2025 budget loaded with programs to help wage earners.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the state collected a bonanza of tax revenue. Housebound voters purchased billions of dollars’ worth of necessities, and the state was the beneficiary. Those funds are sitting in some budget account, and if the governor doesn’t spend them first, the State Legislature surely will.

The rebate proposal is just one of many taxpayer benefits that Hochul will announce. There are numerous ways to reward consumers, and the governor can be the first one to offer them

Aside from the fact that Hochul is paying attention to the message of this year’s election, she is also keeping an eye on the political calendar. She will be seeking re-election in 2026, and now is as good a time as ever to make proposals that appeal to the average voter. The timing is important, because there are always a few ambitious Democrats who think they can do a better job, as well as some Republicans who are looking for promotions.

Even New York City Mayor Eric Adams has climbed on the tax-cutting bandwagon. He has proposed a modest cut for people on the lowest rung of the income ladder, but a check in the mail can be a much more potent gift for a voter in 2025.

Is a rebate check a new political idea? Some years back, when the state was running the Long Island Lighting Company, then Gov. George Pataki

approved a one-time payment for utility customers. It was an instant hit. Are there many ways to put money in voters’ wallets? From personal experience, I can think of a few. While serving as chair of the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee, I Iearned a lot about sales taxes. New York’s tax laws cover thousands of day-to-day household items. Some of those taxes could be eliminated, and consumers would know very quickly why their expenses went down. The flip side of sales tax cuts is that they cost the state money, but if there’s money in the cupboard, why not spend it?

In the weeks ahead, New York voters will be romanced with one proposal after another. The trick for the governor is to be the first one to come up new ideas that the Legislature will have a hard time rejecting. It’s time for the state to start giving back, even if that comes in small pieces.

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

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iSuffolk C.C. is shortchanging journalism

n a decision that has left many Long Island journalists and educators dismayed, Suffolk County Community College has chosen to eliminate its journalism major.

The move, characterized as a cost-cutting measure in response to declining enrollment and the purportedly dim career prospects of students who study journalism, is not only shortsighted, but runs counter to the college’s mission of preparing students to transfer to fouryear institutions where they can follow their chosen paths to future success.

For years, SCCC has prided itself on serving as a launching pad for students aiming to continue their education at schools such as Adelphi, Hofstra and Stony Brook universities — institutions with thriving journalism and communications programs. Suffolk’s own commercials proclaim how proud the school is to propel two-year students to fouryear schools.

Journalism is not only a viable academic path at these schools; it is also a critical discipline that is nothing less than the backbone of a functioning democracy. By shuttering the journalism major, SCCC sends a troubling message about the value it places on media literacy, civic engagement and students’ preparation for essential careers in public service, accountability and compelling storytelling.

The college’s decision is proving to be a controversial one, given that it came despite opposition from SCCC’s own faculty. In three separate votes, educators overwhelmingly rejected the proposal to discontinue the program. Such strong opposition suggests that those closest to

letters

Those excessive red-light-camera fines

To the Editor:

the educational process, who teach, mentor and advise students, understand the importance of maintaining a journalism program, even at a time when there couldn’t be more challenges for the profession.

The executive dean ultimately overrode those votes, citing enrollment declines and data from the New York State Department of Labor projecting limited growth in journalism jobs.

Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, show a more robust industry despite the decline in the number and readership of newspapers. The SCCC decision fails to account for the evolving nature of journalism and its continued relevance in a mediasaturated world. The field is not disappearing; it is being transformed, and students deserve the opportunity to learn the skills needed to adapt to this new media landscape.

Content creation, social media management, podcasting, multimedia reporting and data journalism are just a few of the avenues now available to those with a foundation in journalism. Furthermore, the skills taught in a journalism program — writing, research, critical thinking and ethical reasoning — are transferable to a wide range of careers.

As it happens, the State University of New York has a system-wide community journalism program, the Institute for Local News, that provides students with real-world experience at local media outlets. Ironically, SCCC is the largest college by enrollment in the SUNY system. And we should note that its sister school, Nassau Community College, also offers journalism classes, but has no

If you haven’t heard, it seems a state appeals court has found that Nassau County has been adding illegal fees to red-light-camera tickets over the past 10 years — $100 on a $150 ticket. Ouch. I know — just like you, I’m shocked. Shocked, I tell ya. OK, not really.

But here’s the thing: Some of our dear legislators don’t wanna give back the money that was taken from us! Yeah, another shock.

I guess we’ll just see how that little bit of business plays out, but there is one more thing I’d like to bring up again. One of the biggest complaints about the redlight cams is the rear-end collisions they cause. Not being one to complain without offering a solution, I’d like to re-introduce my simple solution that would solve the problem immediately. Simple countdown clocks! There is absolutely no excuse why there shouldn’t be one hanging from every traffic light at a

journalism major.

The Herald Community Newspapers have for years invited journalism students from colleges across Long Island to work as interns, and the company is currently in partnership with Hofstra on a program in which students will join forces with Herald journalists on a series of stories, as well as with Stony Brook’s Working Newsroom, in which students will pitch and write stories. All of the stories will be published in the Heralds.

SCCC is targeting other programs and majors that fail to meet certain enrollment and job market criteria, and those decisions signal a troubling trend of prioritizing short-term metrics over longterm educational value. While budget constraints are an undeniable reality for most institutions, their decisions about academic programs should be guided by more than just numbers. They should reflect a commitment to the colleges’ missions and to the needs of their students.

If SCCC is truly committed to preparing students for transfer and future success, it must reconsider the elimination of its journalism major. A flourishing journalism program would not only support the college’s academic reputation, but also affirm its dedication to producing graduates who are informed, articulate and passionate about engaging with the world.

Bottom-line-focused decisions may balance budgets in the moment, but they risk undermining the broader purpose of education: to prepare students not only for jobs but also for meaningful, informed lives.

opinions

We need the Department of Education

the U.S. Department of Education was established as a cabinet-level agency in October 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, and officially began operations in May 1980. For nearly 45 years, the department has soldiered past many attempts to break it apart, or disband it altogether, most notably by conservative politicians who believe that the federal agency oversteps states’ rights.

While calls to do away with the agency have persisted through the early 21st century, the effort has never been successful, and here’s why: Many educators, parents, advocacy groups and politicians on both sides of the aisle support a federal role in education to ensure equity and civil rights enforcement.

I’m not an educator or a politician, but I can tell you this: Education, and at the very least a high school diploma, is imperative to one’s success in life. What’s even more important is that the Department of Education has played a vital role in making access to education possible for countless people, ensuring that opportunities for learning and growth are within reach for all.

The DOE oversees and coordinates national education policies, but it also works closely with state and local governments to assess needs on a state-bystate basis.

There are many avenues on which I could diverge to highlight some of the department’s key components, but I’ll focus on just a few things, the first being Title I — the largest federal education program, which is aimed at improving the academic achievement of disadvantaged students. It provides financial assistance to schools and districts with high percentages of children from low-income families.

sprovides them with specific protections and resources, like individualized education plans, mandating that schools develop tailored plans for these students, outlining their unique needs and goals and the services required to meet those goals.

hutting it down would have profound consequences for students all over the nation.

Over the years, Title I has garnered bipartisan support, because both Democrats and Republicans recognize the need to address education inequities. Debates have arisen over funding distribution and outcome measurement, but Title I remains a central component of federal education policy because of its critical role in supporting vulnerable students.

The DOE also oversaw the implementation of the landmark Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. In simplest terms, the act guarantees free, appropriate public education for students with disabilities, and also

Letters

red-light-cam intersection. Problem solved. You’re welcome.

FRED GEFEN Woodmere

More local memories of Jimmy Breslin

To the Editor:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Peter King’s column “Remembering Jimmy Breslin, a legend in New York journalism” (Dec. 5-11). It brought back so many memories. Breslin used to call my late husband, Marvin Bernstein, every Sunday night for the news about the Nassau County Supreme Court. Marvin was the public information officer at the courthouse, and Jimmy kept him busy! Thanks for the column, Mr. King!

SANDY BERNSTEIN East Meadow

The Sands proposal: ‘right location, wrong project’

To the Editor:

Las Vegas Sands’ proposal for an

integrated casino-resort in the Nassau County Hub a very bad idea. Right location, wrong project! Are the risks to our suburban lifestyle and environment worth the grossly exaggerated benefits projected? There were so many assumptions in the draft environment impact statement, and so much information omitted.

I am strongly opposed to the proposed project at the Hub. There are better alternatives that would benefit all Nassau County residents, but the people we rely on to protect our interests and preserve our suburban way of life are looking for a quick fix. They will bankrupt your future in more ways than you could imagine.

Hard Rock’s application to develop Citi Field has been approved by local community boards. Much better location, very accessible public transportation and a much better independent operator than Sands. That “Metropolitan Park,” if built, would compete with Sands and other downstate casinos for the same pool of gamblers and people seeking entertainment options. Somebody’s going to lose, and it will be the residents of Nassau County. ANTHONY

The act stretches beyond primary and secondary education, also requiring schools to help students transition from high school to postsecondary education, employment or independent living — ensuring that no one’s future is negatively impacted by a learning or physical disability.

I’m detailing all of this because I, like many others, find it extremely alarming that President-elect Donald Trump has once again vowed to shut down the Department of Education.

He first proposed to do so during his 2016 presidential campaign, but even his own secretary of education during his first term, Betsy DeVos, didn’t see that idea through.

The DOE has faced its share of woes over the course of seven presidencies, and yet it steadfastly continues its work. Shutting it down isn’t just a matter of politics — it’s a decision that would have profound consequences for students across the nation.

If Trump succeeds in dismantling the department in his second term, experts in the field have indicated that its programs could survive or operate under other federal or state agencies, but the transition would likely cause massive disruptions in services, negatively impacting students.

Ninety percent of all K-12 students in the U.S. are publicly educated, due to education’s accessibility and widespread availability, and who would we be, as a nation, if we took that accessibility away?

I’ve said this many times, and I’ll say it again: If you voted for Trump because you believe in his vision for America, that’s fine, and it’s your right as an American.

Putting that aside, however, I now ask you to think about students — perhaps even your children — and what the shutdown of a massively important department could mean.

The Department of Education exists to ensure that education is not a privilege for few, but rather a right for everyone, and to close it down would risk reversing decades of progress. Rather than dismantle it, we should be focused on strengthening it for generations to come, prioritizing children, their futures, and the promise of opportunity for all.

Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? Jvallone@liherald.com.

Framework by Tim Baker

Rockville Centre Girl Scout Troop

864 at Dees’ annual Trees for Troops — Oceanside

JorDan VaLLone